Before You Go
Thank you for your interest in our Hike & Paddle Challenge! We’re excited to get you off the computer and out enjoying the wonderful North Carolina Piedmont.
Recreating outdoors can be an invigorating and fun experience, but there are risks inherent to adventuring outdoors that will not be found in your living room.
You are responsible for your groups own safety while participating in the Challenge or other outdoor activities. The Uwharrie region is home to many different species of plants and animals, including poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, ticks, turtles, bobcats, venomous and non-venomous snakes, as well as a number of weather and physical hazards. It’s important to be not be caught unaware or unprepared during your outdoor adventure.
BEFORE YOU GO, visit the Outdoor Safety in the South webpage from the US Forest Service that has safety and preparedness information specific to the southern region of the US, specifically for weather, water, and wildlife safety as well as backcountry ethics and safety around other people. Check before you head out that you have enough food and water for each participant for the duration of your activity.
While participating in the LandTrust Challenge or any other outdoor activity, remember to always practice the 7 Leave No Trace principles:
- Plan ahead and prepare,
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces,
- Dispose of waste properly – pack out all trash, leftover food and litter or dispose in appropriate receptacles,
- Leave what you find – examine but do not touch cultural or historic structures or artifacts; leave rocks, plants, and other objects as you find them; and do not build structures or dig trenches,
- Minimize campfire impacts,
- Respect wildlife – never feed animals, store your food and trash securely, and control pets at all times, and
- Be considerate of other visitors.
