Summary: Experiencing The Appalachian Mountains

When one thinks of the Appalachians, one generally thinks of the mountains of the southeastern region of the United States. However the Mountain range itself actually begins in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, extending from there for almost 2,000 miles (3,200 km) to central Alabama in the United States. Thus the region also forms the eastern counterpart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

The Appalachian region is one of the most valuable areas of the United States. It is rich in many natural aspects and is home to some of the hardest working citizens in this country. Unfortunately, Appalachia is also home to a variety of harsh social problems including severe drug abuse and a gripping poverty facing a large portion of Appalachian citizens. The two of these issues seem to go hand in hand in many cases, so the solution of one could also lead to the solution of the other. Appalachians have always had a history of handling their own problems, these drastic social problems are no different.

Captured from the top of the Daniel Boone National Forest, located in northeastern Kentucky near the city of Morehead, this featured image originates in one of the most beautiful and well kept secrets on earth. Although this location is breathtaking, efforts to capture images from the summit will certainly involve a bit hiking and climbing, but it’s definitely worth the journey. Whether it’s photography or purely for the love of a great hike, I can’t see anyone regretting making this trip. Regardless of the agenda, a striking and tranquil retreat awaits the willing adventurer.

In James Lane Allen’s Through Cumberland Gap on Horseback, the mention is made to the beauty of the land and that the climate was just the same but that traveling to the mountain region was not only difficult as they had to take a train then a wagon ride, followed by a trek on horseback, but a lengthy process. Among the experiences recorded Allen describes the meeting of several locals and this is where his responsibility for Appalachian

The Appalachian region is a beautiful, rugged terrain that has much to offer in the way of tourism. The area is home to many different types of wildlife attracting game hunters, fisherman, and wildlife enthusiasts. Some species include bass, trout, deer, bear, squirrel, and many other types of animals. The area is also known for its wild vegetation including May Root and Ginseng which are still used for medicinal purposes. The natural beauty and mystery of the mountainous area has been attracting hikers and campers for many years. As well there are many other activities for people to enjoy such as whitewater rafting, New River Gorge jumping, bird watching, ATV riding and stargazing. Calhoun County Park in WV has recently become known

The Appalachian Region stretches from the northern part of New York, through Pennsylvanyia, all of West Virginia, the West side of Kentucky, Mississippi, and the southern parts of Maryland, S.Carolina, N. Carolina, and Alabama. The immigrants who settled in the Appalachian Region were made-up of three main ethinic backgrounds; Scot-Irish, English, and German. “Appalachian people are considered a separate culture, made up of many unique backgrounds—Native Americans, Irish, English and Scotch, and then a third descendants of German and Polish immigrants—all blended together across the region”(“Appalachian Culture”, 2015). The immigrants came to the Appalachian Region either in search of land at cheaper prices or to get away from the Quacker Leaders. The Appalachian Region has proven to create a hard way of life for those who settled the region. “The people who settled in the Appalachian region were known as hearty people who lived in an often difficult environment”(“What is Unique”, 2015). Those who live in the Appalachian Region today may not face the same challenges as his or her ancestors who settled the region, but there is no doubt the Appalachians still brings a set of challenges. However, no matter the challenges there is one thing those who live in Appalachia share, tradition. It is these traditions that assisted the first settlers, our ancestors, in living life and are still getting present day Appalachians through.

If you look at early Appalachian history, many of the earliest settlers in the mountains were of Irish decent. Their ancestors had originally migrated to northeastern America to escape religious persecution and eventually made their way south to the Appalachian Mountains, which they preferred because the area was similar in climate and geographic features to Ireland. Early settlers in the mountains had a Paganistic belief system and because of the geographic location of their settlements, were isolated from the outside world. In the early 1900s there weren’t roads, railroads, paths, etc. to travel into the mountains, which socially isolated groups living in those areas.

The mountains of central Appalachia have always been known for, almost exclusively, the booming coal deposits that inhabit it, as well as the controversy that comes with the industry. The controversy that involves the wildlife, ecosystems, and residents of the area is one with fine lines, gray areas, and more than simply a good and evil side. The mountains of Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee are also home to some of the most extensive biodiversity in our country, as well as rich cultural heritage that extends to the earliest years of our nation. Everything that makes central Appalachia unique and identifiable is exactly what they might be in jeopardy of losing.

The kmz map that I selected and find interesting entails the Appalachian Trail. This 2,190 miles journey travels through 14 states and attracts over 3 million visors each year. The beautiful mountainous adventure coincides with this week’s study of rock formation and a visual experience of land formation. I selected this region of the United States because I wanted to learn more about the trail and my future home state. My husband and I are planning on moving to Kentucky or Tennessee in 3 years and I’ve set a goal of walking part of the Appalachian Trail. I have a bad back and do not think I could manage the entire journey. I have lived in Virginia (while in the Navy) and have traveled all around Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia immensely.

The Appalachian Mountains are a mountain range in the eastern part of North America. The origin of the mountain ranges name came about when “Spanish explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca and his crew were exploring the Florida coast in 1528, they found a Native American town with a name they transliterated as Apalachen. The word ‘Apalachen’ was also applied to an inland mountain range, and through the course of time it became applied to the entire range and its spelling was changed” (“Appalachian Mountains”).

The Appalachian region lies in the Humid Continental Climate region, located between 35 and 55 N in North America. In continental air masses, westerlies dominate the climate, bringing cold continental winters and warm summers from the interior of continents. Also, the westerly wind belt brings frequent weather changes, migratory pressure systems, especially in winter. Therefore, Appalachia has four distinct seasons, including a long cold winter, a short warm/hot summer, and transitional periods in spring and fall. The average summer temperatures are warm (around mid 70’s average) while the average winter temperatures are below freezing (around 25 degrees). Summer is the wettest time of year (convective rains,) and the average precipitation

There are sixteen mountains peaks that exceed 6,000 feet in elevation. Many visitors come to the park to hike. There are 850 miles of backcounty trails with 400,000 hikers annually. Some hikers come for the day and they are known as day hikers.

The Appalachian Mountains region is roughly 360,000 km squared, taking up about 3.6 percent of Canada's land surface. This region locates itself on the islands of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and a bit of Quebec, with Moncton and Halifax as some of its major cities.The rocks, most of which are mostly sedimentary, were changed drastically when Europe and North America collided, causing its geography to be uneven, with many jagged peaks. Forestry, agriculture, fishing, tourism, coal mining, logging, and manufacturing are their main industries.Their overall population lands at a bit more than 25 million. Some interesting facts are that they have the oldest mountains and the richest fishing.

The cost is one part of hiking the Appalachian trail. Every mile of the trail to hike costs you $1.50 per/mile. If you hike the whole trail, every mile put together costs $3000 for the whole trail. But, the cost of the trail does not include the amount of gear you have and carrying with you on the trail. It only cost $1.50 per/person. The amount of stuff you are carrying does nothing to the price that you have to pay per/mile. So if you are planning on hiking the whole Application trail, make sure you have $3000 dollars on you to hike the whole trail.

The hiking trail begins with a pile of loose rocks, a talus slope, thanks to rocks that fall down one of the walls of the American Fork Canyon. The walls of the American Fork Canyon were widened by erosion. Many of the rocks are cracked. This is caused by the presence of vegetation. The trees and other plants that grow in the rocky area dig their roots down deep into the rocks, causing cracking. This is known as physical organic weathering. The valley of the American Fork Canyon has a V shape when viewed from a distance. This is indicative of its age, meaning it is young and was never covered over in ice, or glaciated. If this had occurred, the valley would have a U shape instead, and it would mean that the valley is older. The tunnel