Adult Field Course: Exploring Grandfather Mountain’s Geologic Window

This event is SOLD OUT. To be placed on the waiting list, please email judi@grandfather.com with your name, phone number and the number of tickets you are interested in reserving.

Join Anthony Love from Appalachian State University as we learn about the geologic history captured within the rocks of Grandfather Mountain. Participants will be introduced to concepts of general geology, the shape of the land surface within the Grandfather region, how we measure and use geologic structures to interpret rocks, how orientations of rock units can provide us insights on the structure of larger regions, how we use rocks to visualize the past environments where they originally formed and, finally, how we utilize these pieces to form a story of how Earth history transpired in a given area.

Anthony Love is the research operations manager for the department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Appalachian State University. His research is based on how structures and chemical compositions of meteorites inform our knowledge of the early history of our solar system. His earlier work was based in understanding structural relationships of rocks within the Grandfather Mountain Window to better understand the nature of how rocks in this region were deformed and their present arrangement today.

Program Itinerary
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Meet at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery and Introductions
10:30 – 11:00 a.m. – Intro to Grandfather Mountain geology – Leonard Classroom in the Wilson Center
11:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m. – Identifying common Grandfather Mountain rocks and features and structures (Split Rock and Sphinx Rock)
12:00 – 12:30 p.m. – Lunch at Wilson Center
12:30 – 3:30 p.m. – Hike Black Rock Trail to examine and record structures and features within Grandfather Mountain rocks
3:30 – 4:00 p.m. – Travel to the Swinging Bridge parking lot, examine and measure ductile deformation zones within parking lot outcrops. Wrap up/Q&A/Evaluations

Tickets
This event costs $60 for general admission and $51 for members of Grandfather Mountain’s Bridge Club – plus tax. Registration opens on this page on April 16, at 10 a.m. Limited to 20 participants.

This event is SOLD OUT. To be placed on the waiting list, please email judi@grandfather.com with your name, phone number and the number of tickets you are interested in reserving.

What’s included?
Your program cost includes admission into the park, field instruction and transportation during your program (you may drive your own vehicle to visit sites on the mountain if you would prefer). It does not include meals or lodging. Bringing a bagged lunch is recommended for most field courses, although Mildred’s Grill will be open to attendees.

Tips are not accepted for field courses. However, donations to the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation are accepted if you would like to recognize a program.

General Clothing List
Much of your time will be spent outdoors. You should be prepared for a variety of mountain weather conditions and temperatures. Appropriate clothing, equipment and footwear are very important.

Equipment:

• Daypack with enough room to carry extra clothing, water, lunch, camera, etc.
• Water Bottle
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Hiking boots

Equipment Specific to this Course:

• Note pad and writing utensil
• Long pants and preferably long-sleeved shirts are strongly encouraged as we will be walking through the woods.
• Sturdy hiking boots or closed-toed shoes are required

Refunds/Cancellations
Adult Field Courses generally sell out and have a waiting list associated with the event. If you cannot attend the field course that you are registered for, please let us know. Full refunds will be given to individuals who reach out to us at least five days before the event. This allows time for individuals on the waiting list to make accommodations to attend the event. To cancel your registration, please call 828-833-6332 or email judi@grandfather.com.

We ask that individuals who are sick with any illness to stay home to ensure the health and safety of other participants, our staff, and the field course instructors – refunds will be granted to these individuals.