Appalachian Program

The long, rugged sandstone ridges and limestone valleys of the central Appalachians are transected by the New River, oddly named for perhaps the oldest waterway in the world. Today these ancient rocks provide intriguing stories for the geologist, challenging cliff faces for the climber, adventurous caves for spelunkers and whitewater thrills for rafters. In our local area of Pendleton County, West Virginia, the unique and pristine highland environments of the Smokehole/North Fork Mountain area and our own Spruce Knob campus. For centuries this land has provided a hunting ground for those with the spirit and skills to make their way through the wilderness. Many of the settled families of the Appalachians are descendants of early European pioneers, and the state of West Virginia boasts a motto that reflects the spirit of the Appalachians, "Mountaineers are always free."

The Mountain Institute's work in the Appalachians has been focused primarily in West Virginia where our roots have grown deep over 32 years of teaching and learning. More than 20,000 visitors have enjoyed programs at our research and learning facility, the Spruce Knob Mountain Center. Our statewide and regional education programs have opened doors to higher education for thousands of West Virginia's high school students since 1982 and dozens of school groups return annually to explore and enjoy the Appalachian wilderness every year through the Mountain Learning courses.

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