Hey there, adventure seekers! Jeff Hearn here, your friendly neighborhood manager and guide at New River Mountain Guides. If you've ever ventured out to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, you've probably noticed the same thing I have: climbers. Lots and lots of climbers. They’re as much a part of the landscape as the stunning cliffs themselves.

I’ve never been a fan of performance powders, gummies, or gels – not only do I not love the taste, they honestly make me feel a bit sick. I cook up a storm at home, but I feel like I’ve never really dialed in on how to fuel my adventures on the trail or at the crag. So when I came across a copy of Peak Nutrition: Smart Fuel for Outdoors by Maria Hines & Mercedes Pollmeier, I was definitely intrigued.

Last April, I pulled up the windy road in the pre-dawn darkness to the race start, and I thought, “am I really ready for this?” I reviewed my checklist of race items, wondered what layers of clothing I should commit to and scanned the emerging group of runners and race organizers to see who I recognized in the misty West Virginia morning. I was about to step off and run the longest distance I had ever run in my forty-three years.

As a part of the Appalachian Temperate Rainforest, the New River Gorge receives about 26 inches of rain per year on average. That’s a lot of rain - and forecasts here are often less than helpful. Fortunately, afternoon showers shouldn’t have to put a damper on your climbing plans.