An Interview with the Trail Explorer
Van Burnette gets some footage from high atop a mountain. Photo by Peter White.
If you’ve been channel surfing and caught some footage of a beautiful waterfall or an epic vista that looks like it was filmed in Western North Carolina, you may have been watching Van Burnette’s television series, The Trail Explorer. The outdoors show appears at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday nights on URTV Channel 20. Van also writes articles for local newspapers such as the Black Mountain News and the Asheville Citizen-Times. We talked to him recently about being from WNC, being outdoors, and being on TV.
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA IS A PLACE WITH MANY TRANSPLANTS. YOU WERE BORN AND RAISED HERE, AND IN FACT HAVE FAMILY WHO WERE AMONG THE EARLY EUROPEAN SETTLERS. HOW HAS THAT HELPED YOU BECOME SO KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THIS AREA?
Yes, I do come from a long line of the first settlers in the North Fork Valley near Black Mountain. In fact, I am living on family property now that has been in the family for over 150 years. I am the eighth generation of Burnettes to have lived in the North Fork Valley and live not more than ½ mile from the original homestead.
I grew up with an incredible grandfather who passed on verbal history to me from our family and who was the last truly knowledgeable person of this valley. He passed on that knowledge to my hungry ears. I learned the names of all the mountains, creeks, coves, caves, ridges, and hollows as well as the plants and animals that lived there. I grew up with an enthusiasm that to this day has not diminished. I only wish I had learned more.
DO YOU STILL COME ACROSS NEW PLACES OR SURPRISES?
I am always looking for new places and surprises. Although I have traveled, hiked, camped and played in many of the states, I could spend the rest of my life right here in Western North Carolina and never find all of the secrets that it holds. For example, recently I was privileged to view the waterfall where Dr. Mitchell fell to his death in 1857 while attempting his final calculation of the highest summit east of the Mississippi River.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TRAIL OR PLACE? AND WHY?
Impossible for me to answer this one. Each trail offers something that is totally unique. Whether it be a geological formation, an unique plant, a waterfall, a view, or just solitude. I have learned a long, long time ago, that all it takes is to be aware of as much of your surroundings as possible. There is a lot to see out there. An example that I often give to people that have gone on hikes with me is this true story.
One day, after completing a difficult bushwhack and free climb to a remote cliff top, I was overwhelmed by the scenery so much, it was only after two bee stings that I realized that I was standing on top of a yellow jacket nest.
IN ONE OF YOUR SHOWS, YOU COULDN’T DISCLOSE THE LOCATION OF A WATERFALL ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AT THE REQUEST OF THE LANDOWNER. DO YOU EVER DECIDE NOT TO PUT SOMETHING ON YOUR SHOW BECAUSE YOU DON’T WANT TOO MANY PEOPLE VISITING?
Yes. Although I enjoy sharing beautiful areas with people, I have learned that there are a lot of people out there that are completely without a sense of “leave it like you found it” intelligence. Again, I can site a brief story.
Once, a friend of mine had shown a select group of people a very historic and remote facility on private property. It was a place that was lost in time and yet had significant historic value. Well, from that one time visitation, there is now a well defined trail leading to the site where stones have been removed for fire rings littered with trash. Enough said.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING IN UPCOMING EPISODES?
My next episode is going to be somewhat different in content than my previous four episodes. It will contain nothing but fall scenery with original music composed by local musician legend, Fox Watson.
I am also praying for snow. I hope to film some backcountry telemark skiing with maybe some ice climbing. Anyone interested in being a part of this please contact me through Black Dome who, by the way, helps sponsor my show.
Coming this February, I plan to film and edit a show featuring the Mount Mitchell Marathon. This show will not only feature the race, but also the terrain and the individuals that make it happen and who participate.
And finally, for now, in March I hope to have a local elder here in the North Fork Valley go with me to explore the medicinal plants and talk about how they are used as traditional remedies.
