This is a video of a January 31, 2015 backpacking trip to Bly Gap, North Carolina which is located just past the Georgia-North Carolina State line on the Appalachian Trail. It was the first time I'd been here in 20 years and it was great to be back. Northbound thru-hikers love this place because it marks the completion of the first of fourteen States on the A.T.
Hiking northbound on the Appalachian Trail about two miles
from Bly Gap and the Georgia-North Carolina border. The Boyz and the
dogs do a walk over and leave me in the dust.
Just got my Georgia A.T. tag in the mail. $10 annually goes to the ATC for Appalachian Trail projects in Georgia. These include: trail and facilities maintenance, scenic easements and view preservation, environmental monitoring, increased public information, and education and outreach to Georgia residents.
PA, VA, TN, and NC are also participating. If you live in these States and want to support the A.T., follow this link.
The weatherman said there was a 100% chance of rain today, and he was 100% right! It rained all morning, and all afternoon. I confess that I'm still not sure how I was talked in to this trip, or how we got away with it at all. Despite the gloomy weather (and our ventures in to Panthertown Valley just last weekend), the wives reluctantly gave the OK – and here we are climbing “As Knob” on the Appalachian Trail about an hour before dark.
Our destination is Plum Orchard Shelter. It was built in 1992 by the U.S. Forest Service with help from the Army Rangers (who helped fly it in via double prop helicopter). Despite the lousy weather, it is occupied by a northbounder and a southbounder who hiked all day in the rain. They earned it, so we venture back up to the gap and pitch camp about 20 yards from the A.T.
The storm passes, and a full moon rises to the east. Here comes the cold front as winds shift from the South to the Northwest.
Fortunately the 6 lb. Duraflame log that we packed in (after cutting it in to three pieces) makes for an effortless fire, and we are able to get some heat from the fire as the temps drop in to the 30's
The next morning, the sun greets us as we wake around 8am. But it is fleeting – we spend most of the morning in low level clouds and fog.
I head down to the Plum Orchard Shelter to get a few pics. It is unique in Georgia for it's three level interior on the Appalachian Trail.
Here's a shot from the second level – which is smaller than the other two and can only fit a few hikers.
Back on the Trail, we hike through leafless trees and shoot some really cool pics as we hike back to Blue Ridge Gap.
But the ride out of here is rutted and really rocky. Don't do this without a 4×4 …. seriously.
Then as fate would have it – the sun comes out as we leave the trailhead. At least we didn't get rained on this trip, and it turned out to be quite a good one. I have a feeling we'll be back – to head northbound next time and visit Bly Gap. Stay tuned for that.
In the show, “Squatch” talks about his first ventures in to the wilderness, some of the thru-hikers and trail angels that he met on the A.T., and his experience as a filmmaker in the backcountry. His skills as a stand-up comedian come across in his videos and on the podcast. So I am sure that you will enjoy both.
For more information on Squatch and his films, click here! For the audio interview click below.
Subject: Flip Flop Flippin'
Interviewees: Scott “Squatch” Herriott
Interview Date: November 21. 2014
Runtime: 1:20:46
Download Now: Flip Flop Flippin' (WMA format 55.1 Meg);
Flip Flop Flippin' (MP3 format 75.7 Meg)
You can follow or subscribe to this podcast if you click here (via Blubrry, Facebook, Google+, iGoogle, iTunes, RSS, Twitter, Stitcher, Yahoo, Zune). Or click this link for a complete list of N2Backpacking podcasts.
After fattening up on Thanksgiving dinner, The Camel meets us in North Carolina for a hike in to Panthertown Valley. No one is more excited than the Boone Dawg who is craving some time in the backcountry. And we are blessed with sunshine as you can see from the the shadows in this photo.
The weather has been cool this week with snow showers and ice that is still lingering in the valley. Here is a giant piece floating near Schoohouse Falls.
Our preferred campsite is taken. So we shift to this area under a bunch of pine trees which is close to Panthertown Creek and has some nice fishing holes for the kids. Wonder if the fish will bite with the temps in the 40’s?
The kids also try their luck at Schoolhouse Falls, but the verdict is that it’s too cold for the fish to bite – or quite possibly their fishing skills.
So we head back to the campsite and make the boys some hot chocolate. It’s a winner – as you can see here.
The next morning, we hike out under sunny skies and work to dodge the snowmelt that has collected on the valley floor. All three kids end up with soaked feet in the process!
And all goes well on the hike out, until we are about 15 minutes from the trailhead. The leaves are wet, the hill is steep, and Will goes down with a knee injury. Someone call the medic …
Or step-up and carry his pack out! Dang, I feel like I am carrying a baby. Fortunately we are not far from the trailhead and I still have some Thanksgiving Day calories to burn off.
What a beautiful day for the drive back home. Here’s Lake Toxaway in the distance at about 4000 feet. And the kids are already “angling” for a return trip!
“Backcountry 101” is the first installment in this mini-series where we sit around the campfire and discuss the fundamentals of backpacking. In this episode, we talk about the times when we've taken too much, hiked too far, and or put members of our group in terrain that was way above their skill level. Enjoy the show and have a laugh at our expense. And yes, this is a photo from the hike with “Bob”!
Subject: Backcountry 101 – Rookie Mistakes
Interviewees:Brett (Therm Rider), Roger (The Camel)
Interview Date: October 25. 2014
Runtime: 39:34
Download Now: Backcountry 101 – Rookie Mistakes (WMA format 37.1 Meg);
Backcountry 101 – Rookie Mistakes (MP3 format 37.3 Meg)
You can follow or subscribe to this podcast if you click here (via Blubrry, Facebook, Google+, iGoogle, iTunes, RSS, Twitter, Stitcher, Yahoo, Zune). Or click this link for a complete list of N2Backpacking podcasts.
After a unseasonably cool winter, the weather finally broke and we decided to take the kids out for an overnight hike. We did this one on a Friday night to avoid conflicts with spring sports and with spring break. Here we are at the parking area at Three Forks on the Appalachian Trail.
The dog is more excited than anyone and is hauling his own food, water, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. All in – the dog’s pack weighs about 8 lbs – nearly the same weight as my empty (and aging) Dana Design backpack!
Here we are climbing to Long Creek Falls along the A.T. and headed northbound. The trail is nice and wide in this area and it is a pleasant walk to the waterfall and junction with the Benton MacKaye Trail.
There is a father and son from Orlando camped here when we arrive, and three guys camped nearby at the junction of the A.T. and Benton MacKaye Trail. For a Friday, there’s a lot of action on both trails today. We see a number of thru-hikers, and a number of larger groups that are day hiking.
But once we break off on the B.M.T., the crowds diminish and we walk to our campsite without seeing a soul. It’s nearly 5:30pm when we arrive and there’s a group of four that are searching for lost items from the Army Rangers that train in this area. They spot a water cache down the hill and are convinced the Rangers are training later tonight.
With the sun dropping in the sky, Ira and I walk back down the mountain to get water while Rob and Ken collect firewood with the kids. It’s been in the 60’s today, but it’s due to drop in to the 30’s after dark. So a campfire is a must – and after we pitch our tents we start cooking a late dinner around 8pm.
The kids are showing no interest in sacking out after dinner, but a brief rain shower has them heading for the tents at 10pm. By now, it’s getting cold – especially away from the campfire. Time to “mummy” up.
And the dog is tired too, but not cold enough to zip up in his sleeping bag – at least yet. He’s content to sack out on top of mine!
But after a couple of rain bursts, it passes and the adults return to the campfire at a lower decibel level. We hang out while the kids sack out … and we pay for it in the morning. They are up early!
So after a quick breakfast, we are packed up and on the trail by 10:30am. Many of the kids have soccer and baseball games today – or we would have hung out longer.
And as we hit the trail – we find out that Friday night was the right night to be on the B.M.T. There is a 68 mile trail run right through our campsite this morning and many athletes and their supporters are in the area as we hike out. There are also a lot of day hikers and backpackers on the A.T. and it’s the busiest that I’ve ever seen it in this area. I feel fortunate that we had the last 14 hours with a campsite and the B.M.T. to ourselves.
On the show, we discuss his quest for a third map in the “Smokies” – or the completion of every trail in the Park. While a “map” is technically ~900 miles, a hiker walks roughly 1500 miles to complete it. And JD is on his third map – dang! Fewer than 400 can even claim one!
So he definitely knows the Park and JD offers up some of his favorite trails, vistas, campsites, and hidden treasures in the Smokies . He also shares some weather, wildlife, and comaraderie in the backcountry and gives some tips to those that are out for a day, weekend, or multi-day trip in the Park.
For more on JD, you can click to his Trail Hard website to find some cool gear or hook up with him for one of his “meet up” hikes with the Great Smokies Hiking And Adventure Group.
Subject: Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Interviewees: JD (Trail Hard)
Interview Date: February 4, 2014
Runtime: 1:20:16
Download Now: Great Smoky Mountain National Park (WMA format 54.5 Meg);
Great Smoky Mountain National Park (MP3 format 70.0 Meg)
You can follow or subscribe to this podcast if you click here (via Blubrry, Facebook, Google+, iGoogle, iTunes, RSS, Twitter, Stitcher, Yahoo, Zune). Or click this link for a complete list of N2Backpacking podcasts.