Like the little one paragraph ones, or do you find long reviews that go through the whole thing in detail? Do you watch any videos? So far I'm looking out for where to get water and where people said they got lost...anything else to note?
Long reviews, even some that go back a few years if it's not the most populat trail. Def study a map for water sources. I don't watch the videos, but I'd imagine it won't hurt. What offline map are you using? Def download Alltrails Pro or GAIA Pro, and download the trail map.
I love researching my trips. Half the fun. I don't watch vids either though. Start with Google and can find obscure blogs and hiking groups that have some great info sometimes. I've found some great off-trail waterfalls and trout streams this way.
Anybody done Art Loeb Trail in NC? 30+ miles, point to point. Elevation gain challenging to very challenging. Looking to do it in 3 nights so not too crazy on the pace. Supposedly need to carry at least 4L of water because of scarce sources.
Are you going solo? How's the gear gathering going? What's the highest vert you'll sleep at? Try and find that to get a feel for nighttime temps. Make sure to have paracord and a stuff sack to hang your food. Pumped for you dude!
TC another good resource can be Reddit, if you can navigate the cesspool of the comment section. Just took a peak at the trail map -- not a ton of water sources, so whenever you come across any water source, definitely fill up everything. I think 4L capacity is good. What are you doing for food? If you're doing dehydrated food, remember you'll need water for dinner and breakfast. Try to stay super hydrated in the 2-3 days before you leave. What are you using as a water filter?
Was reading some stuff about Patagonia -- apparently you don't have to filter any water, can drink it straight from the streams. It's so fresh from the glacier you just dip your bottle in. That's amazing.
All it takes is 1 animal of any sort to shit in the melt and hello runs for a month. I'll always filter. My buddy that lives up in the N. Cascades thought like this and ended up with bad gut issues. Took a long time to dx and now has pretty bad IBD.
I drank unfiltered in Brazil when hiking for 5 days, it was pretty awesome. I'll wait and see. I got a stomach of steel tho
Hiking with a buddy who's experienced. I have some personal gear but he'll be providing a lot of stuff. Don't think we'll be at particularly high elevation...it's the east coast. I guess 1000 feet up or down can make a difference though. We are trying to figure out if we'll need a bear canister. Right now assuming we'll have to carry that. Water filter is like this bag thing you squeeze it through. Dinner is those dehydrated meals that you fix right in their pouch. Breakfast is chocolate Instant Breakfast mixed with a couple packs of Starbucks instant coffee. Lunch is prob jerky and trail mix and stuff.
I've been using a bear canister in BC a lot. They're bulky AF but better safe than sorry. At least you won't have grizzlies out there -- I think you'd be fine hanging your food instead of a cannister, but I imagine your friend knows the area pretty well. Def bring playing cards. Rummy is the GOAT two-person game for camping.
Finally switched to a canister. Sold some old gear and got the biggest, lightest one I could get. Bulky but so nice to not have to hang a bag before bed and bring it back down for coffee in the AM.
Last trip of the year this upcoming weekend with two of my best friends -- the three of us haven't tackled a big adventure in like 2 summers, just can't get everyone on the same schedule. Objective is Mount Stuart, 6th highest mountain in Washington at 9,420 ft. 3 days/2 nights, second day summit bid is 4,500 ft over 1.6 miles. Straight fucking up.
Supposed to be super clear weather, but both nights are getting down to the low 20s. A bit nippy. Highs in the 50s both days, but low 30s at the summit and probably gusty. Going to be one of the bigger climbs I've attempted. I give us like a 50/50 shot, depending on how early we get up on Saturday. Going to be a full 8-10 hour day of climbing. A buddy that did it a few years ago gave us a preview. Pretty much this straight up for like 5 hours, then you have to go back down. Spoiler Fucking stoked. Hell of a way to end the PNW hiking season.
So I still wanted to go up, but there was a lot more snow on the mountain than we anticipated and my friends overruled me. Hope to get on top of this next summer: Spoiler We didn't have any snow hear (ice axes, crampons, gaiters), so it was probably the smart choice. Instead we ate some mushrooms and bopped around some alpine lakes around the valley. Explored for like 8 hours. Got down to 22 degrees on Saturday night, but was nice and cozy in the tent Spoiler
Possibly my last overnighter in BC before I leave - one more weekend left but the weather looks bad. Had a friend from Alabama visiting, did an easy 4 miles/2,000 ft of gain. Did Blanca Lake, which is really a collection of like 5-6 glacier lakes. Amazing area about 50 miles west of Whistler. Fall colors were poppin Spoiler Set up camp at just under 6,000 ft, caught an amazing sunset Spoiler Woke up this morning, scrambled like 500-750 ft to the top of this, to the right: Spoiler So many lakes. Dat backdrop Spoiler
Haven't had the chance to search yet (and will do so when I'm not on mobile) but does anyone have any hiking or other suggestions for visiting Shenandoah Natl Park? The new lady friend and I are looking at going up next Thursday and coming back Sunday. So we'd really only have 2 full days for hiking and sightseeing. We are going to be staying in Harrisonburg VA (burning free Hyatt nights that are abt to expire). /Cross-posting in the travel thread too
Yeah, day hikes would be ideal. We are fine with a longer hike or a couple of smaller hikes. Whatever you or anyone suggests. Just getting out and wanting to see the leaves changing.
You'll enter through Swift Run Gap. Skyline Drive is awesome. You can't go wrong driving it slowly with good music and stopping at overlooks. Also can't go wrong picking any trail head, hiking a mile in and back out. If you want lodges, go north. Big Meadows and Skyland both have pretty good food and bar with views. They'll even have games on. Both lodges have really good, short, secret, hikes from the parking lots. The one at Skyland is one of my fav hikes in the park. Can tell you how to find them if you want. Staying North. Old Rag is the only trail you have to get a permit for. It's badass (has a scramble) but it'll be crowded as hell this time of year. Better to hike it in the winter. Stony Man and Little Stony Man have great views. SM is the 2nd highest point in the park. SM will be crowded and Little SM is a good alternative and the views are still killer. Hawksbill is the highest peak in the park. The trail is short and steep. Obviously great views. Dark Hollow Falls is a down and up pretty much along side a creek/waterfall the entire way. Nice hike with big money payoff falls at the end. Will be fairly crowded. Naked Creek is a down and up off trail hike that takes you to 2 badass waterfalls. I can give you instructions on how to find and navigate if you want. I'll do South in a bit....
Foodwise, the OG Jack Browns is in Harrisonburg. Burger/beer spot that has expanded to like 20ish locations in VA/NC/AL/SC/TN. It's a lil expensive, but they have an elite beer list. Clementine is a good "trendier" spot...they have music often too. Looks like JMU football is @ Marshall and plays on Thursday next week, so you should be good on any of that traffic and what not. JMU has a cool campus, worth walking around if ya have some time in Harrisonburg.
South of Swift Run Gap. No lodges so it's a bit less crowded.. There's stores at Loft Mountain and Lewis Mountain. Doyles River and Jones Run are similar down and ups that lead to waterfalls. Good hikes and great waterfalls. Riprap/Wildcat/AT is 9ish mile loop that has everything. It's got Chimney Rock which is a great vista, small waterfalls, a swimming hole, valley hike along a creek, and creek crossings. I'd park at Wildcat, hike N on the AT until it hits Riprap, Riprap to Wildcat, and Wildcat back to your car. Last part of Wildcat is the "back up the mountain" so you'll want to be done, not traverse another 3ish miles on the AT. Lemme know if you have any questions or if you want more details on anything. Including the secret spots and off trail hike.
Going to digest this over the next few days and the weekend and will definitely come back with some questions. The key is finding the best way to utilize our time. 2 days isn't nearly enough, but it's the best we are able to swing on such short notice. So want to maximize those 2 days.
Leave tomorrow after work, start walking Thursday morning. Feeling good except forecast has a few concerns, rain Friday and low temps Sat nite
Someone sold me a like new Osprey Kestrel 48 and Kelty Galactic 30* sleeping bag at my shop today. Perfect timing as I just booked a trip to Breckenridge/Denver for the end of April and the guys in the Denver Thread pointed me in the right direction of going to RMNP and doing a couple hikes.
Gonna share this in a few threads. https://www.arkansasoutside.com/rebranding-the-buffalo-national-river/ Cliffs: Walton group conducting surveys to gauge interest in turning national river into national park and preserve. Walton, Bass Pro, and a couple other groups also buying loads of land in the surrounding areas. No public transparency or plan in place, Walton group not really engaging public.
Top of the trail. Black Balsam Knob, 6200 feet. Crossed it Friday morning in a hailstorm. Still a spectacular view. Whole trip was tough and epic. I looked at 30 miles pretty lightly but we only made 8 the first day. Had to make 14 the second day to get to the next water source. (Ridge line trail so water is scarce. Filtered up some snow/hail for an extra liter at one point). Hiked out the final 8 miles Saturday. Packs were 40 lbs even though we tried to trim. Knees just stopped hurting today (ok, still hurting slightly).
Did a short hike and a little fishing around 6 mile campground next to the North Platte River in Wyoming and caught a couple good views of Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
Medicine Bow NF Sucks the pine beetle is so bad there but still an awesome forest. So much solitude Been doing the same old hikes in Sedona the past few weeks after taking some time to get over achilles tendonitis. Next few weeks should be fun
Less than one month until Patagonia. Have one 5 day/4 night trip planned to the Southern Patagonia icefields, one big 8 day/7 night trip in Torres del Paine, and a few day hikes to the highlights. Have a month in New Orleans beforehand so will be able to build up my winter blubber.
Just ordered $400 worth of dehydrated food for Patagonia -- neither Argentina or Chile do dehydrated food for camping so having to bring it all from the states.
Just like you said in random thoughts thread...it was great. Couldn't hear anything but wind blowing through trees and rain falling on the tent. Good feeling hearing wind and rain and not being able to feel it. Pulled the sleeping bag hood up mummy style.