Well, we're back at the resort and I'm glad to report we survived. It was an another amazing trip but unfortunately I don't have time now to dump all the details and pics. So, I'll drop some posts over the next couple of days to catch up. Here goes. Day One: We pulled into the … Continue reading Return to the Appalachian Trail and Siler’s Bald
Well, according to my “scientific” studies, the Esbit – Heini Keg boiling tests were not very impressive. Here's a pic of a wrapped tablet and an opened tablet ready to light. I got all setup outside on a breezy day and started with 2 cups of water at approx 35 deg(f). Like I said, real “scientific”. With … Continue reading Are We There Yet?
Just when I thought I had this whole “Google Photos” thing figured out, I discovered that I used the wrong links here to our albums there. No harm done. I think I’ve got those fixed so be sure to check out the “Past Trip Droppings”. Plans for the upcoming trip in the Smokies have changed … Continue reading Change of Plans…
I've been going back through my solo gear list for the AT trip with Deep Woods, just to see where I can shave a bit more weight. Here's where I'm at now: BIG NEWS: I made the plunge and picked up the Six Moon Designs Deschutes CF (Cuben Fiber) tarp (featured photo)! SMD added LineLoc #3's to … Continue reading Losing Some Weight…
A few months back I spelled out a short list of the gear we would be trying to acquire or make for the upcoming season(s). One of our primary goals was a twin separating quilt, one with a lower temp rating than my solo quilt (which rates to about 30 deg). I wanted Loonie to … Continue reading Gearin’ Up…
Plans are starting to come together for this spring. Loonie and I will head down to the Smokies for a week in April where we'll spend three days backpacking and the rest of the time day hiking in the hopes of getting some good wild flower pics. The annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage will be goin' … Continue reading Spring Dreamin’ And Some Awesome New Merrells
Santa must have thought Loonie had been nice all year because she added yet another lens to her collection, a Canon 10-18mm f/4.5 IS STM wide-angle. Canon's 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Wide-Angle Lens I know what you must be thinking: "What happened to the Rokinon 14mm wide-angle?" Well, let's just say that I got a … Continue reading More Cool Stuff for Loonie…
First order of business: A little package from Crazy Legs (Terra, from our last trip on the AT) arrived the other day. A very nice gift and card, though I gotta say the girl’s pissing me off BIG time! She mentioned in her note that she got a cool new ULA pack (ULA makes awesome … Continue reading
Made the 1.25 mi. hike up Jakes Creek to the Avent cabin. You have to turn off onto an unmarked trail to reach the site. Kinda tricky since it was our first time here. Mayna Avent, one of Tennessee's most esteemed artists who's work is on display at the Smithsonian, used this tiny cabin as … Continue reading A Little Smoky Mountains History and…Da Bear!
Picked up Terra at Newfound Gap around noon. Another hiker, Mark, a 20 - something from Long Island, had been up at Icewater Springs shelter up on the AT with Terra and was looking to bail as well so we gave him a lift too. He was heading in the same direction as where Terra's … Continue reading It’s Raining Leaves…
Bulldog's Droppings 