Back-Packing

[ridgerunner]

Gotcha.

I haven't heard that you cant tent camp out there. My friends went last year during what they thought was a tornado and tent camped. I guess there are certain areas. I would be afraid in a shelter than some knucklhead would burn it down cooking cheerios



have you ever backpacked the Cohutta Wilderness?

You can't tent camp at the shelters along the AT route inside the GSMNP unless they are full. So wait until later in the day when they fill up, and then pitch your tent.

[WILL]

We got back yesterday. It was a great trip with so much to talk about. I decided to bring the S&W Bodyguard .380 pistol, and I was glad I did. We didn’t make it 200 yards up the trail with my daughter in the lead when she screamed out, “Snake!” She backed off, and I immediately saw the rattler coiled up right next to the trail like a trap. I took this picture. I debated going around it, but decided to shoot it because it posed an imminent danger to hikers behind us.




Not 10 minutes later we saw a black bear cross the trail. I didn’t have time to get the camera out, but what a treat to see him. Long story short, I was glad I brought the gun. Throughout the trip we were blessed to see plenty of wild critters to include deer, turkeys, rabbits and chipmunks.



It rained steady for the first two days as we covered over 20 miles of mountains. There were no views as we were basically inside the clouds both days. Our packed gear stayed bone dry. Due to the total saturation conditions and perfuse sweating while going up mountains, the cloths and shoes we were wearing got damp or wet.







Thanks to the skills I’ve learned on survival forums like this one and a fireplace being inside each shelter, I was able to produce a fire both days. We able to dry our cloths and warm up by the fire. The other hikers inside the shelter with us were amazed we made fire under those conditions. I felt like some kind of mountain superman, it was cool. There was no privy at most of the Smokey Mtn shelters, just a shovel and an arrow pointing into the woods. The water source is usually a mountain spring within .2 miles of the shelter. Here are some pics so you can get an idea of what life is like inside the AT trail shelters.
















It stopped raining by the third day, but was still overcast and misty with little visibility. The sun came out at the end of day three. Day four was awesome. It was the day we climbed to the top of Clingman’s Dome and the surrounding mountains. Clingmans Dome is the largest mountain on the AT. The vistas were awesome and really made the prior rainy days worth it. Here are some pics of day four.












Cooking on the trail…




Day five had periodic mountain views on our decent to the valley/ gap. Everyone was in high spirits with a lot of talk about coming back next year and trying to take mental pictures of the views and smells we were experiencing. Over 43 miles of hiking was now behind us with only memories and pictures left of our vacation. It’s bitter sweet returning to civilization. Simple things like toilet and comfortable car seats suddenly seem extremely luxurious. A $35 Burger King meal put the kids into a solid food coma for the ride home. I pulled in at midnight.

I think the most important thing I can impart to the forum are the lessons I learned from my bloopers. Hardships are normal for a hiking trip, and I try to learn from them to refine my technique every year. This year’s problems included;

1) My Big Agnes sleep pad sprung a leak on the last night. This is the second of 5 Big Agnes pads that has failed me in the field. I wrote the first one off, but two failures is a trend. I spoke to other hikers who use them and they concurred that they often fail and need replacement. This is unacceptable to me because I consider a sleep pad a critical piece of gear. It dropped into the 50s at night, and with out the pad, I was cold and uncomfortable while sleeping. I’m currently seeking out a new sleep pad system.

2) I should have brought mole skin. I switched to a new, thicker sock brand this trip, and developed a blister to my left heel on day one, despite using duct tape. I was able to borrow some mole skin which made hiking with the blister much more comfortable. I will never hike without mole skin again. I will also be investing in sock liners. I saw plenty of hikers using them. They are very thin, silky socks that go under your regular socks. They take the friction off your foot.




3) I’m switching our food up a bit. I talked with and watched the other hikers more than ever this year to refine my meal plan. The oatmeal for breakfast was great and very typical for the group. For lunch, we will be going to a steady snack plan. Throughout the day we will snack on granola bars, trail mix, peanut butter and dried fruit. I don’t want to have to cook lunch anymore. Dinner was way to cooking intensive. We are switching to the pasta select meals that you can get in any grocery store for like $2. We will supplement protein in via summer sausage, beef jerky or protein drinks.


4) I’m replacing the iodine tablets with an eye dropper filled with chlorine bleach. Two drops of bleach per liter of water makes it potable without the harsh taste.


5) My son learned not to put your boots too close to the fire when trying to dry them.





I hope you enjoyed the thread.

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

Looks like you had a great time. I'm sure you and your kids will remember it for a long time. Thanks for your follow up report. It will help many of us here.

[WiseOwl]

I have left my boots too close as well. Bring some newspaper with you next time to stuff in your shoes at night. It will absorb all of the moisture. Best trick I have learned out there.
Looked like a blast. Glad y'all had a good time.

[EX121]

Thanks for sharing. Looks like it was a great trip. Your son probably won't do that again, with another pair of boots.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Awesome post! Looks like a memory made and skills learned

[Grand58742]

I became a firm believer in sock liners years ago. A good investment that pays itself off in lack of pain and blisters lol

[JUSTIFIED]

Made notes of some good points you made Will. Thanks for sharing your experiences. We've got iodine tabs in our BOBs. Is water drinkable the moment you put bleach in or do you have to wait?

[WILL]

You have to wait. I'd give it 30 minutes to be safe.

[Noble]

not to hi jack, but how old? The new ones all seem to have some issues at the top where the opening is welded in. My older ones ( pre 03") are holding strong.BUt the newest one i have ( got last year), its the 1 liter size, when i filled with wine :) showed where eventually it would leak at the top.Which is why i dont trust it .
Maybe try putting some food dye in the h20 and you'll see exactly where they leak.

They were easily a couple years old. If I find out where they leak are they fixable? I think I'd rather invest in new and not worry about running out of water if they leak again.

[Noble]

You have to wait. I'd give it 30 minutes to be safe.

Is it necessary to filter your water AND use bleach or iodine?

Thanks for sharing your photos. Brings back memories of how beautiful it is on the Trail. Can't wait to go this fall!
Also thanks for sharing what you would do different. I'll definitely get me some sock liners, I got a blister myself last time.

[JUSTIFIED]

You have to wait. I'd give it 30 minutes to be safe.

Good to know. Thanks.

[boltgun308]

Will,
Good thread. I noticed your blister. I have had boots stretch when wet if they have any leather in them. When you start feeling the heat, readjust the laces to tighten the boots up some. You look like ex-military so I may be preaching to the choir.

Few questions: Was there a reason you did not filter your water instead of using iodine? I have had iodine cause some stomach issues in the past and try to stay away from it if possible.

Also, what was your kids loadout, weight, and what brand packs were you using for them? I did notice yours was an Osprey. Sorry if you have already answered some of these previously.

[WILL]

Will,
Good thread. I noticed your blister. I have had boots stretch when wet if they have any leather in them. When you start feeling the heat, readjust the laces to tighten the boots up some. You look like ex-military so I may be preaching to the choir.

Few questions: Was there a reason you did not filter your water instead of using iodine? I have had iodine cause some stomach issues in the past and try to stay away from it if possible.

Also, what was your kids loadout, weight, and what brand packs were you using for them? I did notice yours was an Osprey. Sorry if you have already answered some of these previously.

Thanks for the advice. I'm always open to new ideas. On the last day, I got lazy and decided to just drop the pill into the water rather than pump for 1/2 an hour. I regreted it because it tasted rank. Nothing worse than getting water directly from a mountain spring and having it taste like ***. My daughter carried a kelty youth pack. My son carried a sirplus large alice pack. I didn't weigh their loads, but would gues them at about 20 pounds. They carried their own sleep systems, clothing, 1 litre of water, an aluminum pot and most of their own food. I carried all the common use items.

[boltgun308]

Thanks. My daughter will be 13 in September and is wanting to do an overnight backpack trip. I don't know if she knows what she is getting herself into, but we will see. I look forward to spending time with her but I have slept on the ground too many nights to enjoy it anymore. Might get me a hammock and try that style of camping.