January 2011, Bartram Trail

Cold weather is rolling into the Southeast and is forcing most people indoors. But do not be so hesitant of going outside! Winter brings with it great opportunities to go camping. Hiking in cold weather means less people on the trails, which equals more wilderness to yourself.

Winter weather in almost any other part of the country is brutal compared to the mildness we experience in the South. Days are cool, but pleasant, and nights may get a little chilly. With proper gear and preparation, cold weather camping can be a great experience.

In January 2011, my brother and I tested our mettle on a two-night, three-day backpack on a section of the Bartram Trail near Highlands, NC. This was our first time visiting the Nantahala National Forest, and first time camping in the middle of winter. We experienced highs in the low 50s, and nighttime temperatures of about 22 degrees.

We chose a ~12 mile section of the Bartram Trail to do an out-and-back hike, for a total of ~24 miles. We started at the Osage Mountain Overlook, only a few miles past the GA-NC border.

From the parking lot of the overlook.

From the trail-head, we immediate started climbing to the top of Scaly Mountain. The temps may have been cool, but we were sweating profusely by the time we reached the top.

The way up Scaly.

From the top of Scaly Mountain, 4,804 ft.

Panorama from the top of Scaly Mountain.

After topping Scaly Mountain, we began a descent to Tessentee Creek, where we camped for the night. Sleeping that night was difficult; we were not psychologically ready for how chilly the weather would be. I layered up in just about all the clothes I had packed, which I realized later was a poor choice. Too many layers on your body when sleeping prevents the sleeping bag from achieving its full insulating ability.

We had descended about 2,000 feet to bottom out at Tessentee Creek, and started the next morning with a 2,000 foot climb back to the ridge-line. Tough as the hiking was, we immediately realized that it was worth it. Our research about the trail had told us there were some views at Jones Knob and Whiterock Mountain, but we were not expecting to be so awe-stuck.

View of Whiterock Mountain from Jones Knob, 4,622 ft.

Panorama from Whiterock Mountain, 4,480 ft.

There was some ice on top of the mountains, and on a few points along the trail, but nothing too hazardous. Ice, in no matter what amount, can be dangerous if you unsuspectingly step on some. If you are hiking in cold weather, be on the lookout for ice. We encountered one stretch of trail that was completely iced over, but it was easy to step around.

Ice covering the trail.

With the fall semester coming to a close and winter break almost here, you can bet that I'll be hitting the trail soon!

Sunset Rock

My mom is a native of Chattanooga, TN, a city which I could call my second home. Her father still lives in Chattanooga, more specifically on Lookout Mountain. Whenever we visit, usually three or four times a year, my dad, my brother and I take care to go hiking. There are 30 miles of trail on Lookout Mountain, but we tend to stay on a five mile stretch, either starting at Covenant College and walking to Sunset Rock, or starting from Sunset Rock and walking to Point Park.

Since we visit once a season, we've experienced the mountain in a variety of conditions: clear, sunny days, heavy fog, snow and ice. Here are a selection of pictures I've taken over the years that portray the mountain in its many moods.

Sunset Rock at.... sunset.

Snowy.

Thanksgiving 2010.

Christmas 2010

Over Thanksgiving in 2010, we experienced a heavy fog on top of the mountain. We hiked from Sunset Rock to Point Park and encountered some spooky scenes.

At Sunset Rock. Not pictured: A 90 foot drop.

At Point Park.

Monument at Point Park.

Cannons at Point Park.

Linville Gorge, NC

In May 2011, my brother and I took a backpacking trip to Linville Gorge, the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi River. The gorge is located about an hour east of Asheville, NC, and takes five hours of driving to reach from Atlanta. My brother and I decided to split the drive into two days, staying one night camping near Highlands, NC at one of our favorite destinations, Jones Gap on the Bartram Trail.

Sunlight and mountains viewed from Jones Gap.

We made it to Linville Gorge the following day late in the morning. Our plan was to hike a 23 mile circuit that would show us some of the best the gorge had to offer. After stopping to check out Wiseman's View, we parked on the west rim of the gorge and began our descent to the gorge floor.

The gorge from Wiseman's View.

The Linville River flows through the gorge bottom.

 Once we made it to the gorge bottom, we began hiking south, following the flow of the Linville River. Soon we realized why hiking in the gorge is considered so strenuous; fallen trees and other debris littered the trail near the river.

We decided to make camp after seven miles of hiking, dirty and tired. We enjoyed a "hobo" dinner for our meal and laid down soon after to sleep. Day one had kicked our butts, but day two had something else in store for us.

We woke up early to get a good start to the second day in the gorge. We knew that this day would involve crossing the Linville River and hiking up Shortoff Mountain; we didn't plan for the overall difficulty the day would bring.

Shortoff Mountain

After wading across the river, we sat down for lunch before embarking up Shortoff. Almost all the foliage on Shortoff had been burned away in a devastating forest fire in 2007. The fire left the path to the summit very exposed. My brother and I made the mistake of only filling up half of our total water bottles before climbing the mountain, thinking it wouldn't take too long to knock out.

The heat that day was incredible, and was made worse by a limited water supply and little shade. My brother and I powered through, and made camp shortly after reaching the summit.

Burned tree on the top of Shortoff Mountain.

As terrible as the day was hiking up Shortoff, the views of the gorge from the top were inspiring.

Looking north up the gorge.

We woke the third and final morning to find a thick fog draped over the gorge.

Daniel looking out into the gorge.

 Our final day involved crossing The Chimneys, climbing Table Rock, descending to the gorge bottom, and then ascending back to where we parked. A grueling, all-day fare proved to be the most fun, and most scenic.

Climbing into The Chimneys

Looking back at The Chimneys

We finished our hike right at nightfall, exhausted. We drove to a nearby hotel to stay in that night and enjoyed the luxuries of showers, clean sheets, and pizza to celebrate our conquering of the gorge. After experiencing Linville Gorge, my brother and I could only describe it as prehistoric - a wilderness area seemingly lost in time.

Trip Report: Star Peak

I visited the American West for the first time this past summer. What a life changing experience it was! I lived with my aunt in Northern Idaho for a month, hiking and mountain biking at every opportunity. The most memorable trip I took was a day hike to the summit of Star Peak in the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Area.

After an hour and a half drive around Lake Pend Oreille, my cousin and I made it to our destination - mile marker six on Montana Highway 200. Here, we parked our aunt's van and started hiking a grueling five miles, gaining about 4,100 feet of elevation, to the top of Star Peak, elevation 6,167 feet.

I thought my previous treks in the Southern Appalachian Mountains would have prepared me for this climb, but after two and a half miles of seemingly endless switchbacks on an old mining road, we were gassed, and only halfway to the top!

An old mining road leads you halfway to the top.

Worried that our adventure may end with a disappointing summit view, we soon started to notice snow drifts along the trail and knew the end of the trail was close. As we came around to the northern exposure of the mountain, more and more snow covered the trail and finally, we could see the peak.

Snow drifts covering the trail.

Almost from nowhere, views of the Cabinet Mountains exploded out in front of us. Instantly it became the most beautiful place I have ever witnessed.

The Cabinet Mountains, as seen from Star Peak.

An old fire lookout stands at the top of Star Peak.

After an hour or so spent at the top of the world, we decided it was time to head back down. Neither of us wanted to leave; we both agreed that this was the most spectacular place we had ever visited.

My cousin (left) and I at the summit of Star Peak.