"The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark." - John Muir
Last "weekend" I went to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park for a test run of some of my new items of gear. On the agenda to test during the trip: footwear, rain gear, hammock tarp (and remembering how to hang my hammock) my new Sawyer water filter and my legs.
Leaving from work on Wednesday, I planned a two night jaunt into Friday, leaving time for the trip back home. After a three hour drive, I arrived with just enough time to set up camp in the Wilderness Road campground and settle in for bed.
The next day I stopped in at the visitor center to get some information on the trails. I was looking to hike 6-8 miles to a back-country site for my second night out. Unfortunately, because of limitations only allowing camping in established back-country campsites, I learned that my options were a 3 mile trail or a 10 mile trail.
I grudgingly decided on the 3 mile trail, feeling a bit better when I learned it was the steepest in the park.
Because it was so steep, the ranger recommended a four hour hike time. I left myself five hours in order to have plenty of time before dark to check out the nearby historical Hensley Settlement, set up camp and cook dinner.
I completed the trail in 2 hours. (Legs work. Check!)
I even stopped to get pictures of the beautiful flowers along the way.
Luckily, I had brought a book! After setting up camp, I spent a few relaxing hours reading.
Upon feeling thirsty, I went to test out my new water filter at the water source that was nearby.
It was absolutely dry.
This unluckily meant that of the 2L of water I had brought, I had about 4 mouthfuls remaining, not enough to cook my dehydrated meal for dinner.
If I was Bear Grylls I would have probably rigged up a solution to obtain water in minutes, but instead I settled in for a dinner of trail mix, washing it down with a package of apple sauce.
Feeling a bit bored, I wandered down the trail to check out the settlement, and started a fire when I returned to camp. (Pretty pleased with my fire starting skills!)
I settled in for the night about 8pm, just in time to prevent getting rained on. My new hammock tarp worked like a charm. It's the ENO Housefly rain tarp and protected me against the rain and wind all through the night. In the morning both my gear and myself were dry!
Although I had left my cookpot out to hopefully catch some rainwater, I only succeeded in getting a half cup, so I decided to pack up and walk back to civilization for a drink. At this point I was going on 19 hours without water.
I hiked back down to the trailhead in a light drizzle, but made good time, heading straight to the local coffeeshop, The Pineapple Tea Room, where the lovely ladies outfitted me with both coffee and a tall glass (or 3) of water.
Although there are always things that cannot be planned for, I felt this trip was a good trial run. Much of my gear was a success, including rain gear and the use of trail runners on slick rocks, and I was able to enjoy the outdoors while seeing some beautiful late spring sights.
2 weeks to the A.T. !!!
AT Hike Charity Donation Link
Because it was so steep, the ranger recommended a four hour hike time. I left myself five hours in order to have plenty of time before dark to check out the nearby historical Hensley Settlement, set up camp and cook dinner.
I completed the trail in 2 hours. (Legs work. Check!)
I even stopped to get pictures of the beautiful flowers along the way.
Luckily, I had brought a book! After setting up camp, I spent a few relaxing hours reading.
Upon feeling thirsty, I went to test out my new water filter at the water source that was nearby.
It was absolutely dry.
This unluckily meant that of the 2L of water I had brought, I had about 4 mouthfuls remaining, not enough to cook my dehydrated meal for dinner.
If I was Bear Grylls I would have probably rigged up a solution to obtain water in minutes, but instead I settled in for a dinner of trail mix, washing it down with a package of apple sauce.
Feeling a bit bored, I wandered down the trail to check out the settlement, and started a fire when I returned to camp. (Pretty pleased with my fire starting skills!)
I settled in for the night about 8pm, just in time to prevent getting rained on. My new hammock tarp worked like a charm. It's the ENO Housefly rain tarp and protected me against the rain and wind all through the night. In the morning both my gear and myself were dry!
Although I had left my cookpot out to hopefully catch some rainwater, I only succeeded in getting a half cup, so I decided to pack up and walk back to civilization for a drink. At this point I was going on 19 hours without water.
I hiked back down to the trailhead in a light drizzle, but made good time, heading straight to the local coffeeshop, The Pineapple Tea Room, where the lovely ladies outfitted me with both coffee and a tall glass (or 3) of water.
Although there are always things that cannot be planned for, I felt this trip was a good trial run. Much of my gear was a success, including rain gear and the use of trail runners on slick rocks, and I was able to enjoy the outdoors while seeing some beautiful late spring sights.
2 weeks to the A.T. !!!
AT Hike Charity Donation Link
