After two days of rain, a cold front pushes through and delivers a dusting of snow at Ice Water Springs Shelter. A bobcat leaves fresh tracks just below this rising January sun and we are slow to crawl from the sleeping bags with temps in the teens at 5800 feet this morning. … [Read more...]
Great Smoky Mountain Snow & Sunrise From Ice Water Springs Shelter
January 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment
THE KLONDIKE 2013 (AKA THE SEARCH FOR LONG BRANCH SHELTER)
February 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment
This is a video slide show of our hike to Long Branch Shelter from Standing Indian Campground. It was sunny when we left Atlanta and the forecast was for temperatures in the 50's in nearby Franklin, N.C. Yet as we drive the 2 1/2 hours north to the Appalachian Trail, there is a line of clouds and a cold front moving in from the Northwest. Mobile checks at the Weather Channel has the forecast in constant flux -- and deteriorating quickly. By morning, there would be 8 1/2 inches of snow … [Read more...]
When The Weatherman Blows The Forecast (aka Our Epic Venture To Long Branch Shelter)
February 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment
It is sunny when we leave Atlanta and the forecast is for temperatures in the 50's in nearby Franklin, N.C. But as we drive the 2 1/2 hours north to the Appalachian Trail we spot a line of clouds and a cold front pushing in from the Northwest. Mobile checks at the Weather Channel has the forecast in constant flux - and deteriorating quickly. The light rain projected to hit in the late afternoon arrives as snow and a winter advisory is issued for North Georgia and Western N.C. But we … [Read more...]
50 Degrees & Sunny?
February 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Well ... the weather forecaster blew this one. Here we are on Day 2 and it's still snowing. When we left Atlanta, the forecast was for temps in the 50's in nearby Franklin, N.C. But on the Appalachian Trail (and at 4000+ feet) .... it was a bit cooler!! I wonder if the Boyz will make it out of Standing Indian Campground with two-wheel drive?? … [Read more...]
Boone Dawg’s First Snow Hike
February 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment
By daybreak we had 8 1/2 inches of snow on the ground and Boone Dawg got to partake in his first snow hike. Here we are on the Long Branch Trail descending from the Appalachian Trail to Standing Indian Campground. That's a happy dog. … [Read more...]
Warm-Up With A Cold Beer!!!
February 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Roger "aka" the Camel warms up with a cold beer after we get pelted with a snowstorm all afternoon. It eventually dumps 8 1/2 inches on us. … [Read more...]
Arriving At Long Branch Shelter In A Driving Snowstorm
February 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The Crew arrives at the newly constructed Long Branch Shelter as a driving snow storm pelts us with what turns out to be 8 1/2 inches of snow. When we leave Atlanta, the forecast is for temperatures in the 50's in nearby Franklin, N.C. but as we drive the 2 1/2 hours north to the Appalachian Trail we spot a line of clouds and a cold front pushing in from the Northwest. Mobile checks at the Weather Channel has the forecast in constant flux - and deteriorating quickly. The light rain projected … [Read more...]
Episode 11: Wild Turkey
December 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment
In Episode 11, Katie (aka Wild Turkey) talks about her ventures in to the wilderness - hiking and backpacking with both friends and family in the Southeast. Topics include the weather and its impact on the experience, the gear you need for the Trail, and hiking with infants and young children. Katie is the first female to do a solo interview for N2Backpacking and she delivers with this New Year's Eve conversation recorded in Elljay, Georgia. Katie talks about some pristine destinations in … [Read more...]
Great Smoky Mountain National Park – And The Machoists Got Pelted
January 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Since the early 90's, some old Appalachian Trail thru-hikers that I know have maintained the tradition of an annual winter hike. As I detailed in "40 at 40", the trip is never easy and is typically booked within a few weeks of the MLK holiday. After a four year absence, I made a guest appearance during their three-day ramble of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park this year. It was mid-way through their hike when we met up at the Mt. Collins Shelter after the machoists had gotten pelted by … [Read more...]
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