Browsing "Hiking"
I bought a Marmot Precip after my first Bearwaller Gap hike (Jan 07), and before my GSMNP Hike (Feb 07.) It's time to make a few comments about it.LIKES: I like the fit, I like the pit zips. I like the hood and it's the first real rain jacket that has the potential to keep you dry (without rain running down your neck.) I like the double sealed zippers - velcro that covers over the zippers to keep dry. I like the large pockets for stuffing gloves, hats and Keep reading [...]
OK, I finally did it. I bought a tarp off craigslist. It arrived this week, and I'm gonna write a review of it. Initial thoughts after backyard testing: SilNylon is not as delicate as I had imagined. And the Golite Lair seems very well made. I wonder why they discontinued it... The package with a plastic ground cloth is very small. The stakes that come with the Lair 2 are very much like MSR Groundhog stakes (my personal favorite.) It takes some practice to set up a Keep reading [...]
OK, I had one overnight backpacking trip under my belt to Bearwaller Gap where it rained the second day while the temerature was in the low 30's. I needed something more difficult if I were to top that trip! Why not accept the invitation to hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in February? Plan was to leave on Friday night, stay in Cades Cove Campground. Leave Saturday for Russell Field shelter on the Appalachian Trail, head to primitive campsite #9 for Sunday night, Keep reading [...]
Quick review of overnight hiking Bearwaller Gap on January 20 and 21. This was my first overnight hiking trip, and I learned a lot.
Bearwaller Gap trail is a 4-mile trip to the campground, with a spur hike to Tater Knob for a nice view of Cordell Hull Lake. The trailhead begins at Defeated Creek campground and marina. The trail is rated as "moderate" by the trail guides.Corps of Engineers WebsiteSaturday morning, we met in Nashville, and I carpooled with Jean, Meg and Keep reading [...]