Linville Gorge May 10-11 2014

Met up with my good pals Loki and RF at the official restaurant of the Gorge Rats. As an added bonus Artie from the Jolly Rovers Trail Crew out of New York was with them. I met Artie a couple months back doing trail work at Bat Cave. He had returned to help out with some more trail work at Hickory Nut Gorge and decided to stay the weekend to take in some of the southeast finest wilderness

After a nice dinner a Louise's Famous Rock house, we journeyed back to Hawksbill Trail head were the fellas were camped for the weekend. Being this Artie's first trip to the gorge Loki and RF had been trying to get him around to the most popular sites around the gorge. At this point Artie and I decided to hike up Hawksbill to take in the views and the sunset. Hawksbill did not disappoint. We had a great time taking in the views 

We returned to camp and enjoyed the fellowship with Loki and RF around a small fire before retiring for the evening after a couple hours. 

Jollyrovers.org

Sunday morning started off with a traditional breakfast at Louise's. We then returned to Hawksbill, broke camp and prepped to do a short hike for the day. Met Justin, who was up to do a photo shoot with some climbers. Had a nice conversation with him. Our friend Kayah showed up around 11 am to do some climbing with her friend Nick. We decided we'd hike up to Ledge trail and venture down to see if we could watch them climb. We did not venture far down Ledge before turning back as our pal Artie needed to get back headed north around three. Although not a long hike. It was really great for me as we visited George's point which has great sentimental value to me, as well as a hell of a view...

We took a break at Ledge camp for some hammock time at a snack. I must say, I enjoyed the view from the hammock...

A little goofing off....

Back at the trail head....

A nice gorge tat....

GPS track of the hike overlaid in google earth looking North to South...

Labor Day weekend 2011 in the Linville Gorge

There was a hell of a storm that blew in Friday night about 30 minutes after I got there... I was set up at one of the pull off camp sites on Kistler. The wind was unreal. The trees were bending enough to get me nervous enough to ride out the main part of the storm sitting in my car. Very pleasant night after the storm blew through.


Saturday I started down Pinch In around 10:30 am. The sun was beating down on the exposed Ridge Line and it was very humid. Once I reached the tree line, I took around an hour to cool off and hydrate....

Sunday was much of the same going back up except clouds were starting to push in so I stopped about half way up for around 2 hours to wait for the clouds to block the sun. Along with the clouds, a nice breeze came as well... I went through about 4 liters of water going up. Because of the humidity my Shirt looked like I had just jumped in the river fully clothed when I made it to the Trail Head... I nick named Pinch In Hell with a Trail on my way up

It was absolutely awesome though and I enjoyed every minute of it... even the miserable parts! For me personally, I believe I will be staying away from the Exposed ridge lines during the summer months.

Photos can be found here: http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm104/jmcwatty_2008/Linville%20Gorge%20-%20Pinchin%20trail/

Summer is coming to a close...

That's right, and I couldn't be happier. For me,when the temps start to cool in the Carolinas, My outdoor excursions increase!!!

This weekend I will be head to my second favorite wilderness area. The Linville Gorge...

I will be leaving Greenwood at approximately 4pm Friday. I will drive up to the Gorge where I will camp at one of the pull-off campsites on Kistler rd. Saturday I will park my car at the Pinch in Trail head and descend the trail to the river where I will be meeting Friends to lollygag and chillax for the day and night. Sunday I will ascend Pinch in. From there I will be driving up to Old Conley parking area and will be making my way to Lost Dog camp. Finally Monday, if everything goes as planned I will be meeting three guys that I met from linvillegorge.net for some exploring and trail work before heading home sometime in the afternoon.

I may have a Cell signal at times and I will try to get text messages out when I can.

Hope everyone has a Great Labor Day Weekend!!! Stay tuned for a trip report!

some of the past adventures

I figure I need to get some content on here, so below you will find some videos of some trips I have taken over the last year or so... If you like them leave a comment or like them on my Youtube channel. You can also subscribe to the channel. I can promise you there will be more to come!!!

Chattooga River trail:

Linville Gorge 1:

Ellicott's Wilderness:

Part 1:

Part 2:

 

Linville Gorge 2:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Happy Trails...