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Pre-Halloween Midweek Linville Hang Oct 26-30
I thought I would start the trip report thread for our Linville Gorge Hang.
I had a great time meeting all kinds of folks like Hawkeye and Ken and Mackentire and all the rest.
As far as a trip report goes Monday we all met up and and had a great time at the first hang enjoying Mrs. Burrito's peanut butter banana bread and where we were introduced to the Crow's Nest, Stormcrow's camo underquilt. It was really warm and comfortable for this trip at 13 oz of 800+ fill down. Ask for it by name.
Then Tuesday it rained all day but that didn't dampen anyone's spirits especially when Stormcrow built a roaring fire in spite of the rain.
On Wednesday we all enjoyed a liver mush brunch. I enjoyed my first experience with liver mush but I am sure Shug will be more descriptive about the beauty of liver mush in his posts later ;-) I also have to put a shout out of thanks to Suess for helping me with a creative solution to my sagging ridge line.
Then Wednesday afternoon Stormcrow and I took a hike up to Table Rock. That was really cool as well. Here are a few pics from that hike to make you jealous that you didn't come with us. But I am sure SC's video will do it more justice than this little trip report and a few pics will be able too.
But I think the high point of this trip, at least for me, and perhaps others was the Jerry Chair. Jerry W. made a super light weight (he thinks it is like 4 oz.) camping chair out of stuff he had laying around the house that inspired him. It was AMAZING and COMFORTABLE to boot. You must make him post the true description and directions soon, before he realizes he could market the Jerry Chair for money ;-)
Thank you one and all for a really fun trip. I hope you all had as much fun as I did.
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Glorious week to be a Gorge Rat!
Well I can truly say it was a good as I had hoped for and as short lived as I feared.
Met my pal Ken at Spence Ridge Trail head Tuesday morning around 9 am with the rain pressing down on us. Of course the first thing I noticed … in my hurry out the door that morning I’d left my front pack along with my new Packa laying on the dining room table. Not a great start to the day … but hey I was at the start of the trip I’d been waiting on forever (at least that’s how it seemed).
We shouldered up our over packed gear, strapped on the cooler of ice and Liver mush along with the bag of three dozen fresh Hardee made biscuits and Jelly & Mustard packs between us on a portage pole! We must have been a sight loaded to the gills with packs and this fiberglass pole between us … carrying that precious mush! BUT …. we weren’t about to disappoint Shug!
Not too bad down Spence Ridge to the bridge … little awkward and very little rain sprinkles hitting us along the way. Short rest at the bridge and we noticed folks camping in the cave camp … I’m sure they must be still talking about the sight of us lugging that pole between us across the bridge and up the slope to the Linville Gorge Trail.
Then it got gnarly … that was one awkward section of trail to be ferrying gear the way we did … but we made it … and in reasonably good time. Not bad for a couple old Gorge Rats!
Then as we approached the Conley Cove trail sign … there was our good buddy Glen (Mtncamper). What a great way to end the hike. ‘Course old Glen graciously takes my end of the pole and he and Ken finish up the walk into camp.
Glen’s nephew was still in the sack he loved his first night in a hammock so much! That later earned him the trail name “Nooner”. FOR SLEEPING TILL NOON … nothing else … ha! Of course in telling … he’s free to embellish!
Ken and I got our tarps up and the rain came with a vengeance! Talk about the good Lord looking after fools and children! Thanks to the big guy for that one.
Anyway … not too long after we finished up and got settled in … the rest of the ridge crowd showed up. Great to see how many showed middle of the week and in the rain yet! That's some serious dedication to hanging in trees!
Hey it was rainy and wet … but made for great sleeping weather and the gear worked wonderfully. I loved every minute of it.
It was great to meet all these folks from the forum finally. Little disappointed in not getting to meet Hooch. But maybe we’ll let him be a Ridge Rat!
Hey HOOCH PM me and I’ll send you a patch … even though you couldn’t make the rest of the hang.
Millergear … glad you could join us at least for one night … hope to hear from you on your adventure around the south end of the gorge. Hope I’m busting trail when I’m in my 70’s … OH and if Millergear offers you something called Kickapoo Joy Juice … it will strip paint!!!!!
Well the morning of my second day … was glorious … light wind, bright sunshine, blue skies and a rain of multi-colored leaves … and the wonderful fresh smell of the woods.
Once a fire was underway we all collected fuel and started the frying of the liver mush! If you’ve had mush at home … it’s even better in the woods (as most things are) and the smiling faces of those eating it for the first time … or even the non virgin mush eaters … was something to see. OK … Seuss excluded … but we all can’t be enlightened eaters of mush! Ha just kidding Seuss … glad you were there! Hope to see your write up on your hike in! Now he … had a hike from hell! In the rain yet … down Pinchin!
Well everyone did their thing Wednesday … me included … and my thing just happened to be deeply involved in Observational Hydrological Engineering! Ok some folks call it sitting on your butt and watching the river … BUT it didn’t stop during my watch!
Wednesday evening’s fire and bull session was great … even got to see the actual “Jerry Rigged Chair” … lordy that boy’s talented! Hung my head in shame to go sleep in my HH set up just being that close to him and his gear! He’s got to be the DIY Guru! At least in my book!
Then it was Thursday … and the day I dreaded arrived … everyone packed up and headed in different directions. Not the end of the world cause I planned to hike out with Ken … go have a nice dinner at Louise’s and find a camp for the night in the gorge for one more night. Maybe up on the NC Wall with Shug and company … or one of my other favorite spots. Well Ken and I did have a good … actually beautiful hike out. Found some trash that we collected and carried with us and met Ongs-Hat at the trail head. Had his camp set up and was waiting Millergear. Oh and Ongs-Hat ... had a great friend in high school that I camped and climbed with named Steve Oliver ... dang if you don't remind me of him. Kinda scary actually. Got to find an old photo of Steve to share with you.
Ken headed home, I headed to Louise’s! Guess I got there too late to have pie with Slowhike … dang it. But I had a great meal of Chicken-n-dumplings, a cup of shrimp chowder and of course Rhubarb/Strawberry pie! Even put a whole one in the Jeep for the trip home.
Unfortunately when I got cell signal the blonde told me my little Cairn, Spencer was sick … so I decided to head home. He had a rough night but is doing fine this morning. Guess the med’s from the vet and a lot of rubbing behind his ears helped! Sure would have liked one more night in the gorge … but guess that will have to wait till I get back in country in November.
Guys … it was great … thanks for the friendship and companionship in the gorge. I hope you love it as much as I do. You’re all certified Gorge Rats in my book and I’d be honored to share a trail with you in the future. Hope you enjoy your patches. They are a one cutting patch … there are a few I’ve held back but when they’re gone … there won’t be any more made. So good souvenir of our time together this week!
Now if you would like to see some shots and short videos of the trip from me ... use the link below. I apologize up front for the poor quality didn't have the camera I intended to take! Did I mention I left some of my gear on the dining room table? Ha ... Mad Cow Disease must have kicked it! Feel free to copy ... download or whatever any shots you want to keep.