Congaree Swamp National Monument 2013 Feb 1-3
Went down near Columbia SC to hang in the Congaree Swamp this weekend.
Congaree is the last old growth floodplain (swamp) on this continent.
The oldest trees are believed to be 1700 years old.
Met up with Muskrat and friends, Jake, Win, Kelly, and Rick. Trailnames to be determined.
It was good to see Rick again and it's always good to hang with Muskrat and meet some new friends.
We camped at the Bluff Camping area, an area about the size of half a football field with several campsites around the edge.
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We had several styles of hammocks.
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This is a Warbonnet Blackbird, 1.7 oz double with Whoopie Slings.
Insulation is a JRB Mount Washington 4 with an Old Rag Mountain quilt inside.
I bought this customized MAC Cat Deluxe tarp from a member on the forum and had the Zipper Queen put these black doors on it.
Looks pretty sharp doesn't it?
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Several of the guys burned some cow for supper.
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Muskrat taking care of the promotion.
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It was 22 degrees Friday night. That is unseasonably cold for South Carolina, but we all did well.
There is no bad weather, just bad gear.
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Here is the group in front of what used to be the largest Loblolly Pine in the state.
L-R Swampfox, Jake, Kelly, Muskrat, and Win
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This one was discovered in this forest and is designated as the largest Loblolly Pine in the world.
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Here are some pictures of the Swamp.
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To me, this is a facinating place to visit. It's unlike any other environment that you're likely to find and there is a little bit of history here too.
These swamps were the stomping grounds for Colonel Francis Marion.
Francis Marion (c. 1732 – February 27, 1795[1]) was a military officer who served in the American Revolutionary War. Acting with Continental Army and South Carolina militia commissions, he was a persistent adversary of the British in their occupation of South Carolina in 1780 and 1781, even after the Continental Army was driven out of the state in the Battle of Camden.
Due to his irregular methods of warfare, he is considered one of the fathers of modern guerrilla warfare, and is credited in the lineage of the United States Army Rangers. He is known as the Swamp Fox.:D
...and now you know, the rest of the story.
Good times and great pictures!
Thanks for the posting, someday I'm going to have to drive over and check that out, but never,never in summer! Glad you guys had a good time and hope to see you at the Chattooga Hang in April.
Lazybee