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  1. #1
    Senior Member Krissa's Avatar
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    Roan Highlands - 40 miles on the AT

    Thanks to everyone's suggestions on the forum my husband and I hiked through the Roan Highlands last weekend (August 12thish) and we loved it.

    Friday we drove down to Kincora hostel and stayed overnight with Bob who drove us to Carver's Gap on Saturday. The balds the first day were beautiful and the weather was perfect. Several thunderstorms popped up but they all missed us.



    We hiked the balds all day Saturday and camped at Doll Flats in a clearing. We used our new Steripen to purify the water and it worked great (as in we didn't get Gardia!). It was so fast too, it took 10 min to fill 6 water-bottles and purify. The clearing was perfect for hammocks, unfortunately a big storm rolled in around 2am. My husband's hammock stayed dry but mine got wet - the ridgeline of my tarp leaked so I got up and used an emergency mylar blanket to deflect the water. I also had a bit of a cold butt, it got a bit colder there than we anticipated.



    The next day we hiked to the Mountaineer shelter. The trail on the second day had less grand views but the forest was so nice. We passed a lot of sections of pine forest - I love pine. By the time we got to the river we were tired though and wanted to reach the shelter. We hung our hammocks on the second story as it was going to and did rain heavily that night.

    We hiked to Dennis Cove the third day - it was a long and hard hike that was mostly downhill. It was my least favorite section, but mostly because our backpacks were both broken by this point (we purchased new Ospreys as soon as we got home). We took a shower at Bob's and drove home.

    It was a great trip! Thanks to everyone who recommend it and gave us the info. My husband liked it so much that he has decided he wants to section hike the whole AT - something I have been wanting to do for a long time.

    Some closing pics.

    As you grow older, you'll find the only things you regret are the things you didn't do. ~Ernest Hemmingway

  2. #2
    Senior Member Krissa's Avatar
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    Just a few more thoughts on the trip:

    1) I should have seam sealed the tarp even though the manufacturer said the did it already.
    2) I sleep colder than my husband and needed to have had my thermarest under my butt.
    3) 17 miles in one day is painful on the feet!
    4) My husband LOVED his hammock and now enjoys backpacking again because he can actually sleep.
    5) The Steripen was wonderful, no more filtering water for hours!
    6) Golite backpacks were NOT made for over 20lbs - we knew this but thought we could get away with it. It was painful as the back section collapsed.
    As you grow older, you'll find the only things you regret are the things you didn't do. ~Ernest Hemmingway

  3. #3
    Senior Member raiffnuke's Avatar
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    Great pictures and trip report. Thanks for sharing.

  4. #4
    Senior Member
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    Nice trip, nice report. Thanks!

  5. #5
    Senior Member Joey's Avatar
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    I am absolutely jealous! What an awesome trip! Thanks for posting the pics. I get to sit, stare, and daydream at work today!

    On the Golite pack, I loaded a Golite Speed pack, several years ago, with 28 lbs and it killed my shoulders for day 1, ripped open on day 2. Most assuredly made for light loads only.

    On your distance hiked, I routinely hike 20+ miles. I've also ran 10 marathons. A huge part of my training is to be on my feet as much as possible in the days, weeks, months prior to a hike or distance race. That is training, believe it or not, and it really helps. I've even stood while watching a movie or tv show at home, taking short sit breaks during commercials.

    OK, now back to the jealous staring of the pictures. What a beautiful area!!

  6. #6
    Senior Member Lonely Raven's Avatar
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    Great pictures!

    I love the camo-bug-net on the hammock!

    It sounds like you learned a few things...every trip is a lesson I've always felt.

  7. #7
    Senior Member peanuts's Avatar
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    glad you had a great time!! great pictures....
    Peanuts

    "A womans place is on the trail"

  8. #8
    Senior Member Raul Perez's Avatar
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    Great pics and great trip report... and yes I concur 17 miles on your feet make your dogs bark... ruff ruff
    "If you give a monkey a gun and he shoots someone, you dont blame the monkey"

    The end of the world is not coming in December, it is happening now in my living room. - TFC Rick

    http://watermonkey.net/

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  9. #9
    Senior Member Krissa's Avatar
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    Ya, we did the 17 miles to see how it would feel - we normally hike 8 miles a day with the dog so we felt fine until about 13 miles in. That last mile to the hostel was the worst mile I have ever hiked.

    Would I do it again - in a heartbeat!
    As you grow older, you'll find the only things you regret are the things you didn't do. ~Ernest Hemmingway

  10. #10
    Senior Member carolinasbackpacker's Avatar
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    sounds like a great time!!!
    Show of Life Media Youtube Channel

    The Carolinas Backpackpacker Chronicles

    I'm drawn to the open country. Its where the world makes the most sense. When I put myself out there I always return with something new.

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