Hi guys, Thanks to all the great info everyone has contributed here and a little trial and error my second solo outing was nothing short of great!!! It was at Panther Creek Trail just north of Turnerville Ga.
I decided to make this trip on a weekday in hopes to avoid other people since it is highly used on the weekends. I pulled into the parking area followed by 8 cars full of summer camp workers... My heart sank but after talking with them they said they were only going halfway in. Yay, so in a rush to "Hike my own hike" I started out at a fast pace and about a half mile in my heels got hot, real hot! In my haste to get out there fast I didn't lace my boots properly but not to let that hinder me, I continued on. About a mile later my feet were aching and I realized I dropped my shirt along the trail I stopped, retied my shoes and backtracked to find my shirt. Luckily the group was only about a 1/2 mile behind me and they had picked it up my shirt. I took the shirt and off I went, I wish I had some trail magic to leave them but I packed light...
The trail was well marked and clear. The forest floor for most of the trail was covered with ferns until it gave way to the rugged rock sections. This required walking under huge rock outcroppings and some tricky rock ledges that could end in a deadly fall. I wanted to take pics but I was racing sunset on the way in and a thunderstorm on the way out....
I finally arrived at the falls, the pack and boots came off and in the water I went, ahhhh!!! It felt great and I was alone!!!
After 10 minutes of soaking my feet and swimming around I set up the WBBB and SF tarp. It went up very easily and looked great. I love using snake skins on the tarp, you can hang the tarp and deploy it only when needed. I also had the opportunity to use "Knot Bones" with 1.75 mm Zing It, it was fast easy and held all night without needing re-adjustment. I also tested out the Alite Butterfly chair which packs small, light weight and super comfortable. Only warning is that you really need level ground or you will feel like your tipping over. Lastly for dinner, I had my favorite dehydrated meal to date, Mountain House Beef Stroganoff with Noodles, simply awesome....
I was very comfortable in the Warbonnet but I work nights so my body was not ready for bed no matter how comfortable I was. I even had my Exped air pillow which I love but still no sleep. Next time, some unisom or benadryl will be in the pack... I am taking a couple days off work until I can put on shoes but in a nut shell it was so worth it!!!
Thanks for letting me share this and thanks for all the help everyone has given me.
JimT
WBBB set up with SF in snakeskins
View from the Blackbird
Tarp deployed in porch mode
The moon even came out to keep me company
I'm keeping the feet pic as a thumbnail for those who would rather not see!
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