Video:Learn to Love Taht Hill (Foothills Trail Thru Hike Attempt)

**FireInMyBones** · 07-04-2012, 16:15

Some background:

I have been planning a thru hike on the Foothills Trail for around two years. I have done several day hikes and a few overnights familiarizing myself with the terrain and water stops.

I do not like heat. If I could I would keep the thermostat at 65F (my wife would not let that happen).

I prefer to hike with a buddy for safety and conversation. When I put out a call for those interested to join me and FLRider jumped on the wagon, saying I was excited to have another biker along for the trip would be underestimating my thoughts on the matter.

The trip started well even with the high heat. The trip ended well. The middle was nothing short of a learning experience. I hope that I am better prepared to deal with this sort of thing in the future. Regardless of what happened, I wanted to the two of us to enjoy as much of our plan as possible. FLRider is a hearty guy and someone I would hike with again. All in all, I was glad for the trip. I wonder what comes next.

**FLRider** · 07-04-2012, 16:57

Great video, FIMB!

I had a great time in SC, and without your understanding and patience, I probably wouldn't have. Thank you for inviting me, and (especially) being flexible and wise enough to call the hike when we needed to. You're a dinkum host, and a wonderful hiking partner.

I look forward to the next try with the trail, and you're always welcome down here in Gainesville!

**Black Wolf** · 07-04-2012, 17:45

Safety First and Foremost .. that hail storm woulda' been a gear testing dream ... nice looking trail ..

**Fronkey** · 07-04-2012, 19:21

Bummer you had to call the trip and it's never easy to make that decision. But, you guys did the right thing.

Glad you two had fun and that river swimmin' looked really refreshing.

Fronkey

**KMACK** · 07-04-2012, 20:47

Hot Hot Hot! Just got back from Seneca SC. It was over 100 every day I was there, yuck!

**Acer** · 07-04-2012, 20:55

Glad you made a smart call and hated to hear you had to end the trip,,but there is always another day maybe even in better weather as we are in a scorcher high pressure system right now that they say might just end next Monday or Tues, Its always better to be safe than sorry and when your in the bush, smart calls are the only calls you really can make as other calls suffer dire consequenses that we end up reading about in a news article. I enjoyed the video as well,,keep up the good work and enjoy!

**born2roam** · 07-05-2012, 04:19

Read FLRider's report and looking forward to the vid. Thanks FIMB!

Grtz Johan

**FireInMyBones** · 07-05-2012, 08:13

Originally Posted by FLRider

Great video, FIMB!

I had a great time in SC, and without your understanding and patience, I probably wouldn't have. Thank you for inviting me, and (especially) being flexible and wise enough to call the hike when we needed to. You're a dinkum host, and a wonderful hiking partner.

I look forward to the next try with the trail, and you're always welcome down here in Gainesville!

Thank you for the welcome.

Originally Posted by Black Wolf

Safety First and Foremost .. that hail storm woulda' been a gear testing dream ... nice looking trail ..

Safety does come first. There will be another chance for me to test my gear more.

Originally Posted by Fronkey

Bummer you had to call the trip and it's never easy to make that decision. But, you guys did the right thing.

Glad you two had fun and that river swimmin' looked really refreshing.

Fronkey

Swimming after hiking is so very refreshing. You'll need to join me for a hike sometime.

Originally Posted by KMACK

Hot Hot Hot! Just got back from Seneca SC. It was over 100 every day I was there, yuck!

Yeah, heat like this makes me want to migrate North for the summer, but then I remember the issue of bugs...so I stay...inside.

Originally Posted by Acer

Glad you made a smart call and hated to hear you had to end the trip,,but there is always another day maybe even in better weather as we are in a scorcher high pressure system right now that they say might just end next Monday or Tues, Its always better to be safe than sorry and when your in the bush, smart calls are the only calls you really can make as other calls suffer dire consequenses that we end up reading about in a news article. I enjoyed the video as well,,keep up the good work and enjoy!

I'm looking forward to having the weather change. I'll be waiting for the fall I think for anymore big trips.

Originally Posted by born2roam

Read FLRider's report and looking forward to the vid. Thanks FIMB!

Grtz Johan

You're welcome.

**Rain Man** · 07-05-2012, 09:14

Great report/video. Thanks for sharing! And educating on the wisdom of changing plans as situation changes. I count that a successful trip!

See you at lunch in downtown Greenville shortly! My mother's post-surgery occupational therapist just left. I asked what kind of job my mama could get.

Rain Man

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**MedicineMan** · 07-05-2012, 13:01

Fully agreed with Rainman-successful trip and any time there is a perceived failure our egos often prevent full sharing and possible shared learning. You put the egos aside for all of us-means a lot to me.
Now some envy. There is no way I could even entertain the thought of those miles. In that heat the only way possible for me would be night hiking and 0500 starts and hang time during the heat of the day.
FIMB what did you think of the hydration tube in the bottle? One bottle 'cooking' with AquaMira and the other being used; I like that system.
Great video the both of you. Thanks for sharing.