AT Solo Overnight

**OldRagFreeze** · 03-03-2013, 13:13

Went out about 2 PM yesterday for a short overnight hike on the AT. I hiked about six miles South from where I was dropped and stealth camped on a little ledge below the trail with a great view of the city lights. The site was fantastic, perfect for just me. I kept a small fire but basically only bothered with the wood right around camp so it never got very big.

Temps were around 30 F for most of the afternoon and dropped significantly once the sun went down. I had no way of knowing for sure, but I'd guess the low to be somewhere in the low twenties. I went to sleep with a Nalgene of hot water and that did wonders for getting settled in and warm.

The highlight of the trip was 'breakfast from the hammock' a la Shug. I woke up, rolled over and started some tea, then got my oatmeal cooked all from the warmth and comfort of the hammock... My first time doing that. What a great way to start a cold morning!

This morning I had a three mile hike out to the road, passing a couple cool overlooks, and my wife picked me up there. Absolutely great little solo outing!

And now the good part:

**Can't Wait** · 03-03-2013, 13:41

Looked like a relaxing getaway

**Brute1100** · 03-03-2013, 13:45

Wish I had views like that in a nine mile trail...

Looks like an awesome night...

**engine386** · 03-03-2013, 14:32

That looks very relaxing. It must be nice to be so close to such great hiking!

**thebackupninja** · 03-03-2013, 14:44

Wow!!! Love the time lapse with the sunset, campfire, etc. What a great little site to have so close to home for you. Very fortunate you are!

**joanwest** · 03-03-2013, 21:39

Really nice sunset video.

Been a while since I've been there, but those rocks look familiar-- is that view from Annapolis Rocks by any chance?

**MedicineMan** · 03-03-2013, 22:45

Arrrrg stuck in my cage and cant see the video

Great escape though and some of the rocks looked familiar-Harpers Ferry area maybe?

**enoorange** · 03-03-2013, 23:20

Any critters scare ya?

**OldRagFreeze** · 03-04-2013, 08:17

The last couple pictures are from Annapolis Rocks yesterday morning when I was hiking out. My camp was a little in between Annapolis Rocks and Black Rocks. It was my first time stealth camping in MD and I felt a little guilty doing it, but I used an existing site with fire ring and did my best to keep my impact as minimal as possible. I just get creeped out at the shelter areas when I'm by myself... I don't like being where people expect to find me.

No critters unfortunately. I only saw a couple birds the whole time I was out. I thought I was hearing a frog-like sound in camp and got a little freaked out trying to figure out what in the hell could make that noise on a ridgeline in sub-freezing temps... But it was the bottle of alcohol for my stove in my jacket; when I shifted it made an odd noise. Gave myself a good laugh with that one.

**Veto 65** · 03-04-2013, 08:30

Thanks for the free ride.

Cool videos. I don't like taking a video of myself or talking to the camera. I think I'll try to make videos like that, it's a nice effect at sunset.