Video: (SC) Chattooga river / Foothills weekend trip

**TallPaul** · 11-13-2017, 16:57

One of my favorite things is when my daughter says lets go backpacking next weekend and can one of her friends go along. Sure thing!

Our plan A & B were Linville gorge or Panthertown in NC, but the forecasted low temps suddenly dropped to 20* and I didn't want to take a first time backpacker/hammocker on a trip where she froze her butt off. So south we went, where the lows were projected to be closer to freezing (34). We ended up on the Chattooga River trail, which parallels the Foothills trail for a bit, just south of Burrells ford.

I'd say the trip was a success - our first timer wants to go on another trip. Maybe it was the campfire, marshmallows & hot chocolate? Or low mileage days. Or the candy bars I snuck in their food bags. Or that they had the 0* TQ / UQ and slept warmly? Hey, whatever does the trick.

Couple things:
* I don't really have 3 cold weather top quilts, so I ended up using a GoLite 40* topquilt and stacked 2 20* UQ's below me. I added on a UQP and all this resulted in me being toasty. Bit sweaty the 2nd night.
* Getting closer to perfecting the dog run under the hammock, allowing me to sleep in a bit longer - as long as Lacey isn't howling.
* We had some solitude early & late in the day. Otherwise, there were some large groups out day hiking. Didn't bother me. The off trail campsite helped us. Just noting it for anybody else thinking of going there.
* Really digging Caltopo again lately. I'm thinking of doing a video on this. Just helpful in route planning / elevation profiles / etc.

https://youtu.be/xCkpM_98uAE

**carmen2kayak** · 11-13-2017, 17:19

Nice Video. Nice Dad, Daughter and Friend time. Love that the gals like the outdoors. Love the Chattooga although I have only canoed it. I need to try a backpack trip there.

**Slugger** · 11-13-2017, 17:44

Great video! Need to add this hike to my to-do list.

**TrailSlug** · 11-13-2017, 18:04

Excellent video and good times with the family and friends. It's always fun to take a new hiker on a trip and especially if they want to go back. Good job and thanks for taking us along.

**Cabmanhang** · 11-13-2017, 18:15

Looks like a good trip. Adding one new member at a time!

**Slugger** · 11-13-2017, 18:32

Did you start at the parking area on Nicholson Ford Road (FS 775)?

**TallPaul** · 11-13-2017, 19:31

Originally Posted by carmen2kayak

Nice Video. Nice Dad, Daughter and Friend time. Love that the gals like the outdoors. Love the Chattooga although I have only canoed it. I need to try a backpack trip there.

Thanks c2k. Interesting that you've canoed it - that must have been a fun time. Were you in a whitewater canoe or ? My 17' Old Town wouldn't do so well.

Originally Posted by Slugger

Great video! Need to add this hike to my to-do list.

Definitely worth checking out.

Originally Posted by TrailSlug

Excellent video and good times with the family and friends. It's always fun to take a new hiker on a trip and especially if they want to go back. Good job and thanks for taking us along.

Thank you Trailslug. It is fun to watch a noobs eyes light up when they see something cool, like the hammocks with nets. Especially since I found out later she fears spiders a bit. And she couldn't figure out how we would cook without something like a coleman stove.

Originally Posted by Cabmanhang

Looks like a good trip. Adding one new member at a time!

Maybe a two-fer.. new hammocker & backpacker. Can't get much better.

Originally Posted by Slugger

Did you start at the parking area on Nicholson Ford Road (FS 775)?

Yep, that's where we started. The one thing that I couldn't find is a lot of info on other trails in the near vicinity. I sure saw a lot of blazes to trails that weren't on any of the maps I was looking at.

**STinGa** · 11-13-2017, 22:51

Thanks for sharing your trip. It's great that your daughter asks for family time outdoors.

STinGa

**johnspenn** · 11-14-2017, 06:46

Really enjoyed the vid. More comments on your channel. Thumbs up!

**carmen2kayak** · 11-14-2017, 09:25

Thanks c2k. Interesting that you've canoed it - that must have been a fun time. Were you in a whitewater canoe or ? My 17' Old Town wouldn't do so well.

Yes, whitewater canoes on Section III. First time was a 17' Blue Hole Starburst. Subsequent runs were in a 15' Dagger Caption which made for a much "sportier" experience. Great paddling memories on a beautiful river.