First timer to Linville Gorge...advice?

[ashmatash]

My Husband and I would like to go camping in the Gorge. We have never camped there, and have heard many different tips and advice. We are planning two nights. We would like to bring our Dogs, but I cannot find information on if that is safe or not (bear?) As you can see, I am very new to wilderness camping and will take any advice you have to offer. I was told that Spence Trail offers the easiest way to the river, which is where we would like to set up our camp. Are there any good swimming holes? Rock jumps? I guess because of the hike and "wilderness" coolers are not gonna happen.
We know about hanging our food and getting maps, etc. I have gps on my cell, but will i get signal?
Anyway...any advice for the newbies? No rock climbing, just hiking, swimming and enjoying the views.
thanks
ashley

[Hawk-eye]

Everything you would want to know and more you can find on Ken's site listed in my signature line below.

We'll be glad to help you out ... head to the forum there and post an inquiry and read the posts ... lots of options and good ideas already there.

[Shug]

I just finished an 8 night trip there.... got a series of 5 videos. Here is the first:
You will love the Gorge ..... swimming holes yes. Rugged. If your dog is hearty yes. Bears sorta on one side. Spence is one of the easiest trails down. dont forget the top trails ... Rock Jock, MTS, Lil' Table Rock, Shortoff.
Hickery got a signal in lots of spots. He had Verizon. I have AT&T and did not.
It is a sacred and wonderful place!!!!!!!
Shug

[Hawk-eye]

Let me add that your cell phone based GPSr will be mostly useless in the gorge and limited usefulness on the rim.

PM Sent.

[cooldays]

It is very rugged terrain with frequent places where if you fall....you fall thirty feet down off the trail where no one will see you.

Bring a map and compass.

Stay on the trail.
(one of the local guys here who likes to climb was climbing on the east side where there is no trail! and told me 2 college kids wandered by...they were lost...and they had no food or shelter and had been lost all the night before. )

Never go to the gorge alone.

Tell people where you are going (if you are going for water etc.)

Count on about 1 to 1.5 miles an hour pace if you usually hike 2 to 2.5 an hour. So be reasonable in your expectations. (see the report on the forum of the last hang where 20 people ended up in 4 different campsites rather than a group hang due to this.)

Wear shoes with good traction...the guy I hiked with last time fell 4 times including once when I said..."watch out...this is very slippery here".

With that said.....Its beauuuuuuuutiful! The water takes your breath away! It is unlike anything else I have seen in NC! Enjoy!!!!! Be safe.

cooldays

[ashmatash]

thanks for the info. love the videos Shug. I'll let ya know how it went when i get back!!

[Shug]

thanks for the info. love the videos Shug. I'll let ya know how it went when i get back!!

The Gorge let me know that it awaits you......
Be vigilant and have a wonderful and exciting trip!!!!
Shug

[ikemouser]

You can never goto the gorge alone? seems kinda extreme

[Shug]

You can never goto the gorge alone? seems kinda extreme

Well .... I have but one must be vigilant.
Look what happened to Tinker on the Gorge Loop .... it can raise up and surprise and hurt you. That can be applied to any wilderness.
you must have a plan and confidence in yourself and backwoods experience.
Not the smartest way to go.....but but nothing safe is. Mighty fun and powerful though!!!!!!
Shug

[wisenber]

You can never goto the gorge alone? seems kinda extreme

Most of my trips in wilderness areas are solo. I generally just give someone a map with my "likely route(s)", the local ranger's phone number and a "drop dead" check-in time. I used to make my check-in times earlier than I wanted. Sometimes it is tough to get off the trail and actually back into cell phone range in time to prevent a SAR issue.

I've only tried this a hundred or so times, but no problems so far.