GSMNP Trip Report

[kwchannell89]

If you're on Backcountryforum.com you may be reading this twice, so thanks for reading it twice! I wanted to get out of civilization and take a short trip in the Smokies. I did a 17ish miles over night starting at Big Creek Ranger Station. Hiked to Walnut bottom campsite, then ascended Low Gap to the AT. From the AT to Mt. Cammerer then Cammerer back to Big Creek Ranger Station VIA AT and Chestnut Branch trail.

I took my hammock this time and slept miserably. Last August I took a fleece blanket and passed out in the hammock! This time around I thought the temperature would be colder it only dropped to about 52-49. I had the 15 degree bag (only sleeping bag I have) and I was miserable. Every time I got the sleeping pad in the right place, I started getting hot in the sleeping bag, and this went back and forth half the night. I'm probably never going to sleep in my hammock again until I get an underquilt or 40 degree bag. No more sleeping pad in the hammock, ever!!! Anyway, the wind was blowing hard for where the campsite is located and the only noisy I heard all night was the wind rattling the tarp. (I'm hearing impaired too!) I got out my hammock about 7am only to see my buddy standing around his tent investigating something, I walked over turns out our campsite got raided by wild hogs in the middle of the night..They disturbed some ground near a couple trees and their foot print was all around us. LOL! I took a picture, but it not a clear one. Anyway, here are the pictures:

My backpack was only on the tree until after I ate supper. After that I hung it on the bear cable.



The wind was blowing at Mt. Cammerer!!!



This is Mt. Sterling, might be my next trip.

[mbiraman]

Always good to get out in the woods. Thanks for posting


bill

[Ewker]

nevermind about my post over there

[grannypat]

Thanks for sharing! Underquilts make a world of difference comfort-wise.

[2ply]

Thanks for sharing your adventure. It's 2 more weekends of trim painting on the house before I can head to the woods.

[cliff369]

I'm with you. I need a UQ bad. Nice pics.

[swankfly]

Great story. I to wrestled with the pad until this past week. I have been struggling with shelling out the cash for a down UQ, so I went the Dejoha no sew poncho line quilt, I think I ended up being about $31 into it, has worked great so far, but have not been able to get below 60 degrees down here yet, I am told it is good to 40ish. Search the forums it's worth it.