Wish I could make it but will be in VA for the weekend, then heading for the Linville Gorge with my son (HC - LG won out over Dolly Sods this time but thanks for the idea).
The dog and I did an overnight in Thunder Swamp last spring ('09). We went west past the main trailhead and down a road to the left (Hill Rd? Snow Hill Rd?) to the first parking area and hiked CCW to the "river". There were some folks there and not too many good hanging spots so we backtracked and found a spot down what was probably an overgrown logging road from many years ago. Beautiful crisp night. The view looking up from my hammock through the trees to the evening sky is my current screensaver. The next morning we met a porcupine not 25 yards from the campsite. Saw a dead one on the road on the way out.
My impressions:
Rocky: not big rocks, just everywhere on the trail.
Wet: even high on the ridge it was "swampy". There was a good bit of dry area but it often wasn't good for hanging. I wore Chacos and my socks were soaked within 5 minutes. I kept the sandals on to see if my feet got cold and to see if I could use them in the rocks without stubbing a toe or turning an ankle. They worked so well I never took my trail shoes off my pack until I got home.
Have a great time guys. Let me know what the trick is to get Knotty out of the house. He keeps saying something about his daughter getting married and chores and, now, a honeymoon... I dunno.
Knotty
"Don't speak unless it improves the silence." -proverb
DIY Gathered End Hammock
DIY Stretch-Side Hammock
Stretch-Side "Knotty Mod"
DIY Bugnet
If anybody sees this before they leave... I may not get there tonight. But I do intend to show up tomorrow am. Early I hope.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
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Rev, I gave your message to Oh-No so they know not to expect you tonight. Have a great time!
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Fall seven times, standup eight. -- Japanese Proverb
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