Making it official and inviting any and all

[digrat]

Where is RHK?? Im thinking KY?

I'd have to guess that it stands for "R. H. K. Whiteley" who was a Lieutenant involved with the Trail of Tears. There is a Trail of Tears National Park which passes through the present-day states of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee (map).

Huh. You learn something new every day.

[Roche]

Roan High Knob.

[digrat]

Roan High Knob.

As usual, disregard everything I said. It sounded good though, right?

[lostinthewuds]

As usual, disregard everything I said. It sounded good though, right?

I thought so
Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

[lostinthewuds]

Can anyone enlighten me? (wow the palces my wife could go with that )

What type of terrain can be expected on this trip? By that I mean, I have a good pair of insulated red wing work boots that would serve great if there is going to be quite a bit of slick rock crawling type stuff. However, they are not very well suited for mucky slick mud etc., because they have work boot tread and not off trail lug type soles. I would assume that it all depends on where you are as to what type of walking environment you'll get into, I just didn't know if someone has alot of experience in the gorge and could lend me some gorge smarts for a few.

The reason I ask is I have been on the fence here the past few days about buying either a new sleeping bag (to replace the old stand by cold weather military bag that weighs 8#) or a descent pair of hiking boots. If I can get by with my current boots then I'll opt for the new bag, if not I may start boot shoping.

Thanks all! Still awaiting the "retro" pack from Florida .

pax,
lost

[MedicineMan]

I have no idea what the 'tread' will be like but when I see the word gorge connected to hangers some hairs begin to bristle....my bet is rock/steep/root/ice/snow=scenic healthy fun

[bonsaihiker]

Medicine Man has it right. There will be slick rock, mucky slick mud, roots, leaves/needles, duff, creek crossings, in other words, be prepared for anything. It is steep, slippery, and exposed in places, flat and boring in others. In other words, be prepared for anything. It is usually colder in the valleys than the weather reports say. There are bears there, a man was attacked there in 2010, so you have to hang your food by law. There are very high, sheer cliffs throughout the area which can be very dangerous.

But, it's very beautiful and there is so much to see. There is always some green, there are plants there that grow no where else in the world. It is a popular place, so you will most likely see others there, but in some places and at the right time of day, you can feel like you're the only human for miles.

I'm not sure how else to describe the area. If you like, watch the following videos to get an idea of part of your planned route (Gray's Arch, Rough Trail, and Pinch-em-tight). I will soon post another that was shot last weekend which will show some more of that same route (Whittleton/Sheltowee Trace).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aHCeqio9YQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuhVwz628X0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ7GV__icdE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmR7wtCK8Z8

[MedicineMan]

Thank you Bonsaihiker!
You know some place it really is just about being there. I've been a 'mile monster' on the AT for over 1700 miles. In places like this I really want to stop and breath deeply. Remember when the band of brothers found Fanhorn Forest.....and the elf said something like 'there are old memories here', well I cant sense the memories if rushed!
That said, and granted the weather/roads/ice/etc. may be the pits, once on the ground (thank you Great Lord for crampons) then I'll feel free to explore.
Glad so many are PMing with interest. Wish I was knowledgeable about the RRG----who knows, maybe a veteran might join us? Bonsai? I know you've done this loop tooooop many times...chance for you to see my rehabilited Optimus 99R-now that's got to be a temptation!
p.s. the Maddie vids are wonderful

[bonsaihiker]

Thinking about coming, but I have long since gotten rid of my old E-frame, not that it was much of a pack, anyway.

[bluefields181]

if i don't go to ny to visit the family, I'll be there. I usually rock the big green Jansport from the 70's. It'll be a squeaky pomp in the worock