Nothing to see here, move on… View? there’s supposed to be a view… +2
All packed up and ready to head home – and it’s only six-and-a-half miles of fairly flat going.
January 24, 2021 12:46
Gear Damage – I tore my under quilt protector when I fell out of my hammock on my last trip. Despite spending half-an-hour looking for the damage at home, I didn’t find it. I’ve now made careful notes of where it is so I can repair it.
January 24, 2021 12:14
Improvised water filtering arrangements – This is what happens when you don’t use a packing list and pack in a hurry. I forgot to pack the 64oz water pouch I use for holding unfiltered water. The pouch screws onto the filter, squeeze it, and you have clean water. Fortunately, my 8oz squeezy washing bottle has the same fittings, so I used that instead.
January 24, 2021 11:13
Hot chocolate to start the day. +1
January 24, 2021 10:08
Camped above ‘Deep Hollow’ – Despite exploring for several miles yesterday, this appears to be the only place near a water source. Oh, and it rained (a lot) overnight.
January 24, 2021 9:57
Settled in for the night – somehow, despite arriving in daylight, I ended up setting up my hammock in the dark (again).
January 23, 2021 20:31
Bearing Tree & Land Survey Monument – Marking a corner of the Hercules Glades Wilderness. +1
January 23, 2021 14:12
Puffy jacket hood malfunction – What can I say? You would think I could dress myself by now. At least I didn’t fall out of my hammock this time.
January 23, 2021 11:26
First hike of 2021 – Camped at ‘Twin Falls Hollow’ – I didn’t start packing my gear until I finished work, and so it was dark when I left home. I started my hike at 7:40 p.m., there was some light from the risen half-moon and the sky was clear. Following the trail was easy, and I kept my headlamp on its lowest setting — which proved to be a mistake when I accidentally took the Cedars Trail in the dark. Two-minute read, +2
January 23, 2021 11:24
So Grammarly tells me it detected a new tone in my writing last week — ‘negative.’ Now I need to get started on ‘sarcastic’ and ‘antagonistic.’
January 11, 2021 14:26
2020 Backpacking Year Summary – My annual total for 2020 was 28 nights, 216 miles, and 20,500 ft of elevation. Not an overly impressive set of figures, but considering the year’s events, not too bad either.
December 31, 2020 13:44
Final trip of 2020 over — Not the most flattering of pictures. A quick summary of my hike out. 1
December 29, 2020 12:23
Tales of stupidity — Camped overlooking ‘Twin Falls Hollow’ – This trip had been dogged by a series of stupid mistakes. My final mistake could easily have been fatal, but as is usually the case when I do something stupid, I was lucky and got away with it. Until possibly, one day I won’t. 5 4
December 29, 2020 9:36
Gary at the Blair Ridge Trailhead – The hike from the Falls to the Blair Ridge Trailhead is supposed to be around three-and-a-half miles. I’d say it was nearer to three. It was a cold, dull, gray day, so no pictures. Anyway, it was just standard Ozarks ridge trail scenery. That’s my last unhiked trail in Hercules Glades completed. One-minute read, +3
December 28, 2020 12:11
Vertigo – Watch your step, it’s a fairly steep drop of around 100ft and a very narrow trail. I made sure I didn’t drop a hiking pole while taking a picture here.
December 28, 2020 10:40
Small Falls on Long Creek. +1
December 28, 2020 10:32
Meet the Flintstones – Looks like somewhere Fred, Wilma, and Pebbles might live. It’s another overhang campsite, but this one has more home comforts and a rock-edged path down to the creek where there is a wide pool. +2
December 28, 2020 10:28
Long Creek. Hercules Glades – Day Three – This is the spot nearest to my campsite and where I drew my water. What you can’t see in this picture are the frozen bits.
December 28, 2020 9:22
Overhang Campsite – When I camped here in May 2019 I ended up in the ER the next day.
December 28, 2020 9:20
Getting ready to break camp on Day Three.
December 28, 2020 9:17
Lower Pilot – from the Coy Bald Trail, Hercules Glades Wilderness. I started my day camped about three-quarters of a mile to the west (left) of the Lower Pilot. Taken with my 14-year-old Fuji Finepix digital camera. 1
December 27, 2020 15:38
The Pilots – Seen from the Coy Bald Trail.
December 27, 2020 15:29
Looking up Long Creek (east). Hercules Glades – Day Two.