BirdShooter

[BirdShooter]

The post here is a good start. You might also try http://thebackpacker.com/trips/ which has a tool for individuals to post and lead hikes in various areas of the country. The forums are interactive and often includes dates, maps, participants and various comments for coming events.

[BirdShooter]

The registration tool is now working, but serves up a blank page after registration. I should have this fixed by Thursday.

[BirdShooter]

A special thanks to Mark Dooley who pointed out that the registration pages were down and it likely dates back to 9/12 when my computer crashed and I upgraded my hard drive. For those of you that have tried to register since, I apologize and hope you’ll try again. As of tonight, I’m still working on it with no success yet – can’t find the error file.

[BirdShooter]

Sounds like this guy got in trouble in the same area that we hiked – maybe a little north. Makes you wonder if he was gunning for the bus:

Denali National Park & Preserve (AK)
Hiker Stuck On Ledge Rescued With Military Assistance

On Wednesday, August 22nd, Zack McCutcheon, 20, of Berkeley, California, was rescued from a small rock ledge on a steep slope on the north side of the Alaska Range with assistance of military personnel from Anchorage. The crew of an Air Force HH-60 Pavehawk helicopter was able to hoist McCutcheon into the helicopter around 8 a.m. and fly him to the park airstrip, where he was evaluated by park medics and found to be in relatively good condition. McCutcheon had become stranded the previous morning when he and his hiking partner, Chris Scruggs, attempted to cross a steep and extremely rugged ridge dividing the headwaters of the East Fork and Teklinika Rivers on the third day of a planned five-day backpacking trip. McCutcheon fell a short distance, and, though uninjured, was unable to move from his position approximately a thousand feet above the glacier in the valley below. It took Scruggs eight hours to hike the 15 miles to the park road, where he flagged down a park shuttle bus. The initial report was received in the park around 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon. Personnel in the park’s fire program helicopter and fixed-wing Husky aircraft were able to locate McCutcheon relatively quickly. The helicopter landed on a small saddle above McCutcheon’s location and ranger Michael O’Connor was able to make his way down to within 150 feet of McCutcheon, determining that he was suffering from only mild hypothermia. Due to deteriorating weather and impending darkness, both aircraft had to depart the area, but O’Connor stayed at the scene overnight to monitor McCutcheon. Because of concerns about forecasted precipitation and below-freezing temperatures, the park contacted the Rescue Coordination Center and requested military assistance. Personnel from the 210th, 211th and 212th Air Force Rescue Squadrons responded in an HH-60 Pavehawk helicopter and an HC-130 rescue tanker, both with night vision capability, arriving at the park between 11 p.m. and midnight on Tuesday. In spite of multiple attempts, they were unable to overcome weather conditions. After being on station for over three hours, they were forced to return to their base. The second combined rescue attempt was launched at daybreak on Wednesday. [Submitted by Kris Fister, Public Affairs Specialist]

[BirdShooter]

They found him near Bad Creek parking area today after 18 hours lost on the trail. It’s a spur trail off the Foothills Trail.

http://www.greenvillenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?ID=/20070823/NEWS/70823012

I know this area well. Hiked it last year. The Bartram Trail/Foothills Trail/Chattooga River Trail all converge not far from here at Burrell’s Ford, so a map is a major plus in this area. I could see how you could get turned around without one. Pics from the area:

Bad Creek Access Trail

[BirdShooter]

Krakauer’s original article in Outside magazine before his book was published:

http://outside.away.com/outside/features/1993/1993_into_the_wild_1.html

[BirdShooter]

Moonpooch, wait ’til you see CC’s photo of that bear. The Camel hasn’t stopped talking about it. I’m still working him for a copy.

[BirdShooter]

P.S. More on the Chattooga River Trail at….

Chattooga River Trail

[BirdShooter]

Check out this link:

https://n2backpacking.com/long_trails/crt/crt_sections.htm

It breaks down four different sections of the Chattooga River Trail and provides some photos, maps, etc. I definitely recommend the Tim Homan book if you plan to hike it.

Hiking Trails Of The Southern Nantahala Wilderness, Ellicott Rock Wilderness, And The Chattooga National Wild And Scenic River
https://n2backpacking.com/books/nc/nc_books.htm#hiking_chattooga

The area near Burrells Ford and Ellicott Rock get the most traffic due to easy access, flat terrain, and quiet waters for trout fishing. Sections one and two see much less trail traffic if that’s yourpreference. The hiking is tougher but still easier than the AT in Georgia and there are numerous campsites – some on the river. If you can arrange a shuttle you can easily put together a two day hike. Or you could backtrack out. Regardless, your thinking is right. The CRT is a great place to go. I highly recommend hiking the entire trail. You could do this in one shot or fairly easily over four separate weekends. Let us know how it goes.

[BirdShooter]

The search tool was moved to a more visible location on the left column and is now in tab format. It now links to

Search

[BirdShooter]

Apparently he is spending a lot of time in Ohio these days:

http://www.ourbigfoot.com/

[BirdShooter]

There is a long standing debate on whether the external frame backpack is better than the internal. I own both packs and have hiked many miles with each. Here’s a brief take on my experiences with them:

External Frame Packs
– are less expensive
– are lighter (with equivalent hip belt, shoulder pads, etc. on an internal)
– are cooler (since air can circulate between your body and the pack)
– are easier to pack (with specific compartments for your gear)
– are prone to snag on branches, vines, etc.
– are noiser
– are less trendy these days (which means there are fewer to choose from)

Internal Frame Packs
– are more expensive
– are heavier (with equivalent hip belt, shoulder pads, etc. to an external)
– are hotter (since they sit directly on your back)
– offer better mobility
– are generally more comfortable
– are harder to pack (since there are fewer compartments)
– are better in off-trail environments (with branches, vines, etc.)
– are quieter (since the frame is internal and less prone to squeak, etc.)
– are trendy these days (which means there are lots of options including some inexpensive 2 lb ultralight versions)

Generally, you will see more internal frames on the trail since more stores sell them and there are many more models from which to choose. Personally, I like the internals better and expect that most people feel the same way. Otherwise, you wouldn’t see so many of them on the trail. Hope this helps.

[BirdShooter]

Let us know how it goes. As far at the Rattlesnakes, not one of them shook their rattle when we came up on them. Stay on the main trails, take a hiking stick, and keep a watchful eye. Cashiers, Toxaway, and Highlands are close by so there’s plenty of help nearby if you need it – which I doubt you will.

[BirdShooter]

P.S. The store in Cashiers is called the Happy Hiker.

[BirdShooter]

Panthertown Valley is a great place. A few tips:

1. Make sure you get a map. There are tons of intersecting trails, and nothing is marked. Check in Cashiers where there is a small hiking store.

2. Watch out for Rattlesnakes. I’ve seen three here in the last two years.

3. Checkout Schoolhouse Falls. You can actually walk behind this waterfall and there is a nice pool for swimming in front of it.

Some possible trips and photos are at this link. Scan down to Panthertown Valley for hikes to Big Green Mountain, Granny Burrell Falls, Greenland Creek Falls, Panthertown Creek (via Salt Rock Gap), Panthertown Creek (via Cold Mountain Gap), Tuckasegee River:

https://n2backpacking.com/my_hikes/north_carolina/destinations_nc.htm

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