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Trip to the Smokies - Tracing Adam and Lou's steps

Jun 26

Fri 10:00 AM

Location: This location is shown only to members

Estimated attendance: 6 people attended.
5.003
Who organized?
Dmitry

Surprise, surprise - all camping sites in the Mountain Sterilng area are booked (I shoud've know better, but my planning horizon is too short to deal with those 6 months in advance reservations anyway).

Luckily, Silers Bald shelter is available and we can trace Adam and Lou's steps for the trip that they enjoyed so much (or were they making it up to feel those who bailed out feel jealous? ;). Chris's warnings and Adam's report give me a good reason to take it easy on this trip, so we are going to do it in three days as we planned for the Mount Sterling trip (June 28-28, Fri-Sat-Sun).

Google maps give me 160 miles of driving (3 hour and 10 minutes) - not too bad I think.

Day 1: Clingmans Dome - Silers Bald shelter (4.5 miles). We have plenty of time to check out the Dome and may be to do a short day hike after we get to the shelter that day.

Day 2: Sliers Bald Shelter - Campsite 69 (8 miles) - the longest day of our trip, but it's all downhill

Day 3: Campsite 69 - Clingmans Dome (6 miles).

Johanna and her friend can catch up with us at campsite 69 Saturday night - knowing what a great shape she is in I have no doubts that she can make 12 miles a day downhill!

If Tatyana brings her SLR this time, I will bring my camcorder and we will document our trip really well!

Lou's comments on the temperature give us hope that we will escape the heat that struck Georgia early this summer!

Cheers,
Brer Mountain Rabbit

Photos of this Meetup

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Talk about this Meetup

Posted Jun 29, 2009 8:20 PM

Dmitry

Brer Mountain Rabbit

here are the photos: http://www.flickr.com/photo... trip report is coming..
Posted Jun 29, 2009 7:39 PM

Lou

Fish Dog

Photos? Trip report?
Pre-Meetup comments below
Posted Jun 26, 2009 12:23 AM

Dmitry

Brer Mountain Rabbit

10 AM it is, and we are meeting at my place (1778 Hearth Cir). Enjoy! :)
Posted Jun 26, 2009 12:16 AM

Tatyana

10am? Really? What a luxury! If it's a typo, please call me and wake me up. I don't want to miss this one.
Posted Jun 26, 2009 12:15 AM

Tatyana

10am? Really? What a luxury, really. If that's a typo and I am the only one who doesn't know, can you guys please wake me up with a phone call to [masked] But I hope it's not a typo. I like luxury ;)
Posted Jun 25, 2009 10:27 PM

Dmitry

Brer Mountain Rabbit

All credits for the NOAA point forecast go to Andrew: this is what is so great about our group - we learn so much from each other! My choice in hot weather is Teva sandals with (wet) wool socks - socks keep your feet protected and cool, and you can cross streams without even noticing them! :) (Well, sandals are more slippery than boots, which I learned after falling on the rocks near Jacks River Falls).
Posted Jun 25, 2009 9:43 PM

Lou

Fish Dog

I like the NOAA point forecast! Dmitry is so cool, like a mountain! Bill and Melissa, try Crocs with socks, they work great! I did 4-5 miles with 6-8 heavy stream crossings and they were very comfortable, sturdy enough and great on the wet rocks! Have fun and we expect more great photos from D & T...
Posted Jun 25, 2009 9:18 PM

Dmitry

Brer Mountain Rabbit

the weather forecast for this area: http://forecast.weather.gov...
Posted Jun 25, 2009 6:49 PM

Dmitry

Brer Mountain Rabbit

Speaking of the weather, check out this info on Clingmans Dome: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/pla... They say the temps should be 10-20 cooler, so at least take a windbreaker just in case!
Posted Jun 25, 2009 6:41 PM

Dmitry

Brer Mountain Rabbit

my cell number is (678) 524-5535
Posted Jun 25, 2009 4:17 PM

Dmitry

Brer Mountain Rabbit

Yeah, and your tank of gas is what - 50 gallons? :)
Posted Jun 25, 2009 2:34 PM

Melissa aka "shoe"

I usually can get to Newfound Gap and back one 1 tank of gas so it's not too terrible but Bill's F150 is probably better than my 256,000 mile explorer :) I think I'll end up bringing my sandals unless I hit REI tonight for something
Posted Jun 25, 2009 1:49 PM

Dmitry

Brer Mountain Rabbit

OK, it's nice to have a choice - we can decide which one to take at the spot!
Posted Jun 25, 2009 1:44 PM

Wild Bill

"Shoe",. last year I used my crocks crossing three or four streams in the Cohuttas. They did ok but I did not try to jump from rock to rock. I found them better when I walked on the bottom of each creek and keeping my feet swinging under water as I crossed. I now will try out my new Merrill Oatawa river shoes this time. Wild Bill
Posted Jun 25, 2009 1:40 PM

Wild Bill

I'll be bringing my F-150 truck which can carry three in front and two reasonably comfortably in the back. Also, all the packs can go back in the truck bed. I'm also bring a cooler in the truck bed with 12 bottles of water on ice. You are all welcomed to drink as much as you can before we start. Wild Bill
Posted Jun 25, 2009 12:44 PM

Dmitry

Brer Mountain Rabbit

Hmm, that thing can take as much gas as two Civics I suppose? But even if so, it's more fun to drive all together! :)
Posted Jun 25, 2009 12:18 PM

Melissa aka "shoe"

I have a Ford Explorer than can fit 5 plus packs. 1 of the seatbelts in the backseat doesn't work though.
Posted Jun 25, 2009 9:56 AM

Dmitry

Brer Mountain Rabbit

I wonder if anyone has a vehicle that fits 5 people plus their backpacks? More likely it is going to be two cars: 2 + 3 (Johanna is driving separately on Saturday and catching with us at campsite #69).
Posted Jun 24, 2009 11:56 PM

Dmitry

Brer Mountain Rabbit

Johanna: we'll see you at campsite #69 Saturday afternoon then!
Posted Jun 24, 2009 11:49 PM

Dmitry

Brer Mountain Rabbit

I am not sure if crocs would make good river shoes - they might be too loose, but I never wore them, so hard to tell. I am going to wear sandals both on the trail and for river crossings.

Who attended?

6 attendees
- Tatyana
  
  “ Gorgeous mountains, great company and a fun trail = three days is just not enough time. Let's do a three nighter next time! ”
- Wild Bill
  
  “ Great trip with wonderful mountain vistas. Crossing multiple knee deep streams and climbing over 3,000 ft. to the top of Clingman's dome was quite a challenge. Weather was great and company greater. Well documented by Dmitry. Thanks! ”
- Dmitry
  
  “ What a wonderful escape from Hotlanta to the higher elevations of the Smokies! Very pleasant and relaxing trip - changes in scenery, great views and great company! Should do something like this again before the summer if over! ”
- David
- Johanna D. (+1 guest)