Comments on: Journals and ramblings from your average hiker of the Great Smoky Mountains and beyond Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:47:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Falls and a fall at Jones Gap State Park « Welcome to Old Dan Walking! http://olddanwalking.com/?p=899&cpage=1#comment-279 Falls and a fall at Jones Gap State Park « Welcome to Old Dan Walking! Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:50:09 +0000 http://olddanwalking.com/?p=899#comment-279 [...] Park, the east side of the mountain bridge. In November I walked the west side of the bridge on the Raven Cliff Falls loop at Caesars Head State Park. The Mountain Bridge Wilderness [...] [...] Park, the east side of the mountain bridge. In November I walked the west side of the bridge on the Raven Cliff Falls loop at Caesars Head State Park. The Mountain Bridge Wilderness [...]

]]> By: Old Dan http://olddanwalking.com/?p=899&cpage=1#comment-191 Old Dan Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:55:19 +0000 http://olddanwalking.com/?p=899#comment-191 Thanks for the compliments Glenda. Glad you survived your off trail excursion. Nothing worse that trying to get around blown down trees, they can make a pretty easy trail nearly impossible. As for my gear, like the old commercial used to say, I won't leave home without it. Hope you're closing in on your goal! Thanks for the compliments Glenda. Glad you survived your off trail excursion. Nothing worse that trying to get around blown down trees, they can make a pretty easy trail nearly impossible. As for my gear, like the old commercial used to say, I won’t leave home without it. Hope you’re closing in on your goal!

]]> By: Glenda http://olddanwalking.com/?p=899&cpage=1#comment-190 Glenda Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:28:40 +0000 http://olddanwalking.com/?p=899#comment-190 It's always refreshing to know that I'm not the only person to make these scary hikes. When we were in Glacier NP in August, we decided to go around Avalanche Lake, although the trail ended about 2/3 the way around. We could SEE the other end of the lake, and it looked like all we'd have to do would be to step over a few fallen trees. OMG! In, on, around, under, through, between (pick your preposition) a gazillion BIG fallen trees. Another lesson learned - but thanks to you, my backpack is going into my car today! Along with an extra pair of hiking boots. Beautiful photos and great trail info. Thanks Dan. It’s always refreshing to know that I’m not the only person to make these scary hikes. When we were in Glacier NP in August, we decided to go around Avalanche Lake, although the trail ended about 2/3 the way around. We could SEE the other end of the lake, and it looked like all we’d have to do would be to step over a few fallen trees. OMG! In, on, around, under, through, between (pick your preposition) a gazillion BIG fallen trees. Another lesson learned - but thanks to you, my backpack is going into my car today! Along with an extra pair of hiking boots. Beautiful photos and great trail info. Thanks Dan.

]]> By: Old Dan http://olddanwalking.com/?p=899&cpage=1#comment-188 Old Dan Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:30:02 +0000 http://olddanwalking.com/?p=899#comment-188 Thanks Smoky Scout. I wasn't anywhere near this sore after my first hike...I'm still sore and bruised and it's Wednesday. For 8.4 miles it sure had some bang for the buck. I will have to look up your LLS hike on your blog. Agree on the second pack...the day was filled with poor planning all the way around. The only thing I'll give myself credit for is bringing Danny's book with me. There were a few times when I REALLY thought I was lost and Danny's book reassured me I was still on track. Thanks Smoky Scout. I wasn’t anywhere near this sore after my first hike…I’m still sore and bruised and it’s Wednesday. For 8.4 miles it sure had some bang for the buck. I will have to look up your LLS hike on your blog.

Agree on the second pack…the day was filled with poor planning all the way around. The only thing I’ll give myself credit for is bringing Danny’s book with me. There were a few times when I REALLY thought I was lost and Danny’s book reassured me I was still on track.

]]> By: Smoky Scout http://olddanwalking.com/?p=899&cpage=1#comment-187 Smoky Scout Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:41:55 +0000 http://olddanwalking.com/?p=899#comment-187 I love a cautionary tale! I've done this hike twice, both times clockwise :) It is not a hike for the faint-hearted. In fact, this is where I took my LLS team to train for the tougher Grand Canyon trails. It can be disorienting to be out of the Smokies - suddenly trail blazes become very important. I'm glad too that you finished the hike uninjured. Sounds like you need two sets of hiking gear - one for the Smokies base and one for the home base. Or, uh, just keep it in your car? I love a cautionary tale! I’ve done this hike twice, both times clockwise :) It is not a hike for the faint-hearted. In fact, this is where I took my LLS team to train for the tougher Grand Canyon trails. It can be disorienting to be out of the Smokies - suddenly trail blazes become very important.

I’m glad too that you finished the hike uninjured. Sounds like you need two sets of hiking gear - one for the Smokies base and one for the home base. Or, uh, just keep it in your car?

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