Just wanted to see if there were any other avid backpackers here. I'm going on a week trip starting tomorrow. Its on a trail here in SC called the Foothills Trail. It links Table Rock State Park and Oconee State Park and is about 70 miles. I'm excited because I haven't been on a good trip since my trip in the Tennessee Smokies last spring break. I'm also really excited because I'm going to be using a hammock for the first time. Its either going to be really good, or really bad. The best part is that the hammock and rainfly weigh less than 2lbs versus a 4lb tent. See you guys sometime around Thursday or Friday!
A) I wouldn't do 70 miles unless is was on the back a horse. B) The horse wouldn't do 70 miles with me on his back. Have a nice trip!
I hiked a 65 mile trip in a week once. Hiked all around the 3 sisters in Oregon. Climbed to the top of the South Sister (second highest mountain in Oregon) and had a blast. Whish I had the time to do more stuff like that. Been on a few 35 mile hikes around Mt. Hood. Hiked into the gorge and ended the trip at Charburger. Great milkshakes. Burgers are good too!!
Wow, sounds great! The only thing that could top that experience would be to get out your straight at the top of the mountain, cook up some hot water and enjoy a shave you'll never forget. Hmmmm.... I might have to do that in the summer holidays
Well I'm back. The trip had to be cut short. After the second day, I started to get a really bad blister on my arch from my boots, so I switched to my Teva sandals. They were working great until yesterday (4th day) I stepped on a stick with my left foot, and when I brought my right foot forward, the end of the stick went right into the blister. It popped the blister and cut under it. It hurt like no other. I cleaned it up, wrapped it and hobbled the mile we had left to hike that day. Good thing was that it ended at a road access. We finally decided to call it quits, since my buddy had hurt his foot earlier on in the week too. We figured we could probably hike the last 20 miles, but we would be pushing oursleves, and probably end up getting infections. The cell phone I brought for emergencies didnt get service. We managed to flag someone down, and luckily it was a volunteer firefighter. He cleaned our cuts and took us to a gas station closer to Clemson (Salem) where I got service. Then I was able to get a friend to pick us up. I'm bummed that we didnt get to finish the trail. Later this summer we are going to get someone to drop us off at the point where we had to leave and finish the trail though. I'm also determined to hike this trail through now. Besides that incident, it was a very nice trip. The forests look much nicer now then when I went backpacking before spring break. The rhododendron were blooming too, which is always a bonus in the mountains.
Sorry to hear about the mishaps. Glad you are OK. Good Luck finishing the trip. Blisters are such a pain.
They worked out great. Never slept better on a backpacking trip. No worries about hard ground or rocks.
Did you forget to pack the Duct Tape ?? Sorry the trip was a bust but better short than not at all ! H3!!. I have a hard time driving 70 miles fuhgedabout hiking it :ashamed001
Dud, Man ! Youse guys musta had some serious terrain to traverse. Good luck with the healing process.
It's molefoam and elasticon for me when I start getting a blister from walking too much in a western boot.
