Spent the night in the Greenbrier area of the Smokies. Two friends and I hiked in Friday morning and out Saturday morning. We returned to a back country camp site we stayed in a few years ago. It is one of my favorites. No great elevation or scenic overlooks but it is a lesser traveled area of the national park and it is a relatively quick and easy hike. The camp site sits atop a hill and is big, open, and grassy. I like the old steam engine that has been lying in Injun Creek for about 100 years. There is an old McCarter family cemetery in the middle of the woods. Several rock walls remain from the time the area was settled and farmed. Still some fall colors on display. High temps in the mid 50's, low last night was about 34F.
Back Country Camp Site #32
Newer hang. I have used the Sea 2 Summit tarp a couple times. First time I used my new Hummingbird Hammock. I have some sort of hammock fetish; I have tried a half dozen I guess. They have all been fine but I keep looking for the perfect one in terms of size, weight, etc. Really like this one - super light 5+ ounces, 1.5 size has plenty of room but lighter and packs a lot smaller than the Eno Super Sub I have used for the last couple years. Also used my Klymit KSB 20 sleeping bag for the first time with the Klymit Hammock V insulated pad. Temp bottomed out about 34 but I stayed toasty all night and had to unzip a couple times to let in some air.
I think I have posted pics of this engine/tractor on here before.
The old engine in Injun Creek ... some newer maps have changed the name to Engine Creek. Legend has it the operator was drunk - err allegedly drunk - and rolled the machine down a ridge into the creek. Seems credible, local moonshine probably involved.
Some of the rock walls still stand proud...
...others have been all but reclaimed by the forest.
This is still my user Kephart. Been in the wet and humid conditions in the Smokies multiple times and O1 steel still looks pretty good. I just try to keep 'er dry and add a little oil when I get home. I suck at feather sticks but I think the knife is capable.
Modified a sheath and used a D-ring with removable pin to add a dangler loop. I like the low ride option when carrying a backpack.
Took along a Case carbon steel Sod Buster Jr. It is pretty slicy.
Return hike Saturday morning. Some of you know that is my last name; my ancestors were some of the earlier Europeans to settle the area. Latest "died" dates I saw in the cemetery were 1910-ish. Probably some of the last folks to have lived (and died) in what is now the national park.
