Photos A Walk in Nature

[Pt-Luso]

 

[DirtDawg]

I've been day-hiking the Bartram Trail, starting at the Georgia terminus and going north. My last few trips have been just over the border into North Carolina. Right off, the elevation is a different beauty and a different beast up there.





Here's an uncharacteristic stretch of trail that's flat and not full of dang rocks:


I've been carrying a new Axial Alpine Ultralight. I haven't actually used it yet, but someday!


Last weekend's hike went across the spine of the Fishhawk Range, looking down into the Tessentee Creek area.


The hike back was a doozy. I had 12 miles with 2500 ft. elevation gain for the day. I can't get enough of it, though.

Beautiful country. Interesting knife.

 

[DirtDawg]

I've never been a high mileage hiker. Some people around here are really into that. Two years ago when I was on a six day trip doing the Rae Lakes loop (48 miles, 7000' total vertical, high point 12,000') we were passed on the trail by a twenty something girl carrying only a small day pack. She was doing the entire thing in one day. When we saw her she was already more than 3/4 of the way done. And then there are the people who do the JMT (221 miles, 46,000' total vertical, high point the summit of Mt Whitney 14,508' and multiple high passes in the 11,000'-13,000' range) in less than four days, the record is 72 hours 47 minutes. In 2004 we were camping on the JMT on Bear Creek and a 75 year old guy came running into our camp. He was trying to break his personal best time for the JMT (5 days). He was carrying only a small day pack. He said that he would run until midnight, sleep until 3 AM, and then get back up and run until midnight.

I go to the mountains to enjoy it, those folks are just grinding through it.

Everything need not be a challenge. Life is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the journey.