Backpacking in VA Nov 5-7th

My father and I went and scoped out the area last weekend. We took his bird dog to look for grouse. The area is very pretty with your normal mountain variety plants, and The wilderness itself does not have afford many views, but is great for practicing some bushcraft. We scouted out some good areas along the trail for campsites, a few of which I have pictured here. I did spot a ridge that I will take a look at early on Friday to get more “off trail” if you want. The final .5 of the trail is pretty much straight up. Earlier there was an idea about camping up there, but that ridge doesn’t have that much in the way of stuff to work with. Maybe we should scope it out after setting up camp in the wilderness area and checking out the scenery before returning around 1 to do stuff.
The Dry Run Wilderness Trailhead is off of 21, right past a little town around a bend. The parking position is obvious, across the highway from the trailhead. It is labeled Hemley Hollow. (Those coming, I’ll send out GPS cords to program in). If you are using a 3 man tent or bigger, PM me. We can camp at the trailhead Friday night, but it is close to the highway so there is a lot of human noise.

Trailhead pics
DSC03514.jpg

DSC03517.jpg

DSC03518.jpg

DSC03525.jpg

DSC03526.jpg



Some of the possible camping sights
DSC03507.jpg

DSC03512.jpg
DSC03504.jpg
 
Plenty of water through out the trail by the way
 
Not at all, especially if you and I get there early. I have a ridge I've been eyeing that we can hike into, set up, and then meet/greet the others there.

EVERYONE WHO IS COMING, PM ME YOUR PHONE NUMBER.


BRING YOUR CASH. There will be trade items, and tons of Condor swag priced so I can get some room in the house :)!
 
Mabey we will get lucky. I saw a 50% chance of rain. Guess Ill have to bring the ponchos and snow pants.
 
Now that the gear is drying, and the photos are uploaded, we can finally view how the dry run backpacking trip went. The weather was fantastic for what it was supposed to be, we stayed rather dry and relatively warm despite the occasional snowflakes and 20 degree lows. Sheila and Daisy, the dogs, got along great and played most of the time that we were in the wilderness. The first night, NC527 stopped by the house, got to see Machete Mountain, and borrowed some gear including duluth’s bushcrafter pack to try out on the trail. We hiked in and camped comfortably that night, and met Bkduckworth on the trial Saturday morning. We found a spot that we liked, topography wise, and bushwhacked way off the trail to it, noting huge bear damage, and what looked like a buck that went crazy rubbing trees all over the place. The campsite are we located was fantastic and had water nearby and enough dead wood to go crazy practicing bushcraft. Bkduckworth did a figure 4 trap, NC527 made a survival collar for my dog, and I made a large fire and a camp table, to name a few things. All an all it was a great time, and Ryan (NC527), even had a chance to come over afterwards and try out some friction fire stuff. The trade blanket went pretty well too, and everyone came out happy from the trip. Knives used on the trip included the David Farmer Machete for the contest, a Condor Bushcraft Basic 4, A swamp rat, Esee-4, JK custom, Bark river PSK, Bark River Snowy River, and Brian Andrews Scandi Neck knife.
 
Good times had all around! Thanks for posting those man, but why did you only post the ones where I was looking like a doofus? ;)

Brandon
 
Here are a few more pics. We had a great time, and I learned alot. Joe let me try out his HI khuk for the trip, and I got to handle some condors for the first time. Also attempted friction fire back at Joes house. Hope to do it again soon.


HPIM1916.jpg

HPIM1914.jpg

HPIM1912.jpg

HPIM1911.jpg

HPIM1908.jpg

HPIM1907.jpg

HPIM1906.jpg

HPIM1905.jpg

HPIM1904.jpg

HPIM1903.jpg
 
Looks like you fellas had a blast - any problems staying warm ?

What brand tarp is this Joe ?

DSC03580.jpg
 
Awesome trip, I can't wait to head your way. Nice setup, and good times. Cool.

Moose
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top