Overnighter @ Captain

[lazerboy2000]

Yesterday afternoon I went out with my roommate and several other friends to a top-secret camping spot near Captain,VA. This is a sweet little car camping spot on the AT right next to a small stream and just 150yds to a parking lot.

We first hiked up 2MI to Kelly's Knob which is a beautiful lookout into the valley and there are some really cool rock formations. We spent a lot of time climbing all over the rocks and even found a really cool cave.

The cave probably went about 30ft in and there were tons of huge spiders, crickets, and even a bat.

If you look closely at the small thing in the center of this pic, its the bat hanging out.

And the leaves were just starting to change colors which made for a beautiful hike as the sun started going down

Here's a really unusual tree that we came across. I have no clue how it turned out like that. I didn't see any burn marks or noticeable lightning damage.

It was an absolutely perfect fall night with a bright full moon and low temps in the 40's-50s

And of course the best part of the trip was "base camp leisure". Since we were so close to the parking lot we had plenty of comforts such as dutch oven chili and Shepherd's pie for dinner. Also had 4 hammocks and plenty of other comforts.

It was easily one of the best nights I've had in years and cannot wait to go back! I had my RC-4 with me which helped to cut up some wood and also core out some apples to be wrapped in foil and baked with caramel.

 

[LMT66]

Looks like a great time with beautiful surrounding! Thanks for sharing

 

[lazerboy2000]

Also, does anybody know what kind of snake this is? All black with a small yellow or white band around its neck

 

[baldtaco-II]

I think that's a Ringneck. I'd be even more sure if you said it had a yellow or orange underside.

 

[myright]

Cool pics - that's the biggest daddy-long-legs I've ever seen

Base camp looks like a blast!

 

[stingray4540]

Nice spot! Finding a cave would be awesome.

 

[Thomas Linton]

I think that's a Ringneck. I'd be even more sure if you said it had a yellow or orange underside.

Got it in one! Color of ring can be yelow or orange and the back varies from olive to brown to very dark gray - almost black. Shy guys. IF you pick them up, they may take a dump. We had some in the lab that were used to being handled and would coil around your finger like a ring. They show up in the southeastern 2/3's of Ohio as well.

Beautiful picture of the view!

 

[kgd]

Great pictures, what a perfect time of year to enjoy nature. On the cusp of fall. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Joezilla]

Tis a ring neck! Non-venomous and super cute.
Nice pictures!

 

[TheGame]

That is a neat little snake, haven't saw one that small in a long while. Thanks for posting :thumbup:

 

[Toucan Oasis]

Take a fun weekender. Take the AT from Kelly's up to Macafees and have someone pick you up on 311 up from Hanging rock..... That's my old stomping grounds you're in.