| For my 26th birthday this year, we decided to | | | | our snack. It was the most amazing chicken and rice |
| re-acquaint ourselves with nature and take on the | | | | I have ever had. Chad set up a tarp for some shelter |
| Linville Gorge in western NC. Chad and I started | | | | and we set up a a fire in the fire ring. |
| stocking up on camping gear in July and did not stop | | | | There was even a small creek beside us and Moses |
| until October (we could stock REI at this point.) We | | | | made it his bathtub (thank God!) and most of the |
| got everything from water purifiers to bear bells and | | | | poo had washed right off. |
| even a camping knife that could double as a spear if | | | | I will never forget the feeling that came over me |
| need be. We were set. We even called the District | | | | when I finally had a chance to get in the tent and lay |
| Ranger (828) 652-2144 to make sure that we did not | | | | down on my sleeping bag. I was so relieved. I was |
| need a permit and also to let them know we were | | | | safe and hidden from nature for a short span of time |
| going to be there. Chad had programmed the GPS | | | | and it was fantastic. Don't get me wrong, I love |
| with the 7 mile hike we ambitiously mapped out and I | | | | nature and I absolutely loved this adventure we |
| had the old-fashioned map just in case. Here are | | | | were on but I breathed a little easier and my heart |
| some things we packed with us that came in handy | | | | didn't race as fast while I was in that tent. |
| and might come in handy for you as you embark on | | | | While Moe explored the area, Chad and I made more |
| your Linville adventure: | | | | food and determined that dehydrated beef |
| * A handheld GPS is a MUST (as you will read later in | | | | stroganoff is horrible... to the beef's defense, I think I |
| this post) ours was pretty basic and worked like a | | | | put too much water in the bag before it was ready. I |
| charm. | | | | was a freak about our odor-proof plastic bags and I |
| * A waterproof map of where you are hiking. The | | | | made sure that everything was sealed tightly and |
| GPS was terrific but the map saved us on more | | | | Chad put everything in a big bag that he hung from a |
| times than we'd like to admit. | | | | nearby tree so that the bears wouldn't be attracted |
| * A water purifier - we used the Katydin and it | | | | to our campsite. |
| successfully filtered water and it tasted just fine (and | | | | Around 5pm, before the sun had even set, we were |
| there were no side effects) | | | | in bed. Without hesitation, Chad was out within 5 |
| * Insect repellent | | | | minutes. I was able to fall asleep for a couple hours |
| * If you bring your pup, a bear bell and a pack is | | | | until Moe started growling at every little thing. We |
| great for their food. | | | | were in the middle of the woods and he was |
| * Odorless bags to keep the bears away. | | | | growling at every chirp, tree branch and random |
| * An excellent camera, because it is absolutely | | | | sound he heard. This is what woke me up and I |
| beautiful. | | | | immediately came to the conclusion that Moe was |
| We had no idea what we were getting into. We | | | | growling at a bear or axe-murderer that might be |
| started off on a pretty well marked trail, it was | | | | near our tent. I laid there with my poo-dog and |
| apparent that it got a lot of traffic and Moses was | | | | sleeping husband and every single scary movie that I |
| doing a good job of keeping up. | | | | had ever seen had crossed my mind. All of those |
| At some point, we took a wrong turn and ended up | | | | x-files episodes came back mixed in with scenes |
| and the bottom of a ledge that we should have been | | | | from Lost and I was beside myself with horrible |
| on top of with no trail in front... or behind us. I am | | | | "what-if's." Even the silhouette of the trees in the |
| typically a level-headed person but the anxiety of | | | | moonlight across our tent was freaking me out. I |
| being lost in the middle of the "grand canyon of the | | | | finally manned-up and fell asleep for a few hours |
| east" got the best of me. | | | | before the sun came up and it was time to light |
| Using the GPS, we backtracked and made it to the | | | | another fire. We survived. |
| top of the ledge which was absolutely beautiful and | | | | Instant coffee saved the morning. We filtered and |
| well worth the trek. Our adventure was far from | | | | boiled a ton of water from the creek and made |
| over. We did our best to find the next trail and we | | | | some dehydrated eggs and bacon. |
| ended up rock-jumping down the side of a massive | | | | The first few bites were amazing but it did not take |
| cliff for at least an hour. Moe fell a couple times and I | | | | long for the aftertaste to kick in and it just didn't |
| am pretty positive that his backpack saved his ribs at | | | | work out for either of us. |
| one point. We were doing pretty well - the forest | | | | We decided to eat our remaining clif-bars instead to |
| was absolutely gorgeous and there were tiny | | | | give us enough energy to get back to the car. We |
| waterfalls and rock climbing spots all over the place. | | | | broke down camp and used the GPS and map to |
| The GPS said we were on the right track but I | | | | determine how to get back to the car. We knew we |
| couldn't shake the fact that we hadn't actually been | | | | would not be going back the same way so we |
| on a "trail" for several hours. Bushwhacking would be | | | | figured out that the trail we were looking for was on |
| putting it lightly. We finally found a clearing with | | | | the other side of our creek. |
| multiple cairns all over the place so we knew people | | | | We were so happy to finally be on a well-traveled |
| had been there before and were marking the trail. | | | | trail and on our way home that we could barely |
| We found a cozy spot, filtered some water for us | | | | contain it. |
| and the dog and took a minute to re-assess the | | | | Even Moe was pumped. The trail took us to the road |
| situation. By that time it was about 3pm and we | | | | and we took the road for a couple miles until we |
| knew that we weren't going to make it to our final | | | | spotted our car. I think the last time I was that |
| destination before sunset. We decided to start | | | | happy was my wedding day. |
| looking for a fire ring where we could set up camp. It | | | | Here are some tips from one "tenderfoot" to |
| was then that we realized that Moses had managed | | | | another: |
| to cover himself in some type of poo and he was | | | | * DO NOT OVER PACK!! I certainly did, we used half |
| just as happy as can be. He didn't seem to mind at all | | | | of the food we thought we would need and could |
| and he probably loved it but he smelled like death and | | | | have used that space in my pack for other things. |
| I kept thinking about how awesome it was going to | | | | * Make sure you have a high quality sleeping mat, |
| be, sharing a tent with my poo-covered dog. We had | | | | this is one thing you should splurge on and REI has |
| passed piles of bear poo along the way and I wasn't | | | | great ones that are affordable. |
| sure whether Moe would attract or repel the bears | | | | * Hit the gym before you take on this challenge |
| but we made it out of the gorge sans bear attack. It | | | | (especially the stair-master) |
| was probably the bell. | | | | * Bring instant coffee even if you don't drink coffee, |
| Our massive packs were getting the best of us and | | | | Starbucks just came out with some fabulous ones. |
| our legs felt like jelly for the last hour or so of our | | | | * Again with the camera - you will be mad if you |
| hike. Despite hiking all spring and running all summer, | | | | forget one because the Linville Gorge is just crazy |
| we were not ready for this. Next time, we'll do the | | | | beautiful. |
| stair-master with our packs on... that should do the | | | | * An excellent hiking partner. |
| trick. | | | | * Don't forget the most important part of your trip, |
| We got turned around a couple times and had to | | | | leave no trace or even better, leave a negative |
| backtrack but some angel from heaven had marked | | | | trace! Remember to follow park guidelines and leave |
| a trail with blue string so we followed it and the GPS | | | | with the same amount that you came in with... or |
| as best we could. I am pretty sure that Chad could | | | | more. |
| tell that my heart was going to beat out of my | | | | * Lastly, tell family members and friends where you |
| chest because of my nerves. I hate anxiety and I | | | | are going and what trails you plan on taking so they |
| hate being nervous but I could not control it. This | | | | know where to look in the even that something |
| makes me sound like a huge wimp but I almost cried | | | | happens. You can never be too safe. |
| a time or two and I had to just sit, take a couple | | | | We figured out that we had made it about half way |
| deep breaths and relax for a second. Around 4pm | | | | through our hike so we are going to go back and |
| we found a place to sit and calm my nerves and | | | | pick up where we left off next spring. It was such |
| when we got up to keep trekking, we realized that | | | | an amazing experience and Chad is THE BEST hiking |
| we were only about 10 feet from the perfect | | | | partner ever. Moses got the best deep-cleaning he |
| campsite. | | | | had ever had and then slept for the next 5 days and |
| We quickly set up the tent, filtered tons of water | | | | we still have not unpacked our backpacks. Yuck, I |
| and made a bag of dehydrated chicken and rice for | | | | know. Thanks for the adventure Linville Gorge! |