PACK IT IN PACK IT OUT

Pack It in Pack it Out

We all need an attitude adjustment occasionally.  Leave No Trace (LNT) is not just an organization dedicated to keeping all outdoors pristine; it is more than anything an “attitude”.  It is a concern for the individual coming after finding no evidence of our having been there.

As an AT Ridgerunner in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park for the past eleven seasons, I have encouraged all to practice LNT and cleaned up after those who have been less inclined to do so.

I have packed out hundreds of lbs of trash per season, from sleeping bags and tents, to food wrappers and everything in between.  I have found no better way to contain quantities of accumulated wrappers and food containers than ordinary plastic bottles.  Please note the collection of some of the beverage bottles I filled to bring out, clean, odorless and sealed.

The preferred bottle is an empty Gatorade which has a large enough lid and spout to put smashed cans in along with foil, plastic and paper wrappers, etc.  A 33oz Gatorade bottle can hold a week’s worth of trash from several people.

The photos I have uploaded represent weekly trash accumulations and representative trash packed in a bottle, in this case a 16oz water bottle cut open to show its’ contents on the ground, in a plastic grocery bag and in the bottle, right hand upper corner prone on a rock of the final picture.
Do you have an attitude?
Keep hiking and pack it in pack it out!

 

 

Wisconsin Group / Model LNT’ers

I met this group .5 miles north of Doe Knob, well organized, well led and had a plan. These high schoolers were from Madison East High School in Madison, Wisconsin, a group that has brought students to the Smokies for an outdoor Experience for the past 40 years.  Anyone can see the enthusiasm and the "I am glad to be here” look.  Their leader Ms. Erin Parker provided much of that enthusiasm but quickly let me know she has not been the leader for all those years.

A great experience and a fun trip is often the result of a well thought-out plan.  They were perfect LEAVE-NO-TRACE representatives.

Keep hiking,
Carl

“WHAT NOT TO DO”

I have seen many folks in the mountains less than prepared for the conditions the Smokies can throw at you but these three young people deserve not so honorable a mention. The "leader' of the three, a personable young man when I mentioned putting them on my blog, you mean for “what not to do“and I replied ‘basically’.  Sure he said. He seemed strong for his size as well he needed to be, for he must have emptied his mother’s food stores or someone's, selecting only canned goods and whatever he could find, in glass jars; deviating to carry many naval oranges. Actually he had stopped at a supermarket. Paul Newman would have been proud of him for selecting good sauces, in "glass" jars!
   
His youth and strength was tested still the next morning when he required considerable maneuvering and dexterity to get into and vertical with that pack even after providing the thru hikers the night before with plenty of pork & beans and such, relieving his load by half a dozen can goods.  All three managed to get to the shelter with plenty of wet gear, lacking only "dry" gear. Our leader even produced a nice hiker friendly down jacket. Well it would have been if it had been kept dry but instead it was reduced to a wet windbreaker.
  
I have written all this to hopefully emphasize the importance of planning, particularly when venturing into the back country not prepared for the weather and or terrain you could encounter.  Our friends and pleasant folks they were I think realized their error and hopefully left the back country by the nearest exit as I suggested.   In all fairness the weather was hard on all of us. 
Keep hiking,
Carl

Permit System in the Smokies

   Backcountry fee in the Smokies. 2013 has brought a fee for backcountry camping in the Smokies and although it has, surprisingly, not had the negative response expected, it has its glitches. Some hikers have printed a receipt thinking they had a permit. The requirement to print your permit through your email is to protect your personal info, I am told.  The bottom half of your permit with your entry date is to go in the thru-hiker box which is located 30' up the trail from the trailhead (after crossing the dam).  Many times rangers are there to check permits.
   For section hikers (all back country campers other than thru-hikers), who plan to spend at least one night, a $4.00 fee per night is required for ANY campsite or shelter.
   Keep hiking, carl aka greybeard. 

"Willow"

'Willow' is a Plot-Terrier mix and a Service Dog trained to sense and warn his master of potential problems with blood sugar levels, amazing. She is the best behaving dog I have ever encountered on the trail, never barking, staying seated and always attentive of his master's movements while just sitting and generally following  "M80" (trail name) with his head and eyes.
  For those interested The Plot Hound is arguably the most celebrated bear hunting dog anywhere and was  bred (developed) on Plot Mountain (named after the Plot Hound's breeder) near the Smoky Mountain area.

The trash from my second week of the 2013 Season, as Ridgerunner in the Smokies.  Among other things take note of the jeans with the legs and waste taped shut and the result containing a variety of food including oatmeal, Ramen, nuts and chocolates. The jeans were then tossed about ten feet into a tree. This of course was to keep black bears from getting it. He knows his black bears!  This is a thoughtless act and provides no consideration for back country etiquette (LNT principles).  At least the soggy mess found its way out of the back country and into a trash can.

Keep Hiking,

Carl

Egor

This is Egor. He is a young Russion hiker/adventurer. His treking renders most long distance hikers "babes in the woods". He has hiked in so many countries, had so many experiences for one so young.He will follow his current AT thru hike with going to Columbia, having hiked previously thru Nepal and Europe. Egor is a bright young man who could be the "boy next door" but with an adventurous spirit and "the other side of the mountain always in his sites."
Keep hiking,
Carl

2013 AT RR Season Week 1

My first week in the Smokies was cold, white and deep--Approximately 12” of snow when I got to Mollies Ridge on Sunday. The next storm may dump another 8” for my hike up on Thursday. There are numerous thru-hikers holding up here at Fontana Lodge to wait out the storm. A hiker jam is looming for Thursday.

In spite of hardships caused by the snow the beauty is overwhelming (as you can see in these photos).

More updates to come.

Keep hiking,

Carl

2013 Ridgerunner Season

The official 2013 RR Season in the Smokies has begun.  We had a good hike orientation and a pre-patrol hike to Cosby Shelter in the rain (Appropriate); with Andrew, the Georgia RRs and the Van Horns who will again help the three of us cover the AT for the Season.  This is a parting photo of Trey, Billy and me, left top to right, before we begin our patrols.  It’s going to be a great season.

Keep hiking,

Carl

2013 AT Ridgerunner Season Begins

Getting ready to report for my 11th AT RR Season at the end of this month. Will keep the blog updated as time permits.  New changes for overnight stays in the Great Smoky Mountain NP back country are to begin this year.