Category — Backpacking

So my big Montana plans got put off until next year partly due to money and partly due to foot issues.

So I had the time off anyways and thought I would do some hiker closer to home. I waffled back and forth where to hike.  One major contender was the Stechoah Gap to Newfound Gap section that I need to make up but I was concerned about water sources especially up on the ridge. And then to worry about shelter closure. Not my idea of fun when I may have to make a short day if my foot starts acting up.

So I decided on the Foothills Trail. It’s fairly close to home. There’s plenty of water on the trail especially since the trail goes along part of the Chatooga and Lake Jocassee. And I heard there are waterfalls everywhere. I plan on taking a few of the side trails to really explore. I may or may not finish all 77 miles. But it’s OK if I don’t. It’s my vacation and I want to enjoy myself.

Things were looking kind of bleak for me last year when it was time for me to get a job. No more packing up and heading out when I wanted. It was actually kind of depressing.

Summer of 2008 to Summer of 2009 was such a great year for me. I backpacked all over. 2008 brought the AT in North Carolina and the Smokies, completed the AT in Maryland and a little in PA, met Dirigo and Python who let me tag along to hike part of the 100 Mile Wilderness. 2009 brought alot of mini adventures for me. I hiked from Davenport Gap to Allen Gap. I discovered the Smokies and fell in love with the mountains there.

2010 is looking to be a great year of adventures for me.
I have a pretty cool boss at work and she approved alot of time off for me. So, although I can’t pick up and go when I want to, I have 4 awesome trips to look forward to.

~ April is bringing a hike from Dicks Creek Gap to where ever I end up. I have 9 days to hike. I’ll be hiking most of the time with my good friend Kellye.

~ May is bringing an awesome journey along the BMT through the Smokies. I will be hiking this with my fabulous friend Fab. You can check out her blog under Sweet Peas Adventures. It’s on the right over there.

~ June is bringing a Traildames trip in the Smokies. We will be hanging out for a week at a campground and doing some dayhikes and an overnighter for those that want.

~ September is the trip pf all trips. 2 weeks in Glacier National Park Montana. The second week will be spent doing trail maintenance with Wilderness Volunteers. The first week I will be doing a 4 day/3 night backpacking trip with Glacier Guides. That leaves a couple of days for me to do what I want.

Yep. 2010 is looking like an awesome year for the slowest hiker on earth.

Trying to get the blog template updated. I thought I had saved everything but I didn’t. Now I have to try and fix everthing by hand. This is a post mainly to test all my categories.