lx93
New member
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2005
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Last sunset of 2005, from Emory Peak, 7,825 feet, was also the most gorgeous for me. 360 degree view!
Feel free to PM me for pix.
Differences between Northeast (White Mts of NH, ADK, Baxter State Park) hiking and Big Bend:
-Almost 2x my normal pace (almost 4mph versus 2mph back East)! Couldn’t believe how few tree roots, no slippery rocks, etc.
-Saw deer 2x, they stared right at me but didn't run at 20ft away; maybe I have come that close in the NE, but didn't see them due to thicker growth.
-Mountain lion warnings posted, but the ranger I spoke with told me there have only been 3 attacks since 1984.
-Bear boxes to store gear in are placed throughout the park. These sure beat hauling around a heavy bear cannister.
-
No water source on trails.
Log:
12/30-
Got on trail at 4:07pm. Sunset- 6pm?, but plenty of ambient light for about a 1/2 hour. Camped at SW2 where I had reservations. I had read that this is a busy time of year for the park, but my impression is that there were several campsites still available.
Hardly slept at all- possibly due to new tent, 1st time sleeping miles away from other hikers, not having eaten since couldn’t ignite stove (used to a Jetboil, forgot that had to pack ignition source for MSR Pocket Rocket), higher altitude & thinner air (noticed that couldn’t really breathe & eat at same time). Saw deer about 20(?) feet away from me, they stared right at me & didn’t move, about 30 mins b4 sunset.
12/31-
Sunrise 7am; got on trail at 7:40am(?), met pair of hikers who gave me a cigarette lighter to light stove. Saw 1 buck, 1 doe about 20(?) feet away from me, they stared right at me & didn’t move, about 10:30am(?).
Got to Boot Spring (dry) at 1pm(?), down to Basin at 3(?). Got to my campsite, left my tent there, continued on to bag Emory Peak- best view I’ve ever seen! Met up w/ Evan, a veteran hiker, on the way to the top. We met 2 hikers, one 20-something, one 10(?) year old who were going off the peak due to not having packed any lighting.
Final 20(?) feet were fully vertical, 15-20 square feet on top. I've bagged all 48 White Mts, some ADK peaks, did the Knife's Edge on Kathadin w/ no fear, but on Emory the view felt so exposed that I just didn't really move around that much on it.
Feel free to PM me for pix.
Differences between Northeast (White Mts of NH, ADK, Baxter State Park) hiking and Big Bend:
-Almost 2x my normal pace (almost 4mph versus 2mph back East)! Couldn’t believe how few tree roots, no slippery rocks, etc.
-Saw deer 2x, they stared right at me but didn't run at 20ft away; maybe I have come that close in the NE, but didn't see them due to thicker growth.
-Mountain lion warnings posted, but the ranger I spoke with told me there have only been 3 attacks since 1984.
-Bear boxes to store gear in are placed throughout the park. These sure beat hauling around a heavy bear cannister.
-
No water source on trails.Log:
12/30-
Got on trail at 4:07pm. Sunset- 6pm?, but plenty of ambient light for about a 1/2 hour. Camped at SW2 where I had reservations. I had read that this is a busy time of year for the park, but my impression is that there were several campsites still available.
Hardly slept at all- possibly due to new tent, 1st time sleeping miles away from other hikers, not having eaten since couldn’t ignite stove (used to a Jetboil, forgot that had to pack ignition source for MSR Pocket Rocket), higher altitude & thinner air (noticed that couldn’t really breathe & eat at same time). Saw deer about 20(?) feet away from me, they stared right at me & didn’t move, about 30 mins b4 sunset.
12/31-
Sunrise 7am; got on trail at 7:40am(?), met pair of hikers who gave me a cigarette lighter to light stove. Saw 1 buck, 1 doe about 20(?) feet away from me, they stared right at me & didn’t move, about 10:30am(?).
Got to Boot Spring (dry) at 1pm(?), down to Basin at 3(?). Got to my campsite, left my tent there, continued on to bag Emory Peak- best view I’ve ever seen! Met up w/ Evan, a veteran hiker, on the way to the top. We met 2 hikers, one 20-something, one 10(?) year old who were going off the peak due to not having packed any lighting.
Final 20(?) feet were fully vertical, 15-20 square feet on top. I've bagged all 48 White Mts, some ADK peaks, did the Knife's Edge on Kathadin w/ no fear, but on Emory the view felt so exposed that I just didn't really move around that much on it.
