6/22/08 Crocker Mountain hike

Jenifer and myself sent Saturday night at Dolly Copp campground. We woke up at 4am, broke down camp, and headed to Crocker Mountain.

We were on the trail by 8am.

The trail was wet and the bog bridges with moss on them were slippery. As we were heading up, we saw many piles of moose droppings, like they had a convention or something. We saw their footprints in the mud and we also saw small tracks that may have been a young moose following its mother.

Soon it started to rain so we took a break and put on our rain gear. Shortly later, it stopped.

The first view that we had was of Stony Brook Mountain just before the AT takes a sharp right turn.

Shortly after, Jenifers ankle was bothering her and she was tired so she said that she was done but I could continue up to the summit.

For the last mile before the summit, I walked the fastest I have ever (peakbagger).

When I got near the summit, the view opened up and I had some views east. In no time, I was at the summit. I took a couple of pictures and finished my Snickers bar.

I started back down very fast so I could catch up to Jenifer. When I stopped back where the view was, I saw S. Crocker, but I couldn’t figure out the names of the two peaks that look like pyramids.

While I was gone, Jenifer had lunch and waited. After a while, she started down the trail.

About a half hour after leaving the summit, I caught up with Jenifer. I took lunch and she continued down.

The descent was slippery in some spots but we had no problems. Jenifers ankle pain started going up to her knee so she slowed down.

By the time we got back to the Vue, it started to rain.

Shortly we were on the road for the 4 hour ride home.

For pictures, go to:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/563881330tkJfNI

6/20/08 Parker Mountain backpacking attempt

I loaded up my pack with all the gear that I will bring on July's AT section hike. The pack was 40 pounds. I hiked up Parker Mountain then continue on the Carter Smith Tr. to the end. I was looking for a place to camp but I could not find one. The last time I was on the Carter Smith Tr. was last winter, when I saw a bunch of good camp sites, but it's much different after all the trees get there leaves back and new plant growth.

I ended up coming home and pitching my tent in the back yard. I made dinner on my camp stove and did the dishes, like I was in the woods. I watched a movie, then I spent the night in the tent.

After a night of little sleep, I got up at 4:30am and made breakfast in my back yard.

One of the problems I may have on my section hike is that when I leave camp in the morning, the tent fly will still be wet. Hopefully mold will not start to form on the fly.