I love the drama in your writing Erik. I really got a sense of how difficult this stage of your journey was and how much satisfaction you gained from completing it. The pictures are great too - some of the waterfalls look stunning. I also like that you have included yourself in some of the images - it really adds to the storytelling.
Hey thanks! On a trip like this where I was more focused on the hiking than photography it's really nice to be able to pull still shots from my GoPro footage. I'll probably keep some, but not as many on future more photo-centric trips.
I really enjoyed reading you Day 2 - hiking in the rain for long periods and trying to get in the miles - I felt it as I read words. Your photos and "selfies" were stunning. As I mentioned before, hiking point to point is tough when you have this "deadline." Any kind of minor mishap, getting lost, getting a blister can add undue pressure to a hike. My husband and I had to disband a group hike that was point to point in Switzerland because of toenail issues - lesson learned. I have learned to stick to "out and back" hikes if I can or have reasonable bail out points. Thank you again for spending the time with developing and writing your post - your prose inspires me to keep moving forward with my own efforts.
Thank you so much Jenn, that means a lot! I was caught off guard by how quickly wet feet became a problem. It amazes me how seemingly minor things can have such a big impact on your ability to keep going. These guys that I encountered so far on the Foothills Trail got off for various reasons. This trail is well supported, so if you have the contact info there are a lot of trail angles to call for pickup at many points along the way.
My fav pics this week....that umbrella of big, green leaves and the action shot of your shoe. Those leaves remind me of tropical paradise, something I miss so much about Jamaica.
A thought occurred to me while reading this one. Isn't it so cool how national parks around the world do so much work to make these kinds of getaways even possible? Like that foot bridge. How wonderful that it exists because without it, you wouldn't have been able to cross where you did.
Those leaves are the Fraser magnolia. Pretty common in the southern Appalachians, but definitely unique!
This trail was amazingly well maintained! It crosses through different national forests and state parks, so I'm not sure who does it all. There's also a Foothills Trail association, and several of the bridges were someone's eagle scout project.
Hi Erik, this reads like the start of a great adventure. I am very much looking forward to your next installments. You are such a wonderful nature writer—I find your descriptions unique and enjoyable. I must admit, I stared for awhile at the picture of you and your backpack. (You are such a stud!!) I remember you went over all of this with me before, but tell me again how much weight were you carrying. I assume your water was replenished and filtered along the trail (which would help reduce extra weight), but still…
That's such a great compliment Jonathan! Thanks! My pack weight was right around 40 lbs, including food but not including water. I carried minimal water because it was easy to find. My sleeping bag is by far the biggest/bulkiest thing. It's an old synthetic 20 degree bag, I just can't afford a modern down quilt right now.
Oh man! I was sucked all the way in by your description of the rainstorm that never ended. I thought, he's really embracing that suck! But then the little salamanders made me grin too. Probably helped that it made me remember searching for salamanders as a kid, turning over every promising rock with both my brothers in tow! Anyway I loved that tiny moment of serendipity. Another thing - holy crap your photos are gorgeous. Probably said it already and I'm saying it again. Maaaaaad respect for taking the time to set up your tripod in the midst of your aching feet! The photos with the clouds over the mountains are stunning.
Ah, thanks so much Niki! I grew up looking for salamanders, too, and I've never seen so many out in the open!
In these posts, the photos with my watermark in the corner are the ones I've taken with my main camera. The rest are still frames that I grabbed from the GoPro footage. I do have to set it down somewhere and walk by it, but it is MUCH easier to set up. Still, there were a lot of shots I'd love to have now, but was just too exhausted to try in the moment.
Great story and photos Erik - I feel I'm right there with you. What a beautiful landscape.
This is the best compliment I could hope for! I'm really trying to give readers/viewers an immersive experience. Thanks!
I love the drama in your writing Erik. I really got a sense of how difficult this stage of your journey was and how much satisfaction you gained from completing it. The pictures are great too - some of the waterfalls look stunning. I also like that you have included yourself in some of the images - it really adds to the storytelling.
A very enjoyable read. 🙂
Hey thanks! On a trip like this where I was more focused on the hiking than photography it's really nice to be able to pull still shots from my GoPro footage. I'll probably keep some, but not as many on future more photo-centric trips.
I really enjoyed reading you Day 2 - hiking in the rain for long periods and trying to get in the miles - I felt it as I read words. Your photos and "selfies" were stunning. As I mentioned before, hiking point to point is tough when you have this "deadline." Any kind of minor mishap, getting lost, getting a blister can add undue pressure to a hike. My husband and I had to disband a group hike that was point to point in Switzerland because of toenail issues - lesson learned. I have learned to stick to "out and back" hikes if I can or have reasonable bail out points. Thank you again for spending the time with developing and writing your post - your prose inspires me to keep moving forward with my own efforts.
Thank you so much Jenn, that means a lot! I was caught off guard by how quickly wet feet became a problem. It amazes me how seemingly minor things can have such a big impact on your ability to keep going. These guys that I encountered so far on the Foothills Trail got off for various reasons. This trail is well supported, so if you have the contact info there are a lot of trail angles to call for pickup at many points along the way.
My fav pics this week....that umbrella of big, green leaves and the action shot of your shoe. Those leaves remind me of tropical paradise, something I miss so much about Jamaica.
A thought occurred to me while reading this one. Isn't it so cool how national parks around the world do so much work to make these kinds of getaways even possible? Like that foot bridge. How wonderful that it exists because without it, you wouldn't have been able to cross where you did.
Those leaves are the Fraser magnolia. Pretty common in the southern Appalachians, but definitely unique!
This trail was amazingly well maintained! It crosses through different national forests and state parks, so I'm not sure who does it all. There's also a Foothills Trail association, and several of the bridges were someone's eagle scout project.
Hi Erik, this reads like the start of a great adventure. I am very much looking forward to your next installments. You are such a wonderful nature writer—I find your descriptions unique and enjoyable. I must admit, I stared for awhile at the picture of you and your backpack. (You are such a stud!!) I remember you went over all of this with me before, but tell me again how much weight were you carrying. I assume your water was replenished and filtered along the trail (which would help reduce extra weight), but still…
That's such a great compliment Jonathan! Thanks! My pack weight was right around 40 lbs, including food but not including water. I carried minimal water because it was easy to find. My sleeping bag is by far the biggest/bulkiest thing. It's an old synthetic 20 degree bag, I just can't afford a modern down quilt right now.
Ouch - I've been there with that foot pain. I felt every shred of it. Great writing!
Thanks Rebecca!!
Excellent essay and beautiful images.
Thank you! And thanks for sharing it!
Wow, what a gruelling day! Amazing waterfalls. You've got me hooked to see how the rest of the trip goes!
I'd say this was the toughest day, but there's still some wild stuff to come!
Oh man! I was sucked all the way in by your description of the rainstorm that never ended. I thought, he's really embracing that suck! But then the little salamanders made me grin too. Probably helped that it made me remember searching for salamanders as a kid, turning over every promising rock with both my brothers in tow! Anyway I loved that tiny moment of serendipity. Another thing - holy crap your photos are gorgeous. Probably said it already and I'm saying it again. Maaaaaad respect for taking the time to set up your tripod in the midst of your aching feet! The photos with the clouds over the mountains are stunning.
Ah, thanks so much Niki! I grew up looking for salamanders, too, and I've never seen so many out in the open!
In these posts, the photos with my watermark in the corner are the ones I've taken with my main camera. The rest are still frames that I grabbed from the GoPro footage. I do have to set it down somewhere and walk by it, but it is MUCH easier to set up. Still, there were a lot of shots I'd love to have now, but was just too exhausted to try in the moment.