Let the climbing commence!
View of Linville Gorge
Memorial Day weekend was a week away and I hadn’t planned to do much. My big plans were to stay in town and just to relax for the weekend. A few days before the weekend, I had been invited by my friend to join him and his friend, Russell, to camp out Sunday after we were let out of church. Without hesitation, I agreed to join. Ed was going over the plans when he then mentioned that there was going to be climbing involved.
Note: These guys have been climbing for 7 months and I, on the other hand, had only done it a few times.
Ed wanted me to join in on the climbing and reassured me that they would help and guide me through anything that I might possibly doubt. I went and bought my climbing gear the following day. I was more stoked than nervous for the weekend.
Sunday came around and all I knew was that we were going to Linville Gorge Wilderness Area in North Carolina, northeast of Asheville. I was a little worried that the weather was not going to permit us to go climbing and that camping out in the rain would hardly be any fun either. I kept looking at the weather radar every hour and while in church I kept checking every 3 minutes in hopes that it would change. It wasn’t looking so good. It looked to be that the rain was heading straight to Asheville. I snap chatted Ed a picture of the weather radar. He glanced over and gave me a look. After the service was over he called Russell and came out to be that we were going to be moving forth with the plans.
Heading North on I-85, it was still gray and raining. As we made our way west, it was beginning to clear up. We drove and got lost a couple of times, however, we managed to find the road we needed to be on. We got there later than expected. It was now dark and our original plan went straight down the drain. We weren’t familiar with where we were and didn’t want to go looking for a spot to set camp. So, we camped out in Ed’s Suburban.
Reaching our first climbing route, Jim Dandy
Having to wake and get ready for the morning hike up to Table Rock Summit, a strenuous 1.2 mile trail, was a bit difficult. Considering the fact that we were a bit sleep deprived from having hardly any room to move around as we laid to rest and the fact that we were trying to sleep while Ed snored like a wild beast. All I recall was how tired I became while making our way up to see the view before having to make our way back to the base of the mountain to venture off of the trail to reach where we’d be climbing. With 360 degree views, I understood why it was considered the Grand Canyon of the east. The view was breathtaking.
When we made it to the base of the mountain, we veered off onto another trail that showed hardly any traffic passing through. It was quiet a feat to go up, down and over with all of the gear we had.
Ed preparing to lead climb Jim Dandy.
Our first route was Jim Dandy, with a rating of a 5.4. Ed did the lead climbing while Russell belayed him. I sat off to the side looking up at them. The feeling of nervousness had yet not hit me until I was done adjusting my harness and my hands made their way to the face. We had traveled far and bought all of this gear to do this. There was no turning back for me at this point.”Climbing!” I informed Ed. “Climb on!” he replied.
There were a few things going on in my mind as I began to make my way up the face. At one point, I completely freaked out. I was having a difficult time finding a good placement for me to hold on to 1/3 of the way up. Below, Ed kept with the encouragement. After standing there for a couple of minutes, I took a deep breath and shouted to Ed, “climbing!” “Climb on,” he replied. I made it to the top of Jim Dandy. A 70 foot climb. Now, to get down. Worst feeling ever. But with the guidance of Ed, I relaxed and leaned back. I couldn’t believe I had just done my first outdoor climb. I felt nothing but accomplishment. We kept on with our hike west of where we began. Made our way around while the boys attempted a few other walls.
Jim Dandy 5.4 Route
Even though I only did one route throughout this trip, the hike was great and the company was too. It was a great experience that I cannot wait to begin planning for another outdoor climb. Especially with Autumn coming. As of now, I will keep training at my local indoor climbing gym, Climb @ Blue Ridge. Within a couple of weeks of my training, I have managed to build strength and confidence in being able to complete certain routes and certain strength exercises. An exciting adventure for me.
Russell doing either the Cracker Jack or the Peek-a-Boo Route
On another note, I know this may be a bit long overdue, but, I wanted to take time to thank all those who served and serve. My twin is a United States Marine and I have friends who are and were in the Armed Forces. I know it hasn’t always been the easiest for them to be away from loved ones. Fortunately the bond between brothers and sisters in the Armed Forces are strong. Thank you to EVERYONE who has served and is serving. Thank you for shedding blood and tears for our FREEDOM
The List
This evening’s post will be dedicated to the most important part of the preparation for this great adventure. What could it be?! It is the gear that will be used while being on this trail. Ok ok!! If you have read the very first blog post that I posted a few months ago, I stated there that I would be buying one or two things of gear once a month. That way I didn’t have to buy everything at once and struggle with the financial part of it all.
You see the tent in the picture above? That, right there, is my tent. It is an L.L. Bean Microlight FS1. This tent is all I have thus far. I had purchased the MSR Pocket Rocket Stove a while back. I returned it last week. The reason for it being, it just wash’t what I was wanting. I Would like to invest on a JetBoil. Which model? I don’t know yet. That is why I am posting it here, to receive feedback from fellow backpackers/hikers/campers.
Here is a list of the products that I think I might need. Also, I will include in prices of the products. That will be inclosed in parenthesis to the right of the product and/or name. Here it goes!!
- Backpack- I found out I am an XS and would possibly need small backpack straps. I have yet not found a backpack that would be great for what I will need
- Sleeping Bag- I was recommended to go with a synthetic sleeping bag. Why? Because, if it gets wet, it tends to dry quick? Correct me if I am wrong. I’ve also been recommended to get a bag that is a 20 degree bag.
- Sleeping Liner ($54-60)
- Sleeping Pad (Nemo Astro Insulated Sleeping Pad)
- Tent Footprint ($20-70)
- Utility Rope ($5-7) – This could be used for attaching the food bag to keep away from the campsite to keep away from animals
- Dry Sacks- The prices vary from sizes
- Bear Spray
- Pocket Knife
- Water Purifier
- Rain Gear- I was told I could use a Garbage bag to cover my backpack when it rains
- Trekking Poles
- Food
- Shoes
Alright, Fellow Backpackers/Hikers/Campers, I would appreciate any advice or recommendations onto what I should probably look into when it comes to this gear list. Also, please feel free to share your stories with me of past hiking adventures. What gear did you use on these trips? May it be long or short term trips.
The Nameless Traveler
Feel free to contact me via email as well at : TheNamelessTraveler@gmail.com
Up We Go to Table Rock
Which way to go? TABLE ROCK it is!!
I have been away from home, the Lowcountry, for three weeks now and being homesick has hit me hard. It’s really not the fact that I miss being in the Lowcountry. It’s merely the fact that I get rather lonely here in Greenville. I have managed to meet people but I feel like I may not be interesting enough. But then I remember, I didn’t come here for the people here, but the mountains.
Also, work has not been what I thought it would be. I went from working at an amazing privately owned preschool to working in a lousy work environment. Not only for myself, but most importantly, the kids I’d be working with.— I work as a substitute teacher and had my schedule for the whole month. I received a phone call from the director at the school Friday morning notifying me that kids had withdrawn from the school and that the majority of the teachers were going to start working part time. Meaning they wouldn’t be needing me for the month. FOR THE MONTH! I don’t have another job at the moment. But have been in search since I moved. Yet, no bites. Stress has been at it’s highest. For those who know me have been able to tell the difference in my mood. After a very stressful week, I decided that I was going to go for a hike. I mean, isn’t that the reason I moved in the first place?! So, I decided to go up to Pickens County and hike up to Table Rock.
Table Rock is about a 3,124 foot summit; Which is located in the northern part of Pickens County (about 50 or so minutes from Greenville). I had always seen it from afar ever since I started coming up from Hilton Head back in 2011. But it was about time that I would hike up to this beautiful location.
One step closer to Table Rock
It took me about an hour and 40 minutes to get to the top of Table Rock. When I got there, I was just taken back. It was just beautiful. Breathtaking. Despite the fact that I wasn’t working, I was happy to know I could take my time on this hike. To ponder on what I will be going through once I would start my thru hike through the Appalachian Trail. I got nervous and excited. After the hike, I decided I’d jump into a river to cool down. By the time I got to the “perfect spot,” the sun was hidden behind a blanket of clouds. With every peek the sun made through the clouds, I got deeper and deeper into the water. Note: I only got as deep as to my naval before I thought it was just too cold. Not having the sun beating down on me didn’t help the cause. Hahaha Oh, by the way, I was sitting the whole time. One of these days I’m going to have to just gather up the courage to just jump. One day.— It was a perfect way to end the late afternoon. After that I met up with an old friend and went downtown to grab a bite to eat at Smoke on the Water. Which was pretty satisfying.
Finally Reached it!
I got home after a long day and couldn’t have been happier. I know things will soon enough work out in my favor. As of now, I will enjoy the time I do have off to enjoy being closer to nature. There is a silver-lining to some of the stresses in life.
Until Next Time,
The Nameless Traveler
So Much Has Happened
Reaching the top of John Rock in Pisgah National Forest in Bervard, NC
Hello everyone!! It has been a little while since I’ve last posted on here. I do apologize for not doing so. But, let’s face it, LIFE happens.
It has been a pretty crazy few months. Since I’d announced that I was going to thru hike the AT, I decided that I really needed to kick my ways up a notch. I was planning to hike the AT, which consists of various kinds of terrain. I was living in the Lowcountry, where everything is flat. It was also about 5 hours South of the nearest mountain ranges. How in the world was I going to train and prepare if I would have to travel about 5 hours North to then only spend only two days and one night hiking and camping? Take note that I was working a full time job and I wasn’t able to take a week or even two days off. Especially if I was trying to save money for this great adventure. I was beginning to become dissatisfied with this thought.
In the meantime, to begin training on a daily basis, minus having mountains, I decided to begin CrossFitting. I knew a plethora of people I worked with that did CrossFit. It was what I would need. For a little while, instead of searching for gear, I was wrapped up in CrossFit. Trying to learn their ways and to perfect techniques. I do enjoy it a lot.
Somewhere in between CrossFitting and trying to search for my happy place, I was encouraged to start sending my resume out to places in Greenville, SC. I knew I wanted to be closer to the mountains to be able to have the leisure of going hiking every weekend if I wanted. So, I awaited anxiously, hoping to receive a call from one of the schools I had applied to. A week after sending out my resume, I received two phone calls. The following week I had gone up to interview. About a week later, got offered a job. Two to three weeks later I moved to Greenville, SC. I am happy where I have gotten to.
Before I left the Lowcountry, I met with the man that inspired this whole thought of hiking the AT. We conversed over lunch— It was good to see him.— One of the topics we touched was about when I was going to venture off to the AT. Initially, I had decided to wait until March 2015. “Why wait?” He asked. He listed a few reasons onto why I shouldn’t wait. I pondered on thought of between the next year and a half being discouraged and caught up in other things and having the AT be the last thing on my mind. I don’t want that to happen. The following day, I told him, via text message, “MARCH 2014.” I’m pretty sure he was happy I wasn’t going to be waiting 2 years to thru-hike.
One thing is to say that you are going to do something, and the other, to actually go out of your way to get to where you want to be to accomplish the goals you’ve set for yourself. I used to say I was going to do things and when it came down to it, I was nowhere to be seen. I am glad that I’ve become motivated enough to go for what I want.
Thus far, I’ve been in Greenville for a week and some change. Since this past weekend, I’ve had inflammation in my right foot. Walking with my right foot has become difficult. Hiking and doing a few of the CrossFit moves has been put off to the side. I have been told to ice it and baby my foot. I am not too happy about this. This was supposed to be the time for me to get a lot of hiking in. Now, the time I am able to take the weight off of my foot, I happily take it. I do have to stay positive. By God’s Grace, I will be better in a couple of weeks.
Until next time,
The Nameless Traveler
This Is Just the Beginning
“Leave! Seek adventure!” he said. And it began, with the encouragement of a friend to go out and live a little.
I befriended a man, sometime around March of 2012, which shared his amazing adventures with me. Every meeting was a new and exciting story. Every meeting, I would leave in complete awe. I was jealous. Yet, it wasn’t enough to get me off my ass and do something about my sad and quotidian life.
One summer evening, he shared with me his next adventure: The Southern Tier. He had begun to dream and wanted to make it reality. So, he began to prepare for this great expedition.
September 1, 2012, his birthday, we spent it together before he was to leave to Florida to embark on his journey.
“You gotta leave this town and go explore!” I attentively listened while soaking up the sun on the beaches of Hilton Head Island.
“Stop dreaming and make these dreams real!” he said with complete enthusiasm.
It was simply difficult for me to up and leave with no real foundation set anywhere. I was in a relationship and it was beginning to become a bumpy one. I was lost at that moment in time in my life.
My friend left sometime, to Florida, after that last meeting. He was off to embark on his new adventure. I kept every word he had shared and given to me. I replayed a majority of our conversations over and over in my head, as I did nothing for myself. What was going to become of me? I was beginning to worry.
My friend kept in touch with me on his venture to the west coast. Every phone call was much more inspiring and motivational as the last. He kept moving forward with his plan and succeeded with every pedal.
It was sometime around February of 2013 and I was now single and still working a full-time job. My weekends consisted of watching Netflix and/or babysitting. One evening when not having anything to do, I turned Netflix on and began to search for a new something to watch. I stumbled across a documentary by National Geographic titled: Appalachian Trail. I was quickly drawn in.
With every captivating scene, I got closer and closer to the edge of my seat. I could, most definitely, say that I was hooked. It ended and I thought to myself, Could this be it? Is this the adventure that I shall be embarking on? I shared this crazy possibility with my coworker the following workweek.
Sadly to say, it was only a thought. A seed, really, that was planted into my heart but never watered to then have it grow to its full potential. It quietly began to wither as my days passed on by. It was not until the beginning of April when I grew excited over the thought of living out of the norm. I pulled out my watering can and prepared to water what was left of that seed.
I attended an event held in Atlanta and met a plethora of people, one of them being a guy who was a couple of years younger than me, Jasiel. We exchanged numbers and kept in contact once we returned to our respective towns/cities. Long story short, he started talking to me about a trail he was thinking of hiking: the Appalachian Trail. I grew very excited!! We conversed about the trail and decided we were to do this together. This was exactly what I needed to get me going on this dream!
I began to search for gear, and once I made my first purchase, I got in contact with Jasiel. I asked if he was already in search of gear. He began with a long pause. I knew exactly where this was going. “Hey, just know that I will do this trail with or without you.” I told him before he could even begin. I didn’t mean to come out so brash, but I felt I had to assure him that it would’ve been alright if he couldn’t join me. It did come out to be that I was doing this solo.
This is my public announcement!
I AM THRU-HIKING THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL!
I venture out on such a great expedition on March of 2015. Why so long, you ask? It gives me the chance to get some things checked off of my “To Do” List before I lose myself in the wonders of the great Appalachian Trail. It gives me the chance to prepare, to a certain extent of course. It also gives me the chance to save funds and find possible sponsors.
I want to give a special thanks to the friend that pushed me with his words, to go and live. I may not be living an exciting life at the moment, but it will take many steps before I do. This is step one of my journey. Come; join me through my accomplishments and failures. Through all it is that I will be doing to get from point A to point B.
I am,
The Nameless Traveler
Montana
Passin’ on through to get to Georgetown Lake in Montana
TheNamelessTraveler 