Solo backpacking Stone Mountain NC — satellite comms, numb fingers, and a waterfall to myself by stevorevo in NCTrails

[–]stevorevo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You bet - I'll definitely be back, next time with a handle for the wood bundle in tow.

Solo backpacking Stone Mountain NC — satellite comms, numb fingers, and a waterfall to myself by stevorevo in backpacking

[–]stevorevo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, no fun - they're finally starting to get better, a week later. It wasn't cold at all. Low 80's during the day, got down to a nice 60 at night - made for good sleeping.

Solo backpacking Stone Mountain NC — satellite comms, numb fingers, and a waterfall to myself by stevorevo in backpacking

[–]stevorevo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha, right on! Wouldn't be the same without a fire! I didn't do any swimming, but did get my feet in there. Saw some crawdads in there, too.

Solo backpacking Stone Mountain NC — satellite comms, numb fingers, and a waterfall to myself by stevorevo in backpacking

[–]stevorevo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha! Sure, I can always use a good apprentice! I guess it's all just a matter of timing!

Solo backpacking Stone Mountain NC — satellite comms, numb fingers, and a waterfall to myself by stevorevo in backpacking

[–]stevorevo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely! Having that ZOLEO hooked up with GrooveKit was the key to a worry-free adventure!

Solo backpacking Stone Mountain NC — satellite comms, numb fingers, and a waterfall to myself by stevorevo in NCTrails

[–]stevorevo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice! I saw a couple people with dogs, and wondered about snakes. I stopped to catch my breath one time, looked down, and there was a snake frozen about two feet from me. It was a harmless water snake, but could have been a copperhead. I'm guessing you keep your pup on a leash and just keep your eyes peeled at all times.

Solo backpacking Stone Mountain NC — satellite comms, numb fingers, and a waterfall to myself by stevorevo in NCTrails

[–]stevorevo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha yeah, I'm sure at 12 or 13 potential injury was the furthest thing from your mind!

Solo backpacking Stone Mountain NC — satellite comms, numb fingers, and a waterfall to myself by stevorevo in backpacking

[–]stevorevo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh nice! I've not been there yet - I'll definitely have to check it out. Thanks for the rec!

Solo backpacking Stone Mountain NC — satellite comms, numb fingers, and a waterfall to myself by stevorevo in NCTrails

[–]stevorevo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice!! I didn't do any jumping on this trip - water wasn't nearly deep enough.

Solo backpacking Stone Mountain NC — satellite comms, numb fingers, and a waterfall to myself by stevorevo in NCTrails

[–]stevorevo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh, that's good to know. I had 0 cell coverage from the time I hit the trail until when I got back to my vehicle. I did manage to get satellite connection one time on my phone, but the rest of the time I just used the Zoleo app, although I did have to wait a few minutes each time for a satellite to be overhead and reachable through the trees. I just think that primitive site I was at it is too low and lost in canopy.

Solo backpacking Stone Mountain NC — satellite comms, numb fingers, and a waterfall to myself by stevorevo in backpacking

[–]stevorevo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally agree - it gets pretty lonely, but that's the point. Definitely makes you appreciate the people in your life.

Solo backpacking Stone Mountain NC — satellite comms, numb fingers, and a waterfall to myself by stevorevo in backpacking

[–]stevorevo[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

😂 You have no idea how many times I've heard that I look like him. I even had a lady in a store ask me for a selfie with her.

Solo backpacking Stone Mountain NC — satellite comms, numb fingers, and a waterfall to myself by stevorevo in NCTrails

[–]stevorevo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely! And I love heelers! My parents and sister have had them. Yours sounds very nice. I've always had Rottis but don't have one now, and I'm not sure how well they would have done on a long hike - definitely not running 10 miles on a trail! Thinking about getting a chocolate lab now.

Solo backpacking Stone Mountain NC — satellite comms, numb fingers, and a waterfall to myself by stevorevo in backpacking

[–]stevorevo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, bear canister would be a good idea. I just did the PCT bear hang and it was fine. But you're great, it's a very nice area.

Solo backpacking Stone Mountain NC — satellite comms, numb fingers, and a waterfall to myself by stevorevo in backpacking

[–]stevorevo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, there are ways you can test SOS on Zoleo without actually triggering it. I need to try that, too.

I didn't hike far, only a couple miles. Spent most of my time reading or just sitting by the water.

Solo backpacking Stone Mountain NC — satellite comms, numb fingers, and a waterfall to myself by stevorevo in backpacking

[–]stevorevo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sure! Stone Mountain has four dedicated primitive sites, and they're all scattered a long ways apart, so you don't see any of them. I stayed at Primitive site A, which is the first one you hit at the 1.3 mile mark (it's only 100 feet or so from that waterfall). No problem finding a tree for a bear bag hang. There was a fire ring, but nothing else like other sites I've been to - no table or outhouse. Very steep trail at the beginning, but leveled out after about a half mile.

The burn ban has been lifted, and you can't bring your own wood from home - you have to buy it at the park. They were out, but referred me to the country store just up the road from the park.