TR: Newbie/Touron near death experience.

“Been reluctant to post this but I have yet to post a TR. If anything, there's some lessons in here. And for the record: My last trip before this was a 5 day solo success into the 'dack High Peaks. Enjoy

Brief background: I have few trips under my belt, all in the Adirondacks and solo. The step from car camping to backpacking wasn’t a big one for me, IMO. I learned most of the same rules, most importantly keeping a clean site and always having at least the 10 essentials on hikes. The only thing completely new to me is bear bagging. I also have been working ridiculous hours during the week and I have let it prevent me from getting out

This past Sat. I woke up early and decided I needed to get out. I packed up and headed out the door. I decided on the Tuscarora/Beecher loop near Mathews Arm Campground in Shenandoah. A 9mi trail with an elevation loss and gain of 2000’ ft. I get to the Campground gate at noon only to discover they don’t have permits. I drive to Thorton Gap but they are out. I go to the Thorton Gap gate and get a permit. I make it back to the TR and hit the trail at 1:30. Its Hot & Humid as Hell, the sky is overcast. In I go.

Within about 2.5mi I come across a Falls overlook. There are many people from the campground but I zero in on my targets almost immediately. Two petite Hotties, blonde & redhead, in Short shorts and half shirts, looking right at me. This is what backpacking is all about! I go over and introduce myself. They introduce themselves as Alex & Susan and are from Germany living in DC for the summer. I make small talk with them, all the time wondering if I should start attending church so I could thank someone for this. We share some food and I ask them if they would like to camp with me, explaining that although it would be very tight, I’m sure we could all fit in my tent. They decline, for some reason, but ask me for my phone number. Unfortunately, no one has a pen. I make a note that this item will be added to my Eleven Essentials List. I leave after spending more time than I wanted there but not regretting it, telling them I could be located at Madams Organ on most Saturdays.

Off I go. The trail becomes a steep, rocky descent. Within another mile I see an established tent site. The first clearing I’ve seen and there’s a fire ring. It’s near the “hidden pool” where people come to swim. I’m not that far in so I elect to go on. I also believe this is the site a Ranger had warned me was visited by an aggressive bear. Another mile or so and I hit the Beecher Ridge trail. The stream, the last water source, is dry. I back track to where the trail last met water and decide on a break. It’s about 3:30 and I’m sweating like a pig. The Rain Gods attempted to do their thing at this point but all I felt were a few drops. It’s too hot! I’m exhausted and decide maybe I should look for a site here, the only flatland on this hike. All I see is an area covered in jagged rocks. Adding to this is the stands of trees decimated by the Gypsy Moth. What trees left alive don’t seem to be the type that like to branch out (I would appreciate it if someone could tell me what species of tree this is). I think “WTF? I’m in a grassy rock Quarry surrounded with Widow Makers and no bear hang.” I’m at about 800’ft and decide I should push on up the Beecher Trail and hope I come across a decent area. I fill up with water and go, a little concerned at this point.

The trail starts a steep ascent and at @ 1400’ft I can go no further. I find a somewhat flat, rock less area with only a couple widow makers. I’ll worry about my bear hang later. I open my pack and what do I see? My EMPTY 2L water container!!!!!! WTF kind of Touron am I? How could I forget to fill it???????

I blame it on the German hotties.

My cursing at that point caused all living creatures to stampede out. I would have strangled myself if I had the strength!!!!! Its 5:30, I look around from my collapsed position and don’t see how I’m going to hang my food. I have 500ml of water and am shivering. Even though I’m fighting it, I’m completely demoralized.

Time to bail. Its 2.5-3mi to the campground with a 1400’ft ascent.

The going is slow. At the worst inclines I average ten steps before I have to rest. At the best, 30 steps. I don’t remember when I stopped sweating and my legs are cramping up. I shift my pack weight almost completely off of my hips and let my back & shoulders take the full burden. I’m not in full panic mode yet because I know I have about three hours of light, I’m getting closer to the campground and I’m not slurring my speech. I’m really unsure if I’m going to make it out on my own. Requiring a rescue this close would suck and I think that’s what pushed me on. At 7PM I’m .9miles from the Campground and I sit down for the Gazillionth time and finish off my water. Looking up I see a Whitetail Deer 10ft from me, just watching. I reach for my camera but off she shoots. Damn tease, I thought to myself. At 7:30 I make it to the campground, coming out at a campsite. There is a young couple at the picnic table looking at me like I’m death warmed over. This was a good thing because that’s how I felt.

Me: Excuse me; can I have some water, please?
Them: Sure. Here (they pass me a liter)
Me: Can I have it all?
Them. OK. What happened?
Me: I F***ed up

They point me to the nearest potable water source. I thank them, get to the source and collapse there for about 45 minutes. I’m about 20-30 minutes from my car and OK, although my legs are indescribably dysfunctional, but I’m out.

My Legs still hurt and I won’t be joining a church.

I hope I see those German Girls out.”

“Good trip report!


I hope you'll take my next comment as constructive criticism:


/red foreman mode on
DUMBASS!
/red foreman mode off

OK, glad you survived!”

“Bummer about no water on the trail. Sounds like a freaking desert! Glad you made it, lesson learned, a bit wiser, good luck with the German girls.”

“WOW... Good trip report.”

“Hmmm... blurred vision?”

“Wow... Glad you made it out.

Lack of water is easily my primary backpacking concern. I carry more than I need unless my trail follows a stream. I can hike hungry or sweaty, but I can't beat thirst if I'm hauling a pack.”

“Now that's entertaining. I too have a thing for German hotties. I love their accents and ability to drink like there's no tomorrow.”

“Good report.
We all learn from our mistakes.”

“Good report and good example for us all of what can happen when the wrong head does the thinkin'.”

“Ahhhh, the joys of matching our limitations with the not always hospitable habitat.

I hiked the South District of SNP in 1973, during the hottest heat wave of the year. It was hot, muggy, and miserable, and I was too.

I quickly decided that if I was going to survive this trip, I seriously needed to hit the trail early and stop early in the afternoon. First I hit camp at 3 p.m., and eventually moved it up to 1 until a cold front finally moved in and cleared it up.

Sometimes making an early camp is wise. Then again, if it's not possible, we end up overextending ourselves.”

“Way to go bone head!
Just kiddin' !

I mean, the girls(no pen) and the empty water bottle.

Please report back if the German girls find you.”

“Where are the photo's of the German girls?”

“now that was fun to read.
sorry about the water. I overpack water all the time. I rather have too much then too little. Dont' care how heavy my pack is. Haa...now I know why I never get my pack weight down lower then it is.

anyway, great report...yeah I say it too dumbass!!!! :)”

“LOL! Dumbass & bonehead are too kind. Especially since I didn't take a picture of the german chicks! I will comence kicking myself again...now.”

“And Thank God for car campers and Campgrounds! ;)”

“The thing that cracked me up is that you offered to let them stay in your tent and they politely declined. Too funny.”

“Good Reading.....
Glad you made it.....
Yeah! What Lumberzac Said!


PS...
I carry a gallon of water starting out..
(two 32oz nalgenes filled w/ propel/gatorade + a 2 litre MSR bag filled w/ plain h2o)”

“Hey Bearmagnet,
relax, the trip was a success, since you did not DIE! Plus you got to love those German CHICKS. Keep in mind, if you did not bring a pen/pencil, burn a stick and use the carbon... WRITE IT BLOOD MAN, IF YOU HAVE TOO! LOL,”

“Note for pix of hotties...

I went to the yankees game last summer with a few buddies and there was a smoking hot hottie, I mean smooooooking hHOT... I usually dont get too work up over hotties but this one was just my type! She sat right in front of us....needless to say I took a 1/2 roll of pictures using my handy dandy disposable camera.... She was laughing about it, due we where being obnoxiuos, but in a gentlemanly way.... Needless to say we where all hammered and boiught her drinks all night ($8 a beer in yankee stadium)...she even took a sweet pix with my buddy at the end of the night.... we had the whole section laughing......

moral of the story is when you have a hottie or two and a camera use it to get the proof and the pix for the memories....”

“that was a good report! more people around here should have near-death experiences, to liven up the trip reports.”

“oh yeah...glad you're okay, by the way! ;-)

do you really think you came close to perishing? wowzers.”

“one last thing........

If the german master race babes had accepted and stayed with you in your tent and you scored. you would have died for sure....

Ole boxer's saying:

WOMEN WEAKEN LEGS!”

“WOMEN WEAKEN LEGS!"


Yes they do, but who cares we are going to be sleeping in the next moring anyway.”

“Thanks for the advice WLD & Snafu! Two hotties, alone on the trail was a new experience for me.

Lyra - pretting sure I wasn't going to die. I could have signaled for help if the situation had called for it. I can't believe my legs still hurt though so I wonder how much I really pushed myself, ya know?

Snafu - Death after a night in my tent with two german hotties? What's the catch?”

“Actually not a bad way to go!”