TT Basic Skills Trip Thread

“HMMM...would a road trip to Ashville be in order?”

“Is there anyone going on this trip that would be willing or interested in trading aamller back pach for a larger one? I have a Lowes Alpine Continuum M that is Used. it is 26" deep with a seperate Sleeping bag compartment
it has a zip out divider. the top cover has 2 zippered compartments. it also has a mesh bag attached to the back. I have replace the buckles on it and the hip belt and straps are in good condition.My wife has a bad back and She need something thatwont allow us to over load her. if any uqestions , feel free to ask. if interested , I will bring it with me and let you look at it .”

“Skills building, gear swap, plenty of good food....

I tell ya folks, this trip will have it all.”

“dang and we have to wait for this trip untill nov.....
Well lost cove should be good. only a couple more weeks”

“LOL...Hey Stovie...figure out your route...if you want to stop in Augusta let me know and we can share the run up to NC.

OH Killer there is a Mast General Store in Asheville.

They also have a real nice coffee shop there called the Dripolator...worth a stop for your morning fix. My family makes fun of me 'cause everywhere I go I have to scope out where the coffee shops are in advance.
last edited: 7/10/07 10:13:43 PM”

“Me to! It's a rule of the road - if you see a Starbucks, you have to stop!”

“longlost - is their coffee foolproof?”

“I must be a heretic. I have never understood the appeal of Starbucks. Their coffee is wicked pricey and no better than Duncan Donuts for example. But then I went to seminary with a farmer from Wisconsin who used to make a carafe of coffee at the end of the work day. He turned the Mr. Coffee off for the night and turned it back on in the morning to reheat. You could stand a spoon in that stuff. It were good.”

“WHOO>HOO...coffee drinkers..YES.

UM as much as I am not crazy about Starbucks..it did save my life in Dallas. My Father makes coffee just a bit weaker than TEA and cusses it for being too strong. So every morning my wife and I would hike to the Starbucks for coffee.....”

“I have some gear I would be interested in swapping if others are going to bring any. I have to make sure I have room first. I haven't worked on how I'm going to get there yet. Anyone interested in car pooling?”

“There is a Mast General Store in downtown Knoxville as well.”

““longlost - is their coffee foolproof?”



"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools." --Douglas Adams
last edited: 7/11/07 4:39:31 PM”

“My g/f's brother is in need of gear and I have been sanctioned to purchase goods for him so bring gear.

If you are going to Asheville, you need to detour just south to Fletcher and visit Diamondbrand outdoor store and their outlet next to them called The Frugel Backpacker; you can find some awesome gear there at rock bottom prices.

I bought Teasa a Markhill ultra light stove new there for 12 bucks. I have been using Markhill for many years and very satisfied with their quality and craftsmanship. Their stove typically retails for twice that amount.”

“So windgirl wants a ride and she gonna want to carry all this extra gear too!LOL! Bring it on sister I got stuff to trade also.”

“Yeah, I'm thinking I might need to drive myself, lol. I think I could add one person in my vehicle.”

“I reserved a cabin for Friday and Saturday. Wifey will only rough it so far. I will be bringing a tent as well.

PS: I made a post in this thread last evening like the above only to see it missing this morning. Gremlins????”

“I like that idea. I am trying to talk my husband into renting a cabin and coming with me.”

“Perhaps I need to hook onto the BBQ pit and bring it along, is it legal to import mesquite into North Carolina?”

“Yes, as long as you don't bring it into the National Park. I am not sure even that is illegal, but they highly discourage it.”

“Ok, I just made my cabin resevations. cant wait til Nov”

“Is it advisable to get reservations if we are planning on a tent site? I am planning on primative site.”

“I'm just guessing here:

I wouldn't think the demand for this area would be that high in November. Kids are in school, weather is cooling, and the leaves will have turned.

I did see that they had a small number of cabins so I grabbed one.

But who knows......”

“You may consider backpacking in some place Saturday morning. There is a shelter at Flint Gap, about 2 miles from Devils Fork Gap. Jerry's Cabin is nice but its a longer hike and up. Also Deer Park shelter right outside HS. This may make it easier to get focused on skill learning that is mentioned.

The weather could be nice, it could be crappy. Plus it may be cold/rainy/etc.It may be difficult to keep small children occupied while discussing knots, etc. Is there a building that can be used if the weather is bad?

I suggest sticking to basic first aid, burns, blisters, dehydration; maybe cold injury and lacerations. Something like first responder, ABC's. Really keep it simple. Fracture care may be a little much. The only thing one needs to remember about multi-system trauma (falls off cliffs, etc) is out in the woods the victim is pretty much screwed. Someone who falls and has a head injury, punctured lung, ruptured spleen and pelvic fracture 3 miles from a road will likely die before reaching definitive care.

The ideas sound good; map and compass, LNT, cooking, stoves, proper items for backpacking and what not to bring, appropriate clothing, shelters, fires, water. One can live 4' without oxygen, 4 hrs without shelter (in bad weather), 4 days without water, 4 weeks without food. OMHO”

“edoc....I am going to cover field stabalization of patients, maintaining ABC's and treatment of some field conditions.

let me know a count...I am thinking about getting some handouts”

“edoc, I was halfway through your post waiting to see the punch line, the whine or the personal jab before I realized it was a real post containing real information. Thank you for that. I forget sometimes that is what this site is also for.”

“Oh boy, can the boy scouts come”

“maybe if the share a tent with some girl scouts”

“Is there going to be hiking on this trip?”

“Buddha and Phaedy are doing a class on TT posting etiquette.”

“Chili, this'a purdy cool thang you putting together! My compliments, attendance might be a record breaker, hate that I cain't be there. Next summer tho.

Spam you ole dawg! Sup?

And CJ, sup gal, lawng time for you and Spam.”

“I was also wonderin' if there is to be any hiking and/or bp'ing...never been to Hot Springs but it sounds like cabin camp and car camp central.

Of course, now that the technique is perfected I could conduct a class on S'moredita making. I won't give it away now, but the missing component has been found and the S'moredita is, I daresay, the non plus ultra of backcountry burrito confections.”

“longlost - that's an excellent idea. Your course could be a S'moredita (patent pending) and expresso making class. It's foolproof!”

“Hey, if it doesn't work just blame Starbucks for faulty R&D.

I notice that they haven't changed their espresso pod design after my scathing letter. I'm tired of being hassled by the Man!”

“The basic plan is to use the campground as base camp central. There are multiple hiking opportunities as the AT runs right through Hot Springs.”

“I was in Hot Springs back in June. Here is some pics of the group campsite and views from the AT

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/559428551SBDkHG”

“Wow....looks like everyone but me is going!!!!!!!”

“Ewker...what awesome pics!!!!....thanks for sharing!!!!”

“I plan on hiking a part of the AT while I am there. The part that runs from the campground down to the gear store.”

“I am thinking I NEED to come on this one!!

someone needs to make sure everyone behaves!!!
last edited: 7/25/07 9:47:01 AM”

“I am thinking I NEED to come on this one!!

someone needs to make sure everyone behaves!!!
last edited: 7/25/07 11:47:01 AM”
divinity
11:46:36 AM
7/25/07


well we know that won't be you”

“wait a minute mister!!!!!

I usually behave!!!”

“yeah like Savage Gulf...lol”

“Hey...I had ONE drink.....Saturday eve!!!”

“I dunno if a fifth is considered one drink ;)”

“I don't drink anymore....



well..not very often!!...
and I promise to behave !!!”

“and I promise to behave !!!”
divinity
12:23:34 PM
7/25/07

damn”

“A fifth is one drink as long as you consume it in one sitting.”

“Been a while since i went B. Packing. Got home for a while then was sent out again. Doggone Uncle Sam..Hopefully he will leave me alone for a bit....Ive met Chili and Cottonsocks in Charlotte 2 yrs ago right after i got home from my first trip to the sandbox. NE way.....lookin foward to it..My email is longcarbine1983@yahoo...im willing to help with the first aid though the methods ive learned are rough compared to the real thing. I was combat lifesaver certified, and had opportunity to use it in Iraq..so i have a little "real" world experience....also some wilderness survival stuff.”

“and its sunday.......night yall!”