"Team Waterfall" Camping Weekend
Somewhere in the mountains of North Carolina
Friday, June 13th through Sunday June 15th, 2014
Good Times!
We received a tip about a series of
virtually unknown waterfalls. However
our source asked us not to share any directions or information about the
location of these waterfalls. The reason
is that these are located completely off trail and the terrain is susceptible
to serious damage and erosion if too many people found out about these. Not to mention the safety factor! Only experienced bushwhacking enthusiast should
attempt to reach this type of off trail waterfall. Therefore, I will respect the promise we made
to our information source and not post any location details or directions.
I will say that it is a bit further away from home
than we usually like to travel for a day hike. So we decided to make a “Team Waterfall” camping weekend out of it.
There is an ongoing joke (based on fact) that it always rains when I go camping. Since I haven't pitched my tent in quite some time the clouds would be storing
up for one hell of a storm!
I was the
first of the group to arrive at the campground and pitched my tent under
perfect camping weather conditions. I
was planning to go for a short hike after setting up the tent, but just as I
hammered in the last tent stake the clouds started to form and minutes later
one heck of a storm came through!
My tent before the storm.
In about 45 minutes that bucket will be filled with about 3" of rainwater
Note: I like the sign at the campsite!
I
waited it out inside my truck, enjoying a couple of FABs while marble sized hail
and some of the heaviest rain I had ever experienced bombarded the campsite and my truck! I watched the outside temperature gauge on my truck drop from 75 degrees to 55 degrees in a matter of minutes.
After the worst of the rain passed, I grabbed an umbrella
to check out the damage. No noticeable
hail dents on my Tacoma, but a river of muddy water was flowing through the
campsite directly under and around my tent.
There was over 3” of rain water in the bucket I had sent out before the
storm hit.
The creek next the campsite
that I could have easily rock-hopped across an hour earlier was now a raging
torrent of muddy water. It was very close to overflowing its banks, which would have
really spelt disaster to my tent!
Fortunately my tent stayed remarkably dry
inside with just a few small puddles around the zipper area.
Even though the rain had subsided to just a light drizzle, my hike
plans were thwarted since it would require crossing the now raging creek. So instead I decided to just hike up the road
for a ways while waiting for the others to arrive.
By the time Andy, Van, and Johnny arrived,
the rain was done for the weekend. Since
nobody thought to bring along any dry firewood, it was quite the challenge to
get a campfire going, despite our best efforts.
We did have a very enjoyable evening around our pitiful campfire which
we only managed to keep going with the help of the occasional squirt of lighter
fluid.
Van and Johnny
L to R: Andy, Van, Johnny, Boone, and Me
The next morning we met up with a few other “Team Waterfall”
members including Brenda, Darrin, and Bob.
Again, I will not post any details, only the photos. I will say that this series of waterfalls did not disappoint! But it certainly was one heck of a bushwhack!
Here are some of the photos:
Van Jumping off the Rock
Darrin Jumping off a Higher Rock
Darrin
Brenda
After returning to the campground, we briefly discussed
going on another short hike, but ultimately decided that food, FABs, and
relaxation around the fire was a better idea.
Van relaxing at our campsite
It is going to be a good evening!
We had much better success keeping the campfire going this evening. And had some great times hanging out around the campfire! An awesome ending to an awesome day!
Hanging out around the campfire!
The complete set of photos form our "Team Waterfall" camping weekend is posted here:
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