I've always wanted to hike Ridgepole. Ever since I first heard those vague, unfounded, "We wuz robbed!" stories.
Very nice area. I can attest from firsthand knowledge from two nights ago, that the bear population is heavy indeed. Had to face down a problem bear who invaded our campsite (a 400 pounder, at least). He was not cowed and my wife and I had to retreat to our truck (visions of Treadwell raced through my mind as I yelled at him and walked toward him and he did not cede any territory). As I learned the next morning, he terrorized the campground from one end to the other. He was very large and appeared to be quite fat--I don't think he was desperate for something to eat--just an asshole bear conditioned to raid camps for food. We didn't even have anything out for him to eat--but he tore open anything plastic looking for food--containers of cast iron, cooking tools, even my seam sealer! Ah, well. It was a largely harmless experience, after all.
Tens of thousands of acres of forests. A great place!
Don't know when I'll get back to that section of NC. My wife was along, and she doesn't hike, so I could only bag a few peaks over our holiday at Standing Indian. She likes to canoe, so we did that for two days, which cut in to my hiking time.
Don't think I'll get Haw Knob this year. (Are you referring to the Haw Knob near the Cherohala Skyway?)
Dow Williams - Jun 25, 2005 10:54 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled Commentshaping up to be another super page, great photos
CharlesD - Jun 26, 2005 12:13 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentGreat intro Bob. Really draws you in. Looks like an interesting mountain.
BobSmith - Jun 26, 2005 12:28 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks!
I've always wanted to hike Ridgepole. Ever since I first heard those vague, unfounded, "We wuz robbed!" stories.
Very nice area. I can attest from firsthand knowledge from two nights ago, that the bear population is heavy indeed. Had to face down a problem bear who invaded our campsite (a 400 pounder, at least). He was not cowed and my wife and I had to retreat to our truck (visions of Treadwell raced through my mind as I yelled at him and walked toward him and he did not cede any territory). As I learned the next morning, he terrorized the campground from one end to the other. He was very large and appeared to be quite fat--I don't think he was desperate for something to eat--just an asshole bear conditioned to raid camps for food. We didn't even have anything out for him to eat--but he tore open anything plastic looking for food--containers of cast iron, cooking tools, even my seam sealer! Ah, well. It was a largely harmless experience, after all.
Tens of thousands of acres of forests. A great place!
BobSmith - Jun 26, 2005 3:56 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks!
desainme - Jun 26, 2005 4:06 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentLooks like you've been real busy lately. Nice addition-I did recognize the AT blaze. Are you going over to Haw Knob this summer?
BobSmith - Jun 26, 2005 5:05 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks!
Don't know when I'll get back to that section of NC. My wife was along, and she doesn't hike, so I could only bag a few peaks over our holiday at Standing Indian. She likes to canoe, so we did that for two days, which cut in to my hiking time.
Don't think I'll get Haw Knob this year. (Are you referring to the Haw Knob near the Cherohala Skyway?)
mtwashingtonmonroe - Jun 26, 2005 10:25 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentAnother nice one Bob!
-Britt
BobSmith - Jun 26, 2005 11:37 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks!
WhiteLief - Jun 27, 2005 1:58 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentVery pretty!
BobSmith - Jun 27, 2005 3:40 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks!
Scott - Jun 27, 2005 2:32 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentVery nice page.
nartreb - Jun 30, 2005 9:19 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled Commentnice background about the surveyors.
ps check spelling of "hydrologic"