From: jeschke@cs.indiana.edu (Eric Jeschke)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Head to TN, USA: A few questions.
Date: 26 Jan 93 04:56:37 GMT
Article-I.D.: news.1993Jan26.095642.14710
Organization: Computer Science, Indiana University

[stuff deleted]
:We are considering a trip along Fontana Lake which would end at either
:Clingman's Dome (assuming the road is open) or Smokemmont.  The basic
:advantage that we saw was that questions of water and weather would be
:less difficult in this area of the park.  Has anyone travelled along 
:this route?  Other suggested routes?
   The road out to clingman's dome is generally not open until late
march or early april, from my understanding.  I was there last year
in mid-march and the road was closed.  You could walk out to the the
main park road, but that'd be a long walk in itself (7 mi?).

:As of now, we plan to use a tent rather than the shelters.  In the
:past, I have preferred this to the shelters.  Opinions?
You might want to sign up for a shelter for one or two nights.
I have done two winter trips in there (both in March) and both times we
had periods of cold, wet weather.  If you have two days of straight
rain it is nice to get into one of those shelters, make a fire and dry
out your stuff.  Other than this, however, the shelters aren't very
pleasant.  Hang your packs or the rodents will chew into them (and
some areas like walnut bottoms, have problem bears).

:What type of weather should we anticipate at this time of year? 
See above.  It can be sunny and warm too, we had a couple of days
of 70F last year.  But especially up high it is generally cold, wet
and windy.  Snow (or more often rain) is likely.

:I think we have decided on stoves and a tent.  But, what do you
:suggest for sleeping bags, cookware and food?  In the past, I've
:only been staying for a night or two, so the weight/space wasn't a 
:serious consideration.
Take a good warm bag and plenty of food.

:What is reasonable mileage for an extended stay (7+ days)?  We are 
:planning for about 7-8 miles per day.  My intuition tells me this is 
:a little light...especially at a low altitude without much change in
:grade.
If you are new to this I would suggest 5-6 miles/day.  The trails there
can be steep even if they are only up to 6000ft.  And if you are properly
equipped for winter camping (you better be) your packs will be heavier
than normal.  It also takes longer to set up and tear down camp in the
winter, cook food, etc.

:What are the top 3 items you'd think that newbies would not think of
:(or know of, for that matter)?
[1] Streams are high there in March because of the beginning of snowmelt
and some trails are "officially" closed or discouraged.  You should check
your route with a backcountry ranger.  If you decide to take one of these
trails anyway, read up on high water stream crossings and know what to
do in case of hypothermia.

[2] Many backcountry sites require a reservation (it is not crowded
at this time of year, but if the site requires one you have to have it).
All backcountry trips require a permit (available by self-registration
at most major trailheads).

[3] Be prepared for winter camping, especially up high.  Last year we
saw two camps that had been abandoned up near clingman's dome.  We had
had two straight days of freezing cold rain and from the looks of these
people's equipment they were not prepared for winter camping.  As we
followed the trail up the mountain we saw that they had abandoned more
and more stuff, trying to lighten their load enough to get out before
someone died.  Sleeping bags, food, fuel bottles, extra clothes all had
been dumped in an effort to get up to the lookout where a ridge road
runs out to the main park road.  This ridge road was closed and they
must have had to hike the 6-8 miles out to the main road once they got
to the top.  It must not have been pretty.

:What are the top 3 things you can do to lighten your load?
Remove "luxury" items first: books, camera, toiletries, etc.


:I'm sure we'll come up with some more.
Bring a pair of large rubber gloves to wear over your regular gloves
for washing up after cooking.

:Email or postings both welcome.

:Thanks and best regards-


-- 
Eric Jeschke                      |          Indiana University
jeschke@cs.indiana.edu            |     Computer Science Department