Join me for 3 days of Hiking, Hammock Camping & Backpacking along the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina’s Nantahala National Forest. GPS Data & Gear List at www.sintax77.com
For this ultralight backpacking trip, I’ll be doing a 3 day, 2 night hammock camping trip on the Standing Indian Loop in the Nanatahala National Forest. The Standing Indian Loop is a 24 mile loop with a total elevation gain of 4,672′. The loop is made using a portion of the white blazed Appalachian Trail along with the blue blazed Lower Ridge Trail and Long Branch Trail. Campsites and water sources are plentiful on this loop, although many of the campsites are not located along water, so plan accordingly. In my case, I chose two campsites that did have nearby water sources, for added convenience.
For an easier read and more info, check out my full blog post:
www.sintax77.com/hiking-the-st...
For the ultralight backpacking enthusiasts out there:
Gear Lists for this trip and others can be found on my website's Gear Lists Page or by using the Lighterpack.com link below, which includes clickable gear links for more details.
lighterpack.com/r/3pzcpt
Base Weight: 7.3 lbs
GPS Data for this trip and many others can be found on my website's Trip Data Page or in the blog post link above.
Includes full track data for each day, and way-points for campsites used / observed along the loop.
Trailhead Used: Backcountry Information Area - N35° 04.570′ W83° 31.707′
Just up the road from the Standing Indian Campground (car and RV camping), this area permits overnight parking with spaces available for a half dozen cars or so.
Trails Used, Day 1:
Park at the Information area
Lower Ridge Trail (located just behind the bulletin board)
Arrive at intersection with the Appalachian Trail, near summit of Standing Indian Mountain
Setup camp
This area has multiple campsite options spread of a large area. A blue blazed spur trail departs the AT near the intersection and leads to a piped spring water source.
Day 1 Mileage: 5 miles
Day 1 Gross Elevation Gain: 2,113′
Trails Used, Day 2:
Head out Northbound on the Appalachian Trail (away from the spring spur trail)
Note: In the video I state on this morning that I was on the Appalachian Trail South. That was incorrect. The AT winds around a bit in this area, and while my compass heading was indeed south, I was actually on the AT North.
Arrive at Betty Creek Gap and the depart the AT on the
Blue Blazed Spur trail to legal camping.
While you will notice established campsites directly on the AT at Betty Creek Gap, a sign indicates that camping is currently not permitted for restoration purposes.
Setup camp along the water at the end of the spur trail.
There are several campsites near the water. If they’re taken - cross the water and continue about 30 yards to the gravel forest road. After crossing the road, you will see more camping options in the woods.
Day 2 Mileage: 11 miles
Day 2 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,332′
Trails used. Day 3:
Backtrack on the spur trail to the AT intersection from yesterday.
Continue on the Appalachian Trail North.
Catch some views at the Albert Mountain Firetower (located directly on the AT)
Continue on the AT.
At the intersection, take the Long Branch Trail.
Arrive back at the Backcountry Information Area.
Day 3 Mileage: 8 miles
Day 3 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,227′
Notable Backpacking Gear Seen:
(or use this link for full list with details - lighterpack.com/r/3pzcpt )
Backpack:
Gregory Optic 48 backpack amzn.to/2KOLsTp
Dutchware Argon Pack Cover dutchwaregear.com/product/wat...
(the Optic 48 comes with a pack cover, but I already had the lighter Argon cover, which saves a couple ounces)
Shelter:
Hammock Gear Cuben Hex Tarp www.hammockgear.com/dyneema-cu...
Tent Spikes, Titanium amzn.to/2tHPGEB
Sleep System:
Dutchware Gear Half-Wit Hammock dutchwaregear.com/half-wit-ha...
Dutchware Whoopie Hooks with Kevlar Tree Straps dutchwaregear.com/product/who...
Hammock Gear Burrow 40 Top Quilt www.hammockgear.com/burrow-40/
Hammock Gear Phoenix 30 Under Quilt www.hammockgear.com/phoenix-30/
Cooking & Eating:
Toaks 450ml Titanium Cup amzn.to/2GLboZV
DIY Cat can Alcohol Stove
Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spork, Long amzn.to/2uyl5GJ
Water Treatment:
Katadyn BeFree Water Filter amzn.to/2LCh4sp
Lighting:
Olight H05 Headlamp amzn.to/2H8zD6g
Optional Electronics that I use during filming:
Garmin Oregon 650 GPS amzn.to/2J9O5hK
Spot Gen3 GPS Locator amzn.to/2sabfuS
Want to help support the channel? The next time you're going to do some shopping go through:
www.sintax77.com/Amazon
(or bookmark it) & a portion of your session will help support the next trip ...at no additional cost to you!