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Been awhile since I posted in this thread, but just wanted to pass along that it appears the CT has finally closed the notorious Obed section (Alley Ford to Devil's Breakfast Table) for trail maintenance. I made 2 efforts from the Nemo Bridge area last year and each time the trail disappeared after Alley Ford but before Breakaway Bluff (my 2nd attempt got me an extra 100 yds or so). Arch Mountain is closed. Lawson Mountain is not yet closed but they say it's bad enough that you should navigate b…

Quote from Dmax: “Quote from Traffic Jam: “It’s been two weeks since my second vaccine so I decided to have an antibody test today. It showed up IgG positive within seconds. The lady told me I could rip off my mask and run through the Covid unit. It’s such a relief, especially after taking care of a very sick lady yesterday. : ” - Just make sure to stay away from the strain coming out of South Africa. ” There are several variants going around, including one that evolved right in my son's college…

Mrs. Time Zone and I drove ~9 mi to Costco on Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and promptly turned around and headed home after seeing the lot full and many cars circling the lot for spaces. I noticed no line outside the warehouse, so apparently Costco wasn't limiting the number of people inside, as it had earlier in the pandemic (when things weren't as bad (prevalence) as they are now!). Looking forward to going again sometime but IDK when that will be. Masks aren't a substitute for dista…

Quote from LIhikers: “Quote from max.patch: “Quote from LIhikers: “I can't believe it........New York's govenor Cuomo got an Emmy award for his daily press briefings about the corona virus.....the bar must be really, really low this year. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that in a day and age when everyone gets a trophy just for participating . The guy was just doing his job , geesh, makes me want to bang my head against a wall or squeeze my hand in a vise. ” At least he did his job.Other politi…

One plus for quilts, though, is the lack of zipper as a point of failure. Though I suppose that's less commonly an issue than with items that are exposed to dirt/rain like zippers on tents. That said, outside of summer, I agree with Muddywaters that the drafts let in by a quilt (as you toss and turn) are not trivial in terms of loss of warmth. I also agree with Drybones that having the pad right next to your skin isn't great (but I usu. wear PJs anyway, and in summer if I'm in shorts/tee, I slee…

One of the favorite "tabula rasa" items of hammockers has been the Costco Down Throw (CDT). At about 16 (dollars AND ounces), DIY folks have made these into top quilts (TQ), 3/4 hammock underquilts, ponchos, skirts, and everything insulated short of a pot-grabber. A friend of mine with mad sewing skillz took pity on my envy and longing for a CDT TQ, and fashioned a 50" x 80" top quilt (incl. footbox) for me out of the bog-standard 60" x 70" CDT. Finished TQ pictured below: appalachiantrailcafe.n…

Quote from odd man out: “I have the Klymit Static V. One nice thing about is it's wider than the standard 20 Inch pads which don't work for me. For some reason many pads only come in wide sizes when you get the extra long. It's gotten better recently. More now offer wide regular length. Must be all my whining. But the Static V is a summer pad. I used it on a chilly fall weekend and slept cold. They do make an insulated version. Not sure of the weight. It is very affordable. ” A couple words of c…

Quote from Astro: “Not normally into conspiracy theories myself, but I believe most of the media is taking great pleasure in destroying the stock market. And the rest of the media doesn't mind having a hot story driving their ratings. ” Hot stories always drive ratings - whether it's the stock market soaring or crashing. And, unfortunately, what Brit Royal has a tiff with what other Brit Royal. Keep in mind, journalists are people who have retirement plans too, and guess what comprises a greater…

Quote from LIhikers: “I've thought of using a flat utility trailer as a rolling tent platform. or, maybe having a top like a classic covered wagon that could be put up and taken down ” Me too. I had such a trailer - 4'x8' folding utility trailer that I made from a kit I bought at Northern Tool. Used it to transport my motorcycle a few times to the shop when getting a ride to/from there was inconvenient. Sometimes thought about enclosing it like a teardrop build, but never warmed up to the hassle…

Quote from Traffic Jam: “Excellent suggestions, y’all. I’ve been wanting to try a truck stop shower. Seriously, it’s sort of a bucket list item...life experience! ” This 7 min overview/guide was a tremendous help to me before I did my first truck stop shower: youtu.be/FRF2PFDOuDo

WOO, Triamcinolone is good for eczema. Good to not take it for too long as well. But what you described - you sure you didn't have athlete's foot or some other fungal infection? That's the first thing that it sounded like to me, based on your description. A dermatologist would know, of course. TZ

I did have an 850fp treated down bag very briefly - the down wasn't so much clumping in terms of lumps and empty spots, but it felt like a sheet of synthetic batting. That is, it did not flow loosely in the bag, could not be shaken around easily. I was unimpressed with the loft (seemed to not bounce back well from the compressed state in which it was shipped), and the length per the sewn-on label was 3" shorter than advertised online! It went back; the search continues, and it might only end wit…

Yes, I run a lot of numbers on gear before buying (and after). I think it's worth doing, but it's not the end-all and be-all. It can sort of guide you, but in the end, you need to see how things measure up in real life (literal measurements or performance). Lately I've returned a couple mail-order/ship-to-home items to some big-name outdoor retailers which were advertised with different specs - not only different than they were in real life, but different than on the very label attached to the i…

He has made many insightful and helpful contributions on a number of forums, for which I'm grateful.

Quote from Astro: “Quote from StalkingTortoise: “Well, the boy enjoyed his first game in Cameron but was kinda surprised how tight the seats were arranged. He said it was a major effort to get his phone out of his pocket for pictures: stand up, turn sideways, keep elbows tucked, remove phone, sit down. ” Well, the boy enjoyed his first game in Cameron but was kinda surprised how tight the seats were arranged. He said it was a major effort to get his phone out of his pocket for pictures: stand up…

Quote from CoachLou: “appalachiantrailcafe.net/index…fba5d2114ee6866b14e1a4af0 Trail name ‘Coyote’! ” Is that Casey & Gina?

Quote from Traffic Jam: “I finally completed the BMT. My last section was in the Smokies, Smokemont to the intersection with Pretty Hollow Trail near Mt Sterling. It was a tough hike and the sense of accomplishment is just starting to register. ” I don't see what the big deal is. It's just a sandwich, right? Maybe if you got a big one from Katz's Deli, I could see it being an accomplishment. But it's just a BLT, people eat them all the time. Submitted with tongue firmly planted in cheek, in the …

Yesterday, the CTC and others held a celebration event commemorating the opening of a new section, Soak Creek, near Spring City, TN. The nearest adjacent sections are Stinging Fork Falls and Piney Creek. One odd thing about the ribbon-cutting and "grand opening" is that ... the section is not complete yet! Granted, tremendous work and progress has been done, but the simple fact is, the section is not complete. There was also confusion about how long the hike would be on this day ... 5 miles, the…

Another day, another CT segment ... or part of one, anyway. Parking for the partially-completed McGill section (pix above) is just a pull-off on a busy (for a rural area) road. Alternatively, one can park at nearby Graysville Mtn section and walk the 0.2 mi or so to the McGill trailhead. That's what I did. Today, I met up with Traffic Jam and we hiked part of the Graysville Section, from the southern trailhead (Roaring Creek - more like whimpering trickle) to Gilbreath Creek, 4.9 mi ... and then…

Thanks, Astro! I was about wrapped up in silk myself and saved for a spidey-snack. 'twas warm, but for 5 mi, not a big deal. Just gotta replenish it. Feet sore, though, but walking on rocks and roots will do that.