We had a great adventure last weekend. We hiked from Max Patch to Hot Springs. It ended up being just over 21 miles with an elevation gain of 2,966 ft. From the summit of Max Patch to Hot Springs has an elevation loss of about 4,629 ft heading north bound. It was a moderate hike with several ascents that were somewhat difficult.
We are still working on our backpacks and their configuration Last backpacking trip I started with 34 pounds. Ended with 25. 8 pounds of water, one pound of food. For this trip, it started at 30.2 pounds. I know a lot of backpackers like to have their “base weight”…. but I just need to know how much I’m packing. 8 pounds of it was water, because again, we are starting on a bald and will need water. We were able to hike in 4.5 miles after work on Friday. This gave us a great start.
I traded out our Big Agnes sleeping pads for NEMO Switchback. Ghost’s is shorter than mine, so slightly lighter. This switch saved me one pound from my previous backpack iteration. Before adding Ghost’s food and treats, my pack came in at 28 pounds. We don’t make him carry a pack….. he is a spoiled husky. As we were heading out, he started scratching at his ear and over the weekend, it got worse. We got him into the vet on Monday for an outer ear infection to be treated. As of this writing, his ears are healing. They put a topical medication in ear ear (We treated the left ear to be safe) and it lasts 30 days.
On this trip, we brought a Big Agnes mtnGLO tent light for the first time. It is lighter than our other lights. It weighs two ounces (without 3 – AAA batteries). We are not ultralight backpackers by any stretch of the imagination, but we do try to scale down what we can. LOL I absolutely LOVE the mtnGLO light. It is perfect for our needs.
On Saturday, we hiked just over 9 miles, leaving 7.7 miles for Sunday. This stretch of the AT going north bound is a perfect section for beginning backpackers like us. Friday night was so peaceful and quiet. The only noise we heard throughout the night was the hoot of a barred owl. The sound was music to my ears. We also hear an owl on Saturday night, as well.
Wednesday evening, poor Ghost started throwing up and by 7:30 in the morning he had thrown up some 16 times. I got a squeeze in at our vet for the afternoon, but as he continued to thrown up, we got him into the emergency vet. The poor guy needed fluids. They gave him meds to stop the vomiting. He had to stay at the vet until 7pm last night, but he is better today. As he has only thrown up once in the 3 years we’ve had him, this was very unusual for him.
This afternoon after work we are heading out on an overlanding camping trip. When the world around me is crazy, getting out in God’s creation grounds me. It helps me to remember who it is that God says I am and forget who others in the world say I am. His creation is amazing.
My Little Red Bike 
21 miles is no joke!
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We’re you able to find stealth camping spots wherever you decided to stop or did you hike to specific spots along the route? We head out on Sunday and I’m wondering how dialed in we need to be to the offered spots along the trail or if we can just pop up wherever. Glad Ghost is feeling better!
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I am glad Ghost is feeling better, too. I hope you have a great hike!
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We’re you able to find camping spots all along the route or did you stick to designated camp spots? We are launching on Sunday but that is after our drive up from Greenville so I’m not sure how far we will get that day. Also, did you have any issues with bears? Did you use a canister or a bag? Thanks for any info! This is our first time going so I have lots of questions about this particular run of AT and you have the most recent updates that I’ve found!
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Hello! We use Adotec Grizzly Bear bags and tie them to trees. We did not use our Bear Vault on this section. We did not see any bears and had no issues with bears getting to our food. We did make sure all snacks, toothpaste, wipes, etc were in the bags. We hiked about 4.5 miles the first day and there was a nice camping spot. We use Far Out app and have a book that lists some other camping options – Backpacking North Carolina. We started up at the top of Max Patch and not on the road. The first 4.5 miles were not very difficult. From the road, the camping spot is 5.4 miles compared to 4.5 from the top of Max patch. This might help you determine where you want to start Friday night. Even with the shorter route Friday, we still hiked 21 miles total. The next day we camped 9 miles from there and it was not in the book or the Far Out app– there were several good spots to choose from. That gave us 7.7 miles the last day and it was easier than the 9 mile day with just a few uphill climbs, but mostly downhill.
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Hi Pattie! Couple questions if you dont mind, you have the most recent updates I’ve found for this particular section of the trail and I head out on Sunday to do the exact same! 1 – any bear issues? 2 – did you use a canister or bear bag? and finally 3 – camp spots. Did you hike to specified spots on the trail or did you stealth camp? I arrive sunday but thats after driving to hot springs from greenville, sc and then shuttling to max patch, so I’m not sure how far I’ll get on Sunday afternoon but I’d like to get some mileage under my belt before stopping for the night.
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Hello! We use Adotec Grizzly Bear bags and tie them to trees. We did not use our Bear Vault on this section. We did not see any bears and had no issues with bears getting to our food. We did make sure all snacks, toothpaste, wipes, etc were in the bags. We hiked about 4.5 miles the first day and there was a nice camping spot. We use Far Out app and have a book that lists some other camping options – Backpacking North Carolina. We started up at the top of Max Patch and not on the road. The first 4.5 miles were not very difficult. From the road, the camping spot is 5.4 miles compared to 4.5 from the top of Max patch. This might help you determine where you want to start Friday night. Even with the shorter route Friday, we still hiked 21 miles total. The next day we camped 9 miles from there and it was not in the book or the Far Out app– there were several good spots to choose from. That gave us 7.7 miles the last day and it was easier than the 9 mile day with just a few uphill climbs, but mostly downhill.
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Hi Pattie! Couple questions if you dont mind, you have the most recent updates I’ve found for this particular section of the trail and I head out on Sunday to do the exact same! 1 – any bear issues? 2 – did you use a canister or bear bag? and finally 3 – camp spots. Did you hike to specified spots on the trail or did you stealth camp? I arrive sunday but thats after driving to hot springs from greenville, sc and then shuttling to max patch, so I’m not sure how far I’ll get on Sunday afternoon but I’d like to get some mileage under my belt before stopping for the night.
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Hello! We use Adotec Grizzly Bear bags and tie them to trees. We did not use our Bear Vault on this section. We did not see any bears and had no issues with bears getting to our food. We did make sure all snacks, toothpaste, wipes, etc were in the bags. We hiked about 4.5 miles the first day and there was a nice camping spot. We use Far Out app and have a book that lists some other camping options – Backpacking North Carolina. We started up at the top of Max Patch and not on the road. The first 4.5 miles were not very difficult. From the road, the camping spot is 5.4 miles compared to 4.5 from the top of Max patch. This might help you determine where you want to start Friday night. Even with the shorter route Friday, we still hiked 21 miles total. The next day we camped 9 miles from there and it was not in the book or the Far Out app– there were several good spots to choose from. That gave us 7.7 miles the last day and it was easier than the 9 mile day with just a few uphill climbs, but mostly downhill.
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Sorry for all the posts, it was showing me that it didnt actually send so I kept trying. My bad! thank you for that info, I appreciate it!
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