Earth Day Camping Adventures On The Camp

Earth Day 2022, I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the beauty of our slice of this world than on Camp Creek Bald.

Earth Day wasn't the only reason I also wanted to break out my drone. The place I call "the Camp" and others call Viking Mountain was the inspiration for getting the drone. See there were two pictures in the book, Exploring North Carolina's Fire Towers, that were obviously taken with a drone. So, the Camp was obviously where I wanted to take it up. 

I had been waiting for a day up on the mountain where it wasn't so windy. Camp Creek Bald is notorious for its blustery days. This April had been on the windy side, but the weather was right for Earth Day. That wasn't my only reason for going. The area of Jones Meadow is one of my favorite places to camp. I was just up here last October for a beautiful fall color overnight. 

Dillard Pond

Where I'm headed

So, I got up there and the weather was great for running the drone as I took off from the Valhalla Inn site and went over Jones Meadow. I got some amazing views of this area of the Bald Mountains. 

Running the drone wasn't the only thing I did. I also got some Hiking in. 

Take off point

Looking west at 350 feet...

...looking east

However, I wanted to go-to spots at Jones Meadow including below Blackstack Cliffs. I then headed up the Appalachian Trail (AT) looking for a camp spot. I had used the old Camp Creek Bald Lean-to site last time here. I thought about the campsite I used in 2020, at AT North Mile Marker (NMM) 297, but with it being thru-hiker season I figured it would be busy (and it was). I decided on a site one mile AT North while small it even has water, which I think was for the old lean-to. It might be my favorite campsite up here. 

Jones Meadow

Below Blackstack Cliffs

My October 2021 campsite...

...& 2022

The main event of the day was on the summit of the Camp. Here I ran the drone around the fire tower. Then I headed up to the spot formally known as Camp Creek Bald Bluffs but now the Grandstand. I mean it is sloped like a grandstand and the view of the sunset deserves one.

Above Camp Creek Bald Fire Tower

Looking East

In the middle is what I call the Grandstand...

...& sunset

Day two started with sunrise at White Rock Cliffs. I had thought of going back to Camp Creek Bald, but the winds had picked up. This turned out to be a good idea because when I reached Big Firescald Knob it was really windy. 

Sunrise

Big Firescald Knob Vista...

...& Blackstack Cliffs

Once back at Jones Meadow (after a stop at Blackstack Cliffs) it wasn't as windy or so I thought. When I took the drone up to 100 feet I got a warning...for high winds. So, I  ended up wrapping the days flying early. But overall it turned out to be a great trip to one of my favorite places...The Camp!

Couldn't get high up because of the wind

More Photos: SmugMug & Google Photos

The Lummox Is Old & Is Lucky He Has Me To Carry Him!

I was supposed to go to Bays Mountain Park today, but the Lummox is old and forgot his damn drone! He wanted to go home and hide, but this Hiking Machine would have none of that So, we compromised...we went to Laurel Run Park. I got to carry that old ass of his too a number of waterfalls while I crushed trail. Oh, it was funny that he forgot that drone! As I laugh, I am out...BITCHES!

Shredding Trail In Three Days Like The Hiking Machine Does!

You might be wondering what happened to Day Two on Camp Creek Bald? Well, I didn't have time because I was doing what a Hiking Machine does... crushing trail in Southwest Virginia! So, first about Saturday, the Lummox just wanted to play with his stupid drone, but because of the wind, he couldn't. So, I drug the Lummox down and did what I do best...SHREDDING TRAIL! It was White Rocks to start the day and then Big Firescald Knob and Blackstack Cliffs. This is what a Hiking Machine loves!

Then Sunday, the Lummox and I went over the Cabin so he could mow. Because of that it would be Monday before I got on the trail. While the Lummox was worried about mushrooms I was ripping up knobs and carrying the Lummox because he had a hurt foot...what a wuss! Because of rain and his foot there was no hiking yesterday, but I did get some Hiking Machine approved time on the trail and grinded in three states (TN, NC, VA) in three days...NICE! Anyway, with that I'm out BITCHES!

 

A Hiking Machine Day!

Let me start with HELL YEAH! The Hiking Machine has spent the day crushing trail! I mean if the Lummox flying the drone gets me up on Camp Creek Bald...then fly away! Anyway, more tomorrow and I'm out BITCHES!

It Was A Good Friday (AT) Mill Ridge

This past weekend, on Good Friday, I did a hike a drone run at Mill Ridge near Hot Springs. This hike starts where my snow hike in March to Rich Mountain did, at Tanyard Gap. Unlike that day the hike to Mill Ridge goes south on the Appalachian Trail (AT) instead of north. Besides the open fields of Mill Ridge and Pond I got to experience from the air with the drone. It was a great way to spend a Good Friday...

Photo Links: SmugMug & Google Photos

The Only Good Friday Is On The Trail Because I HATE EASTER!

 

I have said this before...I HATE EASTER! People will call me a stupid Easter Bunny, singing that sh***y song "Here comes Peter Cottontail". I don't hop down some stupid bunny trail, I crush miles on trails like the AT (Appalachian Trail)! This is just what I did Friday and it wasn't Good Friday because of some stupid holiday. It was a "Good Friday" because I got to shred trail because I'm THE HIKING MACHINE! I will even forgive the Lummox for not going camping. Even though it wasn't the hardest place (Mill Ridge) it still is the AT! Oh, one more thing I have a new verse for that stupid song..."Here comes the Hiking Machine, shredding the AT!" Now that's more like it, HELL YEAH! Anyway, I'm out BITCHES!

It Is Sunrise Drone Fun At The Cabin

Late last week it was back to the Cabin which also means in and above Southwest Virginia. On Thursday, Pete and I went Morrel Hunting which was a big zero. The wind and cloud cover made it feel like the first of March instead of the end. 

Thursday highlights

Then I headed on Friday morning for a hike on the Superloop, which clocks in around four miles. While it was breezy I still got an opportunity to launch the drone. While it had been windy since we arrived on Thursday it died down late Friday and I got to view the sunset from the drone. 

Drone Friday

Birds at the Cabin

Sunset

While that was cool what I really wanted to do was take the drone up for sunrise. So, I headed up on a cold Saturday morning (27 degrees), but with little wind. Because I got an early start I headed up to Wood Booger Ridge and it was well worth the trip. 

Sunrise!

Morning vista

More drone selfies

Photos: SmugMug & Google Photos