View Full Version : 10 Days With The Big Tree Nation
Tipi Walter
03-23-2009, 15:25
Backpacking the Citico/Slickrock Wilderness
February 20-21-22-23-24-25-26-27-28 March 1 2009
FOTOGS
DAY ONE:
The Monster Load(about 75 lbs)on the South Fork Citico trail by the third crossing.
DAY TWO:
Uncle Fungus resting on the South Fork trail after a steep climb.
Georgia backpacker with his new Arcteryx Naos 55 pack on the South Fork Trail.
Baby skunk comes into camp, sprays, and then crawls into my tent.
DAY THREE:
Third day snowfall greets me at Iron Camp on the South Fork trail.
Tipi Walter
03-23-2009, 15:38
DAY FOUR:
I moved camp a thousand feet up the mountain in the snow along Trail 149.
Three Georgia backpackers leave the North Fork trail and pass by my camp.
A favorite shot of the three leaving in the snow.
I rest along another thousand foot climb to a 5,240 foot bald.
DAY FIVE:
On a 10.5 mile day heading down Horse Cove Ridge into the Kilmer/Slickrock valley for the night.
heh, once a skunk has sprayed me... it's got nothing left to scare me away from it.
Tipi Walter
03-23-2009, 15:52
DAY SIX:
A Big Tree welcomes me into his kingdom. We converse.
Even my pack looks small up against the tree.
Low Dog Camp along Little Santeetlah Creek in the Kilmer valley. This 4000 acre valley has never been logged and is part of the 35,000 acre Citico/Slickrock area.
DAY SEVEN:
I pulled a 3,000 foot climb and ended up at this high gap above the big tree nation and then quickly got caught in a severe windstorm with cold pelting rain.
Four Michigan backpackers pass by my high gap camp in miserable conditions(they had to seek shelter off the other side of the mountain in a rock overhang for the night). One of them asked, "Are you Walter?" and it was weird.
Tipi Walter
03-23-2009, 16:04
DAY EIGHT:
When all seems bleak, God sends a newt.
Two soaked dogs in ponchos pass by my camp after climbing 3000 feet in a butt cold rain.
DAY NINE:
Three backpackers walk 9 miles in the rain and set up camp with me at around 5000 feet.
They set up a tarp for cooking and hanging out and we all have a good visit despite the cold weather.
DAY TEN:
On Day 10 I'm blessed with snow and sleet and do a 12 mile day off the mountain and back to my car.
Thanks Tipi. Great stuff.