Hiking

[Clip-Clop]

Tons of hiking out here. We do not leave our packs in the car ever though, too dangerous.
You live in an amazing area for hiking, when I lived in NJ we used to camp down there every summer, part of the reason I moved to CO.

All good advice listed above. Didn't see mention of a knife though (sorry to poster if I missed that). I would get/bring at least a decent pocket knife.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Clip-Clop

Tons of hiking out here. We do not leave our packs in the car ever though, too dangerous.
You live in an amazing area for hiking, when I lived in NJ we used to camp down there every summer, part of the reason I moved to CO.

All good advice listed above. Didn't see mention of a knife though (sorry to poster if I missed that). I would get/bring at least a decent pocket knife.

i started to say knife, in case you had to cut off your arm...lol
then i got onto another subject, and there went that thought.

but i'm not add, i can carry on a conver.....oh, look a squirrel.

[Rileyoriley]

A knife is a good idea. You may need it to fight off the rabid squirrels.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Rileyoriley

A knife is a good idea. You may need it to fight off the rabid squirrels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bYWEzJXZwE

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Rileyoriley

A knife is a good idea. You may need it to fight off the rabid squirrels.

LOL, I was just thinking what they heck do you need all of the stuff listed above for? I go with only a camelpak and my merrills and am good to go on the Blue Ridge for several hours, but when a squirrel takes longer to move than normal I start to worry.

[Rileyoriley]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

LOL, I was just thinking what they heck do you need all of the stuff listed above for? I go with only a camelpak and my merrills and am good to go on the Blue Ridge for several hours, but when a squirrel takes longer to move than normal I start to worry.

I live in a large bear population area so I always bring pepper spray, a dog or 2, and make alot of noise. Oh yes, and a sacrificial human in case the above don't work.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Rileyoriley

I live in a large bear population area so I always bring pepper spray, a dog or 2, and make alot of noise. Oh yes, and a sacrificial human in case the above don't work.

Stick with the sacrificial human, you don't want to hurt a cute little bear's eyes with the pepper spray!

[ddthetide]

Originally Posted by Rileyoriley

I live in a large bear population area so I always bring pepper spray, a dog or 2, and make alot of noise. Oh yes, and a sacrificial human in case the above don't work.

you need a bear bell or 2.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Rileyoriley

I live in a large bear population area so I always bring pepper spray, a dog or 2, and make alot of noise. Oh yes, and a sacrificial human in case the above don't work.

good idea. they say travel in groups thru bear country. and like i told my kids, that way you don't have to worry about trying to outrun a bear. just outrun at least one of the people with you.

[Indian Charlie]

You are far more likely to be attacked by a human while hiking than a bear, and you are infinitely more likely to get killed in your drive over to the hike than you are to be killed by a bear.

[hi_im_god]

i hope i have your location right, kev. if so, this seems like a decent website. they appear to have detailed directions to the trailheads (a pet peeve of mine) but i don't live there so can't be sure.

http://www.roanoke.org/hiking

as a sidenote i'll mention that most sierra club chapters are a mix of groups of people that like to hike and groups that want to politic. i know a lot here wouldn't want anything to do with their politics but usually they have really good hiking resources on their website. i'd recommend them to almost anyone anywhere else who wants a group hike with an experienced leader.

your local chapter is apparently dominated by people who like everything about the environment other than being out in it. there are no scheduled hikes listed. i find that dispiriting. or at least i would if i lived where you do.

[SOREHOOF]

I do some in the Adirondacks and Catskills.Bug repellant. You'll be glad you did. 100% DEET if you can find it. The brand I use is Ben's 100% DEET.
http://www.tendercorp.com/

Looks like a nice trail. Take a map and compass and learn to use them. GPS are cool but the batteries could let you down when you need them most.

[Clip-Clop]

http://www.trails.com/stateactivity....m=terrain&a=HK

Great site for finding hikes, should be your area

[GPK]

Originally Posted by hi_im_god

i hope i have your location right, kev. if so, this seems like a decent website. they appear to have detailed directions to the trailheads (a pet peeve of mine) but i don't live there so can't be sure.

http://www.roanoke.org/hiking

as a sidenote i'll mention that most sierra club chapters are a mix of groups of people that like to hike and groups that want to politic. i know a lot here wouldn't want anything to do with their politics but usually they have really good hiking resources on their website. i'd recommend them to almost anyone anywhere else who wants a group hike with an experienced leader.

your local chapter is apparently dominated by people who like everything about the environment other than being out in it. there are no scheduled hikes listed. i find that dispiriting. or at least i would if i lived where you do.

The 2nd picture on that site is McAfee's Knob. I have been to Sharp Top and Round Top at the Peaks of Otter, but haven't hiked either. It's a beautiful drive along the Parkway to get there.