Survive a Wind Storm in the Smokies: Epic Camping Adventure!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 26 сер 2024
- 3 Days of Camping, Rain & Wind Storms in the Great Smoky Mountains.
This video is sponsored by AliExpress. Here's the link and coupon code for their Anniversary Sale as mentioned in the video ;)
Coupon code: AEanniversary4
Link: s.click.aliexp...
Save up to 80% and $5 off for every $30 spent (up to $15 off)
For this winter camping adventure, I decided to do a solo backpacking loop along the Little River Gorge in Tennessee’s western region of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Little River is flanked to the south by Meigs Mountain and to the north by Sugarland Mountain. By hiking trails along the ridges of both these mountains, I was able to create a 25 mile loop with 6,000 feet of gross elevation gain.
On the first night, I chose to camp on top of Meigs Mountain at campsite 19, Upper Henderson. On day two I planned to descend into the gorge to camp along the Little River at campsite 21. On the third day, I would hike up Sugarland Mountain towards Laurel Falls and ultimately, Little Brier Gap to complete the loop.
For an easier read, more info and downloadable GPS data, check out my full blog post here:
www.sintax77.c...
For sleep and shelter, I packed in a trekking pole tent, a 3-season sleeping pad and a 20° down quilt. Despite it being the middle winter, my temp range was relatively mild with lows in the 40’s and highs touching the mid 60’s. This allowed me to leave my extra cold weather clothing layers at home, so I was still able to use my ultralight backpack instead of the larger pack that I typically use for winter. Days 2 and 3 had a forecast of rain and high winds, so I played it safe and packed in full set rain gear as well.
Trails Used, Day 1
Begin at Little Greenbrier Trailhead
Road hike 1 mile downhill to Metcalf Bottoms
Cross Little River via the auto bridge.
Curry Mountain Trail
Right (west) on Meigs Mountain Trail for a half mile.
Setup Camp at campsite 19, Upper Henderson.
This seems to be a lesser used campsite, with a few smaller spots for individual tents staggered along the side of a hill. There are two established campfire pits, bear cables for hanging food, and a nearby brook providing a reliable water source.
Day 2 Mileage: 7.5 Miles
Day 2 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,333′
Day 2 Gross Descent: ‘1,586
Trails Used, Day 3
Continue north on the Huskey Gap Trail
Left (west) on the Sugarland Mountain Trail
Laurel Falls Trail
Left (west) on the Little Greenbrier Trail
Return to the Little Greenbrier Trailhead
Day 1 Mileage: 5.2 Miles
Day 1 Elevation Gross Gain: 1,562′
Day 1 Elevation Gross Descent: 528′
Trails Used, Day 2
Backtrack a half mile on Meigs Mountain Trail
At the intersection, continue on Meigs Mountain Trail
Cross Jakes Creek via footbridge and take the Cucumber Gap Trail
Cross the Little River via the footbridge.
Huskey Gap Trail
Setup camp along the Little River at campsite 21
This is a large campsite with many options for tent camping or hammocks. There are several established campfire pits, bear cables, and reliable water available from the river about 200 meters from camp.
Day 3 Mileage: 12.3 Miles
Day 3 Gross Elevation Gain: 3,039′
Day 3 Gross Descent: 3,833′
Grand Total 3 Day Mileage: 25 Miles
Grand Total 3 Day Elevation Gain: 5,934′
Sponsored by AliExpress
#AliExpressFinds #ltsmychoice #AliExpressAnniversarySale
![АЛАУДИНОВ у Скабеевой: эти их ВСУ нас НЕ ДОГОНЯТ 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/an0anqU4WGQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Been waiting for a new Sintax video
I searched 2 days ago.
Same!
Your videos are some of the most enjoyable on UA-cam. Thanks for taking the time to film your adventures and thanks even more for sharing these adventures with us.
And to me the history details make it so much more enjoyable to watch and recognize the elements braved by our forefathers. Some rather sketchy moments in that wind. Bushyboy Oz.
he's a clear thinker a good woodsman.......would make an excellent guide for tours in backcountry///national forests....
There are a ton of wild boars in the Smokies. They leave places that look like heavy equipment have been at work.
We had some big winds in CA in the last two weeks, and people have been seriously hurt by falling trees. Glad you were safe. "Maybe TOO Hot," and then takes another bite. 😀
I've been anxiously awaiting a new video from you, and this Tennessee girl was excited to see that you were in her beloved Smoky Mountains. You should make a summer trip when the rhododendron is blooming.. My husband and I took a day hike then, when our daughter was about 11, and the rhododendron literally formed a blooming roof over our heads It was lovely. I understand that is comes from the nearby Biltmore mansion in Asheville, NC. Gardeners planted it there and the wind blew the seeds, and it now grows wild all over the Smokies.. Thanks for sharing the story of some of the mountain families. I'm sure you know this, but the Smokies get its name from the Cherokees, who called it "The Land of the Great Smoke." There is so much breathing vegetation there, that it gives off "smoke." My little house is very close to where you were.. Glad you enjoyed a bit of Tennessee!
The land of the great smoke,that's pretty cool.I've always wanted to visit the Smokey's but it hasn't happened yet and I'm a month away from my 61st birthday.
We went to the smoky mountains in November. We saw more bears than we have every seen. Great trip!
A new Sintax video! Just what I've been waiting for 👏
I can’t believe I enjoy watching a hiking video… But I do. Thanks for producing this.
Yeah the Smoky Mountains! Nice to see you! Tell Sarah and Denali to make an appearance next video!😊 oh..wild boars
What a great hike! We moved to Cosby, TN a couple of years ago and love the history. Thanks for brining it to us. Great job!
My wife and I have hiked this trail…..so cool see. In fact we have camped in the campground he stayed at. Love the Smokies!!! Thanks for the great video!!!
Thank you so much for your stickers and signing one for me ❤
Interesting hike. Thanks for taking the time to research the history of the area and share it, that made the whole thing more interesting. Hiking in high winds in the woods is terrifying when you understand what can happen. I once watched a group of day hikers on a trail almost get killed by a falling tree when they were out in high winds, they were just laughing and talking, totally oblivious to the danger. 100 ft tree barber chaired and then fell about 30 feet in front of them. They missed instant death by about 10-15 seconds.
So glad to see ya back, Shaun!! Tfs your awesome adventures.
Hi, Shawn 👍🏻 I’m so glad to see you in the Great Smoky Mountains another awesome camp and hiking adventure. I’ve been waiting for you to do a down south adventure in the Smokies, beautiful picturesque mountain range with some nice mountain streams, also that was some wild wind on your last day hiking out, you diffidently have to watch for falling trees and branches. I always enjoy seeing your hiking adventures and I can’t wait to see more hiking adventure videos. Take care and be safe on your RV road trip. Thanks Danny ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love your videos. You offer a wide variety of east coast backpacking experiences which is very nice to see. Thanks for sharing.
What an awesome campout and hike real nice that we could join you, nice piece of history , that wind at the one point was nasty your very fortunate nothing came down on ya. loved the waterfall area and the magnificent views from the mountain top decent camp areas . Good to see you finally had a video out really enjoyed this . Ontario, Canada
Nice to see you back out on the trail for a little bit
Even knowing it's only a 30 mil loop hike
Give my regards to Sarah and Denali
Hey, Shawn, good to see you in my neck of the woods. I have a home just on the Maryville side of Townsend, in Walland. Yep, the pigs root around up in those woods. My little sister married a Huskey. Some folks love the park, but still resent being chased out, off their land. It’s sure a pretty place. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
I’m from the area too and yeah.. back when many of the older residents were still alive, I remember hearing them talk about it and for many having been run off from their homes, it was just devastating. They’d get to talking about it and just get so upset. I’ve seen in the last year or two how the pigs have really started rooting up around the trails more than usual. They’ll get into those cemeteries up in the cove and just wreak havoc.
Sintax! So good to see you! Having coffee on a sleepless night, this is perfect -- and wow that is just some gorgeous land!
Hi Shawn 👋 always great to hear from you, thank you my friend 🙏 good to see you made it through ok, stay safe and take care 👊👍
Great video, thanks for sharing. I love how you produce your videos and especially enjoyed the historical commentary.
I’ve been watching him since he had a small UA-cam following. Good to see that he blew up.
Great to have another one of your fine hiking/camping adventures, wind and all, to live through vicariously! My guess would be foraging wild boar or feral hogs. Safe travels.
Wild Boar would be my guess as well😮
That was exactly what i was thinking!! Not something you want to run into!
We camped about 30 minutes north of the smokies April 2022. There were winds 50-60 and gust to 90mph. Mandatory evacuation of the park. I believe the gust were called downslope winds.
It was neat to see trails we've previously hiked! We're hoping to get some time in Elkmont and visit some of these trails again this year.
Nice!! Really cool to see roads and trails I’m familiar with. Hope you enjoyed it!
Another great video! I've had this area in the Smokies on my list. Looks Good! 👍 It's nice to watch a backpacking video from February with no snow. We've had snow on the ground here in the U.P. of Michigan for months now. ❄😟❄
Hey man this is the first time I come across you. This is by far one of the if not the best video I’ve watched. Awesome footage and very informative. Would love to do a rip like that. I’ve camped in the smokies but in a camper. I’m a new subscriber.. thanks man hope to see more of you
What absolutely gorgeous scenery. I am originally from Oregon and this may give the old growth forest camping and scenery a run for the money. Subscribing to your channel.
At 1:05:05 we see tourist dayhikers in their natural habitat. Jeans, flannels, tourist walking sticks, and fresh over ankle boots. I remember when that was me!
I'm going to go with feral hogs as well.
I really enjoyed the hike and the history of the area! Looks like a great place to go.
Being in the trees while it's windy is a little scary. When I'm out and it starts to get like that, I book it out of there to safety😁
I agree. They visit my property in North Georgia sometimes. Same marks.
Thank you! Beautiful trip…glad you were aware of the wind and took care…
Another great video! Thanks for taking us along!
I enjoy hearing all the history, thanks for doing the research and telling us facts about some of the places you go.
(I also love that you have the little stuffed animal your wife sent with you placed in a couple of shots lol)
Thanks for your great videos. I used to do a lot of backpacking and camping but because of health reason it is no longer possible. I do miss being out on a camp or backpack trip so I’m so glad I came across your channel. They at least remind me of the times when I’ve been able to do it myself. I live in the detroit area but some of favorite places have been in the Catskills and Adirondack Mountains. I miss being out in the wilderness quite a bit. Thanks so much.
Great video! I enjoyed the information you researched, and there was some great editing. I’m not going to lie - that little doll thing your wife snuck into your pack had me laughing, first when you found it and then the second night when it was on your bed. The windy exit was stress inducing. Glad you got out safely.
Great historical facts, as usual... Thank you!
A great trip Sintax!!
Cuda being one of dem samsquaches!
MH biscuits and gravy are GREAT!
There are squatches throughout the area you were camping! And a lot of black bear!
Another awesome video! Look's similar the trails I hike in northeast Georgia! Thanks for sharing.
It was an awesome trip I t got me hooked on outdoor adventures . Thank you for posting this this video
packit gourmet is the jam. I took it to the smokies also.
A new video yay! I been waiting for a new backpacking video from you. I hope all is well with you.
All good over here :) Hope you enjoy it!
Loved the video. TN sure looks inviting in March. 73 de KLØT
so awesome video! thanks, contrary to a NC native that tests gear, he is always at a 'secret location'. For someone who wants to get out to try new trails within two hours of central NC it is quite annoying. YOUR videos offer great locations, THANKS!
Lone wolf mountain is secret???
@@campchairchris where is it?
@@ed5042 near Comet
@@campchairchris ahhhhhhh
@@campchairchris near johnson farms road, thx
Wow, you had a pretty good road walk. Drove that many times.
Enjoyed the combined camera work + narrative description of what you're experiencing. A rather Stroudian experience all in all. Nicely done.
awesome video and views as always brother, thank you, Get Mike back out with you sometime he has been mia for too long.
Just because you explained about your trail camping it’s songs, so creepy scary I guess with all the fuse you got you had a good time because like I said scared 😱
O man that was dangerous to the end! I’m enjoy your videos from Switzerland! Spring is already arrived here.
Oh Lord. I live not that far from where you were. Im originally from Phoenix, Az. I love camping and backpacking, I do it as much as I can get out. Ive done deep winter camping in hot tents out here. Ive been in a number of storms, it rain a lot here, it is classified as a national rain forest. SO you just learn to adapt. I have good water proof tents and water proof tarp covers for my camp area and a poncho, but I never really wear all that expensive stuff they sell. But I have a tent set up that I can stay in tent the entire time it rains, cooking my meals or just hanging out enjoying nature keeping dry. a good woodburning tent stove keeps it nice and warm so my camp trips are relaxing and storms will be ferocious at times, main thing is watch for widow makers, falling tree because of the high winds. There are a lot of places to camp if you backpack in that you dont have to pay, like stealth camp if you car camp, parking your car at Weigel's gas station, no one will even bat an eye , cars in a 24 hour gas station is out sight out of mind, have left mine for over five days...no one knew any different or bothered it. I hiked in to the woods about 300 ft set up my stealth camp, no one at all could see me or know i was there camping for five days and even had a small campfire, but the tent stove inside the tent doesnt leave much light to be seen at night.and I have a dim orange tent lamp thats not visible, have stealth camping to a science. , thats one of my adventures here LOL
Super cool adventure camping
I followed the whole adventure with ya. Great video!
Check out the upside down fire. Same kindling and tinder, on top of a good, long lasting base.
I haven't watched a full vid for a year or so but thanks for still playing the harp at bedtime.
Great catch getting that tree fall on camera. Another good trip. Thanks for taking us along.
Awesome wind. In those conditins, to hell with the regulations. I'd find a rock overhang and camp there. lol
Good to see you back on the trail
I know what I'll be doing tonight...It's Cheeseburger Time! 👍🏼
Awesome as always Sintax. This has got to be one of the first videos I've seen of yours that it didn't pour on you. Well besides a couple with your beautiful wife with you, but this was a super awesome backpacking camping trip. You didn't get soaked well maybe with sweat but that's something you can't get away from. 😂😅 It sure was beautiful out there. And luck was on you side this time. You got pretty good at putting that tent up geezers you can do it with the snap of your fingers that's awesome right there. LOL 😂😅😊.
Thank you for sharing and for all the hard work and time you put into these videos. You are awesome.
STAY SAFE
KEEP HIKING
KEEP ADVENTURING
GOD BLESS YOU
🤗HUGS🤗
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING MORE OF YOUR UP COMING VIDEOS.
nice to see you back
I have complaints. I needed to see the walk back to base camp lol. And the burger. Also I like how the falls got .04 seconds of film lol. Fun video.
That's Home!!! Definitely going to have to do this loop some time!!
In my neck of the woods, I would be looking for hogs. They root up the ground just like that. Pretty messy critters.
Have hiked the same stretch of trail you are on but it's been 23or 25 years ago I hiked All the way r
Though the Smokies from Fontana dam to Damascus Virginia
Thank you. good fun.
Thanks for sharing, as always. You mentioned using iodine for sub-freezing temps. In a previous video, you used a UV purifier, did you prefer the iodine over the UV device? I have that pad as well, although I seldom sleep on the ground. The best feature of that pad is that they actually provide a stuff sack that doesn't require you to wrestle the pad to get it inside.
My guess is wild boar what were tearing through that dirt.
About frigging time guy , been awaiting for new vid .
My favourite youtube channel - keep up the good work mate!
Winter is finally breaking here in Vermont, and although I do like to get out for a night or two in the winter, it’s now hiking season in the Green Mountain State. Sintax videos always give me the itch to get out in the woods, so time to start planning a trip. Thanks again Sintax, it’s always great to follow one of your hikes! Be well sir. - Jason/Freedom Fighter Until Death/Vermont, DSA (‘DSA’, meaning “The Divided States Of America”)
Dude….that’s some serious wind!
Great to see a new video from you! I literally laughed out loud as you were eating the biscuits and gravy. "Still way too hot!" as you shoved another spoonful into your mouth...
That wind was no joke though! And I'm guessing the upturned earth is wild boar.
Thanks for taking us along!
Dude! Hi! So nice to see u ! I could use a good dose of your hikes. Im currently trying to get my visa to get to India and its nothing but hassles! I leave soon so stress is my Albatross right now. Taking a deep breath and gonna shut up and watch.😊
Adding: that wind was crazy! I was in DC a few months ago and the neighbors HUGE tree came down in a windy storm almost on the house!
Thank u
You Look Great and once again I see the Sintax I admire. YES!!
Great Video!!
Always enjoy your videos,I appreciate the time put into them.All the research and history is awesome.
Thanks
Against the wind, see the young man hiking ,against the wind 🎶🎵
Wild Boar did the rooting of the ground. Always after dark.
Missed your video, and like you historically information.
Awesome video brother. I love the Smokey mountains.
Hope to see You soon.
This was great Syntax! Great to see another trip.
I am new here. Love the history.
Cool bridge
It was feral hogs that did the damage rooting.
Come on brother, that wind didn't seem life threatening at all.I seen your heading about how you survived a wind storm so I'm thinking almost tornado strength winds,Lol. I gotta admit,I was a bit disappointed on the lack of strength from that wind storm.I mean certainly a Widow Maker can fall on you,but other than that there wasn't much to worry about safety wise.
23:52 that organic meal followed by Slim Jim. Remember the golden one-to-one ratio: one Slim Jim negates one year of organic eating 😅
Thanks for sharing
Just discovered your channel…great channel…you keep it real and learning
Enjoyed the hike and the history lesson but not so much for the wind storm. Scary!
I was on a ridge and you could hear the wind start and come roaring. Went around to the other side and no wind. Relieved because those trees were swaying earlier and kind of scary.
Nice video. Always look forward to sitting down and chilling while watching your videos. In three weeks I am heading back to WV to do a 60 mile backpacking trip of North Fork Mtn., Roaring Plains and Dolly Sods. What are the hiking pants you wore on this video? Thanks and happy trails.
so nice to watch you do your thing... someday I'll do it too.
Was it hogs mess the ground
Beautiful area! Great adventure as always!!
The rooting around is probably wild boars. Common down here.