Freeze Your A** Off Camping Trip Dec. 17-19

[ClemsonCruiser]

When: December 17th - 19th
Where: Balck Balsam to Hurricane Creek (easy wheeling)
Who: Any UC member is welcome










Alright guys and gals, I know this is short notice but I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to work this into my holiday schedule but it is looks like it is a go!!

As I mentioned previously in the events schedule; I am planning a cold weather camping trip to Black Balsam (if the parkway is open) and then heading over to the Hurricane Creek Area for some wheeling and camping.

I am going to be taking Friday the 17th off from work and will be up in the Black Balsam area around 2pm ish to secure a campsite. (In the event that the parkway is closed due to snow and ice we will have to move friday nights campsite to the lower bald over at Cullowhee. I'll make the call on which campsite we will use as time gets closer.) Saturday will be spent working our way over to the Hurricane Creek trail off of I-40 where we will run the trail (about 2-3 hours trail time) and then spend any additional time exploring the area. We will camp saturday night in the Hurricane Creek area where ever we can find a good spot.

That is about it, nothing fancy just good cold weather camping and a little wheeling thrown in.

Post up if you are coming or if you have any questions

JP

Attendee List:
JP
Marshall
Andy
Steen
Bill
Jeremy
Todd

 

[steenh]

A little snow would be fantastic! I'm in.

 

[BELMONT148]

Looks fun, this is the last weekend I will be close to the Upstate before heading to the coast for the holidays. Barring any unforeseen health issues on the home-front, should be there.

Snow would definitely be cool, might have to plan on sleeping in the cab of the truck. Don't think my Coleman Cabin tent will do much in this kind of weather.

Jeremy

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Looks fun, this is the last weekend I will be close to the Upstate before heading to the coast for the holidays. Barring any unforeseen health issues on the home-front, should be there.

Snow would definitely be cool, might have to plan on sleeping in the cab of the truck. Don't think my Coleman Cabin tent will do much in this kind of weather.

Jeremy

Car camping is def. the way to go this time of year..... nothing like cranking the engine up at 2 am to make the cab. nice and toasty

 

[BillWright]

I'd like to come unless the car elves have some late Xmas lists to fill.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

I'd like to come unless the car elves have some late Xmas lists to fill.

Hope you can make it bill!!

 

[cruiser4life]

Cold Weather (Hopefully Snow) Run!

Count me in!!

 

[Southeast Overland]

We are getting some cold rain in upstate SC and Linville Falls NC is getting snow and there is a winter warning with 6+" of snow with higher amounts at elevation through tomorrow. I'm headed up there early in the morning with a co-pilot. We will be east of Linville Gorge for the most part. This could prove to be a fun day trip!

 

[cruiser4life]

No snow on the ground in Burke County and east tonight or tomorrow. Steady diet of wind and cold. Gotta go NW and climb elevation to get into the white stuff.

Some great trails in that area though...

 

[Southeast Overland]

How about Avery and Caldwell Cos at elevation?

No snow on the ground in Burke County and east tonight or tomorrow. Steady diet of wind and cold. Gotta go NW and climb elevation to get into the white stuff.

Some great trails in that area though...

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

2-4 inches up in the high country according to averyweather.com...... but that is in ski resort country; if you are going to be east of the gorge in the low elevations don't expect too much. If you want to see some powda head for beech mtn.


now quite hijacking my thread

 

[Trollhole]

I'm in for friday night. That's about all I can muster this time of the year due to crap I have to do.

 

[99UZJay]

I can probably do friday night as well...

 

[BMThiker]

Just spent the weekend hiking up in the heart of the Smokies (Newfound Gap, 5900 ft). Friday was beautiful. Saturday it sleeted until about lunchtime, then rained for the rest of the day. We got about 1" of accumulation.

The BRP was already closed at the 441/Cherokee end, so not sure what that means for the Balsam area.

Newfound Gap was closing on a nightly basis and open during the day.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

At the moment I am not to optomistic about the likely hood of being able to camp friday night at Black Balsam...... looks like there could be another winter storm up there this coming weekend with brutal artic cold air behind it. If that ends up being the cause there is no way they would have the parkway opened back up by the 17th

 

[Southeast Overland]

The BRP had about 6" of snow yesterday north and east of Linville Gorge but was still open. Only saw 2 other vehicles on the Parkway in about 10 miles.

I have to work Fri and Sat but I might head up Sunday morning early to see everyone. I'll keep an eye on the thread to see where everyone ends up.

<this is not a thread hijack>

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

The BRP had about 6" of snow yesterday north and east of Linville Gorge but was still open. Only saw 2 other vehicles on the Parkway in about 10 miles.

I have to work Fri and Sat but I might head up Sunday morning early to see everyone. I'll keep an eye on the thread to see where everyone ends up.

<this is not a thread hijack>

that looks awesome steve! nothing like fresh powda!

I wish they would leave the southern sections around pisgah-black balsam on BRP open in the snow like that, but I think they are much more conservative on those sectoins due to the increased elevations and exposure. Seems like the BRP around linville and north are much more tame...

 

[89s rule]

Wish I could make it, it is even my long weekend with work, but I have neighborhood, family and church parties all that weekend and we are having our cantata at church too. Oh well please take plenty of pucs and make lots of stories to post up.

 

[boombapslappy]

...please take plenty of pucs...

...and hide them inside snowballs and throw them at each other.

 

[99UZJay]

What are the alternate plans since the parkway has been officially closed from end to end in NC other than the Asheville commuter corridor.