Sat, Oct 6 2007 - Shining Rock Beginner Backpacking (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Lee Harris Participants: Denise Millon, Lee Harris, Candice Bullard, Kristen, Beth A. Marshall, David Dorian, Chip Bailey, Chris Wallace, Kelly Harris, Sheri Lense

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Write Up:
If you were thinking of going backpacking and didn't sign up for this one YOU MISSED OUT. Our trip was great. We atarted at the Black Balsam Knob Parking lot and climbed to the top where we ate lunch, Black Balsam Knob sits at 6,214'. After taking in lunch and the view we proceeded along the Art Loeb Trail to Tennant Mtn where the views got even better. Tennant Mtn - 6,040'. After leaving Tennant Mtn we encountered Blueberries along the trail, yummy.

Our next little peak was suppose ot be our campsite but someone had already taken it. After looking around Ivestor Gap for a possible site we decided a site with trees to provide us protection form the wind would be a nicer spot, so off to Shining Rock with full packs we went. We took the Easy trail the rest of the way, the veiws wern't as good but the trail was very flat and easy. Upon arriving in Shining Rock we found the area to be relatively empty and scored a Choice camp site. Camp went up as everyone learned how thier tents worked. After pitching camp we hiked over to Shining Rock itself. A huge chunk of marble rising above the tree line which an be seen for miles. After relaxing here for awhile and checking out the turning colors of the trees we proceeded back to camp.

After a water filtering class and a fire building class we jumped into appetizers and diner. It had rained a lot the night before and most of the wood in the area was wet but everyone pitched in on finding wood and Candice and Sheri even broke it up into perfect lengths for the fire and then sperated it into 3 piles according to size.

After diner we exchanged stories and thougths from the day while sipping on wine and whiskey. Denise and Candise brought Vodka which they though 3 drops of water would dillute enough to drink,. WOW that was some strong stuff. Chris was an experienced backpacker already and showed us how his high tech shelter with bug net was set up. I think it was the roomiest tent all night.

The next day brought breakfast and our hike out. We decided to go backwards from the way we came in forming a rough figure 8. We left following the Art Loeb Trail over Flower Knob, 5,920' to Ivestor Gap. Blueberries were even more plentiful here and we stopped a few times for a view with a snack. One of my shoe laces caught a root and was ripped from my show, REI here I come. Once arriving in the gap we switched back to the easy trail for the last leg out.

My pace was quick like normal for most of the trip and everyone kept up just fine. I would say this trip ended up being an intermediate trip compared to the beginner trip it started out as. Great job everyone.

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