VIDEO: Yellowjackets, Bears and River Crossings Oh My! Overnight in the Cohutta Widerness
On August 5-6 my wife and I did an overnight trip in the Cohutta Wilderness of NW GA. It was an eventful trip, as we were swarmed by yellowjackets, saw bears and crossed the Conasauga River back and forth along the way.
I want to take a moment to praise my wife. She got stung over 30 times- OVER 30 TIMES- by yellowjackets and never even blinked at staying out there and finishing the trip. I asked her after the yellowjacket episode if she wanted to just turn around and go home- it would have been easy because we were only a couple of miles into the hike- but she was like "No, I'd be in just as much discomfort at home with all these stings as I am here, so let's just go on."
I'd only been stung 5 or 6 times and was ready to just pack it in but she was ready to hang in there and finish the trip. I can't even tell y'all how proud I am of her for that.
And, I'm glad we did because we had our first bear sighting out there! That was really cool!
The video is mostly us talking about our experience out there, and some fun shots of our dogs swimming, because my main camera went in the drink during the yellowjacket episode and I had to film on my cell phone after that. The good news is that after drying out for a couple weeks it looks like the camera is operable again.
Anyway, without further ado...
09-01-2016, 09:53
TrailSlug
Good job sticking with the hike. I got hit by 3 yellow jackets a few weeks back and it felt like I'd been shot. I'd been years since I'd been stung by a Yellow Jacket and I had forgotten how bad they hurt. Kathy is one strong woman. Tell her we are all proud of her for sticking this out.
09-01-2016, 13:57
OutandBack
Great story. sorry to hear about all the yellowjacket stings ouch!.
Bravo Cathy. John I think you got a keeper there.
With all the water crossing on that trail would bug repellent have even worked and now that i think about it does bug spray even work on yellow jackets?
09-01-2016, 20:55
STinGa
Wife of the year ... no ifs, ands, or buts. I got hit by a hornet a couple of weeks ago and it kicked my butt. Will watch your video in a little bit. Glad your camera survived after a little dry out time.
STinGa
09-02-2016, 07:53
cneill13
I wondering if the heat and lack of water are making the yellowjackets more aggressive this summer?
They typically nest in the ground and old logs so I am guessing either you or the dogs accidentally kicked them up.
One thing is for sure, Cathy is one tough cookie! And still smiling after 30 stings. Incredible.
You all seem like the perfect hiking couple.
I really enjoy the trip reports. Keep 'em coming.
Carl
09-02-2016, 09:00
johnspenn
Quote:
Originally Posted by TrailSlug
Good job sticking with the hike. I got hit by 3 yellow jackets a few weeks back and it felt like I'd been shot. I'd been years since I'd been stung by a Yellow Jacket and I had forgotten how bad they hurt. Kathy is one strong woman. Tell her we are all proud of her for sticking this out.
I told her =) She appreciates it! She is very tough, and strong willed!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OutandBack
Great story. sorry to hear about all the yellowjacket stings ouch!.
Bravo Cathy. John I think you got a keeper there.
With all the water crossing on that trail would bug repellent have even worked and now that i think about it does bug spray even work on yellow jackets?
I don't know if repellent works on Yellowjackets or not. I'm guessing probably not in those circumstances anyway. We weren't really being bothered by any bugs at the time so the repellent hadn't made it out of the pack yet.
Yes, she's definitely a keeper =) Think I'll hang on to her for a while!
Quote:
Originally Posted by STinGa
Wife of the year ... no ifs, ands, or buts. I got hit by a hornet a couple of weeks ago and it kicked my butt. Will watch your video in a little bit. Glad your camera survived after a little dry out time.
STinGa
She certainly has my vote! I'll be trying the camera out this weekend, but so far so good. I didn't know if it was recoverable or not, it went under and stayed under until We were both safely across and I went back to get it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cneill13
I wondering if the heat and lack of water are making the yellowjackets more aggressive this summer?
They typically nest in the ground and old logs so I am guessing either you or the dogs accidentally kicked them up.
One thing is for sure, Cathy is one tough cookie! And still smiling after 30 stings. Incredible.
You all seem like the perfect hiking couple.
I really enjoy the trip reports. Keep 'em coming.
Carl
Thanks Carl, I think we make a pretty good team as well. Look for another report soon, we have another trip planned this weekend! It'll be a different kind of trip, so we'll see how it goes!
09-03-2016, 13:02
TallPaul
That is a tough way to start a trip. Kudos to you both for going on.
I enjoyed the commentary from the trailside. And agree with you on it being tough to show the steepness of trail.
09-03-2016, 16:52
blackbalsam6214
Thanks for the video.
09-03-2016, 20:54
Tacoma96
John and Beth thanks for sharing with us. You never know what to expect when you go out in the wilderness. Glad you all are OK.
09-04-2016, 06:39
johnspenn
Quote:
Originally Posted by TallPaul
That is a tough way to start a trip. Kudos to you both for going on.
I enjoyed the commentary from the trailside. And agree with you on it being tough to show the steepness of trail.
Thanks TP- yeah alot of what is out there doesn't translate to video. I tried to give a little perspective.
Quote:
Originally Posted by blackbalsam6214
Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tacoma96
John and Beth thanks for sharing with us. You never know what to expect when you go out in the wilderness. Glad you all are OK.
That is so true. Cathy and I didn't expect the yellowjackets or the bears. Gotta tatke the good with the bad! Thanks!
