Hello from Raleigh, NC

**Anubrious** · 08-13-2015, 16:52

So I have wanted to get into backpacking for a long time and finally decided I only live once and am taking the plunge. My wife and I love day-hiking but she has never been camping before. We walked into our local REI to get an idea of gear and she saw the ENO hammocks and said "I would much rather backpack with a hammock where the bugs on the ground can't get me." Hence, here I am. Being the researcher I am, I began searching for info about hammocks and found this great site. After reading a lot here and looking at different vendors I made the decision for both of us. I spent way too much money just to try this out, but from what I have seen in the classified section of the forum, I can make most of my money back reselling gear if either of us do not like it. I ended up ordering 2 Warbonnet Blackbird single 1.7's, 2 Mamajamba tarps, and 2 Hammock Gear Incubator 20 under quilts. We both have 30 degree synthetic (cheap) sleeping bags that will use as top quilts until I save enough money to purchase some nice Hammock Gear top quilts. I wanted to order one Darien Dream hammock and one WBBB but I was not interested in the 7-8 week wait for the Dream hammock, so maybe next year. I did not realize how expensive this could be, Dutchware adds up quickly haha...

Anyway, enough about what I have ordered. I am looking forward to getting out there and doing some real mileage compared to day-hikes. Trying to plan a weekend trip to Linville Gorge. If anyone would like to offer a good overnight loop in NC or VA for a beginner to get me ready for Linville Gorge, that would be awesome.

I look forward to meeting new people and hope to meet some people looking for others to hike with because I am pretty sure I am going to want to go much more often than my wife and not so sure solo backpacking is for me yet.

Also wanted to give a shout out to Shug and Sintax77. I know Shug is a member of the site but I am not sure about Sintax77, however their Youtube videos have really helped me tremendously.

**TallPaul** · 08-13-2015, 17:06

Spend $10 or so more and get the book Backpacking North Carolina by Joe Miller. It is my go to.
A few choices... Wilson Creek, South Mountain State Park, Uwharrie Natl forest.
My YouTube channel has some videos from my various trips to places in the SE.
Enjoy your time backpacking. I got back into a few years ago and it is money well spent, even though it hurts upfront.

**millergear** · 08-13-2015, 17:28

Greetings from a fellow Raleighite! You made great choices, can't go wrong with any of them. With experience you can fine tune, sell/trade for other alternatives. Check out my fellow "Gorge Rats" Forum for Linville Gorge info and news:
http://www.linvillegorge.net/smf/index.php

**gunner76** · 08-13-2015, 17:32

welcome to the madness from down on the coast.

You got some very good gear there to start off with. Several group hangs coming up this fall near you....Jordan Lake, Hot Springs, Merchants Mill Pond, Yates Place and Grayson Highlands in Virginia ( a favorite of The Terminator and me ) and the Fall Sprawl in South Carolina ( good bunch of people there ).

The Neusiok Trail down here on the coast is a great place to hike and hang once the weather cools off and the bugs die off ( I have just moved the web site Neusioktrail.org to a new hosting service and I am having some technical issues with the images do not want to play nice now ). Contact Tacoma95 who lives in Clayton and he can fill you in on all the hiking areas around Raleigh

**timberlake** · 08-13-2015, 18:00

Welcome from Roxboro, NC. I agree with TallPaul. Check out his channel..Good local trips.

**Anubrious** · 08-13-2015, 18:35

Thanks for the replies. TallPaul, I will check out your videos. Gunner76, how do I find out more information regarding the group hangs and what they are all about?

**gunner76** · 08-13-2015, 18:48

Go to "Outings....Southeast" here on the forum and start looking.

Group hangs is when a bunch of hangers will get together to camp out and show off our gear, have a good time ect. Lots of fun and most times some good food.

**Comet_Seeker** · 08-13-2015, 18:57

You will definitely want to go to the group hangs, especially if your wife is on the fence about lots of camping. Just be sure Hotlips and Kingsford are at the hang. Their food will secure the deal. I will warn you, it can be quite addicting. Also, Gunner may have forgotten a few examples of hangs in his signature.