Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13
  1. #1
    Senior Member johnspenn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Marietta, GA
    Hammock
    DIY TCF Sage Green
    Tarp
    Noah's Tarp 12x12
    Insulation
    MAMW TQ, UGQ UQ
    Suspension
    webbing/whoopies
    Posts
    3,203
    Images
    1

    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...


  2. #2
    Senior Member TrailSlug's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Huntsville, AL
    Hammock
    Warbonnet RR / BlackbirdXLC
    Tarp
    SimplyLightDesigns
    Insulation
    Lynx / LocoLibre
    Suspension
    webbing/buckles
    Posts
    7,730
    Images
    1
    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.

  3. #3
    Herder of Cats OutandBack's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    8,761
    Images
    129
    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?

  4. #4
    STinGa's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Georgia, ^ of Atlanta
    Hammock
    DIY standard gathered end (DL 1.1)
    Tarp
    Chinook 12x9
    Insulation
    Nada ... yet
    Suspension
    DIY whoopies
    Posts
    1,337
    Images
    10
    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
    Sarcasm is a dying art.

    Eagle Scout September '85 Troop 339 Smyrna, TN

  5. #5
    Senior Member cneill13's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Hammock
    SLD Trail Lair
    Tarp
    UGQ Winter Dream
    Insulation
    JRBNest, LocoLibre
    Suspension
    Beetle Buckle
    Posts
    381
    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

  6. #6
    Senior Member johnspenn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Marietta, GA
    Hammock
    DIY TCF Sage Green
    Tarp
    Noah's Tarp 12x12
    Insulation
    MAMW TQ, UGQ UQ
    Suspension
    webbing/whoopies
    Posts
    3,203
    Images
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by TrailSlug View Post
    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 View Post
    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 View Post
    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 View Post
    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!

  7. #7
    TallPaul's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Hammock
    WBXLC, WBBB, LiteOwl
    Tarp
    Superfly, MambaJam
    Insulation
    HG Phoenix, WL Sum
    Suspension
    Webbing, Whoopies
    Posts
    4,076
    Images
    13
    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.

  8. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    hendersonville, NC
    Hammock
    Warbonnet BB 1.7Dbl Dream Hammock T
    Tarp
    WB Superfly
    Insulation
    UGQ
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    97
    Thanks for the video.

  9. #9
    Tacoma96's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Clayton, NC
    Hammock
    WBBB, RR, Eno Dn
    Tarp
    WB SF, CB
    Insulation
    WB Mamba, UGQUQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies, D Clips
    Posts
    2,719
    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.
    Straight out of Clayton.

    Most physical hike: Grandfather Mountain, NC. Aug 13.

    I don't need to make my pack lighter. I need to make my (_*_) lighter.

  10. #10
    Senior Member johnspenn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Marietta, GA
    Hammock
    DIY TCF Sage Green
    Tarp
    Noah's Tarp 12x12
    Insulation
    MAMW TQ, UGQ UQ
    Suspension
    webbing/whoopies
    Posts
    3,203
    Images
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by TallPaul View Post
    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 View Post
    Thanks for the video.
    Thanks for watching!

    Quote Originally Posted by Tacoma96 View Post
    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!

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. VIDEO: My Wife and I Day Hike in the Cohutta Wilderness
      By johnspenn in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 07-06-2016, 21:40
    2. Jacks River Falls backpack, Cohutta Wilderness, North Georgia
      By lazyboy in forum Hangouts, Campouts, and Trip Planning
      Replies: 0
      Last Post: 09-11-2012, 13:39
    3. Video: for BrucieHi5 'Hiking with the Bears of Katmai NP
      By MedicineMan in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 21
      Last Post: 08-31-2012, 21:14
    4. 3/17-18 in the Birkhead Widerness
      By millergear in forum Hangouts, Campouts, and Trip Planning
      Replies: 6
      Last Post: 03-14-2012, 21:59

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •