On this trip we spent 4 days backpacking the popular Standing Indian Loop along the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina. This stretch in the Nantahala Forest really epitomizes the Green Tunnel moniker that the AT has rightfully earned with the thick canopies and plentiful rhododendron. A lot of the rhodos were still in bloom when we visited at the beginning of July!
I used my trusty Simply Light Designs hammock & tarp as always, this was Devin's first trip after upgrading from a Hennessy Asym Tarp to a Simply Light Designs Trail Haven. Even though we didn't have much rain (at camp) to really test it she enjoyed having the larger tarp. Joey & Cate used spreader bars to set up both of their hammocks under one tarp which was a strategy I hadn't seen used in person before but it did work.
You never know what kind of weather you are going to get in this area, our view on the top of Albert Mountain was, for the most part, obscured by clouds but later in the trip we got to experience awesome views and incredible rolling fog on the top of Standing Indian Mountain. One of the most simultaneously beautiful and mysterious experiences I have had!
Shorter highlight video for anyone who doesn't want all the details: https://youtu.be/s-7wUFXtKD4
Please let me know what you like/don't like about the video, I am working to improve with each trip.
Enjoy the video trip report from our journey!
Layne
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