Miles, Heat, Rain, and THE Coolest Wife in the World

**^shane^** · 10-08-2013, 08:37

I carried an Garmin Oregon 450. In the settings you can set it up to capture screen shots by hitting the power button. Then I just connected the unit to my laptop and pulled the screenshot off.

**MuseJr** · 10-08-2013, 10:38

Thanks for sharing. It sounds like a successful outing. I hope to take a similar trip next year.

**chapmage** · 10-08-2013, 12:11

Wooly Aphid, in case you wanted more info on the bugs.

Thanks for sharing =]

**biggameken** · 10-08-2013, 22:05

Hey Shug and chapmage, thank you for the insight on the wooly aphids. We encountered them in the Sipsey Wilderness Area (Bankhead National Forest in AL) while backpacking Trail 206 near the eye of the needle. They had us scratching our heads...hey, it doesn't take much

On a side note, I'm part of a group of 3 dads and 3 sons (all hangers) who will be backpacking ERL the first weekend in November. Should we be concerned about bears? Is there any need to hang a bear bag?

**ofuros** · 10-08-2013, 22:30

A shared trip is a good trip....
especially if it's with your better half .
Well done both of you.....

**^shane^** · 10-09-2013, 10:15

Hang your smellables. Even if you don't see a friendly little black bear, you will encounter the wiley racoon and occasional skunk.

Water levels in the creeks were a little low but there was more than enough for a group of hikers. Pam and I only carried 1 liter of water apiece while hiking, and just stopped and used the gravity filter as often as needed for water refill. No reason to carry all of that extra weight. We only had to take off our hiking shoes twice for crossing the Little Mo, when entering the Winding Stair area and when leaving the Little Mo trail to begin the Viles Branch.

Chiggers are still out... see my ankles for proof. So wear pants or insect repellant. The trail can be a bit hard to follow when not overgrown, and in its current state it can be a little crazy. Take your time and go from blaze to blaze in the unclear portions.

Enjoy the hills. They are character builders.

You guys should have seen Pamela squirm when she first saw that branch covered in the wooley aphids... and then I broke an old branch on a tree, and about 100 of them fell on my cap and shirt... I think she thought they were gonna kill me...

**UncleMJM** · 10-09-2013, 11:31

Excellent report Shane! Glad to see you both had a great time.

Pamela is really a trooper - you certainly married up.

Please tell her "hi" from our gang.

**^shane^** · 10-09-2013, 12:26

Will do Uncle Mike... still hoping to make Fairfield in a month. I'll let you know one way or the other as soon as travel dates are confirmed.

And I married way up... just don't tell her. She could have done better.

**nothermark** · 10-09-2013, 16:49

Good report, looked like a nice trip with the best companion you will ever find... ;-)

**UncleMJM** · 10-09-2013, 18:13

Originally Posted by ^shane^

Will do Uncle Mike... still hoping to make Fairfield in a month. I'll let you know one way or the other as soon as travel dates are confirmed.

And I married way up... just don't tell her. She could have done better.

I hope it works out in November, if not we'll need to plan something else soon. As for marrying up, I recognize that which I have done as well.