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I Don't Camp but I Did

"I don't understand camping. We're voluntarily living like dogs." Flo from Pitch Perfect 2 had some sage words that I agreed with for most of my life. But did my weekend backpacking trip change those feelings? 

To note, my camping experience is very limited. Aside from this weekend, I think I've slept in a tent three other times. And none of those were backpacking experiences, most where when I accompanied friends' families growing up. 

From these camping experiences, what has been my experience you ask? Hot, uncomfortable, sleep deprived and ornery about cover it. 

But part of this 30 Before 30 journey was revisiting things that I might have prematurely written off in life, giving a second glance and making a firmer and more educated decision. I love to be outdoors, and I love to hike. I just want to come home, take a shower and sleep in my bed at the end of the day. 

But living in the great outdoorsy city of Chattanooga and having lots of friends who camp, I decided to make this a camping/backpacking excursion. Revisiting all that comes with camping with the added difficulties of hauling everything you need on your back, Chance, my sister and my brother in law set out to do a one night adventure in Savage Gulf in South Cumberland State Park.  

We did a 12.5 mile round trip hike. The hike was steep, but this distance was good for an intermediate hiker trying out backpacking. I would suggest your first backpacking trip to be in the spring or fall versus the 90 degree weather we attempted. Not my best scheduling choice, but it worked. Also, it's nice going with someone who knows what they are doing. Having my sister and brother in law who've backpacked before tag along added a level of much appreciated comfort.

Our little stove. 
Backpacking can be a very expensive hobby. You need a pack, tent, a cooking apparatus and water filtration system, and I didn't want to make a huge investment. Thankfully, Rock/Creek off Amnicola here in Chattanooga rents tents, packs and sleeping bags. My talented husband made a cooking stove out of aluminum cans and used Everclear as fuel. And we did buy a water filtration system. 

So how did it go? Would I do it again? It was hot and a little uncomfortable at times. I packed my backpack a little too heavy, an average rookie mistake, and had some rubbing on my collarbones. Resupply water was a little too scarce throughout our route especially on such a hot two day stretch. Although, my husband is a super planner, and we were never in any danger. There was a pack of coyotes that decided to attack and more than likely kill what I can only guess was a stray dog around 1:30am in the morning about 100 yards away from our camp. I'm still a little traumatized by this. And there is a lot of planning and prep work involved in backpacking especially for newbies. 

However, there is something magical about waking up in the woods. The absorbing calm with a warm cup of coffee in hand about to embark on a long hike out was a great feeling. There is also something primal and fulfilling to know you made it. Trust me, I understand the scope of my one night in the woods versus a through hike of the Appalachian Trail. But, you're filtering water you find, hauling everything you need and feeding yourself through cooking on an aluminum can stove. It was a neat experience. 

My final verdict on camping and backpacking, I don't think it will be something we do often. I can see buying used or greatly reduced gear as we find it and tag along on 1-2 backpacking trips with friends in cooler times of the year. And while I don't see myself yearning to go camping much, I'm glad I put this on the list. It was worth revisiting. 

A big thank you to my husband Chance who did a lot of the heavy lifting in the planning and prep work for this adventure. You're the best, and I'm glad to say after 10 years of love, there are still fun firsts we get to do together. 


Nice views from the top of Stone Door. 


A little cabin we visited in the park 
The staircase of Stone Door. 

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