Frozen Head Backpack

Every year we look forward to the Sierra Club annual winter backpack. Some years the weather is warm, but this year did not disappoint, the trip provided as much cold weather as we could stand.

Hike leader Ron Shrieves had scheduled the bp for Frozen Head State Park in the Cumberland Mountains. His original plan was to leave Oak Ridge at 8:30 AM for a 30 minute drive and six mile hike to Tubb Springs campsite. John and I were concerned about his shoulder; he had not carried a backpack since his bicycle accident in mid-September. We also though that 8:30 was a very early departure for a six mile hike, especially with the anticipated frigid conditions. We conferred with Will Skelton and all decided to leave Knoxville at 12:30 PM, hike the 3.5-mile North Old Mac Trail and meet the group at the campsite.

Ron's group plans changed to a later departure and changed again when signing in at the Visitor's Center where he learned that the campsite was full. The group was assigned to the Mart Fields campsite via the Spicewood Trail and Ron notified us of the changes by cell. We left Knoxville as planned and started hiking at 2:18 PM (we got lost on the way to the trailhead but don't ask).

Will on the corridor trail that eventually turned into the Spicewood Trail

The Spicewood Trail was a gradual incline that stretched over 3.9 miles. I should say the trail was billed as "gradual", in reality it climbed almost 500' per mile. It was a pleasant hike. We figured the temperature was below freezing but the climbing kept us warm.

John on the Spicewood Trail, stopping for a snack and to zip up against the light wind

John's shoulder did just fine. The hike took a little longer than expected but we could smell the campfire before we could see the campsite so the anticipation helped push us through the final uphill climb. We arrived about 5:00 PM and were pleased to discover a large flat site on the top of the mountain with incredible views on both sides. Ron and group (Steve Harvey, Linda Morrison, Marti Hands and Terri Cox) had their tents set up and were sitting around a roaring campfire. We were surprised to learn that they had arrived only 30 minutes or so before us.

A sunset worth braving the cold

We had a simple but delicious dinner: pine nut couscous with grilled chicken and fresh spinach. It was filling and didn't make much mess. By the time we settled down to dinner, the temps were in the mid to low 20's and a slight breeze blew swirling the campfire smoke around the campsite. By this time, I was wearing long underwear, a fleece vest, fleece jacket, down jacket, 2 sets of gloves, 2 pair of socks, fleece pants, Will's old down booties, a wool hat and the hood from my down jacket to block the gusts of wind. It was cold!

Ron sitting around the campfire. Terri Cox in the back with the blue jacket

The campfire with John's crocs and Will's new booties. Face behind the smoke are Steve (standing) and Linda (sitting).

The group called it a night around 9:00 PM. Even with the fire, it was cold and we were ready to crawl in our warm sleeping bags. Most of our cameras were acting temperamental in the cold.

Chimney Top ridge trail

Morning arrived too soon and it was time to climb out of my nice, warm sleeping bag. John had crawled out of his sleeping bag a few minutes earlier and started heating hot water for drinks and breakfast. Yeah John! It snowed lightly overnight and we were informed that the temp had dropped to 5 F, probably 0 F with windchill. My feet and hands suffered greatly, a not so gentle reminder that I need to come up with a better cold weather system for both.

We hiked out on the Chimney Top trail. It is a 4.9 mile killer trail. I found this description of the trail on a website describing the 7 significant trails in Frozen Head.

"The Frozen Head trail map describes Chimney Top trail as difficult with 3,460' of elevation gain/loss. They got that part correct: It is very difficult and includes two major climbs and descents (more than 1,000' elev. change each) plus several more minor ones. Some grades are in excess of 20%. Better eat your Wheaties and leave that heavy pack at home. Take plenty of water and energy snacks."

Well, we had to carry our heavy packs. It was very cold and we never really warmed up. The visitors center came into sight long after we expected, almost 4 hours after we left the campsite. We were very happy to be off the trail and in a the warm car driving home.

The Chimney Top trail is named for some incredible rock formations along the way. This is just one of many. Additional pictures of the rocks and other pictures from the trip are located at this link ( click on Outdoors and Frozen Head) http://smithposts.smugmug.com/

A very cold me along the Chimney Trail, and yes, we had just climbed straight up the ridge in the back of the picture, no switchbacks here!

Ice on one of the rock formations.

Getting Ready for Backpack #64

Based on my actions this evening, one would think I have never been on a backpack. But here I am getting ready for my 64th backpack and I can't remember what I need. Blame it on my "advanced" age, the missing backpack list or the stresses involved with moving my mother from assisted living to a nursing home, but things are just not coming together for me.

The simple solution is to take everything I own, but this is surely a slap to the face of the ultra lighters who preach "weight, weight, weight." Hmmm, the weather channel is predicting a low of 15 F with the "feels like" down to 7 F. Ultra lighters consider yourselves slapped! In the pack goes the bulky down jacket, fleece jacket, fleece vest, fleece pants, fleece sleeping bag liner, rain pants, jacket and gaiters, glove liners, gloves, hat, fleece neck gaiter....."warm, warm, warm."

Back to Mayberry

I slipped in and out of Mt A this week, after an absence of over 2 months. I enjoyed being back in an office atmosphere and catching up with people I haven't seen in a while. My favorite thing about Mt A is that it changes very little. I can count on seeing the same friendly faces in my favorite places and being greeted by name like I was there last week.

Food and Friends

After a year of little participation in Sierra Club board meetings and activities, I attended yesterday's annual planning retreat as a regular "member". This is the first year since 1998, that I have not served on the board but work related travel has resulted in many misses of board obligations. I enjoyed the meeting, chatting with people I haven't seen in a while and of course the potluck dinner, which was delish. Too bad for the people who wimped out early and went home directly after the meeting.

Below are a few pictures from the dinner:

Kim and Barbara....Barbara is sporting a hat to cover what she calls, a very short hair cut, we think she looks cute!

One of many great food choices...this is lima beans, olives, pepper and spices

John and me

Will and Kim with Bob in the background

Priscilla, John and Kim

David and Barbara

New Year's Day 5K

Today I ran my first 5k in over 6 years. Though slow, the effort was remarkable to me. Over the past years, I have drifted away from dedicated running. Long (and for me, slow) distances, take much time and effort. With a lot of encouragement from John, I put my running shoes back on in late October and hit the hills in my neighborhood and the treadmill at the gym. The running went well, so late in December I decided to sign up for the New Year's Day 5K.

"Timed running" or racing, for me, means high anxiety and this morning was no exception. John drove me to the race so I couldn't back out and it was a good thing! Once the gun went off, I relaxed and enjoyed the experience. As a matter of fact, I enjoyed it so much that I signed up for the Knoxville Marathon 5K in March!

Red Sky in the Morning

Photo from my deck, and yes, it rained all day

Merry Christmas, We Are Back!

We are back! It has been a heck of a December. Mother fell out of her wheelchair in early December. After surgery to insert rods and screws to repair a broken hip and too short a recovery time in the hospital, she was released to a skilled care facility. We expect she will be there several more months.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Daddy came down with pneumonia and Carol with bronchitis. Both illnesses lingered for a couple of weeks so Leslie and I rotated visiting Mother and were careful to avoid Daddy and Carol. Everyone is healthy now...except Mother who is working hard to get back "on her feet."

December was otherwise low key for us. John and I enjoyed dinner with friends scattered though the month, including a memorable meal at Linderhof, where we indulged in a 4 hour food fest of assorted schnitzels, German cabbage, potato salad and lots of talk and laughter. Early in December, the doctor cleared John for all physical activity (remember the collar bone surgery) so we got out on our bikes. Now we are looking forward to January and our first backpack since August.

And somehow, among the fun and family issues, we managed to get ready for Christmas. Below are some pictures of Christmas Day including festivities at the skilled care facility and dinner at Leslie and Mike's house.

In the activities room of the skilled care facility (John is taking photos)

Cranberry glass necklace and earrings, a beautiful gift from Daddy

Wow! An iPod...just what I wanted!!

Carol wearing her new necklace from Daddy

Carol opening something

" Another shirt?" Daddy seems to be saying....

Leslie with a new Christmas ball compliments of Carol's talents

Mother and me

"Another blouse?" Mother seems to be saying....

Leslie and Mike's house, decked out for the holidays

Christmas dinner-lamb, potatoes, salad and squash, yummy!

Mike and Leslie

Two very tired people!

House Mountain Day Hike

John and I hiked House Mountain this morning. We took the Mountain Trail then picked up the Crest Trail to the east overlook (2100') where we could see forever...well, Clinch Mountain and the Smokies anyway. It was a crisp, clear morning, perfect for photos but I forgot my camera so we have no photos.

House Mountain is owned by the state and maintained by Knox County, with a lot of help from local Boy Scout troops. Located only 20 minutes from Knoxville, it is a great place to take a quick hike. A link to the state's website regarding House Mountain is below.

http://www.state.tn.us/environment/na/natareas/housemtn/

Happy Thanksgiving from the Smith Family

The turkey feast is consumed and the pumpkin pie partially eaten. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving; we hope you did too!

Gregory Bald Day Hike

This was the final weekend before Parson Branch Road closed for the season, so John suggested we hike the Gregory Bald Trail (trailhead on Parson Branch). The trail, 9.0-miles round-trip with a 2250' elevation gain and loss, provided a good opportunity to stretch our legs, which, along with the rest of us, are out of shape after being sidelined this summer and fall on account of broken bones.

To get to the trailhead, we had to drive halfway around the Cades Cove Loop Road to the Parson Branch turnoff. It has been a few years since either of us were in the Cove and we had forgotten just how beautiful it is in the morning. There were a number of walkers and bicyclists on the Cove Road but we were early enough that traffic was not a big problem.

The hike was great and the fall colors quite spectacular. All in all a very good day!

Cades Cove in the morning

A misty, beautiful morning in The Cove

Hmmm, I am having more fun than the grimace might indicate

The colors were still spectacular, even this late in the season

Photo by John

"Artsy" photo by John.

The colors are vibrant this year, though they arrived late in the season

Checking the map at a gap along the trail

An unnamed scrubby bush, back lit by the sun.

Beautiful!
John enjoying one more gaze from The Bald before we head back to the car

Art for the Animals

Young-Williams Animal Center in Knoxville held an art auction to benefit the shelter animals. The auction began several weeks ago on ebay, with final bids playing out at this evening's reception. Daddy had two paintings in the auction and both sold to bidders unknown.

Young Williams Animal Center, just off Southerland Avenue. Leslie, Carol and Daddy are walking toward the front door.

The artist and his zebra painting....this is one of our favorites!

Daddy and his rhino picture. The rhinoceros is one of his favorite African animals and often the subject of choice for his paintings.

The Smiths, from left me, Carol, Daddy and Leslie

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is Daddy's birthday, the last in the annual Smith family birthday celebrations. We went to Kalamata Cafe for a nice Greek sandwich and discovered that the restaurant is leaning more toward Japanese cuisine....and the sushi, I must say, looks just fine! Don't know what the owners will call the restaurant if a complete menu transition occurs but meanwhile, Greek and Japanese is an interesting combination.

Happy Birthday Daddy and lots of love, from "the sisters"

Ga-Na-Si-Ta

Daniel, John's son, has recently been playing bass guitar with the local band, Ga-Na-Si-Ta. The band name, I am told, is a Cherokee term for dogwood.

The band, with roots in native, jam, funk and fusion music, originated when two of the band members went to Australia as part of their UT curriculum. Along with studies in anthropology, the musicians learned to play the aboriginal instrument, the Didjeridoo. This instrument forms the keystone to their very unique musical style. You can read more about the group by clicking on the link below.

http://myspace.com/GaNaSiTa

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Each spring we talk about taking rowing lessons. With the Tennessee River in our backyard, the Knoxville area (including Oak Ridge, Maryville and Louisville) hosts a number of rowing clubs and rowing events. This weekend the Head of the Tennessee Regatta was held at Sequoyah Hills Park, so we spent a couple of hours waterfront watching the festivities. The sport is great exercise and competition but ouch...the spandex body suits are unforgiving.

Loading and unloading a scull is quite a process, especially the 4 and 8 person variety! It is all in the team work!

Racks of sculls and lots of rowers

Liked these guys...a team of masters level rowers

We watched the UT Chattanooga rowing team for a while. The coach (on the right) is the Steve Spurrier of rowing....if he had been wearing a visor, we have no question that he would have thrown it down and stomped it flat.

The lady rowers were awesome!

Smash and Grab

We slipped into the late matinee this afternoon to see "Into the Wild". "Into the Wild" is the story of Christopher McCandless, who walked away from his family and privileged life in the early 1990's and hitchhiked across the country to Alaska. The story has a heart breaking end when Christopher dies of starvation in an abandoned bus in the Alaska wilderness. His path back to civilization, blocked by a raging spring river that was only a wide creek at the beginning of his journey into the wilderness.

Based on John Krakauer's non-fiction book with the same name, the movie is compelling and difficult to watch at times. The cinematography is spectacular and it is no surprise that the cinematographer is Eric Gautier, who also worked on another one of our most memorable films, "The Motorcycle Diaries".

Touched by what we had just experienced in the theater, we were slow getting to the car. The first thing that caught our eye was a guy in the car parked next to John's, cleaning glass out of the frame of the driver's door on his Jeep. It took about two seconds before we realized that John's passenger window had also been smashed and glass slivers covered everything. We searched the car and discovered that John's cell was the only thing missing. The guy in the Jeep had his Ipod snatched. John is a combination of angry and violated, I am just angry. What twists in the mind of a criminal that results in such behavior?

Now the "To Do" list for the weekend expands, car detailing, insurance contacts, cellular tasks and replacing the window.