#traymountain

[ur-a-bus]

Spent all day admiring that Venetian red . . . . #subaru #xv #crosstrek #venetianred #fb20society #generalgrabbers #primitiveracing #rumblebros #rumblehoes #traymountain #helengeorgia #wandernorthgeorgia #auxbeam #impreza #mtnroo #offroadsubaru

[glacierbandits]

Tray Mountain Overnight

What happens when you get a Salesforce consultant, project manager, product owner, and 3 students together? Well, in this case an overnight backpacking trip on Tray mountain in Georgia!

The genesis of the trip started within the IT world when I discussed my penchant for unconventional vacations - this admission sparked the adventurous spirit within Prasad, who ventured with me earlier in the year on an overnight to Springer Mountain. That led to his acceptance of a second trip, and bringing his daughter along for the experience. The PM we worked with, Lee, also threw his backpack on and came on the overnight with us, and my daughter and her roommate joined us as well.

The plan was to hike from Unicoi Gap to the Tray Mountain shelter, spend the night, and return the next morning. So, meeting at the parking lot 9:45am Nov 3, we started the hike. And immediately started to climb. And climb. In the first 1.5 miles, we climbed 1,030′ to summit Rocky Mountain (no, not those in Colorado), then descended 900′ over the next 1.3 miles as it arrives in Indian Grave Gap. The next 2.8 miles climb another 1,400′ to the summit of Tray Mountain with fantastic views to the south - we even made out Stone Mountain and the Atlanta Skyline to the south through the haze.

As we made out way to the campsite, we discussed the weather, and how the temperatures were dropping overnight. Well, wouldn’t you know it, we chose the coldest night of the year so far. Everyone had 20-degree bags and were sleeping in tents except for me, as I was equipped with my hammock and 30-degree down top quilt and underquilt. This was to be the test of my new gear.

The girls found the best campsite right on the top of the ridge looking out over the valley to the south. We were able to relax for about an hour after setting up camp, doing camp chores, and then setting about cooking dinner. The “bar” opened about 15 minutes before dinner and then we fired up the stoves and boiled water for the backpacker meals and feasted on rehydrated food and cabernet. Our attempt at making a fire failed so we lamented our lack of arson-related activity. 

The night went down to 38F, so yeah, it was cold. And to add to that the wind blew straight up the side of the mountain into our campsite. But the warmth in the hammock and the quilts performed and I was warm throughout the night.

Morning arrived, the clocks turned back, and we were on our way. The temperatures never made it out of the 40′s until we arrived back at our vehicles 4.5 hours later. I think one of us said, “did the mountains grow overnight? I don’t remember this climb on the way in.”

Sometimes it’s not about the numbers. You can talk about hiking a mountain, bagging a peak, or the distance or elevation you accomplished. But not all hikes are like that. There’s something to be said for just being with others, enjoying the campsite, and laughing together about the failure in making a fire. And then planning to do it all over again on another trail in a few months.

[glacierbandits]

Not a bad way to wake up in a Sunday morning at a #campsite. Quick overnight #backpacking trip to #traymountain (at Tray Mountain) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpzBqRGD7wn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mro58kbgekpf

[singinman]

I think this is gonna be a weekly thing..... #camping #campout #bff #northgeorgia #traymountain (at Tray Mountain)

[ibeyphotos]

Can't beat starry nights on the A.T. Lights of Atlanta creeping in, as well as some clouds. #appalachiantrials #thruhikesyndicate #traymountain #nature #appalachiantrail #At2016 #longexposure