You’re allowed to camp on public land, or at least were, but finding any of that which was suitable for camping was near impossible. We avoided anything that was clearly private. The places we chose for campsites we tested with as care as possible (i.e. no camp fires etc). I’d like to think we left things looking like we had never been there. It was a great trip, but I’m not sure I’d want to repeat due to the poor camping options.

Thanks for the reply! We decided to go with the French Broad for our trip for that very reason. Seemed to have better river camping options. @@tennesseetrekker1951

Let me start by saying this made my day! These videos were always for me, so it’s crazy to me that anyone else enjoys them. I got really into ultra running and this year did a lot of shorter road races. I get that time in nature without the multi day commitment. It’s been fun. That said, I have considered firing up the channel again. I have some untested gear that needs to see some action. The biggest issue is making the time (and needing a camera that’s not my phone)! You definitely have the wheels turning, so might be back sooner rather than later!

@@tennesseetrekker1951 you should fire it back up. I know how time consuming a channel is. Also how frustrating it is but hopefully you’ll start adding again. I was just hiking Montgomery bell yesterday and was thinking about your video filmed there. I went by hall springs shelter and they’ve since rebuilt it and it doesn’t look as nice as when you were there. No longer has that “cabin” look on the outside. Hope you have a great day. Thanks for replying to my comment.

They do a great job of taking care of that park.

There are a few spots that can get “deep”, especially when the water is up. We’re talking 7 to 9 feet tops. Most of it is quite shallow. Sometimes so shallow that you have to walk the boats.

@@tennesseetrekker1951 , Been through that area over the years. My Uncle has a place on the Elk River /Tn River junction. Regular river down there in Alabama.

It’s a fun place. It can get very cold. Whatever the predicted temps, I would plan of 5 degrees cooler. Just make sure everyone brings the appropriate layers and y’all will have a great time!

Awesome! I’ve often thought that would be a great idea. Been away from backpacking for quite some time. Hopefully back in the swing in 2022.

No need to brag about being able to carry 4 ounces. It hurts my feelings!

@@tennesseetrekker1951 do you do a colon cleanse before a trip

Gotta buy a boy dinner first for that kind of insider info.

@@tennesseetrekker1951 I'd love to take you to a nice seafood dinner........and then never call you again !!

You’re forcing me to risk heartbreak for a nice seafood dinner, you tricky minx. Ugh… I hate you (but maybe I love you)!

I’ve been ignoring my channel (obviously), but getting back to it, so I’m just now seeing this. Apologies. If I’m completely honest, I haven’t put it through the ringer enough to give it a full stamp of approval. It’s only done some short day trips. That said, I have enjoyed it. Feels quite solid, especially given the price point. I still need to get better with my paddling technique. Hoping to do a 3 day river trip with it when the weather warms. That’ll be the real test.

It depends on the backcountry regulations that oversee the area you are hiking in. For example, most agencies that oversee trails in the High Sierra mandate that you bury your poop and any TP in a cat hole a minimum of 6” deep and 200 feet away from any water source. If you are a hiker who follows the principles of Leave No Trace, then you would certainly carry out the TP. Most hikers who use bidets find that a bandana or microfiber cloth works well to dry the water. Or just wait a couple minutes and let yourself air dry.

Or use a "special" bandana.....after all at that point it is mainly just water.....then hang on the back of your pack to dry/next time.

Honestly no clue. Was trying to find that info. I’m the worst with that kind of thing on river trips. I asked Chris and he thinks he has that info somewhere, so if he finds it I’ll let you know.

I’m so mad that I didn’t think of this.

@@tennesseetrekker1951 you did, haha. You said it right after backcountry buttcrack butter. I should have put quotation marks in my comment.

HAHAHA! Goldfish memory strikes again. 🤦🏻‍♂️ You should’ve taken credit. I would have never realized 😂

@@tennesseetrekker1951 hahahaha I do that all the time - totally forget what I've said!

Yup. Thought the EXACT same thing. Then I actually tried it. ALL doubts removed! First time I used it I actually used too much water lol I was surprised just how much less water it took and still completely clean myself. My first time few times I would use a wet wipe after the bidet to check because I wasnt convinced it would actually clean me, but that faded quickly. I found I was significantly cleaner than using TP, I was like shower-clean.

Thanks Nathan! Hoping to get some new content up soon. I’ve got so much new gear that hasn’t seen any action yet. So I haven’t done any of the waterways around Gatlinburg. Was hoping to get a couple of River trips in last year and possibly check out what East TN had to offer on that front, but obviously things didn’t work out. I will say that one of the major rivers I have been looking at is the French Broad River. Supposedly camping along the River at certain spots and a variety of access points. Haven’t seen it with my own eyes, but I think it would be a good choice.

There are two different areas set up for primitive camping. Both are on the side we set up (and they have multiple sites at each area). There used to be camping available close to Ravens Point, but it no longer exists. It was my favorite. You’re supposed to reserve sites, but since it is never enforced and the sites are close to that end’s parking lot, a lot of bandit campers come in and just grab whatever site they like. Highly recommend setting up camp as soon as you can.

@@tennesseetrekker1951 thanks for your prompt response. Very. Much appreciated! Have a great week. 😊

Always happy to help when I can. Hope you have a great week yourself and that you get to hit the trails soon!

@@tennesseetrekker1951 I wish the camp site at Ravens point still existed. I m coming from Atlanta, could you recommend some good backpacking/camping areas where you get to enjoy beautiful night skies?

Can get some decent sky views in the South Cumberland area. There is a campsite near Stone Door is really cool (Rattlesnake Point maybe?). Not a gorgeous hike, but camping at The Walls of Jericho has given me a lot of wonderful night sky viewing over the years. Not a ton of light pollution and some nice fields where you can view it unobstructed. Did a video out there is you want to check it out when the water levels were insanely high (Sheltowee Trace Shake Out is the video title I believe).

They are incredibly similar. Mine came with a few more D rings already attached. Originally I was going to get a ROC, but the price had sky rocketed when I went to buy. If I not mistaken, the ROC came with a couple of fin options that the SERENELIFE did not. They’re so similar that I think you would be happy with whichever you can cheapest.

@@tennesseetrekker1951 Were both pumps dual action?

They are. I don’t remember if the ROC has this feature, but the pump for the SERENELIFE allows you to switch from dual to single action pump. Nice to be able to switch once you get close to that max fill.

Hell yeah!

From the powerhouse it’ll only take a few hours to get down. You could realistically make one long push to Two Rivers, which I would probably suggest. Camp sites are nonexistent along the river, which was disappointing.

I haven’t been able to put it through the full ringer yet, but so far I’m a fan. I still suck at paddling the damn thing, but I love being able to sit, kneel, or stand. It’s incredibly durable. When it’s fully inflated you feel like you’re standing on a solid board. I’m still going to be more careful than I was with the yak, but I’m not going to panic when I inevitably bang it into some rocks. The plan is to get it out for a 3-5 day river trip soon. I’m pretty excited about seeing how that goes. I feel like being able to change positions over the course of a long day will be huge!

I do look around for any cool artifacts or fossils when we stop. Used to find them all the time when I was a kid. No such luck as an adult.

We put in at Tim’s Ford Dam. The take out we used this time was at Chenault Ford Road. There is a hard to see gravel road right across from a place called Conner Industries. It’s a terrible takeout and wouldn’t recommend. About 6 or 7 miles down river is another takeout in Fayetteville. So much better and that’s the one I meant to take us to. As for camping, we just try to find an island that will accommodate so that we don’t intrude on any private land. I feel like it changes every time we go due to flooding, growth, etc, so we don’t even try to plan that out. We just shoot for a rough mileage and start looking. That part is a bit stressful but also part of the adventure 😁

@@tennesseetrekker1951 Where exactly in fayetteville? trying to plan a trip on this route very soon! thanks for the advice!

@@coolice668 if memory serves, there is an access point there right at HWY 41 and Thornton Taylor Pwky. Hard to find, and a bit trashed, but one of the roomier access points by a long shot.

@@tennesseetrekker1951 sounds good, thank you. If you have any other recommendations for some overnight kayaking trips around middle tn please let me know!

The Duck has a lot of good options. Lots of various options for it as well since it’s like 279 miles or so. If you type in Duck River Blueway on Google, there’s an entire stretch mapped out with various put in/take out locations.

Lot of fun. Lots of ribbing!

There is no official shuttle that I’m aware of, but I know the Friends of the South Cumberland are a very active group and may be able/willing to work something out with you. Definitely correct in thinking there is a severe lack of Uber/Lyft in the area.

@@tennesseetrekker1951 Thanks for the info. Loving the channel. You are covering my area pretty well. I'm in Huntsville AL. Using some of your stuff to plan for a trip with my kids this year.

That’s awesome! It started as just something fun for me to do and have memories I can show that aren’t just pictures. Feels good to know that it is helping someone scout an area. Hopefully I’ll get back on a regular trip schedule soon!

What is this losing weight on trail I’m hearing about? 😂

I do usually take a piece of Tyvek. Mostly because I want that extra layer of moisture protection for when it rains (and it loves to rain on me). Nice thing about the Tyvek, or sheet of polycro, is it makes for a nice floor mat when you switch over to the hammock.

no need if you opt for the Dyneema bottom

So glad it helped. One of the best trails in the state!

Yes! Definitely a “pick your poison” scenario. Hoping I can get out next month to test a new UL setup. Worried that it’ll have been so long that I’m going to be too pampered to get comfortable.

Agreed. This made me imagine someone grabbing a 2 liter bottle and getting crazy 🤣

Thanks! If you make your way over to this part of TN, it is definitely worth a visit. The trailhead we started at isn’t that far from the interstate. The far trailhead takes a bit to get to, but is right there next to the falls.

@@tennesseetrekker1951 will do. Keep posting and stay safe

This is a really good call. I don’t always have enough extra clothes to stuff it to my comfort, which would be my only concern. Big fan of the multi use though. What hammock are you rocking? I still use the hammock from time to time, especially on river trips where it makes finding camp much easier.

When I was a kid we used those mesh hammocks from Kmart @ $3.95 plus tax. In 06 I got a Hennessy ul Explorer, but after a few years of that I started hiking with a dog and a tent made more sense. I’ve got Warbonnet hammocks and accessories, not because I did not like the other choices like Dream Hammock, but because it was a lot easier to order. I’m just West of Knoxville, TN. My son in law is my hiking, bikepacking partner for most my current adventures. He is out in Sweetwater.

I started out with the Hennessy hammock myself. Bought the Asym zip as soon as it came out. That Warbonnet makes some mighty fine gear. That’s my favorite (and also least favorite) thing about hammocks; so many choices and accessories!

😂🤢🤮 I’d say it’s powerful enough to give you a good time of you’re into that sort of thing.

Tennessee Trekker 😂 I mean the beard! From all the PB tortillas.

🤣🤣🤣 Definitely COULD do that, but why when I can save it for later? 😎

I really enjoyed the it. Looking forward to taking it on a legit expedition. Hopefully with less wind. Being able to move around was nice on my old man back! 😆

What would be of interest? Trips gone poorly or chaotically? Something like that? Honestly never thought about doing something like.

It is the Carson 80. I swear you could drag that thing behind your vehicle all the way to the trailhead and it still be in mind condition. Blows my mind how cheap you can get one when you can find them. Hope you love yours as much as I have loved mine.