Spring backpacking the Dolly Sods - West Virginia

[@heathbarnett3451]

Gary always cracks me up. He is just plain old fashion Gary..... Like the perfect right hand man to have on a hike.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Awesome hike, I think it is my favorite hiking video yet. I really enjoyed the narrative and the working you did with your hiking partner.

[@FrozensAdventures]

Nature Calls Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@robertwilson6443]

This video is the reason im getting prepared for this hike

[@09Bert]

Nice river crossing while holding the camera :P

[@FrozensAdventures]

Albert Francis Thanks, it was actually harder than it looked. Would have been a lot easier with trekking poles. But anything for the video.

[@jeffgrumley8230]

Just found this vid... Heading to the sods May 4th😀😀 probably doing 3-5 days, not sure mileage yet. Good video man. And greetings from York PA

[@robertwilson6443]

And respect for hiking that without sticks.

[@kerryhazel9293]

I know this is one of your older hikes but man I feel the need to rescue you. Join us sometime for real coffee. My comfort item is the 9 cup perculator and we always end up dumping a cup before hitting the trail. lol. Yes we carry it everywhere.

[@garymorris216]

Love, love LOVE Dolly Sods! I need to get back there again so bad.

[@ducaticanine]

love watching these two fellas. two solid guys/friends. keep the videos coming!

[@edom7]

Hiked this area back in '08, loved it. Thanks to this video I think I need to hike it again.

[@jamisonr]

Good video, thanks for sharing. Going out to Dolly Sods this coming weekend. Hoping to not get lost!

[@stowe18]

Watched this vid half a dozen times- really enjoy it! Just got back yesterday from a one nighter with my wife- we did same route except we cut through breathed mountain trail to make it about 10 miles less than what you did here.. Camped at the forks at Red Creek-- beautiful weather.. And Dobbin Grade really lived up to its reputation- took crocs for that section, but it was still tough.. I thought of you at the intersection where you made the wrong turn.. Thanks again Frozen

[@mdsmd55]

Jason great video. Appreciate your honest sharing of your navigational issues. Looks like you and your buddy had a great time. Liking the new gear as well. Keep it up!

[@JarredSutherland]

Nice video, right at 21 seconds is close to where I camped last year. Heading back to Dolly Sods next month for a three day trip. Love this place!

[@stealthandy638]

hi buddy. I'm from the uk. thankful for sharing your videos. looks great were you are

[@jonizzzle]

Subscribed! I'm planning on two separate trips to Dolly Sods within the next month and your video was awesome showing the different terrain. Keep up the good work dude!

[@dougnc7745]

Enjoyed the new video Outdoor Adventures. You do a great job filming. Hate you didn't find Lions Head. The new gear is outstanding. Do you plan to invest a nice GPS for your backpacking adventures?

[@WoodsTrekkinAdventures]

This is like the 5th Dolly Sods video I've watched in the last 6 months! However, you have done a great job keeping it exciting and different. Great film work and the interaction between you two made this version special. So, the Sods are about 4 hours from my house.....bout time I start making plans.....Frozen, thanks for sharing your adventure.

[@FrozensAdventures]

WoodsTrekka' Thanks dude, it was a great time and glad you enjoyed my adventure. Let me know how your goes!

[@WoodsTrekkinAdventures]

Will do. I am planning my first overnight backpack trip. I am pretty excited....and I plan on filming for my fledgling channel. Will be going to the wayne national forest or raccoon creek....yeah, I'm excited!

[@FrozensAdventures]

I got a video for raccoon if you want to check it out for info.

[@WoodsTrekkinAdventures]

Watched it already. Thanks.

[@danielgolite]

Jason, Great job on video. Looks like a scenic backpacking area. I would like to visit Dolly Sods sometime. There are backpacking trails in Pennsylvania that are very scenic that I have been on (Black Forest Trail, West Rim Trail).

[@brionbearclaw7476]

I and two friends of mine were on Big Stonecoal that weekend, and when you blundered into the swamp down off the pine hill the footprints you saw were ours - we missed the left hand turn up the hill at the cairn too.

[@FrozensAdventures]

+Brion Bearclaw Ha that's pretty funny actually. Have a good one man.

[@awolexplorer8639]

Awesome video man. Keep them coming ...

[@deputyprepper4931]

Great video really enjoyed it

[@Wondering_Fireball]

Have you tried adjusting your filters. I’ve seen people do that and made the picture awesome.

[@AJKPenguin]

The trailhead looks similar to the Rangipo Desert in New Zealand!

[@TheBane1979]

i like how you reminded him to face up stream after he was nearly across lol

[@FrozensAdventures]

Better late than never right?

[@TheBane1979]

@@FrozensAdventures you know how many more Views you’d likely get if he fell in!?! Lol

[@jpgst4366]

Nice video!!! I did the Sods a month ago and it was really nice. I had to laugh as I was not able to find Lions Head as well. If you like wilderness areas you need to look into the Linville Gorge in NC. I did it last October and it was awesome. I have now added it to my annual trip list and it is well worth the trip from the Pittsburgh area.

[@FrozensAdventures]

Hiker X Already planning on it this year, but don't tell anyone haha.

[@adamstilwell7446]

Ha ha ha, tasters nasty! Great vid!

[@neo57611]

Yea, warbonnet awesome! Great gear

[@alexanderschooley1452]

Shout out to Minister Creek!! I go camping, backpacking and fishing there 4-5 times a year

[@23lhvfd]

Nice narrative and film work. Just a suggestion but you might want to give a little more of a description/location when you find the camps - trail name, latitude and longitude or basic mileage from last trail intersection. Change the direction of your camera to forward instead of your head with trees zipping by beside you. You need to find Lions Head, one of the best camp sites in all of Dolly that I have found except it is a dry camp so you'll have to pack in water. From the intersection of Big Stonecoal - Rocky Point (Pointy Rock) trail go south east on Rocky Point (about 20 minutes - 1 mile). There are 2 sets of cairns that lead up the hill to the North (your left) into a pine forest. There are 2 access points to view Lions Head, you want the first one you come to so that you are looking East towards Lions Head, if you go to the second vantage point Lions Head looks like any other rock outcropping. If you like Dolly you might also consider the Roaring Plains area of Dolly. Basically the Roaring Plains is much more remote, higher elevation and dryer than Dolly. This area is just to the south of Forest Road 19 as to Dolly is North of FS19. If you go to the climbing store in downtown Seneca Rocks they have what is called "Bushwhacker" maps of Dolly and Roaring Plains. These are much more detailed than the Forest Service/ Natgeo maps you were using. They also show many more trails than what are approved and maintained by the Forest Service. These are a must for hiking up there. The Roaring Plains also has the 4th highest and lest accessible point in West Virginia. Feel free to email me with any questions you might have about that area, I've been hiking up there since the late 70's.

[@FrozensAdventures]

+Jim Rodgers Thanks for the directions and advice, I think we saw the cairns but didn't put 2 and 2 together.

[@JarredSutherland]

Jim thanks for posting this! We are heading back to Dolly next month but I might consider the Roaring Plains instead now. With it being higher elevation how do you think temperatures would be for mid May?

[@23lhvfd]

I would expect the highs to be about 10 to 15 degrees below what it is in the valley. The closest weather channel report is found by typing in "Four Seasons ski resort" on The Weather Channel". I'd have to guess somewhere on average of 60/35 degrees.

[@JarredSutherland]

Great, thank you for the information!

[@RealG-j2q]

Should've taken your waterproof hiking boots! And some sandals for water crossing.

[@joshmatthew4125]

I watched your fall Dolly Sods video when you made it to Lions Head. It looked a lot less muddy. Was Its?

[@FrozensAdventures]

Spring is pretty muddy in the sods. Go in late summer or fall and it will be fine.

[@joshmatthew4125]

Thank Im headed there mid Sept.

[@zachtang3367]

Planning a trip to sods this labor day. Is there a lot of bear activities? I plan to sleep on the ground under a tarp. Just wonder is it safe? BTW, I'll bring my dog (a crazy shiba inu) to help watching during the night. Thanks.

[@FrozensAdventures]

+Zach Tan We didn't see any signs of bear on this trip, obviously practice bear safety, don't cook at camp, hang your food and anything else that smells (deadorant, toothpaste, etc) in a tree

[@ferbritzeo]

Ok so I really like the music in your videos and I've noticed that you make it yourself. What sort of software and/or experience do you have to make the music for your videos?

[@FrozensAdventures]

ferbritzeo I make some of it myself. For instance the intro which is "explore", and I made the sleep sound effect, the other music in the video is by a fellow youtuber named "musicbypedro". Check him out he has a lot of good royalty free stuff. I always give him credit in the info section of each video.

[@KadirYildiran]

Turkiye'den merhaba. Birkaç videonuzu çok beğenerek izledim başarılar dilerim Hoşçakal ın

[@kylemutchler7191]

Where did you get your map? I am planning on doing this exact trail this summer.

[@FrozensAdventures]

By using Google. Dolly sods map.

[@mikekelly3933]

Did you leave the fire unattended on night 2 when you went on the night hike to Lion's Head? Just asking.

[@FrozensAdventures]

+Mike Kelly we let it die down to coals. And it wasn't windy. Don't worry. I appreciate the concern though.

[@zacharyray4497]

Awesome video, planning on doing this hike with a buddy in a few weeks, any tips, or lessons learned? Also what kind of camera set up are you using? Thanks!

[@FrozensAdventures]

In this video I'm using a Nikon aw110 (waterproof, freezeproof, shockproof) But i've since upgraded to a Sony CX405. As far as the trip, just know there are plenty of camp sites, so don't worry about not finding a spot when the trail gets narrow in certain places. Other than that just have fun, it's a great place.

[@samketchum406]

Nice trip. Thinking of heading down there. Whats it like during March?

[@FrozensAdventures]

wet and cold i'd assume =P

[@samketchum406]

From NH cold is not a problem. I am worried about wet.

[@_andrewpeacock]

How was collecting water during this hike? Boil a ton at night or just rock the water filtration?

[@FrozensAdventures]

Just a water filter did the trick. Boiling water takes too long.

[@_andrewpeacock]

Thanks for the reply brother! Haha we live not far from each other... I'm over in central PA. :)

[@_andrewpeacock]

I'm actually in the works of planning a weekend trip to Dolly Sods come June... anything you would/wouldn't recommend?

[@AJKPenguin]

Dolly Sods. "You can check out any time you Hike, but you can never leave."

[@potatothorn]

looks like that extra rock may have been a poorly constructed turn mark on the cairn, seems like you could have used a better turn marking there the "wrong" trail looked more defined in the video

[@FrozensAdventures]

potatothorn we went west instead of east at the wrong way sign, it was a trail i just didn't look at the compass. It all worked out in the end though

[@potatothorn]

really kinda neat that you got to see that deep bog stuff anyway that was fun to watch(although not as much fun for you guys with wet feet)

[@CoolBreeze0432]

Looks like my kinda trail flat.hehe

[@brionbearclaw7476]

+Mist one Dolly Sods is definitely not flat. :) There are sections in the High sods that are at the least not climbing or descending, but the terrain is extremely rugged and demanding, with few sources of water away from Red Creek and its three tributary forks in the High Sods. :)

[@steamtheory]

How are the bugs at night? I was going to hammock but don't have a bug net (eno doublenest, JRB greylock 3, Wb edge tarp). I use permethrin on clothes and hammock and deet. Mosquitos bad at night?

[@FrozensAdventures]

***** Since it got down to 35 both nights, there weren't many bugs at all, so I really can only speculate that since the trails are so wet and marshy then I'd expect the bugs to be pretty bad for warmer weather.

[@steamtheory]

Thanks! nice video!

[@driverjam2278]

Steam Theory how is permethrin? DEET just doesn't seem to work for me anymore. I went on my annual trip back home to Arkansas to do some backpacking with a friend. I got eaten up pretty bad and the places where I got bitten was still visible after a month. Does the premethrin works well?

[@mountainmuse]

I'm planning a trip to DS in November and I loved that first campsite, can you give me an idea of where it is located? Thanks!

[@FrozensAdventures]

+MountainMuse not far from the first sign on your left you will see a fire ring.

[@mountainmuse]

Thanks for your quick reply!

[@FrozensAdventures]

+MountainMuse np it's right before you get to a field of rocks. I was just there yesterday. If you go a little further right before the 2nd small stream crossing look to your left there is a better but smaller campsite. Good for a tent or 2 hammocks.

[@mountainmuse]

Great and water source close by...

[@mountainmuse]

Talking about hammocks...www.massdrop.com/buy/klymit-hammock-v-pad?referer=A2SDMX

[@darrengarlough5121]

looking to take my teenage kids backpacking April thinking dolly sods trying to hike good solid ground maybe even redrivergorge never been to either lookin for suggestions from someone someone that knows. I'm from Eastern ohio

[@mattfoulk8568]

I'm supposed to head there in a month.... is it worth trudging through all that water?!

[@FrozensAdventures]

Matt Foulk Matt, I'd say it's definately worth it. I'd say 30% of the trail is wet, 2% is muddy, the rest is dry (or you are able to move tot he sides and stay dry). Bring 3 pairs of socks, and by June you can probably use some boots. But I'd still recommend a quick drying shoe. It really wasn't that bad, it was my own fault I burned my insoles not paying attention. The views there are worth any trail conditions, especially the northern side of the Sods. Have fun dude.

[@kungpow108]

Outdoor Adventures But, by June your feet will be sweating nonstop in the heat. Then, your feet will eventually be soaked with sweat with little breathability. Plus, they won't dry as fast as camp.

[@bobbysmith2781]

What pack did your buddy have ?

[@FrozensAdventures]

Bobby Smith He's carrying the Osprey Exos 38L and I'm carrying the 48L version

[@bobbysmith2781]

Outdoor Adventures what did you like best ? can you do a review of both ? really like your videos , thanks

[@FrozensAdventures]

I haven't had it long enough to do an in depth review just yet. I only do reviews after I fully test a product.

[@bobbysmith2781]

ok sounds good

[@kungpow108]

Bobby Smith Quick response, the Osprey Exos series is a good blend of features and lightweight. I think it's a great pack to get if you're looking to start getting into lightening your weight. The mesh outside allows you to really make use of the space along with the side pockets for a water bottle or other gear. I'd recommend it to anyone.

[@towerclimber7277]

I couldn't quite hear what brand of tarp tent that was... Anyone know what it was?

[@FrozensAdventures]

+Towerdog 727 Tarptent Notch. It's been recently designed as well I believe.

[@user-bx9ib2br6h]

Do you use gaiters?

[@FrozensAdventures]

? Nah, I don't mind getting a little muddy.

[@user-bx9ib2br6h]

Outdoor Adventures Lol fair enough.

[@FrozensAdventures]

I bet they really help keeping your pants dry walking through brush though.

[@user-bx9ib2br6h]

Outdoor Adventures Yeah that's what I thought. I'm just gathering info for hiking, thanks for your time.

[@zachtang3367]

Your Osprey magnetic hose attachment will mess your compass direction seriously within close range

[@FrozensAdventures]

+Zach Tan Yea I quickly realized that when I first got my bladder, I hold my compass well below the magnetic region.

[@mehshovely]

Are you sponsored by any equipment companies?

[@FrozensAdventures]

No I'm not sponsored. Sometimes I reach out to companies to try out gear that I am interested in. Sometimes the outcome is a good review, sometimes the review isn't so good.

[@CalPhillips]

What month was this in?

[@FrozensAdventures]

This was mid april

[@michaelbroyer3918]

love the video. Not impressed with your navigation. I have hike every trail in DSW.