Hammock Camping the Dolly Sods Wilderness - Solo Backpacking Trip

[@DebCampos]

Nobody tells a backpacking story better than you Sintax!! My favorite part: Mr. Turtle 🐢🐢!!

[@MrMysterious92]

He inspires us all to get out :)

[@johnnySMALLpepper]

I LIKE HIS ABILITY TO LAUGH AT HIMSELF, HIS SITUATION AND......HIS TENACITY TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES.

[@zahireduardo8463]

instablaster...

[@stevemick6569]

The Sods are a beautiful area to hike and camp. Thanks for sharing your adventure in my home state.

[@unclejimsstorytime5916]

Seen this video twice now, you guys have inspired me to take up hiking and camping 🏕

[@sintax77]

Nice! Congrats on deciding to start getting out there. Enjoy it!

[@tetonterri]

Beautiful country out there in the Dolly Sods. Thanks for showing it off!

[@barbararobbins5309]

I thought I had watched all of your vids twice, but apparently I had missed this one. I just watched it, and I too love the close up of Mr. Turtle. I've never seen the face of a turtle like that before. It was lovely; the first day or two the sky was a gorgeous blue. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

[@lukewissman5145]

Just went there this summer one of the funniest experiences I’ve had in awhile!!

[@josephkoomson6676]

always enjoying your videos and like the way you tell us all you have for your backpack

[@mikestanford6418]

Thanks brother for this video. We did the loop and set up near lions head last night on the sites near the ridge. Day two was 554-514-511 and we did the road instead of the bog. There was a part in the video where you crossed over a bunch of sticks and turned around saying that someone intentionally put them there to say it’s not the trail. I totally remembered this and it saved us from going off trail. So list this as educational video as well, lol. Was an awesome trip and your videos rock as always! I will certainly head back there soon

[@sintax77]

Thanks, Mike. Glad you enjoyed the vid. It's a great little area down there :)

[@JustBBlunt]

I also have the Amok Draumr XL in green. Love it!

[@myplace848]

Another hour on this evening watching your camps mate. Thank you for the bring-along.

[@ianmagiskan9282]

9:08 Stunning Area! Wow! Great Vid by the way!

[@godking_ginge]

Planning the exact same trip end of August this year. Like, I'm looking at my map now and it's, turn by turn the same route. Awesome! Trying to convince a few newbies to come along and hoping they catch the hiking bug :) Thanks for sharing! I can show 'em your vid and hope it get them excited :)

[@sintax77]

That's awesome. There's a link to my GPS data in the vid description if that helps as well. It's a really fun area. Enjoy the trip!

[@schmeilfordsburger2906]

Dude next time you go swing by Tohmas Wv the Purple Fiddler has dank beer and lamb burgers a certain day of the week. My buddy jim and me did a loop in the Sods and some girl on the trail told my buddy to stop in and we did, it was bomb!

[@sintax77]

Thanks, I'll have to add that to the list. Good looking out :)

[@usejustonce2386]

So much of this video is absolutely GORGEOUS!

[@vntimm]

If you are already wet just take Dobbin Grade Trail. It also has 2 of my favorite camp sites in the area

[@Twobarpsi]

Wow, that's crazy 22:00 (give or take) I was going to comment, after watching this video, that I remember your first video, when you went in October! I was going to say, "I don't remember the Dolly Sods being this beautiful!" I cant believe how beautiful it is in June!! Greatttttt upload! I enjoyed this! I would be scared to getting lost though without proper blazes....

[@Yooper05]

My son has always ate ramen dried the way you do. Great video. Thanks.

[@JaredHikes]

Hell ya! Dry top roman with just a little of the seasoning does make an amazing snack. Can't go wrong with extra roman, water or not.

[@ve3tvb]

Nice to see you again it's been a dry winter

[@woozei]

The trip data you uploaded was invaluable to us on our trip this weekend, as we lost the trail sooo many times. Thanks so much!

[@sintax77]

Glad to hear that the data was helpful :) Hope you had a great trip!

[@mikekarika2003]

Probably my most enjoyable hike to date was dolly sods. Will be going back again this fall.

[@sintax77]

Fall is great! Enjoy it :)

[@mrrims]

Beautiful! Def need to check that place out.

[@KateWentCamping]

First time watching. Loved the scenery you captured. You have a real eye for beauty.

[@sintax77]

Thanks, Kate. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@spearsba]

Catching up on your videos. Funny about Merrill boots. I’ve had a few and they all split at the ball of the foot.

[@orangepeacock]

Nothing wrong with eating ramen like that! My students in Korea showed me that trick and I've been a fan ever since. Wanted to say that thanks to your videos and others on youtube, I've been really wanting to get out and hike! Planning on doing some day hikes but camping at an established camp ground. Thanks for linking all your gear and resources in the description, they've been a big help!

[@sintax77]

Thanks, JR. I'm happy to hear you're finding the vids helpful. Congrats on getting out there! Day hikes from a campground is a great way to get started with gear choices and building confidence. Have fun!

[@twentyonetwelve2179]

Love your vids! I'm in CO now and don't use these as much as I did when I was living in OR but the "Wiggys" Lightweight Waders come in very handy for water crossings... like the pool at 47:37 You could probably make them yourself or find something similar but they are great for water up to above your knees if needed.

[@sintax77]

Thanks, 212. Those sound cool, I'll have to check it out.

[@uptrail7169]

Great job with this video!👍 I can't believe that it has been 6 years since I watched your first Dolly Sods video. The campsite on night 2 was awesome. You also have an excuse to come back someday to make it all of the way to the top of Lions Head for the awesome views.

[@sintax77]

Crazy right? We went all the way up on top of Lions Head on our 2014 winter trip and there's actually some good camping up there in the woods as well. Similar to that first site, but with a lot more wind, haha.

[@jamestalbott2547]

Did the loop last week. I grow up around there and boy is the area great.

[@Woodswalker1965]

Yup I'm a fan of the dry smashed Ramen noodles👍

[@sintax77]

Snack Ramen Crew represent!

[@winnebegowarrior]

Smashed ramen was a staple in Iraq glad I’m not the only one who does it!

[@09Bert]

Great video! Please more night time footage. Love a good fire or dinner talk!

[@patrickkawa6350]

dobin grade is probably my favorite trail weirdly. its a fun problem solving maze. although i would recommend it being saved for the tripout unless you want wet feet the entire time.

[@herdfan697278]

Yeah West Virginia, the backpacking capital of the East!

[@roxskater111]

Just went there for my first time with my girlfriend the last weekend in May. We took the rough section of dobbin grade trail right off the bat in the pouring rain, big mistake. We also had a ton of deer sniffing around camp every night. What an amazing and unique place.

[@sintax77]

Oh, man - nothing like starting things off with some mud wading! Sounds like you ended up having a good time, though. :)

[@roxskater111]

@@sintax77for real hahahah! yep turned out to be a great trip! We are looking to head up to New Hampshire's presidential range in August with the plan to do 2 nights, any suggestions? I think the pemi loop might be too much for her.

[@12gaDefender]

I overshot that same turn on big stone coal, tried to bushwhacked... bad idea. Thanks for the vids Sintax

[@sintax77]

Glad I caught it early. From looking at the map, I was wondering if it just followed the creek down to the next intersection, but it sounds like it fades out eventually?

[@12gaDefender]

sintax77 yes, you keep paralleling the creek, and the “trail” turns into a very faint, game trail. I figured since I didn’t cross the creek , I missed the turn. Bushwhacking landed me into a shin deep bog. Not to mention the risk of live ordinance 🙄

[@sintax77]

Ah, yes the live ordinance. I had to keep reminding myself of that too. Glad you made it alright in the end, though!

[@mikitta47]

Dobin Grade today was dry, but then all the watercourses were really low. I was going to take Dobin Grade up to Bear Rocks, but there wasn't a trail marker and I ended up on the Beaver Pond trail. Other than that, I did your loop.

[@oldmenhikingjeffgandee]

I haven't had a chance to watch all of this, but so far it's like watching a replay the trip we took about two weeks before you...right down to the same campsite with the electric skillet (we wondered why as well) and most probably the same doe who kept walking through our campsite. She didn't seem afraid of us at all, just curious and at one point she walked within about five feet of one of our group and just stood there staring. We did, however, have the added pleasure of a troop of boy scouts marching in at 11pm yelling "we found it!" as loud as they could.

[@cgriggsiv]

Awesome young man that you are out at dolly sods now I have you to watch I have Frozen to watch Thomas Heaton to watch adventure archives to watch damn I got a lot of people to watch tonight

[@ezrazbach6789]

Someone else had mentioned this already but I thought I would reiterate it. The water is not red from iron but from the tannins in the water. All bog fed streams are red in color.

[@EventyrsorenDenmark]

Great video.Enjoyed it very much.Thanks !!!

[@96money96]

That’s so crazy...that campsite you showed on Big Stone Coal is the same campsite I stayed at!

[@bladeefanaccount]

hopefully the youtube algorithm picks this one up 🙏 🙏 great video as always

[@williambranham6249]

Heard a lot about D Sods but have never hiked. The mud deal looks like Vermont trails (hope you've had a chance to visit) although not as bad as what your wife encountered. My wife did get sucked into the mud such that she had trouble getting her feet out. She lost balance then did a butt plant. I asked her to hold it while I got a photo. I got the look. Nice production.

[@wolfe-hz8wq]

Another good one thanks from a old guy.

[@jimbort_de_breces]

I have become addicted to your channel. Eventually I hope to view all of your uploads. Hiking & backpacking is on my list to resume in the near future. Great info (no bs) and entertaining. Keep 'em coming. I have learned alot & am gearing up (not neccessarily ultralight).. I enjoy when Sarah & Mike make an appearance. Happy July 4th!!! God Bless.. PS- I like that you make no apologies for being able to defend yourself & those in your charge. James

[@sintax77]

Thanks, James! Glad to hear you're enjoying the channel and finding helpful.

[@davidyazvac9325]

The red water is a result of tannins from the Spruce and Hemlock, not from iron content as you describe. Same goes for the nearby Blackwater River.

[@m_hibbs]

If you plan on coming back, I'd sure like to know. I love hiking and camping there!

[@jeremiahcollins3411]

always love seeing you hit up my stompin grounds. great video, sintax!

[@sintax77]

Thanks, Jeremiah. Love it down there :D

[@thefirefighterwaylifefight2030]

Man I definitely need to do an overnight trip.....This looks amazing

[@PositivelyHealthy]

My last trip I didn't have the mud, but I did have the wet... not so much the rain itself, just trekking through the wet brush. I had dry shoes and socks in the car, but probably the first half-hour on the road I just wore the socks and drove with the lower heat blasting.

[@nathanmullins836]

There’s an unofficial dobbin grade bypass trail a short walk up raven ridge. On the right.

[@sintax77]

Good to know! Thanks for the heads up. I'll keep that in mind.

[@TheSonicVoid]

Hope you weren't up there when those storms rolled through. We were down in the Monongahela National Forest along Seneca Creek when they hit. The stream crested within 2 hours, washing out the road with downed trees blocking the other way out. Quite an experience. We luckily were finally able to make it out of there.

[@sintax77]

Wow, I think I may have lucked out and just missed that. Glad to hear that you were able to make it out okay.

[@TheSonicVoid]

@@sintax77 Yeah, it was pretty scary for a little bit. We definitely lucked out.

[@BirdShotIV]

Always enjoy a Sintax77 upload, year after year.

[@sintax77]

Thanks, Birdshot. Yep, I'm still kickin, haha.

[@ericsimons6712]

I just did the same loop a few weeks ago! Only difference was I made day 1 my long day because I wanted to camp along Stonecoal Run. Definitely one of my favorite East Coast backpacking spots.

[@alexwbanks70]

I camped at that same spot on Big Stonecoal two years ago. Saw a huge black bear on Red Creek the next day.

[@mikefarnkopf9813]

Nice hike man! Looks like a cool route!👍

[@gregharmon3797]

Great videos Sintax

[@paddle_hike]

Awesome trip. Super views. I'm a hammock camper too.

[@JohnPetrie]

TEAM ELK hat!!!! Nice. RMEF life member here.

[@grapesofthepanda]

I just finished telling my wife about eating Ramen raw. I am a fan of licking the noodle chunks and sticking them into the powder pile. Good stuff!

[@williambranham6249]

Thomas: If I was a woman I would find that disgusting. Fortunately I'm not.

[@sonnyboywannabe]

at 30' you were at the Cabin Mountain spur off the rocky ridge trail. you would have been OK as it brings you back up to Rocky Ridge. it's called "Valley View Trail" and is technically part of the cabin association just below you, but it runs parallel with and connects to Rocky Ridge at both ends.

[@sintax77]

Ah, good to know! Thanks for sharing that.

[@rgmALC]

The way you squeeze every last drip of water out of the BeFree....that’s how they break. The rubbery plastic will separate from the harder plastic near the blue part when you wrench on them like that.

[@mr.fisher3973]

Dobbin’s trail absolutely sucks!!! Was on it last fall and it was a swamp. Actually had a buddy sink up past his knees in one part. Great video and still one of my favorite backpacking destinations - just not dobbin!!

[@adrianmacklin418]

My wife and me stayed at that campsite with the rock chairs you had lunch at but it was winter and tge whole time we were there we never foumd where the trail picked up

[@tomshively5419]

Nice adventure!

[@lisaray6493]

Dobbin Wade is more like it lol. Love Dolly Sod Wilderness. Glad you made it back there.

[@ericcoleman1089]

Love the channel. Great videos. Have you done a "safety on the trail" video i.e preparing for weather, animals, trail thieves, first aid, etc.

[@williambranham6249]

Wilderness areas have few signs and no blazes as written by law. I ventured into Shining Rock Wilderness in Pisgah Nat. Forest with a friend and was frustrated because my friend told me he had been there. He did not bring a map. I was new to hiking and of course trusted him. We became lost but with the help of other hikers found our way. The Linville River Gorge is a wilderness area and on my own managed to lose the trail even with map. Couldn't find the trail so I bushwhacked up the Gorge wall through rhododendrom. Most of your followers know how difficult that his.Found another trail and backtracked down to the original trail and realized what happened.Several trees had fallen over the original trail and blocked it. Unnerving but I kept my head.

[@stephenhiker9807]

glad you cleared up the "Dolly" & the "Sods" funny you went here after the Quehanna Trail, as that has been referred to as the "Dolly Sods of Pa" And that they both have open areas, yes this is true. Both are wild, for sure.

[@sintax77]

Quehanna is exactly what inspired me to finally make a return to Dolly Sods :)

[@ladyzi6083]

Hey Sintax, just wondering if there's any chance of a channel update video/SinChat/MailCall/Viewer Question video? I like the odd discussion video thrown in :) If you need discussion points I'm curious to know what trips you are planning for the future, what the plans are for your channel, and maybe what your gear room looks like or how you organize it all. I know you're busy - just throwing the ideas out there! Happy trails!

[@winkhvac62]

Great videos

[@Brimare1985]

That is the coolest hammock I have ever seen👍

[@KuntryRD]

Now you are in my backyard! I have hung at that first site several times. There is water close by if you keep walking past the entrance to the spruces and go down into the little ravine that is just past the campsite; it is the head waters of the Left Fork of Red Creek; just go down until you hear the water. A lot of those fiberglass trail markers have been cut off and stolen for trophies :( . Big Stonecoal has some awesome hammock hanging places. I have always wanted to camp in those pines on Big Stonecoal but never have. There are some easier ways up to the Lions Head, but they are easily missed. Some of the Dahle family still live in that area. That turtle looked like it had been digging; maybe it was a she turtle getting ready to lay eggs. I actually love Dobbin Grade trail; it has some of the best scenery and no other hikers, but yes it is pretty boggy. I always prepare for it with my "special" shoes and use my trekking poles to probe and find the rocks that are under the mud; I don't sink in too far that way. You picked a great route! Thanks for the trip that I did not have to get muddy to take.

[@sintax77]

Awesome info! Thanks, Kuntry. I'll keep this in Dolly Sods notes for any future trips.

[@oldunion]

I like the Jiva Cubes, but they have been on backorder since March. Patiently waiting for them, they send an update every few weeks.

[@Burps___]

Dear Sintax, can you show us how to gather, clean, and cook fiddleheads sometime? Thank you.

[@PositivelyHealthy]

Love fiddleheads... I managed to totally miss finding any this year on my hikes. Do them raw, or just lightly sautee with some butter.

[@alexblair_6732]

Went on a outward bound course through the dolly sods on the last night we had a cold front and it dropped to 40 degrees and it was rainy

[@thebasementairforce9390]

Try the Mountain House Breakfast Skillet on a tortilla with shredded cheese and hot sauce. It’s a breakfast wrap to die for, lol!

[@sintax77]

Sounds awesome - I'm all over that for the next trip! 😀

[@19JohnnyJ68]

that was one huge turlte ! great video shawn , i was begging t owonder ,, naww , happy 4th

[@jameswilliams7420]

your videos rock.

[@jamiemurphy6434]

I’ve been waiting on this thank you very much

[@chrinan]

Don't know if you know Sintax, but there are pegs on the top and bottom of the hammock to add some tension with twigs to get the ends even more off your body. If you do that especially on the head end, your bug net will be well off your face. Happy 4th of July by the way!

[@sintax77]

Good looking out. I'll look into that!

[@FishFerTrout24]

I took my daughters on their first real day hike there a week before you. We did about 10 miles. Wish we could have seen you on the trail.

[@TheDeandrewoods2002]

1:01:14 your not the only one ahaha I've grown up eating ramen like that, especially at school. I enjoyed this one! @sintax77

[@wvjj7046]

Another great video. When are you and Mike going to do another hike together?

[@Starscreamlive]

Mike goes on all of sintax77'strips. You just don't see him because of his ninja skills. 😎😁

[@sintax77]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zqabn6V4mrmAiKs

[@vinsonn4532]

That's awesome!

[@furiousgeorge1526]

idk how you eat hot noodles during a hike lol I've taken ramen 3x now and can't seem to break into it. Love the videos thanks for the great content.

[@timwhite162]

Just watched your Dolly Sods video just got back from blackwater falls that is right above Dolly Sods it was a cool falls and lots of look outs to visit all in the same area didn’t know if you’ve ever checked it out?

[@sintax77]

I haven't, but it's on the list now. Thanks for the heads up!

[@timgrogan883]

Can't believe you didn't have a flash back memory of Mike nearly falling in the creek .

[@palmerhurst7957]

Bro I know you love the Amok because its basically an easy chair but I miss you and your Dutchware love

[@sintax77]

Just used the Half-wit on the video previous to this one ;) It's still my go-to for more intense, weight conscious trips.

[@KrazyKrzysztof]

i also have that REI hoodie you're wearing in the beginning

[@RyanSchell]

Which one is that?

[@mobiltec]

That trip to Dolly Sods with your friends 6 years ago is how I stumbled across your channel. Been following ever since. Where has the little woman been hiding lately?

[@sintax77]

That's awesome. Can't believe it's been that long. She's been working a lot, but we hope to get a trip in this season. We actually just hit Zion NP last month, but it was mostly day hikes and exploring the park, so I didn't make a video of it this time.

[@bobmoore5845]

Welcome to wild wonderful West Virginia yall come back now yhear

[@cgriggsiv]

2 thumbs up young man excellent video and I have noticed that almost 98% maybe 96% has been a dead accurate to use the same loop as earlier videos

[@sintax77]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheJamesburgin]

There's a Thai version of Ramen called Mama Noodles that have 3 flavor packets that include seasoning, oil, and chile. You can eat them raw like you're doing there and they taste a lot better. I suggest the pork flavor. The noodles by themselves are even good.

[@sintax77]

Thanks, James. I'll have to keep my eye out for those!

[@aliceg9571]

I was wondering when I’d be seeing a video from you. Even better a three day adventure. Thanks for sharing. I’ve already had my cheeseburger earlier today. ATB!

[@chrishaines1677]

Water is also brown from The Tannic Acid in the water.

[@trooper2221]

I’m thinking I need one of those amoks 😀

[@gleader3393]

Have to work the 4th. Might as well watch my favorite hiking channel in 4K. Thanks for the video

[@denali9643]

Great trip and engaging video as always Sintax! Greetings to Sarah and Denali but I always love the solo trips. Curious if you stopped eating Packit Gourmet for any reason? And nice work not stepping on any bombs.....

[@sintax77]

Thanks, man. Packit Gourmet is still my fave. I just keep doing this trips last minute and forgetting to order from them in time. Maybe today I'll actually be proactive and place an order though, haha.

[@denali9643]

@@sintax77 You got me hooked on Packit Gourmet and I'll never go back

[@ombudsmanwilson2665]

snapping turtle, probably impregnated going to bury in the mud to bring forth the new gen