Smoky Mountains Backpacking Loop: Clingmans Dome, Andrews Bald, Forney Creek

[@adamholbrook2281]

Thanks for another nice video. Way to stay positive under those challenging conditions! The worst day spent hiking is still better than the best day spent working.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

The third sentence of your nice comment -- that is a very true statement!

[@mozarkoutdooradventures3630]

It looked like fun- fun-fun! Nice and wet with plenty of fresh Spring greenery. I loved the creek crossings but the short scene at 7:18~7:24 was one of my favorites. Father daughter outings are among the best. Thank you for sharing. Moz

[@evanschaeffermusic1928]

Glad you liked that shot and that you pointed it out to me! Thanks for watching and commenting . . .

[@richardjones990]

Evan, there are so many things I love about this adventure. You pretty much touched on everything I like about hiking and camping.. I love the rain so I was in, watching all the downpour footage. A lot of guys will not film in the rain but you did and that's what I like about watching you. I would say your daughter will always remember her trip with dad in the pouring rain. Keep up the outstanding work and thanks for taking us along!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks for your very nice comment! I appreciate what you said about filming in the rain -- I kept telling myself, "Get the camera out!" Sometimes I didn't want to, especially when I was completely soaked and thinking more about keeping us warm than my camera, but I'm glad I did.

[@rogerlamb536]

Great hike and nice to meet your daughter. Your daughter done real good, that seemed like a rough hike, proud dad.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes, it was a tough hike! Thanks for the comment.

[@TheSunkenGrave]

Great video as always. I hiked the Forney Ridge Trail to Andrews Bald when all the azaleias were in bloom. Absolutely phenomenal! One thing I do love about the Smoky Mountain campsites is that they seem to all be next to rushing waters (unlike places like the Savage Gulf). Nothing like going to sleep with the sound of rushing water nearby. I cannot believe that your daughter seemed to have cell service out in the wilderness.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Yes, you can always count on streams next to the campsites in the Smokies. Lydia had some service when we were up high -- she has Verizon, which works well in N.C. I have AT&T and never had any service . . .

[@runforfunken]

I would love it in the great Smoky Mountains but the next best thing is tagging along with you guys.Good work guys & the views are awesome.Cool video Evan.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment -- I really appreciate it!

[@tomjboyle]

Evan great video, me and my boy watch your videos at night when I'm putting him to bed. For whatever reason we both busted up laughing at the lost hiker (10:47). It was a great moment. Thanks for what you do.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thomas Boyle Hey, that's great! Really nice comment. Initially I was sort of annoyed that the lost hiker wandered into my timelapse shot (kind of mean of me, I know), but it ended up turning out on the video really nice. Lydia and I saw that guy later in the day. He had found his friends, so things turned out ok for him too!

[@predzhead]

great job young lady..

[@55whiplash]

Looks beautiful, some day I'll go there. Before I moved to CA my dad always talked about the Smokey's.

[@mustang774]

What an epic trip! Great that you got to spend time with your daughter like that. Lots of challenges with the weather but sometimes that can make the trip even more special. Wow was that ever heavy rains you had. Thanks for taking us along....Take care, Bluefin.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're right, and great comment -- we don't get many chances to spend time together, as Lydia has a career in a different city, so this was really fun. And the rain insured that we won't ever forget our trip. (And the video too, I guess . . . )

[@renaissancemarinetv3536]

now that looks like it was a real adventure! I love weather! I hiked the lonestar trail in a multiday rain that turned the trail into a creek. I had to plan and think thru even the most simple tasks. good stuff!!!!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

That's a very good way to describe it -- having to plan and think through even the simple tasks. As always, thanks for watching and commenting!

[@nibimocs]

Wow, what a challenging trip! Thanks for taking us along ... and I didn't feel even one drop of water :D

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're welcome--thanks for watching and commenting. Next time I go to the Smokies I hope I get some better weather!

[@nibimocs]

Evan's Backpacking Videos Can't get much worse! ;)

[@potatothorn]

HA! im gonna live comment this one because right off the bat your "will she ever backpack again" is Hilarious. "picnic tables!" haha i love the way you tell the story. Man the view off that little bridge was SHARP ! 8 minutes in and WOW this is greaT!! so many nice shots of the forest. Interesting effect a 9:20, the forest is in focus but you two are a little fuzzy very neat accident. HOGS! / hiking in a storm, cool shots, camera worked pretty well! Lydia running the camera, crazy crossings/ awesome. Love your journal drawings, camp 74 very nice. Classic, the sun comes out as you near the end/ hahha// good job toughing it out Lydia!! Great Video, you really knock it out of the park with this one

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Your live commenting was awesome! Thanks. Really nice things you said! That 9:20 bit was my autofocus not working. I had some trouble with it (Canon G7 X) on this trip. But I left that clip in anyway. In a part I cut, I went on to talk about how the KZbin channel Adventure Archives illustrated the steep climbs in the Smokies -- one of the guys on the trip sat down, said he couldn't go any further, and looked like he was going to cry. Maybe we should have done that. Anyway, I really like the Adventure Archives channel -- check it out if you haven't. Great stuff.

[@potatothorn]

Evan's Backpacking Videos ill check it out now thanks/ that's funny about the steep climbs, i know how that feels/ thanks again for a great film // checking out Adven Archicves, i have seen some of their vids before ill check the Smoky one

[@boogieboo9467]

Kudos to you. Those are good times y'all will never forget. Good for you for making it happen. Sounds like you are an awesome dad😉

[@chercarlop]

Wow, you guys persevered through all the rainstorms with great positive attitudes. The stream crossings looked intense. No view at Clingmans Dome yet you pressed on. That is commitment! Thanks for sharing your adventure.

[@uptrail7169]

The creek crossings were intense. We have plans for this weekend and yes more rain for us. Great Video Evan!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Have fun in the rain! And thanks for watching . . .

[@1st508thAirborne]

Awesome video! Beautiful area. I bet you'll both remember this hike together... lol. :-)

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes, we'll definitely remember it! And if our memories get fuzzy, this video will help to restore them. Thanks for watching.

[@NNYDebbie]

Challenging indeed. Love your sketches.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thank you!

[@LarryVickery]

wow! hardcore backpacking. We have been to that area many times in a half century but only car travel and day hikes. That girl of yours is a real trouper. Inspires me to try something similar with my 21 year old granddaughter who is an adventure girl and would be up to it but might tire of slowing down for me (73 and arthritic). maybe only a 2 nighter in autumn with less chances of a monsoon..But anytime in the Smokies can be a wet one. Excellent video

[@SalineScott]

Love the way you closed the trunk at the end. You had a really wet trip. Still looked like a ton of fun.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes, wet but fun. We had one extended period of dry (a few hours) that we used to dry some things out -- like our camp towels.

[@SalineScott]

+Evan's Backpacking Videos I just noticed you started the video the same way. That was cool. I may get rain and thunderstorms this weekend on my trip. 60% change of scattered thunder storms. Makes it a little more intense and exciting.

[@G0ingNative]

Great video as always. Looks like you both had a good time. Nothing beats doing something you enjoy with someone you love. Looking forward to the next one.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes, it was great. Thanks very much for watching and commenting.

[@kendurham184]

I don't know if u will get Lydia to go backpacking again but I bet u both will cherish the memories forever of this rainy adventure. Thanks for sharing and tell Lydia she is one tough girl.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes, we will cherish the memories! And in the event our memories get a little fuzzy, I'm glad I brought the camera(s) and made this video. Thanks a lot for watching and commenting. I'll pass your comment onto Lydia -- although I think she already saw it, since she said she's reading the comments . . .

[@kenk2345]

great video making.. You deserve a much larger subscriber list. Lydia's a real trooper and an awesome kid.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, nice comment!

[@BackpackingBen]

That downpour on your second night reminds me of the downpour the gf and I got stuck in on our Grayson Highlands trip. Was just miserably wet, but still a lot of fun. It looked like you and your daughter had a blast though! Also, I enjoyed the timelapse of your breaking down on the morning of day two.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

It's honestly true that I was thinking about your Grayson Highlands video during this trip -- it inspired me to get my camera out when I didn't feel like it at all. So thanks for that! The timelapse -- thanks. If you want to know, I had my camera on a tripod and filmed the whole thing, then split it later into three clips. The first and third clip I sped up with my software, and the middle clip I let run at the normal speed. (You didn't ask, but I though I'd tell you anyway, lol.)

[@gregr501]

WOW, that was a awesome trip! Some of those creek crossings we a little swift it looked like. Great y'all have time to spend like that together. Thanks for sharing.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks for watching and commenting! . . . Lydia is a teacher and has some time over the summers to travel. But she lives in a different city than I do, so we don't get to backpack together often . . which made this trip especially fun!

[@OutandaboutoutdoorswithRon]

I am so jealous.. Love going camping.. Hoping to get out and do a few videos of that this year..

[@YesterdayMeetsToday]

High water crossings, severe storms, seems your daughter got a trial by fire on this adventure. Looks like you two had a good time, though, always fun when my son tags along with me. Thanks for the video Evan

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yeah, it was a great time. Thanks for watching!

[@Rufustoe]

I've been watching all your videos over the past 2 months and you gave me the itch... So I am going on a short solo trip up Abram Creek for 3 days.... I'm so excited to go.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Ralph Cody That's great! Good luck ...

[@ThaiGirlAdventures]

Very great Backpacking and nice view and great video both.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks!

[@hilbillydoc5980]

Great video!!! I recently got my daughter into hiking. This video is an inspiration to face the challenges while staying positive and to have FUN Hiking Your Own Hike!!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Definitely important to stay positive . . . I was proud of Lydia for sticking this one out, it was a wet one!

[@melissagoins6211]

hilbillydoc

[@mikkat50]

Evan as usual I enjoyed very much, and I think Lydia will go again, and I could tell she enjoyed being out with her Dad no matter what the weather was. Her trail name should be Tough Cookie because none of the adverse conditions even seemed to bother her in the least. I always look forward to your next adventure, thanks Mike

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes, she didn't complain at all -- I was sort of shocked by that! It turns out that Lydia makes a great backpacking companion. By the way, she read your comment and was thrilled by the "Tough Cookie" suggestion. She told me that now that she's been given a trail name, she's going to have to go back out with me again. So thanks for that!

[@mikkat50]

That's great and I hope your next trip together , you have a little better weather, but that is always so unpredictable.

[@hikehunter9572]

Lydia had the better sleeping place....the hammock. the ground is hard, wet, and cold..... Good that you gave your daughter the preferred acomidations.... nice video post....Have Fun & Hike Safe......(HFHS)

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

She did sleep comfortably, that's true. But I had more room to move around when it was raining. I loaned her my tarp set-up to change into dry clothes at one point. I need to do a video about why I prefer a tarp to a hammock -- of course, I'll just get lots of thumbs-down from hammock lovers and won't change any minds!

[@CleanshaveChris]

Nice hike. Been to Clingman's Dome three times but would love to get back to the Smokies. Thanks for the video.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're welcome -- thanks for watching!

[@philslates1495]

I did some of this route last week over four days with no rain but still some rather deep stream wading. The toughest part for me was the AT from Newfound Gap to Clingmans Dome but well worth the summit view on a perfectly clear afternoon.

[@kcvids816]

Really enjoyed this episode Evan! You sure picked the perfect days to go that rain was intense haha. Looked like a lot of fun though..I was going to give you a shout out from Taum Sauk Mountain in Missouri but my phone got soaked and wasn't working properly. Anyways I always enjoy watching your videos man they're very inspirational to me. Keep it up!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I know Taum Sauk well--it's where I camped with my friends in high school. We'd drive down from St. Louis and camp in the woods. Good memories!

[@mikeanderson7165]

Absolutely love Clingmans dome

[@ffllaammeerr]

So cool to be able to hike/camp with family.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Where Cars Don't Go Yes! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@jhonyermo]

How in the world did I ever miss this Evan Video. Shame on me. Great ass video

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, appreciate it!

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

What a great trip! I feel you about some parts of the trail being at the edge of a ravine or gully. Often times its just one step Looks like you both had fun all be it a little wet.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes, it was a great trip. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@kent633]

Great vid. I was there last September on the Forney Creek Trail and it rained for about 6 hours on our way down. Totally got soaked to the bone.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Just something about that trail I guess!

[@Fasterism1]

Nice videos. I've been to the chimney tops, Charlie's Bunion, Jump Off, and Mt. LeConte (Via Alum cave and Boulevard trails). Where do you suggest I should go on my next hike? I enjoy the great views at these places. Thanks for the videos!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You've been to some of the big spots. As for where to go next, that's hard to say. I've never had a bad time when I've gone out and have filmed most of my trips. Mt. Sterling is certainly a favorite of mine . . .

[@aaron.0303]

Awesome video!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, appreciate it . . .

[@craiglenhard-rvrguyd]

A Kodak moment for sure. Hiking with a dead mouse in your pack.

[@shimhd3912]

new sub here great video brother and you have an awesome channel!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks!

[@TheEthalon]

Great video!!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks!

[@IrixGuy]

Is this trail pretty safe (i.e. no vertical drops directly beside the trail)? I carry a heavy pack and can be off balance at times. We’re planning a hike down from Clingman’s to campsite 70

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I think there are some vertical drops . . .

[@JaxxDrinkwater]

Wicked awesome video Evan. New camera? What are you using? somethings different this time. Color corrections? Have I BEEN DRINKING?

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks very much! Usually I film in 24 or 30 fps, but this time I used 60 fps. It takes a lot more memory, and the video took forever to render on my computer (like 5 hours I think), but the footage looks a little crisper and better. Sometimes I think it looks too crisp -- like a soap opera compared to a film -- but I think it works okay if you are outside. I had three different cameras with me and used them all at 60 fps (one of those being an iPhone) . . . Glad you liked it.

[@JaxxDrinkwater]

Thanks for the info. I usually film and 25fps . I think I'll give 60fps a look.

[@jfspurlin1]

Evan, I just recently discovered your backpacking videos. I learned abut them from watching Liz Kidder's AT video. I watched your entire AT thru hike series, really enjoyed it, and am now watching the older ones. On this hike it looks like you are wearing an icebreaker t-shirt. On the AT hike it looked to me like your t-shirts were synthetic. In the AT hike I didn't see a discussion about wool v synthetics (maybe I missed it) Did you like wool for backpacking?

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I always use synthetic. Wool socks though.

[@asiam7436]

One thing about getting your "been there.done that." t-shirt, you don't have to prove yourself again unless you want to. :) Good job! Ursack makes a critter/mouse proof bag the Ursack Minor, and also a bear bag - both made of bullet proof kevlar. They have a video showing grizzlies trying to get into it - and failing - on their website. Per their website, "It passed the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee test and was placed on its bear-resistant products list on July 31, 2014"

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

That's what I got after my food bag was attacked -- the Ursack bag. It hasn't failed me, except I somehow wore a small hole in it after 500 miles of hiking with it in my pack. Quite bizarre, since it's kevlar. I might be contacting the company about that. Otherwise, I love it!

[@robertperez4583]

Im doing this hike on Tuesday by starting from Clingmans Dome - Forney Ridge Trail - Springhouse Gap - Forney Creek to Clingmans. Its 19 miles and will take 12-13 hours. I was wondering what kind of shoes did yall wear for the creek crossing, were they just tennis shoes or special water boots?

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

We were wearing trail runners I think.

[@pinchonalizo]

Hi Evan, I'm planning a trip to campsite 68 with my girlfriend in 2 weeks and I was wondering if there are options for hammock camping at this site. We are both hammocking and it will be 4th of July weekend so we wouldn't want to luck out and not get a pair of trees!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Miguel Alizo As shown in the video, there are two 68s-A and B. We were at B and used a hammock.

[@CNT12696]

Umbrellas while backpacking? That's a new one to me.

[@nervousstranger]

Get one you won't regret it.

[@steveyates1136]

I would have gone downhill with a full pack and backhill with a little less food weight. Take a tent in the summer. Bugs, snakes, spiders are all over the forest floor. It's gonna rain in July and August. Always carry a blank permit or two, just in case you are forced into a change of plans. Small creeks can become a problem when it rains.Carry steel mesh food bags and leave the zippers open on all the pockets, mice aren't as likely to chew your pack up then.

[@cagedraptor]

I had a good amount of comment on this one, my computer went down.... so nice video

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Hah, that's okay! Thanks for watching and making a (short) comment . . .

[@MattJohnson-cg7zp]

What do you use to film your videos? Quality looks fantastic! Would love to do this hike sometime

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yeah, it's a great hike. On this one, I have footage from three different cameras--Canon G7X, iPhone 6S, and a GoPro Hero 4 Silver. Usually I just use the Canon camera. I try to put details about what camera I'm using in the video description.

[@haroldsams-hs]

are you playing the music in your videos Evan?

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I think I always put details about the music in the video description.

[@haroldsams-hs]

@@EvansBackpackingVideos sorry to bother you I should have read all of the description ..Thanks

[@JamesRobertSmith]

If you backpack enough in the Smokies you have to deal with torrential rain at some point, and I've watched as several of my pals have had mice infiltrate their packs and eat their food.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Agreed! And those mice . . . sometimes it's really hard to keep them away from your food . . .

[@JamesRobertSmith]

Evan's Backpacking Videos They are clever little assholes, for sure.

[@JamesRobertSmith]

The first time I ever went on a backpacking trip a skunk barged into our shelter on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia and climbed into my pal's open pack and began to sample all of the Pop Tarts he had brought for his breakfasts. What could we do? That's right...nothin'! The little jackass carefully peeled open each packet, took a single bite, didn't care for it, then did the same until he'd wrecked them all. Every single Pop Tart had one tiny skunk-sized bite out of it. Then we had to wait the skunk got bored and left the shelter.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

That's a good story!

[@JamesRobertSmith]

Evan's Backpacking Videos I still laugh when I think about it.

[@brandonrussell4273]

I've been in there camping in horses

[@predzhead]

the music sounds alot like mondo cozmo,, shine...

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I put the music credits in the description. I really like some of these songs . . .

[@maggiedoor6093]

Well done Lydia. Please check out Sarah Williams 2017 AT thru hike on KZbin and her Tough Girl Challenges podcasts and KZbin videos.

[@bigzach322]

The two most disappointing things about a southern summit: working hard through the green tunnel only to be covered in clouds at the top, and suddenly seeing hoards of casual tourists after earning your peak. I thought I'd point out you spelled Nolan twice in the info, instead of Noland.

[@bigzach322]

That rain was gnarly, I would hate camping in that wetness. But the crossings looked pretty fun, at least to me. It is a good thing the zipper was open, otherwise the mouse might have chewed through the pack. Have you heard of Ursacks before? That's what I use, kevlar bear bags that are also rodent-proof.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, fixed the "Nolan" error. As for Ursacks, that's what I use. Very odd though that in just slightly over a year of use, the fabric is almost worn through in one spot. That's something I was going to investigate with the company but I haven't done it yet.

[@bigzach322]

Might be a defect, mine seems pretty tough.

[@zackwilliams32]

I really dont like the whole reserving campsite crap.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I don't either. It used to be easier in the Smokies. If it weren't for the scenery and challenge, I'd focus more of my backpacking energies on the wilderness area in North Carolina and Georgia--where you can camp anywhere.

[@Standswithabeer]

you get an :Amen" !

[@johnmatson8471]

Don't you worry about SNAKES, when hiking and sleeping in an open tarp??? 😵

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

No.

[@johnmatson8471]

BETTER MAN~ Pearl Jam

[@ash.lou613]

10 mins in 2 ads, lost me

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Agreed. I was using licensed music when I made this video ling ago and the music owners place the ads. I started making my own music in 2016 to avoid this problem. Generally I only put ads at the beginning of a video. I hate them in the middle. But good lucking finding videos without them.