Art Loeb (Fail)

A failed attempt at the Art Loeb. We did several things wrong on this trip.

1. We didn’t do the upfront work to get out and exercise. The climbs on this trail are hard. It it rough technical and will slow you down.

2. I should have taken my pump filter over the Sawyer. The last spring before camp would easily allow us to fill up with the pump. Not so much with the Sawyer.

3. Carry less water and a spare bottle or 2. That way we can camel up if we dry camp again.

4. Eat. Once I got dehydrated, I didn’t eat. I spent 2 days on half a mountain house, and 2/3rds of a granola bar. I was bleh…. Anyway, I was past the worst effort wise for the day, when I called it.

Turns out it was probably better that we bailed. That night in Brevard we saw one of the most spectacular thunderstorms I have seen in awhile. It was great there. It would have been terrifying in Ivester Gap where we had planned to camp. Oh well. We will try again in a few months. #hiking #nature #adventure