Seth, Hannah, Chris, Dereck and I took a hike in the Cohutta Wilderness today. Here’s some random thoughts from the hike.

• It was COLD when we started hiking (25 degrees).
• I have never cared to use trekking poles, but after my knee injury in August I bought a pair. Today was the first time I used them and I’m sold. They made a huge difference.
• I put a hunter orange vest on top of my backpack. Even though deer, wild boar and bear season is closed where we were hiking, I didn’t trust the Georgia rednecks.
• There has been so much rain lately that the river crossings today were somewhat dangerous. Add the ice all over the rocks and logs and the crossings were quite intense.
• Dereck tested the temperature of the first river by slipping in up to his knees (not good in sub-freezing temperatures).
• I was pleased with how my new backpack performed. It’s a Granite Gear Meridian Vapor.
• We couldn’t make it all the way to our destination (waterfalls), due to a river that was impossible to cross due to all the recent flooding.
• Dereck got his feet wet again, soaking his backup pair of socks.
• While stopped for lunch, we built a fire for Dereck to warm up.
• We went Survivorman on the fire, starting it without matches or a lighter, and the wood was all wet from recent downpour.
• We saw a lot of wild boar sign, including hearing one about 30 yards away while we were stopped to eat.
• Chris and Seth both carried large knives and were ready to jump on a wild boar if it came nearby. I was ready to jump into a tree if it came nearby.
• Someone packed a Peanut Butter & Honey sandwich (I won’t say who) into bear country, thus getting the nickname “Honey Bear” today.
• We were in an area that normally has a lot of hikers, but saw no one today.
• We laughed a lot.
• My legs are sore.
• I’m ready to go again.

After the hike.