- Joined
- Mar 17, 2005
- Location
- N. N. Raleigh, NC
First, Thanks to everyone that aided in Rich's and myself safe recovery, even though we knew exactly where we were 
I had no idea the numbers of people that had been contacted and or called others to help locate us. Good to know I got so many friends.. Truly, thanks..
[I should have called my wife to provide an update of our safe arrival. She was aware of my truck overheat problem causing me to ride up as a passenger with Rich but not of our last minute change in camping plans to stay at Evarts. (Behind the DairyHut). So when Putney called my house late Friday, that put the fear of god into them. BTW: I could have done without the snide fallow up message on my home machine from the Putney campground, about "making the turn" in to Evarts... The reality is I almost didn't go at all, but was glad I did. When your a passenger on a trip... Not much is up to you as far as deciding where to go etc..
While I had provided information prior to our trip on the 'conditions' out there. I don't think it is/was clearly understood just how far 'out' it can be up there...
* Make sure everyone realizes the mountains are like /\/\/\/\ Simply say and repeat many times. You will NOT be able to be contacted AT ALL. Thats the easiest way. While I did say that, my wife and I had become accustom to the 3-4 calls a day to say hi and discuss dinner plans, etc.. Make sure everyone is on the same page. I thought we were, but I was not..
* There is little to no cell service out there. Just assume you will not be able to be reached by anyone once you get off the main highway. While there appeared to be cell service in city/town of Harlan, while outside a ATT/cingular store, in Harlan, I had zero bars of signal strength. Not sure how the other carriers faired..
* There was 1 pay phone at the gas station across the street from the Dairy Hut. There was a .10 /min collect call sticker on the phone, something like 1800payless i used that as it was easy to read/dial at night. I'm sure there are others around town.
* Everyone in town was nice/friendly. I have zero doubt that anyone would have aided in helping out should something bad really have happened.
* Camping was ok. While it would be perfect for an RV, the bath house needs some improvement. Days 2-3 were a bit on the messy side, no TP, few johns were plug up at times. The # of campers in the lot made it manageable with only brief waits.. The lady's side look a ton cleaner as the 10:1 ratio helped that..
* Thieves - the only thief we found was a local bulldog mix who came around at dinner time politely requesting a meal. Which we provided and he rewarded Rich with by acting as a guard dog, sleeping on a mat outside his tent.
* Locals think (P)assanger car tires are trailer tires. Bring spares or your $$ for those P tires.. Also, it was a good haul to find an open tire shop on a Sunday.. Note: I saw 3 blown trailer tires laying in our parking lot, I'm sure there was more.. It would seem like easy money for the place to carry them and sell them.
* Locals sell gold plated used parts. It's supply/demand so either bring spares or $$$.
* The food in town was good. (corner cafe) A little on the greasy spoon side if you didn't watch out what you ate. The prices were very reasonable and portions were big.. There was also a few groceries places around if needed..
* Buy a trail map.. (Anyone GPS the place yet ?)
* Bring a bandanna or other head/face covering item. Man it was dusty up there. Combined with the required gravel road travel in/out made for difficult breathing at times.
* No windshield = wear some safety glasses.. same as above..
* watch that 421 turn off..
* Every steep hill you climb on the way in is match with an equally steep decent on the other side. So watch your speed cresting the hills and be ready to gear back down..
I think thats it for my advise for others headed that way...
I had no idea the numbers of people that had been contacted and or called others to help locate us. Good to know I got so many friends.. Truly, thanks.. [I should have called my wife to provide an update of our safe arrival. She was aware of my truck overheat problem causing me to ride up as a passenger with Rich but not of our last minute change in camping plans to stay at Evarts. (Behind the DairyHut). So when Putney called my house late Friday, that put the fear of god into them. BTW: I could have done without the snide fallow up message on my home machine from the Putney campground, about "making the turn" in to Evarts... The reality is I almost didn't go at all, but was glad I did. When your a passenger on a trip... Not much is up to you as far as deciding where to go etc..
While I had provided information prior to our trip on the 'conditions' out there. I don't think it is/was clearly understood just how far 'out' it can be up there...
* Make sure everyone realizes the mountains are like /\/\/\/\ Simply say and repeat many times. You will NOT be able to be contacted AT ALL. Thats the easiest way. While I did say that, my wife and I had become accustom to the 3-4 calls a day to say hi and discuss dinner plans, etc.. Make sure everyone is on the same page. I thought we were, but I was not..
* There is little to no cell service out there. Just assume you will not be able to be reached by anyone once you get off the main highway. While there appeared to be cell service in city/town of Harlan, while outside a ATT/cingular store, in Harlan, I had zero bars of signal strength. Not sure how the other carriers faired..
* There was 1 pay phone at the gas station across the street from the Dairy Hut. There was a .10 /min collect call sticker on the phone, something like 1800payless i used that as it was easy to read/dial at night. I'm sure there are others around town.
* Everyone in town was nice/friendly. I have zero doubt that anyone would have aided in helping out should something bad really have happened.
* Camping was ok. While it would be perfect for an RV, the bath house needs some improvement. Days 2-3 were a bit on the messy side, no TP, few johns were plug up at times. The # of campers in the lot made it manageable with only brief waits.. The lady's side look a ton cleaner as the 10:1 ratio helped that..
* Thieves - the only thief we found was a local bulldog mix who came around at dinner time politely requesting a meal. Which we provided and he rewarded Rich with by acting as a guard dog, sleeping on a mat outside his tent.
* Locals think (P)assanger car tires are trailer tires. Bring spares or your $$ for those P tires.. Also, it was a good haul to find an open tire shop on a Sunday.. Note: I saw 3 blown trailer tires laying in our parking lot, I'm sure there was more.. It would seem like easy money for the place to carry them and sell them.
* Locals sell gold plated used parts. It's supply/demand so either bring spares or $$$.
* The food in town was good. (corner cafe) A little on the greasy spoon side if you didn't watch out what you ate. The prices were very reasonable and portions were big.. There was also a few groceries places around if needed..
* Buy a trail map.. (Anyone GPS the place yet ?)
* Bring a bandanna or other head/face covering item. Man it was dusty up there. Combined with the required gravel road travel in/out made for difficult breathing at times.
* No windshield = wear some safety glasses.. same as above..
* watch that 421 turn off..
* Every steep hill you climb on the way in is match with an equally steep decent on the other side. So watch your speed cresting the hills and be ready to gear back down..
I think thats it for my advise for others headed that way...
When you get back to camp of course...
