{"id":1768,"date":"2019-09-22T14:12:27","date_gmt":"2019-09-22T14:12:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/?p=1768"},"modified":"2019-09-22T14:12:27","modified_gmt":"2019-09-22T14:12:27","slug":"miry-ridge-and-dripping-spring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/2019\/09\/22\/miry-ridge-and-dripping-spring\/","title":{"rendered":"Miry Ridge and Dripping Spring"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1769 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_102030867-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_102030867-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_102030867-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_102030867-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_102030867-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_102030867.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This is from the Ben Parton overlook on the Miry Ridge. It is no secret that this is one of my favorite interior views of Rocky top and Thunderhead in the distance. We burned out of Maryville at 3.45 pm on Friday and blasted 5.7 miles and 2400 feet up to my beloved camping spot. Here are some stats from Strava.\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1770 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/strava-miry.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"840\" height=\"656\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/strava-miry.jpg 840w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/strava-miry-300x234.jpg 300w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/strava-miry-768x600.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Yes, Howard and I are in training for what will be number 5 of the 7 summits for me. Over Christmas, we will depart for deep South America. Aconcagua is our objective and it requires some load hauling. We shouldered full packs for our last two hikes and my body remembers this activity. On a side note, Strava does not calculate accurate calorie burn when carrying a backpack. But I found a formula that does and you may wish to use it for yourself. In summary, I estimated that I burned over 1600 calories ascending Jake&#8217;s Creek and Miry Ridge on Friday afternoon. Here is a link if you wish to use this for your backpacking calculus.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.outsideonline.com\/2315751\/ultimate-backpacking-calorie-estimator\">https:\/\/www.outsideonline.com\/2315751\/ultimate-backpacking-calorie-estimator<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1778 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jirie.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"453\" height=\"538\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jirie.jpg 453w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/jirie-253x300.jpg 253w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 453px) 100vw, 453px\" \/>\u00a0I needed a PB&amp;J break here, as a result. 45 lb packs.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1771 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190920_181005683-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190920_181005683-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190920_181005683-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190920_181005683-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190920_181005683-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190920_181005683.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It appears as if Nick is doubting our mileage estimates into camp from Blanket Mountain intersection. And rightfully so. However, when you reach this gap, there is still quite a bit of trail left.\u00a0 This trail holds so many memories for me and one in particular when we postholed in deep snow many years ago.\u00a0 \u00a0Pay attention to the video which was taken not far from this very spot. This was 2010.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1140\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/COyfHIxgBDs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>We certainly had no snow with which to contend this particular day as summer appears to keep a solid grip on the mountains as we round the corner into October.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1772 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_1412.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"757\" height=\"568\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_1412.jpg 757w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_1412-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 757px) 100vw, 757px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Having arrived at dusk, we found the good old Dripping Springs site quite full. We made some space next to a couple of guys that looked familiar. It didn&#8217;t take long to realize that I knew them as we had camped together many years ago over on Caldwell Fork.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1773 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_085153015.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_085153015.jpg 1200w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_085153015-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_085153015-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_085153015-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_085153015-1024x1024.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This is Greg and Ark. And here is where we had crossed trails with them several years ago. I believe it was this trip but am not certain.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/Caldwell_fork13.html\">http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/Caldwell_fork13.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Anyway, Myers made what in Highlander lore has come to be known as a hiking cameo. He appeared in the dark at 10.30 pm having completed his journey totally after sunset.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1775 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_085857759-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_085857759-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_085857759-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_085857759-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_085857759-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_085857759.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Kudos to Myers for his bravery. Because, unbeknownst to us, there were prowlers in the dark.<\/p>\n<p>Sometime in the middle of the night, after we all had retired for the evening, Greg,\u00a0 who was camped out in the open sans tent, was awakened by a strange sensation.\u00a0 Roaming about and smelling his open cot setup was a bobcat that had entered our camp. How about that?<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1777 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_083910037.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_083910037.jpg 1200w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_083910037-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_083910037-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_083910037-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_20190921_083910037-1024x1024.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Since Dripping Spring wasn&#8217;t even dripping, we had to do some serious divining for water up there. It is dry, super dry. I predict a fire ban in the park soon and super dry conditions for all questionable sources in the Smokies and elsewhere, yes, I mean Hangover too.<\/p>\n<p>We dropped down after a leisurely and highly caffeinated morning. I stopped at Jake&#8217;s to replenish our H20.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1780 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Screenshot_20190922-100541.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1440\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Screenshot_20190922-100541.png 1440w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Screenshot_20190922-100541-169x300.png 169w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Screenshot_20190922-100541-768x1365.png 768w, http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Screenshot_20190922-100541-576x1024.png 576w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Great training, great weather and great friends. Who can ask for more in a Smokies weekend?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is from the Ben Parton overlook on the Miry Ridge. It is no secret that this is one of my favorite interior views of Rocky top and Thunderhead in the distance. We burned out of Maryville at 3.45 pm &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/2019\/09\/22\/miry-ridge-and-dripping-spring\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1768"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1768"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1768\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1781,"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1768\/revisions\/1781"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1768"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1768"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southernhighlanders.com\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1768"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}