209/204 to Big Tree and back

Great weather for hiking this past weekend. I got my dad a new hiking backpack and sleeping bag, and my brother got some new gear for Christmas as well, so we took advantage of the weather and left Friday after COB for a quick Big Tree trip. We got to the Sipsey Recreational Area around 5:15 and hiked past dark for about 1/2 mile past Fall Creek Falls on 209. The water was low at the 200/209 split, so we were able to cross pretty quickly and be on our way. As usual, we took Rudy, the dog, along too.

We finally found a good spot along the Sipsey River to camp and had to gather firewood/set up camp in the dark, which wasn't that difficult per se, but why do it in the dark if you don't have to, right? We had dinner out of cans that night and went to bed around 9:30. We woke up around 1:30 to the sound of Rudy going berserk at some hikers who apparently got a late start and found their way through our camp on their way to finding their own spot, all was well, though. And despite getting down to 25degrees everyone stayed warm.

Since we got such a late start on Friday, we left most of the leg-work for saturday, and we started out about 9:30. We made it do the Big Tree, despite numerous downed trees in the trail (new from a month ago). We wanted to take it easy on Dad, who has a sensitive back, so we made it at about 12:45 just in time to meet some hikers from Huntsville who came in from the Thompson Trailhead.

Timing ourselves on the way out, took just at 3 1/2 hours. The downed trees really slowed us down and we took frequent breaks for Dad to rest, the rest stops though were not included in the time.

I learn something everytime I go on a trip, and having been on only a few on my own, I'm a novice by every account.

Here's the key take-aways for me this weekend:
1) Carrying my water "in" is no comparison to purifying my own as I go on the trail. My brother had a hand-pump Katadyn purifier that could have saved me 5 or so pounds at least, especially with the ease of use!
2) GOT TO GET A NEW BAG. Right now I'm carrying an army surplus intermediate bag that weighs about 7 lbs or so. VERY WARM but feels like a piano.
3) Possibly substitute a hammock for a tent on good weather hikes, but may need to get a pad to ensure warmth on cold nights.
4) Move to food that requires less/smaller/lighter carryout waste without sacrificing nutrition (i.e. plastic bags vs. cans)

All in all, GREAT TRIP, just wished we could have gotten a better start Friday to avoid the "hurry-up" pace on Saturday.