Solo Backpacking the Virginia Triple Crown - Appalachian Trail Section Hike
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- čas přidán 25. 08. 2024
- 3 Days of Backpacking, Hiking & Hammock Camping on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia.
For this late summer backpacking trip I’ll be hiking the Virginia Triple Crown, which consists of three iconic Virginia hiking destinations - McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs, and Dragon’s Tooth.
To create the loop, I essentially took an Appalachian Trail section hike and combined it with the North Mountain trail to close it off into a 35 mile backpacking loop. This gave me a healthy southern mix of mountain hiking, open pastures, & sweeping summit views.
I went with my most basic warm weather ultralight backpacking gear list for this trip, just to keep things simple & light. Due to the threat of rain, I also included a full set of rain gear, but I was still able to keep my base weight down to 7.5 lbs. This was mostly achieved by simply leaving non critical items at home. Notable items are below or you can see my full gear list with weights & gear links on lighterpack.co...
For an easier read, more info & GPS data, check out my blog post
wp.me/p2ReUQ-G8
No permit is required to camp in this area, but there are camping restrictions along the Appalachian Trail portion of the hike as well as some private land traversals.
While on the AT in this area, you may only camp at one of four designated shelters. Since I was exclusively on the AT for the first day, this gave me the following camping options:
Jonh's Spring Shelter
Catawba Shelter (reliable water)
Campbell Shelter
Lambert's Meadow Shelter (reliable water)
I chose to camp near Lambert's Meadow Shelter, as it was the farthest one into the loop and offered reliable water.
Trailhead: McAfee Knob Trailhead Parking, 37°22’48.4″N 80°05’22.8″W
Trails Used, Day 1
Appalachian Trail North
Check out McAfee Knob
Walk along Tinker Cliffs for amazing views
Camp near Lambert’s Meadow Shelter
There are multiple camping options here. I camped by the brook near the shelter, but there is more camping 1/4 mile down the AT. I managed to get decent water right where I camped by the shelter, but I’ve read that it can be unreliable during drier periods. The next campsites are said to have more reliable water.
Day 1 Mileage: 10.3 miles
Day 1 Gross Elevation Gain: 3,197’
Trails Used, Day 2
Backtrack ½ mile on the AT
Andy Layne Trail
North Mountain Trail
This trail is on a ridge without water for 10 miles. Make sure to stock up before leaving the Andy Layne trail.
Dragon’s Tooth Trail
There is a confluence of streams & camping opportunities 1/4 mile in from the DT parking lot. Some spots are more obvious than others so don’t be afraid to poke around when you get there.
Day 2 Mileage: 14.6 miles
Day 2 Gross Elevation Gain: 3,911’
Trails Used, Day 3
Continue on the DT Trail
Check out Dragon’s Tooth, an interesting rock formation with views of the valley
Backtrack 1 mile
AT North
Return to parking
Day 3 Mileage: 9.7 miles
Day 3 Gross Elevation Gain: 3,241’
Total Mileage: 34.6 Miles
Total Gross Elevation Gain: 10,349’
Notable Backpacking Gear:
ULA Ohm 2.0 Backpack www.ula-equipm...
Dutchware Pack Cover dutchwaregear....
Dutchware Gear Half-Wit Hammock dutchwaregear....
Dutchware Whoopie Hook hammock suspension w/ kevlar tree straps. dutchwaregear....
Hammock Gear Burrow 40 Top Quilt www.hammockgea...
HG Phoenix 40 Underquilt hammockgear.co...
Dutchware Sit Pad dutchwaregear....
Hammock Gear Dyneema Hex Tarp www.hammockgea...
DIY Cat Can Alcohol Stove
Light My Fire Mini Fire Steel Striker amzn.to/30S3rxm
Vargo Windscreen amzn.to/2M3uRuG
Toaks 750ml Titanium Pot amzn.to/2GR7AJX
Sea to Summit Long Handled Spork go.magik.ly/ml...
Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets amzn.to/2EMQDSA
Outdoor Research Helium III Rain Jacket amzn.to/2BiSnB1
OR Helium III Rain Pants amzn.to/2MkuI5F
Outdoor Vitals Satu Adventure Pants satu-adventure...
La Sportiva Wildcat Trail Running Shoes amzn.to/3hyKrMi
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp amzn.to/2YVsp0A
Casio ProTrek FR-30 Smartwatch amzn.to/3dtY7Xj
Knorr Sides amzn.to/338t3sT
Camera & Nav:
GoPro Hero 8 Black amzn.to/2D8n6lL
Tripod Grip amzn.to/2MPhGOM
Spot Gen3 Locator amzn.to/2EJLQhC
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through some of my links.
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perfect timing!!! I was beginning to worry that I would have to re-watch the old stuff for the 3rd time
I've seen some people use knors package to cook in . just add water like a moutain house close package and wait.
I do the same thing.gotta have our sintax and crew.lol!
@@lifeorliberty3086 and crew? mikes washed up his ball are in his wifes purse, have been for awhile.
Sad
Great video! To avoid the need to clean a pot after making a Knorr side, you can cook it similar to a dehydrated meal. Just bowl water (around 2 cups), pour it into the Knorr packet, close it up with a big paper clip and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. Did this the other day while tenting on the AT in Connecticut. Added a StarKist pink salmon packet for extra protein. Actually, to be precise, I had split the Knorr side into two at home and added some dehydrated beans and veggies to each bag (using a 1 qt. Ziploc freezer bag) to boost nutrition. For a half Knorr side, I think I used about 1.25-1.5 cups of boiling water. In winter, you'd probably definitely want to use a cozy to keep it as hot as possible while it cooks. I repurpose Amazon bubble envelopes for that. Cooking Knorr sides takes somewhat longer than a Mountain House meal.
I work in a factory, and dump a Knorr or similar side into an extra large ceramic mug with hot water from the coffee machine, about 25 min before lunch. Easy way to have a hot lunch without eating out of the wheel-of-death sandwich machine.
Sintax77 begins by saying his goal is to chill out. Bro, that's what I do everytime when I watch your vids. 👍
I just found your channel and I love your style. While you let the sounds of nature come thru instead of other channels then overlay with loud music. I like the idea of quiet and letting the beauty of nature come thru. I really also enjoy it when you show the view looking up into the canopy of trees. So many other people just keep looking down or themselves and with the way you video record it makes us feel like we are right there in the forest. Thank you for taking us hiking while so many of us are locked down.
Love the video, ive been watching for a while, im a boyscout and you inspire me to hike and explore more than I ever have.
Awesome! I haven't missed watching any of your videos since I started following you back in 2013. 👍
Thanks, man. Hope you enjoy this one.
@@sintax77 I just finished watching it. Excellent!!!
brownnoser.
@@jacobpoucher Lol
This is the first backpacking video I watched, winter of 2022/23, and did my first triple crown the following April. Since, I’ve completed the crown several times, next trip being next week. Thanks for sending this video to me, RIGHT when I was ready to start section hiking. Much love, would love to meet up for a hike next time you’re in this area!
This is a very calm video. Your laid back relax video is keeping me calm! Love it
Your videos have given me the push I needed to get out there. Even tho my friends are to lazy to leave the comforts of their house, I want that adventure and the next. Would like to not do it alone but that's not stopping me. Kata is calling this winter.
Hello friend, you can actually pour water right into the Knorrs bag and let it sit just like a mountain house
No not really. A good thru hiker trick tho is u can pour hot water in a freezer bag with the knorr sides. Put the ziplock in your pot like a trash can liner hold the pot but eat from the bag. No mess just toss the ziplock in your trash bag or whatever.
Hi Sintax 77, this is your friend Jamie’s dad. I did the Triple Crown Loop a few weeks ago, June 28 - July 1. The temps were in the 90s with the “feels like” temp around 100. I started at the Dragons Tooth parking lot and went clockwise, getting waterless North Mountain out of the way first. As you mentioned, there’s no good views and I carried 4 liters of water because, as the saying goes, “you pack your fears”, and I hate to run out of water. The AT side of the loop was pretty awesome. Tinker Cliffs and McAfee Knob were great. I had planned to do the loop in three days but the heat slowed me down. I got a fresh start on day 4. Since my car was at the Dragons Tooth lot, I dropped my pack there and slack packed it to Dragons Tooth. A little over three hours to do the 5 miles out and back - there’s nothing like having fresh legs.
I enjoyed your video. Since you started at McAfee parking and went counter clockwise, it really changes the perspective of the trail.
I know your hike was several months ago but, did you happen to stop at Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint in Roanoke for your post hike cheeseburger? If you didn’t, I recommend it to you the next time you’re hiking in that area.
I really like the way you show the trail, almost like we are walking it with you.
Those cheddar broccoli rice side dishes are my go to for supper whenever I'm hiking. I usually make mine more soupy and I put either beef jerky or summer sausage in it. Really good after a long day hiking.
or a tuna packet, which folds up nicely when packing your trash out!
Or Spam singles which go well with that particular Knorr pack.
@@DrewBoswell i’ll have to try that sometime. Btw...from a fellow hanger, I enjoy your vids. I hope all is well with you.
@@michaelbroussard4584 thanks and cheers!
VA Native here just getting the final touches done of gear and aim is has been doing this hike before winter hits. Couldn't have had more timing!
If you did the full AT, I think you could probably sell the film to netflix. Great video, thank you.
Came here from Kyle hates hiking! You got a new sub! : D
I was wondering where Sintax77 was. Good to see you back. Did my first hike and lots of climbing up hill and down. Today my legs are killing me. It feels exactly like a 45mins of squatting, but this time I was outdoors 🤓. Monadnock Peak 2290 ft. NH
Great video! You are full of good old inspiration. Thank you!!
Thank you so much for your nice videos GOD bless you and your sweet family I love all your videos I tons of thanks to you from Glendale CALIFORNIA Jerry
Love that tip you shared to get some regular store envelopes of food. It’s worth taking some extra fuel, than $14-15 per mountain house meal 🤦🏽♂️. I guess when you’re out on the trail, you go off your ketogenic plan? I think I noticed you woke up, and hiked for a while before breakfast for IF. I did my first hike in NH Monadnock and felt like your videos were playing in my head 😅😅😅. I was definitely sore for 2-3 days after, as it felt like I did leg lunges, but for 4hrs 😎
Outstanding trip. The problem with hiking and biking is when you get done you need two cheeseburgers.😊 Thanks for the video. Take care and stay safe, Al
Knorr's became a staple for me because of just being cheap. At home I'll add in pulled pork or diced chicken breast. On the trail, add in a packet of tuna or some summer sausage. Also at home I will add some frozen peas towards the end of cooking.
Dude! 2 gas station hotdogs and pizza! Aaand some chips! My lower gi would be all done after that! You’ve got an iron stomach!!😁
Cool video, nice trip, great views👍hope you're coming back to NH soon buddy👊👍
Thanks sintax great video id be camping in that cow pasture great star gazing area watch the deer come in oh yeah thanks for the moment
That really was a cool area, and so nice to walk out into with the sun actually out!
Almost 💯 subs!!!!! You deserve it !! Love me some Sintax Solo Sagas.....
Thanks, man. Almost there ;)
Glad you did this loop when you did.. I've been planning this one for next week! Good info, thanks for sharing. Looks like an awesome trip.
Great video! Always look forward to your videos......
Great . I'm happy to visit this wonderful Chanel
Looks like a great trip. Sometimes those field area in the trail can be awesome. I usually find them relaxing or get greeted with a nice view of the area.
He's great at having conversations with himself, but he does seem to be in an awful hurry to get out of the beautiful places he goes to! It does get boring sometimes for anyone and I wouldn't want to go to some of these places just because they don't have enough variety. The dragon's tooth hike looked fantastic.
I did this for my 50th birthday 4 years ago. Sat on Mcafee,s knob. Great time. Thanks for sharing.
Can't believe this channel hasn't hit a 100K yet!! C'mon people!
I’m a new subscriber and I love your content... I notice that you love cheeseburgers. In the event you haven’t yet been, I’d like to make a recommendation for the next time you’re in Shenandoah NP. If you exit the park into Front Royal, there is a roadside restaurant named The Apple House... best pimento cheeseburger I’ve ever had! Happy trails!
I literally just hiked this. Hit McAfee on the 21st Sept. Great hike! #jrhikes
I was born in the Appalachian mountains. Love the views and the hiking was perfect.
Love watching your videos I learned something new while watching. Thank you
Virginian here. I've hiked some really nice trails in PA to Maine. I've never really hiked here in my home state. Time to do some hiking. I'm outta shape. But good. Must stay in shape somewhat.
Thanks for sharing this relaxing hike with us. So breath taking.
✌️❤️
Excellent trip thanks! My 8 year old son and I hiked the triple crown; each crown on a separate day. It was great to see the whole loop done together! I hope to do that with him this next Spring!
Hey thank you man! Just finish the 3day loop today and your vid really helped a lot! Awesome vid
Always look forward to your videos. You need to get down to the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness sometime and do some backpacking there. One of the best places to hike in the Southeast
Such a good video to watch, and best to watch on the full screen to appreciate the AT beauty. Nice camera work Shawn.
Thanks, Paul. Big screen in 4K is definitely way to go!
@@sintax77 Am I spelling your name correctly?
It's with an "Sh", but I honestly didn't even notice, haha.
@@sintax77 Being a high school teacher for 38 years before retiring, I always try to spell the names accurately. Shean or Shawn?
Shawn ;)
beautiful sintax77! That is hard work! Loved it!!
Love Knorr's - crazy sodium, but so good at the end of a hike. I usually have 1/3 packet of Knorr's and one of the flavored tuna packets as the end of day meal. Then a handful of trail mix before I hit the hammock.
Thanks for the AT information. Helpful!
So awesome!!!! We were supposed to hike it but hurricane came! We ended back up on the SHT and it was as glorious as usual! Thanks for sharing time and space!
Great video! I did this a few years ago. It was a lot of fun! Happy hiking!!
Little hint with the Knorr Rice. Boil your water and pour it directly into the pouch. Roll the top down and let it cook for around 15 or so mins. Eat it directly from the package and no pot to clean up!
Came across your channel during my research for the VA Triple. Just subbed to support a fellow vlogger and hiker out there. This is the same route I plan to take on my backpacking trip. Thanks for taking us along and showing this loop! Happy Trails!
Great video, that is where i grew up, so cool to see places from my youth. That parking lot is insane on the weekends.
Nice, relaxing show. 👍 I like your tough ones too. Friday night, when I'm watching this, calls for a relaxing one, though. Love the show dude!
Magnificent scenery
Tim from Bohemian Adventurers here- I really think you need to have a contest to bring some new CZcamsrs such as myself on a trip!! I love your videos and I thank you for a lot of inspiration for getting into backpacking!
Thanks, Tim. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the vids :)
Another great video. Cant wait for the next one. Hope to see you mike and the gals.
Love this section of the AT. So beautiful. Love the vid as always. Three thumbs up!!!
Awesome views and what a such a fantastic adventurer
One awesome triple crown loop
Nice to see you back out on the trails
Enjoying your hiking vids and this one is my favorite so far. I grew up 10 miles from the McAfee Knob trail head/parking lot. 1978 was my first trip up the mountain. I haven't done the Triple Crown but I've been to McAfee, Tinker, North Mountain & Dragons Tooth more times than I can remember. The parking lot used to have a small family style restaurant called Bunk Sweeneys, a local couple served country home cooking to thousands of AT hikers and locals for the years. After a day hike or an overnight camp out with friends and family we always looked forward to a hearty meal at Bunk's.
Thanks for keeping your vids clean. Great editing too! Im gonna go to Devils Marbleyard in VA soon. Have you been there?
Hell yeah we've been waiting on this
I'm unsure which is more awesome... watching a Sintax vid of a hike you have done, and reliving it... OR watching a Sintax vid of a hike you are dying to do. ;)
Another great video. Super relaxing
Try the Guthook app next time you’re on the AT. You’d have seen that the spring is 0.1m from Campbell Shelter, and considering you were low on water before Lamberts Meadow Shelter, it would have been a wise decision to filter when you had a chance.
Awesome hike! What a beautiful section! Thanks for sharing!
Seriously loved this video. Thank you. Hoping to find someone in VA to go on this hike with my granddaughter and I July 2.
Hi Sintax77. Always enjoy coming along on your hiking/overnighters. Always get to see those spectacular views, minus the troubled weather you encounter sometimes, but probably wouldn’t mind most of it, if I had a chance to go myself. But since I can’t I appreciate you taking me along. So informative as well. You freaked me out when you were so close to the edges of the rocks! I know you’re experienced to know how far is still safe. I’ve questioned my choices before, like you, wondering if eating those hot dogs were really good. Maybe it’s a combination of starvation and a surprisingly tasty meal. Lol. That was funny. Look forward to the next trip, as always. Say safe and say hi to Sara and of course Denali.
Thanks for another great video.I appreciate all the information you supply.
Excellent video on the Triple Crown loop! Looking to,doing it and this is a great account of what to expect.
Just saw this pop up on my notifications and I'm glad it did. Always look forward to your adventures mang.
Holy crap a sintax video awesomeness!
It’s pronounced Mack-A-Fee’s knob. There is a famous restaurant called Homeplace just down the other side of the mountain. DONT miss it!
Thank you!
I was gonna say that! The accent is on the first syllable. MACK-a-fee.
I really like you re videos !!! That s real hiking ! ( I m so tired looking canoing/ fishinging "buschcraft " videos ). Waiting fore more videos from you ! All the best !
There was a forest fire in that area in 2018. Good to see everything is back to normal.
If you somehow read this, Oregon has some amazing backpacking areas, Hurricane creek is a good one.
Great video. Glad you putting out new content. Keep em coming.
Love the videos. Really missing Mike, hope all are doing well. Keep them coming.
I like the pastures too. Thanks for sharing
Hi, Shawn 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 I enjoyed watching your hammock camping- hiking adventure on the AT awesome scenic views 👍🏻 and good trails. I was a little worried when you crossed those rocks going to Dragons Tooth, I know I would have had a tough time walking across that rock ledge I hope there were some cracks to get a good hand 🖐 hold while crossing 👍🏻. Thanks for sharing, enjoy and have a Great week !!! Danny 👍🏻
Thanks, Danny. The rock ledges were pretty impressive and had some steep drop offs that you wouldn't want to flirt with, but for the most part there weren't any truly technical areas on this trail. It was quite nice.
I really enjoy seeing your videos! I poor some bourbon and put the earphones in! 🥃
Perfect timing bro
I love nature.
Great to see another video .... always an inspiration
Post trail cheeseburger is the best cheeseburger!!! And the first cold sweet tea!
Nice! One of my favorites. Thank you sir
chilling out is a bloody wonderful goal :)
If you end up liking those Knorr sides, you can put near boiling water in the bags to cook. Fold over the top. Eat out of the bag. Saves you from having to clean the pot.
Really enjoyed the video! Thanks for sharing.
Another great video - Thanks! I really appreciate all the work - especially on the knob. You obviously spent a lot of time setting up the camera for all the different shots, but the final product was pretty sweet good shots and good editing made an impressive sequence.
Great videos! Love the camera work
another superb montage. Thank's
Nice! We are hiking the triple crown this weekend.
Awesome! Have fun and enjoy it :)
Another great backpacking adventure. If you are ever down in North Carolina you should definitely backpack the Black Mountain Crest Trail to Mount Mitchell. 14.9 miles.
Awesome video as always! I live in VA and have been planning to do each of these as day hikes, but this is really making me want to try it as a backpack...
Man I love your videos been watching for years keep it up!
Great time thanks
You can add the water in the bag for the knorr sides. No clean up. I wouldn't do it every meal but maybe every other one.
What's the reason that you wouldn't do it everytime?
Have you heard anything bad about the metallic liner in the bag? I wondered if it was safe and I've seen thru hikers do it every day all the time. *shrug*
How do you like those knickers? That was a slick dance with the tarp when the rain came. I really like my dynema tarp too, so light, easy to pack and throw up in a hurry (smile). Truly enjoyed watching you take it easy, for a change. Hope you enjoyed your cheese burger.
Oh hammock... have been wanting to do hammock camping but need to find a buddy first. Don't dare to do on my own :)
Interesting video. Thanks for sharing :)
This loop is wonderful.
Beautiful part of the country. I was up there a couple of months ago!
This looks awesome!! Need to take my adult son's on that trail!!