RATtreks

Unnamed Waterfall on Unaka Mtn – 2-8-2018

Welcome to the new year, 2018 ! Although we did go on an amazing adventure in January, it was to a sacred location that we visit yearly that I do not share with anyone other than those that have accompanied me on that journey each year for quite some time now. So, this would be our second adventure of the new year. With only time for a quick trip and with water levels at high tide, I decided to take Tyler to an unnamed waterfall that not many know about on Unaka Mountain. We got our usual early start but, were surprised by higher water levels than we actually expected which made crossing the creek a few times very interesting ! I was wearing my muck boots (which are knee high on me)  yet, the water was actually higher than they were in some places ! It was a cold day and there was some light ice forming on the laurel leaves around the falls from the heavy spray. It is just under 2 miles to these very well hidden falls and we made good time in getting there. It was a cloudy day but, was forecast to clear early so I wanted to get there as soon as I could for the best lighting as I did not possess any decent pics of these falls. The light was still good when we found them but, the attempt was futile due to the high amount of water that was flowing as there was just too much white water to get any quality pics. Since hardly no one visits these falls there is no trail whatsoever to them and nowhere to easily setup around them. I did what I could and just spent the rest of the time enjoying the pristine beauty and wildness of the area. We will come back another day when the water level is not so high.

Tyler and I at an unnamed waterfall on Unaka Mountain.

Taken with my pocket cam. Normally there is not this much water on these falls. Everything was at flood stage on this day.

Flowing at high tide !

Using my pocket cam without delay was actually the best pics I would get on this day.

Getting up close and personal with these beautiful falls. There was actually some ice in the laurels as it was a very chilly day.

A violent falls on this day !

Tyler actually poured the water out of his boots before we left !

Tyler is at the top of the falls. (look for his light gray toboggan)

Zoomed shot of Tyler at the top of the falls.

I took the following pictures using my larger camera and tripod:

Had to shoot dark due to the bright white of the water

With so much water flowing, there was not much I could do with my non SLR camera even using filters.

Took a few without delay just so I could have some that were not so dark.

These are a very nice falls. I am pleased that they have not been discovered by the masses yet.

Doing the best I could with the equipment I have

Tyler at the top of the falls

Unnamed waterfall on Unaka Mtn.

By the time we left the falls we were fairly wet so, coming back was not as hard since we did not try as hard to keep our boots dry. It was a great time spent in the mountains and was a lot of fun for such a short adventure. I am already looking forward to the next one. until then,,,