Archive for December, 2017
With the Camel Servicer`s season now in full swing and water levels to match, our next run would be to see another one of Larry`s latest and grandest discoveries that we ended up calling the ‘Appalachian Queen’. With a full crew including Larry Jarret, John Forbes, Tommy Warden, my son Tyler Tarpley and myself, we were anxious to meet this previously unknown, unnamed, dot-less mistress that Larry had spoken so highly of. Getting to her address was difficult and required navigating some extremely steep terrain and finessing of some private property. In other words, another typical Camel Servicer type run ! She did not fail to deliver on this day as we could hear her calling out to us loudly from over a half a mile away ! It took awhile to find a safe route down the cliffs and steep scree slopes to reach the swollen stream but, we soon would be at water level where getting upstream to her was equally as hard. She was angry on this day and we could barely hear each other talk over her deafening roar. I was instantly blown away with my first view of her and I could not wait to get closer.
The Appalachian Queen Falls
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Posted on 27 December '17 by RAT, under RATtreks. No Comments.
Welcome to the New Year ! Normally I am out with my friend Tommy ‘Bol`Dar’ Warden on a New Years Day hike but, for some reason which I can not remember now, I was unable to go with him. It would be nearly 3 weeks later before I was able to hike for the first time in 2017 and in turn he would be unable go with me ! This time would also be my first time hiking with a new hikertrash friend Brian Solomon. It was one of those short notice trips so it was decided that we would go to Gentry Falls, a local favorite that I have been to many times over the years. This falls is made up of two drops right together that are in excess of 40 feet in vertical height. During higher water flows, the taller, lower drop is actually a twin / double falls as it would be for us on this day. I would also be accompanied by John Forbes and my son, Tyler Tarpley. It was an early, before daylight start in hopes of good lighting. The water levels were also very good after some recent rains. Tyler and I got to the trail head first in total darkness and waited for a short while for Brian and John to show up. Soon we would all be on our way along the 2+ mile hike to the falls as first light was breaking.
Gentry Falls
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Posted on 26 December '17 by RAT, under RATtreks. No Comments.
There are many well known waterfalls along the Laurel Fork corridor of Carter County, TN. but, there are also a few unknown falls that have never been documented before. That is, until now. Yet another tip of the hat to my friend and fellow mountain man Larry Jarret for mining out another impeccable run of waterfalls that he was generous enough to share with his fellow ‘Camel Servicers’ ! Having already surpassed more than 250 major unknown and unnamed waterfalls locally, this run would only add to those numbers. Like any other Jarret find, the route required to reach them would definitely not be easy as there are no trails anywhere near where these well secluded beauties hide. It would also require crawling through one of the longest, continuous laurel hells that I have ever encountered just to reach the correct unnamed creek. Then it was an ‘up the gut’ steep climb to reach the various falls located there. Add in the fact that it was raining by the time we reached the off trail part of this journey and then crawling the last mile or more off the mountain in the dark and you end up with another typical yet, amazing Camel Servicer run ! We would be missing Tommy ‘Bol’Dar’ Warden on this amazing adventure but, those present would be our Jedi leader Larry Jarret, Resident Gnome John Forbes, my son Tyler ‘Little RAT’ Tarpley and me, the RATman.
Unknown, (until now) unnamed, dot-less beauty in the Laurel Fork area
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Posted on 24 December '17 by RAT, under RATtreks. No Comments.
There is no such thing as an ‘easy Camel Servicer Run’ but, I will say that the Shinbone run is without any doubt, the most difficult one to date. Located in North Carolina yet, only a stones throw from Tennessee, it involves some of the steepest terrain, and thickest laurel hells that I have ever encountered. The fact that it took us nearly twelve hours to go a mere three and a half miles speaks volumes as to how rugged this trek is. The last mile was done in total darkness. I don`t recall ever being so tired and sore from a trip in my entire life. That being said you may be wondering was it worth it ? The answer would be absolutely however, if you were to ask me would I do it again ? I would have to ponder long and hard on that one and the answer might very well be no. There are several pristine, unnamed and dot-less waterfalls hidden within the Shinbone realm that are well protected from prying eyes by the sheer difficulty of the terrain itself. There is not another picture of them anywhere and I feel sure it will remain that way for years to come. I am grateful and privileged to have seen them and I owe it all to our fearless leader Larry Jarret who did the excruciating legwork to find them on two previous trips (down AND back I might add !). On this trip we would use two vehicles and go one way, top down with the full Camel Servicer crew of Larry Jarret, John Forbes, Tommy Warden, my son Tyler Tarpley and myself.
Into the sun and some of the thickest laurels found anywhere with Larry Jarret.
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Posted on 18 December '17 by RAT, under RATtreks. No Comments.
You know it is a very special and significant destination when the ‘Roan Mountain Jedi’ Larry Jarret agrees to leave the great state of Tennessee to see it ! This trip was definitely a special occasion as we would be visiting the Great Channels of Virginia. Having been there a few times before, I place it on my list of ‘must see before you die’ as it really is a local wonder of the world. I mean, where else can you see sandstone rocks that are over 400 million years old carved out by ice ! On this trip would also be John Forbes who has explored this area extensively more times than anyone I have ever heard of. There would also be another first timer with us, my son, Tyler Tarpley. It was a bright, sunny Fall morning with warm temps and after a short delay (as Gnomes must have their breakfast and espresso) the Camel Servicer`s Union would find ourselves at a nice local waterfall that was along the way.
Group shot from within the Great Channels of Virginia (top to bottom = John Forbes, Tyler Tarpley, Randy Tarpley, and Larry Jarret)
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Posted on 10 December '17 by RAT, under RATtreks. No Comments.
My name is 'RAT' and I love the mountains and waterfalls of the East TN. area where I live and I hope you enjoy this blog about my outdoor adventures.
