What is in the plans for this season?

[Hiker]

Have two trips I want to make this summer - the Great Smoky Mountains and the Upper Peninsula (Michigan).

I would like to take a few days in the GSMNP car camping and day hikes.

In September, I hope to join a group on a wilderness hike in the McCormick Wilderness in the UP. I went there last August with my dog, but this next time I think it'll be a group of five to ten avid backpackers.

[Lighter Fluid]

I would like to take both those trips someday as well, Hiker.
I hope you get to make both of them happen this summer.

[pyxiestyxie]

Sounds like you've got some great hikes planned Hiker

Winter is shaping up to be pretty fantastic, all things going the way we plan . Hannah and I are heading over to Queenstown for a trauma conference in July and then hiking afterwards. We have a plan to ice climb around Queenstown as well as taking on a climb of the Franz Josef glacier. Depending on the snow pack, we will also head up to Te Anau NP (where the Milford sound is). It's usually too dangerous to descend into the Milford valley due to avalanche risk, but there are some wonderful hikes around the rim with some tricky crossings. Depends on how Hannah feels though, this being her first time with crampons etc.

More locally, we are planning some overnights in southern Flinders Ranges. I have a few friends who haven't hiked much before, so I'll be taking them out for their first over night hike in Wilpena Pound. It's a beautiful area and if the hike is too much for them, there are plenty of easy exit points to get back to the local pub Not that we'll be needing it. It will also be a chance to see how the group dynamics go. Assuming I don't get the job in Antarctica, we're planning another assault on Tasmania - this time two weeks in the remote South Coast track. I haven't multiday hiked with these guys before so the Wilpena trips will be a good indicator. I think the winter is a bit extreme for Tassie virgins - even going in summer the South Coast can be doused in rain squalls and icy winds direct off the Antarctic ice pack. So that will likely be in November.

Pixa

[Lighter Fluid]

Pixa, you sure do get to take not only a lot of trips,
but you get to take them to some awesome locations.
Here's ing all things go as planned for your hiking trips
and that you get that Antarctica job you've been wanting.

[pyxiestyxie]

If not this year, then I'll just keep applying - get the job by wearing them down

So how's about you? You hitting the trail this summer?

Pixa

[Lighter Fluid]

I like your moxie Pixa! Keep wearing them down. You'll get that job.
I have a number of trips on my schedule. Hopefully I will get a good number of them in.
I think I will stay quiet about them for now though and just let the eventual posts, pics and reports speak for themselves when and if the trips take place.

[Scotott]

My locales aren't nearly as exotic as the rest listed, but ....

Next weekend I'll be visiting Picketwire Canyon (photos are posted around here somewhere of my last trip).
Conundrum Trail, just outside of Aspen, CO
Buffalo Peaks Wilderness (Colorado)
Maybe a trip to the Snowy River Range in Wyoming.
Maybe a trip to The Sawtooths up in Idaho.

[Hiker]

I was hoping to get to the great smoky mountains national park, but because they don't allow dogs, I'm going to big south fork national river and recreation area in a few weeks. Going to car camp and day hike. Really looking forward to it.

[Lighter Fluid]

That sounds like a great trip Hiker. Good to see you have a trip planned and on the calendar already.
I look forward to seeing pics and hearing about big south fork national river and recreation area.
I'm not familiar with it. Where is it located?

[Hiker]

Big South Fork is in northeastern Tennessee, west of the Smokies. I spent one quick night there last year, and have wanted to return when I could spend a few days. I'll try to take some photos. The trails are supposed to be somewhat challenging and scenic. Should be a lot of fun.