Red River Gorge (Kentucky) Backpacking - April 2018

David Gray
David Gray
23,079
0
Published 2018-04-15
My first trip of 2018 didn't go as planned. The weather forecast deteriorated with each day as the trip got closer, but after the long winter I was more than eager to get a trip in. As it turned out I would have been wise to postpone the trip until better weather was going to be in the area.

I've done many backpacking trips but each still ends up being a 'learning experience' in one way or another. This trip was certainly that. I learned the lower portions of the Red River Gorge area are no place to be when heavy rain is happening. I also learned most of the ubiquitous informal campgrounds, that the Gorge backcountry area is well known for, are 'closed for restoration'. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way that my trusty ‘bulletproof’ Nemo Meta 2P tent needs a healthy dose of fresh waterproofing. Finally, I learned that Miguel’s Pizza is just as good as always, and that the Miguel ‘vibe’ is a quirky as ever.

I had taken a trip to the Red River Gorge area in 2012, but I never published that video. I was able to pull some of the video I captured on the 2012 trip to ‘complete’ the loop I had originally planned for the 2018 trip – I think that old footage adds a bit of a nostalgic feel to this video.

Though the trip was different than I had planned, the dogs and I still enjoyed spending a couple days in the woods, and it was a great shakedown hike for the upcoming trips of the 2018 backpacking season.

Still Camera: Nikon D810 with Nikkor 20mm f1.8 lens
Video Camera (2018): Canon Vixia G40 with Rode Stereo Videomic Pro
Video Camera (2012): Panasonic HDC-SD9
Video Editing Software: Sony Vegas Pro 13
All Comments (21)
  • @TimWatsonOutdoors
    😂😂😂😂 I died at Bailey doing his thing. "C''mon, you don't even know what you're doing." Definitely looked like a wet trip. Not the preferred start to the season but any day out there's a good day.
  • @naturallyadriftphotoadvent123
    Always get excited to see your videos pop up! Hope your other adventures go better and that the weather improves soon for all of us!
  • @irenecampbell7765
    It's great to see you out on the trail again! Looking forward to all of your trips of the 2018 season.
  • @petercoconut
    Glad the 2018 backpacking season and your videos are back up and running. Always, ALWAYS, enjoy your videos! You have been our guide for places to backpack. We're heading to Ansel Adams Wilderness early summer on the same trail you took. Thanks for doing all the leg work for our trip. Hike on my friend! Love Red River Gorge, and your videos are just awesome!
  • @whittleoldman186
    Great to see you back. Some of my favorite videos. Hike on Bro!
  • @potatothorn
    well better safe than sorry, and with the older footage in here, made for a great video!! 40 minutes of awesome thanks for taking us with you!
  • @PatJ61
    It makes my heart glad to see another one of your videos. Thanks for digging back into the archives to show a dry spell vs. a wet spell in the same area. Great job! Gives the dogs a belly rub from their fans-- it's always good to see them.
  • @Sjguitarpnw
    I had a rough first trip of the season as well. Glad I wasn’t alone. Excited for the next video, great as always
  • @ReeWrayOutdoors
    Can't believe it took me this long to find this video...somehow missed it before. Man, what a slog that turned out to be for you! My wife and I get down there a couple times a year with the dogs and I do try to avoid going if it's going to rain...or even if it HAS rained in the past couple of days, because some of the trails can get really sloppy (and muddy dogs in the car is always a treat! ;) ) Then of course the other challenge is avoiding weekends wherever possible due to how busy it can often be in nice weather on the weekends. Still though, RRG remains one of my favorite places to escape to. Thanks for sharing it all - the good, the bad and the ugly! :)
  • @stevesoutsideadventures
    Good Hike , A little wet , but that is just part of it at times . I have the Red River Gorge on my to do list , hopefully sometime this year. Thanks for bringing us along
  • @Hefmier
    Bummer!!! Sorry that this trip did not go as planned, but I still enjoyed watching your trip, and the footage from 12' was wonderful to watch as well!! Thanks for sharing!!
  • @rockytopwrangler2069
    Well hello my friend,, good to see you out and tackling nature. I'm a little surprised that there is not as much snow still around,from all the weather the east has been getting this year. Looks like a real conditioning challenge to start the year. Good to see the dogs along , did appear that they felt the hike as well. I also have been on hikes that were so wet and dry wood was not to be found,, and I always take one more fuel canister than I think I need and have needed to use stove under lincoln log style campfire enough to dry out wood to burn,than pull out of an opening as it takes hold.The older I get the less I like being wet ,especially while cold.Thanks for sharing,,until next time....Stay safe and God Bless....
  • @Buzz420
    Awesome trip David 👍thnx for sharing.
  • @nicholaspullen7261
    Everytime I watch one of your vids, its just a matter of time before Im craving cheddar cheese spread! Thanks for sharing!
  • @JustinMcKinneyhiker
    Great Video, You've got some great companions to hike with !! Thanks for sharing !!
  • @thrive6685
    David...Nice to see you start off the 2018 with a bang! Albeit wet! Look forward to seeing your upcoming trips! Cheers from Greenwood, Indiana!
  • @elizabethwhite6364
    Great to see a video! Looking forward to 2018 and your hiking. The dogs did great! It did look wet and chilly. You shared a lot of valuable information for others! Pizza looked tasty!