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- Apr 21, 2012
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I'd like to share some photos from a hike with the RMD at 5500'. These are from the Craggy Gardens area of Western NC off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Just down the road is Mt. Mitchell, which is close to 6700' from sea level and as such is the highest point in the U.S. east of the Mississippi.
This is a panorama of the hiking area posted as a sneak peak last night.
New photos added 07/20:
CG is a relatively short trail but we were able to take some side paths and explore a little bit in the Pisgah National Forest for a few hours. The area is known for bear, elk, Junco birds, and a variety of flora and fauna. Recently, there was an assault of deviant nature in this area and the case is still open. Between my RMD and my Blackhawk, however, as well as my ugly mug, we felt generally safe on and off trail. Aside from humans, bear, and ungulates, there are timber rattlesnake, copperheads, and malignant arthropods.
These photos were taken with a cell phone and subsequently corrected using software. I try to present them as photo-accurate as I can. Due to limitations of the camera, some will appear wistful, whereas others sharp and clear. Nevertheless, they are mine in all of their variability and I invite you to walk with me awhile.
The paths varied from tight paths through grass knolls covered with butterflies and flowers to dark, slightly damp rocky paths through gnarly and burly trees.
I am not a botanist but I am going to try for some amateur identification. If any of you can correct, confirm, or provide information on the plants I would appreciate it.
This one appears to be White Bergamot or Monarda clinopodia.
This next one is easy:
Wild blueberries just beginning to get fat. They should ripen up pretty soon and make the bears happy.
Anyone know what these plump, delicious looking red berries are? Maybe some type of toxic nightshade... maybe some type of cherry... I have no idea and my interest in experimentation is low...
This next one looks like Phlox paniculata, or purple kiss, a common perennial flower with a velvety texture and blow your mind deep purple and pink display.
More purple flowers in this dream-like field with a subtle rainbow and sunbeams on display.
Absolutely stunning Tiger Lily
Gear shot of a masterfully done flame-kydex sheath for RMD by David Brown. This sheath has carried 4 RMDS until I finally settled on this Blade 2017 variant with safety orange g10 and Midnight Blue coating. I was able to bring the blade in through the secondary market here and I appreciate the hog that helped make that happen for me.
Swamp Rat Ratmandu on some particularly gnarled wooden arches. It almost looks like a shrine to the old ones. There are stories in this wood...
This one has my edge on it and I assure you it is as sharp as it looks
meta-shot of my wife admiring the knife. She says the RMD just feels right to hold.
And her work in all of its glory:
This rat tends to sparkle a bit in direct light... it has been a knife that has served me well by many a fire. I'm not in the habit of cutting much down in national forests but I was happy to have it by my side and use it as a vehicle for sharing the journey with you. Rest assured, it is bound for work this evening and for years to come. Thanks to Jerry, Garth, Amy and crew for supporting the model and thanks to all of you reading this for your commentary and for sharing your adventures along the way.
This is a panorama of the hiking area posted as a sneak peak last night.
New photos added 07/20:
CG is a relatively short trail but we were able to take some side paths and explore a little bit in the Pisgah National Forest for a few hours. The area is known for bear, elk, Junco birds, and a variety of flora and fauna. Recently, there was an assault of deviant nature in this area and the case is still open. Between my RMD and my Blackhawk, however, as well as my ugly mug, we felt generally safe on and off trail. Aside from humans, bear, and ungulates, there are timber rattlesnake, copperheads, and malignant arthropods.
These photos were taken with a cell phone and subsequently corrected using software. I try to present them as photo-accurate as I can. Due to limitations of the camera, some will appear wistful, whereas others sharp and clear. Nevertheless, they are mine in all of their variability and I invite you to walk with me awhile.
The paths varied from tight paths through grass knolls covered with butterflies and flowers to dark, slightly damp rocky paths through gnarly and burly trees.
I am not a botanist but I am going to try for some amateur identification. If any of you can correct, confirm, or provide information on the plants I would appreciate it.
This one appears to be White Bergamot or Monarda clinopodia.
This next one is easy:
Wild blueberries just beginning to get fat. They should ripen up pretty soon and make the bears happy.
Anyone know what these plump, delicious looking red berries are? Maybe some type of toxic nightshade... maybe some type of cherry... I have no idea and my interest in experimentation is low...
This next one looks like Phlox paniculata, or purple kiss, a common perennial flower with a velvety texture and blow your mind deep purple and pink display.
More purple flowers in this dream-like field with a subtle rainbow and sunbeams on display.
Absolutely stunning Tiger Lily
Gear shot of a masterfully done flame-kydex sheath for RMD by David Brown. This sheath has carried 4 RMDS until I finally settled on this Blade 2017 variant with safety orange g10 and Midnight Blue coating. I was able to bring the blade in through the secondary market here and I appreciate the hog that helped make that happen for me.
Swamp Rat Ratmandu on some particularly gnarled wooden arches. It almost looks like a shrine to the old ones. There are stories in this wood...
This one has my edge on it and I assure you it is as sharp as it looks
meta-shot of my wife admiring the knife. She says the RMD just feels right to hold.
And her work in all of its glory:
This rat tends to sparkle a bit in direct light... it has been a knife that has served me well by many a fire. I'm not in the habit of cutting much down in national forests but I was happy to have it by my side and use it as a vehicle for sharing the journey with you. Rest assured, it is bound for work this evening and for years to come. Thanks to Jerry, Garth, Amy and crew for supporting the model and thanks to all of you reading this for your commentary and for sharing your adventures along the way.
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