Adventure: Backpacking in McAfee Knob

I love backpacking.

It's one of those things... after a while I start to get the itch.  I have to hit the trail.

This trip will have been my 5th trip out and I have another one planned this fall.

I have been dying to go to McAfee's Knob but no on was ever willing to make the 5 hour drive.
Finally!  I had some takers!

The hike was only rated at a 3/5 difficulty level, and reportably has some of the most amazing views,

 so I decided to take the weight and pack my SLR.  Was I happy I did.

Oh, I also brought 2 other cameras... My Lomography Fisheye 

and my Olympus Stylus Tough (my "indestructible camera")

This was the first clearing we came to

I was so happy to see we were nearing the top!

We have arrived!

McAfee Knob.  Check!

After checking out the Knob, we hiked down the mountain a ways to set-up camp.

Jackie and I decided to hike back up to watch the sunset.

It was breathtaking.

This is, by far, my favorite shot from the trip!

I took a lot of HDR images while at the knob.  It really helped bring out the details.

The especially fun part was hiking .7 miles back to camp through the pitch-black woods! :)

Edit: Video here

Update: this blog post later got me published on the front of a local VA magazine.  Pretty cool!!