Ashleigh

I am from the Midlands of South Carolina. I love being outside! I enjoy hiking, backpacking, golfing, disc golfing, kayaking, wakeboarding, snowboarding, playing tennis and softball, running, and working out at the gym. I try to go hiking at least once a month, but sometimes I go more often. The closest mountains are 2.5 hours from me, so I am not able to go as often as I'd like.  I have been backpacking for about four years now. I primarily hike in Western NC, but I also venture to North Georgia, East Tennessee, Southwest and Central Virginia, and Upstate SC. My husband and I got married in 2011 in Yosemite National Park. We spent our honeymoon in YNP and in Mammoth Lakes. That was the best trip of my life!

Favorite Backcountry Spots:

Yosemite National Park and the Ansel Adams Wilderness are my top overall favorites, but my favorite East Coast spots are Max Patch Bald and Black Balsam Knob in NC, Grayson Highlands State Park in VA, Roan Highlands and Great Smoky Mountains National Park in TN, and Jones Gap State Park in SC.

Trip Reports:

http://www.trailspace.com/forums/trip-reports/topics/144529.html#144529  Hot Springs, NC to Rich Mountain

http://www.trailspace.com/forums/trip-reports/topics/136978.html Chimney Tops, GSMNP

http://www.trailspace.com/forums/trip-reports/topics/130708.html  Mt LeConte, GSMNP

http://www.trailspace.com/forums/trip-reports/topics/130697.html Clingman’s Dome to Andrews Bald, GSMNP

http://www.trailspace.com/forums/trip-reports/topics/126027.html  Smokemont to Cosby, GSMNP

http://www.trailspace.com/forums/trip-reports/topics/134764.html Max Patch Bald, NC

http://www.trailspace.com/forums/trip-reports/topics/128359.html  Another Max Patch Bald trip 

http://www.trailspace.com/forums/trip-reports/topics/126002.html Roan Highlands, TN

http://www.trailspace.com/forums/trip-reports/topics/125169.html The Mist Trail, Yosemite NP

http://www.trailspace.com/forums/trip-reports/topics/125506.html My Wedding at Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park

 http://www.trailspace.com/forums/trip-reports/topics/135970.html Central VA

 http://www.trailspace.com/forums/trip-reports/topics/134709.html   Pisgah National Forest, NC

 http://www.trailspace.com/forums/trip-reports/topics/131431.html  Grayson Highlands State Park, VA

Gear:

Tent - MSR Carbon Reflex 2, REI Half Dome 2

Pack- Gregory Deva 60L, Osprey Aura 50, Gregory Cirque 30L

Sleeping bag - Montbell U.L. Spiral Down Hugger #1, Montbell U.L. Spiral Down Hugger #3

Compression Sack - Sea to Summit eVent (M)

Liner- Sea to Summit Reactor

Camp Seat/Chair - Big Agnes SL Cyclone, Thermarest Trail Lite Seat

Pad - Big Agnes Insulated Q-Core, Big Agnes Insulated Air Core

Pillow - Exped Comfort Foam

Stove - Jetboil PCS

Poles - Black Diamond Distance Z-poles (100 cm)

Filter - Katadyn Vario, Sawyer Squeeze

Light - Petzl Tikka 2, Black Diamond Orbit, ENO Twilights

Multi-tool - Gerber Steady, Gerber Crucial

Boots/shoes - Merrell Moab Mid GTX, Asolo FSN 70 GTX, Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra GTX, Kahtoola Microspikes

Puffy - Montbell Alpine Light Jacket, Patagonia Nano Puff, Arc'teryx Atom LT, Patagonia Hi-Loft Down Sweater, Patagonia U.L. Down Jacket, Patagonia Down Sweater Vest, The North Face Zephyrus

Rain shell - Mountain Hardwear Typhoon, Patagonia Torrentshell, Patagonia Nano Storm, Mountain Hardwear Xenon

Baselayers: Smartwool Midweight Pattern 1/4 zip and pants, Patagonia R1 pullover and pants, Patagonia Capilene 2 &3 tops, Patagonia Merino 2 1/4 Zip, Outdoor Research Essence 1/4 Zip, Smartwool PHD Mini socks

Gaiters: Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Low

Bear Canister - Bearvault BV450

Hammock - ENO Double Nest with Slap Straps Pro and Dry Fly Tarp

Beverage Container - GSI Outdoors Infinity Insulated Mug, 32 oz Nalgene, 32 oz Platypus bottle, .5 liter Platypus bottle

Bladder - 2L Camelbak, 3L Platypus Big Zip

Here is a link to my Reviewer of the Month story, done by Seth Levy:

 http://www.trailspace.com/blog/2013/01/09/ashleigh-trailspace-reviewer-of-the-month.html