My freshman year at Clemson University I quickly figured out that the fall was all about Clemson Football as the campus would become packed most every weekend with 85,000 screaming fans. I also came to realize that in the spring the college was a suitcase college with most students traveling home for the weekends. My parents will tell you during my college career I only came home from school for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and spring and summer break, the rest of the time I was either studying or enjoying the mountains.
For me most every weekend in the spring included a trip to Sumter National Forest for some camping, hiking, and fishing. What better way to unwind from a long week of studying and exams than camping out on the Chatooga River? My roommate and I along with a couple of other friends would take off right after class on Friday, stop by the grocery store for some food, stop at the base of the mountains for some tackle, and be on the trail by 5 pm. By dark we would have our tents set up, firewood gathered, and dinner on the grill. After dinner we would sit next to the fire, have a few beers, tell allot of lies, and relax. By 8 am the next morning we had already finished breakfast, slapped the waiters on, and were casting for trout. We would fish till lunch, grab a bite to eat, then either hit the river again or go for a hike to explore the local waterfalls. Life was good!
The South Carolina Mountains are no more that five hours from most of the lowcountry and offer a great retreat from the flatland. Primitive camping as well as maintained camp areas with facilities are scattered through out the Sumter National Forest. Check in with the National Forest website, http://www.fs.fed.us/R8, for locations as well as regulations on campsites and campfires.
While a trip to the mountains is a lot cheaper than a day offshore I would definitely recommend splurging on the following items:
- Quality Back Pack – Make sure it is large enough to hold your gear and fits you comfortably. I prefer th