When I knew that I would be making my trek through Europe and Japan during winter, I decided to do some camping in the mountains of North Carolina. This was earlier in the fall before the wildfire situation got out of hand.

It was in mid-October, and, with the chill of fall advancing, the leaves had begun to wear their autumn colors, providing the forest with a blanket of reds, oranges, and yellows.

Linville Gorge is a part of the Pisgah National Forest, an extensive park that stretches through southwestern North Carolina. Linville Falls, named after some European trappers who were ambushed by Shawnee indians, is located near highway 221 and is easily accessible for visitors who don’t wish to venture farther into the expansive park.

For me, it was a time to camp in some cooler weather and test out some of the gear that I will be using in the Scottish Highlands in January. I also had an opportunity to just meditate alone in nature.

I especially enjoyed the sunrise I watched from Wiseman’s View, from which I could see Hawksbill Mountain to the left and Table Rock Mountain (a peak I’ve hiked numerous times) to the right.

If you find yourself visiting Asheville or are in the north western section of South Carolina, this is definitely a great place to visit.