I've been doing a fair amount of spring/summer/fall backpacking the last few years but nothing in the winter.  I'm planning an MLK wkd trip (Deep Creek) and want to make sure I'm prepared gear-wise.   I've browsed some other boards but the recs are all over the place depending on the locale.  Am curious to hear from those that do a lot of winter backpacking in the Smokies.

My primary concerns are around my tent and keeping my hands/feet warm.

Tent - for camping at spots in the…

Any of you been to Turtle Island Preserve near Boone?  I had never heard of it but it looks and sounds amazing.  Unfortunately they have been shut down, at least temporarily, by the local government.

http://www.hcpress.com/news/turtle-island-story.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=turtle-island-story