Trip Report: 2 days in Dolly Sods, WV

I needed to get the hell out of dodge for a day. It'd been too long since I've taken time to just spend in the woods, putting miles on the boots and using it as an excuse to test products. Dolly Sods in West Virginia was long on my list of areas to check out and I considered this a trip to scout for backcountry sites for future backpacking trips.

This trip my Omega Seamaster Black Ceramic Titanium came along for the ride on a The Grey Bootstrap band. This band was unique in that it measured 22mm vs the 21mm lug width on the Seamaster. This was to accomplish 2 things; how the edges of the strap stand up to the ultra sharp edges of the Seamasters ceramic case and how well a strap held together with only adhesive would work.

As for the edges on the Seamaster case, these things are practically razors. I'm surprised I haven't sliced open a finger on them. I can report back the abrasion resistance on the straps was great. Part of this is due to the production method. Using a CNC laser cuts and seals the straps edges providing a far more durable edge than if we used a sharp tool to cut the straps. An early prototype cut with a razor proved every edge of these straps needs a laser cut.

The glue also held up great. We still have some more testing to do, 2 days wasn't quite enough but it held up to extensive mileage and elevation gain through appalachia. We traversed valleys and mountain tops, across dirt and some of the rockiest trails I've encountered with temps ranging from 45* to 85* all while getting hours upon hours of my sweat baked into and onto the strap.

For the trip, it was quick but tough. This day covered 16 miles starting at the Red Creek trailhead at the southend of the park and proceeding up to the Fischer Spring Run Trailhead. From there I turned around and heading towards Breathed Mountain/Lions Head but not before misreading the trail and headed down a old logging road. Did I mention I forgot my socks?

The views from Lions Head were phenomenal (insert lost pic!) and by the time I was done I think I walked almost every trail in the southern half of the park. Tired, hungry and thoroughly decaffeinated and headed down Red Creek for the car and a cup of Kuju pour over and the dehydrated biscuits and gravy I didn't eat for breakfast.