12th Annual sometime around Halloween Blood Mountain Hike -Rescheduled - Sun, Nov 15 2015

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12th Annual sometime around Halloween Blood Mountain Hike -Rescheduled


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: near Blairsville, GA   Hike: 12th Annual sometime around Halloween Blood Mountain Hike -Rescheduled  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sun, Nov 15 2015  3:20 pm >> Sun, Nov 15 2015 8:20 pm  (Carpool Departure: 1:40 pm   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Wed, Nov 11 2015 9:30 pm
Registration Cut Off: Sat, Nov 14 2015 6:00 pm
Event Duration:5 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Distance:5 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Steven K
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:18
Minimum Group Size:6
Number Registered So Far: 10 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

This is a rescheduled hike from the original that was postponed by rain. The people that signed up are those that originally signed up for the November 8th hike. Registraion reopens for others on Wednesday evening. 

I've been doing this for 11 years and I am not stopping yet.  

The view from the summit of Blood Mountain is one of the most scenic in Georgia with 360 degree vistas. We will time the start of the hike to arrive at the top of Blood Mountain shortly before sunset. After viewing hopefully a spectacular sunset we will then hike back to the trailhead. As it states above, we will be hiking down the mountain in the dark. This is very doable and I have personally lead this hike nine times at night, along with numerous times during the day. We will start back shortly after sunset; everyone must leave at the same time and stay with the group. Those that have difficulty following directions should not attend. Strong flashlights are required. This hike is not for beginners and all participants should have previous mountainous trail experience.

The trails we will be using are very well maintained, however due to the nature of the terrain, differ significantly from those in the metro Atlanta area. Going downhill in the dark is not the time to learn these differences. Appropriate hiking shoes are required. Most of our hiking will be on the Appalachian Trail with part of the way back will be on a spur trail. It is basically 2 1/2 miles uphill and 2 1/2 miles downhill. The quality of the switchbacks makes the ascent seem easier than on other 1000 foot plus climbs on other trails. Still you will definitely know you are going up. The weather at the top of Blood Mountain at 5:30 PM will likely be significantly cooler and windier than at 12:30 to 1:00 PM when you gather your gear to drive to the Park and Ride lot so plan accordingly.

Sunset this day is at 5:33 PM


Required Items to Bring:

Hiking Shoes
Appropriate jacket and clothing
Strong headlamp or Flashlight - not a penlight
2 quarts water
dinner to eat at summit of Blood Mountain

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

cameras
hiking poles


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

From the Mansell Park and Ride north on GA 400. Continue on US 19/GA 60 once GA 400 ends. Take bypass through Dahlongea. Stay on US 19. Once you reach Walasi-Yi Inn you will be a quarter of a mile from the Byron Herbert Reece parking lot. The road into the lot in one way. If you have reached Vogel State Park you have gone too far.

Note that parking has been limited at the parking lot to 24 cars at the Bryon Herbert Reece lot . Hopefully with a late afternoon start there will be sufficent spaces. Plan on riding in a vehicle with at least 4 people. No driving alone for this one.  Because of the parking restrcitiions I am going to require all people to participate in the carpool. If you live north of the Mansell Park and Ride you can meet us at park and ride lot at the end of Georgia 400 about 40 minutes after the carpool departure time.  




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Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):135Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 1:40 pm
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $54.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:

Will this event occur rain or shine? No, not if heavy thunderstorms are forecast.


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.