Spring Gear Shakedown - Neel Gap to Whitney Gap Shelter - Sat, Apr 25 2026

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



Spring Gear Shakedown - Neel Gap to Whitney Gap Shelter


The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Springer Mtn   Backpacking: Spring Gear Shakedown - Neel Gap to Whitney Gap Shelter  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Apr 25 2026  9:00 am >> Sun, Apr 26 2026 3:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Sun, Mar 29 2026 7:05 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Apr 24 2026 7:00 pm
Event Duration:1 Days 6 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult (Exploratory)
Distance:18 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Tim W
Email Trip Leader(s)
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:6
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 1 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

Time to dust off your gear and get ready for this year's backpack adventures.  This event is intended for folks with upcoming backpack trips to test, try-out, practice and generally shakedown your backpack equipment. The hike is challenging and will remind you what it's like to carry a full pack over mountains and miles. Each day will cover about 9 miles with 2500 ft elevation gain.

We'll start at the Byron Reese parking lot and head uphill to join the AT.  From there we'll follow the AT north for about 7 miles before turning onto the Whitney Gap Shelter trail.  The trail will take us downhill over 1 mile to the shelter.

Since the shelter is so far off the AT it's usually less crowded.  There should be room for about 6 tents there with bear cables and a reliable spring nearby.  Since I've never been down to the shelter before I marked this event as exploratory.

Along the way we'll pass through Neel and Tesnatee gaps and over Levelland, Cowrock and Wildcat mountains.  We'll probably stop for lunch on Cowrock the first day.  It's a tough climb out of Tesnatee Gap both ways and the hike down to the shelter is supposed to be a bit steep.

At camp we'll setup our tents, check over our gear, settle in and have dinner.  In the morning we should have plenty of time for a hot breakfast and pack up.  We'll plan to go to bed around dark and wake up around dawn (the way nature intended). 

Unless arrangements are made with others, everyone should bring there own food, cooking gear, tent and backpack. (That's kinda the point of the trip.)

This is a D5 backpack event with a 9 mile hike to and from the campsite. Total elevation gain is around 5000 ft.  Extensive backpacking experience is not necessary but you should have all your own gear and be responsible for carrying and setting up your own stuff as well as preparing your own dinner and breakfast.


Required Items to Bring:

Hiking boots/shoes

Backpack

Tent/tarp/hammock

Sleeping system bag/quilt/pad

Food and snacks (1 dinner, 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, trail snacks)

Water with filtration/purfication

Headlamp/flashlight w/ spare batteries

Cooking gear (stove/pot/cup/spork/etc) DO NOT PLAN TO COOK OVER OPEN FIRE

Matches/lighter

Rain gear

Bear canister or bear bag hang

Toiletries

Weather appropriate clothing

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

Phone/camera

GPW/PLB

Camp chair

Cheery attitude

Towel


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Please meet the Byron Reese Trailhead parking lot by 9:00am.

Click here for trailhead location

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):120Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:30 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $48.00 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:


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


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