Blue Berry Backpacking Bonanza! (Shining Rock Wilderness) - Sat, Aug 20 2011

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.



Blue Berry Backpacking Bonanza! (Shining Rock Wilderness)


The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Pisgah National Forest & Shining Rock Wilderness   Backpacking: Blue Berry Backpacking Bonanza! (Shining Rock Wilderness)  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Aug 20 2011  7:00 am >> Sun, Aug 21 2011 7:12 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Aug 1 2011 9:31 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Aug 19 2011 4:11 pm
Event Duration:2 days 1 night
Difficulty Rating:D3: Moderate
Distance:10.5 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Christopher Bolton
Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:8
Minimum Group Size:0
Number Registered So Far: 7 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:
Thanks to Geri and Denise for the trip description!  With any luck, we will see Geri on the trail (see last part of the description)

Are you ready for a fairly easy backpacking trip where there are snacks along the trail?  It's like hiking in a grocery store at Shining Rock Wilderness this time of year!  And the views can be breath taking on a beautiful day.

We will depart the carpool at 7:00 AM and drive approx 4 hrs to the parking area at Black Balsam Knob. Here we will use the bathrooms and gear up for our first climb. We will head up Black Balsam Knob, about 0.6 miles and a 400' climb. Depending on the mood of everyone we will either eat lunch atop Black Balsam Knob while enjoying the 360 degree views, or hike a little further and descend down and then head up Tennent Mtn. where we will enjoy more views and lunch.  From here we will continue on to camp covering the remaining miles and set up camp near Shining Rock. Along the way we will be picking blueberries and having a good time. 

After setting up camp we will head towards Shining Rock where we will check out the huge chunks of marble and some more great views and possibly a nice sunset. The next morning we will get up, eat and break camp. We have 2 choices for return. The harder way we came in or a flat old railroad bed, very easy. We will make this decision together based on the skill level of the group and other factors like time. The drive back is about 4 hrs so we should get back late afternoon or early evening. If everyone wants we can stop on the way home for dinner. This is a fairly easy trip but you must be able to carry all your gear approximately 10 miles over 2 days.

We encourage beginners to try this trip but only beginners in good physical condition. Dogs are allowed but they must be able to handle the hike and behave around people and other dogs. We will also be capping it at 3 dogs for the group to keep things from getting too crazy.

The good news is our sister club the Raliegh Outdoor club will be at Shining Rock this same weekend and we may be able to hang out with some additional friends

Art Lobe Trail

Sunset at Shining Rock



Required Items to Bring:
Tent Sleeping bag Headlamp/flashlight Bring lunch and dinner for Saturday and breakfast for Sunday. Trail snacks Water Good hiking boots Hiking Poles/hiking stick are recommended Rain Gear/poncho		Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Good Spirits (this can include the mental and/or liquid kind)
Camera
Songs for the trail
Light Saber (for battling rabid ewoks)
Laughter
Empty container for blueberries

How to Get There:
Event Directions:I will pass these out at the carpool.
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):350Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $140.00 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.