Cumberland Island Backpacking Adventure - Thu, Mar 15 2012

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT 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. This is a paid event with payment managed through the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for details; you will be given payment instructions after you sign up. Late payments are NOT accepted for this event, in any circumstance.



Cumberland Island Backpacking Adventure


The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Cumberland Island

   Backpacking: Cumberland Island Backpacking Adventure  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Thu, Mar 15 2012  9:09 am >> Sun, Mar 18 2012 12:12 pm  (Carpool Departure: 3:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Tue, Feb 7 2012 9:09 pm
Registration Cut Off: Tue, Feb 21 2012 4:13 pm
Event Duration:3 Days 3 Hours 3 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Distance:40 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Christopher Bolton
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Member Cost:$38.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:11
Minimum Group Size:10
Number Registered So Far: 8 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Sit right back and you’ll hear a tale...... a tale of a camping trip.... That started from St. Mary’s shore.... aboard a tiny ship....

What could be better than camping, hiking, exploring and having a beach? If you can’t think of anything, then you should come join us on a backpacking adventure to Cumberland Island.

Cumberland Island is the south most barrier island in Georgia. On the island we will have the opportunity to see such wild life as feral horses, armadillos, wild turkeys, deer, wild pigs, snakes and possibly alligators.

Below is our tentative itinerary. Backcountry campsites are assigned upon arrival.

Thursdsay: Our adventure will begin from the dock at St. Marys. We need to meet here by 8:15 AM, so we can make sure we have everyone and also to load our backpacks onto the ferry boat. After hearing the initial “do's and don’ts” from the ranger, the ferry will takes us over to Cumberland Island. The ferry boat ride is about 45 minutes. After a short orientation and camp assignment at the Ranger Station, we will begin our 3.5 "ish" mile hike to what will be known as our base camp, Stafford Beach Campsite. There are bathroom facilities at Stafford and cold running showers, but keep in mind it is sulfur water. Here we will set up tents, eat lunch, and then gather firewood for the rest of the weekend.  After this, it's up to everyone what they want to do, but I will more than likely be taking a hike and exploring.

Friday After breakfast we will pack up a lunch and day packs and head down to the Dungeness Ruins to explore and go to the super secret sharks tooth hunting ground for our tooth treasure hunt.  After hunting, we will head back to camp either by trail or on the beach.  11 "ish" miles round trip.  Possible prizes for the most teeth and also for the largest tooth!

Saturday we will hike approximately 5 "ish" miles to Plum Orchard (Don't forget there is another 5 "ish" to get back). We will have the option to tour the Plum Orchard mansion with the ranger. After the tour, we can explore trails around Plum Orchard and then head back to our campsite at Stafford Beach.  That night, a hike out to a dock on the mainland side for a sunset dinner. 2 "ish" miles each way.

Sunday morning after breakfast and breaking camp, we will hike to the ranger station (3.5 "ish"miles) to take the early ferry for St. Mary's at 10:15 AM back to St. Mary's around 12:00 and then we'll carpool it back to Atlanta.

Total Hiking Miles roughly 35-40 "ish" miles, but remember this is a rough estimate.

Please make sure that you in good physical condition because we'll be hiking long distances each day.
The hiking terrain is flat.

If you want to see a map of Cumberland Island,please click here: MAP

Some basics on backcounty camping at Cumberland Island

  • We'll observe and practice LEAVE NO TRACE principles.
  • Treat/or Filter all water
  • Pack out all trash

    PLEASE NOTE: This backpacking adventure will REQUIRE you to take off from work on Thursdsay March 15TH and Friday MARCH 16th !

    • Required Items to Bring:

    • Tent
    • Sleeping bag
    • Headlamp/flashlight
    • Meals (you'll need the following:)
      • 4 lunches (Thursday thru Sunday)
      • 3 dinners (Thursday thru Saturday)
      • 3 breakfasts (Friday thru Sunday)
      Freeze dried meals/power bars, etc. work well on trips like this.
    • Trail snacks
    • Water filter (Trip leader will have one as well)
    • 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 sense of adventure
    • Pleasant dispostion
    • Lots of energy because we'll be doing quite a bit of hiking and exploring.

    How to Get There:
    Event Directions:Directions from Chastain Rd Marietta is 356 mi – approximately 5 hours 30 mins

    • Head southeast on I-75 S (93.2 mi)
    • Take exit 165 on the left for I-16 E/Jim L Gillis Hwy toward Savannah (0.5 mi)
    • Merge onto I-16 E (156 mi)
    • Take exit 157A to merge onto I-95 S toward Brunswick/Jacksonville (97.6 mi)
    • Take exit 1 for St Marys Rd (0.3 mi)
    • Turn left at St Marys Rd (3.3 mi)
    • Take the ramp to Cumberland Island/St Marys (0.3 mi)
    • Turn left at GA-40 (5.0 mi)
    • Turn right at St Marys St and we'll park down in a parking lot on the right


    View Larger Map
    Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):715Mile(s)
    Carpool Departure Time: 3:00 am
    Carpool Location:   Log in for location
    Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
    Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $286.00 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? Yes, but remember your rain gear!

    Questions or concerns about this particular event, then please email your event leader(s)


    Important information for paid events in which payment is managed through the AOC:

         - Payment must be received by the payment due date and prior to participation in the event.

         - Some paid events require a minimum number of registered participants. If that number is not met, the event will be canceled and refunds will be issued to those who have already paid.

         - Third-party vendors often require damage deposits. Each registrant agrees to be liable for and required to reimburse the Atlanta Outdoor Club for any withheld deposits due to the actions of or damages caused by that registrant.

         - No partial payments. All registrants must pay the posted Member Cost regardless of any agreement you may have with any party involved in the event.

         - Read the event description carefully for additional information, and contact the trip leader(s) with any questions.

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

    Cost & Payment:
    Member Cost:$38.00/Person
    Cost Includes:
    Cost for this trip includes round trip ferry ride to and from Cumberland Island as well as backcountry camping fees and day use fee.

    Gas and transportation expenses are NOT included in the price of this trip
    Please share gas expenses with carpool drivers.
    Payment Cut Off:Payment must be received by the AOC on Tue, Feb 21 2012.
    Make a Payment:Click here for the details. PLEASE PAY AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED UP BELOW.

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

    Full Payment due February 21st to reserve your place on this trip otherwise you will be removed from the attendee list.

    It is your responsbility to get the payment in on time.

    Please allow two days for processing a PayPal transaction and one week for a check.

  • If you cancel before February 21st, then you'll receive a refund of the event cost less $5.00 handling fee
  • If you cancel on or after February 21st, then NO refund will be given unless someone from the waitlist takes your spot and pays for the event. You will be refunded your paid money less a $5.00 handling fee.