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Shining Rock Area "Backpack"




The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Shining Rock Wilderness, NC   Backpacking: Shining Rock Area   National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Sep 10 2016  6:00 am >> Sun, Sep 11 2016 10:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 6:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Tue, Aug 30 2016 9:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Sep 9 2016 9:00 pm
Event Duration:1 Days 16 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult (Exploratory)
Distance:20 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Eric P
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:8
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 2 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

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:

Come join me for two loops around the amazing Shining Rock area. If you are wondering why "backpack" is in quotes it is because I am planning on doing at least the first day with just a day pack and then quickly grabbing my camping gear at the end of the day and going no more than 2 miles to a campsite.  Depending where we end up the first night it may be possible to drop it off at the cars again for the second day but I wouldn't count on it. This is marked as exploratory because I have not done most of loop 2 seen in the route at the bottom of the post.

My expectation would be to cover all of one loop and part of the second, so 10-12 miles the first day and 8 to 10 miles the second day.  I am currently not at 100% healthwise and have been dealing with nagging knee and ankle troubles so the pace on this will be slower than my normal.

Full disclosure: I am not the biggest fan of the camping part of backpacking so this trip will be heavily weighted towards the hiking part of the trip. You should expect to spend longer enjoying scenic areas and rolling into camp fairly late in the day.  Additionally do not plan on having a fire because although allowed in the area useable wood tends to be fairly sparse, water to fully put out the fire is hard to come by in many spots, and to be honest I just don't really like fires and would rather enjoy the dark. Also you should know that I am a morning person and we will break camp no later than 8 AM the second day.

Finally you are required to have a bear canister to protect your food in this area. You will not be allowed on the trip unless you have one at the carpool. This is for both your and the bear's safety. http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd498184


Planned Route (click on routes and labels for more info) http://caltopo.com/m/BV61:


Required Items to Bring:

Bear Canister

Backpack

Tent  / Tarp (Possibly hammock but can't guarantee great spots in all possible camping locations)

Sleeping Bag / Sleeping Pad

1 Dinner, 2 Lunches, 1 Breakfast, and Snacks

Clothing appropriate for the weather. Please remember that it will likely be cold-ish (50s) at night as we will be somewhere between 5000 and 6000 ft.

At least 2 Liters of Water. Water on the first day tends to be fairly scarce and you should have enough to get through the day without needing to filter.

Way to treat additional water(Filter,chemicals,etc)

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

Head lamp/flashlight

Camera

Spade and Toilet Paper

Hat

Sunscreen


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Google Maps Directions

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):332Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 6:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $132.80 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.