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Backpacking from Tesnatee Gap to Unicoi Gap


The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Near Helen, GA
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Feb 21 2009  12:00 pm >> N/A  (Carpool Departure: 9:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Jan 12 2009 9:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Wed, Feb 18 2009 12:00 am
Event Duration:2 Days
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Trip Leader(s):
Greg Friel
Susan Cooper
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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:4
Number Registered So Far: 6 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
This is the third part of backpacking the Georgia AT series. We'll be setting out on the AT heading north from Tesnatee Gap to Unicoi Gap staying the night at Low Gap Shelter. Overall mileage will be around 15 miles.

We'll be getting an early start and drive up to Unicoi Gap where we will leave a car and then we'll shuttle the rest of the cars and people down to Tesnatee Gap.

We'll start off at Tesnatee heading North, hiking 5.3 miles over rolling terrain to Low Gap Shelter where we will spend the night.
The first day's mileage breaks down as follows:
Tesnatee Gap to Wildcat Mountain: 0.7 miles, gaining ~400 ft
Wildcat Mountain to Low Gap Shelter: 4.6 miles, descending ~600 ft and crossing over Poor Mountain
Total mileage for the day: 5.3 miles

Low Gap shelter only sleeps 7, so we will have to bring tents with us, especially since it may get very cold!
Because the first day is only 5 miles, we'll can either take our time getting to the shelter or get there fast and relax until the sun goes down.

The second day we'll pack up and make our way to Unicoi Gap slowly gaining elevation until we reach the top of Blue Mountain and then descending to Unicoi. We'll be covering 9.4 miles.
Day two's mileage is as follows: Low Gap shelter to Blue Mountain: 8.0 miles ascending ~1000 ft
Blue Mountain to Unicoi Gap: 1.4 miles descending ~1000 ft
Total mileage for day 2: 9.4 miles

Because this is going to be a pretty long hike on day 2 and it will be cold weather, I'm not going to allow any one who hasn't done any backpacking before. If you sign up and I see that you haven't completed any backpacking events, I will be contacting you to determine your level of experience.

Required Items to Bring:
You will definitely need:
- cold weather gear
- food for 2 days
- rain gear (just in case!)
- 2 liters of water (minimum) and water treatment
- a sleeping bag rated at least 20 degrees or better
- head lamp
- Tent! I'm going to recommend that you bring your tent even though we are staying at the shelter. Unless you are very experienced with sleeping outdoors in the winter or are part bear, you should/will bring your tent. 		Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

How to Get There:
Event Directions: Head southeast on Indian Trail Rd/Indian Trail Lilburn Rd 0.1 mi 2. Turn left onto the ramp to Greenville 0.4 mi 3. Merge onto I-85 N 11.4 mi 4. Slight left at I-985 N (signs for Gainesville/I-985 N/Lanier Pkwy) 23.8 mi 5. Take exit 24 for US-129 N/State Hwy 369 W toward Gainesville/Cleveland 0.3 mi 6. Turn left at GA-11/GA-13/Jesse Jewell Pkwy NE/US-129 0.6 mi 7. Turn right at GA-11/Limestone Pkwy/US-129 Continue to follow GA-11 22.6 mi 8. Turn right at GA-75/Unicoi St 2.0 mi 9. Turn left to stay on GA-75/Unicoi St Continue to follow GA-75 We'll have GPS with us and we'll all travel together so we won't get lost.
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):160Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 9:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $64.00 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.