AT - 4-Day Backpack - Damascus VA - Mt Rogers Area - Thu, May 25 2017

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AT - 4-Day Backpack - Damascus VA - Mt Rogers Area


The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Damascus, VA   Backpacking: AT - 4-Day Backpack - Damascus VA - Mt Rogers Area  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Thu, May 25 2017  6:00 pm >> Mon, May 29 2017 9:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 6:00 pm   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Mar 13 2017 8:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Mon, Mar 13 2017 8:00 pm
Event Duration:4 Days 3 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D6: Advanced (Exploratory)
Distance:50 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Myra Kincaid
Eric P
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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:10
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 5 / 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:

**Due to "shuttle issues" the hike started at Dickey Gap and was roughly 50 miles. The trip was shortened to three 16-17 mile days**

 

Trail Details:

 "...it’s hard to top Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. The AT passes near the tallest mountains in the state. Close to the summit of Mount Rogers, wild ponies graze in the high country meadows. There are steep climbs up Iron Mountain, past small waterfalls and tunnels of rhododendron..."

(https://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGD110-036)

 

 About the trip:

   This will be a 4-day, 55 mile backpack along the Appalachian trail just north of Damascus, VA. I started section hiking the AT many years ago, but have taken a break from it for over two years. I decided it was time for my next section. The daily hikes will be long, but taken at a moderate pace. I like to start hiking early each day, allowing time to stop and enjoy a few sites along the trail (time permitting). 

 

   Thursday: The carpool will depart Indian Trail at 6pm. The drive to Erwin Tennessee will take approximately 4 hours. We will camp for the night at Uncle Johnny's hostel in Erwin.

   Friday: (11.3 miles)We will depart Erwin at 8am and continue an extra hour and half to Damascus Virginia, where we will leave our cars parked. The workers at Mt Roger's outfitters will provide a shuttle up to the AT crossing at VA670. The hike will begin with a 1000 foot climb up to a hill aptly named"high point". We will then descend to Dickey Gap, hiking several more miles until we reach our stop for the night at Hurricaine Mt Shelter.

   Saturday: (16.1 miles) We will start about an hour after sunrise in order to complete our miles for the day while also stopping to enjoy some sites along the way. The day begins with two 1000 foot climbs. We will spend the night at Thomas Knob Shelter. If anyone has any energy left we could go up to view the sunset from the top of Mt Rogers (0.5 miles hike from the shelter). 

   Sunday: (16.4 miles) There will be two moderately long climbs on this day, but happily the rest of the day will be mostly downhill. We will finish the night at Pond Campsite.

   Monday: (10.8 miles) The last day will be a relatively short one, with one long climb, and most of the remaining miles downhill. We will try to be in Damascus by lunch in order to arrive back in Atlanta at a reasonable hour.

 

 This is an advanced backpack and requires prior experience backpacking with long distances! Everyone wishing to participate will be added to the waitlist pending vetting. If you do not have a history of D6 backpacks with the club, you will be contacted to confirm you experience.

 


Required Items to Bring:
  • Hiking Boots / Shoes
  • Backpack
  • Tent / Tarp / Hammock 
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Sleep Pad
  • Food and Snacks (2 days worth)
  • Water and Filtration / Purification device, Drops, or Tablets
  • Headlamp and spare batteries

 

 

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

Use our Event Checkliststo make sure you have everything you need.

  • Camera
  • Hiking Poles
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Stove
  • Matches/Lighter
  • Change of Clothes and Towel for Drive Home
  • Maps/GPS
  • Harmonicas, flutes, cards, etc.

How to Get There:
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):620Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 6:00 pm
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $248.00 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.

Member Cost:$38.00/Person
Cost Includes:

The total per person cost will be calculated and collected the week of May 15-19. Payments will be due on May 19. The total cost will vary depending on the number of participants, and will be somewhere between $26 and $38 per person. Please note that this cost is in addition to the carpool cost to be paid to your driver.

• Camping at Uncle Johnny's, Erwin, TN - $10 per person

• Shuttle (Fee is $80 for up to 4 people, $5 for each additonal person)

   - $20 per person if 4 people, $11 per person for 10 people

• Parking in Damascus will be $20 per car

   - Per person parking fee will be somewhere between $5 and $8 for the trip depending on the number of cars and people.

Payment will be refundable if you must drop out due to an emergency. However, if you know will drop, please do so before the 19th of May, to prevent creating an accounting headache for the trip leader.

Make a Payment:Although there is a cost for this event, you do not pay through the AOC. Please review the event details carefully for information about how/where to make your payment.

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