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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 by the trip leader(s) and NOT the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for payment details and instructions.



Backpacking - Grandfather Mountain




The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Grandfather Mountain - Linville, NC
Date(s) & Time:Fri, Jun 12 2009  4:30 pm >> N/A  (Carpool Departure: 5:00 pm   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Wed, Apr 15 2009 9:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Wed, Jun 10 2009 6:00 pm
Event Duration:2 days 2 nights
Difficulty Rating:D6: Advanced
Trip Leader(s):
EB
Jason Kotz
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You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
Member Cost:$17.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 12 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Join us as we backpack our favorite Mountain...where backpacks are not always allowed and our adventure will be the equivalent to outdoor caving :)

This is a D6 Backpacking Event
 Total Miles = 18 miles
10 miles w/ backpack
8 miles w/o backpack over technically challenging areas

A long section of the Grandfather Mountain Backcountry Trail excludes backpacks. The trail has ladders that go up and down the side of the mountain, sections where you'll be scrambling on exposed rock, and areas where you'll use both hands to hold on to guide wires to move across slanted rock surfaces. We recommend that you be in excellent physical shape and that you not have an immobilizing fear of heights. Also, if you are not confident and comfortable with rock scrambling this is NOT the trip for you. You will be rock scrambling, as well as climbing up and down ladders, with your pack on.




"Towering 5,946 feet above northwest North Carolina, Grandfather Mountain is operated as a scenic travel attraction and is the only *private park in the world designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve."
Grandfather Mountain's ownership is scheduled to be transferred to the state of North Carolina in May

We'll leave the carpool and drive up to Banner Elk, NC where we'll throw up a couple of tents at the Grandfather Campground for about 8 hours of sleep. We'll get up super early Saturday morning so we can reach the permit office, optimally at 6am sharp. After parking, we'll head up the Profile Trail through the back country of Grandfather Mountain.

It's a rough and rocky 3-mile trek up the side of the mountain with a couple of nice views to stop at along the way. There is also a place to stop and filter water about 3/4 of the way up. At the top, we'll turn left at the Daniel Boone Scout Trail where we'll head down the East side of the mountain. This is when we'll start to encounter our first few areas with ladders and guide lines. Backpacks are allowed on this section of the trail, but we must use caution.

We'll go 1.5 miles until we reach the Daniel Boone campsite. Campsites are first come/first serve, so as long as there is space we'll stop and set up camp here. This campsite's water source is a stream that is a 1/4 mile away. The site has a fire ring for camp fires, as well as 3 tent platforms and a extra area for a couple of more tents, thus the early start to beat anyone else there.

After getting set up and eating lunch, we'll continue day-hiking down the trail to check out Flat Rock View, Top Crag View and/or the other campsite areas. If we have the time and energy, we can go another 4 miles (round-trip) to the Green Mountain Overlook.

Sunday morning we'll have breakfast and pack up camp. We'll hike back up to the Profile Trail junction and hide our backpacks in the woods.

We'll spend the next couple of hours slowly playing our game of Chutes and Ladders as we climb up and down ladders, scramble over and under rocks, and climb down metal guide wires as we follow the little blue arrows up, over, and around Grandfather Mountain.
Trekking poles are worthless on this section and will only impede your progress unless they can be securely stowed to a day pack.

We finish at the Grandfather Mountain Mile-High Swinging Bridge and gift shop. We'll stop and have lunch and if we have enough time we can take the extra mile round-trip to Grandmother View.

We'll head back up the easier Underwood Trail, retrieve our packs and head back to the cars for our 5 hour drive back to Atlanta.


Required Items to Bring:
  • Hiking Boots/Hiking Shoes
  • Backpack for overnight trip
  • Tent
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Thermarest/Sleeping Pad
  • Backpacking Stove
  • Water, either in camel back or nalgene carriers
  • Meals Needed:
    2 Lunches
    2 Dinners
    2 Breakfasts
    Whatever trail snacks you would like.

Please see the AOC Backpacking Checklist for other required and recommended items.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
  • We highly Recommend Trekking Poles as we'll be doing a lot of elevation changes and sections will be over technical rocky terrain. During large sections of Grandfather Mountain, your trekking poles become a hindrance so you'll also want a way to stow your poles on your backpack.
  • Water filter or water purification tablets (we will have one water filter, but it is not recommended for a group of this size)
  • Lighter or matches
  • Semi-warm clothes--Even though it's mid-June, the wind is very heavy on top of the mountain and it can get down to upper 40's at night.

How to Get There:
Event Directions:

View Larger Map
Grandfather Mountain Campground
125 Riverside Dr
Banner Elk, NC 28604
1-828-963-7275

  1. Merge onto I-85 N - 156 mi
  2. Take exit 78 toward Chesnee - 0.3 mi
  3. Continue straight - 43 ft
  4. Turn left at US-221 Entering North Carolina - 50.5 mi
  5. Turn left at NC-226/US-221 Continue to follow US-221 - 36.3 mi
  7. Turn right at Newland Hwy - 0.6 mi
  8. Turn left at NC-105 - 2.3 mi
  9. Continue on Woodchuck Rd - 0.3 mi
  10. Continue on NC-105 - 7.0 mi
  11. Turn right at Riverside Rd - 46 ft


Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):520Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 5:00 pm
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $208.00 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:

Grandfather Mountain's ownership is scheduled to be transferred to the state of North Carolina in May. Some of the fees and information may change during that time. They are currently in a transition period and we're monitoring this for any relevant changes.


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

Member Cost:$17.00/Person
Cost Includes:

$7 /person for the first night of camping
*$10 / person for Grandfather Mountain back country permit
*The back country fee may change when the park is transitioned to the state of North Carolina.

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.