Appalachian Trail Beginner Backpacking

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Appalachian Trail Beginner Backpacking

The Basics:

STATUS:

Cancelled - Hide from Calendar

Event Type:

Backpacking

Event Location:

Woody Gap

Backpacking: Appalachian Trail Beginner Backpacking

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, May 4 2019 6:00 am >> Sun, May 5 2019 2:00 pm (Carpool Departure: 6:00 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Mon, Mar 4 2019 9:01 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Thu, May 2 2019 4:00 pm

Event Duration:

1 Days 8 Hours

Difficulty Rating:

D4: Moderate to Difficult

Distance:

16 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Horhay
Mike S

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Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

12 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

A CINCO celebration with an Intro to backpacking on the beautiful AT! From Woody Gap (parking lot) to Woods Hole Shelter (with optional hike up to Blood mountain for sunset) and back to Woody Gap on CINCO de MAYO

Join us for a fun weekend backpack on the AT, where we are giving back to the club with a moderate paced backpacking trip (and tips for those that hike, but may not have done any backpacking).

This will be a rain or shine event and will only be rescheduled for dangerous weather.

We will meet at the carpool location at Mansell Road Park & Ride at 6:00 AM. Please be there 10-15 minutes early to make introductions and set up the carpool.

Hike Overview:

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at backpacking but didn't know where to start? Confused about gear, food, shelter options or just didn't have anyone to go with? If so, then this is the perfect opportunity for your first backpacking experience!!!

We will be doing a moderate out & back 7.6 mile backpack on the well marked, well maintained Appalachian Trail. The highlights of this section include amazing views from Preachers Rock (which many of you know, but do you know it with a backpack on??), to an optional hike up to Blood Mountain to watch the sunset (after we set up camp and drop all of our other gear).

Day 1 and Day 2 are the same distances (as it's a shuttle-less out & back route) which is nice to experience the AT with a pack in the North Bound (NoBO) fashion and well as in its South Bound (SoBo) fashion...it's been long disputed which is harder, so we'll do an "End Of Action" report at the cars to see what you think.

Lunch in town is an option and will be made as a group decision.

FINAL NOTE AND CONSIDERATION: While this event is open to all, it is also to encourage new backpackers (those who have yet to do a backpack event with the AOC) to come out and join us. The actual number of spots available for this backpack is 8 but we'd love to see at least 4 new backpackers, so we will be giving waitlist priority to them.This is a beginners backpack, but we will still need to vet folks for safety reasons. It was a blast last year when we did it, we even had some pre-event training "backpack" day hikes + pack shakedowns that helps newbies add (or eliminate) items to make trail life better and more enjoyable.

AT Map Woody to WHS

Required Items to Bring:

Properly fitted Backpack - which we can help with...actually we can help you with all of it...it's the whole purpose behind this event!
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Food
Water (easy access is a plus)
Rain gear
Sturdy, broken in boots/shoes
Extra clothes
Tent or Hammock w/ rainfly
Bear bag or Canister
Headlamp
Bug spray
Sun screen
Waterproof bag for packliner

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

Bear spray
Sunglasses
Hat(s)
Hiking Poles
Stove
SEE AOC CHECKLIST above for more items

If you have any questions about your gear or what you need to bring for this event, please don't hesitate to contact the trip leaders

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

If you drive solo to the event, be sure to meet us at the Woody Gap parking lot, ready to hike before 07:30 - we'll have boots on the ground at 07:30 - Google Maps to the GPS coordinates listed above for accuracy.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

120Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

6:00 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $48.00 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:

ABFE
THIS IS A BEGINNERS BACKPACKING EVENT, IF YOU HAVE BEEN ON AN AOC BACKPACKING EVENT PRIOR TO THIS EVENT THE TRIP LEADERS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO GIVE 4 FIRST TIME BACKPACKERS PRIORITY. WE WANT TO SHARE THE LOVE OF BACKPACKING WITH MEMBERS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN BACKPACKING BEFORE, BUT HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO COMPLETE AN EVENT OF THIS TYPE WITHOUT PRIOR BACKPACKING EXPERIENCE.

*also be sure to bring a positive attitude and some cash for payments to driver

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

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