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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 through the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for details; you will be given payment instructions after you sign up. Late payments are NOT accepted for this event, in any circumstance.



Southern Smokies Soiree




The Basics:
Event Type:Adventure
Event Location: Bryson City, North Carolina
Date(s) & Time:Thu, Aug 17 2023  8:00 am >> Sun, Aug 20 2023 4:00 pm
Registration Opens: Thu, May 11 2023 7:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Tue, Aug 1 2023 7:30 pm
Event Duration:3 Days 8 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult (Exploratory)
Distance:40 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
RonnyJ (Call me Ron)
Email Trip Leader(s)
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Member Cost:$370.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:1
Minimum Group Size:7
Number Registered So Far: 7 / 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:


GSMNP has some of the best hiking in the Southeast. Join me as I explore some of the best hikes on the south side of the park.

I have room for 7 people on this event. When you sign up you will initially be on the waiting list. You will receive instructions for payment from the TL, once paid you will be moved to the participant list.

 

All of our hikes will be at a moderate pace. Slightly slower than my usual pace, as we take in the beauty of the area.

What to expect:

Thursday: After meeting your carpool driver around 9am, with a cooler full of your food for the trip and your backpack ready to hike, we head to the Deep Creek Campground and the Noland Divide Trail for the Lonesome Pine Overlook hike. This 7 mile/2400ft hike is filled with great views and will ease us into our hiking adventure. We will either eat our packed lunches at the overlook or at the picnic shelter in the campground. After the hike we will find a quick spot for dinner before heading to our Luxury Accommodations.

Click here for Thursdays AllTrails map

Click here for Thursdays Trailhead location

 

Friday: After enjoying a breakfast in our home and packing a lunch for the day, we head out for our Boat Shuttle Hike on Lake Fontana. We will be hiking on the Lakeshore Trail, which is part of the BMT. The middle section of this trail is only accessible to backpackers and boat shuttlers and will be a very fun hike. 17 miles/2200 feet. We will meet at the boat ramp at 8am.

Click here for Fridays AllTrails map

Click here for boat ramp location

 

 

Saturday: After a restful sleep at our home, today we head to the Hemphill Bald Trail. This is a very cool trail with big views and no crowds. 13 miles/3000ft.

Click here for Saturdays AllTrails map

Click here for Saturdays Trailhead location

 

Sunday: After spending our last night in the house we enjoy a shorter trek for our tired legs before heading home. Todays hike includes the famous "Road to nowhere tunnel", a short loop hike that we may extend if we are feeling adventurous. After the hike we can enjoy or lunch in the car or hit a drive thru... 

Click here for Sundays AllTrails map

Click here for Sundays Trailhead location

 

The Accommodations:

I have arranged for a 5 bedroom, 6 bath house near Bryson City, North Carolina for our accommodations. There is a bed for every participant. This house is really nice, click the link below for all the details.

Click here for VRBO details

 

Room assignments will be made based on several criteria including time of sign up, gender mix and volunteer activities. 

If less than 7 people sign up, an alternate house will be found to keep the cost about the same.

Food:

You are responsible for bringing your own food for breakfast and lunch. For dinner we will eat as a group at a nearby, extremely casual restaurant (think Waffle House and Cracker Barrel).

 

You can help:

This is group living and the whole group will need to help out to ensure the best outcome. You will be given several choices on how you can help including: be a driver, pick restaurants, backup navigation, king of the kitchen (and many more)... more on this as the time gets closer...


Required Items to Bring:

Layers/ hiking clothes for changeable weather

Good hiking shoes and pack

House clothes

Food as described above

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

Food to share

Sense of Humor


Notes:

The TL(s) for this event has (have) elected either to personally collect the funds that event participants are required to pay, or to require participants to pay funds directly to a third party. No funds will be paid to the Atlanta Outdoor Club for this event. By registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree that: (1) the monies paid by registrants will not be monitored, managed, or otherwise accounted for by the Atlanta Outdoor Club; (2) that the Atlanta Outdoor Club bears no financial responsibility for this event; and (3) you waive any and all claims against the Atlanta Outdoor Club, and hold the Atlanta Outdoor Club harmless for the loss of any monies you paid for this event.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any paid registrant may request directly from the TL(s), prior to the event, a breakdown of funds collected, estimated expenses, and deposits made in anticipation of the event. Within 30 days after the event, the TL(s) must complete a financial accounting of monies collected and spent, along with supporting documentation; any attendee may ask to see this accounting. If you are unable to obtain requested documentation, please contact the Director of Paid Events.


Included in the cost is a $15 administrative fee to the AOC.


Important information for paid events in which payment is managed through the AOC:

     - Payment must be received by the payment due date and prior to participation in the event.

     - Some paid events require a minimum number of registered participants. If that number is not met, the event will be canceled and refunds will be issued to those who have already paid.

     - Third-party vendors often require damage deposits. Each registrant agrees to be liable for and required to reimburse the Atlanta Outdoor Club for any withheld deposits due to the actions of or damages caused by that registrant.

     - No partial payments. All registrants must pay the posted Member Cost regardless of any agreement you may have with any party involved in the event.

     - Read the event description carefully for additional information, and contact the trip leader(s) with any questions.


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

Cost & Payment:
Member Cost:$370.00/Person
Cost Includes:

Lodging, boat shuttle and AOC fee are included in cost. There will be extra cost for gas and parking if you carpool with a driver. Current mileage is listed at 600 miles. You and your driver will negotiate car costs before the trip. A parking fee is now required for the park, drivers will obtain the parking pass with the cost split among the participants.

Payment Cut Off:Payment must be received by the AOC on Tue, Aug 1 2023.
Make a Payment:Click here for the details. PLEASE PAY AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED UP BELOW.

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

Since the house is already booked, the money you have paid is not refundable. If someone else is on the waiting list and they pay, you will then be fully refunded.