Free Sun 2PM Clinic at REI: Hiking & Backpacking the Benton Mackaye Trail - Sun, Mar 28 2010

REGISTRATION 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.



Free Sun 2PM Clinic at REI: Hiking & Backpacking the Benton Mackaye Trail


The Basics:
Event Type:Learn
Event Location: REI Atlanta Store, I-85 Access Rd just S of Clairmont Rd exit
Date(s) & Time:Sun, Mar 28 2010  1:45 pm >> N/A
Registration Opens: Thu, Mar 25 2010 3:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Sun, Mar 28 2010 9:00 am
Event Duration:90 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D1: Easy
Trip Leader(s):
Charlie Cottingham
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 3 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

OVERVIEW:  Many Atlanta outdoor buffs may be unaware that our four Metro Atlanta REI stores offer a wide variety of FREE tutorial clinics on topics ranging from basic backpacking, camping & hiking skills and destinations to bicycling, paddling, climbing, skiing, etc.  Each clinic is presented by an invited guest speaker or REI employee specialist who is considered to be an expert in the featured topic.

In the interest of adding to our AOC members' knowledge of how to enjoy HIKING and BACKPACKING the BENTON MACKAYE TRAIL I have obtained ten confirmed reservations for an AOC "subgroup" (myself and up to nine other AOC members & guests) to attend this indoor REI clinic on Sunday afternoon, Mar 28 at the REI Atlanta store.  We'll first gather at 1:45 PM just inside the store entrance where we'll introduce one another and sign my group AOC waiver form.  Then at 2:00 PM we'll join the featured speaker and other clinic attendees in the "presentation room"—usually the large storage room on your right after you enter the store.

Here is the recent REI promo material for this clinic:

"THE BENTON MACKAYE TRAIL ("BMT") was described in a New York Times feature as "Appalachia's Other Trail."  It is 288 miles long, starting at Springer Mountain, Georgia and ending at Davenport Gap on the northeastern end of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It crosses some of the most remote backcountry and wilderness areas in Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina. Join BMT volunteer, Bob Ruby, for this presentation which will include a "virtual tour" of the BMT and will describe options for hiking the trail, including day-hikes, section-hikes and thru-hikes."  (The trail was named for Benton Mackaye (1879-1975) the conservationist and co-founder of the Wilderness Society who spearheaded the concept and construction of the Appalachian Trail in the 1920s and 30s.)

TO MAKE PERSONAL RESERVATIONS at FUTURE FREE REI CLINICS: 
You can check clinic availability and reserve your spot(s) as follows:
1) Go to REI.com
2) Click on "Store Locator" in the upper right corner of the home page and choose your Store of interest from the pop-up menus that appear.
3) Click on the free Clinic of interest,
4) Fill in the online Reservation form and submit (may require your REI member number—costs $20 for a lifetime membership).
5) If you fail to make a formal reservation, walk-ins at these clinics are also usually acceptable on a space-available or standing-room-only basis.


Required Items to Bring:
Just yourself!  Wear comfortable indoor clothing and consider bringing a notepad and pen for taking notes.
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

How to Get There:
Event Directions:The REI "Atlanta Store" is at 1800 Northeast Expy, Atlanta, GA 30329—just off I-85, about 4 miles toward downtown from "Spaghetti Junction" (I-85/ I-285 interchange).  The store is on the southbound I-85 access road just 0.5 mile south of the Clairmont Road exit (Exit #91). (See A & B approach options below.)  The store's phone number is 404-633-6508.

A) If you take Exit #91 from I-85 southbound (e.g. from Spaghetti Junction) continue straight ahead from the exit traffic light (at Clairmont Rd) and stay in the right lane of the access road to reach the store 0.5 mile ahead.

B) If you take Exit #91 from I-85 northbound (e.g. from midtown Atlanta), get in the far left lane before reaching Clairmont Rd, which will loop you onto the southbound access road without any traffic lights. (Then bear right for 0.4 mile to stay on the access road and reach the store.)

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

Cost Includes:Free Event with Free Parking!

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