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Appalachian Trail Series - Hike 2


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Jarrad Gap to Neels Gap
Date(s) & Time:Sun, Sep 25 2005  9:00 am >> N/A
Registration Opens: Mon, Jan 1 2007 12:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Thu, Sep 22 2005 11:59 pm
Event Duration:per itinerary
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Trip Leader(s):
Steven K
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:16
Minimum Group Size:6
Number Registered So Far: 18 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
Moderate – Strenuous - 6.9 mile hike

The Appalachian Trail is the most famous hiking trial in the United States and was the model for other extended trails such as the Pacific Crest and Continental Divide Trails. The AT, as it is commonly called, stretches approximately 2150 miles from Georgia to Maine. From about February through April every year, thousands of hikers around the world come to Mt. Springer, GA to start in their attempt to hike to the northern terminus at Mt. Katahdin in Maine before the winter (late September) storms come. Most don’t make all of the way, but a surprising number of people hike the entire length of the trial in one season.

Fortunately you don’t even have to carry a backpack and campout overnight to enjoy the beauty of the trail. The entire 76.5 miles of the AT in Georgia (maintained in exceptional condition by the Georgia Appalachian Trial Club) can be done in a series of day hikes. To do this you need a do run a car shuttle. Here’s how it works. You drive all of the cars to the end of the hike. You then put everyone in half of the cars and drive to the start point. When you finish the hike, everyone goes in the remaining cars at the end and picks up the cars at the start of the trial. It takes a little coordination and planning on everyone’s part but most of the shuttles in Georgia are not too time consuming. We will modify the shuttle plan somewhat depending on the particular day’s hike. I have done every section at least once in the last couple of years, so hopefully I can keep coordination mistakes to a minimum.

For those that have not hiked the Georgia AT or similar mountain trails, it is not like hiking on the trails within one hour of Atlanta. It’s rocky, it’s muddy, you go up and you go down, with 500 to 1000 foot elevation changes not uncommon. We are not going to “jog” the trail, but we are going to go at a moderately fast pace. Shuttles work best when everyone goes at a fairly similar pace. If you are unsure about your ability to do this, please e-mail the hike leader. Of course everyone was beginner at one time so don’t be afraid to try.

The second hike is from Jarrad Gap to Neels Gap, with a one-mile access trail at Lake Winfield Scott State Park, 5.4 miles on the AT and another 0.5 along US 19/129 to return to our cars. The highlight of the hike should be reaching the top of Blood Mountain, which is the highest point on the Georgia portion of Appalachian Trail. Here you will have 360-degree view of the surrounding area. The elevation gain is over 1000 feet to the top of Blood Mountain however the switchbacks on this trail are very good. I would rate this hike slightly more difficult than the first AT hike. Total hiking time should be 3 to 4 hours. Except for a short gravel road to a parking lot shuttle is entirely on paved roads.

Required Items to Bring:
2 liters or quarts of water
Trail food
Hiking boots or shoes highly recommended. 		Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Bug Repellent
Camera
Change of shoes and shirt for drive back
Emergency rain gear (even if it is clear day with a 20 percent chance of rain)

How to Get There:
Event Directions:Suches, GA Park and ride only Will be provided at the Park and Ride location

Notes:

Are Dogs Permitted? No.

Will this event occur rain or shine? No, but not if heavy thunderstorms are forecast.

NOTE: Please be considerate of others. If you sign-up and cannot attend, please e-mail the trip leader, so others that may be on a waiting list may attend.

E-mail the trip leader to be put on a waiting list if the trip is at the max number of attendees.
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost Includes:Shared gas expenses paid to your driver if you carpool ($5-$7)
Parking fee of $2-$3

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