Halloween Sunset Hike - Sun, Oct 30 2005

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.



Halloween Sunset Hike


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Blood Mountain
Date(s) & Time:Sun, Oct 30 2005  9:00 am >> N/A
Registration Opens: Mon, Jan 1 2007 12:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Thu, Oct 27 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 to strenuous, estimated five miles hiking, 1000 elevation gain

Do something different on Halloween weekend. The view from the summit of Blood Mountain is one of the most scenic in Georgia with 360 degree vistas. We will time the start of the hike to arrive at the top of Blood Mountain shortly before sunset. After viewing hopefully a spectacular sunset we will then hike back to the trailhead. As it states above, we will be hiking down the mountain in the dark. This is very doable and I have personally done it three times on this trail. We will start back shortly after sunset; everyone must leave at the same time and stay with the group. Those that have difficulty following directions should not attend. Strong flashlights are required. This hike is not for beginners and all participants should have previous mountainous trail experience.

The trails we will be using are very well maintained, however due to the nature of the terrain, differ significantly from those in the metro Atlanta area. Going downhill in the dark is not the time to learn these differences. Appropriate hiking shoes are required. Most of our hiking will be on the Appalachian Trail with part of the way back will be on a spur trail. It is basically 2 1/2 miles uphill and 2 1/2 miles downhill. The quality of the switchbacks makes the ascent seem easier than on other 1000 foot plus climbs on other trails. Still you will definitely know you are going up. The weather at the top of Blood Mountain at 6:00 PM will likely be significantly cooler and windier than at 1:00 to 1:30 PM when you gather your gear to drive to the Park and Ride lot so plan accordingly.

Required Items to Bring:
Hiking Shoes
Appropriate jacket and clothing
Strong Flashlight - not a penlight
2 quarts water
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

How to Get There:
Event Directions:Blood Mountain, GA 3:30 PM at Byron Herbert Reece parking lot From the park and ride lot we will travel north up GA 400 to US 19. We will go through Dahlonega and continue to the trailhead just south of Vogel State Park.

Notes:

Are Dogs Permitted? No.

Will this event occur rain or shine? No, 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:Free but please share gas expense with your carpool driver

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