Appalachian Trail Series - Hike 3 - Sun, Nov 13 2005

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Appalachian Trail Series - Hike 3


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Unicoi Gap to Tray Gap
Date(s) & Time:Sun, Nov 13 2005  9:00 am >> N/A
Registration Opens: Mon, Jan 1 2007 12:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Nov 11 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: 15 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
Strenuous - 8.8 mile hike (10.5 miles with optional hike to summit of Tray Mountain)

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.

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.

For the third hike we are going to skip ahead to our start our hike at Unicoi Gap just north of Helen, GA. We will go 4.4 miles on the Appalachian Trail to Tray Gap. It will likely be chilly this day but a 1000-foot climb at the start of the hike will get you warmed up pretty quick. Those with extra energy will have the option of hiking another 1 ½ mile round trip to the summit of Tray Mountain. Along with Blood Mountain, it is the most panoramic view on the Georgia AT. Here you will have 360-degree view of the surrounding area.

This hike is more difficult than the first two AT hikes in September, so you need to be in shape for this one. Total hiking time should be 5 to 7 hours depending on the pace of the group. This is an in and out hike so there is no car shuttle.

Required Items to Bring:
2 liters or quarts of water
Trail food/lunch
Hiking boots or shoes
Dress in layers
An article of bright clothing or fluorescent strip (it’s hunting season)
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Camera
Hat and gloves depending on weather conditions
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:Helen, GA 10:00 AM Unicoi Gap parking lot on GA 75 Will be provided at the Park and Ride location

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: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.