Cumberland Island New Year’s Camping

sponsor

Print-Friendly Version

Add this event to your calendar (Outlook, iCalendar)

Add REGISTRATION REMINDER to your calendar

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.

Cumberland Island New Year’s Camping

The Basics:

Event Type:

Camping

Event Location:

SE corner of GA, near St. Mary's GA

Camping: Cumberland Island New Year’s Camping

Date(s) & Time:

Thu, Dec 29 2011 5:00 am >> Sun, Jan 1 2012 7:00 pm (Carpool Departure: 5:00 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Thu, Aug 25 2011 8:45 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Thu, Oct 27 2011 8:00 pm

Event Duration:

3 Days 14 Hours

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Kristi
Grant Brown

Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.

Member Cost:

$25.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

17 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Experience a winter camping trip at Sea Camp, on Cumberland Island National Seashore! This island is located off the coast of south Georgia. http://www.nps.gov/cuis/index.htm. No bugs, cool, sunny days, crisp nights. We will stay three wonderful nights on the island, in the camping site, "Sea Camp", which is arguably the prettiest campsite on the island amidst the old oaks, hanging moss and palmetto's. This is like car camping but without the car -- hand wheeled carts are available to port gear to the campsite from the ferry dock (about 1/2 mile walk). The campsite has men and womens bathrooms with showers, and is about a five minute walk to the beach via a boardwalk through the pristine sand dunes.

This is an excellent way for those who may be interested in backpacking, to ease into it/get some practice, as we have a relatively short distance to cover with our gear.

Things to know before you come.
More info on wikipedia.

Sunrise

Cumberland March area Horses on the beach at Cumberland Island

Biking along the north side

Thursday, 12/29: Travel from Atlanta to St Mary's GA in the early morning to catch the 11am ferry; we need to be at the ferry dock 45 minutes prior to departure; there is free car parking nearby. Alternatively, on your own, you may travel a day earlier and stay over night in a local hotel/motel. There are many hotel/motel options. The ferry will port us to the island (approx 40 minutes), we will unload our gear to the dock, we will check in with camp ranger, receive our camping assignment, and view the required ranger presentation. Then we'll cart our belongings to the camp site and set up our tents. Cages are provided to store food so that the raccoons cannot get to it. No food is to be left out; raccoons may eat/attack it otherwise. All coolers must have straps or some mechanism to lock the lids down.

Everyone is on their own for food/drink and camping gear. Should you need gear, you can rent gear at REI or ask the trip leaders who may have that something that you need. No stores are available on the island, so you must have everything you'll need for three days. It is recommended that if you have a large backpack to carry your camping gear and clothing in that, and carry food in the cooler. (Note that a large backpack is not required since there are the large pull carts into which you can load your gear). Duffels are fine. Plastic storage containers commonly sold at Target that you can securely close are good for gear items. The camp site is sandy, and located under large, shady live oaks. Keeping tent sizes small is recommended since we will be placed in the group camp site. The less 'stuff' you carry over to the island, the easier it is for you.

Thursday afternoon, Friday and Saturday are open to wandering the hiking paths, visiting the ruins on the south end of the island, searching for sharks teeth, walking along the beach, and photographing. The next time we "have" to be any where is Sunday morning. Most likely on Friday, as a group, we will hike to the south of the island to visit Dungeness ruins, walk around the entire south end of the island, back up north towards our campsite. On Saturday we can optionally hike to Stafford Beach (and maybe Hickory Hill camp sites for the truly motivated) on the inner island paths, with a return along the beach. Photography opportunities abound and we will be photographing at various locations for sunrises and sunsets. This is a great time of year to reflect on the end of year cycle and look forward to the new year; you may want to simply chill out, do some yoga, read a book, sit by the fire during the day, sketch a scene. In the evenings, in the dark, hanging out on the beach is a great way to enjoy the extraordinary display of our solar system and we'll be taking advantage of that.

Sunday, Jan 1, 2012: depart on the ferry at 10:15am. Arrive back at the dock around 11am. Unload the gear from the ferry boat, to the cars, and the drive back to Atlanta. You can expect to be back in Atlanta by six.

Required Items to Bring:
The following text has been borrowed from Charlie Cottingham who so eloquently provides great details. I've edited the text where necessary. Thank you Charlie!

* Asterisk indicates "Optional" item.

FOR SLEEPING:
Tent (or share with a friend)
Foam Pad, Blow-Up Pad/ AirMattress, or Hammock
Winter Sleeping Bag, or Sheets & Blankets, appropriate for weather
Compact Pillow*
Cooking Stove (can be shared with others; it is your responsibility to contact another member to set up the sharing arrangement prior to the trip; there is no store on the island to buy stove fuel.)

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES: Adjust seasonally, and according to weather forecast.
2 Pair of Long Pants (it will be cold at night!)
2 - 3 Synthetic long sleeve shirts
3 Pair Each: Socks & Underwear
Jacket/coat (per weather); down vest, fleece pullover
Rain gear or Poncho
Cap and Hat, Sunglasses
1 or 2 Pair comfortable Shoes (e.g., Hiking Shoes)

TOILETRY ITEMS: (The Sea Camp Campsite has potable water, toilets, and cold water showers.)

SunScreen & Lip Balm
Biodegradable Soap/ Shampoo Towel & WashCloth
Toothbrush & Paste
WaterBag* or "Solar Shower*" to use in place of the cold water showers. (Fill up in the morning and leave in the sun all day for a pre-dinner warm shower. You can hang it up and use it in the shower stall).
Headlamp or Flashlight + Extra Batteries

FOR COOKING & MEALS (see below for more suggestions):
-- Three Breakfasts
-- Three Lunches
-- Three Dinners.
-- Snacks and beverages for three days

Washable Hard Plate, Insulated Cup (ideally "spill-proof" with lid), and steel Dining Utensils. There are separate sinks near the bathrooms to wash pots/pans/dishes.
Large Cooler with plenty of ice, perishable foods, and your favorite beverages. (Suggestion: Pre-freeze plastic jugs of water or wine-box bladders for long-lasting ice + bonus ice water!.) A net bag to hang pots/pans/dishes is useful for drying.

FOR CAMPFIRES, COMFORT & LEISURE, ETC:

1 or 2 Packaged "FireLogs"*    Kindling & Newspapers* Saw, Hatchet, etc.*
Compact Fold-up Chair* About 50 Feet of Light Nylon Cord* (for clothesline, etc.)
"Action Packer"-type Covered Box* w/latches for keeping items protected from critters & rain.
Cards & Games*            Reading Materials*
Any lightweight Musical Instrument* that you play   Frisbee*, Ball, etc.

DayPack (Compass, Maps, InkPen, Knife, Matches, Mini-Flashlight, Tissues, SunScreen, LipBalm, Bug Repellant, Mini-1st-Aid Kit)
Suggested Lunch Items for Pack and/or small Cooler: Box-Beverage, Gorp, Apple, Cheese, Sandwich, Chips, etc.
Camera with plenty of memory, spare camera Battery, Tripod*
Binoculars*
Nature Guides* to Birds, Trees, Stars, etc.

Suggestions regarding food. Keep in mind the author (Kristi) is vegetarian and a backpacker, so adjust to fit your diet and caloric needs! :-)
Dinner suggestions:
• Pasta (add sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, walnuts, sliced veggies; these can be added to cous-cous, bulgar, rice)
• Hard cheeses
• Cous-cous
• Bulgar
• Instant black beans
• Quick rice
• Canned and or packaged salmon, tuna, chicken - portioned so that there are no left overs
• Instant mash potatoes
• Instant soups
• Salami
• Frozen meats can last up to two days in a cooler
• Spices (I will typically sprinkle some onto a piece of saran wrap and bundle it up with the other ingredients that I plan to cook)
• Hearty Salad mix in a tuperware that you eat some of every day; separate salad dressing
• Tempeh (vegetarian protein option)

Lunch:
• Peanut, Almond butters (small packs can be purchased at Wal Mart, and REI, Whole Foods, etc.)
• Bagels, bread
• Cheeses
• Avocado
• Smoked meats
• Canned and or packaged salmon, tuna, chicken
• Instant humus, sold in the health food section of grocery stores

Breakfast:
• Yogurt (should last about two days)
• Packs of milk, soy milk
• Granola
• Oatmeal (repackage with your own spices and brown sugar at home); add chop nuts and dried fruit
• Eggs
• Coffee, tea

Hors d'oeuvres
• Crackers
• Cheese
• Olives
• Humus and pita bread
• Chips (remember to bring a tie-wrap so you can close it up)
• Pop corn

Warm drinks
• hot apple cider mix
• hot cocoa mix
• mulled red wine,
• apple cider and white wine
• coffee and kahlua

• Repackaging the items to plastic baggies helps eliminate waste while on the trip.
• Repackaging wine into plastic water bottles or the Platypus Wine Preserve Containers (sold at REI) will lighten the load, or bring box wine

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

How to Get There:

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

0Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

5:00 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Notes:

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:

$25.00/Person

Cost Includes:

Ferry ride to Cumberand Island from St. Mary's.

There will be an additional charge of $16.00 due upon arrival at the ferry dock for the entrance fee into the park, and 3 nights camping at Sea Camp. This is payable to the park service. (The $25 is only for the ferry ride and for which the reservation has been made, hence making this trip possible).

There will be plenty of time to make the trip payment. If you are on the registration list and miss the payment deadline, you will be removed from the trip. It will be your responsibility to add yourself back onto the trip or wait list if you desire.

Payment Cut Off:

Payment must be received by the AOC on Thu, Oct 27 2011.

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: This event is rain or shine.

If you cancel on or before Oct 27, full payment is refundable less a $5 administrative fee. No refund after Oct 27 unless someone from the waitlist replaces you and pays in full. In that case, you are eligible for a full refund less the $5 administrative fee. No refunds for cancellations after Dec 12 if there is not a replacement.

Please allow two days for processing a PayPal transaction, and allow seven days (from mailing date) for a check to be processed. So both should be sent well in advance of payment cut off date.