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Pilgrim Paddle!! Fontana Lake Camping




The Basics:
Event Type:Water
Event Location: Fontana Lake - GSMNP   Water: Pilgrim Paddle!! Fontana Lake Camping  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Thu, Nov 24 2011  7:00 am >> Sat, Nov 26 2011 8:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Sat, Nov 19 2011 2:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Wed, Nov 23 2011 8:00 pm
Event Duration:2 Days 13 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult (Exploratory)
Distance:25 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Scott Kozlowski
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:6
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

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:
Overview:  Calling all Pilgrims looking for a Thanksgiving Adventure!  We will take to the water Pilgrim style to celebrate Thanksgiving!  Fontana Lake is over 29 miles long with more than 240 miles of shoreline.  The lake forms the southern border of the GSMNP and is virtually surrounded by wilderness.  We will head up Thursday AM to beat the turkey traffic, spend 3 days and two nights paddling and camping out of our boats and head back to Atlanta on Saturday in an effort to avoid traffic on the return as well. 

There are multiple designated campsites on the GSMNP side of the lake that we will have to choose from.  The southern side of the lake is National Forest and open to camping as well.

This is a somewhat exploratory adventure.  I've paddled and camped on Fontana before but will be looking to check out some new areas.

You will need to bring a kayak or canoe (paddling experience preferred) and basic backcountry/backpacking camping skills and gear.  You must be able to pack all gear in your boat.

**If anyone is interested, I have an extra boat I'd be willing to lend to someone wanting to participate but is sadly "boatless".**

Trip is Weather Dependent.  If I don't like the forecast I will cancel.  The NOAA long range forecast is looking good for Thursday and Friday at this time.

Itinerary: Depart park and ride at 7:00 AM Thursday for the drive to the Tsali boat ramp on Fontana.  We should arrive by 11:00 AM.  We will drop boats and gear and then shuttle cars to the Cable Cove ramp up Hwy 28 and return to Tsali.  This should put us on the water by 1 PM.  

We will set out on the water to inspect campsites 72, 73 and 78 and decide where we'd like to spend Thanksgiving night.  Since the lake level is drawn down in the winter we will need to be flexible in our campsite selection.  I'll have a GPS to ensure efficient navigation.  I expect 5-10 miles of paddling based on site selection.

On Friday we will break camp, pack the boats and head west to campsite 87.  We will travel the length of the main body of the lake (+/- 10 miles) to the mouth of Eagle Creek.  We'll spend Friday night here.  We'll wake up Saturday and will have the choice of packing up and making the 3 mile paddle to the cars at Cable Cove or we can paddle up Eagle Creek first and have a more leisurely departure.

Depending on the choice we make Friday morning we should be back to the carpool between 3 and 8 PM Saturday.

Gobble, Gobble!  Paddle, Paddle!!! 


Required Items to Bring:
Kayak or canoe. No Inflatables! tent/shelter, sleeping bag, water, water shoes, dry camp shoes, headlamp, sleeping pad, suitable clothing, rain gear, cooking utensils, food for 3 lunches, 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts, snacks for the boat.
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Hat, paddle gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, adult beverages, chair, water filter (I will have one),

How to Get There:
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):350Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $140.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:

Please call me at 404-824-2428 if you are interested in using my extra boat.


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


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