Appalachian Trail Hike - Georgia to the Smokies

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Appalachian Trail Hike - Georgia to the Smokies

The Basics:

Event Type:

Party

Event Location:

Newfound Gap in Great Smokies NP

Date(s) & Time:

Sun, Apr 1 2012 12:01 am >> Sun, Apr 1 2012 11:59 pm (Carpool Departure: 6:30 pm *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Mon, Mar 26 2012 10:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Sat, Mar 31 2012 3:00 pm

Event Duration:

23 Hours 58 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D1: Easy

Distance:

138 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Steven K
Danny

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Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

18 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Yes

Itinerary:

Don't Slow Down, Speed Up

Let's Flatten Clingmans Dome

Our Georgia Appalachian Trail Hike at this time last year was very successful but many people asked for a little more of a challenge. With this years hike we will make it to the Smokies without the hassle of backpacking. No tents, sleeping pads or bear bags required. In fact with our pace the bears likely will not be able to keep up.

Here is the plan. After doing our car shuttle, at exactly 12:01 AM we will start our 23 hours and 58 minutes of hiking beginning at Dicks Creek Gap in Georgia. If you arrive at 12:02 good luck in catching up.

This years mileage will be almost twice much as last years with an estimated total of 138 miles. So we will have to do a little quicker pace than in 2011. However I received many complaints from Bo and others about this event becoming a leisure stroll, so we frankly needed to make a few modifications. With all of the fitness , advanced , Zoom Zoom, Chuck Norris and Mountain Flattening hikes Armin, Stefan, Danny L and others have done in the proceeding year, we anticipate those who have been training should do OK and perhaps will have time to go by Charlies Bunion while waiting for the stragglers at Newfound Gap.

Some people have asked us how is it possible to do 138 miles in one day. The key is acceleration. While it maybe OK to start out at a laid back 5.0 or even 4.5 mph pace for the first few miles, you should be hitting 6.0 mph by Winding Stairs Gap 42.6 miles in. This is necessary to make it to Fontana Dam by the 5:30 PM cutoff. Once you get to the Smokies it is no time to slow down. Danny and I think 7.0 mph is a reasonable target rate for the 39 miles in the National Park. And with the final 8 miles being pretty much all downhill we would not be surprised that some get up to 9.0, 10.0 or even 12.0 mph by Newfound Gap.

There will be many scenic overlooks including those at Siler Bald (short side trail), Wayah Bald, Wesser Bald, Swim Bald, Cheoah Bald and Silers Bald (has its own Wiki page unlike Siler Bald). Guys with receeding hairlines should feel at home. Not to mention the highest point in the Smokies, Clingmans Dome. Mount LeConte devotees are hoping we will be going so fast that we will flatten Clingmans Dome by at least 51 feet.

Sunrise is at 7:19 AM so those that are a little ahead of the pace have the option of watching this from Siler Bald just north of Winding Stairs Gap. Likewise the fast hikers should be able catch the 7:55 PM sunset from Clingmans Dome, provided the fast, fast, fast hikers leave it intact.

Depending on the pace of the group, we should reach Newfound Gap between 8 PM and 11:59 PM Sunday. Like in a marathon, those that have not reached Fontana Dam (about 99 miles into the hike and 72 percent of the way through) by 5:30 PM will asked to exit the trail and remain there until the others finish and forever will be branded as 99ers. This is a hike for the 1 percenters at least with respect to hiking ability.

According to my guide book we should have about 56,700 feet of elevation change. However Dicks Gap is only at 2675 feet versus 5045 feet for Newfound Gap, so the net gain will be less than 2,400 feet. That's a miniscule 17.5 feet of gain per mile!!!

Required Items to Bring:
Three meals and snacks you can eat while hiking. Recommended 20,000 to 25,000 calories.
2 quarts of water (I will bring a water filter although we will have to do this very fast to keep up our pace)
Clothing for possible changing weather conditions. Rain gear which can be put on in less than 30 seconds recommended.
Headlamp with set of spare batteries as much of the hike will be in the dark.
Sense of humor

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Extra set of hiking shoes in case your soles wear out or willingness to hike barefoot.
A couple of spare shirts if you prespire greatly. Your fellow hikers will appreciate this.
Polyester leisure suit for optional Harrahs stop after hike.

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

We will do a shuttle where everybody drives up to Newfound Gap in the Smokies. Then we will take half the cars and drive back to Dicks Creek Gap just west of Clayton, Georgia.

When we finish our little hike we will drive back from Newfound Gap with perhaps a stop at Harrahs Casino in Cherokee. If necessay we will swing by Fontana Dam and pick up those that could not keep up the pace. The rest of our cars should be at Dicks Creek Gap which is only a short detour off US 441. We should be back and Indian Trail no later than 4 AM Monday morning.

What could be easier?

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

352Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

6:30 pm

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $140.80 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:

Dogs are not allowed on trails in the Great Smokies Mountain National Park. However if you are hiking at the recommended 7-12 mph pace no park ranger will ever catch you.

We are looking for one or two volunteers to man a table at Fontana Dam between 12 PM and whenever the final hiker checks in. Hopefully this will be by 6 PM but it could be later. The club will provide a dark green AOC shirt suitable for parking cars along with a dozen donuts. E-mail trip leaders if interested.

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

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note: Once you sign up you better be committed to finishing. Those that only make it to Fontana Dam will be removed from the roster although we promise not to abandon them. You may want to bring a book or your Kindle as we should swing by to pick you up between 1 and 2 AM.

Concerning possible cancelation because of weather, we will consult with Danny L to see if he thinks conditions are severe enough. He has not admitted to canceling an outdoor activity since 1978.