Backpacking - Sat, May 19 2007, Sat, May 19 2007, Sun, May 20 2007

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Backpacking

The Basics:

Event Type:

Backpacking

Event Location:

Panthertown Valley

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, May 19 2007, Sat, May 19 2007, Sun, May 20 2007 7:30 am >> N/A (Carpool Departure: 7:45 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Mon, Jan 1 2007 12:00 am

Registration Cut Off:

Thu, May 17 2007 11:59 pm

Event Duration:

2 Days

Difficulty Rating:

D6: Advanced

Trip Leader(s):

Bruce

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You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.

Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

15 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Moderate - 13 Miles

Join me in this special place, my first backpacking adventure after a long recovery from shoulder surgery, and no finer celebration can be found in the southeast than this wilderness greening up for spring (and before peak snake season). The Panthertown Valley is an undesignated wilderness area, a lost world in a bowl shaped valley, ringed and surrounded by granite domed and rugged mountain guardians of this incredibly scenic wonderland; with many winding trails all around the valley. A short way down into the valley there is the early viewing treat of Salt Rock overlook, before descending into the valley. We will hike no more than two miles into the valley to a nice camping flat, take off backpacks, set up tents, and have lunch. Then we will set off into the valley for the first days adventure to 3 waterfalls on Wardens Creek, through rhododendron thickets to a couple of these hidden beauties. Time allowing, we will climb the trail to Shelton Pisgah mountain and come back down another trail following little green creek downhill to the main trails and back to camp. There we will set up a campfire; and get ready for comraderie, and nightime fun-libations of choice (wine and cheese party provided for those willing) and stargazing. (and eventual rest. The stars are stunningly are beautiful in this very dark place away from civilization. The stargazing is dedicated to our friends Don Hayes and Tuyet Lu who met and talked over stargazing here a couple of years ago, and will be sorely missed. Sunday morning, after a leisurely waking up and breakfast we will hike to the southern main fork to Little Green Mountain and its stunning views of the valley from many standpoints, then down the mountain to Schoolhouse Falls and back to camp to pack up and the short but strenuous walk out of the valley.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Two liters/ quarts of water or more for hiking (leader will bring a filter for camp water and replenishing others containers-another person or two bringing theirs would be welcome). Also needed are good hiking shoes, backpack, sleeping bag and pad, tent and all things that involved in backpacking (as campstove, fuel for same-food for breakfast and dinner, flashlights for stargazing at night.

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Cashiers, NC Park and ride only please From the park and ride lot, we travel on I-85, all the way to South Carolina, exiting at exit 1 to highway 11 north, turning onto Hwy. 28 north and travelling through Walhalla, SC; in several miles turning to hwy.107 north to Cashiers, NC where we turn onto local roads to drive up to the top of the secluded valley and trailhead.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

280Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

7:45 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $112.00 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:

Are Dogs Permitted? No.

Will This Event Occur Rain or Shine? No, not is heavy thunderstorms are forecast.

NOTE: Please be considerate of others. If you sign-up and cannot attend, please e-mail the event leader, so others that may be on a waiting list may attend. E-mail the leader to be put on a waiting list if the event 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 money for your drivers, optional dinner afterwards at inexpensive, but great Mexican dinner in Walhalla, SC-money spent on your chosen trailfood and snacks.

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