AT Segment 7 - Winding Stair Gap to Nantahala Outdoor Center

Segment 7 includes Winding Stair Gap to Nantahala Outdoor Center.  Now, things get downright silly.  The seventh segment on the AT will take us up and over Siler Bald (kinda), up and over Wayah Bald (for real), up and around Copper Ridge Bald (fo shizzle) before descending to Nantahala Outdoor Center.

The 27 mile hike will take us a around 8,000-feet of elevation gain.  If you complete all 7 sections to this point you will have hiked the first 135-miles of the AT.  Pretty cool.

Your TL will provide a map of this section of the AT; there are a few places where the trail follows forest service roads.  Most likely, we will get a little spread out.  It is imperative that each participant knows where they are going; we will not be regrouping at intersections, etc. as a rule.  We will, however, hike in groups of two as a minimum for safety.

This hike will require a great deal of logistics.  The plan is to not carry everything we need for the entire hike.  Additonal food and drinks you bring for yourself will be transported from Winding Stair to the top of Wayah and will be waiting upon your arrival.  We will dine at NOC right after the hike and straight from the trail.  The plan is to have our change of clothes waiting for us there.  It's the voodoo that I doodoo.  

As on the other hikes, the faster hikers should be in possession of the car keys at the end.  Our initial chariot will be waiting for us at NOC.  If you're really strategic, you'll want to be the number of cars + 1 person to reach NOC.  That means you're the first person to the restaurant who can start eating. Unless you're polite, and will wait for everyone else to arrive.  In any case, you'll be in charge of getting a suitably sized table for the rest of your colleagues. 

This is a strenuous 27+ mile hike with significant elevation gain and is intended for advanced hikers only. Please do not sign up unless you have a note from your psychiatrist.  Furthermore, if you have not completed any previous AOC events, this will not be your first. 

85 N to 985 N to 23/365 N to 23/441 N this will take us into Clayton GA. We will make a pit stop, which will be at the Clayton Chik-Fil-A, which will be on your left. We will continue north on 441 to Franklin, North Carolina.  Take the ramp onto 64 going west.  Winding Stair Gap parking lot will be on your left approximately 10-miles from Franklin.  There's a nice convenient sign on the right to remind you.