Gregory Bald (Smoky Mountains) - Advanced Backpacking - Sat, Nov 16 2013

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 by the trip leader(s) and NOT the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for payment details and instructions.



Gregory Bald (Smoky Mountains) - Advanced Backpacking


The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Gregory Bald (Campsite #13)   Backpacking: Gregory Bald (Smoky Mountains) - Advanced Backpacking  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Nov 16 2013  6:30 am >> Sun, Nov 17 2013 6:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 6:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Tue, Oct 29 2013 9:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Nov 15 2013 9:00 pm
Event Duration:1 Days 11 Hours 30 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Distance:16 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Bob Bunner
Michael Johnson
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Member Cost:$10.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:8
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 7 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Given the time of year and the elevation, I can only accept experienced backpackers on this trip.  We have a challenging itinerary and we will need to maintain a moderate pace throughout to avoid getting to our campsite after dark.  But it's worth it. 

Our objective is to backpack to the summit of Gregory Bald, one of the few balds that provide a 360 degree view within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As an added bonus, a nearly full moon will illuminate the Bald at night.  This is a loop hike that begins at Twenty Mile Ranger Station and covers a total distance of approximately 15.6 miles. We'll begin by hiking counterclockwise the Twenty Mile and Long Hungry Ridge Trails to Gregory Bald. We will cover about 8.2 miles on our first day and we will ascend 3300 feet to the Bald. We will camp at campsite #13, which is a little less than half a mile below the Bald. The descent on Sunday is about 7 miles on the Wolf Ridge trail.

This trip has been rated a D5 because of the distance we'll be hiking and because of the significant elevation change we will incur as we ascend to the Bald. We intend to hike at a moderate pace. This is a strenuous and difficult backpacking trip. Be honest with yourself about whether you have the physical ability and desire to do this event. If you sign up and I do not know your hiking ability, I will contact you to find out if I believe you are a good candidate for this trip. I reserve the right to remove any member from this trip, who in my opinion, may not have the physical ability to keep up with the group.

We have a reservation for 8 people at campsite #13. The cost of the reservation permit is $32, which I will prorate among those who attend (I won't charge anyone more than $10, so if only 3 people sign up, you'll owe at most $10).  If you do sign up, and for some reason you have to cancel, please have the courtesy to remove yourself as soon as possible so that we can give people on the waiting list sufficient notice that there is a spot for them on this event.

Expect winter conditions!!!  We don't know what the weather will be like this far in advance, but you should be willing to experience below freezing temperatures at night.  If the weather looks really extreme (i.e., cold, snow, ice), this event will be cancelled (I won't charge anyone if we have to cancel the event). 

I recommend that you bring layers of clothes, jackets, etc. to keep yourself warm at night. We can build a fire (weather permitting) at the campsite. However, we'll probably take a nighttime stroll up to the Bald where it tends to be windy and there are no fires allowed on top to keep you warm. We'll update the weather forecast just before the trip to give you a better idea of what gear you should bring to be comfortable. There is a water source near the campsite.

Note: Bears have been known to be active in this area of the park. We had to cancel this event a couple of years ago because the campsite was closed due to bear activity.


Required Items to Bring:

* Meals needed

- 1 Lunch for Saturday
- 1 Dinner for Saturday night
- 1 Breakfast for Sunday morning
- (Optional) 1 Lunch for Sunday (we'll probably reach the trailhead around noon on Sunday and stop someplace to eat on the way home)
- Bring trail snacks

* Hiking Boots/Hiking Shoes
* Backpack for overnight trip
* Tent
* Sleeping Bag rated at 30 degrees or warmer
* Thermarest/Sleeping Pad
* Backpacking Stove
* Water, either in camel back or nalgene carriers

Please see the AOC Backpacking Checklist for other required and recommended items.

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

* Water Filter (if you don't have one, you can borrow someone else's)
* Lighter or matches
* Bring layers, including a warm jacket - expect it to be windy on top of the Bald.
* bug spray


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Merge onto I-85 N/GA-403 N via the ramp on the LEFT. 11.9 mi
Take the I-985 N/LANIER PKWY exit, EXIT 113, on the LEFT toward GAINESVILLE. (0.2 mi)

Merge onto GA-365 N. (52.5 mi)

Take the US-23 N/US-441 N exit on the LEFT.  (0.1 mi)

Stay STRAIGHT to go onto US-23 N/US-441 N/GA-15 N. Continue to follow US-23 N/US-441 N (Crossing into NORTH CAROLINA). (43.4 mi)

Merge onto US-23 N/US-441 N toward CHEROKEE. (20.4 mi)
 
US-23 N/US-441 N becomes ramp. (0.3 mi)
 
Merge onto US-74 W. (22.4 mi)

 
Turn RIGHT onto NC-28. (30 mi)

end @ TwentyMile Ranger StationTwentyMile

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):362Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 6:30 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $144.80 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:

The Trip Leader(s) for this event has (have) elected to personally collect the funds that event participants are required to pay, or to require participants to pay funds directly to a third party.  No funds will be paid to the Atlanta Outdoor Club for this event.  Therefore, by registering for this event, you acknowledge an agree to the following: (1) the monies paid by registrants will not be monitored, managed, or otherwise accounted for by the Atlanta Outdoor Club; (2) that the Atlanta Outdoor Club bears no financial responsibility for this event; and (3) you waive any and all claims against the Atlanta Outdoor Club, and hold the Atlanta Outdoor Club harmless for the loss of any monies you paid for this event.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any paying registrant may request directly from the Trip Leader, prior to the event, a breakdown of the funds collected, estimated expenses, and deposits made in anticipation of the event.  Following the event, the Trip Leader must complete his or her financial accounting for the event, and a paid registrant may request a breakdown of funds collected, money spent and supporting documentation after that time.  If you were unable to obtain requested documentation, please contact the Director of Paid Events.


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

Member Cost:$10.00/Person
Cost Includes:

The reservation permit cost $32.  I will prorate the cost of the permit among the people who attend the event, but no one will be responsible for more than $10. 

Make a Payment:Although there is a cost for this event, you do not pay through the AOC. Please review the event details carefully for information about how/where to make your payment.

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