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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.



AT: Clingmans Dome to Fontana Dam, Great Smoky Mountains NP




The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Date(s) & Time:Thu, Oct 9 2014  2:00 pm >> Sun, Oct 12 2014 8:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 2:00 pm   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Tue, Sep 23 2014 7:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Sun, Oct 5 2014 9:00 pm
Event Duration:3 Days 6 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D6: Advanced (Exploratory)
Distance:32.4 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
irene
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You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
Member Cost:$81.40/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:4
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 4 / 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:

Summary: This is a 32.4 mile section on the AT, backpacking from Clingmans Dome to Fontana Dam with 2 nights staying in reserved shelters. Sections of the AT in the Great Smoky Mountains are some of the longest with no cross-roads. As we start and with good weather, we will have sweeping views from the tower on Clingmans Dome. Then we will continue mostly on the ridgeline until the long downhill walk to Fontana Dam on the last day.

Overnight is in shelters and by reserved permit only, no camping. 4 spots are reserved.

Day 1: carpool to The Hike Inn, Fontana Dam, NC; group dinner; overnight at The Hike Inn (see below for info)

Day 2: park car(s) at backcountry parking lot; shuttle to Clingmans Dome; hike 10.1 miles to Derrick Knob Shelter

Day 3: hike 12.0 miles to Mollies Ridge Shelter

Day 4: hike 10.3 miles to Fontana Dam; return to Atlanta and if there is interest, restaurant stop on the way

YOUR ACTION ITEMS

  1. After signing up for this trip, confirm whether you will carpool and lodge at The Hike Inn (Fontana).
  2. You will need to bring cash or personal check for lodging and shuttle (see below)
  3. Thursday overnight is at The Hike Inn, 3204 Fontana Road, Fontana Dam, NC 28733; http://www.thehikeinn.com/index.html. $40.00 plus tax ($43.90). The Hike Inn is holding 2 rooms (shared for up to 2 hikers) so reserve your spot asap.  No Credit Cards Accepted. Cash or personal check only.
  4. You need to bring cash to pay for the shuttle to Clingmans Dome (for 4 people, $37.50/PP; for 3 people, $50/PP)
  5. If you are not carpooling or lodging at the Hike Inn, you will need to be at the shuttle area on Friday morning by 7:30 am.

 

The trip is rain or shine unless extreme weather conditions are expected. If you need to cancel, please contact me as soon as possible so others may join and an accurate head count can be provided to the inn and shuttle service.

 If you have any questions send me an e-mail.

 


Required Items to Bring:

Hiking Boots

Backpack

Sleeping bag and pad

 Water and Filtration / Purification device, Drops, or Tablets

Headlamp and spare batteries

Raingear

Change of clothing in dry bag

Bear proof storage for food, garbage, and toiletries (bear canister or food bag that can be hung on bear cables)

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

Camera (if you like to take pictures)

Hiking Poles

Sunscreen

Stove

Matches/Lighter

Change of Clothes and Towel for Drive Home

Maps/GPS


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Directions to The Hike Inn (Fontana Dam, NC), G.P.S. Coordinates: N35'-24.948 W83'-43.498

Go north on I-85. Merge into left lanes and stay on I-985 north.

Continue on US Highway 441 S/US-23 towards Franklin.

In Franklin, remain on Bus 441.

Merge onto Rte 28 North.

The Inn is located on Highway 28 just 3.5 miles north of the intersection of Hwy 28 and 143.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):310Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 2:00 pm
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $124.00 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:

DISCLAIMER: The Trip Leader for this event has elected either 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 and 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 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, with supporting documentation, within 30 days of the completion of the event, and a paid registrant may request a breakdown of funds collected, money spent and supporting documentation after that time. If you are 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:$81.40/Person
Cost Includes:

Note: payment will be made to third parties and not the AOC.

 

$40.00 plus tax ($43.90) for lodging at The Hike Inn (Fontana). No Credit Cards Accepted. Cash or personal check only.

Shuttle to Clingmans Dome, cash (for 4 people, $37.50/PP; for 3 people, $50/PP)

 

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.