VA AT - 4-Day - McAfee Knob - Dragons Tooth - Tinker Cliffs - Fri, Jun 30 2017

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VA AT - 4-Day - McAfee Knob - Dragons Tooth - Tinker Cliffs


The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Daleville, VA   Backpacking: VA AT - 4-Day - McAfee Knob - Dragons Tooth - Tinker Cliffs  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Fri, Jun 30 2017  6:00 pm >> Tue, Jul 4 2017 10:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 6:00 pm   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Wed, Jun 7 2017 8:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Wed, Jun 7 2017 8:00 pm
Event Duration:4 Days 4 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D6: Advanced (Exploratory)
Distance:54 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Myra Kincaid
Eric P
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Member Cost:$32.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:7
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 6 / 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:

 About the trip:

   This will be a 4-day, 53 mile, backpack along the Appalachian trail just south of Daleville, VA. This section includes serveral of the most famous sites in Virginia, including Dragon's tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker cliffs.  The daily hikes will be long, but taken at a moderate pace. I like to start hiking early each day, allowing time to stop and enjoy a few sites along the trail (time permitting). 

 

   Friday: The carpool will depart Indian Trail at 6pm. The drive to Erwin Tennessee will take approximately 4 hours. We will camp at Nolichucky Gorge Campground.

   Saturday: (10 miles) We will get up early to drive the remaining 3 hours to Daleville, arriving by 10am.  We will meet our shuttle driver at the AT parking lot behind Valley cleaners (509 Roanoke Rd, Daleville, VA 24083).  The shuttle to the 42 crossing on the AT will take approximatly one hour. The hike will ascend approximately 1500 feet before leveling out on a ridge. There will be some views before descending again at Sinking Creek mountain. We will descend to spend the night at Niday Shelter.

   Sunday: (15miles) The day will start with a long climb which will take us to the top of Brush mountain and the Audie Murphey monument . We will have a long descent before crossing a foot bridge crossing Trout Creek. We will take a long break and eat dinner at Pickle Branch shelter.  We will load up on water, before acsending 1000 feet up Cover moutain to the famous "Dragon's Tooth" Monolith.(https://virginiavinesandtrails.com/2013/09/12/dragons-tooth-hike/) We will dry camp at Dragon's tooth.

   Monday: (18 miles) This will be long, but spectacular day.  We will descend once more to reach  a long flat section. There will be a crossing at Catawba creek, where we will water up. We will ascend once more to the famous McAfee knob (https://www.visitroanokeva.com/listings/mcafee-knob/6430/) . In the evening, we will  pass the famous Tinker cliffs and enjoy the cliff walk there.  We will descend and spend the night at Lambert's Shelter.

   Tuesday: (9 miles)   We will hike the remaining 9 miles to Daleville, finishing by early afternoon in order to arrive back in Atlanta at a reasonable hour.

 

 This is an advanced backpack and requires prior experience backpacking with long distances! Everyone wishing to participate will be added to the waitlist pending vetting. If you do not have a history of D6 backpacks with the club, you will be contacted to confirm you experience.

This section of the trail only has a few water sources. Also, the weather could be getting hot in July. Please bring bottles to carry at least 4 liters of water, plus hydration salts or salty snacks.

  


Required Items to Bring:
  • Hiking Boots / Shoes
  • Backpack
  • Tent / Tarp / Hammock 
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Sleep Pad
  • Food and Snacks (4 days worth)
  • Water and Filtration / Purification device, Drops, or Tablets
  • Headlamp and spare batteries

 

 

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

Use our Event Checkliststo make sure you have everything you need.

  • Camera
  • Hiking Poles
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Stove
  • Matches/Lighter
  • Change of Clothes and Towel for Drive Home
  • Maps/GPS
  • Harmonicas, flutes, cards, etc.

How to Get There:
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):620Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 6:00 pm
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $248.00 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:

  


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

Member Cost:$32.00/Person
Cost Includes:

The amount shown above is a maximum. The actual total per person cost will be calculated and collected the week of June 26-30. Payments will be due on June 30. Please note that this cost is in addition to the carpool cost to be paid to your driver.

• Camping at Nolichucky - $12 pp

• Shuttle $55-65 divided among the number of participants.

The camping portion of the payment will be refundable in case of an emergency drop. The shuttle portion is non-refundable.

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.