Roan Highlands Backpacking Adventure - Thu, Nov 5 2009, Fri, Nov 6 2009, Sat, Nov 7 2009, Sun, Nov 8 2009

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.



Roan Highlands Backpacking Adventure


The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Appalachian Trail, NC and TN
Date(s) & Time:Thu, Nov 5 2009, Fri, Nov 6 2009, Sat, Nov 7 2009, Sun, Nov 8 2009  6:45 am >> N/A  (Carpool Departure: 7:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Oct 5 2009 9:30 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Oct 30 2009 12:00 pm
Event Duration:Four days, three nights
Difficulty Rating:D6: Advanced
Trip Leader(s):
Danny
Tony C
Scott Looper
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Member Cost:$15.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:5
Number Registered So Far: 7 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Considered by many to be the most beautiful section of the entire Appalachian Trail, the Roan Highlands is a series of several mountain balds...these peaks command spectacular 360 degree views from their summits and give you grand "wide open spaces" to enjoy as you take every step.  All of the pics in this event listing were taken on a Roan trip in Nov '07.  This trip will include all of this area, as well as an additional twenty or so miles of beautiful country in both NC and TN.

For more information (and some sweet pics), check out: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roan_Mountain_(Roan_Highlands)

This is a four day trip but just really includes three main days of backpacking.   Day 1 is mostly a travel day and perhaps a little sightseeing and dayhiking too.  The backpacking be somewhat strenuous because of the distances and elevation changes. However we are certainly not going to not rush through it.   Instead we will really savor the views along the way, many from near or over 6000' elevation...take long breaks on the balds, etc.  We'll have about 11 hrs of daylight to work with each day, so plenty of time to explore.

Total distance for the trip will be approx 40.1 miles with about 10,000' of total ascent.

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Day 1



Thurs 9/5 - We will leave early on Thursday and and enjoy the drive up from Atl (roughly 5 hrs).   There will hopefully still be some good fall colors along the way.  
It's a beautiful drive any time of year.

We may do a little legstretcher dayhike from Carvers Bald to Round Bald if we have time and are anxious to get on the trail.   We will then drive to the outfitter for a shuttle to the trailhead on 19E.  The shuttle distance is about 35 mi / 1hr.

We should reach the 19E trailhead by late afternoon and then will just backpack half a mile to Apple House Shelter (3000') and camp for the first night.

Day 1 mileage:  .6 mi & ~200' of total ascent.

Elevation profile for day 1:

Click for larger version:
 
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Day 2



Fri 9/5 - This is the first day on the mountain bald stretch of the trip and includes hiking up the "Humps"... Hump Mountain (5587') and Little Hump Mtn (5440')...magnificent views from each.   You can see Grandfather mtn and Mount Rogers in VA in the distance...as well as the trail ahead...Grassy Ridge Bald, Roan Mtn, etc just stretching out before you.

It's a good tough climb to start off but we will take it at a moderate pace.  This is a relatively short day, mileage wise, so we will have extra time to do some optional extra dayhikes and really explore the area.  We will camp that night at the Overmountain Shelter (4600')...a very picturesque old converted barn.  You can either sleep inside the shelter or tent camp near it.  

Day 2 mileage:  8.7 mi & ~3200' total ascent

Click for larger version:
 
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Day 3



Sat 9/7 -  This will be a full day with some major elevation changes and climbs, as well as some major highlights of the trip.  It will include Grassy Ridge Bald (6160'), Jane Bald, Round Bald and the massive Roan Mountain.   We will visit the Roan High Knob shelter (highest on the entire AT).   It is about a 2000 foot trek down from Roan, and then we must tackle one last climb of the day (about 750' up Little Rock Knob) before we finally descend to our campsite for the night - Clyde Smith Shelter (~4400')

Day 3 mileage:  15.8 mi & ~4300 total ascent.

Click for larger version:
 
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Day 4



Sun 9/8 -  We will end the trip going out strong, with a long day and a tough climb up to Unaka Mountain (5180') and through a serene hemlock forest.   After we descend the mountain, we will still have the view from the aptly named "Beauty Spot" to take in.   Then just another couple of miles downhill to where we end our journey at Indian Grave Gap.  We get shuttled back to the outfitter where we left the cars and make the drive home to Atl...a long day but should be more than worth it.

Day 4 mileage:  18.1 mi & ~3750 total ascent

Click for larger version:
 
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Total distance : ~43.20 miles
Total ascent: ~ 11,500 feet
 
This is a D6 trip and for advanced backpackers who can handle these climbs and distances with a full pack. But it should be a great adventure for those who are up for it.


Required Items to Bring:
  • usual backpacking gear
    		• Recommended Items to Bring:
    Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
  • trekking poles
  • camera

    • How to Get There:
    Event Directions:

    Directions will be given at carpool.

    Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):525Mile(s)
    Carpool Departure Time: 7:00 am
    Carpool Location:   Log in for location
    Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
    Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $210.00 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:

    Note: Because this is a strenuous and challenging D6 backpacking trip, you must have some recent tough backpacking and/or D5 dayhiking experience to join us.  We will screen potential participants for this event....both for their comfort and safety as well as that of the group.  If you sign up, we will be contacting you to determine if this is the right trip for you.

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

    Member Cost:$15.00/Person
    Cost Includes:The only cost (besides contributing carpool/fuel expenses as usual) will be each person's share of the outfitter shuttle we take to the trailhead on 19E.   That isn't a very safe place to leave a vehicle overnight which is why we are going with this option.  But cost per person will be $15 per or less, depending on how many people go on the trip.  Payment will be made directly to the outfitter and not to the AOC.
    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.