AT NC Slackpack - Fri, Feb 28 2025

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 through the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for details; you will be given payment instructions after you sign up. Late payments are NOT accepted for this event, in any circumstance.



AT NC Slackpack


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Standing Indian Campground Backcountry Parking Lot   Hike: AT NC Slackpack  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Fri, Feb 28 2025  3:00 pm >> Sun, Mar 9 2025 4:00 pm
Registration Opens: Sun, Mar 10 2024 9:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Thu, Dec 26 2024 9:00 am
Event Duration:9 Days
Difficulty Rating:D7: Extreme
Distance:114 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Gary 'L'
Pam M
Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
Member Cost:$25.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:6
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 6 / 3 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

The plan is to "hostel hop" the section starting just before the Georgia border and running to the beginning of the Great Smoky Mountains NP. 

To qualify, past experience with higher difficulty rating multiday AOC hiking trips will be considered.  Very recent AOC history demonstrating an active hiking schedule is a must.  Personality fit is also a key consideration for a trip such as this one.

We will stay indoors each night at a hostel but we need to carry whatever we need for the week in our large daypack on hiking moving days.  With 4 hostels, we will have 3 moving days with full daypacks (8-28 pounds depending on your comforts).   We will move from hostel to hostel and need to hike everything we need (but on 5 days we will have light packs due to leaving overnight needs at the hostels given multinight stays). 

Guest laundry and hostel loaner clothes most every night will minimize the need for extra clothes.  We will sleep in coed hostel bunkrooms to save on cost (I will arrange the bunkrooms) but feel free to upgrade (directly with the hostel) to a private or semi-private room if that is your style and budget.

Highlights in order along the way:

Dinner from Hiawassee

Sharp Top Mountain overlook (full pack)

Standing Indian Mountain overlook loop (light pack)

Dinner in Franklin

Albert Mountain and Tower 22 mile 4300 feet D6 loop (light pack)

Dinner from Franklin

Siler Bald open summit (light pack)

Dinner in Franklin

Wayah Bald and Tower (full pack)

Dinner from Bryson City

Wesser Bald and Tower and the Jump-Off (light pack)

Dinner at Nantahala Outdoor Center

Nantahala Gorge 

Cheaoh Bald overlook and the Jump-up 14 mile 4600 feet D6 (full pack)

Jacob's Ladder climb (light pack)

Fontana Lake and Marina

Generally, each day will be hike around 12-14 miles (two D4, four D5, two D6).  Eight consecutive days of these difficulty levels without an off day (or even a single digit day) where we cover over 100 miles and almost 25,000 feet of elevation gain warrants the D7 rating.

Water crossings are minor and will not require water shoes but wet trail on rainy days encourage use of waterproof socks.


Required Items to Bring:

Along with your usual daypack gear, you will want to include a change of clothes, toiletries kit, and a lightweight quilt or blanket in case you sleep colder than the rest of the crew.

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

My 9.5 pound dayapck included the normal daypack items of:

first aid kit

water filtration

trail snacks/sandwich

My overnight items included:

toiletries/meds

charger for phone, watch, and ear pods

ultralight quilt

lightweight long sleeve 

hiking pants

socks

My layers incuded:

mid-layer fleece jacket

puffy jacket

full rain suit

 


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

We will use the long-term backcountry parking in the back of the Standing Indian Campground near the Backcountry Information Center kiosk.


Notes:
Important information for paid events in which payment is managed through the AOC:

     - Payment must be received by the payment due date and prior to participation in the event.

     - Some paid events require a minimum number of registered participants. If that number is not met, the event will be canceled and refunds will be issued to those who have already paid.

     - Third-party vendors often require damage deposits. Each registrant agrees to be liable for and required to reimburse the Atlanta Outdoor Club for any withheld deposits due to the actions of or damages caused by that registrant.

     - No partial payments. All registrants must pay the posted Member Cost regardless of any agreement you may have with any party involved in the event.

     - Read the event description carefully for additional information, and contact the trip leader(s) with any questions.

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

Cost & Payment:
Member Cost:$25.00/Person
Cost Includes:

$25 is the fee for the AOC.

Our daily cost should be less than $100 for lodging, meals, and shuttles.

Payment Cut Off:Payment must be received by the AOC on Thu, Dec 26 2024.
Make a Payment:Click here for the details. PLEASE PAY AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED UP BELOW.

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