Mt. Sterling Backpacking Trip

This is a challenging, but also very rewarding backpacking trip to the summit of Mt. Sterling. We will steadily climb along the Baxter Creek trail, culminating with 360 degree views of the Smokies from an old firetower. This is the highest back country camp in the Smokies at 5,842 feet above sea level. Even though it will be officially fall, at this altitude, we could and probably will have winter like conditions up there. 

Since the days are short, it will be mandatory to be in good enough condition to keep a good pace up the mountain with all your gear. We don't want to go searching for anyone in the dark!

This trip is not for the average or novice backpacker. The trail gains 4100 feet in only 6.2 miles! That's about the equivalent of hiking from the bottom of the Grand Canyon to the South Rim. The trailhead begins at the Big Creek picnic area. The water source is almost a 1/2 mile from the summit. Bring or plan on borrowing a water filter. We'll probably make it back to the Big Creek picnic area by 1pm on Sunday. We'll most likely stop in Waynesville for a late lunch, on the way back home.

The permit for this event cost me $32.00.  We will divide the cost among those of us who go on the trip. If you cancel at the last minute, forcing the remaining group to pay for your spot, well, you won't be around to defend yourself at the fire, so there's that.

https://goo.gl/maps/TDJ4i

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 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 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.

Because of the difficulty of the hike to the summit of Mt. Sterling, I will call every potential participant to discuss whether this is an appropriate trip for you. Let me know if you need to borrow some gear - I can probably accomodate you.

The permit for 8 cost me $32.00.  You will need to pay me the proportionate amount of the people who actually go on the trip.  Because people may cancel at the last minute, your cost may be more than $4.00, but I won't charge you more than $5.00.