Mt. Sterling Backpacking Trip

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Mt. Sterling Backpacking Trip

The Basics:

Event Type:

Backpacking

Event Location:

Mt. Sterling, NC (GSMNP)

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Nov 3 2018 10:30 am >> Sun, Nov 4 2018 6:00 pm (Carpool Departure: 7:00 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Wed, Oct 24 2018 8:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Nov 2 2018 11:59 pm

Event Duration:

1 Days 8 Hours 30 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult

Distance:

12 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Bob Bunner

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Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

7 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

This is an extremely 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. But 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. I'm not aware of any other trail that is as challenging in the Southeast. The trailhead begins at the Big Creek picnic area. There is a water source about 1/2 mile before we get to the summit. Bring or plan on borrowing a water filter. We'll probably make it back to the Big Creek picnic area by 1:00 pm on Sunday. We'll plan on stopping somewhere to eat on the way back to Atlanta.

The cost of the permit for this trip is $32. Each participant should expect to pay their proportionate share (i.e., $4-$5, depending on how many people sign up).

Required Items to Bring:

1 lunch, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast, 2 liters of water, raingear, warm jacket, See Event Checklists ("Backpacking").

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

Bring some snacks because we probably won't eat until around 2:30 pm on Sunday.

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

https://goo.gl/maps/zQ2swKnhT7R2

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

372Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

7:00 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $148.80 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:

Because of the difficulty of the hike to the summit of Mt. Sterling, I may contact every 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.

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