XII to XII - Siler Bald Tramp: Appalachian Trail Overnight Backpacking

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XII to XII - Siler Bald Tramp: Appalachian Trail Overnight Backpacking

The Basics:

Event Type:

Backpacking

Event Location:

Winding Stair Gap - 8 mi West of Franklin NC on US 64

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Jan 2 2021 12:00 pm >> Sun, Jan 3 2021 12:00 pm (Carpool Departure: 12:00 pm *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Sun, Dec 13 2020 8:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Thu, Dec 30 2021 6:00 pm

Event Duration:

1 Days

Difficulty Rating:

D4: Moderate to Difficult

Distance:

8.4 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Tom

Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.

Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

8 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Yes

Itinerary:

This event is dependent on state and local government direction and AOC Leadership direction.

We will adhere to any social distancing directives that may be in place.

This event is not for first time backpackers.

There is no carpool for this event. We will all meet at the Indian Trail Park and Ride off I-85 at 12 PM, and assemble a caravan to the event. You are responsible for driving yourself to the event.

Itinerary is subject to change before and during event.

Come join us on this short and winter-ish 24 hour overnight tramp and backpacking trip. What better way to kick off 2021!

There are many scenic vistas on the Appalachian Trail within a couple hours driving time of Atlanta, but perhaps none more so than Siler Bald. With a summit of 5,216 feet it offers a sweeping 360 degree view of the surrounding valleys. And while there is almost 1500 feet in elevation gain, most of it is fairly gradual over four miles. The total distance hiked over two days will be a little over eight miles.

Our meetup start time/date for the event will be at the Indian Trail Park & Ride at 12:00 PM, Jan 2nd & return back by 12 PM, Jan 3rd.

Although the total driving distance is close to 240 miles round trip, all of it is over major highways. So driving time should be no more than 2-2 ½ hours each way.

If you have any questions, please e-mail or contact one of the Event Coordinators - Tom Jarosz or Gary Hubert.

Required Items to Bring:

Please bring plenty of water, and/ot water filter, food for Saturday night and Sunday morning (enough for yourself), utensils, cups and plates, cooking stove, tarp, backpacking sized tent, sleeping bag, flash light, change of cloths, rain gear, etc.

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

Backpack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad: most of these items can be rented at REI.

***Reminder – keep it simple and as lightweight as possible***

1 Dinner, 1 Breakfast, and snacks: Dehydrated dinners can be purchased at REI, and you only need to add hot water.

For breakfast I usually bring pop tarts or instant oatmeal and coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc.

My dinners are usually freeze dried food packets, or those foil packets of tuna or chicken on either peta bread or tortillas.. things that wont get squished in a backpack.

Good snacks are trail mix, healthy energy bars or even plain ol Snickers.

You will also need appropriate clothing. Synthetic hiking clothes are perfect. I discourage wearing cotton or denim for hiking because if it rains you can get very wet and it doesn’t dry quickly, and therefore you can get very cold. For sleeping clothes bring whatever is comfortable.

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

North on I-85. Take I-985 near Mall of Georgia. Continue on I-985. After 26 miles this intersate will become US 23. Continue on US 23 through Clayton GA and into North Carolina. At Franklin NC take exit to US 64 West. Continue eight miles until Winding Stairs Gap parking lot.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

235Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

12:00 pm

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $94.00 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:

If you have any questions e-mail the Event Coordinator and save phone calls for the day of the event.

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

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

Late cancellations, particularly within 36 hours of the event make it difficult for those on the wait list to attend. Please be courteous to your fellow AOC members and cancel with as much notice as possible.