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Beginner Backpack - Appalachian Trail - Blood Mountain




The Basics:
STATUS: Cancelled - Hide from Calendar
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Byron Reece Trailhead   Backpacking: Beginner Backpack - Appalachian Trail - Blood Mountain  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Oct 5 2024  9:00 am >> Sun, Oct 6 2024 12:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:50 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Sun, Sep 29 2024 8:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Oct 4 2024 8:00 pm
Event Duration:1 Days 3 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D3: Moderate
Distance:8 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
John
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:8
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 2 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

This is a backpack with beginners in mind. Have you wanted to try your hand at backpacking but didn't know where to start? Confused about gear or just didn't have anyone to go with? Then this is the perfect opportunity for your first backpacking experience!

The hike will begin at Byron Reece Trailhead. We will take the Byron Reece Trail, which climbs 0.7 miles where it intersects with the AT at Flatrock Gap. We will turn right and follow the AT south and climb over 1,000 feet of elevation over the next 1.3 miles where we will reach the summit of Blood Mountain. The reward will be one best views in Georgia. After taking in the view, we will hike down the south side of blood mountain towards our campsite at Woods Hole Shelter. This will be the backpacking portion of the event, and it is just under 4 total miles.

As the hike is less a 4 miles to a campsite could be a short hike even for a beginner's backpack, I have thought of some additional hikes to make it a little longer after we set up camp at Woods Hole Shelter.

Optional Saturday Hike #1:  After we set up camp, we can do a 6ish mile loop hike out to Lake Winfield Scott and back.

Optional Saturday Hike #2:  After setting up camp, we can hike back up to Blood Mountain to watch the sunset and do a little star gazzing before we night hike back to camp.

Optional Sunday Hike: After we get back to our cars, there is a beautiful waterfall nearby called Helton Creek Falls. It is a very short drive and an even shorter hike to an amazing waterfall. The hiking distance is about 0.5 miles out and back to the waterfall and is very easy hiking. I think the waterfall would be the perfect way to end this backpack.

Please help keep my home away from home the way it should be and follow LNT principles found here: https://lnt.org/learn/7-principles

If this is your first backpack, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have.

This will be a rain or shine event and will only be rescheduled for dangerous weather.


Required Items to Bring:

Properly fitted Backpack
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Food
Water (easy access is a plus)
Rain gear
Sturdy, broken in boots/shoes
Extra clothes
Tent or Hammock w/ rainfly
Bear bag or Canister
Headlamp
Bug spray
Sun screen

Water filtetration system

Cooking System
Waterproof bag for packliner

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

Bear spray
Sunglasses
Hat(s)
Hiking Poles
Stove
SEE AOC CHECKLIST above for more items

If you have any questions about your gear or what you need to bring for this event, please don't hesitate to contact the trip leaders


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

 

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):130Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:50 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $52.00 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:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


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