Finals Backpacking x The Rolling Stones ??

OVERVIEW

Hey y’all!!

Anyone else love the song Sweet Virginia by The Rolling Stones??? If not, let me serenade you with my favorite lyric: “got to scrape that shit right off your shoes”

Anyone else inspired to go backpacking because they want to scrape that metaphorical shit [exams/finals/school] right off your shoes [aka soul] ???

Come rejoice in the soul-cleansing powerwash of a backpacking trip through the southern side of Shenandoah. The Moormans River loop is ~18-20 miles with 3000ish ft of elevation gain and a lot of stream crossings. The Shenandoah guide does describe stream crossing that can be “knee to waist high after heavy rains.” The Alltrails says there are lots of bears and lots of swimming, yay! We will make sure we are being safe, but all that sounds like a pretty awesome adventure. I’m planning on doing 11.5ish in and 8ish out the next day.

Shenandoah guide: https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/SHEN_BCTrip-Moormans_River_Loop_2_nights_E106-508.pdf
Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/moormans-river-overnight-loop-via-appalachian-trail

Trip details:
April 27th:
– Leave UVA at 10
– Start hiking at 11
– Hike 11-12 miles until we find somewhere to camp after Shop Run
April 28th:
– Wake up
– 8-9 miles
– Get to car; drive back to UVA, probably get back around 2pm

What to bring:
Sleeping bag/sleeping pad
Backpack
Hiking shoes
Socks + bandaids/moleskin
Clothes/layers
Toiletries (i.e deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper)
2 water bottles that hold 32 oz each
One dinner; two lunches/snacks; one breakfast (some good and light examples are PBJs in flour tortillas, tuna pouches, instant mashed potatoes, trail mix, apples, carrots, granola bars, etc)
Jetboil/lighter if you want to heat water for ramen or oatmeal (I’m going to pack food that I don’t have to cook!)
Headlamp
Trash bag for backpack protection in case it rains
Fun things to do like cards, journal, book, etc

What I’m bringing:
Tent
Backcountry permit
Park pass
Bear bag + rope
Trash bag
Water filtration system
Extra moleskin
First aid kit
Toilet paper
Map
Anything else I forgot to add that’s important

If you have any questions or concerns, shoot me a text! My number is 434-270-4230

-Shannon