Backpacking Dolly Sods

OVERVIEW

In May, six brave souls from the club ventured into the Monongahela forest in an endeavor to help with a park-wide effort to reduce the snipe infestation problem at Dolly Sods. Traps were set and now they need checking. Join me for Snipe Eradication Phase II. Hopefully we’ll be able to enjoy fresh Snipe roasted over the campfire for dinner!

On Friday we will hike under one mile by aid of headlamp to our campsite. Saturday and Sunday’s routes and distances will be decided as we go. There are many interconnecting trails so we’ll have lots of options available to us. Terrain, grading (steepness), and length of climbs are mostly easy. If you’ve never been backpacking before this would be a great time to try!

Dolly Sods is usually much colder than the surrounding area (freezing temps at night are possible) so bring warm clothing made from synthetic materials (fleece, polyester, polypro, etc.) Cotton will not keep you warm once it gets wet. There will be some water crossings though the water level should be low this time of year. We may be able to just rock hop and not get wet, otherwise it should be below the knees. Email me with any questions.

Club provides:
Gas if you can drive
a seat in a car
Food: saturday’s meals, sunday breakfast, some snacks
Gear: backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, headlamps, water filter, cooking pots/stove

You bring:
Jacket
Rain Gear
hiking shorts / pants
hiking shirt
1 set of clothing that stays dry for camp
(fleece/warm shirt, warm pants, socks)
2 pairs of socks (avoid cotton to lessen the chance of blisters)
sandals for water crossings
well fitting shoes
bowl & utensil
toiletries
whatever other gear you have
personal snacks
book (no homework alowed!)
money for food on the way there and back