Backpacking – Mount Rogers

OVERVIEW

Mt. Rogers, located in SW Virginia, offers lots of trails near the highest peak in Virginia (~5700ft). There should be some really nice views, and, if we’re lucky, we’ll see some of the ‘wild’ ponies roaming around.

We will leave on Saturday morning at 9:00AM (please be on time!), drive a little over 4 hours to the state park located to the south of Mt. Rogers, and hike into a campsite that should have some nice views near the summit. We’ll get up (maybe see the sunrise) and hike on Sunday, find a nice campsite, eat dinner and smores, sleep, and then hike back to the parking lot on Monday, returning to Charlottesville on Monday night. I will have a guidebook, but haven’t decided on the exact route yet. Be prepared for some moderately strenuous hiking; I’m estimating we’ll cover a total distance of ~20-25 mi. over 3 days. It should be fun!!

What to bring:

Clothes for the car ride (to leave for when you get back)
Hiking clothes, boots
A warm fleece (it might get chilly at 4000-5000ft, especially at night)
Rain gear
Plastic bags, trash bags to keep your stuff dry in case it rains
Head lamp or flashlight
Water (important!) -at least 2L
Toiletries (toilet paper, sunscreen, lip-balm, toothbrush, paste, etc.)
Personal cooking supplies (bowl or plate, spoon/fork)
bugspray (optional)
Any personal snacks / energy bars / etc.
LUNCH FOOD for yourself (for Saturday, Sunday, Monday)
Money for some food on the road (lunch on the way there if you want, dinner on the way home)

If you have them, please bring:
Backpack
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad

If not, you can pick up gear on Thursday, August 11 at 5:00pm (meet outside Echols dorm) or arrange for another pickup time by emailing the officers.

Club will provide:
Food (Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast and dinner, Monday breakfast; Please pack your own lunches)
Tents
Cooking Stoves
Water filter
Gas money for drivers

I’ve set the trip limit to 5, since I can fit 5 in my car. If the trip is full, sign up anyway. If other people can drive, you’ll be let off the waitlist.

Also, if you need to return earlier on Monday or on Sunday night, please indicate this in the ‘comments’ question. We might be able to work something out if another driver also needs to leave early.