Bearfence Hut Hangout!

OVERVIEW

Unfortunately Sunday looks like an absolutely miserable day to be hiking, i.e. cold and rainy (ew), so let’s get out into Shenandoah BUT stay warm and dry doing it!

How, you might ask? Well i’ll tell ya.

If you’ve ever spent any time hiking on the Appalachian trail you’ll know that in many sections there are shelters conveniently spaced out a day’s worth of hiking or so apart for thru-hikers and section-hikers alike to take shelter in, so let’s go seek shelter from the rain and get cozy!

I picked this shelter because a) its one of the most accessible (short distance from parking) & b) it has a metal roof… I don’t know about you all, but I am such a sucker for the sound of rain on a metal roof, so we’re going to go get set up with pads and blankets and pillows and just get cozy and play board/card games, read, nap, or whatever you need for a few hours while enjoying the sound of the rain on the roof and fresh mountain air! You can even bring your homework if you want (plz don’t). I’ll be bringing a stove and stuff to make hot chocolate for those who wish to ~indulge~.

It’s getting to be that time of year where things are picking up in classes and stress levels are either near or thru the roof, so take a few hours to just forget about your responsibilities and relax and recharge with some good old fashioned fun 🙂

Here’s a nice pic of the shelter: https://assets.sectionhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/thumbskeep/2015/04/Pass-Mountain-Shelter-My-favorite-in-Shenandoah-National-Park.jpg

Plan:
Meet at Echols at 11 on Sunday (give everyone a fair chance to sleep off the Halloweekend shenanigans), drive ~hour to the parking area, walk 5-10 minute to the shelter, hang out (read/ nap/ sip hot chocolate/ play board games) for ~3 hours, pack up and head out and shoot to be back on grounds some time around 4 with plenty of time to hit the books. Or not.

IMPORTANT will cost $5 if we don’t get passes, but I don’t anticipate that being an issue for this trip

Bring:
-SNP pass if you have one ($5 if you don’t)
-rain gear for the short walk (boots/ coat/ umbrella)
-water and lunch/snacks
-book
-board games/ playing cards
-warm clothes
-sleeping pads, blankets, sleeping bags, and pillows (recommended!)
-trash bags/ ziplocs/ pack covers to keep things dry for the short walk!
-a serious love for the simpler things in life <3 Sleeping bags and pads can be checked out for free from gear room and will definitely make you more comfortable if you don't already have them! DRIVERS NEEDED! -drivers get priority off the waitlist. The club reimburses for gas +50% tip! -drivers need to show up to Echols with a full tank of gas!