Best of SNP + backcountry chef-off?? (INT Backpacking)

OVERVIEW

When I was but a wide-eyed first year, I led a Grayson Highlands backpacking trip, and despite it being mid April it dumped 6 inches of snow on us. Side note: an elaborate backcountry-burrito dinner kept us warm so we’ve got a high bar for backcountry chef skills. And complaints aside, Jill kept joining me for very questionable trips (see: single-day triple crown). So it’s become a bit of a tradition.

Now that I have 10 days of class left (actually wtf?!) and before I leap into my next endeavor (move into my parents basement unemployed), we wanted to get a last hurrah backpacking trip in. We’re planning on hitting some of the coolest spots in SNP: Old Rag, Stony Man, and Whiteoak Canyon. In addition, we’re planning on holding some sort of backcountry chef-off. This will be a wonderful chance to ditch the good ol’ bag of mountain house and show off your skills with a pocket rocket. We’ll figure out exact details, but the plan is to bring something delicious that can be shared with the group. Or maybe we’ll do a coordinated effort like the burritos. TBD.

In terms of skill level, we’re calling this an intermediate trip. If you’ve never been backpacking before, feel free to join! We’re happy to show you the ropes of camping in the backcountry. With that said, the second day of hiking will be fairly long, with approximately 19 miles and 4800’. We’ll start early and maintain an easy pace, and I think as a blanket statement people are capable of far more than they think they are. If you have any questions or uncertainty about joining, reach out to us! Our numbers can be found by clicking on our profiles. Club reimbursements will cover the SNP use fee, permits will be booked when we get a count.

Planned route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50279793
Trailhead: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?daddr=38.53948036152309,-78.34921360015869
Weather: https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/d03523023976ebd19c7d32e3e7e95971238502669e6c4b9b5d5234e2e4b94804

What to bring:
– Backpack
– Shelter (tent, hammock, bivy/tarp)
– Sleeping Bag
– Sleeping Pad
– Weather appropriate clothing
– Mess kit/utensil
– Food: something fun to share for friday dinner! Plus a light dinner for yourself, plus breakfast and trail snacks for saturday
– Water bottles (3-4 liter capacity)
– Headlamp
– Hiking boots/sturdy shoes

Tentative schedule
– Friday 1:30 pm: leave Charlottesville
– 2:45 pm: arrive at trailhead
– Day 1 hike: 2 miles 1000’
– 4:00 pm: set camp, make dinner, get to bed early
– Saturday 4:15 am: wake up, pack up camp
– Hike 1.8 miles 1400’ to Old Rag for sunrise
– 6:25 am: watch sunrise on ragged
– Total day 2 hike: 19 mi 4800’
– 4:00 pm: get back to trailhead
– 5:30pm: back in cville