Cold Mountain/Mt. Pleasant Backpacking

OVERVIEW

Come preemptively burn off some turkey while scoping out awesome views!

We’ll leave around 10:00 on Saturday and drive around 1 hour to the trailhead. We can hike Mount Pleasant first (total ~6 miles), taking some time at the summit to enjoy warm beverages and lunch. After coming down, we can start on the Cold Mountain loop (total ~6 miles) and set up for the night at a campsite about a mile or two in. This site is awesome and has a great firepit, so weather permitting we can have ourselves a nice campfire. In the morning, we can finish up the loop and check out the famous high meadows before heading back to Cville around noon.

This hike isn’t all that bad, and would serve as a good intro to backpacking. The total distance is around 11-12 miles so be in relatively good shape, but I also have no problem with going at a more relaxed pace. If this is going to be your first backpacking trip let me know and I can help out with food n such.

For more information on the hike check out: http://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/ColdMountain/ & http://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/MountPleasant/

Weather: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=Amherst%2C+VA+24521&MR=1

Group Gear (I’ll bring):
-Water filter
-First aid kit
-Stove/Fuel
-Small pot
-Compass & Map
-Knife
-Ignition
-Bear bag/line
-Toiletries & Sanitation

Your Gear (NO COTTON):
-Athletic clothing
-Fleece jacket
-Second jacket for cold evening
-Wool/Polyester socks, 1 extra pair should be enough
-Rain jacket, pack cover (Just in case)
-Solid, sturdy hiking boots
-Backpacking pack*
-Tent*
-WARM Sleeping bag (Preferably rated 20° or below)*
-Sleeping pad*
-Headlamp*
-FOOD (1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner + snacks)
-Eating supplies (Bowl, spoon, mug, etc.)
-At least 2 liters of water
-Toothbrush & toiletries

Optional:
-Warm hat
-Gloves/Mittens
-$$$ (If the group is down we can stop for a meal on the way back to Cville)
-Water filter (extra one would make things move a bit faster)
-Pot/Cooking set (^)
-Camera
-Anything else you deem worth the weight

*=This gear can be provided by the club if you don’t have it, stop by one of the gear rooms this week and pick it up!

My car can fit around 3 people besides myself, and I’ll probably limit the trip to 3 until another driver signs up. Priority+reimbursement given to other drivers! Note: The road leading up to the trailhead can be a bit dicey at times, 4×4 would be a big plus.

If you have any questions feel free to text me at 757-345-8523.