DOLLY SODS SOGGY DODS – 5 day Fall Break Backpacking (Beginner- Intermediate)

OVERVIEW

An animal howls off in the distance, the pines whisper to each other, and the smell of fire smoke fills your nostrils as you gaze up into the vast starry sky. To be alone with the world for a moment is all you need and everything you’ve been missing. Let’s go spend some time away from our beloved Cville hustle and bustle for 5 days and 4 nights in the Dolly Sods Wilderness. This wistful, wide-eyed, wandering, wilderness trip will provide you with some exquisite landscapes and opportunities to soak in all this wonderful earth has to offer.

Dolly Sods is a wilderness area that spans 17,371 acres in the Monongahela National Forest. Sitting at about 4,000 feet the plateau is home to plants and animals that would normally be found in the arctic tundra. Its crisscrossing trails can be connected in numerous ways, but we will aim for 25-35 miles over the 4 days. The route is flexible, but we will have a general idea of the itinerary and where to camp each night. Additionally, Friday and Tuesday will be low mileage days to allow time for the drive to and from Charlottesville. It can often be quite muddy along the trail, hence the nickname “Soggy Dods.” This backpacking trip involves wilderness travel and camping which requires strict adherence to LNT principles and a healthy dose of respect for Mother Earth and her power.

This will be a beginner trip, as Tiffany and I will be resources for packing questions, stresses, or musings. General hiking experience is beneficial, as we will have three days of 5-9 miles. But know that you are capable, and WE WANT YOU THERE. Feel free to reach out if you’re unsure of your capabilities or have any concerns.

Since the mileage on this trip will be relatively low and adaptable, we figure we have AMPLE time to HANG OUT, COEXIST and PLAY SOME GAMES. Tiffany and I want to facilitate some day activities, but are open to ALL OF THE IDEAS. Bring your stoke, hope, your wildest dreams and your journal.

THE PLAN
Friday 9/29
1:00pm meet at the Shred Shack (116 Washington Avenue)
Check gear and food
Drive 3.5 hours to Dolly Sods
5:30pm arrive at campsite
Eat ✨group ✨dinner (if you want)

Saturday 9/30
Exist
Hike
Sleep

Sunday 10/1
Hike
Swim
EAT
Make spoons?

Monday 10/2
Reminisce
Walk
Stargaze
Sleep

Tuesday 10/3
The lowest of all mileages
peace out
Cars by 11am
Home by 3:30pm at the latest

PACKING LIST
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Gaiters? (optional – but consider the muddy conditions)
Hiking boots or trail runners (that can get WET)
Camp shoes
hiking clothes (non-cotton)
sleeping/camp clothes
– Pants/long sleeves advised for bugs
Layers including hat + gloves – much colder & maybe windy @ 4000ft at night
EXTRA WOOL SOCKS
2-3 L water capacity (2 Nalgenes, a 2-liter camelbak, etc.)
Cup/bowl/spoon
Stuff sack to store/hang food
RAIN GEAR
Small towel (PackTowl – for swimming opportunities!
Bathing suit?
Flashlight/headlamp NOT cellphone light
Toiletries (travel size)
Toilet paper
Hand sanitizer!! or travel-sized bottle of soap
Personal meds
Picaridin or DEET bug spray
bug face net
Sunglasses/sunscreen/hat
Trash bag to line the pack
Grocery bags for personal trash
Hiking poles ? (optional – the club does NOT have these)
Book/journal/games?
Link to Checklist Version of Packing List: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1346KLmn7ktzZnavJiHSFCnFsevElpKuZUanKIbP3b5k/edit?usp=sharing

WE BRING:
Tents (we will coordinate w/ a group chat)
Trowel
First aid kits
Sawyer squeeze water filter
Rope for bear bag
Stove/jetboil/fuel/pots

FOOD:
4 breakfasts, 4 lunches (Tuesday lunch can be bought otw back), 4 dinners
SNACKS SNACKS SNACKS
link to food ideas: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-amQcsKbMCZ1bl2D6SkI3G6xArevK_M8heHqkShN6jo/edit?usp=sharing

Trail Map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5152038.pdf

DRIVER NEEDED **drivers get priority off the waitlist, show up w/ a full tank, you can get gas reimbursed + tip**
NOTE: we want to have the trip finalized by Monday 9/25 and if you absolutely have to drop after that date please text us
Ed: (434)326-8868
Tiffany: (310) 749-3213‬