Embody Smokey Bear! Lit crazy backpacking to a fire tower

OVERVIEW

Do you want to enjoy the most beautiful views you’ve ever seen after suffering through the most grueling 2 miles of gravel fire road you’ve ever endured? Awesome, us too! Picture this: autumn leaves, crisp air, a 360 panoramic view from the highest point in Augusta Country, pasta/tacos/undecided dinner, and a sleepover with the little mouse that may or may not still live in the fire tower. It’ll be lit!

Since the hike is 4 miles with 2500 ft of vertical gain, we recommend that everyone be fairly comfortable with physically demanding hikes (I will be wheezing and we’ll go so slow it’ll be great). The last two-ish miles are on a horrible evil fire road, but the beginning is beautiful forest, and the end is beautiful fire tower, so the benefits outweigh the costs. While we’d normally promote a one-night backpacking trip as super beginner-friendly, we do want to highlight that the trail is steep up to the summit and that you need to be comfortable hiking 4 miles with this much vertical gain.

More info about the trail can be found here: https://www.alltrails.com/es-mx/ruta/us/virginia/elliott-knob-trail?p=-1&sh=ggkkta&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

Schedule:
Saturday
12:30 pm: Meet @ corner of Echols Dorm
1:30 pm: Get to walkin’
5 pm: Summit! Sunset! Group dinner! Cards!

Sunday
7 am: wake + breakfast (bring your own!)
8:00 am: pack up and head on down
1 pm: back home

To bring:
-backpacking backpack
-sleeping bag and sleeping pad
-WATER (3-4 Liters)!!!!!
-hiking shoes
-weather-appropriate clothes + layers, PLEASE BRING A JACKET IT GETS COLD AT THE TOP
-headlamp
-breakfast and snacks (we will bring dinner but pls come with extra snacks & breakfast)
-bowl and utensils
-toiletries

We will bring:
–Pocket rocket, pot, and fuel
–First aid kit
–Dinner

If you’re missing any gear on the list, grab it from the gear room! Gear room hours are sent out via email every week and pinned in the GroupMe.

Questions/comments/concerns? Text me (Ellie) at 5716451879

DRIVERS NEEDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Drivers need to show up to Echols with a full tank of gas!
-Drivers get priority off the waitlist. The club reimburses for gas +50% tip!

See you there!
Ellie & Malcolm