Fall Break Backpacking: 3 Ridges

OVERVIEW

We have days off from school and that means that it’s time to get outside!! (Who needs to do work anyways?) Unfortunately, I can’t leave for the whole weekend, but an overnight backpacking trip is just what the doctor ordered.

We’ll be doing the Three Ridges Hike. It’s a total of 14.4 miles and is supposed to be beautiful. Look below for more details and the game plan.

Game Plan:

Saturday 10/5/19
– Leave C’ville at 10 AM from Echol’s Dorm
– Arrive at Three Ridges Parking Area at 11 AM
– Hike for 7.3 mi
– Set up camp at the Harper’s Creek shelter
– Chill, play cards, throw Frisbee, etc

Sunday 10/6/19
– Pack up camp
– Hike out the 7.1 miles back to parking lot
– Drive back to Cville (return time will be based upon wake-up time, likely around 5/6 PM)

For more details, check this out:
https://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/ThreeRidges/

This trip is open to anyone, but backpacking experience would be helpful. If you are new to this and want some help, text me at 704-579-3573.

To Bring:

**Backpack (at least 55 L w/ rain cover)

** Sleep system (sleeping bag + mat + tent, eno, or bivy/tarp) – I’ll be bringing a 2 person tent. If you need me to check out an extra tent for you, just text me at the number above. We can figure out tent sharing in the car before we hit the trail.

** Food (1 Breakfast, 2 Lunches, 1 Dinner, + snacks) – shoot for protein-filled & calorically dense foods. For lunches, shoot for foods that don’t need to be cooked (sandwiches, bars, etc). For dinners, it’s best to shoot for instant stuff that just requires boiling water (pasta, instant soups, ramen, dehydrated meals – Mtn Houses, Backpacker Pantry, etc). You should also bring a stuff sack to put your food in, one that’s preferably water resistant/waterproof.

**Cookware (pot, pot grips, stove, fuel, bowl/spoon – whatever you need for your meals). I’ll be bringing my stove that we can use, and we can always drop overlaps in cookware before we hit the trail.

**2 Water bottles (at least 1L each) & a water dromedary bag (to carry lots of water) if you have it. We can fill up before we leave the parking lot & there should be a stream at the shelter, but we will need water throughout the day for hiking.

**Water filtration system. I’ll be bringing a filter and tablets, but it’d be helpful for at least 1 other person to have a filter.

**Clothing (here’s a sample list of things; what you bring is really based on comfort and how much weight you wanna carry); AVOID COTTON
-shirts (1-2)
-shorts (1-2)
-leggings/ lightweight long pants (1)
-socks (2)
-underwear
-sleep clothes? – more weight, but some peeps like a clean pair of clothes to sleep in
-warm layers (beanie/ear wamer; synthetic/wool quarter zip; puffy – something to keep you warm)

**Rain Gear (jacket & pants if you want them)

**Headlamp (& extra batteries)

**Good shoes (I’m bringing my hiking boots)

-trekking poles (optional)
-toothpaste/toothbrush
-wilderness survival stuff: pocket knife, lighter, compass – not necessary, but if you have it, never a bad idea to bring it
-hat/sunglasses
-camp chair?
-book? cards? Crossword puzzles? Frisbee? Instruments?
-extra plastic baggies/trash bags (to carry out trash & keep things dry)

* I will be bringing group gear stuff like bear bins/rope, tarp, trowel, and first aid kits to divvy up. If we have overlaps in gear too and want to drop weight, we can always do that before we hit the trail.

DRIVERS NEEDED! I don’t have a car, so the only way this trip can happen is with a kind driver’s help. Letting s use your car is extremely appreciated. Drivers get priority off the waitlist, gas reimbursed, and a 50% tip (capped at $20). Please show up with a full tank!