Intermediate Backpacking to Mountain-Top Sunset / Stargaze / Moonrise / Sunrise & Refreshing Dip

OVERVIEW

Community adventure with local Sierra Club.

Let’s backpack along the Appalachian Trail, and:
>> Watch the sunset (8:31pm), then awesome stargaze until huge moonrise (10:57pm), and sunrise (6:10am) whilst camping atop Spy Rock, my favorite mountain-top viewpoint in this entire region
>> Lunch on day 2 atop The Priest
>> Refreshing finish & 2-hour dip (for those not driving) in the Tye River.

Nearly 20 miles (hike 10.5 miles day 1, then 9.2 miles day 2), total ~3,200 feet elevation gain (~2100 feet day 1, then ~1100 feet day 2), pace 3.5 to 4.0 out of 5. First-time backpackers are welcome if you are physically fit and are a strong hiker.

This adventure starts out with everyone waitlisted, and then as drivers sign up, folks will get off the wait list.

WITHDRAW/CANCEL-PARTICIPATION DEADLINE is the same as the posted signup deadline for every club adventure unless otherwise noted. If you are on the wait list and make other plans, please withdraw ONLINE (otherwise if you get off the wait list last-minute and don’t show up, and someone else could have gone in your spot, that’s a problem).

Drivers needed and greatly appreciated (~174 miles total). Drivers please arrive with completely full tank of gas, then I’ll pay to fill up your tank upon return. The more drivers, the bigger we can grow the size of this trip to let in any waitlistees. Thanks!

GEAR-BORROWING: If you need anything from the list below, it is your responsibility to please contact (as far in advance as possible, at least a few days) trip co-leader Zakey Faieq at 571-340-0303 or zaf2xk@virginia.edu and let him know exactly what you need, how tall are you, what’s your waist size (men) or dress size (women), and if you want to share a tent with someone, whether you want it to be with your own gender or you don’t care. Ideally plan to be available the Friday afternoon (before 6pm) just before the trip, when there may be a gear room opening so you can be present to select the gear you want and make sure you get the right size.

COMMUNAL DINNER: If you want to participate in a communal dinner instead of bringing your own freeze-dried (such as Mountain House) meal, it is your responsibility to please contact (as far in advance as possible, at least a few days) trip co-leader Zakey Faieq at 571-340-0303 or zaf2xk@virginia.edu and let him know if you have any meal ideas or preferences, and any dietary restrictions. Plan to chip in for your share of the ingredient expenses.

Wear non-cotton clothes, and pack: __ many clothing layers (non-cotton) including hat & gloves — much colder & maybe windy at 3900 feet at night, __ extra socks, __ 2-3 L water, __ EXTRA WATER BOTTLES as we’ll have to fill up enroute to our sleeping area which does not have a spring or stream — you will need to carry all water you need for late afternoon + dinner + breakfast + all next morning, __ 2 breakfasts (eat first one in car) 2 lunches 1 dinner & lots of snacks, __ cup/bowl/spoon/whatever you’ll need, __ whistle, __ rain gear, __ small towel (e.g. PackTowl), __ flashlight / headlamp, __ hike poles, __ t.p. __ baggie (ladies), __ hand sanitizer, __ ear plugs, __ backpack, __ backpack rain cover, __ tent, __ sleeping bag rated at least 35 degrees lower than the Charlottesville, VA forecast low, __ sleeping pad, __ plastic grocery bags and cord if you have for hanging food from tree, __ meds, __ extra corrective lenses if applicable, __ blister care packs bandaids etc., __ musical instrument? __ camera? __ sunglasses? __ sunscreen? __ suggestion: spray your boots, hat, and clothes with permethrin, and have picaridin on-hand for your skin in case trail is buggy in areas; __ separate bag with swimsuit, towel, river shoes, change of clothes to leave in car, and then retrieve at end of trail — everyone except drivers will have a ~2-hour stop at the river while awaiting the car shuttle.
Everyone will be required to sign a liability waiver.

Trip Leader will provide one Steri-Pen (water purification), one food-hang rope, one small shovel, and one stove to heat up your water for if needed for dinnertime freeze-dried meals, all for communal use; as well as major first aid items as needed.

Meeting / departure location is downtown at a parking lot (not garage) on the corner of Market St. and 7th St. NE.
>> FREE TROLLEY: Hop on the one that leaves the UVA chapel at 8:45am. Get off at the Market Street Garage. Walk about a block further to the traffic light with 7th St. NE; the parking lot that’s on the left is where we’re meeting.
>> BIKE: There’s a covered bike rack in the Market Street Garage. Then follow the directions above.
>> WALK: GPS users: plug in 701 East Market Street, Cville (that’s the approximate address of the parking lot where we’ll meet).
Map & Directions: enter where you’re coming from and click on the walk, bike, bus, or drive icon at: https://goo.gl/maps/L0eDG

This trip’s leader is a Wilderness EMT and Geo Medic, is the instructor of the Wilderness First Aid & CPR courses posted in the club, and will be happy to help anyone in need.

~ father shred