Intermediate Fall Break Backpacking – VA’s Highest Peaks

OVERVIEW

If you’re looking for a great way to spend your fall break outdoors, this trip to rugged Mt. Rogers is for you. Located in southwest VA, Mt. Rogers offers extraordinary backpacking routes through the highest peak in Virginia. Breathtaking views are abound and wild ponies can be spotted all over the virgin wilderness!

We will leave Saturday morning, drive about 4 1/2 hours to our location and head out from there. First afternoon will be a moderately strenuous hike of about 6 miles to Thomas Knob, a kick-ass shelter with awesome views and a small running stream (hopefully!). Next morning we will backpack about 7-8 miles to the next shelter along the Pine Ridge trail. Day 3 should be a quicker hike (~3 miles) back to the car. We will leave that afternoon and get back to UVa with an extra day of break so that everyone can study!!! Sweeeeet.

What to bring:

Backpack
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Comfy clothes for car ride (to leave for when you get back)
Hiking boots / Socks / liners (bring extra pairs of these!)
Hiking pants / shorts / convertibles
Hiking shirt / camp shirt (if you want)
THERMAL UNDERWEAR (Uber important)
Clean change of regular underwear
Warm clothes – Fleece or heavy jacket
Rain gear
Warm hat / beenie
Head lamp or flashlight
2 Nalgenes, or ability to hold 60oz. of water
Toiletries (sunscreen, lip-balm, toothbrush, paste, etc.)
Any personal snacks / energy bars you like
Playing cards (at least one of you!)
Money for some food on the road (2 lunches)
Energy, sense of humor, etc.

Don’t bring:

Drugs (besides personal meds), alcohol, tobacco
Cotton hiking clothes
Your annoying little sibling who’s always asking to be carried

Club will provide:

Food
Tents
Cooking supplies (bring personal stoves if they’re good ones)
Gas money for drivers
Sleeping bags, pads, backpacks for those who need them

If you need to check out any club gear, we will meet the night before the trip goes out on Friday, the 8th at Echols dorm where the gear is.