Hiking (Backpacking)
Student Activities Building Parking Lot
Student Activities Building Parking Lot
We’ll be meeting at 12:30PM at the Student Activities Parking Lot on Friday the 22nd. We’ll drop off most people at Riprap, then two people will drive up to Loft Mountain and leave one car there. By this point, it will be 3pm. We’ll hike 2.5 miles to Blackrock to watch/photograph the sunset, then set go set up camp at Blackrock hut. In the morning, those who are interested will get up around 6:30am to watch the 7:03am sunset. The sunrise watchers will be back at camp by 7:30 where we’ll eat food, then hike the ~7 miles from Blackrock hut to Loft Mountain Parking. We should get back to the car by 1pm, and then get back to Charlottesville by 3:00pm
Please note that the trip leaders are photographers: we’re going to stop and take pictures of what’s left of the autumn foliage periodically. We’re anticipating that we’ll be hiking at a more leisurely pace.
Please note that the weather forecast suggests temperatures might drop to 30F! Please wear layers and dress warmly. Bring a sleeping bag that will be sufficient for those temperatures. Check the weather forecast— we’re hoping it won’t be raining/snowing!
We’ll bring a water pump, a stove, rope for bearbags (and obviously a camera), matches, pocketknife. You’ll need to bring a backpacking backpack— a school backpack will not be sufficient— if you need one, stop by the Outdoor Club gear room! Boots with ankle support are a must! As well as your own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothes/toiletries (synthetics dry faster than cotton, so if you sweat/it rains and you’re in cotton … you’ll get v cold), food (eat lunch first, then bring dinner, breakfast, lunch, and snacks— if you need utensils, etc, those as well), water (minimum two liters), and a headlamp/flashlight. If you have a stove and/or water pump and/or first aid kit, some extra great would be great! We’ll also need to figure out tents.
WE NEED ONE MORE DRIVER!! YOU’LL GET PRIORITY OFF THE WAITLIST!!
Edit: we didn’t get another driver, so it’s gonna be one car –> we’ll do the Jones/Doyle River loop and get back at 5pm instead of 3pm. 12 miles during the two days.