Mt. Pleasant Beginner Backpacking Trip

OVERVIEW

Hello fellow mountain enthusiasts!

Have you ever wanted to watch the sunset on top of a fabulous mountain and then camp right at the summit (like 10 feet away from the lookout)? Fortunately for you I will be taking some people to Mt. Pleasant near Vesuvius Virginia to backpack up and camp for a night. My plan is to leave a bit earlier on Friday so we can get there in time to hike up to Cole Mountain with our daypacks (~3 miles total), then grab our overnight bags and head up to to the top of Mt. Pleasant (~2.5 miles) before sunset.

This trip is beginner friendly for new backpackers, but keep in mind that if we want to see both summits and get to the top of Mt. Pleasant before sunset, we’re going to have to be a little speedy 😉

I would especially love to take some people who have NEVER been backpacking before – so this can also be an instructional trip where I can teach you how to do stuff in the wilderness

THE PLAN.
11:30PM Meet at Echols dorm and get on the road
1:00PM Arrive at trailhead and start on Cole Mountain route
~3:00PM Finish Cole Mountain and arrive back at cars to grab overnight bags for Mount Pleasant
5:00PM Arrive at Mt. Pleasant summit and set up camp
~6:00PM Cook and eat dinner
6:48 watch the sunset:)
9/10PM go to bed

8:00AM Wake up and eat breakfast
8:30AM Pack up and head down to the cars
9:30AM Arrive back at the cars
~11:00AM Arrive back in Charlottesville because for some reason the football game starts at the insanely early hour of 12PM, and yet I don’t want to miss it

TO BRING.
Clothing– whatever you need for an overnight. Pack clothes you can hike in, pack layers. It’s going to be in the 60’s.
Rain gear (though may not need it)
Fleece and/or puffy jacket and hat
Good hiking shoes & extra socks
At least 3L water capacity
**** The spring at the top of Mount pleasant is unreliable so please bring at least 3L of water, especially if you want to boil water for ramen
or something – I personally will just be bringing a lot of snack items for meals
Meals– lunch for or before car on Friday, one dinner (preferably that doesn’t need water), one breakfast, one lunch, *snacks*
Whatever you need to cook your food (jetboil, etc.)
Tent (there isn’t a shelter so your alternative is sleeping under the stars)
Sleeping bag & sleeping pad
Any toiletries you might need
Backpacking Backpack
Headlamp

I’ll bring:
Iodine tablets (in case the spring actually is working)
First Aid
String for bear bags (aka racoon bags)

**Drivers get priority off the waitlist, come w/ a full tank, you can get gas reimbursed
**Drivers please note that the road to the trailhead is an absolute hot mess so if you have a tiny car that sits low to the ground I would NOT recommend offering to drive. My car is a SUV (for reference).

ANY QUESTIONS?
Jenna – 5402599206