Nrg Extravaganza: Beginner-Intermediate Hiking

OVERVIEW

This trip is an add-on to the NRG Extravaganza. Below is a blurb Dave Clark sent out about what that is. Adventure details follow below.

WHAT IS THE NRG EXTRAVAGANZA?

The New River Gorge (NRG) Extravaganza is a choose-your-own-adventure megatrip that the club puts on in the fall (some years; hopefully this becomes an annual tradition) to one of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the nation, perhaps world, which is only 3 hours from C’ville. The New River itself is 1 of 10 National Wild and Scenic Rivers in the US, and the gorge and surrounding area (including the Gauley River/Summersville area) hosts excellent white water kayaking for all levels, rafting, mountain and road biking, rock climbing, hiking/backpacking, and caving. Due to the outdoor rec opportunities and natural beauty, this area of West Virginia is also very popular for tourism. The club makes various trips to the NRG area each year but the goal of the extravaganza is to bring all of the club’s popular genres/activities and people together for 1 amazing weekend.

BEGINNER-INTERMEDIATE HIKING

In the spirit of making the Extravaganza a true Extravaganza, this adventure offers something fun for all the super cool hikers to join the super cool kayakers. We will all be camping at Ray’s Campground on Friday night, but come Saturday morning we will split off and head up to a trailhead just outside of Fayetteville. We will be doing an 8 mile loop starting off on Bridge Trail continuing onto Keymoor Trail and finally, Fayetteville Trail.

The trails are described as moderate to strenuous, which means it will be occasionally steep and rocky, but nothing an in-shape person can’t handle. We will get some good views of the gorge and the bridge as well as some opportunities to explore an old coal mining site. Details of the trails can be found here on page 4:

http://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/upload/Trail-newsletter-2012-FINAL.pdf

After the hike, we will return to the campsite for one more night of merriment, and then rise leisurely to pack up and return to Charlottesville on Sunday. If a Sunday trip gets posted and you would like to extend your trip, you are welcome to join that too and we will just have to make there is enough transportation home.

CAMPING

We’ll be staying at Ray’s Campground: http://www.rayscampground.com/

There is plenty of space, bathrooms/showers, firewood to purchase, and good people. For directions you can follow the link above or the “adventure destination” link posted with this adventure.

The club will cover your camp fee ($8.50 per person per night)

GEAR

The club also provides gear like tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cookware and stoves. WHEN you sign up for the adventure (because you’ve read this far and are obviously going to sign up) make sure you note whether you need a sleeping bag or pad so I can get all the gear we need ahead of time.

Your job is mostly to remember to bring the following:
Daypack
Water bottles (2 Nalgenes)
Headlamp (also provided by club if needed)
Spoon
Bowl
Broken-in hiking boots
Clothes –Make sure you bring some warm clothes like wool socks or a pullover fleece because the weather will be much cooler than here in cville
Rain Gear (breathable if possible)
Camp shoes (sandals)
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Contact lenses/glasses
Medications
Fun things for the campground! Hammocks, slack lines, whatever

FOOD

Like Dave, I will get as much food as possible on the $8 per person per day budget the Club sets, but it will probably be mostly staple items like
granola/cereal bars, poptarts, fruit, OJ, instant oats, bagels, for breakfast cold cuts, tunafish, cheese, etc. snacks, and fruit for lunch and ramen noodles or pasta for dinner. If you have any specific requests you can note them in the questionnaire upon joining this adventure. You may also bring extra snacks for yourself if you desire.

I would also bring some money for lunch on the way back and maybe a stray breakfast or dinner if we choose to enjoy the local cuisine.

DRIVERS
I will limit the trip to 3 until more drivers sign up and then they will get priority.