Praying for a last Minute Priest Hike??

OVERVIEW

As the weather has started to cool, I’ve gotten a hankering to be out in the woods enjoying the breezes, and I imagine many of you feel the same. To appease this desire, we’re going to hike the Priest this Sunday, September 26th! The Priest is an 8.6 mile out-and-back in the George Washington National Forest with stunning views at the summit. The climb is described as steady but not too steep, with over 3,000 feet of elevation gain, and most sites say it takes 5-6 hours with breaks. I did it two years ago and can confirm that that estimation is accurate. Here’s the link to the Hiking Upward page: https://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/ThePriest/
Note: Although this hike is listed as “beginner” level and we will be hiking at an easy pace, 8.6 miles and 3,000 feet of elevation gain is no joke! Please know your limits when you are signing up and if you have any doubts about whether or not you can make it to the top, I would ask that you not sign up for your own safety.

The Game Plan:
8:30 – Meet at corner of Echols Dorm
9:00 – Fill up on gas, grab breakfast at Bodo’s, and drive approximately 1 hour to The Priest.
10:00 – Begin our ascent
1:00 – Summit the mountain and take a break for lunch and views
4:00 – Return to cars
5:00 – Arrive back on campus

What to bring:
– Layers of clothing (it can get windy and chilly at the summit)
– Rain jacket just in case
– Sturdy shoes (hiking boots are optimal if you have them)
– Packed lunch
– 2 L of water (we will be hiking for upwards of 6 hours, so pack accordingly)
– Bug spray (optional, but recommended)
– Comfortable hiking backpack
– Money for Bodo’s
– A positive attitude!

**I personally do not have a car, so drivers will be given priority off the waitlist! Additionally, drivers will be reimbursed for gas money plus a 50% tip, as long as you leave Charlottesville with a full tank and fill out a reimbursement form, which I will provide.