Roaring to go Backpacking (Roaring Plains, Intermediate)

OVERVIEW

So like I haven’t been on a backpacking trip since November which is just criminal so that paired with this semester flying by, I’m making things happen. I’m all about finding cool places to hike and backpack and I think I’ve found a good one; Roaring Plains which is actually just below Dolly Sods which if its even half as cool as Dolly, it’ll be worth it. Just hopefully its 0% as muddy/wet as dolly….

Anyways, if you’ve been itching to go backpacking (and i have heard quite a few people say they are), come join me on what should be a fun trip!

The trail we’ll be doing is this 16.3 mile loop with 2,362 ft of elevation gain. Now looking at it and knowing the Dolly Sods area, it should be pretty chill and flat (it is a plains) but just because of the distance I’m putting intermediate. I don’t plan to be sprinting out there (I imagine maybe 2mph?) so if you think you can do the distance, feel free to sign up.

The trail: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/west-virginia/roaring-plains-loop?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map

The plan:

Friday 3/29:
2:45 Meet and depart from echols
5:45ish: Arrive at trailhead and start hiking
Hike until it gets dark/we find somewhere good to camp
(I imagine we will do roughly 3 miles this day?)

Saturday 3/30:
6:45/7 Wake up for sunrise?
8:00 Depart camp
(I figure we will probably have like 13 miles to do? at a pace of 2mph would take ~6.5 hrs plus stops and lunch etc)

3:30 Back at cars?

6:30-7 Back in Cville?

Please take these times very roughly, i.e. don’t plan anything directly butting up to when I think we might get back. My guess is we’ll be back earlier but you never know.

What to bring: (The forecast is fairly chilly and with the elevation, it’ll prob be cold still, like high of 43 cold)
– backpacking backpack
– no school bags; you can get one at the gear room!
– sleeping bag
– aim for like a 20 degree bag
– sleeping pad
– sleeping bag liner
– This will help keep you warm too
– hiking shoes/boots
– Gaiters if you have them
– Waterproof shoes if you have them
– Expect it to be muddy and wet!
– layers!
– it will be cold, avoid cotton. bring base layers, aim for wool.
– puffy jacket
– fleece
– leggings
– pants
– gloves
– beanie
– rain jacket/pants
– toiletries
– hand sani
– toothpaste
– toothbrush
– toilet paper
– etc
– headlamp/flashlight
– no phone lights!
– bring extra batteries
– 3+ liters of water
– camp shoes (if you want but recommended)

Food:
– snacks
– recommend bringing a little candy, it tastes even better hiking and can be a morale saver for yourself
– 1 breakfast
– poptarts
– granola or dry cereal
– overnight/cold soaked oats
– fruit
– etc
– (basically something that is quick and easy to prepare and doesn’t require hot water)
– 1 dinner
– ramen
– knorrs
– powdered mash potatoes
– powdered soup
– mac n cheese
– instant rice
– tuna packets
– etc
– 1 lunch/snacks
– money for dinner on the drive back if we want ?
– knife/fork/spoon
– bowl

what i’ll bring
– tents
– please note if you have any preferences in the questionnaire
– we will also be distributing pieces as group gear so leave a little room for that
– first aid kid
– stoves
– stuff to filter/clean water
– trowel

DRIVERS NEEDED! I’d love to bring more people so sign up if u can drive!
– Drivers get priority off the waitlist. The club reimburses for gas +50% tip!
– Drivers need to show up to Echols with a full tank of gas!

Feel free to reach out with any questions, you can find my numbers in my profile.