screw the reading days, celebrate the hiking days

OVERVIEW

i’m sure your schedule looks like mine & you have exams, papers, and projects due the very day “fall break” ends, but let’s take the reading out of reading days and hike around some mountains instead. if you’re looking for a smokin’ hot trip, look no further than kev & i’s lil backpacking adventure to the smokies!

fast facts:
– ~6.5 hour drive to cherokee, north carolina
– ~20 miles of hiking in the smokies
– friday afternoon-monday night
– 2 nights front country (or car) camping + 1 night backcountry
– flexible itinerary

trip details:
we will be hiking a 21 mile loop that takes us from forney ridge to silvers bald to clingmans dome and back for the two days of backpacking and then we are looking (and taking suggestions) for a final day hike in the area on monday. it’s just one night in the backcountry, so you don’t have to be an experienced backpacker to join, but do recognize that we will be averaging ~10 miles each day for a total elevation gain of 5,278 feet! for more details about the trail check out: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/forney-ridge-to-silers-bald-to-clingman

the breakdown:
– friday: depart UVA in the afternoon (note: hoping for ~1pm, but we will have 2 cars, so this is flexible depending on class times)
– friday night: front-country camping (late arrival)
– saturday: ~10 miles backpacking (with potential sunrise drive before we begin)
– saturday night: back-country camping (site #71 reserved)
– sunday: ~10 miles hiking
– sunday night: front-country camping (location dependent on day hike of choice)
– monday: day hike tbd (note: if people are frantic about school, one car can leave early in the afternoon, with one car staying for a longer day on the trail)

day hikes to consider, but please suggest more in the area, or on our route back
– andrews bald (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/andrews-bald-trail)
– alum cave (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/peregrine-peak-via-alum-cave-bluffs-trail
– chimney tops (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/chimney-tops-trail

to bring:
– 2L+ of water
– backpacking pack (not your school one)
– sleeping bag + pad
– headlamp
– communal meal contributions (or individual meals if you prefer)
– snacks on snacks
– sturdy hiking shoes + camp shoes
– layers!!! (both for rain & for warmth)
– personal hygiene equipment
– games (i’ve got bananagrams covered)
– any boujee camping gear you have that you want to bring

NOTE: everyone is responsible for checking out any & all gear they need for this trip from the gear room PRIOR to the day of departure! if you are unable to do so, please contact me or kevin BEFORE the friday we leave. kevin & i will handle the tents, so if you have a strong preference to use a tent you own, say so in the comments!