Spring Backpacking in Cumberland Island, Ga

OVERVIEW

If you missed the boat on Cancun, but you’re still looking to go somewhere warm for Spring Break, this trip’s for you: come to Cumberland Island National Park!

Cumberland Island is on the southern coast of Georgia. This island boasts over 50 miles of hiking trails, as well as many designated backcountry camp sites. The island has several scenic hiking loops that “meander through maritime forests, interior wetlands, historic districts, marsh ecosystems, and beautiful beaches.” Check out the map at: http://www.nps.gov/cuis/upload/IslandMap.pdf.

The focus of this trip will be backpacking—we’ll walk between 4 and 15 miles per day. If you’ve never been backpacking before, this is your chance to try it out! Just come with a positive attitude and be ready to WALK. Since we’ll be on the coast, the hiking should be fairly flat and easy. In addition to backpacking, there’s plenty more to do on the island; we’ll throw the light-up Frisbee around and play a rowdy game of beach soccer. The web site lists swimming, beach combing, star gazing, and fishing as some other activities. I will also looking into renting sea kayaks or canoes for a day. It’ll be great!

This trip is set up in the spirit of spontaneity and adventure, so if you sign up you should be prepared to be flexible. But, for now, here’s the tentative plan:

Sat, March 1: Depart from Charlottesville at 8 AM and drive south. Eat dinner in Savannah, GA and tour the city. After dinner, drive two more hours to St. Mary’s, the launcher town to Cumberland Island.

Sun, March 2: Take the 9 AM ferry to the island. Hike. Camp at a back-country campground.

Mon, March 3-Tue, March 4: Hike, swim, camp, explore.

Wed, March 5: Take the ferry back to the mainland. Go canoeing at Okefenokee Swamp Park ($18 per person– http://www.okeswamp.com/eing/canoeing.html)? Explore the nearby Crooked River State Park (http://gastateparks.org/info/crookriv/.)

Thur, March 6: Drive back to Charlottesville.

THE CLUB PROVIDES:
-up to $100 in gas + up to $10 extra for wear and tear for each driver
-food for Sunday breakfast through Thursday breakfast.
-camping/backcountry passes
-packs, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, tents, water filters etc.
-FUN!

YOU PAY FOR/PROVIDE:
-snacks/meals for the car
-ferry ride ($17)
-2/3 of canoe rental ($12)
-restaurant dinner in Savannah ($15?)
-gas money over $100 ($10/person?)
Total cost to you: ~under $60?!?!

YOU PACK:
Backpack*
Pack rain cover*/heavy duty trash bags for lining (I will pick some of these up)
Sleeping Bag*
Sleeping pad*
Headlamp* and extra batteries

Spoon + fork (or spork)
Tupperware bowl
Water bottles (2 Nalgenes or 2 litres total, I use a camel back and nalgene)

Broken-in hiking boots (you NEED ankle support! It is rough terrain!)
2 pair thick hiking socks (smartwool etc. NO cotton!)
Shorts (lightweight, quick drying)
Long pants (lightweight, NO jeans or cotton!)
Tight capeline underarmour
Waterproof/water resistant pants
T-shirt (synthetic, avoid cotton)
Fleece pullover (thin, as a 2nd layer)
Thick fleece, windstopper or polarloft jacket (to go over 2nd layer)
Rain Gear (breathable if possible, must fit over other layers!)
Underwear
Hat (warm that covers the ears)
Gloves
Bandanas
Camp shoes (crocs, clogs, tennis shoes)
Swim suit

Camera
Sunglasses
Chapstick
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Pack towel (if you have one)
Contact lenses/glasses
Medications

*you can get these items from the club