Spring Break Backpacking Extravaganza (Roan, TN to Damascus, VA) (intermediate/beg)

OVERVIEW

Are you looking for an awesome adventure over Spring Break? Maybe you didn’t get on Moab, maybe you’re looking for something cheaper and more local? Maybe you’ve been backpacking a time or two and want to expand your backpacking experience? OH BOY, do I have the trip for you.

*Plz read the whole trip description (I know its long) before signing up- this is a randomized waitlist selection trip (details later in description), so you have time to consider it before adding yourself to the waitlist.

This is the second iteration of my Spring Break Backpacking series (lol, I guess I can call it a series since there’s more than one now). Last year, I went with a couple of people and did a 4-day trip on the AT in Virginia. This year, I’d like to take a few of y’all on a 7 day, 80 mile trip from the Station at 19E in TN to Damascus, VA. This is a cool stretch, and Damascus is an iconic trail town, so it should be a really fun trip. If you have any inclination to sign up, DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED. This is rated intermediate bc of the length of the trip, but each day we’ll average about 10-12 miles, which is very doable (after all, we have literally all day), even if you don’t have much backpacking experience. So basically, the length of the trip is intermediate vibes but the actual hiking should be relatively beginner, as long as you’re ready to hike at a slow pace for most of the day. Ideally, you’ve been backpacking at least a time or two, but it is not a dealbreaker. Really, the only strict requirement is that you’re in decent health/have no current injuries that would prevent you from completing the trip and that you’re committed to coming on the trip when you sign up.

**THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR THIS TRIP IS AS FOLLOWS: I’m hoping to bring 3 other people on this trip, as logistically it’d be easiest if we only had to take my car. If a ton more people are interested, I may edit it to include another car’s worth of people. In this case, a driver will get priority. Other than that, I will consider give slight preference to people who have ability to leave on Friday morning, as opposed to Saturday. From there, it will be RANDOMIZED SELECTION based on a random number generator, which I will do (given that there is enough interest to warrant this) on Monday, Feb 12. Do not feel pressured to sign up immediately, I will not be taking people off of the waitlist until then. When you sign up, please be fully committed to coming. It will be a logistical pain in the ass if people drop last minute for a reason they could’ve foreseen. (If there r still spots, ofc you can still register after Feb 12)

Here’s the game plan/itinerary:
[This is a rough itinerary and the nature of trips longer than a couple days is that often the exact mileages/camp spots will change. This will be very go-with-the-flow, it’s up to the group vibes]

3/1 Friday (or Sat if everyone who signs up isn’t down for Friday)
7AM meet at Echols, drive to Damascus
11AM: Get to Damascus
11:30AM: Get picked up by shuttle, drive to 19E trailhead
1PM: get on trail, hike 7 miles
6PM: Arrive at Mountaineer Falls Shelter, eat din, sleep
3/2
Hike 12 miles and stealth camp around mi 416
3/3
Hike 12 miles to Boots Off Hostel, stay at hostel, resupply/town din
3/4
10 miles to Vandeventer Shelter
3/5
14 miles to Double Spring Shelter
3/6
8 miles to Abingdon Gap Shelter
3/7
10 miles to Damascus, drive back to Cville

Here’s the cost/budget breakdown:
$30 Shuttle from Damascus to 19E (it’s $120 total for 4 people). The shuttle is the only up-front cost involved where, when you get off the trip and I confirm you’re committed, I’ll ask you to Venmo me, so that I can pay the shuttle driver. This is also a cost where, if you drop last minute, I will not reimburse you bc it might screw the rest of us over.
$12-30 camping or a bunk at Boots Off Hostel. At Boots Off, it’s $12 for a camp spot and $30 for a bunk. Each includes a shower, wifi, light breakfast, a shuttle to town to get groceries, etc. I have stayed at this hostel before and can confirm it’s cool and chill.
$variable – While we’re at Boots Off, we’ll likely resupply our food for the last 4 days of the trip. This way, we don’t have to carry 7 days worth of food, and can instead start with 3 days and then buy food for the last 4 days. Additionally, if people want, we may get dinner at a restaurant while in town. Obviously, this is variable based on what you choose to buy. If these proposed expenses create a barrier to access this trip, please lmk in the trip questions and I will sort something out- I don’t want anyone to not be able to sign up bc of $.

Here’s the deal with gear:
**A lot of the club’s gear will be being used for Moab over Spring break. That’s ok, we have some options. I’ve put questions in the waitlist form to figure out what gear people have and what they need. For things you don’t have, consider first if you can borrow it from someone you know. Confirm w/ that person, then make sure that’s noted in your questions. From there, for gear people still don’t have, I’ll do some wizardry and make sure people have everything they need from a combo of: me having duplicates of certain gear items, whatever is leftover in the gear room not being taken to Moab, and a secret third gear source (ssssshhhh- it’s top secret but quite reliable. I basically know for a fact that if all else fails I can fully cover at least 3 people for gear, so don’t fret just bc most of the club gear will be otherwise used)

Here’s what you need:
-sleeping bag (I recommend a 15 deg bag, it’s still early in the season)
-liner bag (optional)
-sleeping pad (inflatable or foam)
-backpacking pack w/ liner trash bag
-tent (I will also try to connect people so tents can be shared)
-headlamp
-cook pot/bowl (usually a pot can be used as a bowl)
-utensil
-layers (all layers should be non-cotton)
-1 shirt for hiking (can be long or short sleeve, depending on weather, which I’ll update y’all on as we get closer)
-1 shirt for sleeping (long sleeve)
-1 shorts or pants for hiking
-1 leggings/warm pants for sleeping
-2 to 3 pairs hiking socks
-hiking shoes or boots (MUST be broken in/have been used a few times)
-camp shoes (optional: such as crocs, sandals, etc)
-fleece/intermediate layer
-puffy jacket
-hat
-gloves
-rain jacket
-rain pants (optional)
-underwear (u don’t need more than 2 pairs, but do what u want)
-power bank (optional)
-phone charger & phone & if u want, earbuds
-2 extra ziploc bags (for trash)
-toothbrush/toothpaste
-try to minimize other hygeine items, like, imo, deodorant is not going to really do anything, but also, bring what you feel like you have to
-TP (just tear some off and put it in a ziploc)
-any necessary medical stuff
-food for the first 3 days, see below:
-for first day, bring breakfast/lunch for in the car
-2 trail breakfasts
-2 trail lunches
-2 trail dinners
-PLENTY OF SNACKS yum
Here is the link to a doc w/ suggestions for good backpacking options: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s7lCUJHsYKi5hyuoHnaEJS8eLnQ-a1vFpAe6wgG51s4/edit?usp=sharing
If you have questions/need more suggestions or guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out
-some kind of bag or stuff sack to hold your food (so we can bear hang it)
-the amount of $ laid out in the budget section. I recommend having at least some of it in cash. Most places take card, but every once in a while they don’t
-A desire to enjoy a week of backpacking!

I will bring for the group:
-First aid kit & my WFA knowledge
-Trowel for digging catholes
-Paracord to hang bear bags
-2 PocketRocket camp stoves, 2 fuel canisters, lighters
-2 water filters
-lots of experience as a trip leader (I’ve led a bunch of trips w/ ODC, as well as professionally leading trips, and I hiked the whole AT, so I’ve hiked the route we’re doing. basically, I’m biased, but I think you’re in good hands 🙂

Weather: In all likelihood, the lows will be around freezing and the highs will be around 60. We will likely at some point experience rain. I’ll update w/ actual forecasts as we get closer, so we can plan accordingly.

Here’s my contact info:
757-647-6745 or mxz2fc@virginia.edu
pleasepleaseplease do not hesitate to contact me with any questions/concerns/hesitations. I’ll reach out to anyone who puts any questions/concerns in their waitlist questions, but genuinely- I love talking abt backpacking so don’t hesitate. Also, Ed & I will be running 1 or 2 backpacking workshops before spring break, so if you feel like you need a refresher on things to feel comfortable going on this trip, feel free to swing by that or contact me and we can meet up sometime and chat.

SOOOO STOKED,
-Carson