Suffering is the spice of life – Wild Oak NRT mega-hike

OVERVIEW

Just about a year ago, we set out for a long ass hike. Was it enjoyable? Honestly mostly but when it got dark and started raining I changed my mind. Did some people bail out? Yeah, you should ask her about it. Are we doing it again? At Jillians request, yes…

But, at least I was able to come up with a new route this year as opposed to a Triple Crown rerun. We will be hiking the Wild Oak trail from the base of White Oak Draft trail, as well as tagging on Trimble Mountain trail via Little Skidmore trail. In total, the hike will be 34 miles with 9100’ climbing. The links for those trails are listed below.

https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7032646/wild-oak-national-recreation-trail-716
https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7063818/white-oak-draft-trail-486
https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7036393/trimble-mountain-trail
https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7063779/little-skidmore-trail-715

Here are a few thoughts to think. First, this is a 34 mile loop. Not to be obvious, but that’s long. It will be dark when we start and most likely dark for hours before finishing. That said, I think almost all hikers can do many times more than what they know they’re capable of so don’t worry if you haven’t done anything close to that yet. Also, we are setting an aid station 19 miles in which can be used as a bailout point. The intent is to just pick up water and snacks and all keep going, but it can be used to bail and drive back, so it’s not life-or-death to finish.

To get a nice early start, were gonna drive out on Friday night and tent camp. Here’s approximately what the schedule would look iike:
Leave from Echols around 7:30pm on Friday
Set an aid station/bailout car
Arrive at the trailhead
Camp for the night near the parking lot/trailhead
Wake up at around 5am
Suffer through 34 miles
Complete the sufferfest! (this could reasonably be anywhere 6pm-12am)
Wanyesboro Chipotle? (it’s an elite Chipotle)
Arrive in cville, could be 7pm could be 1am
Get absolutely smashed back in Cville to celebrate

You should bring…
Sleep kit (pad, bag, tent)
Food/money for food for the night before (car camping)
Food for the hike (LOTS of calories that can be easily packed, I think 4000 calories is sufficient)
4-5 Liters of water
Headlamp
Very solid shoes
Rain Gear
Money for dinner otw home?
Backpack to put it all in (excluding sleeping bag and pad)

We will provide…
Refill water stashed at various points on the trail

Notes: Drivers get priority off waitlist, as well as anyone who’s hiked extensively before. Drivers are reimbursed plus a 50% tip (max tip: $20)