Wandering along the wonders of the white blaze!

OVERVIEW

After meeting so many incredible young folks in Moab, I’ve decided to come out of trip leading retirement for an AT adventure. For the past year, I’ve been working my way through the VA section of the AT. With a goal to finish by the end of May, I’m trying to maximize mileage on short weekends, which means utilizing a shuttle situation so we’re only hiking NOBO, rather than out & back (details to be hashed out if people sign up for this trip). This is considered an advanced backpacking trip since we are doing back-to-back 15ish mile days but it’s primarily along ridgeline with no significant elevation gain or technical section.

SATURDAY
– 630 meet at Echols (or most convenient location for car)
– 645 leave cville (giving 15 min of wiggle room bc I know it’s early)
– 745 meet me at Jones River Trailhead [38.229881,-78.726006] — Shuffle cars so we have 1/2 staying vacant in the lot, 1/2 taking eager hikers to trail start
– 845 arrive at Humpback parking lot
– 9-530 PM 15.5 miles of hiking (including lunch, snack, and delayer breaks)
– 530 PM Calf Mountain Shelter ft. a piped spring, privy, and bear poles!!! (10 P bunk space + 4 tent sites)
– Evening: set up camp, build a fire, cook dinner, bond, and maybe get to bed close to hiker midnight (8 PM)???

SUNDAY
– 6 AM alarm to pack up, cook, and eat breakfast
– 7-315 PM 14.8 miles of hiking (including lunch, snack, and delayer breaks)
– 315 PM arrive at Jones River trailhead and hop into our cars to shuttle back to trail start
– 415 PM arrive at Humpback and depart for cville (I return to rva)
– 445 PM arrive back in cville
***NOTE: this is my best generous estimate, but timing is subject to change

TO BRING
– sturdy hiking shoes (+ camp shoes if desired)
– layers (rain + warm)
– extra socks + undies
– backpacking pack with rain cover
– headlamp
– trekking poles (if desired)
– sleeping pad + bag
– tents (to be organized)
– camp stove + propane + lighter (to be organized)
– breakfast x1, lunch x2, dinner x1, snacks x12121212121212
– 2L+ water with purifier (filters can be shared)
– toiletries as needed (don’t forget TP for the privy)
– sack of some kind to stuff your smellies in and hang on bear pole

***DRIVERS AND SNP PASS HOLDERS GET PRIORITY OFF THE WAITLIST. Drivers will be reimbursed + 50% tip for gas.