Hannah
From WildWiki
Contents |
HIKING VIRGINIA'S AT
This seven week hiking trip will take us through the gorgeous landscapes of the Virginia portion of the Appalachian Trail. Covering approximately 550 miles, we will spend extensive time hiking along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, and through Shenendoah National Park, a stretch many hold to be the best combination of gorgeous scenery and strenuous terrain.
We will also do several different kinds of trail experiences, including an individual solo hiking experience, a group solo, and a solo sojourn of 24 hours.
For more information on what this stretch of the Appalachain Trail is like, try visiting, Virginia Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Important Dates
April 24- Leaders arrive for pre-trip planning
May 3- participants arrive for pre-trail group time
May 5- depart from trailhead in Damascus VA
May 12, 19, 26, June 2, 9- approximate resupply dates. Location to be determined.
May 16- Arrive in Harper's Ferry
May 17- Trip debrief and goodbyes
Expectations
Participants- up to eight
Should have some experience on hiking trips at least a week long in duration.
Should be in descent physical condition: we will probably hike anywhere from 9 to 15 miles each day on strenuous mountain terrain with 50-65 pound packs.
Have an enthusiasm for the possiblities of this trip: challenging oneself to exceed in unprecedented ways, learning about the Virginia Wilderness, Having fun and becoming close with other wilderness enthusiasts, etc.
Participant are expected to acquire all the necessary equipment from the Pack List
Leaders- two necessary
Should be familiar with the Virginia portion of the AT
Should be familiar with AT practices and courtesy
Should know and care to strictly adhere to LNT practices
Should have experience leading hiking trips of at least two weeks in duration
Should be a certified Wilderness First Respnder.
Should Acquire all the equipment on the Pack List
Logistical Information- Leaders take note
Arriving in Damascus
We will drive from Our base camp at Common Ground Virginia to the Sundog Outfitters in Damascus Virginia, with whom we have established a strong relationship and history, in one twelve passenger van.
The distance is 165 miles and will probably take us 3.75 to 4 hours (we typically stop at rest areas once an hour for ten to twenty minutes).
After outfitting those who have need of it, we will continue on to Lake Shore Camp Ground in Abingdon Virginia.
The distance is about 20 miles and will take approximately half and hour. Revervations for our party will need to be made at Lake Shore Camp ground during the leaders' first week at base camp.
The next day we will pack up and drive to the trail head back in Damascus (again, approximately a half and hour long trip).
Mapquest from Common Ground to Sundog
Mapquest from Sundog to Lake Shore
On Trail
Plans will need to be made to determine at which points we will do resupplies during the leaders' first week at base camp.
The following site lists the USGS 7.5 minute quadrangle AT maps. You will have all the Virginia maps on this site available to you as well as the Harper's Ferry WV map.
USGS AT maps
For the Shenandoah portion of the trip leaders will need to fill out permits that detail where we will be camping each night, the size of our group, and the length of our stay in the Park. We will have the permits available for you.
