June 1st - June 10th
This summer I plan on taking a group of friends to backpack the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina. The trail hiking will be extremely strenuous with an average hiking day including more than 15 miles per day. Food, shelter, and supplies will need to be carried the entire length with water being taken from sources on the trail.
After hearing from people that are interested in this trip, I am outlining 3 possible trip lengths that people can choose to participate. These trip lengths have been chosen based on road access.
- 2-Day, 31-Mile Weekend Trip (Sat-Sun), requires no missed work days
- 4-Day, 61-Mile Trip (Sat-Tue), requires min. 2 missed work days
- 9-Day, 135-Mile Trip (Sat-2nd Sun), requires min. 5 missed work days
In addition to this hike, we will also have a prep weekend hike in late-April/early-May so people can test their gear and hiking abilities. This will most likely occur in Linville Gorge. If you’re just a 2-day’er, this is not something you need to worry about.
Rough Trip Outline
- Leave for Rock Gap Shelter southwest of Franklin, NC on Friday after work
- Spend night at shelter, privy access & trickle water source, 0.1 miles from parking
- Backpack 2 days to the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) in Wesser, NC
- Spend evening/morning at NOC possibly rafting/kayaking, resupply possible
- Separate from 2-day’ers and climb the “Jump Up”
- Backpack 2 days to Fontana Dam, NC, final resupply – no exceptions
- Separate from 4-day’ers and enter Great Smokey Mountains National Park (GSMNP)
- Backpack 5 days over entire length of GSMNP to Davenport Gap near I-40 NC/TN line
Do not expect to come on the 9-day trip unless you have planned ahead. You must have the appropriate gear, food, and physical conditioning/training. The GSMNP is one of the hardest places to hike due to the strenuous terrain. One mile here can feel like 2 or 3 in a state park. Please note that state parks rate their trails on a much lighter scale. A strenuous trail in a state park may only be rated easy or moderate on the Appalachian Trail. If you plan to go on the 9-day trip, it is essential that you begin conditioning now. You also must learn about and prepare for lightweight hiking. No pack should exceed 40 pounds for any reason with all gear, food, and water packed. Food will weigh about 1.5 pounds per day and water will weigh from 6-8 pounds at max capacity.
I have prepared a simple gear list with things you might want to consider taking.
