Greetings! Thank you for deciding to spend your weekend with us! We are excited to offer this trip through Venture Out. We have planned a trip that will offer something for everyone, from white water rafting to hiking. Please take a few minutes to read through the following information. It will help you to get a better idea of what to expect. By doing this, we can maximize safety and enjoyment.

Itinerary

We are planning to leave Milledgeville at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. We will drive north towards the Nantahala River. We will be staying in a cabin on Friday night in Franklin, NC. Saturday and Sunday will be spent white water rafting, visiting the Nantahala Outdoor Center, and an option of hiking or rafting down the river the second day. Saturday night we will be camping at the Turkey Creek Campground, which has firewood, hot showers, and plenty of campsites. We hope to leave the Nantahala by 4:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, returning to Milledgeville at approximately 9:00 p.m.

Route:

We will go down the Nantahala River in rafts provided for us by an outfitter. There will be guides to take you down the river. The next day, there will be an option of going down the river again in self-guided fun-yaks or rafts. This option is open to everyone, but you will have to pay for this. Also, we will have the option of a short day hike on the Appalachian Trail for those who would like to go hiking instead.

Environment

The weather at the “Gorge” where the Nantahala River flows through is typically mild to cold at this time of year. The average temperatures for the time we will be there are highs in the 40s – 50s and lows in the 30s. Chances are we’ll have it at least one day with rain and possibly sleet to a snowy mixture.

Equipment

You receive a general equipment checklist. For each item on the list, please note if you have the specific piece of gear, if you have extra of the item that you would be willing to share, or if you need to borrow one of the item. Venture Out can provide the gear that is marked with an asterisk (*). If you need gear other than what Venture Out can provide, please try to borrow it from someone you know or let us know so we may be able to help you find one to borrow. If you have a stove or tent, please list the specific type and the number of people your tent we’ll sleep. By following the attached gear list, we can ensure we have all the gear we need.

The environment in the “Gorge” at the Nantahala River tends to be cool and wet; a dangerous combination that can lead to hypothermia for the unprepared. In addition, be prepared to get wet while paddling. Proper clothing is the key to prevent this. Clothing should be made of synthetic or wool fibers. Cotton clothing is not recommended for this trip. Cotton, even in small percentages in blends, absorbs water and holds it against your skin, where it dries very slowly and can quickly chill you. All clothing should be made of synthetic materials such as nylon, polypropylene, polyester, or fleece. The only acceptable natural fiber is wool as it insulates even when wet. Please do not spend large amounts of money on new backpacking clothing. Many inexpensive options may be found at discount and thrift stores. Please contact us with any specific questions.

Food

At the bottom of the equipment checklist is a section for you to tell about any food restrictions (allergies, vegan, kosher) or preferences that you may have. We will plan nutritious meals, but need your input to make them as enjoyable as possible.

Training

While in the raft, you will be using your arms, stomach muscles, back, and shoulders. Any stretching or light lifting activities to get these muscle groups ready for the experience will be helpful. Another reminder is that the terrain of the Appalachian Trail can be very rugged in areas. The day hike may be physically intense at times. We suggest that everyone prepare in some way. Consider walking for a couple miles each afternoon, preferably on uneven terrain. Or consider walking up stairs two at a time to simulate some of the elevation gain. Anything that you can do before the trip will pay back large dividends on the trail.

More Information

Check out the following links for lots of great information.

http://www.endlessriveradventures.com/contactus.html

http://www.turkeycreekcampground.com/

http://www.noc.com

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/

http://www.fred.net/kathy/at.html

http://www.weather.com/ put in Bryson City, NC

Name:

Please check off the appropriate column for each item and return this sheet to the Student Activities office by this Friday.

Equipment

Items	I own or have access to this item.	I have extra of this item that I can loan to others.	I do not have access to one of this item and need to borrow one.
*Backpack / suitcase / duffle
*Sleeping Bag (45 deg. or better)
*Sleeping Pad
*Tent/Tarp
Backpacking Stove with Fuel
Cook Pot
Water Bottles (2L capacity)
Spoon
Bowl
Boots or Hiking Shoes
Sandals or River Shoes
Swim Suit
Wool or synthetic socks
Undergarments
Hiking or Shell Pants
Warm Pants
Synthetic T-shirt
Insulation top
Rain Jacket or poncho
Hat
Toiletry Kit
Towel
Headlamp or Flashlight
Disposable Lighter
Whistle
Camera with film
Sunscreen

If you have a tent or stove that you can bring, please briefly describe it below (i.e. style, size, etc.):

Tent:

Stove:

Menu Planning

Please list any special food requirements that you may have that would affect our menu preparation. For instance let us know if you need kosher, vegetarian, or vegan meals or if you’re diabetic or have food allergies and need alternatives.

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