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, so whether you are an experienced backpacker or are new to hiking, we are sure that you will have a great time. 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 1:30 p.m. on Friday. We will drive east towards the Pine Mountain Trail. We have planned a hike of just over 19 miles for this trip. We hope to leave the park by 3:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, returning to Milledgeville at approximately 6:00 p.m.

Route:

The first day, Friday, Feb. 22, we will begin hiking at around 4:00 pm from the FDR State Park. We will hike in approximately 6 miles to our campsite at Beech Bottom Campsite. Upon our arrival at camp, we will learn basic camp-set up skills, Leave No Trace Principles, and set camp. The next day, Saturday, Feb. 23, we will hike approximately 9 miles and spend the night at Old Sawmill Campsite. We will discuss flora and fauna along the trail, and take our time, enjoying the beautiful scenery. The final day, Sunday, Feb. 24, we will hike about 2.5 miles to the TV Tower where we will get in our vans and return home. We will pass many waterfalls and will do some small creek crossings.

Environment

The weather at the Pine Mountain Trail 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. The terrain is moderate to fairly rugged in a couple of places. We will begin hiking at approximately 1100 ft. and stay moderately around this elevation. Flora and fauna are abundant.

Equipment

You have been sent or will 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 travel as lightly as possible while still being safe.

The environment in Pine Mountain tends to be cool and wet; a dangerous combination that can lead to hypothermia for the unprepared. Proper clothing is the key to prevent this. Backpacking clothing should be made of synthetic or wool fibers. Cotton clothing is highly recommended against 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

Another reminder is that the terrain of the Pine Mountain Trail can be very rugged in areas. The trip, physically, will be 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.

www.pinemountaintrailconference

www.pinemountaintrail.org/

www.hikethis.com/Front_Page_Tem/Pine_Mountainx.html

www.outdoorreview.com/trail_reviews/Georgia/PineMountainTrail.html

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
*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
Wool or synthetic socks
Undergarments
Hiking or Shell Pants
Synthetic T-shirt
Insulation top
Rain Jacket or poncho
Hat
Toiletry Kit
Headlamp or Flashlight
Compass
Pocket knife or Multi-tool
Disposable Lighter
Whistle
Camera with film
Rain cover or pack liner
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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