Greetings! Thank you for deciding to spend your Spring Break 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
The weather in the Smokies is typically cool and wet. The average temperatures for the time we will be there are highs at 55° and lows at 33°. Chances are we’ll have it at least one day with precipitation, whether its snow or rain. The terrain is fairly rugged. We will begin hiking at approximately 2000’ and climb to almost 5000’ at Gregory Bald. Flora and fauna are abundant. The park is home to over “4,000 species of plants, 130 trees, 65 mammals, 230 birds, and more species of salamanders than are found anywhere else on earth.” (http://gorp.com/gorp/resource/US_National_Park/tn_great.HTM) Among these mammals are the park’s famous black bears and the recently reintroduced red wolf.
Attached to this letter is a general equipment checklist. Please fill out and return this form to the Venture Out office as soon as possible. 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. Please remember that the terrain is extremely rugged in the Smokies. By following the attached gear list, we can travel as lightly as possible while still being safe.
The environment in the Smokies 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 not acceptable 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.
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.
Another reminder that the terrain of the Smokies is very rugged. The trip, physically, will be intense. 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.
Check out the following links for lots of great information.
http://gorp.com/gorp/resource/US_National_Park/tn_great.HTM
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/6602/
**Remember as well that there is a mandatory packing meeting on the Thursday night before Spring Break. This time will allow us to meet each other, check out our gear, and to answer anyone’s last minute questions. The meeting time and location will be announced early next week.
Name:
Please check off the appropriate column for each item and return this sheet to the Student Activities office by this Friday.
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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. |
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*Backpack |
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*Sleeping Bag (20 deg. or better) |
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*Sleeping Pad |
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*Tent/Tarp |
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Backpacking Stove with Fuel |
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Cook Pot |
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Water Bottles (2L capacity) |
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Spoon |
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Bowl |
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Boots or Hiking Shoes |
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Wool or synthetic socks |
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Undergarments |
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Long Underwear Top and Bottoms |
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Hiking or Shell Pants |
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Synthetic T-shirt |
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Insulation tops and bottoms |
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Rain Jacket or poncho |
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Gloves |
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Warm hat |
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Toiletry Kit |
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Headlamp or Flashlight |
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Compass |
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Pocket knife or Multi-tool |
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Disposable Lighter |
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Whistle |
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Camera with film |
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Rain cover or pack liner |
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If you have a tent or stove that you can bring, please briefly describe it below (i.e. style, size, etc.):
Tent:
Stove:
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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Route
We have selected a loop trail that starts out just north of
Twentymile Ranger Station at the southern border of the Park. We will leave
Milledgeville early Monday morning and drive to the park, with the possibility
of some surprise site seeing along the way. We will disembark at the ranger
station and finalize our permits. After
leaving the van, we will head north on the Twentymile Trail. After about 0.6 miles, we’ll stop for a
chance to explore the Twentymile Creek Cascades. We’ll continue on for another
1.2 miles until we reach Twentymile Creek Campsite (#93) where we’ll spend the
night. The next morning, we’ll head back
west on the Twentymile Trail for 1.3 miles before turning north on the Wolf
Ridge Trail. We’ll then take the Wolf
Ridge Trail 6.5 miles north to Sheep Pen Gap Campsite (#13) where we’ll
camp. Wednesday morning, we can pack up
early and hike 0.5 miles for a sunrise breakfast on Gregory Bald, the largest
bald in the park and one of the most visited spots. After enjoying Gregory Bald we’ll hike east
1.2 miles on Gregory Bald Trail, where we’ll turn south on the Long Hungry
Ridge Trail for 3.2 miles until we reach ***
Daily Mileage: Monday: 1.8 miles, Tuesday: 7.8 miles, Wednesday: 4.9 miles, Thursday: 5.8 miles.
This makes for a trip of 20.3 miles.