Hi everyone - here are additional details for July 10-12 weekend - along with clarified information:
Mileage:
- Leave 2 pm on Friday - 3 hour drive to Elk Garden
- 5 miles to the Thomas Knob shelter Friday night
- 12 mile dayhike around Grayson Highlands on Saturday, back to the shelter, OR renegade camp in
the wilderness area Saturday night if we're feeling adventurous.
- 5 miles out on Sunday morning with a quick jaunt up to the summit of
Mount Rogers on the way.
- Arrive Knoxville Sunday early evening/late afternoon
Details:
1. I need a firm headcount of who is going by this Friday (July 3) so we can organize carpooling and gear/tent-sharing. (To minimize our impact it would be great if we can buddy up on the tenting.)
2. We don't need reservations at the Thomas Knob shelter (thanks for checking on this, Dre!), so rather than take our chances finding a good spot in the wilderness area nearby (since we'll be racing the darkness anyway), I think we should just plan to stay at the shelter and have tents as a back-up in case the shelter is full.
3. If we can hit the road at 2 pm on Friday we should arrive at Elk Garden by 5 pm. That gives us plenty of time to meet up with Karen, get packs on and hike the 5 miles to the shelter.
4. I am hoping we can find someplace to stash our packs during the day so we can do the 12 mile hike on Saturday as a dayhike. But, if we can't, we'll be carrying packs all day, so another reason to pack lightly and share gear.
5. Is anyone bringing a Brute along? David is a maybe depending on work and if any other Brutes are going..I think Kiki may bring Heymo and Dre may bring McCoy - but let me know so we can plan accordingly!
6. Attached is the infamous gear list. Don't worry if you don't have some things, we can share stoves, water filters, cookware, etc. We can talk more gear stuff once we know who is definitely in.
That's all for now - have a good week!
Many thanks to Corinne and Theresa who worked on our section of the A.T. for National Trails Day!
