AT Section Backpack - North Carolina Balds

Arrival day! Please note: This trip is recommended for experienced backpackers. Our preference is that you have participated in the Introduction to Lightweight Backpacking offered each year by AGC in June or have equivalent lightweight backpacking experience. If this trip is the one that fits your schedule but you have never backpacked or if it has been a long time since you have backpacked you will need to plan on arriving at the trip beginning 1 day early (by 3pm) in order to participate in an instruction day. The additional charge for this day will be $250 per person and will include a room at the trip hotel (based on double occupancy) and guide. Otherwise your first day is Day 1 of the trip when the first group meeting will be at 3:00pm at the trip hotel (TBA). If you are flying, there will be a group shuttle from the Atlanta airport scheduled for 1:30pm. At the trip hotel, we will start with introductions and a discussion of what to leave behind. After dinner, we spend the rest of our evening getting ready for our wilderness backpacking adventure and, as is always a good idea at the beginning of a backpacking trip, get to bed early. (D)

After an early breakfast, we'll load up the van and head to our 'put in spot' on the trail. For those of you who have done either the AT section backpacks offered in Georgia or have done the AT Slackpack in Georgia may recognize our beginning - Dicks Creek Gap on US 76. Our destination for the night will be Plumorchard Gap Shelter. Although short mileage for our first day, this gives us time to truely enjoy being back on the AT! Mileage today: 4.4

Now that we are finally on trail we'll be eager to get started on our quest this morning. The highlight for many this day may be crossing the GA/NC border or perhaps it'll be the old, twisted (much photographed) tree near the border, or, our first Bald - Couthouse. Whatever your highlight, we'll celebrate tonight at Muskrat Creek Shelter - any day on the AT is a day for celebration! Mileage today: 7.3 B, D

Today we will begin with the familiar ‘muds and puds’ of the AT – some of those both mindless and (to some) pointless ups and downs of the mountains. But – then we’ll hit a real ‘up’ and eventually summit Standing Indian Mountain which stands at 5,498 feet. Beautiful vistas await! After summitting and admiring the view we then begin heading down for a while -- our destination tonight is Carter Gap Shelter. Although our mileage is longer today we'll enjoy the beautiful scenery and the 'down' to our shelter will make our afternoon a bit easier. Mileage today: 12.5 B, D

Ah -- a bit of a shorter day as a reward for the great mileage yesterday. Nice rolling terrain with another great peak, Albert Mountain and Albert Mountain fire tower offering more beautiful views of these gorgeous mountains and valleys. Destination tonight is Long Branch Shelter. Mileage: 9.0 B, D

After getting an early start today, we head toward Winding Stair Gap and eventually to our first bald - Siler Bald. We will actually camp about .5 miles from the Bald so if daylight and energy allow you can consider visiting the Bald without your pack! Mileage today: 11.4 B, D

Being up on Siler Bald in the morning is spectacular! We have a bit less mileage today so can slow down and enjoy the beauty of the morning. There are several interesting spots along the trail today including an historic spot associated with early NC history, the Wayah Bald stone tower and footpath --- AND---trash cans! Yay! We will have the opportunity to enjoy another Bald though, Wayah Bald also offers great picture opportunities. Our destination is past Wayah Bald at the Wayah Bald Shelter and campsites. Mileage today: 7.3 B, D

Beginning to feel like a thru-hiker? It is wonderful to be out for such an extended time! Today gives us more of the 'up' and 'downs' the AT is known for, great vistas, some green tunnel walking and just the satisfaction of being 'out there'! We are headed for another bald! This one with an observation tower and panoramic view---Wesser Bald. Ho-hum -- getting a bit jaded with all the beautiful scenery? Never! Our shelter area tonight will be past the Wesser Bald and at the Wesser Bald Shelter -- a mere .1 miles from the bald -- sunset opportunities await! Mileage today: 10.6 B, D

Our last day on trail is always a bit of mixed emotion. Feels like we could just go on and backpack to Maine. On the other hand -- a shower sounds really good! We leave camp this morning with those thoughts in our heads but we have a few miles to go and a few more hours to enjoy our adventure on the AT. Our destination is the Nantahala Outdoor Center -- usually a place of great activity with kayaker, canoers , hikers, backpackers and sightseers all bustling around having lots of fun. Our shuttle will pick us up here and transport us to our trip hotel where showers await! After spending a bit of time with hot water and soap we'll all gather -- clean and sparkling (will we recognize each other?) and head into town for a celebration dinner together spending time remembering our great week on the AT. Mileage today: 5.9 B, D

Sadly---we have to head home although I'm sure the AT is loudly calling to continue! But, unfortunately most of us do have flights to catch (or work that is calling!) If you are driving you are free to leave anytime after breakfast. If you are flying, we will shuttle back to the MARTA station and catch the train to the airport. We will have you to the Marta by 12:30pm so you are free to make flight reservations any time after 2:30pm.