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Level 3 Backpack: Clingman's Dome to Fontana Dam

Presented by Team Green Adventures

November 11-November 14, 2010

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Join Team Green Adventures for a four day backpacking trip along the Appalachian Trail. This is a Level 3 backpacking trip for individuals who have personal experience with long backpacking trips on difficult terrain.

BACKPACKING STATS
When: November 11th through November 14th, 2010
Where: Appalachian Trail; Clingman's Dome to Fontana Dam
Mileage: Approximately 34 miles
Maximum Group Size: Six People
Trip Leader: Mike O, 615-542-5312
Alternate Trip Leader: John Polly
Difficulty: Level 3 Backpacking. See Backpacking Rating below.

TRIP ITINERARY
On Thursday evening, we will be meeting at the Kroger’s across from the Summit Medical Center at 5:00 pm Central Standard Time, leaving for the Hike Inn in Fontana, North Carolina to spend the evening at the hostel and ultimately arrive at Clingman’s Dome in the Great Smokey Mountain Park around 9:00 am Eastern Standard Time on Friday morning after being driven by the shuttle.

Starting at the Clingman’s Dome area, we will follow the Appalachian Trail southbound through the Great Smokey National Park, passing Mt. Buckley, Silers Bald, Buckeye Gap, and the Cold Spring Knob where the views are rewarding. We will be staying at the Derrick Knob Shelter on Friday night, which will be approximately 10 miles of tough backpacking the first day! This shelter accommodates twelve people, and reservations will be made for six people for the evening.

On Saturday morning, we will head southbound on the Appalachian Trail, past sites like Chestnut Bald, Starkey Gap, Thunderhead, Rocky Top, Abrams Gap, and Devil’s Tater Patch. At approximately 12 miles, we will be stopping at the Mollies Ridge Shelter. This shelter accommodates twelve people and reservations will be made for six people for the evening.

Sunday morning, we will continue to head southbound on the Appalachian Trail, through Ekaneetlee Gap, Mud Gap, Doe Knob, Birch Spring Gap, and Shuckstack Mountain working our way for approximately 12 miles to the Fontana Dam, where we will either pick up our vehicles or shuttle to our vehicles, from the Fontana Dam Visitor Center.

Logistics:
Meet on Thursday evening at 5:00 pm CST for the drive to the Fontana, North Carolina area. Spending the evening at the Hike Inn Hostel in Fontana, North Carolina and shuttling to the Clingman’s Dome location for a 9:00 am EST start on Friday morning. Car pool arrangements will be made prior to departure.