Appalachian Trail 20-miler

Destination: Appalachian Trail (weather forecast)
Departing: 3-May-2007 @ 4pm from Greystone Baptist Church parking lot
Returning: 6-May-2007 around 6pm to Greystone Baptist Churck parking lot
Activities: Backpacking, personal cooking, and nature study
Cost: Minimum of $25 per person. Exact amount to be announced pending fuel prices and other trip costs.

Pre-Trip Checklist

In preparation for this trip, please follow this checklist:

  1. Confirm your attendance with the Scoutmasters
  2. Complete, with your parent or guardian, an emergency medical treatment form, if you have not completed one or if your current one is more than one year old
  3. Have your parent or guardian sign the permission slip
  4. No later than 23-April-2007, turn in your emergency medical treatment form (if applicable), signed permission slip, and the activity fee

    5. Check the library for helpful planning information!

Physical Test

Three days of backpacking is physically demanding. To ensure that you enjoy the hike, rather than suffer under the weight of your pack, we will be conducting a mandatory physical test.

This test determines your eligibility to participate in the full 20-mile hike. If you meet one of the following two conditions, you will be part of our "Hike Team". If you do not meet one of the two conditions, you will be part to our "Base Camp Team".

Physical Requirements for Hike Team

  1. Meet or exceed the minimum requirement in at least 3 of the 4 activities below:
    ActivityMinimum RequirementNotes
    Situps60 in 2 minutesYour hands must remain behind your head or across your chest at all times
    Pushups20 in 2 minutesYou must not drop your knees to the ground or rest your full body on the ground
    Pullups1 in 2 minutes 
    Run1/4 mile in 2.5 minutes 
  2. Demonstrate that you have logged over 100 miles of backpacking

We will conduct the physical test on Monday, 30-April-2007, at Greystone Baptist Church.

Hike Team

Our Hike Team will traverse the AT from Rock Gap to Tellico Gap, roughly 20.83 miles apart. Total elevation change is +147'; lowest elevation encountered is about 3600', while highest elevation is about 5000'.

On Friday morning, we will proceed from Rock Gap to Wayah Camp, approximately 8 miles away. On Saturday, we will depart Wayah Camp, ascend to Wayah Bald, and meet our Base Camp Team at Burningtown Gap roughly 8 miles away.

On Sunday, we will leave Burningtown Gap to Tellico Gap, approximately 4 miles.

Please see the map for a complete route plan.

Base Camp Team

On Friday morning, our Base Camp Team will hike from Rock Gap to Winding Stair Gap along with our Hike team (approximately 4 miles). At Winding Stair, our Base Camp Team will shuttle to Burningtown Gap where they will set up camp.

On Saturday morning, we will hike (with full packs except tents) up to Wayah Bald from Burningtown Gap. The goal is to reach Wayah Bald (roughly 4 miles, all up hill) and back down before the sun sets.

Both teams eat together Saturday night at base camp.

On Sunday, we will leave Burningtown Gap to Tellico Gap, approximately 4 miles.

Please see the map for a complete route plan.

Packing Tips

  1. Pack your gear for a 3-day backpacking trip, including food and water.
  2. The Troop will provide each patrol with enough tents; each member (or the Patrol as a whole) must divide the tent between participating scouts.
  3. The activities this weekend will absolutely require you to bring the following items:
    • Backpack (waterproofed)
    • Backpack rain cover (or a suitably large garbage bag)
    • Tent (or your portion of a shared tent) and ground cloth
    • Sleeping bag or bedroll
    • Poncho or rain suit
    • 2 bags of clothes changes, each containing:
      • 1 pair hiking socks
      • 1 pair hiking sock liners
      • 1 pair underwear
      • 1 shirt
    • 1 bag of emergency clothes, containing:
      • 1 pair socks
      • 1 pair underwear
      • 1 shirt
      • 1 sweater or jac-shirt
      • 1 pair of pants
    • First-aid kit
    • Flashlight
    • Scout knife (if Totin' Chip certified)
    • Mess kit containing:
      • Runcible spoon ("Spork")
      • Bowl
      • Cup
    • Cooking kit containing:
      • Backpacking stove (if First Class or above)
      • Waterproof matches
      • Aluminum pot
      • Trashbag
    • Toiletries kit containing:
      • Multi-purpose camp soap
      • Wash cloth
      • Body towel
      • Toothbrush and toothpaste
      • Toilet paper
    • Rope (at least 50m/150ft)
    • Compass and topographic map of area
    • Notebook, pencil, paper

    You may bring more than these items, but your pack weight should not exceed 35% of your body weight (if you weigh more than 200 lbs, do not exceed 30% of your body weight).

    Remember this is a pack it in, pack it out trip. Any mess made (garbage, bodily waste) must be disposed of properly: trash cans and toilet facilities may not be immediately available.

  4. Meal plans will be assembled by Team before departing. However, be sure you know before hand how to prepare your meal; convenience items (like dutch ovens and coffee pots) will likely not be available. If you will cook a specialty meal, make sure you bring appropriate cook ware.
  5. Thursday dinner and Sunday lunch will be on the road ("OTR"). Be certain you bring at least $20 folding money.
  6. You will need at least 3 L/96 oz. of drinking water and at least 4 L/128 oz. if you transform the water into a diuretic (ie, add instant tea to the water). You will need additional water for any meals you prepare.


    7. Check the library for more helpful planning information!