Women's AT Backpacking Trip
Extended Edition
May 23-27, 2024
Includes a stay at the Appalachian Trail-er on May 22, 2024
If you've joined us for a weekend trip in the past or have some backpacking experience under your belt, this trip is for you! This 5 day, 4 night trip will cover approximately 43 miles from Allen Gap to Spivey Gap on the Appalachian Trail, including the sweeping vistas at Big Bald and rocky ridgeline traverses near Big Firescald Knob. Because this trip is considered moderate difficulty, participants should have some previous backpacking experience or a high level of fitness. It is a great trip to connect with other women who love the trail!
"I took an extended women's backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail. Our guide brought tons of experience
and knowledge along with plenty of laughter to the trail. I learned so much, and I feel confident enough now
to go backpacking with my family." - T.T., Women's Extended Backpacking Trip, June 2020
Cost:
$1,185 per person
Payment Plans, Scholarships, and Sliding Scale Fees are available for this trip. Please email our office at trips@blueridgehikingco.com for more information.
This trip will run if there are a minimum of 2 participants signed up. If the minimum has not yet been met, we'll contact participants two weeks before the trip to discuss options. The maximum group size is 6 participants. If you are traveling in a party of 4 or more hikers, we encourage you to consider a private backpacking trip. You can find more information about our private trip offerings by sending us an email.
In addition to your guide, this price includes backpacking gear for the trip, all on-trail food, transportation between the meet-up location and the trailhead, and any necessary backcountry permits. It does not include personal items (clothing, shoes, toiletries, etc) or gratuity for your guide.
Sign-Up Details:
In order to sign up for this trip, please go to our trip calendar and select the trip start date (May 23, 2024). You will find the trip listed there.
A few weeks before the start of the trip, we will be in contact via email with an information packet for you to fill out. This includes a waiver, health form, and gear request form. At that time we will also send a detailed packing list and any trip-specific information.
Itinerary:
This trip meets at 8am on Thursday, May 23 in Hot Springs, NC.
You will meet your guide at our basecamp and bunkhouse, the Appalachian Trail-er (200 Lance Ave, Hot Springs, NC 28743). Your guide will hand out your gear and food, go over necessary packing items, and discuss safety, weather, and logistics for the trip. They will walk you through how to properly pack your pack, and may look in detail at the items you've packed to make sure you're not carrying too many extra items.
Around 10am, you'll head to Allen Gap, about a 20 minute drive where you will start your hike! After 5 days of hiking, a shuttle driver will be waiting for you at Spivey Gap, 43 miles north of where you began. Daily mileage ranges from 6 to 13 miles per day, including several climbs and challenging rocky sections. Itinerary is subject to change based on a variety of factors, including weather, trail conditions, and participants needs and abilities.
Hike generally finishes mid-afternoon the last day. If you are flying in, we recommend booking lodging in Asheville on May 27 and flying out the following day. You may also choose to add an additional night at the bunkhouse on the last day of your trip. Please inform our admin team or your guide ahead of time if you have a time constraint the last day of your trip.
Elevation profile created with Gaia GPS.
Trip Difficulty Rating:
Participants on this trip should have a minimum fitness level of 6 out of 10, and this trip is ideally suited for hikers with a fitness level of 7 out of 10. This is an Intermediate trip, meaning hikers should have previous backpacking experience. For more information about our fitness and experience level ratings, please see our Trip Difficulty Page.
Guide:
Your guide for this trip will be Jenna "Mittens" Carroll. Originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Jenna discovered a love for the mountains when she spent six months hiking the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail in 2021. More than a break from a high-stress corporate career, the trail transformed her sense of self and gave her a place to call home. She has since backpacked several shorter trails and enjoys completing local endurance hiking challenges. When she's not in the woods, you can find her near a basketball court, reading poetry, or playing with her goldendoodle Blueberry.
What we Provide:
Food: BRHC provides all on-trail food. You will have the ability to choose your own food from our wide selection, and you will carry your own food during the trip. We do our best to cater to requests, though it is important to keep to lightweight foods appropriate for backpacking. If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, please inform our team in your pre-trip paperwork.
Individual Use Gear: BRHC provides high quality, ultralight, cottage industry backpacking gear to make your experience as comfortable as possible. We offer the following five pieces of gear at no additional cost:
Backpacks - We use a lightweight 60L pack. We will ask for your height and weight in order to fit the pack appropriately to you.
Tents - We provide a one-person tent, or and two-person tent if you are sharing with a partner or friend.
Sleeping Bags - We use a 20 degree synthetic sleeping bag with sleeping bag liners.
Sleeping Pads - We provide hikers with a closed-cell foam pad, for its excellent combination of weight and durability. Inflatable sleeping pads are available for an additional rental fee
Trekking Poles - These will provide you with some added stability while hiking, and may be used to set up your tent.
Community Gear: BRHC provides all community gear for the trip, including water filters, camping stoves and fuel, bowls, utensils and cups; trowels, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer; first aid kit; and navigational aids.
What to Bring:
We will send all participants a detailed packing list a few weeks before the trip. You are expected to bring your own clothing/footwear, a headlamp, two 1-L water bottles (Nalgene or disposable Smart Water bottles are good options), personal medications/toiletries, and approved optional items. Generally, comfortable trail shoes are better than heavy hiking boots. Please pack synthetic or wool athletic clothing rather than cotton. Cotton does not dry quickly and will not keep you warm when wet. For most trips you will need only one outfit to hike in, one outfit to sleep in, a raincoat, and a warm layer. A beanie and lightweight gloves are appropriate in most seasons as temperatures cool down in the mountains at night. You will not need a new set of clean clothes for each day, make-up, hair products, scented products or deodorant. Just bring a toothbrush and toothpaste and enjoy going all natural for the trip!
Cancellation Policy:
Payment in full is required to register. Trip cost includes a 15% non-refundable administrative fee. Hike may be cancelled up to 2 weeks before the trip for a refund (minus the 15% fee). Within 2 weeks, a 50% refund will be offered. Within 48 hours, a refund will only be offered if Blue Ridge Hiking Company cancels the trip due to severe weather. Hikers may reschedule their trip once (at least 2 weeks before their trip) free of charge. Additional changes to their reservation date may result in a rescheduling fee.
We hike rain or shine! While it is incredibly rewarding, backpacking is an endurance sport, and it can be challenging and/or uncomfortable at times. Maintaining a positive mindset, even when it is uncomfortable, is key to enjoying your time in the wilderness. With our focus on lightweight gear, our goal is for your pack to weigh around 25lbs (or no more than 25% of your body weight).
If your guide does an exceptional job, please show your appreciation with a tip. Our team of highly trained professional guides never expects but always appreciates a tip. Industry standard gratuity for a guided backpacking trip is 15-20% of trip price.
If you have any questions regarding this trip, you can reach our office by phone at 828-713-5451 or by email at trips@blueridgehikingco.com.