Roan Highlands AT Backpacking

September 16-18, 2024

Trip includes overnight lodging at the Appalachian Trail-er on September 15, 2024

Views so nice, we see them twice! This is the dream trip for someone looking to soak in the panoramic vistas and scenic rolling meadows of the Roan Highlands. We'll enjoy hiking 4-7 of the 18-21 miles without a backpack. This hike traverses the famous Appalachian Trail as it winds over grassy open balds and an alpine-like environment that make this region unique. The timing of this trip is perfect for early fall color and less crowded trails during the week. Participants will learn all necessary skills to complete a backpacking trip, and will leave empowered and inspired to hit the trail again soon. 

"The guide knows her stuff, she's friendly, she's extremely knowledgeable and she's a lot of fun to be with. She knows how to set up a
camp, she made my hiking experience so much fun. I cannot wait to go with her again." - HS, 60+ Backpacking Trip, July 2023

Cost:

$760 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.  As of 6/26/24, this trip has met its minimum and will run!  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 (September 16, 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 Monday September 16 in Hot Springs, NC.

You will meet your guide at our Appalachian Trail-er bunkhouse (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 Carvers Gap, where you will start your 3-day, 18-21 mile hike. Shuttle time is just under 2 hours. Among this route's highlights are the stunning views from the balds of the Roan Highlands. The first day you'll hike over Jane Bald and Grassy Ridge Bald on the way to your campsite. The second day, you'll hike to the second campsite, set up camp, then continue to Little Hump without your pack. Return to Carvers Gap via the AT the last day of the trip. Daily mileage is between 4 and 7 miles per day.

Hike generally finishes in the afternoon on the last day where a shuttle will be waiting for you to drive back to Asheville.  Itinerary is subject to change based on a variety of factors, including weather, trail conditions, and participants needs and abilities.  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 4 out of 10, and this trip is ideally suited for hikers with a fitness level of 5-6 out of 10.  This trip is suitable for Beginner and Novice hikers.  For more information about our difficulty and experience level ratings, please see our Trip Difficulty Page.
 

Guide:

Tamera is a long-distance hiker with 12 years outfitting experience, who has been backpacking, hiking, biking and kayaking the regions of Western North Carolina and beyond for 30 plus years. She would love to share the waterfalls, peaks, pinnacles and forests, helping others to explore the lesser-known trails. Tamera is studying to become a Certified Blue Ridge Naturalist and can highlight this region's geology, ecology and history.  
 

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:

Trip cost includes a 15% non-refundable administrative fee. Hikes may be cancelled up to 1 month before the trip for a refund (minus the 15% admin fee). Within 1 month, a 50% refund will be offered. Within 1 week, a refund will only be offered if Blue Ridge Hiking Company cancels the trip due to severe weather. We are unable to offer exceptions to this policy due to extenuating circumstances; we strongly recommend all hikers purchase travel insurance to cover their trip.

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 rescheduling fees.

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 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.