About us
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DC UL Backpacking hosts an average of 80 backpacking events each year, specializing in high-mileage, lightweight backpacking trips throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Our membership structure helps backpackers gain or enhance their outdoor skills. In general, our trips are quite challenging but you’ll find a wealth of experienced backpackers who are eager to share advice. Visit our website (www.dculbackpacking.com) to learn more about our group and our membership and trip ranks, and to read our FAQs.
Our goal: To cultivate a community of independent outdoorsmen and women who want nothing more than to have a fulfilling backcountry experience–to wake early, to walk far, and to travel light.
Join us. We look forward to meeting you!
When applying to join our group, make sure to fill out our questionnaire fully. We also require that your profile photo is of yourself.
*** Read our liability waiver (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver/) and COVID-19 guidelines here: https://dculbackpacking.com/about/covid-19-guidelines/. ***
Upcoming events
10
MO W1: Catoctin Highlight Reel
Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station Kiss & Ride, Strathmore, Grosvenor, North Bethesda, MD, USThis route takes us by many scenic landmarks in northern Maryland: Annapolis Rocks, Black Rock, Raven Rock, Cunningham Falls, Cat Rock, Chimney Rock, and Wolf Rock. The splits will be 13.75/19.75
We will meet at the Grovesnor-Strathmore kiss and ride at 7:30am, and carpool to the trailhead about an hour away, I will arrange to set up the shuttle either beforehand or on our way. We will start from the Annapolis Rocks trailhead and hike north on the AT to raven Rock shelter, stopping to see Annapolis, Black, and Raven Rocks on our way. We will settle in a Raven Rocks shelter for the night. The shelter is quite large, and there are campsites available. The next morning, we will retrace our steps back to the last road and roadwalk 2.5 miles to make the jump from the AT to the Catoctin Mountain Trail. Once there, we will hike several miles to route 77, where our cars will be, and pass them to hike the loop to Cunningham Falls, Cat Rock, Chimney Rock, Wolf Rock, and Thurmont Vista, before returning to our shuttle vehicle back near the falls. For any members who are looking to become veteran members, day two is long enough for you to graduate! Anyone looking for a shorter second day may stop at the cars when we pass on route 77, making it a less than 10 mile day.
This is a W1 trip, so be prepared for winter conditions. We will monitor the weather as it gets closer.By RSVPing to this trip or any other DC UL trip, you agree to these guidelines and to DC UL's waiver liability terms (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver/).
COVID-19 policy: https://dculbackpacking.com/about/covid-19-guidelines/
Carpool: our policy is 10 cents per mile.
Dues: Members and above, don't forget to pay your annual dues. You can check if you need to pay dues by seeing if the current year is listed next to your name in your DC UL profile. To pay your dues via PayPal, use this link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JenniferAdach/15 ($10 annual dues plus a $5 suggested donation to City Kids Wilderness Project.)
caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/3BAR07K
8 attendees
LM: Trout Run (27 miles)
Vienna Metro North Parking Lot, Vienna Metro Station, Vienna, VA, USThe plan is to meet at Vienna Metro (north side parking lot) at 8am. We'll arrive at Wolf Gap Campground parking lot at ~9:30am. We'll then head up to Tibbet Knob and camp at the site along halfmoon run. Sunday, we'll continue around to check out Big Schloss, then back to the cars. Splits will be ~16/11.
Here's the planned route on CalTopo: https://caltopo.com/m/RA0A63S.
If you are an "applicant" (meaning that this is your first DCUL trip), please send me your gear list. I will hold some spots for applicants so please join the waitlist! This will be a good opportunity to be a member before summer trips
Waiver: By RSVPing to this trip or any other DC UL trip, you agree to these guidelines and to DC UL's waiver liability terms (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver/)
COVID-19 policy: https://dculbackpacking.com/about/covid-19-guidelines/Dues: Members and above, don't forget to pay your annual dues. You can check if you need to pay dues by seeing if the current year is listed next to your name in your DC UL profile. Applicants do not need to pay dues for their first trip. To pay your dues via PayPal, use this link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JenniferAdach/15 ($10 annual dues plus a $5 suggested donation to City Kids Wilderness Project.)
Carpool: As per our carpool policy, riders should pay drivers $0.10/mile. I'm anticipating this will be around $19 for riders.
8 attendees
Past events
1201
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