Women's Beginner Friendly Backpacking - UNF One Night (Dutchman's Creek Loop)

I am so excited to get our first trips on the calendar!
A couple things to note that will apply to all trips posted for this series:

• Regarding RSVPs - For the first 48 hours after trips in this series are posted only those that were a part of the “planning” zoom meetings will be moved to going. After that folks will be moved to going according to RSVP time (up to twelve participants for this trip).
• This is cross posted with another meetup. If you are on the waitlist and not getting moved although there appear to be spots left this may be why, but feel free to ask 😊
• Each trip in this series will be posted for two consecutive months to allow as many people as possible the opportunity to attend.
• Also in the interest of allowing as many to participate as possible, attendance will be limited to one of the two identical trips posted.

For our first outing we are going to Uwharrie National Forest for a one night trip to backpack the Uwharrie and Dutchman’s Creek Loop.

I’ve chosen this for our first trip because I am familiar with the route and it should be challenging for those completely new to backpacking but absolutely doable. Also, there is a reliable water source at the campsites that we will be setting up camp at. We will be building up to routes that have those awe-inspiring vistas and waterfalls, but this one is a great place to start for the newest folks.

I expect average pace for this hike to be around 2 mph. **If you know that you cannot currently hike with a full pack at that pace please reach out to me for ideas on how to condition yourself to prepare**.

We will meet at the NC 24/27 Trailhead (link to google map) Saturday morning. We will start the morning with a pack "shakedown". If you are unfamiliar this it is just taking a look at what you have packed and how. It's a chance for newer backpackers to get some tips on how to pack their backpack. Once we are all ready to go we will head out and hike ~5.3 miles in to our campsite. Sunday morning we will finish the loop with a 6 mile hike out.

Here is a link to my suggested packing checklist I hope it works but if not please let me know and I’ll see what I can do: Backpacking Checklist

Standard Notice, Disclaimer:
Meetup organizers/ leaders are not guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for you own safety and well-being. By signing up for this and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possible death. The organizers of this group and current and former members can not be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant-including you- at ant event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of a claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.