MO W1: AT in SNP (35mi)

• What we'll do
I wanted to vet a new member for the spring Utah VMO/IO trip, so we'll do a brief backpacking trip in Shenandoah NP. The plan is to stash a car at the North end, drive to the South end and hike North. Splits of about 1/21/13. Brief night hike on Friday night to Blackrock hut area. Hightop hut for Saturday night. Due to the season and weather, I anticipate that we'll be fine staying in the vicinity of the established AT shelters. We'll regroup and disperse camp if I'm wrong.

This trip is dependent on Skyline drive remaining open. While current indications are that it will be, SNP has a habit of closing it.

Expect overnight lows around 20F and highs only in the mid-30s, so send me a gear list if you haven't done winter trips with the club or you're uncertain as to what to take. In particular, it's probably going to be too cold to use glass fiber water filters.

Skyline drive status: (540) 999-3500 (select option 1, then option 1).
https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/alerts.htm - notes no water / boil for South River and Dundo Picnic grounds.

Sunrise / Sunset: 7:19am / 4:50pm

Weather: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.6615&lon=-78.3196#.Wia3QPZOkrM

North point: Bearfence mtn - parking between mm 56 and 57 on Skyline drive.

South point: Blackrock gap parking area. Between mm 87 and 88.

Maps: PATC Central SNP and South SNP.

By RSVPing to this trip or any other DC UL trip, you agree to DC UL's liability waiver: https://www.meetup.com/DC-UL-Backpacking/pages/Liability_Waiver/

Please message me with your cell phone number and emergency contact info.

• What to bring

• Important to know