VA Triple Crown Backpacking - Hard

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Triple Crown Loop Route:

Meet up time: 10:000am - Friday
Hike start time: 10:30am - quick pack shake down before we start
We will be meeting at the McAfee trail head, click for the alltrails link to the parking we are parking at; TRAIL - Please do not be late!

Day 1: VA 311 start 10am going CCW, ascend up to McAfee, enjoy the views, take pictures, and eat lunch. Follow the AT over to Tinker Cliffs, travel down to the Lamberts Meadow Shelter. There is a bear box here (very important as bears are very active on the AT in this area) and I confirmed with my sources today that all water is flowing well at all water sites (Pigfarm, Lamberts Meadow, Andy Layne Bridge, and Catawaba) With the added .7 miles to Lamberts we will have hiked around 13 miles. There is a shelter here so anyone who is OK with cowboy camping in the shelter is welcome.

Day 2: Hike starts at 7:30am. Hike back up .7 miles to the Andy Layne trail and descend down towards the Catawba Valley Trail. Use this trail to connect to the North Mountain trail - hard climb here. The hardest day and the hardest climb. We will need to bring 4 liters up to the top PER PERSON to get through this section. We will refill before Dragons tooth. It is highly recommended to do DRY COOKING. If you need recommendations on this let us know, but this is how Food Lion and I do most of our later Spring-early Fall cooking. It saves so much water! We will either camp prior to Lost Spectacles Gap or at it. Goal is to camp here so we can have easy access to water for dinner, etc. 17 miles.

DAY 3:
Start at 7:30am. Goal is to leave our packs at camp and reach Dragons Tooth early. Leaving packs here is common and OK! Climbing the tooth with a large pack can be dangerous and we want to eliminate risks. Take Dragons Tooth trail up to the tooth for views and pictures - and to celebrate the final big peak and then descend back down, grab our packs, and head to VA 311 to finish out. 10ish miles

Here is what you need for basic supplies; items such as food or luxury items are dependent on your wants and needs. Remember the lighter the pack the better your knees and the overall experience is more enjoyable!

Weather in unpredictable this time of year. They recently had ice/snow but sources say that's gone. I am using experience here but the nights will be colder days will be mild. High chance of rain always.

Backpack (40-60L)
Backpack rain cover
Hydration bladder (2-4L)
Nalgene water bottle or smart bottle (to use for electrolytes)
Water filtration system (sawyer squeeze or similar)
Tent or hammock tent sleeping system (rain cover a must)
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Camp pillow (optional)
Cook stove / fuel / mug or pot
Spork or camp fork
Small Walmart (that you get when you check out) bag for trash pack out

Moisture wicking clothes
Hiking shorts / pants
2 pairs of socks to rotate
Insulation layer for cold nights
Rain jacket or poncho (non negotiable)
Sleep clothes
Hat or sunglasses

Backpacking first aid kit with mole skin (leaders will have as well but it’s good for everyone to carry their own)
Headlamp with a set of extra batteries
Portable charger for phone
Toothbrush + toothpaste
Toilet paper + trowel
Hand sanitizer
Wet wipes (optional but nice)
Biodegradable soap (you need to wash hands to prevent norovirus)
Bring poles

You need to bring enough food for:
2 breakfasts (Sat & Sun)
3 lunches (Fri-Sun)
2 dinners (Sat & Sun)
Plus snacks - HIGH PROTEIN for your muscles
Lots of electrolytes
Bring something as a motivator (skittles, your fave beef sticks etc)
Hard candy is a great tool for going UP HILL. Pack some joy ranchers or mints

Optional items that could be OK if lightweight:
Camp shoes
Journal
Lightweight sit pad

Leave luxury items at home unless you absolutely need them

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