AT- Dennis Cove, TN to Damascus, VA over New Years

“Gaging interest on this 4 day trip from Dennis Cove Road (near 321 and Watuga Dam) to Damascus VA. I was planning to do this trip over Thanksgiving Weekend, but some things came up and I am thinking of moving it to new years weekend. We would hike Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for a total of about 50 miles. This trip could also be done another weekend or be broken up into two smaller trips if people preferred.

Anyone interested?”

“Mocs, if you are talking Jan 1,2,3,4 I would be interested.. Unless of course Ball State Runs the table and is playing in a BCS Bowl..

'32oz”

“That is the weekend I am thinking about. Most people get that Thursday (New Years Day) off of work anyways, so we could do a 4 day trip with most people only having to use one vacation day.”

“I'm in”

“For anyone interested, I am going to extend my time on the trail by hiking from Carver's Gap to Dennis Cove Road on Dec 29, 30, 31, and then meeting up with Mocs' trip on Jan 1.

Total miles for my trip is about 36. I am looking into hostel options for New Year's Eve.

Trip will be posted later this week.

'32oz”

“I'm in for both trips!”

“Dec 28-31
Trip posted....”

“I am listed as a maybe, but I have a strong feeling I should be able to make this trip.”

“Sounds good mildbill, What should we expect from this section? It looks like pretty easy walking on the map, with the exception of the hike up to Pond Flats. We should have a few nice views of the lake too I would imagine.”

“i remember this section as being a breeze compared to the last several days before it”

“I guess 'the last seeral days before it' will be what we are hiking from Dec 29-31..

'32oz”

“I love backpacking that time of year. Not sure what the warden will think of me being gone over the new years holiday, but I will see if i can make it work.”

“I imagine crash is talking about the section between Erwin and US19E and the climb up Roan. The US19E to Dennis Cove section looks fairly easy as well.”

“From what I can remember, after Hump mountain it is pretty easy. There are a few short climbs before Damascus but nothing too hard. But I have to say that the last time I did this section I had about 400 miles under my belt, I was about 40 lbs lighter, and it was in late April/early May.”

“exactly. someone remarked that after hump, its like a superhighway. there is a definite marked easing up after that point”

“hey, on that last day, where can I get off and hitchhike into town?”

“ummmm... that's just sick...

'32oz”

“seriously though, I have to drive back to Wilmington that night. 14 1/2 miles, a 6 hour drive and fare-the-wells in between is going to make for a long day. You've hiked with me, you know what a fat slob slow ass hiker i am. I might not get to Damascus til well after happy hour”

“Hyway.. I was going to look at the maps and possibly push on the previous day... We will have a 5.5 hour drive back as well....

'32oz”

“all of those days are going to kill me. but thats my exercise plan”

“You doing 4 or 8 days?”

“if I do it it will be the entire 84 miles”

“32oz and Hyway: I looked at my map. If we push on Saturday to Abington Gap Shelter, we will only have an easy 10 miles on Sunday.”

“so that makes its a 16 miler on saturday?”

“Has anyone worked on setting up shuttles? I was thinking about parking at Kincora and getting a ride to Carver's Gap, but I am open to any suggestions.”

“so that makes its a 16 miler on saturday?”
hyway

Yes, but it's an easy 16 miles. There is little elevation loss and gain.”

“I will be working on it this week...

'32oz”

“I am not even involved in the first trip (Carvers to Dennis Cove), but I was thinking if you drove to Bob Peoples place and had him shuttle you to Carvers, you could walk back to your cars there on New Years Eve. On New Years day, we could shuttle to Damascus and walk back to our cars at Dennis Cove. That way you wouldn't have to move your car.”

“Mocs, thats what I had in mind as far as the first part of the trip.. I would rather leave cars at the hostel then at Carver's Gap.. that way we can start the New Year's eve festivities sooner...

'32oz”

“I'm pumped up for this trip. Great excuse to buy some more robust winter gear.”

“I talked to Mocs. Considering that day 1's daylight will be shortened due to the shuttle, stopping at Abingdon Gap Shelter may be a better plan. This takes away 4 miles from day 1 and adds it to day 2.”

“The changes have been made on the trips page.”

“This is one quiet group.”

“ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ............”

“Sorry, I have been out of town for a few days and am just now getting everything else on line. I just got off the phone with Bob Peoples and.....

The Hostel asks for a donation of $4 per night.

He does not charge for parking.

He Charges $1 per mile for a shuttle so going to Damascus will run us about $50. He said he has a truck that can seat 6 in the cab and has a covered bed for more hikers and packs. It should take about an hour to make the trip from Kincora to Damascus.

Those prices are too cheap for the services he provides.

He also gave me a water update:

He said that things had been dry, but with all of the rain they have had recently, water shouldn't be an issue. He also said that the spring at Iron Mountain Gap is no longer considered contaminated, just make sure that you filter the water.”

“Mocs, we may bow out of your trip and just keep heading North into Damascus. Sorry to throw a wrench in everything, but it makes more sense to head back to VA from Damascus then Dennis Cove..

I will let you know for sure in a couple days..

'32oz

By we I mean, myself, Creek Dancer, High Maintenance and Lightfoot..”

“32oz just wants to hike with the chicks by himself.

He's right though. Continuing north makes more sense for those of us going back to Richmond.

Maybe we could figure out a spot where we could meet in the middle and camp.
last edited: 12/17/08 11:42:26 AM”

“I'm sharing you with lightfoot..

'32oz”

“I'm cool with hiking either direction. I think Mocs was just trying to make things easier for others when he reversed the route.

I'm guessing he'd adjust his plans to suit the group.”

“I'm in no hurry to get home on Sunday (last hiking day). I have Monday as a "travel day".”

“It doesn't matter to me which way we go, it just seemed that logistically it would be easier to hike SOBO. I just have to get back to Chattanooga on Sunday because I have to catch a flight on Monday morning.

I don't mind half of us going one way and half going the other, or I don't mind going NOBO.”

“Hey 32oz, does that mean you are parking in Damascus and catching a ride to Carver's Gap? I was thinking about that myself.
BTW I changed my status to a definite YES for this trip.”

“I am going to drive my car up to Damscus on New Year's day and hitch a ride back to Kincora with Bob Peoples after he drops Mocs' gang off.

I will be parking at the Mount Rogers Outfitters.. It $2 per night, and we can shower there if we want to on Jan 4th.

"32oz”

“32 oz wants to shower with mildbill.”

“.. actually I was really hope that you were going to make the trip.... ;)”

“.
last edited: 12/18/08 4:37:42 AM”

“If things stay as they are we will camp together at Iron Mountain Shelter.”

“That's right..

You will have 15.9 miles we will have 13.6 the second day, which means Mocs will probably get there 3 hours before everyone else...

Just make sure that you have an awesome fire going!!!

'32oz”

“For those who are hiking from Dennis Cove NORTH to Damscus, here is the plan.

We will follow Mocs' itinary in reverse.

We will drive the cars up to Damascus on JANUARY 1. I am parking mine at Mt Rogers Outfitters. Cost is $2 per day...

We will then drive back to Dennis Cove with Bob Peoples, who will be shuttling the 'South Bounders' up to Damascus. If you are parking at Mt Roger's Outtfitters, please call them at 276 475 5416 and let
them know.
http://mtrogersoutfitters.com/hostshut.html

'32oz
last edited: 12/18/08 8:46:42 AM”

“Starting to get a glimpse of the weather from AccuWeather. Too ugly to post. Hope they are wrong.

Yikes......”