APAA 20170928 Trip Summary - Adventures in Good … abundant plant and wildlife, and playful Class 2...

APPALACHIANAUTUMNADVENTURESSEPTEMBER28-OCTOBER1,2017

TRIPSUMMARY

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ridingwell-trainedhorsesonforesttrailsandbackroads• WhitewaterraftingontheChattanoogaRiver• HikingonthelegendaryAppalachianTrail• SavoringasumptuousbrunchatWolfMountainVineyards• Enjoyingdowntimeandcamaraderie

Phone:877-439-4042OutsidetheUS:410-435-1965Fax:410-435-3084Email:info@goodadventure.com

TRIPATAGLANCEDates: Sep28-Oct1,2017Location: Dahlonega,GACost: $895.00Activities: MultisportArrive: at12pmattheAtlanta,GAairport(ATL)onThursday,September28Depart: at4:00attheairport(plantoflyoutafter5:30pm)onSunday,October1TRIPOVERVIEW

NorthernGeorgia, the jumpingoffpoint for theAppalachianTrail,offersanastoundingarrayofactivitiesforthosewholiketogetoutandplayinthecrisp,invigoratingairoffall.Soonthisfourdaygetaway,wewillsampleasmuchaswecan:horsebackriding,hiking,andwhitewaterrafting.Wewillalsotakeadvantageoftheburgeoningfoodieculturehere,withdinneratoneofthemanyfinerestaurantsandanoutstandingbrunchatalocalwinery.Inbetweenwe'llplantimeforrelaxingandhangingoutwitheachotheratthehostel.Maximumgroupsize:13

RATING

ThistripissuitableforanyhealthyactivewomanwholovesbeingactiveoutdoorsinthefallandexploringthisbeautifulareawithitsrichculturethatrangesfromitsAppalachianroots.Thehikeswe'vechosenarereasonablyshortbuttheyareinthemountains,sowomenshouldbeinsufficientconditiontohikeuphillforacoupleofhours.Aratingof2issuitableforanywomanwhoregularlywalksatabriskpace3to4daysaweekfor35-45minutes.Rating:1[2]345.

WHAT'SINCLUDED

• TwoexperiencedAGCguides• RoundtriptransportationfromtheAtlantaAirport• AllmealsfromdinneronThursdaythroughbrunchonSunday• Threenightslodginginroomssharedbyfourpeople• Allactivitiesontheitinerary,includinghorsebackriding,rafting,andhiking

NotIncluded:AirfaretoAtlanta(ATL),guidegratuities,alcoholicbeverages

OURITINERARY

Belowistheproposeditineraryforthetrip.Asistrueonanyadventuretraveltrip,plansforanyspecificdaymay bemodified due toweather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and groupinterests.

D A Y 1 SEPTEMBER28, THURSDAY

We pick you up at the Atlanta (ATL) airport at 12 pm and begin ouradventurewithanafternoonofhorsebackriding.We'llstartwithashortlesson,makingsurethateveryoneiscomfortableonherhorseandknowsthebasicsofriding.Ourtwo-hourtrailrideisjusttherightlength-longenoughthatwecanenjoythesceneryandcoversomegroundonforesttrailsandbackwoodsroads,butnotsolongthatwearetoostifftowalkafterwards!Afterour ride,wecontinue toourhostel foraheartyanddeliciousdinner.Well-fedandwellexercised,wewillbereadyforbedtonight!

D A Y 2 SEPTEMBER29, FRIDAY

Afteraheartybreakfastatthehostel,we'reoffforadayofwhitewaterraftingontheChattoogaRiver.Ifthenameoftheriversoundsfamiliar,yes - it iswhere Deliverancewas filmed. Regardless ofwhat else yourememberaboutthefilm,youwereundoubtedlystruckbythebeautyofthis river. The section we'll be paddling is known for its breathtakingscenery,abundantplantandwildlife,andplayfulClass2and3 rapids,endingwithonebigClass4.Thisrafttripissuitableforwomenwithoutpreviousraftingexperienceandevenifyoudon'tthinkraftingisyourcupof tea, it's really the only way to experience the river's solitude andwildness. After a full day of excitement,we'll return to the hostel foranotherdeliciousdinnerandrelaxingeveningwiths'moresaroundthefireonthebackdeck.

D A Y 3 SEPTEMBER30, SATURDAY

Afteranotherheartybreakfast,thismorningwedonourhikingbootsforour6milehikeontheAppalachianTrailfromJarrardGaptoNeelGap,crossing BloodMountain. BloodMountain is the highest peak on theGeorgiasectionoftheAppalachianTrailandthesixth-tallestmountaininGeorgia,withanelevationof4,458feet.Thispeakhasscenicviewsfromthelargerockformationsthattopthemountain,aswellasatwo-roomstoneshelterbuiltin1934bytheCivilianConservationCorps.Ourhikewillprobablytakeaboutfivehours,aswestopoftenforpicturesandtoeat lunch.Aftersomesignificantupanddown,weendourhikeattheonly place on the AT where the trail passes through a man-madestructure, Mountain Crossings Outfitter. After we've had a chance toshowerandchange,it'stimetoheadtothesquareinDahlonegafortheAppalachianJam:everySaturdayfolksbringtheirinstrument(s)andjuststart playing and/or singing on the Dahlonega square. If Appalachianmusicisnotyourstyle,therearealsolotsofshopstocheckout.Afteracoupleofhours,we'llmeetandadjourntoalocalrestaurantfordinnerout.

D A Y 4 OCTOBER1, SUNDAY

Ourbreakfastwillberatherlightthismorningbecauseweneedtosaveroom for the brunch atWolfMountain Vineyards! Yumm!! Brunch istypicallybuffetstyleandservedwithaglassofEstatewine.Sincegettingalittleexercisebeforebeingpresentedwithafeastisalwaysagoodidea,we'llfirstgoonacasual2-milehikeatDeSotoFalls.Aftersavoringourlastmealtogether,weheadtotheairportwhereyoucanplanaflightoutafter5:30pm.

ADDITIONALTRIPINFORMATIONGETTINGTHERE

ForthoseflyingplantoarriveattheHartsfield-JacksonAirport(ATL)inAtlanta,GAintimetomeetyourgroupat12:00pm.YouwillmeetintheairportatriumjustoutsideoftheBurgerKing.Yourguide(s)willbewearingabrightblueAGCt-shirt.Forthosedrivingyoucanmeetattheridingstableat2:30pm,afterridingyoucandrivetotheHikerHostelwhereyoucanleaveyourcar.Alternatively,youcanleaveyourcaratoneoftheairportparkinglotsandmeetattheairport.Moredetailsonthelocationoftheridingstablewillbeincludedinthepre-departuredocument.

If you would like help with any travel plans we recommend our travel agent Sara Schuitemaker atsara@scaneastwest.comorcall800/727-2157

ACCOMMODATIONS

WewillspendthreenightsattheHikerHostel.Thisbeautifulhostelisownedbyoneofourguidesandislovedbywomenwhohavestayedhereonprevioustrips.Ifwehaveatleast10womensignedup,we'llhaveitalltoourselves;inanycasewewillnotneedtoshareroomswithotherfolks.Therearethreebedrooms,eachwith2setsofbunks,sotherewillbefourwomenineachroom.Eachroomhasitsownbathroom,stockedwithbathtowels,handtowels,washclothsandbasichygieneproducts.

WEATHER

Theweatheratthistimeofyearisusually lovelyfallweatherandwekeepourfingerscrossedforgreatfallcolortoo!Typically,thehighsareinthe60'stolow70'sduringtheday,dippingdowntothemid40’satnight.Ofcourse,youneedtobepreparedforrainbutthisisgenerallyadrytimeofyear.

TRAVELINSURANCE

WESTRONGLYRECOMMENDTRIPCANCELLATION/TRIPINTERRUPTIONINSURANCE,WHICHCOVERSYOURCOSTIFYOUNEED TO CANCEL OR INTERRUPT YOUR TRIP for medical reasons, trip delay, lost baggage, and other unforeseenemergencies. Adventures in Good Company will send you information about travel insurance with your registrationinformation,oryoumaypurchasecoveragethroughyourowninsurancecompany.Inordertoavoiddisappointmentandexpenseintheeventthatyoumustcancelyourtripwestronglyurgeyoutopurchasesometypeofinsurancecoverage.YoucanalsosignupforitonlineatTravelexInsurance.Togetthebestrates,use20-0016asyourlocationnumberontheGetAQuotepage.

PACKINGLISTFOOTWEAR__1pairoflightweighthikingboots__1pairofcomfortableathleticshoes,Teva/Chaco/Keensandals,orcrocsforwearingaroundouraccommodationsandin

town.__1pairwatershoes,neoprenesocks/bootiesforraftingday.Pleasenote:Youdoneedtowearshoesthathaveeithera

heeloraheelstrapforrafting.IfyouareOKwithgettingyourcasualshoes(notedabove)wetthenyoudonotneedanotherpairofshoes.Slidetypesandalsandflipflopscannotbeusedforrafting.

__2-3pairsofhikingsocks(somepeoplealsoliketowearlinersocks)CLOTHING__1pairofcomfortablesynthetic/nylonlongpantsforhiking.Zip-offsworkwell__1pairofshorts(optional,especiallyifyouhavezip-offpants)__1lightweight,light-colored,long-sleevedshirttoprotectyoufromthesun__1-2syntheticT-shirtsorshort-sleevedshirts__1lightweightfleecejacketorwoolsweater__1medium-weighttoplayer(Optionsincludealongsleevedwoolshirt,lightweightfleecepull-overorlightweightfleece/woolvest)__1rainparkaandrainpants(seenotesonpackinglistpage4)__Underwear/nightwear__1wide-brimmedhatorbaseballcapforprotectionfromthesun__1lightweightwoolorfleecehat__1lightweightpairwoolorfleecegloves__1–2changesofcomfortableclothestoweararoundthehotelsandouttodinnerTOILETRIES(smalleverything)__Toothbrush,toothpaste,dentalfloss,wetwipes,contactlensparaphernalia,andsanitarysupplies__SunscreenandlipprotectionwithsunblockofatleastSPF15__Insectrepellant__smallpersonal“patchkit”:Band-Aids,SecondSkin,moleskin,clothathletictape,ibuprofen,personalmedications,ifany.

Individualsallergictoinsectbitesmustbringananaphylactickit.ESSENTIALS__Sunglasses(100%UVprotection) __Croakiesorothersunglassesretainer __1daypacklargeenoughtoholdyoursuppliesfortheday(water,snacks,sunscreen,raingear,fleecejacket,personalpatchkit,etc.).Linewithatrashbag.__Capabilityto‘waterproof’yourbackpack.Eitherapackraincoveroraheavy-dutyplasticbagtolineyourpack.__1literwaterbottleorhydrationsystem__Hikingpoles(optionalbutrecommendedforyourhikeupBloodMountain)__Earplugs(foragoodnight’ssleep!)__Yourfavoritesnack__Plasticcontainerforsandwich__Headlamp/smallflashlight(Asmallheadlampismostusefulforreadinginyourbunkatnight)OPTIONAL(personalpreference,notrequired)__Camera(extrabattery)andfilm/memorycard __Book,notebook,journal,pencil/pen __Binoculars __Wristwatch/travelalarmclock

NOTESONPACKINGAdventuresinGoodCompany'spackinglistcoverseverythingyouneedtoassureyoursafetyandcomfort.Becausewestayindoorseverynight,youmaybetemptedtoskimponthewarmclothes.Don't.Weatherinthemountainscanbequitevariable.Itmaybewarmandsunny,coolanddrizzly,orboth.Itisessentialthatyouhavetheraingearandclothestostaywarmduringthedaywhenyouareoutonthetrail.Youmaynotuseeverythingyoubring;however,youneedtocomepreparedforallpossibleweatherconditions.Packinginaduffelbagorsoft-sidedsuitcase,ratherthanahard-sidedsuitcase,willmakepackingourvaneasier.Pleasedonotbringmorethanoneduffelorsuitcase.Daypacks:Werecommendadaypackwithacapacityofbetween1800and2400cubicinchesasyouwillneedlargeenoughforallyouritemsfortheday.Pleaselineyourdaypackwithadurableplasticbagtokeepyourbelongingsdry.Beforeyouleavehomechecktobesurethatyourdaypackiscomfortabletowearalldayandthatthereisspaceforallofyouritems.Havingadaypackwithpaddedshoulderstrapsandahipbeltwillprovideformuchmorecomfortablehiking. Footwear:Well-fitting,sturdybootsortrailshoesareveryimportanttoyoursafetyandenjoyment.Ifyouplantobuynewboots,breaktheminbywearingthemaroundtownandtakingsomeshorthikesbeforeyourtrip.Forgeneraltrekking,lightweightcorduraorleatherbootsworkwell.Leatherbootsmaybewaterproofedinvarioussimpleways,andcordurabootswillbewaterproofiftheyarelinedwithGore-Tex.Ifyouhaveweakanklesorarerecoveringfromanankleinjury,getgoodqualitybootsthatcomeabovetheankle–you’llfindthatthiswillgiveyoumoresupportinunevenorslipperyterrain.PersonalFirstAidKit:Smallfirstaidkitwithfamiliarmedicineyoumightneedforpersonaluse,ESPECIALLYblisterorfootremedieslikemoleskin(notmolefoam),gelskin,blisterbandagesorsimilar.Theamountandkindyoubringwilldependonyourtendencytoblisterbutmanypeoplegetblistersonhikingtours.Othersuggestions:remediesforrespiratoryailments?Stomachailments?Soremusclesorjoints?Wewillhaveafirstaidkittoo,butifyoualreadyknowwhatworksforyouit’sbettertohaveitClothing:Layeringisthemostpracticalandefficientmethodofinsulatingthebody.Severallayersofvariedweightmaterialsprovidebetterinsulationthanonethicklayerofclothing.Also,addingorsubtractinglayersallowsyoutoadjusttothetemperatureatyourparticularlevelofactivity.Youcanuselongunderwearasyourbaselayer,yourmid-weighttoporvestasyoursecondlayer,andyourfleecejacketasathirdlayer.Youuseyourraingearasyourouterlayer,andwarmhatand/orglovesasneeded.

RainGear:Youwillneedaparkaorjacketmadeofacoatednylonorawaterproof/breathablefabriclikeGore-tex,HellyTech,Membrane,H2No,orUltrex.Besureitkeepswaterout.Beforemakingthisimportantpurchase,besurethatitfitsyouproperly.Itshouldbelargeenoughtofitoverallyourlayers.Inparticular,thehoodneedstobeeffective.Itshouldshieldyourfacefromtherainandturnwithyourhead.Movementofyourarmsmustnotinterferewiththehood.Putonyourdaypack;canyoustillraiseyourarms?Lastly,thewind/rainpants.Theyshouldbecomfortable,allowenoughroomforyourlayers,andpermitfreemovementofyourlegs(forexample,canyoucrouchcomfortably?).Partialorfull-lengthlegzippersareusefulforeasilyputtingyourpantsonoveryourboots.Hydration:Itisveryimportanttoyoursafetyandenjoymenttohaveanindependentabilityforaccessingyourwater.Asyouarehikingyouwillneedwatertobeaccessibleinordertodrinkfrequently.Onemethodistohaveawaterbottleattachedtoyourwaiststrap.AnotheroptionistouseaHYDRATIONSYSTEMsuchasCamelBak,Platypus,andMSRbladderbags,whicharesimplyacollapsiblewaterbagwithahoseattachmentthatyoudrinkfrom.Thesefitinsideyourpackwiththehosepositionedoveryourshoulderwhereyoucanaccessyourwaterwithouttheuseofyourhands.Somemodelsaredesignedtoattachtotheoutsideofyourpack.Bladderbagscanhold40-100oz.ofwater.TrekkingPoles:Trekkingpolesareoptionalforthistrip.Trekkingpolescontributetoyoursafetybyimprovingyourbalanceandstability,andtoyourhealthbysavingstressonyourhipsandknees.Inaddition,theyhelpconserveyourenergybytransferringsomeoftheworktoyourarmsandchest.Ifyouarenotfamiliarwithtrekkingpoleswehave

writtenablogspotthataddressesthemostcommonlyaskedquestionsabouttrekkingpoles.Youcanfindthatat:http://blog.adventuresingoodcompany.com/blog-women-travel/bid/154714/Trekking-poles-for-hiking-trips-the-4-most-common-questionsIfyouwillbepurchasingtrekkingpolesforyourtrippleasemakesuretheymeetthefollowingguidelines:1.Heightofthepolescanbeadjusted2.Theyhaveanupright(asopposedtocane-like)handle3.Havewriststrapsthatcanbeadjusted.

• Foradetaileddescriptionofconsiderationswhenpurchasingapairoftrekkingpolespleasesee:http://blog.adventuresingoodcompany.com/blog-women-travel/bid/153280/Choosing-Trekking-Poles-for-your-Next-Hiking-Trip

Pleasenote:Trekkingpolescanbeanexpensiveequipmentpurchase.Ifthisisnewtoyouwesuggestpurchasinganinexpensivepair(EBay,orsomeofthebigboxstorescanbeagoodsource)orborrowapairfromafriend.Duringyourtripyouwillhavetheopportunitytolearnthecorrecttechniquetousethem,practicewiththemandalsoseewhatothersmayhavechosen.Onceyou’vegainedabitofexperienceandyouknowthathikingisgoingtobearegularpartofyourlife,youcanmakeamoreinformeddecisionaboutwhetheryouwanttoinvestinthe‘perfect’pairofpoles.ImportantNoteregardingluggage:Pleasefollowthepackinglistcloselytoavoidexcessiveluggage.Werecommendpackinginamedium-sizesuitcaseorduffelwithwheels.Youmustbeabletoeasilyhandleyourownluggagekeepinginmindthatsomehotelsmaynothaveelevatorsandnegotiatingstairsmaybenecessary