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APPALACHIANAUTUMNADVENTURESSEPTEMBER28-OCTOBER1,2017
TRIPSUMMARY
HIGHLIGHTS
• Ridingwell-trainedhorsesonforesttrailsandbackroads• WhitewaterraftingontheChattanoogaRiver• HikingonthelegendaryAppalachianTrail• SavoringasumptuousbrunchatWolfMountainVineyards• Enjoyingdowntimeandcamaraderie
Phone:877-439-4042OutsidetheUS:410-435-1965Fax:410-435-3084Email:[email protected]
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 [email protected]/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