The Ultimate Strider Adventure 2010

A Nine-Day Appalachian Mountain Journey
August 7-15, 2010

 Dear Parents,

 We are excited to offer an all-new Ultimate Strider Adventure this summer. From August 7-15, 2010, we’ll be hiking on a new section of the Appalachian Trail, seeing new sights, and sleeping in different shelters. Because the Nantahala Center was a big hit on our last adventure, we decided to expand our stay there, to experience twice the amount of white water rafting, and a new all-day high ropes course. If you are interested in this program, the following is our itinerary and travel plan. Al is happy to talk with you if you have any questions or concerns. Please call 732-2274 or 724-9449. We are looking forward to this!

 Trip overview: We will rent a van to take us from Durham to the Appalachian Trail. The 9-day journey will begin at the Standing Indian Mountain area south of the Nantahala Outdoor Center. We will hike and camp south to north for 5 days and 4 nights on the Appalachian Trail. On Thursday morning, we will arrive at the Nantahala Center, take a break from hiking and enjoy fishing, white water rafting, and high ropes challenges for the remainder of the trip.

 It will be an experience! We will accept a maximum of 12 adventurers. Check our website for registration information: www.walkyourpathwell.com.

2010 TRIP ITINERARY COMING SOON!!

TRIP ITINERARY FROM 2009

Sat, Aug 8: Meet at Few’s Ford at 10:30am, pack our hiking gear in the van and drive to Deep Gap, near Franklin, NC. We’ll hike about 1 mile, try some fire challenges and campfire cooking at the Standing Indian Shelter where we will spend the night.

 

Sun, Aug 9: Hike through Standing Indian Mountain and Coleman Gap. Sunday night we will stay at Carter Gap shelter.

 

Mon, Aug 10: Continue our hike, check out the vista at Ridgepole Mountain (5,000’). We will arrive at Big Spring Gap Shelter to spend the night.

 

Tues, Aug 11: Hike through Glassmine Gap, continue our hike to Rock Gap Shelter.

 

Wed, Aug 12: On our last day of hiking we’ll be climbing up to Rocky Cove Knob then descending down to Winding Star Gap – We’ll pick up our van at Winding Star Gap and shuttle over to the Nantahala Outdoor Center for a hot meal.

 

Thurs, Aug 13: We’ll be at the Nantahala Outdoor Center for white water rafting, high ropes course, river play and swimming. We will enjoy hot meals and sleep on tent platforms down by the river at the NOC. You may check out the video describing group adventures offered at the Nantahala Outdoor Center at: www.noc.com/group_video.html.

 

Fri, Aug 14: More adventures at Nantahala. We’ll call home to check in, wash our clothes, restock our supplies, and play Walk Your Path Well games in our down time.

 

Sat, Aug 15: We’ll experience white water rafting on the Pigeon River and camp on tent platforms at the Nantahala Center.

 

Sun, Aug 16: We’ll pack up, stop at the final trading post, and say our goodbyes to the wilderness for now. We’ll celebrate our journey with a pizza party. Parents can pick up their adventurers at Few’s Ford at 4 pm.

 

 

GENERAL Q&A:

 How will water be supplied? All the water we drink will be purified. Streams and springs are available every 2-3 miles on the trail and adventurers will be encouraged to drink at every water source. We will use Al’s UV water purifiers and hand pump and no water will be consumed unless it has been purified. Adventurers do not need a water purifying system, only 2 good Nalgene water containers.

 How will food be supplied? Al will supply oatmeal and dried fruit for breakfast, peanut butter bagels for lunch, and dinner will include fire-roasted chicken nuggets, noodle dishes, dried vegetables, and hotdogs. Adventurers should supplement the meals provided by bringing their own power bars, beef jerky, dried fruit and nuts.

 What is the Emergency Plan? Nantahala Rangers will have been informed of our journey and will have our itinerary ahead of time. The Emergency Response Team in the area will be notified of our plan and itinerary. We will be in communication with the Ranger Station at checkpoints throughout the journey. We will have cell phone access in most areas throughout the journey. There may be a few spots in the lowest hiking elevation where cell phone reception is spotty (in this case we will send an adult runner back up the trail to higher elevation where cell phone reception is clear to contact emergency help). In addition, we will always be within a few miles from an access road.

 All is Wilderness First Aid certified and will provide a complete first aid kit. His staff will be First Aid certified as well. In case of emergency, he will care for the adventurer while emergency response team arrives. Al is committed to safety. He has been leading groups of young adults and children into the wilderness for over 15 years. During this time, a serious accident has never occurred, only minor scrapes, as Al has done his best to create a safe environment. The key to this success is Al’s experience in preparation and prevention. Most important is the staff’s consistent, mindful attention to each child’s capability and needs.

 
Who will be on staff? Al will hand-pick 2 college-age counselors from Camp Riverlea based on their character, skills and level of responsibility to join us on the adventure. Both will be trained in First Aid.

 What will each adventurer need to bring?

Hiking gear

1.  Backpack

2.  Sleeping bag

  1. Thermarest (lightweight mat)
  2. Two Nalgene water bottles (or 1 Nalgene and 1 Camel Back)
  3. Small plastic bowl and a spoon
  4. Hygiene kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, 1 small towel)
  5. High-pitched whistle

Clothes

1.   Hiking boots or lightweight hikers or sturdy tennis shoes 

2.      River shoes (light weight) 

3.      Shirt and shorts for hiking

4.      Bathing suit

5.      Extra clothes: 1 shirt, 1 long-sleeve shirt, 3 pairs socks, 3 pairs underwear

6.      For rain or cooler weather: 1 winter hat, 1 pair sweat pants, 1 light-weight poncho

Snacks to supplement meals

1.      1 Box of Power Bars (12) for yourself

2.      3 Bags of Jerky for yourself

3.      Create your own ziplock bag of GORP (Granola, Oatmeal, Raisins, Peanuts)

Cash for meals at Nantahala Center: $65

 

OPTIONAL: utility knife, flashlight/headlamp, bandana, fire-starter, paperback book

GOAL: It is very important to the success of our journey that each adventurer carry only what is necessary, and the lightest possible necessary items. Al’s staff will carry essential items such as tarps, some food, water purifier, gas stove, etc. NO SUPERFLUOUS ITEMS PLEASE!

 

How can I prepare for the journey starting today?

1.  Hike a few miles with friends and family from time to time in local state parks

2.  Break in the hiking boots/shoes you will be wearing on the journey

3.  Hike a few miles with your packed backpack, to get a sense of the weight you will be carrying. In addition, learn to adjust the straps

4.  Practice rolling your sleeping bag and quickly storing it in your backpack

5.  Read any wilderness / survival books that interest you

6.  Attend some of Al’s Walk Your Path Well adventures to build outdoor skills

7.  Create a checklist for items to bring and check off items you have

8.  Do sit-ups and push-ups daily to build strength and play outdoors more

9.  Prepare questions for Al and staff. Feel free to call or email any concerns, inquiries, or suggestions, to help make this experience a lifetime memory!

 

More questions? Call Al with any further questions or concerns:

732-2274 (home) 724-9449 (cell)