Fatpacking

Drive or fly into Dulles Airport (IAD). The best time to arrive is between around Noon-3PM. However, if you can save a substantial amount on your flight by arriving at say, 11AM or 5PM, then do so.

Take the free airport shuttle to the Fairfield Inn & Suites Dulles Airport, 23000 Indian Creek Drive, Sterling, VA 20166 USA, 703-435-5300

Equipment shakedown

Trail mix distribution

"Before" measurements taken

Go to EMS Dulles, Dulles 28 Center [Wegman's], 22000 Dulles Retail Plaza, Dulles, VA, 703.421.4330 or REI Fairfax, # 11950 Grand Commons Ave, Fairfax, VA 22030, (571) 522-6568 for last minute or forgotten equipment

Go out for dinner

Second set of "before" measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage.

All the items that you will want for the halfway re-stocking point will be set aside and put in storage.

Breakfast at hotel (included)

Shuttle to Rockfish Trailhead off of I-64

Begin Hiking, elevation 1900'.

Hike 7.0 uphill miles on the Appalachian Trail to Calf Mt. Hut trail junction

Hike 0.3 miles to Calf Mt. Shelter

Camp at Calf Mt. Shelter, elevation 2700'

Miles today: 7.3. Total miles: 7.3

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr.

Hike 0.3 miles back to the Appalachian Trail.

Hike 9.0 miles to Riprap Trail Parking

Dispersed Camping at Calvary Rock, elevation 2800'.

Miles today: 9.3. Total miles: 16.6

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr.

Hike 9.3 miles to Blue Blaze Trail

Hike 0.2 miles to Doyle's River Cabin

Stay in Doyle's River Cabin, elevation 3200'.

Miles today: 9.5. Total miles: 26.1

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr.

Hike 0.2 miles back to the AT

Hike 7.6 miles to Pinefield Hut.

Camp at Pinefield Hut, elevation 2500'

Miles today: 7.8. Total miles: 33.9

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr.

Hike 8.4 miles to Hightop Hut

Camp at Hightop Hut, elevation 3200'

Miles today: 8.4. Total miles: 42.3

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr.

Hike 12.6 miles to Bearfence Hut

Stay at Bearfence Hut, elevation 3250'.

Miles today: 12.6. Total miles: 54.9

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr.

Hike 1.5 miles to Bearfence Rock Scramble

Drop packs and rock scramble for 0.3 miles

Hike 0.2 miles back to the backpacks on the AT

Hike 7.5 miles to Big Meadows

Camp at Big Meadows Campground, elevation 3550', sites D143, D144, & D146

There are coin op laundry facilities here. There are NO laundry facilities at Skyland the next few nights.

Miles today: 9.5. Total miles: 64.4

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr.

Hike 3.1 miles to Rock Spring Hut

Hike 1.0 miles to Byrds Nest 2

Hike 1.1 miles to Hawksbill Gap

Hike 3.3 miles to Skyland

Miles today: 8.5. Total miles: 72.9

Hotel night. Stay in Skyland Resort.

Resupply food and equipment. The stuff you set aside at the beginning of the trip will rejoin you here

Note: lodging is covered in trip cost but meals at lodge are not covered in trip cost

Day Off

Your stuff will be picked up in the afternoon and will re-join you at the end of the trip

Hotel Night

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr.

Hike 9.5 steep (1000') miles down to Thornton Gap.

Hike 1.5 miles to Pass Mt. Hut

Camp at Pass Mt. Hut, elevation 2700'

Miles today: 11.0. Total miles: 83.9

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr.

Hike 8.5 miles to Range View Cabin. Note: Range View Cabin has no electricity or running water, but does have bunks, picnic table, and wood stove.

Stay in Range View Cabin, elevation 2800'

Miles today: 8.5. Total miles: 92.4

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr.

Hike 15.6 miles to Tom Floyd Hut

This may seem like ambitious mileage -- and it is -- but by this point of the trip, you will be in good hiking shape, plus you'll be carrying almost no food. Should it prove to be too challenging, we do have shorter options. On the 2010 trip, all participants except for one successfully hiked the 15.6 miles and arrived tired, but with plenty of daylight to spare. On the 2009 trip, part of the group hiked 21 miles all the way out to the road!

Camp at Tom Floyd Hut, elevation 1900'

Miles today: 15.6. Total miles: 107.8

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr.

Hike 2.9 miles to US-522

Miles today: 2.9. Total miles: 110.7

Possible bailout: Skyline Dr., Front Royal

Shuttle back to Hyatt Place Herndon, 13711 Sawyard Blvd., Herndon, VA 20171, 571-643-0905

Your stuff will be transported here around the time you arrive

After measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony

Free Hotel Breakfast

Take Free Airport Shuttle