CANCELLED -- Backpacking 1-Night, GWNF Big & Little Schloss (16 miles)

CANCELLED due to lack of attendees

Details
Big Schloss, Mill Mountain, Little Schloss Spring Overnighter!!!
This 16-mile loop is a winter backpacking adventure in the GWNF. We will hike up Big Schloss, then backtrack to hike over Mill Mountain. There is a camp site on the way to Little Schloss that we can enjoy the night at. The second day will continue on to Little Schloss and then backtrack slightly to head down to the cars.

• This hike is rated as MODERATELY DIFFICULT due to early Spring weather conditions
• Pace 2.25-2.50 mph
• Miles 16, splits of 11/5
• Elevation Gain: 3,200ft
• "Feels Like" 20 miles
• Hikers: 8 with preference for PATC Members who have not "No Showed".
• If you are a backpacker, but have not tried spring backpacking, feel free to join us, but please reach out to make sure you have the right gear.

Everyone Begins in Waitlist, Explained:
In order to verify that people who sign up have the ability to complete this hike in a reasonable amount of time, everyone will begin in the Waiting List. Once I have verified, I will move you to Going or send you a private message explaining why I didn't. I hope everyone understands but it is important that one person doesn't negatively impact the entire group.
Expectations/Details

• I am a big fan of a nice breakfast before a trip, so there is an Optional breakfast planned.
• We will meet at the carpool location and combine into as few cars as possible. This is especially important as there is unlikely to be cell service at the trailhead. Please be punctual!
• Everyone should be familiar with LNT and agree to adhere to the policy.
• No pets.
• We can grab Sunday lunch on our drive home. As it is only 5 miles and mostly downhill, we should be back to the cars well before noon.

Bring

• Enough water for all day Saturday. The campsite has a spring near it.
• Food for Sat Lunch, Sat Dinner and Sun Breakfast. Plan will be to be back to the cars and enjoy Sun lunch on the way home.
• All necessary gear for backpacking, sleeping, cooking and purifying water in the winter -- it could drop below freezing in the mountains.
• Everyone is responsible for protecting their food from bears and other critters -- a bear canister, Ursack or bear bag is required.
• Everyone is expected to have all of their own gear and know how to use it. Sharing is fine as long as it is coordinated offline.

Cold Weather Backpacking

• Tips & Tricks

Hike Route & Info::

• Map: PATC Map F: Great North Mountain-North Half (VA/WV)

Admission:

• This is a free event.
• If carpooling, please contribute towards the driver's gas. It is 80 miles roundtrip from the Carpool Location, so $10 each.

Carpool Location/Parking:

• 7:00am*: Optional Breakfast at Strasburg Diner, 119 Hite Ln, Strasburg, VA 22657*
• 7:45am: Sign PATC Waiver & Coordinate Drivers, Fairfield Inn & Suites Strasburg Shenandoah Valley, 33760 Old Valley Pike, Strasburg, VA 22657.
• Enter parking lot, bear right and park near the back. It is well lit.
• 8:00am Depart

Notes:

• The PATC requires each hiker to sign a liability waiver, which will be available at the meeting location.
• Please check Meetup the night before. I will cancel a hike due to unsafe conditions by 6:00pm.
• I understand that plans change and people's tolerance of the weather forecast may be different than mine. If you decide to cancel, please update your RSVP as early as possible, so we know who to expect. No-Shows will be recorded and have the lowest priority on future trips.
• Attendance is limited at the discretion of our hike leaders. PATC rules do not permit children under 18 years to participate in a hike without a parent or guardian present.
• Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Club volunteers maintain over 1000 miles of trails in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia, including 240 miles of AT (and the section we will hike!). For more information about PATC, please visit https://www.patc.net/

Any questions, please ask!!