North Meets South in the Blue Ridge Mtns Oct 24-26

[BMThiker]

We've joined forces with the Olde North State Cruisers and combined our usual fall run in Cullowhee with our North Meets South run. If you've never been to Cullowhee with the Upstate Cruisers, you are missing out. This is my personal favorite and these trails provide some of the best views of our beloved east coast mountains.

jfz80 (Jason) is heading up the gang from ONSC, so any of you folks from the North need to check in with him on the ONSC forum for role call.

I'm hoping to enlist some help from some of our UC veterans in organizing our group.

Attending Since guys are posting in both forums, I'm combining the ONSC list with ours. We'll divide up at the meeting spot.
indicates I have your completed Waiver & ICE Forms.

Friday early group (11:45AM):
BMThiker (+1)
jfz80 (+1 and dog)
little_joe
concretejungle (+2 and dog)
MTWeller*
southerncruiser62 (+1)
Brock
s4cruiser (+1 and dog)
BillWright
diggity
steenh
mpeagan
k9crazy
clemsoncruiser (+1) <<<Also Friday PM, fetching later arrivals around 4:30PM
Gwagg (+1)
77Cruiser (+1)
addicted56
Timbo
$out* not camping
FJ40z*
waldrtw*

Friday Late group (4-5PM):
Mtbcoach (+1 and dog)
fourtrax (+1)
ROLDS (+1)
rutbeer
proinv
TRfWJ (maybe+1)

Saturday group (11AM):
sigep0359 (+1)bringing forms with him.
1972FJ40
cruiser4life arriving on his own.
1969Cruzer
trollhole possibly arriving verrry late.


The general plan is this:

• UC & ONSC meet at the usual park for a group photo and driver meeting on Friday around 11AM-12noon.
• The UC group will take one route up to one of the camps and the ONSC group will take another route up to a different camp.
• Then our paths will meet up on Saturday night for a big group camp at the upper Bald Camp.
• For those that cannot meet on Friday noon to start, we'll devise an alternate route for you to meet up with us later at the camps. [4:30PM Friday & 11AM Sat]

This is one of the best expedition runs we do all year. Certainly not one to miss if you enjoy camping out beyond the reach of cell towers.

We will be collecting waivers and ICE information for this run. If we can pull it off, we'll make advance copies available that you can fill out and e-mail back to us. If not then have your information available when we meet at the drivers meeting on Friday. [Update: Forms have been emailed out. If you have not received the forms from me, please let me know. PM me your email addy.]


[TSHIRT SALES COUNTER NOW CLOSED] We may have a few extras at the event for purchase.

[jfz80]

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! cant wait; got the role call started on ONSC. See you guys in a month.

[ClemsonCruiser]

Thanks Rick and Jason for taking the lead on this one........... this is the one event I will not miss and I can't wait!!!!

[landtank]

Me and Mike were hoping to be able to make a last trip down this year but unfortunately we can't make this one. You guys take a lot of pics and have a good time.

[cruiser4life]

Awesome, this will be a great trip. Looking forward to it!!

[BillWright]

Yo.
b

[steenh]

I'm in... not one I'll ever miss.

TV going to be there again? UGA/LSU game that day/night. Might be a big game.

[BZEP]

Looking forward to it!!!

[boombapslappy]

Can't make this one (again). The fall is a busy time for Scouting, not to mention, we're closing on our house on the 15th. Lots to do.

Have fun!

[eventhough]

I unfortunately won't be able to make this one either. I hope everyone has fun, be safe, and take plenty of pics!

[Carp]

I'm out for this one, no matter how much I want to go. The new baby will only be a few weeks old, so no getting out of the house for a weekend for me. I want to see lots of good pics! Make sure you get some good mountain shots, will be nice for the Mountain groups logo.

[concretejungle]

Originally Posted by BillWright

Yo.
b

Bill, hope you don't get sick this time out

[sigep0359]

I'm in 100%, going to get the sliders put on the 60 and will have the HAM tuned just in case....

[BZEP]

Any chance someone might be able to PM me some more info regarding Saturday nights campsite. No way I can get a 3day weekend, but I would really like to get up early Saturday and head up that way. Thanks.

[mpeagan]

Rick,

I am in on this one. I fyou need a hand with anything, give me a holler.

[BMThiker]

Originally Posted by BZEP

Any chance someone might be able to PM me some more info regarding Saturday nights campsite. No way I can get a 3day weekend, but I would really like to get up early Saturday and head up that way. Thanks.

Brian-we'll be giving out more details as we get closer to the event. But rest assured, we've considered the fact that many won't be able to get away for 3 days. We're working on the exact routes and will email final details to "registered" participants (no fees, just paperwork).

[cruiser4life]

Originally Posted by BZEP

Any chance someone might be able to PM me some more info regarding Saturday nights campsite. No way I can get a 3day weekend, but I would really like to get up early Saturday and head up that way. Thanks.

Depending upon what time you get there I may be able to meet you around town on Sat. Let's catch up as it gets closer if that would help.

[BZEP]

Originally Posted by BMThiker

Brian-we'll be giving out more details as we get closer to the event. But rest assured, we've considered the fact that many won't be able to get away for 3 days. We're working on the exact routes and will email final details to "registered" participants (no fees, just paperwork).

Rick, Sounds Great. Thanks!!!!

Originally Posted by cruiser4life

Depending upon what time you get there I may be able to meet you around town on Sat. Let's catch up as it gets closer if that would help.

Andy, I will be in touch. Thanks!!!

[BillWright]

Count me on that too please. I just realized I have to be in G'Vegas Friday night.
b

Originally Posted by BZEP

Rick, Sounds Great. Thanks!!!!



Andy, I will be in touch. Thanks!!!

[Mtbcoach]

Thanks for putting this together Rick and Jason. I'm good for the weekend for sure, working on getting Friday off also.

Hope you don't mind that I link this thread on the "blue room" so see if we can get some of them out, joining one or the other clubs for the event...

[BMThiker]

For those that have never been on this run before and will be participating 2 or 3 days, I have a few pointers. For those that have done this trip, they are good reminders.

First of all, this is not a typical wheeling event with major obstacles around every corner, but we can be on the trails for 5-8 hours a day. Most stock vehicles can do this trip. Rear lockers are not a must, but those that have run without them before wished they'd had them. In any case, everyone helps everyone, and if a strap is needed, don't feel embarrassed. The worst this trail ever gets is muddy (with recent rains) and becomes difficult for some hill climbs. Expect some areas to be off-camber and some to be a bit rocky. Pinstriping can occur in the wooded areas of the trails. Make sure you have a proper spare tire. I cannot think of a time in recent years that someone did not change a tire (myself on two occassions). Bring extra gas cans if your truck burns gas the way mine does at 3 mph for six hours.



Secondly, this is primitive camping. There are no nearby port-o-johns, showers, or electrical hook-ups. You will need to pack ALL of your food for the weekend and some means of preparing it. You will not have an opportunity to go back to town and stock up or get take-out.
Leaving camp or your group is reserved for emergencies only.



It is very likely you WILL be out of cell phone range. Bring your HAM/CB radios, or FRS/GMRS radios at a minimum. If we have caravans of 8+ rigs, trail communications will be key to arriving safely and timely at camp.


We can be several hours from the nearest town, depending on what trail we are on. Please be knowledgeable about your onboard First Aid kits should you need them. And above all, just be safe on this trip.


In the past, the weather has varied from very windy & chilly to warm & sunny. We'll keep an eye on the weather forecasts up until we depart and try to prepare everyone for the conditions. Plan to bring a good outer shell and insulating under layers. On some previous trips the camps have been extremely windy and unsafe for campfires. So you need to be able to bundle up warmly in case we cannot safely keep a fire going. Don't forget to bring a folding chair too. Another tip I have for windy weather is to bring an extra tarp if you are tent camping. It can be set up as a wind deflector, as the high mtn winds seem to blow right thru a standard tent.




We'll have great views from several spots on the trails and definitely at the camps. Bring your camera and extra batteries.


Also, dogs are welcome, if well behaved

[BMThiker]

Let's get a roll call going.

Post up which day you will be arriving and what timeslot you fall into. We are planning on only three options. Once we have input from all those attending, we'll narrow down the late entry times.

Primary Start: Friday Noon (this is set)
1st Delayed Start: Friday later afternoon (4 or 5ish, to be determined)
Last Start: Saturday morning (9-11am-ish, to be determined)

I'll update the first post to add names of those attending.

[steenh]

I'm in, Friday noon.

[proinv]

Rick

Your write-up helps! I plan to make this trip.

[ClemsonCruiser]