GTD Official Website: NOMAD Backpacking Trip (May 26-29, 2017)

GTD PROGRAM	SWEAT DROP RATING	COMFORT RATING	POINTS CONTEST	EVENT COST
ADVENTURE	3.0 (TOUGH)	HARDCORE	4.0	$199+

NOMAD Backpacking Trip - Jacks River Trail
May 26-29, 2017 (Fri-Mon) (Memorial Day Weekend) - Blue Ridge, GA

(3% "Tax" added when paying online to cover PayPal fees)

- EVENT SUMMARY -

The Gist

NOMAD BACKPACKING TRIP

NOMAD is one of GTD's exciting backpacking adventures into the wild. Nowadays it's a rare opportunity to escape all of the busyness of life and enjoy the serenity that is found in God's majestic creation. Yet, it is something that we all long for. NOMAD is your ticket to God's untamed amusement park - the wilderness. With packs on our back full of essential gear GTD will guide you through this multi-day journey on a premiere back-country trail. Along the trail we will encounter stunning views, beautiful plant life, and the possible sightings of wildlife. This is a Christ-centered, adventurous, and primitive hike. Once we leave the parking lot we will be in the wilderness for multiple days where there are no special amenities beyond what you carry in your backpack. Each morning we will jump start the day with some powerful Biblically based devotions and each night we will be jolted to life with a challenging Biblical message. Our hope is that God will impact your life in an unbelievable way. So come join GTD on this amazing backpacking adventure we call NOMAD!

- HIGHLIGHT VIDEO -

Get A Glimpse Of Our Adventures!

- EVENT DETAILS -

The Specifics

EVENT:

NOMAD Backpacking Trip - Jacks River Trail

DATE(S):

May 26-29, 2017 (Fri-Mon) (Memorial Day Weekend) (4 Days / 3 Nights)

AGE RANGE:

16 and older (17 and under must be accompanied by an adult)

ACTIVITIES:

Backpacking 17 miles over 4 days (includes 42 river crossings)

COST:

$199/person!!! (plus meals)
Optional: Transportation with GTD ($75/person)

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MINISTRY PARTNER'S DISCOUNT.... $179!!

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TO REGISTER (2 STEP PROCESS):

STEP 1: ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER!! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
STEP 2: PAY FOR THE EVENT. Select one of our payment options to lock in your spot.

STARTING TIME:

May 26th at ____pm (meeting at Walmart in Blue Ridge, GA)

ENDING TIME:

May 29th at ____pm (ending at Walmart in Blue Ridge, GA)

LOCATION:

Jacks River Trail (Cohutta Wilderness Area - Blue Ridge, GA)

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Backpacking: 1-man tents, 2-man tents, or cocoon hammock

MIN. PEOPLE:

MAX. PEOPLE:

CANCEL DATE:

May 12, 2017 (if minimum amount of people is not reached)

TRANSPORTATION:

Carpool
Van ride with GTD (extra fee: $75)

DEPARTURE INFO:

MEET-UP SPOTS: _________________ (TBD)

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For liability sake we can NOT recommend leaving your car in an unsecure location. Park at own risk! GTD CAN NOT GUARANTEE VEHICLE SAFETY AT ANY LOCATION!

SAMPLE AGENDA OVERVIEW (subject to change):

FRIDAY

Drive to Blue Ridge, GA (Breakfast)

Meet at Walmart

Welcome, Introductions, Collect Waivers

Distribute Gear; Pack Backpacks

Position Vehicles at Ending Point (Lunch)

Drive to Trailhead

Group Picture & Group Prayer

Start Backpacking

Hike approx 2 Miles

Set-up Camp

Dinner; Campfire; Fellowship; Impact Point

Lights Out

SATURDAY

Wake-Up; Breakfast

Morning Devotions

Stretches; Pictures

Break Camp; Pack Backpack

Hike approx 5 Miles (Lunch)

Set-up Camp

Dinner; Campfire; Fellowship; Impact Point

Lights Out

SUNDAY

Wake-Up; Breakfast

Morning Devotions

Stretches; Pictures

Break Camp; Pack Backpack

Hike approx 2 Miles

Swim & Rock Jumps at JACKS RIVER FALLS (Lunch)

Hike approx 3 Miles

Set-up Camp

Dinner; Campfire; Fellowship; Impact Point

Lights Out

MONDAY

Wake-Up; Breakfast

Morning Devotions

Stretches; Pictures

Break Camp; Pack Backpack

Hike approx 5 Miles (Lunch)

End of Hike; Get Vehicles

Goodbyes; Depart

Drive Home

WEATHER:

BE PREPARED FOR ALL TYPES OF WEATHER! Check the weather forecast for Blue Rideg, GA before arrival and prepare accordingly. Typical weather for this time of the year is cooler, sunny, and moderate potential for rain. Temperatures usually average a high of 78°F and a low of 50°F. Be prepared for the weather. Use sunscreen. Wear shade hats. Stay hydrated. Wear appropriate clothing for the forecasted weather. Always bring a poncho!

MEAL(S):

The meals you purchase for this trip will be packed in. We will be supplying you with portable backpacking stoves & cookware for cooking.
WHERE TO PURCHASE: Most grocery stores such as Publix have great selections at low costs. Sporting good stores and online vendors such as Amazon carry specialty backpacking meals & usually cost a little more.
AMOUNT: Bring enough food for 9 camping meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners) plus trail snacks. It's better to have a little too much than not enough.
SIZE, WEIGHT, & PACKAGING: Food should be lightweight and easy to prepare. Seal it in zip-lock bags. The main things that add to unnecessary food weight is water and metal. For this reason avoid bringing canned foods in metal cans and meals that already have water added to them. Bring dehydrated and freeze dried meals in lightweight packaging when possible.
STOVE & COOKWARE: There will be camp stoves, utensils, mess kits, and cooking pots supplied. Each backpacker will be required to pack in these items.
BACKPACKING MEAL EXAMPLES: Mountain House makes a fantastic selection of dehydrated and freeze dried backpacking meals (you can usually find the best deals on amazon.com). Some examples of backpacking foods that you can find at grocery stores are instant mashed potatoes & instant gravy, tortillas & pepperoni with sealed cheese, Ramen noodles, Knorr pasta packets, vacuum-sealed tuna fish, vacuum-sealed salmon, vacuum-sealed chicken breast, spaghetti w/sauce, granola/breakfast bars, pop tarts, freeze dried foods, pastas, oatmeal, dried fruits, peanut butter, jelly packets, hard rolls, nuts, m&m's, raisins, sunflower seeds, trail mix, etc. PLEASE DON'T BRING MAC & CHEESE - IT BURNS TO THE COOKING POTS.
SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO freeze a small steak or some type of meat and let it thaw as we are hiking to our campsite so they can enjoy it for their first meal.
ALSO: This is a decent place to go fishing if you would like to attempt catching your own dinner.

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

Full time guides, event planning, most backpacking gear - camping equipment - cooking supplies, Christ-centered devotional, a God-awesome lifelong memory!

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

Transportation (extra fee $75), meals during transit, backpacking meals & snacks, items listed on checklist (see below).

REQUIRED WAIVERS:

GTD Waiver (please print & complete prior to arrival). *Note: Any participant under 18 must also have parent/ guardian sign each waiver.

PAYMENT INFO:

GTD events can be paid for with cash, checks, or debit / credit cards.
To pay online with a debit or credit card scroll to the Pay Now button on this link (3% "Tax" added when paying online to cover PayPal fees).
Send checks to the mailing address on the Contact link.
Bring cash payments to the GTD office (call ahead before coming).

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS:

GTD: 727-692-5296 (GTD cell phone - Doug Garner)

- HIGHLIGHTS & FEATURES -

What Makes This Adventure So Amazing!

CAMPING ALONG A PRISTINE RIVER IN DESIGNATED "WILDERNESS" AREA
Designated wilderness areas were created by congress with passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964. Wilderness designation preserves the natural state of the land and protects flora and fauna by prohibiting both development and machinery of any type. Human activities in wilderness areas are restricted to scientific study and non-mechanized recreation; horses are permitted but mechanized vehicles and equipment, such as cars and bicycles, are not. The Wilderness Act defines wilderness as "an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammelled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain."

JACKS RIVER FALLS
One of the main highlights of Jacks River Trail is Jacks River Falls. This picturesque 3-tier waterfall has several spots for lounging, swimming, and cliff jumping. It's the perfect place to play, relax, and enjoy lunch.

CLIFF JUMPS & SWIMMING
Are you looking for a little added thrill to your backpacking trip? Superb cliff jumps and swimming holes should meet that need!

42 RIVER CROSSINGS IN BREATHTAKING SCENERY
A trail that crosses the same river 42 times over nearly 17 miles of breathtaking scenery is not only a novelty, it's a rarity! Another trail like this is nearly impossible to find!

HAMMOCK CAMPING IS A GREAT OPTION
The Cohutta Wilderness supplies an abundance of large lush healthy trees which makes hammocking a relatively easy accomplishment.

- ABOUT THE TRAIL -

A Few Details About Your Destination

Jacks River Trail
17 Miles; 42 River Crossings

A massive amount of timber was pulled from the Cohutta Wilderness in the 1900s, with four logging camp employing 300 to 400 men. The effort grew so intense that when logging began along Jacks River in 1929, a railway was built to carry out the lumber. By the late 1930s, the tracks were removed, and now all that remains are a few stone supports and scattered scraps of wood and metal. What thrives now is the popular Jacks River Trail, which follows the old rail bed through magnificent forest of hemlock, oak, hickory, and ferns. (an excerpt from www.trails.com)

The Jacks River trailhead lies tucked into dense greenery 100 miles north of Atlanta. Dozens of glass-clear swimming holes line the 16.3-mile route that drops 1,592 feet from trailhead to terminus, near the Tennessee border. (an excerpt from www.backpacker.com)

TOTAL TRIP LENGTH: 17 miles

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Intermediate
RIVER CROSSINGS: 42 (usually ankle to knee deep; ranging from 20-60 feet wide)
ELEVATION GRADE: Primarily slopping gradually downhill for the entirety of the trip with occasional short inclines scattered throughout.
SCENERY: Phenomenal!

- TRAINING -

Be Prepared For Your Backpacking Adventure

Training For This Trip: COMING SOON

- CHECKLIST -

What We Supply AND What You Should Bring

GEAR PROVIDED BY GTD:

*GTD will supply the following gear for you on this trip.
With prior approval, you may elect to supply your own
gear instead of using GTD's gear.
[ ] Backpack
[ ] Trekking Poles
[ ] Cocoon Hammock or Small Tent
[ ] Sleeping Pad
[ ] Sleeping Bag
[ ] Miniature Backpacker's Pillow
[ ] 2 Lg Water Bottles (1-2 liters)
[ ] Water (fill up prior to trailhead)
[ ] Backpacker Stove / Fuel / Cookware / Utensils
[ ] Backpacking Meals & Some Snacks
[ ] First Aid Kit
[ ] P-Cord (Parachute Cord) (small amt)
[ ] Duct Tape (small amt)
[ ] Small LED Flashlight and/or Headlamp w/ Batteries
[ ] Small Roll of Toilet Paper
[ ] Wet Wipes (small amt: travel size)
[ ] Emergency Whistle
[ ] Signaling Devices
[ ] Poncho
[ ] Small Plastic Bags (1-2) (for wet/dirty clothes)
[ ] Zip Lock Bags (1-2) (Gallon Size)
[ ] Insect Repellent (small amt: travel size)
[ ] Sunscreen
[ ] Travel Bible and/or Daily Devotional

[ ] GTD WAIVER (Filled out and SIGNED prior to participating!)

OPTIONAL GEAR NOT SUPPLIED BY GTD:

[ ] Gloves (Optional use with trekking poles)
[ ] Hydration Pack (1-2 liters)
[ ] Pocket Knife (put this in your checked luggage)
[ ] Sunglasses
[ ] Lip Balm (small amt: travel size)