APPALACHIANAUTUMNADVENTURESSEPTEMBER27-30,2018

TRIPSUMMARY

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ridingwell-trainedhorsesonforesttrailsandbackroads• WhitewaterraftingontheChattanoogaRiver• HikingonthelegendaryAppalachianTrail• SavoringasumptuousbrunchatWolfMountainVineyards• Enjoyingdowntimeandcamaraderie

Phone:877-439-4042OutsidetheUS:410-435-1965Fax:410-435-3084Email:info@goodadventure.com

TRIPATAGLANCEDates: Sep27-30,2018Location: Dahlonega,GACost: $1050Activities: MultisportArrive: at12pmattheAtlanta,GAairport(ATL)onThursday,September27Depart: at4:00attheairport(plantoflyoutafter5:30pm)onSunday,September30TRIPOVERVIEW

NorthernGeorgia, the jumpingoffpoint for theAppalachianTrail,offersanastoundingarrayofactivitiesforthosewholiketogetoutandplayinthecrisp,invigoratingairoffall.Soonthisfourdaygetaway,wewillsampleasmuchaswecan:horsebackriding,hiking,andwhitewaterrafting.Wewillalsotakeadvantageoftheburgeoningfoodieculturehere,withdinneratoneofthemanyfinerestaurantsandanoutstandingbrunchatalocalwinery.Inbetweenwe'llplantimeforrelaxingandhangingoutwitheachotheratthehostel.Maximumgroupsize:12

RATING

ThistripissuitableforanyhealthyactivewomanwholovesbeingactiveoutdoorsinthefallandexploringthisbeautifulareawithitsrichculturethatrangesfromitsAppalachianroots.Thehikeswe'vechosenarereasonablyshortbuttheyareinthemountains,sowomenshouldbeinsufficientconditiontohikeuphillforacoupleofhours.Aratingof2issuitableforanywomanwhoregularlywalksatabriskpace3to4daysaweekfor35-45minutes.Rating:1[2]345.

WHAT'SINCLUDED

• TwoexperiencedAGCguides• RoundtriptransportationtoandfromtheAtlantaAirport• AllmealsfromdinneronThursdaythroughbrunchonSunday• Threenightslodginginroomssharedbyfourpeopleorsingleroomwithsupplement• Allactivitiesontheitinerary,includinghorsebackriding,rafting,andhiking

NotIncluded:AirfaretoandfromAtlantaairport(ATL)ortheHikerHostelifdriving,guidegratuities,alcoholicbeveragesandtripinsurance.

OURITINERARY

Belowistheproposeditineraryforthetrip.Asistrueonanyadventuretraveltrip,plansforanyspecificdaymay bemodified due toweather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and groupinterests.

D A Y 1 SEPTEMBER27, THURSDAY

We pick you up at the Atlanta (ATL) airport at 12 pm and begin ouradventurewithanafternoonofhorsebackriding.We'llstartwithashortlesson,makingsurethateveryoneiscomfortableonherhorseandknowsthebasicsofriding.Ourtwo-hourtrailrideisjusttherightlength-longenoughthatwecanenjoythesceneryandcoversomegroundonforesttrailsandbackwoodsroads,butnotsolongthatwearetoostifftowalkafterwards!Afterour ride,wecontinue toourhostel foraheartyanddeliciousdinner.Well-fedandwellexercised,wewillbereadyforbedtonight!

D A Y 2 SEPTEMBER28, FRIDAY

Afteraheartybreakfastatthehostel,we'reoffforadayofwhitewaterraftingontheChattoogaRiver.Ifthenameoftheriversoundsfamiliar,yes - it iswhere Deliverancewas filmed. Regardless ofwhat else yourememberaboutthefilm,youwereundoubtedlystruckbythebeautyofthis river. The section we'll be paddling is known for its breathtakingscenery,abundantplantandwildlife,andplayfulClass2and3 rapids,endingwithonebigClass4.Thisrafttripissuitableforwomenwithoutpreviousraftingexperienceandevenifyoudon'tthinkraftingisyourcupof tea, it's really the only way to experience the river's solitude andwildness. After a full day of excitement,we'll return to the hostel foranotherdeliciousdinnerandrelaxingeveningwiths'moresaroundthefireonthebackdeck.

D A Y 3 SEPTEMBER29, SATURDAY

Afteranotherheartybreakfast,thismorningwedonourhikingbootsforour6-milehikeontheAppalachianTrailfromJarrardGaptoNeelGap,crossing BloodMountain. BloodMountain is the highest peak on theGeorgiasectionoftheAppalachianTrailandthesixth-tallestmountaininGeorgia,withanelevationof4,458feet.Thispeakhasscenicviewsfromthelargerockformationsthattopthemountain,aswellasatwo-roomstoneshelterbuiltin1934bytheCivilianConservationCorps.Ourhikewillprobablytakeaboutfivehours,aswestopoftenforpicturesandtoeat lunch.Aftersomesignificantupanddown,weendourhikeattheonly place on the AT where the trail passes through a man-madestructure, Mountain Crossings Outfitter. After we've had a chance toshowerandchange,it'stimetoheadtothesquareinDahlonegafortheAppalachianJam:everySaturdayfolksbringtheirinstrument(s)andjuststart playing and/or singing on the Dahlonega square. If Appalachianmusicisnotyourstyle,therearealsolotsofshopstocheckout.Afteracoupleofhourswe'llmeetandadjourntoalocalrestaurantfordinnerout.

D A Y 4 SEPTEMBER30, SUNDAY

Ourbreakfastwillberatherlightthismorningbecauseweneedtosaveroom for the brunch atWolfMountain Vineyards! Yumm!! Brunch istypicallybuffetstyleandservedwithaglassofEstatewine.Sincegettingalittleexercisebeforebeingpresentedwithafeastisalwaysagoodidea,we'llfirstgoonacasual2-milehikeatDeSotoFalls.Aftersavoringourlastmealtogether,weheadtotheairportwhereyoucanplanaflightoutafter5:30pm.

ADDITIONALTRIPINFORMATIONGETTINGTHERE

Flying-PlantoarriveattheHartsfield-JacksonAirport(ATL)inAtlanta,GAintimetomeetyourgroupat12:00pm.YouwillmeetintheairportatriumjustoutsideoftheBurgerKing.Yourguide(s)willbewearingabrightblueAGCt-shirt.

Driving-Youcanmeetattheridingstableat2:30pm,afterridingyoucandrivetotheHikerHostelwhereyoucanleaveyourcar.Alternatively,youcanleaveyourcaratoneoftheairportparkinglotsandmeetattheairport.Moredetailsonthelocationoftheridingstablewillbeincludedinthepre-departuredocument.

IfyouwouldlikehelpwithanytravelplanswerecommendourtravelagentBarbaraNelson,ScanEastWestTravel,atbnelson@scaneastwest.comorcall206-395-7836.

ACCOMMODATIONS

WewillbestayingattheHikerHostelnearthestartofthetrail.Thehostelisaloghomewithjustunder4000sqftoflivingspace, and sits on a little over three acres of land with views all around. There are two bunk-style rooms that canaccommodatefourpeopleeach.Eachroomhasitsownbathroom,stockedwithbathtowels,handtowels,washclothsand basic hygiene products.Wewill have the entire hostel to ourselves during the trip. There are also single roomsavailable.Wecanaccommodateavarietyofdietarypreferencesandrestrictionsbut,dependingonyourspecificcircumstances,wemayaskyoutobringsupplementalfood.Pleasecontacttheofficeifthisisapotentialconcernforyou.

WEATHER

Theweatheratthistimeofyearisusuallylovelyfallweatherandwewillkeepourfingerscrossedforgreatfallcolortoo!Typically,thehighsareinthe60'stolow70'sduringtheday,dippingdowntothemid40’satnight.Ofcourse,youneedtobepreparedforrainbutthisisgenerallyadrytimeofyear.

TRAVELINSURANCE

WESTRONGLYRECOMMENDTRIPCANCELLATION/TRIPINTERRUPTIONINSURANCE,WHICHCOVERSYOURCOSTIFYOUNEED TO CANCEL OR INTERRUPT YOUR TRIP for medical reasons, trip delay, lost baggage, and other unforeseenemergencies. Adventures in Good Company will send you information about travel insurance with your registrationinformation,oryoumaypurchasecoveragethroughyourowninsurancecompany.Inordertoavoiddisappointmentandexpenseintheeventthatyoumustcancelyourtripwestronglyurgeyoutopurchasesometypeofinsurancecoverage.YoucanalsosignupforitonlineatTravelexInsurance.Togetthebestrates,use20-0016asyourlocationnumberontheGetAQuotepage.

PACKINGLISTFOOTWEAR__1pairoflightweighthikingbootsorshoes__1pairofcomfortableathleticshoes,Teva/Chaco/Keensandals,orcrocsforgeneraluse__1pairwatershoes,neoprenesocks/bootiesforraftingday.Pleasenote:Youdoneedtowearshoesthathaveeithera

heeloraheelstrapforrafting.IfyouareOKwithgettingyourcasualshoes(notedabove)wetthenyoudonotneedanotherpairofshoes.Slidetypesandalsandflipflopscannotbeusedforrafting.

__2-3pairsofhikingsocks(somepeoplealsoliketowearlinersocks)CLOTHING__1pairofcomfortablesynthetic/nylonlongor¾pantsforhiking.Zip-offsworkwell__1pairofshorts(optional,especiallyifyouhavezip-offpants)__1lightweight,light-colored,long-sleevedshirttoprotectyoufromthesun–buttonupthefrontisbest__1-2syntheticT-shirtsorshort-sleevedshirts__1lightweightfleecejacketorwoolsweater__1medium-weighttoplayer(Optionsincludealong-sleevedwoolshirt,lightweightfleecepull-overorlightweightfleece/woolvest)__1rainjacket/ponchoandrainpants–waterproof/breathablefabriclikeGore-tex-notalightweightplasticponcho__Underwear/nightwear__1wide-brimmedhatorbaseballcapforprotectionfromthesun__1lightweightwoolorfleecehat__1lightweightpairwoolorfleecegloves__1–2changesofcomfortableclothestoweararoundthehostelandouttodinnerTOILETRIES(smalleverything)__Toothbrush,toothpaste,dentalfloss,handsanitizer,contactlensparaphernalia,andsanitarysupplies__SunscreenandlipprotectionwithsunblockofatleastSPF15__Insectrepellant__Personalfirstaid/patchkit-Band-Aids,1safetypin,moleskin,Compeed(orblisterbandages),ibuprofen,any

personalmedicationsPleasenote:Individualswhohavehadorhavethepotentialforasevereallergicreactiontoinsectstings,specificfoodsormedicationsmustbringanepi-pen.Pleaseconsultyourphysicianandtellyourguide.ESSENTIALS__1daypacklargeenoughtoholdyoursuppliesfortheday(water,snacks,sunscreen,raingear,fleecejacket,personalpatchkit,etc.).Seenotesonpackinglist__Capabilityto‘waterproof’yourbackpack.Eitheraraincoveroraheavy-dutyplasticbagtolineyourpack.__Capacitytocarry1-2litersofwater__Sunglasses(100%UVprotection)w/retentionstrap __Smallheadlamporflashlight __1–2bandanas/buff__Earplugs(foragoodnight’ssleep!) __Wristwatch/travelalarmclock__Tupperware-likecontainerforsandwich/lunch__Hikingpoles(optionalbutrecommendedforyourhikeupBloodMountain)__Earplugs(foragoodnight’ssleep!)__Yourfavoritesnack(snackswillbeprovided-butbringifyouhaveapersonalpreference)__Plasticcontainerforsandwich__Headlamp/smallflashlight(Asmallheadlampismostusefulforreadinginyourbunkatnight)OPTIONAL(personalpreference,notrequired)__Camera(extrabattery)andfilm/memorycard __Book,notebook,journal,pencil/pen __Binoculars __Wristwatch/travelalarmclock

NOTESONPACKINGAdventuresinGoodCompany'spackinglistcoverseverythingyouneedtoassureyoursafetyandcomfort.Youmaynotuseeverythingyoubring;however,youneedtocomepreparedforallpossibleweatherconditions.Atthesametime,youmustbeabletocarryyourownluggage,sometimesupanddownstairs.Werecommendpackinginaconvenient,wheeledpieceofluggageandbringingwithyouasoft-sided(canvasornylon)dufflewithoutwheels.Daypacks:Yourdaypackshouldbelargeenoughtoholdthefollowingitems:1–2litersofwater,raingear,lunch/snacks(fortheday),sunscreen,warmlayer(fleecepulloverorvest),personalfirstaidkit,lightweightgloves,warmhatandpersonalitemssuchascamera,etc.Werecommendadaypackwithacapacityofbetween25–30Literswithahipbelt,paddedshoulderstraps,and‘lifters’.Lineyourdaypackwithadurableplasticbagtokeepyourbelongingsdry,and/orhaveanelasticizedpackcoverthatfitssnugglyoverit.Beforeyouleavehomechecktobesurethatitiscomfortabletowearalldayandhassufficientspaceforallofyouritems.IMPORTANT:Beforeyouleavehomechecktobesurethatitiscomfortabletowearalldayandhassufficientspaceforallofyouritems.Note:Fanny-packsandhydrationpacksarenotlargeenoughtoholdalloftheitemsyouwillneedfortheday.Footwear:Well-fitting,sturdybootsortrailshoesareveryimportanttoyoursafetyandenjoyment.Ifyouplantobuynewboots,breaktheminbywearingthemaroundtownandtakingsomeshorthikesbeforeyourtrip.Forgeneralhiking,lightweightormidweightcorduraorleatherbootswithaVibramsoleworkwell.Ifyouhaveweakanklesorarerecoveringfromanankleinjury,getbootsthatcomeabovetheankle–you’llfindthatthiswillgiveyoumoresupportinunevenorslipperyterrain.Remembertowaterproofyourbootsbeforethetrip.Evenbootsbilledas‘waterproof’needtobetreatedwithawaterproofingproduct.Clothing:Theclothinglistedonthepackinglisthasbeenchosenforyourspecifictripconditionsandforitsversatilityforlayering.NOCOTTONforyouractivewear!Itshouldallbemadefromsynthetic/syntheticblends,down/downblendsorwool/woolblends.Layeringisthemostpracticalandefficientmethodofinsulatingthebody.SeverallayersofvariedweightmaterialsprovidebetterinsulationthanonethickLayerofclothing.Also,addingorsubtractinglayersallowsyoutoadjusttothetemperatureatyourparticularlevelofactivity.

RainGear:Youwillneedaparkaorjacketmadeofacoatednylonorawaterproof/breathablefabriclikeGore-tex,HellyTech,Membrane,H2No,orUltrex.Besureitkeepswaterout.Beforemakingthisimportantpurchase,besurethatitfitsyouproperly.Itshouldbelargeenoughtofitoverallyourlayers.Inparticular,thehoodneedstobeeffective.Itshouldshieldyourfacefromtherainandturnwithyourhead.Movementofyourarmsmustnotinterferewiththehood.Putonyourdaypack;canyoustillraiseyourarms?Yourwind/rainpantsshouldbecomfortable,allowenoughroomforyourlayers,andpermitfreemovementofyourlegs(forexample,canyoucrouchcomfortably?).Partialorfull-lengthlegzippersareusefulforeasilyputtingyourpantsonoveryourboots.Hydration:Beingabletoeasilyaccessyourwaterwithoutassistance,sothatyoucandrinkfrequently,isimportanttoyoursafetyandenjoyment.Onemethodistohaveawaterbottleattachedtoyourwaiststrap.AnotheroptionistouseaHYDRATIONSYSTEMsuchasCamelBak,Platypus,andMSRbladderbags,whicharecollapsiblewaterbagswithahoseattachmentthatyoudrinkfrom.Thebagsfitinsideoroutsideyourpackwiththehosepositionedoveryourshouldersothatyoucanaccessyourwaterasyouhike.Bladderbagscanhold1-3litersofwater.PersonalFirstAidKit:Bringasmallfirstaidkitwithfamiliarmedicineandfirstaidsuppliesyoumightneed.Recommendationsincludethefollowing:blisterorfootremedieslikemoleskin,Compeed,blisterbandages,orsimilar,asmallroleofducttape(alwaysuseful!),remediesforrespiratoryailments,stomachailments,soremusclesorjoints.Theguideswillhaveafirstaidkitbuthavingwhatyouknowworkswellforyouisagoodidea.TrekkingPoles: Trekkingpolesareoptionalforthistrip.Trekkingpolesarealwaysrecommendedforourhikingtrips.)Trekkingpolescontributetoyoursafetybyimprovingyourbalanceandstability,andtoyourhealthbysavingstressonyourhipsandknees.Ifyouarenotfamiliarwithtrekkingpoles,readthisblogpostthataddressesthemostcommonlyaskedquestions:http://blog.adventuresingoodcompany.com/blog-women-travel/bid/154714/Trekking-poles-for-hiking-trips-the-4-most-common-questions .