Spend 4 days hiking along one of the most famous thru-hiking trails in the world. The Appalachian Trail runs over 2,000 miles across 14 states from Georgia to Maine, but don’t worry we’re not hiking the whole thing on this trip.  Start your journey on a section of the A.T in either Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, or Virginia.  On this trip we’ll plan on hiking anywhere from 25-40 miles total, so while previous experience isn’t required, it is encouraged.

Bring a friend or come alone and become close to a group of total strangers.  We promise the memories made on this trail will last longer than four days as you hike through rhododendron groves and view panoramic landscapes of the Appalachian Trail.  Each night we’ll camp in primitive sites so it’s only us and the wilderness surrounding us.  Come experience one of the most stunning areas in the U.S. on fall break.

ORAC will provide all transportation, backpacking equipment, camping fees, route planning, guiding, and fireside games.  All you need to worry about is planning out your meals and wearing the right kind of clothes, and we can help with that if you’re new to this!

Tentative Trip Itinerary

Wednesday, October 10^th:

1. Leave the Preston Center after classes in the afternoon/evening
2. Arrive at Camp, unload van, sleep

Thursday, October 11^th:

1. Start hike
2. Realize you want to be a thru-hiker
3. Eat lunch
4. Reconsider thoughts of being a thru-hiker
5. Question whether or not you enjoy backpacking
6. Arrive at camp, eat dinner
7. Awkward fireside conversations more than likely

Friday, October 12^th:

1. Wake up, flawless
2. Eat breakfast and realize that every part of your body is sore
3. Start hiking
4. Eat lunch
5. Continue hiking, ask leaders how long till camp
6. Arrive at camp
7. Muster last remaining bit of energy to steal the best tent spot
8. Eat dinner
9. Find perfect location to start journaling … take a picture of it
10. Less awkward conversations around fire

Saturday, October 13^th:

1. Wake up, dirty
2. Eat breakfast semi-conscious trance as you prepare yourself for the coming miles
3. Start hiking
4. Eat lunch
5. This day actually hurts less
6. Realize you kind of enjoy backpacking
7. See a beautiful view and realize its all worth it
8. Arrive at camp, eat dinner
9. Bond with peers over common soreness and distrust of trip leaders who are always happy for whatever reason

Sunday, October 14^th:

1. Wake up, realize it’s the last morning you’ll wake up in a tent
2. Start hiking
3. Eat Lunch
4. Arrive at van, reminisce fondly over past four days of backpacking
5. Depart for Preston Center, van smells weird

Wanting to get outside over Fall Break, but not sure what exactly you want to do.  This trip is perfect for you!  Dip your toes in a little bit of everything during this 4-day Multi-Sport trip to the wild and beautiful Red River Gorge. Nestled into the Daniel Boone National Forest, the Red River Gorge has a lot to offer. On your trip we will be able to spend time rock climbing on 300 million-year-old sandstone and limestone, hike among the trees through rugged terrain to see the great features of the Gorge, including Whittleton Arch, one of the largest arches in the area, and paddle down the Red River.

Each night we’ll camp in a front-country site so there’ll be working bathrooms and more convenient amenities.  We may even sample some of the local food spots if time allows.  ORAC will provide all transportation, campsite fees, equipment, guiding, etc.  All you need to worry about is clothes, food, and a water bottle.  Bring your camera as the fall colors in the gorge are gorge-ous!

Tentative Trip Itinerary

Wednesday, October 10^th:

1. Leave Preston Center after classes
2. Arrive at Red River Gorge

Thursday, October 11^th:

1. Wake-up, eat breakfast
2. Drive to climbing location
3. Climb
4. Eat lunch
5. Climb some more
6. Drive back to camp
7. Eat dinner

Friday, October 12^th:

1. Wake-up, eat breakfast
2. Drive to hiking location
3. Start hike
4. Eat lunch
5. Finish hike
6. Drive back to camp
7. Eat dinner (Miguel’s?)
8. Campfire time

Saturday, October 13^th:

1. Wake-up, eat breakfast
2. Drive to canoeing location
3. Canoe
4. Lunch
5. Canoe some more
6. Drive back to camp
7. Have a deep conversation by the fire
8. Eat dinner
9. Sleep
10. WHAT WAS THAT NOISE?!
11. Stare at top of tent the rest of the night

Sunday, October 14^th:

1. Wake-up, unharmed by squirrels
2. Eat breakfast, pack up camp
3. Depart for Preston Center
4. Arrive and add new friends on MySpace

Did mom and dad buy you a new pair of Sperry’s but Parking & Transportation won’t let you park your sailboat on campus?  You’re in luck! Come on out to the Port Oliver Yacht Club for a weekend of sailing with the local sailing club.  ORAC won’t be providing any transportation but your fee covers all of the sailing equipment for the weekend.  Email us for more details!

Come learn about the connection between current global health issues and nutrition! You will also be educated on what Campus Nutrition and the Health Education & Promotion office can provide! As always, there will be a nutritious snack.