YYYYEEEEAAAARRGHH!!!! THE MEGAHIKE IS BACK!!! (13 MILES, 3400' GAIN, EXTREME)

Hiya!

WHO AMONGST US HAS NOT SOUGHT THE STING OF SWEAT IN OUR EYES, AND THE GRIT OF THE EARTH CAKED INTO OUR FEET, AND THE PULSE OF COLD AND RAGGED AIR THROUGH OUR LUNGS??? WHAT SAY YOU, FELLOW LATE MASSOCHIST HIKER??? WILL YOU JOIN OUR MARCH INTO EXHAUSTION?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

(Note to self: this isn’t even the longest LMH hike anymore, that’s the Duncan-Strickler Double-Knob Hike, maybe tone down the stoke before posting to Meetup?)

QUAKE WITH FEAR AT THE AWESOME AND TERRIBLE MIGHT THAT IS the Shenandoah Mega-Hike, a 13-mile loop with 3400 ft of elevation gain. The hike begins at the Lower Whiteoak Canyon Parking Lot (located here: 38°32'22.3"N 78°20'56.9"W, NOT the upper parking lot on Skyline Drive) and ascends Cedar Run, summits Hawksbill Peak, cuts north on the Appalachian Trail, and descends Whiteoak Canyon. This is the most difficult hike LMH has offered in modern times and since Hawksbill is the highest point in Shenandoah National Park, this is one of the hardest loop hikes that can be undertaken in the whole park. We expect to set off at 9:00 AM and keep a brisk 2 mph pace the whole way through, albeit with lots of breaks for water and a stop atop Hawksbill for lunch.

After the hike is done (tentatively around 5:00 PM), we may go to Veditz Brewery or Penn Druid, but in all honesty everyone might be tired enough that we just head straight home. This hike goes on rain or shine, so please dress appropriately and pack lots of extra water! There are no places to refill on the trail!

This is an extremely challenging but extremely rewarding hike. Please read through all the information below regarding extra details for this hike.

We hope to see you on the trail!

REQUIRED PRE-HIKE VETTING:

Due to the difficulty of this hike, all participants are required to have completed a hike at least 9 miles long ­and with 2000 ft of elevation gain within the last year. Common local qualifiers for this hike are Old Rag, the double-knob hike, Buck Hollow Loop, and among others. Hikers must direct message the hike leaders with details of their qualifying hike in order to participate and will be approved on a case-by-case basis.

Please mind that our sternness is out of an abundance of caution. The last thing we want is for someone to get hurt, or overexerted, and have to turn their enjoyable weekend hike into a forced march.

REQUIRED GEAR:

Everyone needs to wear sturdy boots and bring at least two liters of water with them on the trail. A flashlight is recommended (phone flashlight is fine) since sunset is at 4:59 PM and we may be finishing up after dark. Winter clothing is recommended as temperatures could get down to the 30s in the morning. It’s always better to overdress! You can shed layers on the trail, but you can’t don clothes you didn’t bring!

CARPOOLING:

A departure time of 6:45 AM (before the metro is running) from DC is recommended in order to get to the hike on time. We know this is very early, but we have tight time constraints due to the shorter days.

Parking is limited at Lower Whiteoak Canyon so please consider carpooling. If you would like to host a carpool, please post a comment on the event page with the following information:
(1) Number of seats
(2) Meeting location
(3) Meeting time (recommended departure time from DC is 6:45 AM).

As a rider, please comment on the driver's post to take a seat or post in the comments that you need a ride so a driver can find you. Riders are encouraged to help their driver out with the cost of gas.

BACKGROUNG INFO ABOUT LMH:

Please remember that this group is an informal group of friends and volunteers intitiating trips under the common adventurer model (http://www.ronwatters.com/CADefine.html). We do expect our members to be familiar with the best practices of hiking.

We are also not professionals, nor are we trained hike leaders, nor do we scout out hikes. We plan hikes for fun. You are responsible for your own welfare and safety at all LMH events. Be careful to choose hikes only within your own physical abilities and hiking knowledge; take maps, suitable clothing, provisions (at least two liters of water plus any food or medical supplies you might require) and equipment, and act responsibly and safely at all times.

Act responsibly and safely: if you ever believe you may be lost, follow the advice of the US Forest Service (https://www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/if-you-get-lost)

LMH organizers and members shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any aspect of LMH activities. By attending this event, you represent that you have read, understand, and agree to the contents of our waiver of liability in the following link (https://4142298.xyz/Late-Morning-DC-Hikers-25-45/pages/12710332/Waiver_of_Liability/)