Summit Adventure Inc

            1st Annual Holiday 50 Miler  

      December 26 - 31, 2024

Come join us for the 2024 Holiday 50 Miler in Uwharrie National Forest celebrating the forest’s 63rd anniversary!

The adventure starts and ends at Yates Place Campground, but along the way you will see beautiful places  only seen in Uwharrie National Forest. This trek is an intense high adventure experience, open to youth and adults with backpacking experience,in cold weather. With many youth programs including Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, Trail Life and 4-H. 

To earn the event patch you must complete the 50 miler **NO exceptions**

 Location:

     Yates Place Campground:

     700 Dusty Level Road

     Troy NC 27371

Youth Requirements 

Because this is considered a heavy physical level outing, we require the following for all youth participants:

* 14 years of age or older

* Experienced backpacking especially in cold weather (can go down into teens) 

* Understanding of all of the physical aspects of the event.

*Each participant must have a health form stating you are physically able to participate

*Signed Waiver, Release And Hold Harmless Agreement 

 ** Parent/Guardian Signature required for all participants under 18** 

Youth without a signature can not participate!!!!!!

If you are unable to complete the adventure you must contact your family to pick you up.

Adult Requirement

Because this is considered a heavy physical level outing, we require the following for all adult participants:

* Experienced backpacking especially cold weather (can go down into teens)

* Understanding of all of the physical aspects of the event.

*Each participant must have a health form stating you are physically able to participate

***  All individuals are required to have appropriate Youth Protection Training ***

* Waiver, Release And Hold Harmless Agreement  **Signature required**

No signature you can not participate!!!!!!

For all groups: The appropriate number of male/female adult leadership with appropriate youth training must be included for your group on and off the trail.  For Co-ed groups, male and female trained adults are required.

***Staff will not be provided to offset any leadership deficiencies your group may have***

Personal items and equipment :

Each participant is responsible and liable for their own possessions and equipment. Electronic devices, including cell phones, are not required for youth participants. 

All Groups must follow Appropriate Youth Protection.

Cost: Youth hiker and Adult hiker

$50  Jan - October  31, 2024

$60  November 1-30, 2024

$75  December 1-20, 2024

$100  December 21-24, 2024

NO REFUNDS AFTER NOVEMBER 1ST

Sign up online – SummitAdventure.org

Check In: December 26 at 2pm

Arrival: December 26 evening (bring lunch and evening meal)

Group Meeting: December 26 hiker and staff – 5:00pm or earlier

Wake up:  6am

Start Time on Trail: 7:00 am 

Quick lunch: (No hot lunches)

Sun down is considered 5:00pm Everyone off the trail and in camp before dark

Trail dates: December 27 - December 30

Departure: December 31, 7am or before

Follow 50 miler trail map

Participants must stay on the trail provided for the 50 miler at all times. In the event search and rescue is  needed, we must be able to tell them your route and approximate location.  If you need help please wait for the staff to find you. Make sure you bring a whistle.

If you go off the trail YOU MAY get charged by the county for search and rescue associated costs. 

Medical

Medical staff will be in camp to assess the health and safety of the participants - these determinations are final. 

If you have any participants that have any health issues, Please let us know!!!

For  emergency care, the nearest hospital is located in Troy, NC: First Health 20 Allen Street, Troy NC 27371 Phone 910-571-5000

Hygiene -  It is extremely important that backpackers stay clean and healthy in the back country. The dirtier you become, the more likely it is that you will become sick, get an infection, or sustain an injury. The best ways to stay clean include: changing clothes regularly (especially socks and underwear), brushing your teeth, washing your hands after using a latrine, washing and sanitizing your hands before each meal, and properly washing, rinsing, and sanitizing your dishes.

Wearing the same dirty clothes day after day can lead to serious problems. For example, if you wear the same socks four days straight, your chances of getting a severe blisters are much greater, making your trek much more difficult.

FIRST AID

Dehydration

Prevent: Drink plenty of water and sports drinks during strenuous hiking and hot/dry weather – a hiker will need to drink several liters a day. Alternating between water and sports drinks will help to replace important electrolytes as well as fluids lost during strenuous hiking.

Recognize: Headache, fatigue, and nausea are early signs of dehydration. More severe signs of dehydration may include dizziness, vision changes, difficulty walking and altered level of consciousness. If a patient is unable to keep down adequate amounts of fluid, then advanced medical care may be required.

Treat: It is important to begin treating dehydration as soon as you recognize the symptoms.

Prevent the dehydration from becoming worse by resting and staying out of the heat. Rehydrating with water or half-strength sports drink; full strength sports drinks may cause upset stomach in an already nauseated patient, but a half strength sports drinks will still provide needed electrolytes for the dehydrated patient.

Blisters & Prevention:

Prevent Blisters are caused by the heat resulting from friction and rubbing between the shoe and the foot. Wearing well broken in boots and good fitting, clean hiking socks will prevent friction and blisters. Hikers should recognize a “hot spot” and take steps to treat them before they become blisters.

Recognize: Blisters are areas of irritated and painful skin, where fluid and blood begins to collect and can be very painful.

Treat: If a blister forms, do not pop or drain it. Use moleskin to create a cushion to protect the blister by cutting a hole in the middle of the pad slightly larger than the blister. Place the moleskin over the affected area so that the blister is surrounded by the bandage but not covered. This will reduce the friction between the blister and the sock, preventing the blister from getting any larger. If the blister pops on its own, make sure that the area stays clean and covered and watch for signs of infection.

Heat Related Illness

Prevent: Climate can reach temperatures above 70F, and drop close to freezing temperatures at night. It is important that hikers are prepared with appropriate equipment and anticipate the potential for extreme/ low temperatures. Take frequent breaks, avoid wearing dark or tight fitting clothing, and stay hydrated.

Recognize: Signs of heat illness can vary widely from profuse sweating, red skin, elevated temperature, and irritability, to more severe symptoms such as altered level of consciousness, and seizures.

Treatment: Sit down in shade and hydrate with half-strength sports drink to replenish fluids and electrolytes. If heat exhaustion is treated appropriately, heat stroke will not occur. Heat stroke, a life threatening condition, is when a person’s body temperature gets too high and the body can no longer cool itself. Heat stroke patients may exhibit an altered level of consciousness, have seizures, and die if not treated quickly.

Gear Guide (This is only a guide)

All combined gear should weigh NO more than 20% of your body weight (.20 X your weight = ) and absolutely NO packs over 50lbs.

ABSOLUTELY NO packs over 50 lbs. * * Youth or Adult * * 

What you need to bring ***This is only a guide***

* * * Know how to use your gear before going on the trail. * * *   

*Appropriate Clothing for season --dress in layers--

*Rain gear **ease to get to**

*hot cup (on the trail and feast December 30th) 

*hot drink tea, cocoa, coffee etc..

*Socks min 5

*Hiking boots

*Pack Cover **ease to get to**

*Gloves  

*Biodegradable soap

*Sleeping bag 20F

*Tent or (hammock with cold weather systems)

*sleeping pad if using tent 

*Water bottle minimum 3 quarts  -more if 70F or more-

*Backpack

*Flashlight/Lantern

*Stove/gas (know how to used it)

*Toilet paper --better then leaves--

*small medical kit

*water filter (know how to used it)

*Food meals and snacks for the trail

*Personal cooking and eating gear (groups can divide gear within their group)

*Shovel “for number 2”

*whistle

*Phone or small camera to take pictures of your adventure to share with unit/family

*trash bag

Change of clothes when  you go home.  You will thank me when you do. 

Bring an extra set of clothes and shoes to leave in your leader’s car .

**This is only a guide**

Weather

Please check weather, plan ahead for cloths etc... “Troy NC 27371”

Camp fires 

All fires must be put out at night. Before you go on the trail make sure all fires are out.

Staff Communication

All staff have cellphones with GPS turned on to track others. We also have amateur “ham” radios to help with safety and well being of hikers/staff.

We are here to help you stay safe.

Meals

pack all food in your pack

Meals you need to bring

December 26 lunch, dinner

December 27 - 29 all meals

December 30 breakfast and lunch

December 31 breakfast

**We are providing dinner on December 30. It will be a feast to remember.

-BBQ Chicken  

-side dishes: mashed potatos with butter, sour cream,milk

-green beans with butter, onions

-corn, butter

-salad mix veggies

-dressing: ranch, Italian, french etc…

-Apples sauces cinnamon  / brown sugar 

-cobblers: apple pie filling, peach, butter, cake mix

**Notice some items may be added or change at the last minute.  

We make every effort to ensure there are enough supplies and food for the feast December 30th. If you have any food allergies. Please bring your own food, as we will have limited capabilities. In order for us to ensure we have enough food, and accommodate as many folks as we can, we will need to have accurate attendance numbers. For this reason, we cannot offer refunds after November 1st.

Breakfast Examples

oatmeal

pop tarts

tea, cocoa , coffee (whatever you like)

Lunch Examples – No hot lunches

 Trail mix make your own (gold fish, nuts, m&ms, raisins, sunflower seeds, etc.)

 granola bars

Dinner Examples

Packages meals wise food, mountain house, etc...

quick cook food

Stuff Not To Bring

NO Canned food (weight) or canned drinks (weight) 

No alcohol

No illegal drugs

NO fireworks

Water

There are creeks and streams all thru out the trails. If you plan to use water from these sources during the day, a water filter or purification system is required. Water will be provided at the base camp and the sub camps.

 Cell Phone Coverage

Expect your phone to be dead in a few hours looking for signal. It is spotty at best so Be Prepared.

Questions and Answer

Q:ARE there food drop off points

A: NO you must carry all of your food

Q: Are we coming back to base camp

A: Last day only December 30

Q: My unit is not affiliated with Summit Adventure INC can they still come to 50 miler?

A: Yes

 This trek is open to youth and adults, Scouts of America, Girl Scouts, and Trail Life etc .. with backpacking experience in cold weather.

Q: Is there power in trees to charge my phone?

A: unknown

Q: Will there be medical staff on 50 miler?

A YES just let them know if you need anything.  

Q Is this a good place to get ready for Philmont, Northern Tier and Appalachian Trail. 

A YES very much so

Q: IS there water in base and sub camp.

A: Yes we will bring water to you

Q: DO I have to follow the trail that is made out for the 50 miler?

A: Yes its for your safety. To make sure you are at each check point.

Q: What are we paying for?

A: Patch, food, insurance, propane, etc...

Q Where do I put my trash at?

A Yates has trash cans

Q: How many holiday 50milers have the staff run?

A: 2018 Occoneechee Council, 

     2019 Crew 75, 

     2022 American Legion post 116    

     2024 COMING SOON

Live updates are https://fb.me/hoilday50miler

Talent Release Form 

I hereby assign and grant “Summit Adventure Inc” the right and permission to use and publish the photographs/film/videotapes/electronic representations and/or sound recordings made of me this date by the , and I hereby release the “Summit Adventure Inc” from any and all liability from such use and publication.

I hereby authorize the reproduction, sale, copyright, exhibit, broadcast, electronic storage and/or distribution of said photographs / film/ videotapes/electronic representations and/or sound recordings without limitation at the discretion of the “Summit Adventure Inc” and I specifically waive any right to any compensation I may have for any of the foregoing.

Add on 50 miler Facebook page      https://fb.me/hoilday50miler 

Summit Adventure facebook page

YouTube 

Official site www.SummitAdventure.org

Uwharrie History

Discover the Uwharrie National Forest, one of four national forests in North Carolina. The forest is named for the Uwharrie Mountains, known as the oldest range in North America. The prevalence of metavolcanic rocks has led geologists to surmise that a chain of volcanoes created the area’s mountains, once much higher but eroded over time into 1,000-foot peaks. Archaeologists have found human habitation in the Uwharrie Mountains spanning more than 10,000 years. In 1790-1791, explorer John Lawson chronicled Native American tribes, plants, animals and geology in his journals, later published as A New Voyage to Carolina. He called the river “Heighwaree,” and later explorers called it “Uharie.”

History of the Uwharrie Trails

Northern Section History- Tot Hill (airport) to Jumping off Rock The northern Uwharrie Trail was started in the late 1960s by Joe Moffitt, who was at the time the Scoutmaster for a local Boy Scout troop in Asheboro, North Carolina. As a Scoutmaster, Mr. Moffitt sought a local 50-mile (80.5-km) hiking trail for his scouts to earn their 50 Miler award.     Who knew right??

       Contact Info

       Greg “packman” Carpenter

      Hike Master 2019-2024

910-724-3338c

bsapackman@gmail.com

updates   https://fb.me/hoilday50miler

visit us online

SummitAdventure.org

Summit Adventure Inc. is a non profit organization, run completely by volunteers. Donations support us and are tax deductible.