Smoky Mountains Backpacking
03 - 08 October 2024 | Bryson City, North Carolina
Overview
Difficulty Rating: 4 of 5 stars
NEW for 2024: Team RWB will be hosting two Smoky Mountains Backpacking Eagle Expeditions. One will be all-female and the other all-male.
The Smoky Mountains Backpacking Eagle Expedition is an unforgettable opportunity to push limits on remote trails, forge lasting friendships over campfires, and experience one of the most biodiverse regions as the season changes into autumn.
Please note: This trip is extremely physically demanding and may be upgraded to 4.5 stars depending on the route selected by guides. Eagles should expect to gain or lose 3500' of elevation on any given day in addition to hiking up to 10 miles. Previous backpacking experience is highly recommended. A training plan is required to participate in this expedition.
WHO
20 Eagles
WHERE
Smoky Mountains National Park
Bryson City, North Carolina
WHEN
Thurs, October 3 -- Tues, October 8, 2024
About
The Smoky Mountains are ancient, rugged, and teeming with wildlife. With fellow Eagles, participants will spend three nights under the stars in remote campsites, sleeping in tents or hammocks. Each day will offer a new autumn setting with challenging trails, changing leaves spackling the skies, and birdsong filling the air.
Long days on foot will be rewarded with a dip in cold mountain streams, basking on boulders, nutritious meals, and camaraderie from taking on challenging days together. Upon leaving the mountains the group will take on one more challenge in rafting the Nantahala River.
In two separate teams of 10 hikers, one an all-female and the other all-male, participants will work together to cover rugged terrain, set up camp, prepare meals, and reflect on the grit and determination it took each person to succeed. Guides will facilitate conversation on the trail and around the campfire to insight thoughtful reflection amongst the group.
Learn More
Watch this video to learn more about our 2024 expeditions.
Applications are Closed
Click the button below to join our waitlist and be among the first to know when the 2025 Eagle Expeditions are announced.
Cost
$250 with a $50 deposit due at time of acceptance.
The remainder may be fundraised with the help of an easy, ready to use fundraising platform!
Let us know if you’d like to fundraise the fee. We’re here to help.
Included in Registration
Complete outfitting of backcountry/camping gear
Trained guides
6-week training plan
Exclusive Expedition group access in the Team RWB App
All meals during the backpacking/camping portion
Lodging the night before and after the backpacking/camping portion
Carpools from the airport to NOC and back
Why Attend?
In 2024 Team RWB will be hosting an all-female crew and an all-male crew. Eagles who enjoy challenging hikes, tent/hammock camping, white water rafting, solitude and remote wilderness should attend this Expedition.
What' you’ll do:
Hiking
Camping
Group meals
Swimming/wading
Bonfires, stargazing, wildlife
Whitewater rafting
Exploring
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Highlights:
Backpacking through mountains
Solitude
Awe-inspiring views
Old-growth forest
Campfires
Abundant wildlife!
Whitewater rafting
Waterfalls
Connecting with fellow Eagles
If you want to push yourself in a strenuous but beautiful environment, the Smoky Mountain National Park Backpacking Eagle Expedition is for you!
Itinerary:
The below itinerary is a good representation of what either group will experience in terms of miles, elevation, and trail experience. Some days will be longer than others and one group will have a more difficult route.
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Arrange to fly into Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) or drive to Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City, NC. For those flying in, Team RWB will arrange for transportation from the airport and back when it’s time to head home.
All flights should arrive no later than 1300 on OCT 03.
Check-in at NOC is at 1500. We will be sleeping in canvas platform tents which will be shared with other Eagles. There will be access to bathrooms and showers, otherwise the first night’s accommodations are rustic.
We’ll get together as a group at our campsite to do intros and review our gear. The goal is to have everyone geared up before dinner so we can come back to camp and enjoy a bonfire as one group.
Dinner options are limited. There is a restaurant on NOC campus that has something for everyone, otherwise the town of Bryson City is about 20 minutes away by car if anyone wants to venture out. Eagles are welcome to bring their own dinner for that first night as well.
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Miles: 6.65 | Elevation Net: + 2900
Wake up, pack up, and enjoy breakfast as one group before splitting for your respective trip. You’ll depart NOC around 8 a.m. to get a jump on the trail. Expect the drive from NOC to the trailhead to be anywhere from 60-90 minutes.
Use all that day 1 excitement to propel you the 6.65 miles and up the 2900’ of NET elevation gain to your mile high campsite. The route, while steep, will be rewarding with the best views of the trip. Enjoy lunch on the trail at an unforgettable overlook known as the Hangover before heading to camp to unwind and take in the sunset.
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Miles: 6 | Elevation Net: -3500’
This day…it’s going down. From the highest campsite to the lowest, expect to lose 3500’ of elevation on a remote, interior trail seldom seen by hikers. Once the steepness dissipates, the group will be rewarded with sections of a charismatic creek with moss draped boulders. Camp will be made next to the water, just a stones throw from a multi-tiered waterfall with ample swimming and wading opportunities. The cold mountain water will be perfect for tired muscles and joints.
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Miles: 6.5 | Elevation Net: +3350’
Going up and up! Expect a couple creek crossings early on before gaining a quick 1700’ in the first 2.5 miles. Take a breather and get ready for another 2.5 miles of UP. This section of trail is beautiful with ample wildflowers and a forested meadow about halfway up. Enjoy the views at the Hangover one last time before turning back through Saddle Tree Gap and descending into draws of deep creek. Make camp one last time next to a tumbling stream, spark the bonfire, and reflect on the journey thus far.
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Miles: 3.5 | Elevation Net: +1110’
Time to pack up and head back to “town” for there is rafting afoot! While a shorter hike of about 3.5 miles, expect rugged, rocky terrain and another 1100’ of elevation gain before the group can celebrate at the vehicles. Head back to NOC for lunch and get ready to join the other group for a wild run down the Nantahala river.
After the river we’ll have a chance to dry off, shower, and get ready for group dinner either in Bryson City or at River’s End at NOC. After dinner we’ll share one more bonfire and enjoy the final night under an actual room at NOCs bunkhouses. These are shared bunks with electricity and AC/heat.
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The final morning will include optional breakfast for those with time. Expect oatmeal and bars, and any other grub that wasn’t consumed on the trail! There is also a gas station just outside of NOC that will have snacks and coffee for those with an early departure. Check out is at 11 a.m. You don’t have to leave NOCs campus but we must be out of the bunkhouses.
