NC BP TCP

TRIP TIME CONTROL PLAN (OUTLINE)

TRIP NAME: North Carolina Backpacking
DATE: March 2–8
LOCATION: Art Loeb Trail, North to South
GROUP SIZE: 10 (2 Leaders : 8 Students)

LEADERS/CELL:

• Josh Van Berkel — (616) 856-5635
  
  

• 
  

TRIP DETAILS:

• What and Where: Backcountry backpacking through the Art Loeb Trail, North to South.
  
  

• Description: A 6-day backcountry backpacking trip traversing the full Art Loeb Trail in North Carolina, covering diverse terrain and elevations while developing outdoor leadership, navigation, and team skills.
  
  

• When: March 2–8
  
  

• How Many: 8 Students, 2 Leaders
  
  

• Cost/Venmo: $250
  
  

• Contact Person/More Info: Joshua Van Berkel — jwv33@calvin.edu — (616) 856-5635
  
  

• How to Sign Up: Email Josh or sign up on the wall sign-up sheet
  
  

Trip Promotion (Who and How):
Word of mouth, QR code flyers around campus, climbing wall promotions.

Trip Sign-Up/Communication/Equipment List (Who and How):
Sign-up list — Josh
Communication — Josh
Equipment list — Josh

Rations Purchasing/Packing (When): Thursday, February 28 @ 2:00 PM
Trip Outfitting (Leader Meeting): March 1 @ 2:00 PM
Trip Group Outfitting (Group Time): March 1 @ 4:00 PM

Campground Site Reservation:
Lake Powhatan, National Forests in North Carolina — Recreation.gov — Site 008 “Big John” — $40

Reference Links:

• Explore Art Loeb Trail: North to South | AllTrails

TRANSPORTATION:

☑ 2 Personal Vehicles (5 seats each)

TRIP BUDGET:

ITEM

EQUATION

TOTAL

PER PERSON

Food/Groceries

$4 × 22 meals × 10 people

$880

$110

Gas

(1680 ÷ 15 mpg) × 2 vehicles × $3.50/gal

$785

$100

Van Rental

N/A

$0

$0

Sites/Permits

Lake Powhatan Campground

$40

$5

Firewood

$20

—

—

Subtotal: $1,705 × 1.15 = $1,960
REAL COST: $1,960
PER PERSON: $250

MEAL PLAN:

Breakfast (Day 1 – Gear Cage):

• Blueberry & everything bagels
  
  

• Cream cheese
  
  

• Oranges & apples
  
  

Car Lunch #1 (for travel and trail use):

• Bread, ham, chicken, cheddar, provolone
  
  

• Mustard, mayo, avocados, peanut butter, Nutella, honey
  
  

• Pineapple, two kinds of chips
  
  

Dinner (Saturday): Students purchase road dinner

SUNDAY – FRIDAY:

• Breakfasts: Oatmeal or granola with walnuts, freeze-dried fruit, chocolate chips, powdered milk.
  
  

• Lunches: PB&J tortillas, salami & cheese crackers, trail mix, jerky, dried fruit, cheese sticks.
  
  

• Dinners:
  
  

  • Pizzadillas
    
    

  • Red Pasta (marinara & chicken)
    
    

  • Burritos (beans, tortillas, chicken, cheese)
    
    

  • Chicken Pesto Pasta
    
    

  • Thai Ramen with chicken & cashews
    
    

SNACKS / DESSERTS / DRINKS:

• Trail mix, granola bars, fruit snacks, rice krispies, fruit bars, electrolyte drink packets
  
  

• Hot chocolate, coffee, tea
  
  

SPICES / OIL / OTHER:

• Salt, pepper, garlic, onion, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes
  
  

• Olive oil, hot sauce
  
  

ITINERARY AND SCHEDULE (TIME CONTROL)

SATURDAY – 03/02

1. Meet at 6:30 AM at gear cage; confirm health forms.
   
   

2. Depart Grand Rapids by 7:00 AM (11.5-hour drive).
   
   

3. Lunch stop ~1:30 PM (Glen Hurst Park, Independence, KY).
   
   

4. Dinner stop ~6:30 PM (fast food, student choice).
   
   

5. Camp at Lake Powhatan Campground — Site 008 “Big John.”
   
   

SUNDAY – 03/03

1. Depart Lake Powhatan by 8:30 AM.
   
   

2. Arrive at Art Loeb Trailhead (North) — Ledbetter Lodge (35.38714, -82.89572).
   
   

3. Run shuttles to Brevard (South Trailhead).
   
   

4. Lunch before hiking; begin trail by 12:30 PM.
   
   

5. Hike ~4 miles; camp near (35.39980, -82.86424).
   
   

MONDAY – 03/04

• Hike 6 miles; summit Cold Mountain.
  
  

• Camp near (35.36221, -82.86409).
  
  

TUESDAY – 03/05

• Hike 7 miles; pass Black Balsam Knob.
  
  

• Camp near (35.29374, -82.87458).
  
  

WEDNESDAY – 03/06

• Hike 8.5 miles past Pilot Mountain.
  
  

• Camp near (35.24906, -82.79961).
  
  

THURSDAY – 03/07

• Hike 3–4 miles past Cat Gap.
  
  

• Camp near (35.27117, -82.75784).
  
  

FRIDAY – 03/08

• Hike final 4 miles to South Trailhead (Brevard).
  
  

• Run shuttle and eat lunch.
  
  

• Depart by 1:30 PM; arrive back at Calvin ~2:30 AM.
  
  

EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN:

• Nearest Hospital: Transylvania Regional Hospital (10 min from trailhead)
  
  

• Leader Contacts:
  
  

  • Josh Van Berkel — (616) 856-5635
    
    

  • Ryan Rooks — (616) 485-7010
    
    

  • Jessica Stehouwer — (616) 304-8632
    
    

PACKING LIST

Clothing:

• 2–3 outfits, 6 underwear, 6 socks
  
  

• Lightweight coat, rain jacket, winter hat, gloves, hiking boots
  
  

Personal Items:

• Toothbrush/paste, deodorant, sunscreen, hand sanitizer
  
  

• Small towel, toilet paper, 2 freezer bags for trash
  
  

Sleep System:

• Sleeping bag (30°F or lower), sleeping pad, pillow (optional)
  
  

Gear:

• Headlamp + batteries, multitool, personal first aid, 3L water capacity
  
  

• Bowl, spoon, mug, sunglasses, chapstick, hand warmers
  
  

Group Gear:

• Tents, stoves, cookware, water purification, bear bags, compasses, GPS, maps, tarps, repair kit, trekking poles, French press, cooler for day 1, group first aid kit.