AT- Dennis Cove, TN to Damascus, VA over New Years

“Then it just changed, because yesterday the 15 day forecast was looking pretty frickin; good..

Even Bob Peoples was commenting on how mild it has been...

oh chit..
http://www.accuweather.com/us/tn/hampton/37658/forecast3.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0&zipChg=1&metric=0

'32oz
last edited: 12/18/08 8:48:41 AM”

“brrrrrrrrrr...13 degrees on Jan 1 and it will feel like minus 6!

I may as well go on the FYAO trip!

That's two weeks ago though. Forecasts change.
last edited: 12/18/08 9:24:19 AM”

“Just so I get the whole plan:
Drive to Kincora, catch ride to Carvers Gap
Hike back to Kincora, then drive to Damascus
Catch ride with Bob back to Kincora, hike to Damascus.......Does that sound right?”

“Hey guys thinking of joining your trip. How many going SOBO how many heading NOBO?”

“That's a nice section to hike. Have a great time.”

“Right now it looks like 3 or 4 going each way.”

“Mild Bill.. That is my plan..

It looks like me, HighMaintenance, Creek Dancer, and Lightfoot are the ones heading North Bound out of Dennis Cove. Chin music is either/or...

I will email you all with my cell phone tomorrow.. I am heading to PA and won't have a lot of computer access..

'32oz”

“I like the idea of hiking north and finishing in Damascus.”

“You are welcome to join us... This gets us a little closer to Richmond on Sunday...

You should have received my phone number via email (if not give me a call and I'll give it to you)..

'32oz”

“yo mildbill, if you know what the term chin music means then you and him will have a lot to talk about if he hikes the same direction as you”

“do u folks know when you will be at apple house shelter.if so ill stop in that evening”

“Let me get back to you on that..

Depending on weather etc, it may be the first night...

I'll let you know next week...”

“ok cool if u day hike from carvers gap over the wkend I may join.ill keep ya posted on the weather since I can see roan and hump from my work in banner elk.I have to work during the week but may join back new yrs day.”

“You should have received my phone number via email (if not give me a call and I'll give it to you)..

'32oz

LOL”

“Can we lock in the weather forecast as it stands now? Looks sweet.”

“Hey Mocs what time you planning to get to Kinora? Do you know what time your shuttle will be leaving Thusday? It's only a little over 2 hr. drive for me.”

“I will probably get to Kincora around seven or eight, but could make it earlier or later. I just talked to Bob about a AM shuttle, I hope to go as soon as everyone is ready. I prefer to shuttle around 8 or 8:30.”

“Freaking weather prediction now calls for some MAJOR campfires.....BRRRRRRrrrrrrrr”

“I liked the forecast better a few days ago!”

“brrrrrrrrrr...

Is anyone using an alcohol stove for this trip. I've used mine down to low 20's, but nothing this cold. I am wondering if I should use my pocket rocket instead.”

“I used mine in Linville last year. It got somewhere between 4-7 degrees and it did ok. Took a little longer to boil water but it still worked. I am still taking my pepsi can stove on this trip.”

“CD--

Stick with the alcohol. Canisters don't work very well when the temps drop.”

“Yeah canister stoves work like crap below 17*. I am still bringing mine just because I hate lugging in a white gas stove, but I only boil water for dinner when it has warmed up a bit.”

“Ok, alcohol it is, denatured alcohol I mean. Otherwise, I dunno. I am thinkin' some coffee and kalua.”

“I don't think you will have a problem. If for some reason you are having problems with your stove, you can always borrow mine or one from someone else.”

“NOAA forecast for this area above 3000ft


DEC 27th
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 64. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Dec 28th
Sunday: Showers, mainly before 10am. High near 59. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Dec 29th
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.

Dec 30th
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 54.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Dec 31st
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 47.

Wednesday Night: A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

1st
New Year's Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

Thursday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

2nd
Friday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Chance of precipitation is 30%.”

“Are you rubbing it in that it is warm now and going to be cold for our trip?”

“Nope....Those temps are not cold.....quite mild in my Opinion.


I'll be doing some Trail Maintenance in and around Damascus Shelter and Iron Mt Shelter.
I may see you if YOUR lucky.”

“If that's as low as the temps will get, I may have to repack and get rid of some of my foul weather gear. Of course if I did that, it would all change and I would be screwed.”

“Adjusted weather forecast from Accuweather.com

Adjusted for elevation using the forecast from Damascus, VA.

Thursday Jan 1

Hi 36* Mostly Cloudy
Low 18* Partly Cloudy

Friday Jan 2

Hi 36* Cloudy with Rain possible
Low 19* Periods of Rain turning to Snow and Ice

Saturday

Hi 37* Periods of Rain and Freezing Rain
Low 9* Colder with periods of Snow

Sunday

High 31* Mostly cloudy with some Snow

Adjusted for elevation using the forecast from Hampton, TN

Thursday Jan 1

Hi 33* Mostly Cloudy
Low 14* Partly Cloudy

Friday Jan 2

Hi 31* Cloudy with Rain possible
Low 15* Breezy with periods of Rain turning to Snow and Ice

Saturday

Hi 25* Mostly Cloudy
Low 15* Cloudy turning sharply Colder

Sunday

High 34* Milder with times of clouds and sun”

“Now I am really confused.”

“Mine is very accurate........I live here..........I'll send you a link very soon.........”

“Most of our walking will be at 4000 feet. Subtract 3.6*F for every 1000 feet of elevation gain. Damascus is at 1928 feet, Hampton is at 1781 feet.”

“Damascus VA
36.63N 81.78W (Elev. 2165 ft)
Cell Phone Weather Link: www.srh.noaa.gov/wml
Last Update: 4:04 pm EST Dec 27, 2008
Forecast Valid: 5pm EST Dec 27, 2008-6pm EST Jan 3, 2009
NOAA>>>>>>the best...period


Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

DEC...28th
Sunday: Showers, mainly before 11am. High near 60. West wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. West wind around 5 mph.

DEC...29th
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

DEC...30th
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 55.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

DEC...31st
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 48.

Wednesday Night: A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

New Year's Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

Thursday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

1st
Friday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.

2nd
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48.”

“The forecast will probably change by the time we get there anyways. I am hoping for mild temps and no snow.”

“BTW- How have you been Fridge?”

“Been taking lots of outdoor classes lately. How about U ?”

“Hey fridge, wanna go? I will swing by and get ya!”

“Just fighting with the economy, watching football, basketball, and planning 2009s trips.

Are you becoming a NOLS instructor?”

“Damascus Forecast Adjusted for an elevation of 4000ft.

Thursday

Hi 36 Mostly Sunny
Lo 16 Partly Cloudy

Friday

Hi 33 Partly cloudy with a chance for rain or snow showers
Lo 15 Partly Cloudy

Saturday

Hi 36 Mostly Sunny
Lo 14 Partly Cloudy

Sunday

Hi 39 Times of clouds and sun
last edited: 12/30/08 9:10:27 AM”

“I'm heading out this afternoon. I should get to mid TN by evening and get to Kincora reasonably early on Wed.

Have your cell on Mocs.”

“I should arrive at Kincora around 7pm Wed.”

“I should be there around the same time you are eagleJ. I should have my phone on all day tomorrow so if you need anything don't hesitate to call.”

“All the NWS forecasts I see are calling for wind through Friday. On Friday snow turning to rain 60%.

With elevation factored in I would bring layers and the best rain gear you have.

If you didn't have that one 16 mile day in there I was considering this trip...that is too much with short days IMHO.”

“I should be there around 1 or 2 on Wednesday. Can't wait to see you guys! Bring earplugs. Fair warning, I snore!!”

“here the weather for watuage lake,in tn

http://booneweather.com/Forecast/Watauga+Lake
last edited: 12/30/08 5:34:58 PM”

“I just got back from dinner with Chin. Sounds like a great trip. Yall have fun!”

“Here is the National Weather Service Forecast

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=36.48755716938579&lon=-81.89826965332031&site=gsp&smap=1&marine=0&unit=0&lg=en”

“Chin called to give me an update. The group got seperated during the hike. As of Sunday 10:42 am - Chin is climbing up Pond Flat. All is well.”