Mt. Mitchell Expedition, 2012

Mt. Mitchell Odyssey 2012

Dear 4^th-5^th Grade World Class Explorers:

We are going to end up the year, literally, at the highest point east of the Mississippi River:  Mt. Mitchell.  Our final expedition revisits our first semester mega-theme:  Points, Lines, Intersections, and Angles, as well as our content focus on North Carolina: Past, Present, and Future. This adventure affords us the opportunity to learn in the real world, using tools (magnetic compass, night sky, and maps) to practice navigation.  It also gives us a great opportunity to review these sub-themes and subjects:  biodiversity, botanical illustration, astronomy, environmental awareness, geology, ornithology, geography (longitude, latitude, and altitude), history, and folklore. 

As always, we rely on parents transportation, camping gear, and strategic logistical suppot.  Pat Feehan has generously volunteered to head up the parent crew.  Jim Colie has secured our campsites.  For this adventure, we’ll need drivers for 15 students, 2 teachers, and our gear.  Please read over the itinerary below and RSVP ASAP if you are able to participate.  We will have a brief meeting of all drivers on Monday, April 30 at 3:30.  Please bring your tag numbers so that we can register per campsite.

MT. MITCHELL ODYSSEY ITINERARY

We will leave OCS on Wednesday, May 16th at 7:00 a.m. and return to OCS by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 17th. 

Students will need a packed snack, a lunch, and a filled water bottle for Wednesday.  We will set up our tents and get settled by noon.

Wednesday, May 16th

12:00-1:00 lunch and orientation at Mt. Mitchell State Park Campground

1:00-3:00 Compass orientation and hike with Edie and Daniel (2.5 miles)

3:00-3:45 Trust Fall at the Pinnacle

3:45-4:00 Trail Mix

4:00-6:00 Wilderness Lessons (botany, ornithology, geology, climate, natural history)

6:00-7:00 Dinner

7:00-8:30 Campfire and Songs & Stories

8:30 Trust Walk for 5^th graders

9:00 Reflection Circle and Good Nights

9:30 Tent time

10:00 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Thursday, May 17th

8:00 Stone Circle and Fire Building

9:00 Breakfast, Cleanup, and Morning Meeting

10:00-10:45 Elisha Mitchell Story, Lesson, and Sharing

10:45-11:00 Pack /Clean Up & Drive to Carolina Hemlocks Swimming Hole

12:00 Lunch at Carolina Hemlocks Campground/Picnic Area

12:45-3:00 Swimming, sketching, reflecting, nature hike for species field journals

3:00 Head back to OCS

5:00 Parents Pick Up Explorers at OCS

The trip has been largely funded by the PIZZA CREW!!! (Special thanks to Jim Colie for this endeavor.)

READ CAREFULLY: packing list for Explorers

Sleeping bag, tarp or ground cover/pad, warm clothes, hiking boots or sturdy shoes, fleece jacket, socks, hat, sunscreen, backpack, flashlight, toothbrush, undies, warm p.j.’s, water bottle, unbreakable plate, bowl, cup, silverware, large plastic garbage bag, swimsuit, towel, water shoes (optional), field journal, sketchbook, bandana, pencils, snack and lunch for Wednesday.

Please let us know if you can join our expedition, offer transportation, or if you have a tent/camping gear to loan.  The following information includes Mt. Mitchell facts and directions.

Thanks for helping us take our explorations into the real world!

Edie & Daniel

http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/momi/main.php

Mount Mitchell State Park »  Welcome!

Help NC Plant Free Trees ... details ±

Odwalla, a producer of outdoor-oriented snacks and drinks, is sponsoring a 50-state competition to give away trees specifically for state parks. Each person visiting www.odwalla.com/plantatree/_NC.jsp can vote for North Carolina and each vote = $1 for purchasing trees for planting.

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Black Bear Awareness ... details ±

Severe storms above 6,000 feet are unpredictable and can be life-threatening. Fog and winds can impede search-and-rescue crew and helicopter access. Hike and camp in the back country at your own risk.

NEVER rely on GPS, cell-phone, or rescue beacon devices to prevent/survive emergency situations.

ALWAYS be prepared for the worst weather. Closure of the Blue Ridge Parkway occurs frequently when snow & ice accumulate. Be prepared to stay extra days or pack up and leave upon request by a park ranger at any time.


Black bears have been active in and around the park, inflicting damage to vehicles and camping equipment. All of these incidents have resulted from the improper storage of food, toiletries, and trash.

NEVER feed bears. They can lose their fear of people and may have to be destroyed.

NEVER leave food unattended, even if in coolers. Secure ONLY in bear-proof container or car trunk with windows completely rolled up.


Campground Safety
You MUST secure all food, garbage, and any items that might smell like food to a bear (toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, cosmetics, pet food, cooking and cleaning supplies, stove fuel, etc.) in the bear-proof storage container available at each campground site.

Backcountry Camping and Hiking Safety
Foraging bears have been active and sometimes aggressive at the Commissary Ridge area. Bear-resistant food canisters or storage sacks are highly advised, otherwise food MUST be hung correctly at least 150 feet away from tent. Food bags should hang 5- feet below the branch, 5-feet from the tree trunk, and be at least 10-feet off the ground. Bears can and will climb trees and can easily reach food bags suspended at heights under 10 feet.

Failing to behave properly places you and your fellow visitors at risk for property damage and severe personal injury.

Updated: 2010-07-03 08:07:19

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Firewood Transportation Endangers Plants ... details ±

For those parks that allow campfires, serious plant pests can be introduced into our parks by campers who bring in firewood. To prevent this, many of our parks sell firewood. For campers who choose to bring in their own firewood, please use wood harvested from a source local to the park. Campers should not bring firewood from outside of North Carolina. More infor from the NC Division of Forest Resources

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Address: 2388 State Highway 128, Burnsville, NC 28714
GPS coordinates: 35.7528, -82.2737
Office Phone: (828) 675-4611

Email: mount.mitchell@ncmail.net

There are a few places in the world that still stand apart from the ordinary. Rising more than a mile high, surrounded by the gentle mist of low-hanging clouds, Mount Mitchell State Park is one of these extraordinary places.

In the crest of the timeworn Black Mountains lies the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi. For those who ascend this mighty peak, what looms in the horizon is a feast for the eyes—breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, rolling ridges and fertile valleys. Forested and forever misty, 1,946-acre Mount Mitchell State Park will provide you with some of the most tranquil moments you'll ever experience.

 Park Map - pdf      

Campground Map - pdf

Directions

Mount Mitchell State Park is located in Yancey County, 33 miles north of Asheville off the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker #355.
From Asheville, take the Blue Ridge Parkway north to mile marker #355 and turn left onto NC 128, which leads to the park. Winter conditions may cause delays or closures on the parkway.
From I-40, east of Asheville, take exit 86, NC 226 to Marion/Shelby. NC 226 merges with US 221 and US 70 in Marion. Veer left on US 70. After about two miles, turn north on NC 80. Follow NC 80 north/northeast for 16 miles. Turn left onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. Follow the parkway to mile marker #355 and turn right onto NC 128, which leads to the park.
From Highway 19, travel south on Highway 80 and turn right onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. Follow the parkway south to mile marker #355 and turn onto NC 128, which leads to the park.