What we’re about
DC UL Backpacking hosts an average of 80 backpacking events each year, specializing in high-mileage, lightweight backpacking trips throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Our membership structure helps backpackers gain or enhance their outdoor skills. In general, our trips are quite challenging but you’ll find a wealth of experienced backpackers who are eager to share advice. Visit our website (www.dculbackpacking.com) to learn more about our group and our membership and trip ranks, and to read our FAQs.
Our goal: To cultivate a community of independent outdoors men and women who want nothing more than to have a fulfilling backcountry experience–to wake early, to walk far, and to travel light.
Join us. We look forward to meeting you!
When applying to join our group, make sure to fill out our questionnaire fully. We also require that your profile photo is of yourself.
*** Read our liability waiver (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver/) and COVID-19 guidelines here: https://dculbackpacking.com/about/covid-19-guidelines/. ***
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- MO: W-1: MLK Weekend North MassanuttenVienna/Fairfax-GMU Station, Fairfax, VA
Overview: Join me in escaping for three days to the mountains relatively close to town in the George Washington National Forest over MLK long weekend. Weather permitting, we should be rewarded with sweeping views after climbs to ridges and peaks. Splits: 12.5, 11.7 and 8.4 miles.
Qualifications: This for participants with winter backpacking experience who have previously been promoted to DCUL Member. Read about DCUL winter ratings here: https://dculbackpacking.com/about/tripranks/. If you do not have previous winter backpacking experience but have been promoted to full Member, message the organizer with a list of your cold weather gear.
Winter: Weather in January can be dicey. Be prepared to sleep in temperatures as low as single digits and protect your water and equipment from freezing. We may need microspikes if trails are icy. Also be prepared for cold rain just above freezing. I'll do an update a few days before the trip when we have a forecast. If you need to borrow gear, post a request in the comments below.
Meeting Up:
-- Carpoolers meet at 8:00 at the NORTH parking lot of the Vienna Metro. (NOT inside the station, where the GPS pin defaults.).
-- Please let the organizer know if you can drive, need a carpool ride, or will drive directly to the trailhead.
-- The trailhead is the Signal Knob parking area, Fort Valley Rd, Fort Valley, VA 22652. GPS coordinates: 38.93504, -78.32015.
-- Be at the trailhead at 9:15. We hike at 9:30.The Backpacking Plan:
Day 1: From the Signal Knob lot, we hike eastward on the Tuscarora/Massanutten Trail (NOT directly toward Signal Knob). We turn right (NE) on the Meneka Peak Trail and then north on the Massanutten Trail to Signal Knob. Then turn left downhill (SW) on the Massanutten Trail. We'll take drinking water at Little Passage Creek, before turning right (SW) to climb to Doll Ridge and move along the dry ridge on the Tuscarora Trail. When we intersect the Massanutten Trail, we'll hook a sharp left (NE) to descend to the forest road. We'll follow that a short distance north to camp at Mudhole Gap. (About 12.5 miles and 2,500 gross feet of climbing.)
Day 2. We'll follow the Mudhole Gap Trail (SE then NE) toward the Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground. Well cross Passage Creek just north of the campground, and turn right (SE) on the Botts Trail along the eastern bank of the creek. We'll then follow the Sherman Gap Trail southward until turning right (SW) on the Tuscarora/Massanutten Trail toward Little Crease Mountain. We follow that until the Little Crease Shelter, near Veach Gap, where we spend the night. (11.7 miles, and 1994 feet of climbing.)
Day 3. We follow the Tuscarora/Massanutten Trail all the way back to the cars, through many twists and turns. From Little Crease Shelter, we retrace our steps a short distance, but continue straight (NE) along the high ridge before turning sharply left (west) at Shawl Gap. We switchback down the slope toward the Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area, cross Passage Creek in a second location, and hike NE to the cars. (8.4 miles, and 1,575 feet of climbing.) Some of us may stop on the way back to Vienna for a meal, maybe at Spelunker's at 116 South Street in Front Royal.
Maps: Each participant must have a map and follow the route. Recommended maps include:
-- PATC Map G: Massanutten Mountain -- North Half. https://potomactrailclub.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/potomactrailclub/product.jsp?product=20&catalogId=2&
-- GPS route: https://caltopo.com/m/BPJV3N5
-- Printable PDF of the GPS route: https://caltopo.com/p/L14GFOrganizational Points:
-- By RSVPing, you agree to DCUL's liability waiver terms: https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver/. The trip organizer is a co-participant, not an expert or guide. Each participant is responsible for their own safety, including navigation.
-- DCUL's carpool policy asks riders to pay drivers ten cents per mile. That works out to $13 for this trip.
-- If your plans change and you cannot come, please change your RSVP promptly. Please do not "ghost" or "no-show."
-- If you have not yet paid your 2025 DCUL dues, please use this link: https://www.paypal.me/JenniferAdach/10Presidential Inauguration:
The presidential inauguration is January 20. Plan accordingly if you live in a part of DC that may be affected. - VMO W1: Wild Oak and Shenandoah Mountain trailVienna Metro (North Parking Lot), Vienna, VA
Reposting for later this month. Hopefully there will not be -22F wind chill! Meet at Vienna Friday evening, head to the trailhead on FR 95. Splits are 4/25/14 with around 6k elevation on Saturday. We will do the loop clockwise with a dry camp on friday. Hopefully weather is nice but will definitely be hiking in the dark on Friday and Saturday. I’ve never been to this area before but heard good things.
As it is January, weather will be dark and cold, and maybe snow, but if there is anything particularly bad that would get us far out of W1 like heavy snow, freezing rain, or highs below 15 the trip may be cancelled/modified. Also wear some hunter orange.
Maps:- Paper: Nat Geo 791 - Staunton Shenandoah Mountain
- CalTopo: https://caltopo.com/m/LE6L
Weather: https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Elliott-Knob/forecasts/1360
Also, this trip is VMO (Veteran Members Only). For more details on trip rankings, please refer to this page. If you are a member and you are very interested in joining, email me madeline.beaudry@gmail.com.
By RSVPing to this trip or any other DC UL trip, you agree to DC UL's liability waiver.
As per our carpool policy, riders should plan to pay drivers $0.10/mile. This is a long drive, at nearly 300 miles round trip meaning $30 to the drivers
Now that we're in the new year, it's time to pay your dues and earn that sweet ('25) next to you name. To pay your dues via PayPal, use this link: https://www.paypal.me/JenniferAdach/10
- ONLINE (self-paced) Wilderness First Aid available ALL DAYS NOW until Jan 31stLink visible for attendees
In your own home, at your own leisure (anytime -- not just the date of this event): now you can learn a ton in the online portion of Disaster + Travel + Wilderness First Aid! COURSE TOPICS VIDEOS are almost exactly as MEDIC SOLO always presents them with the latest on disaster and wilderness medical science. Intermixed at several points we guide you to practice various skills.
Choose one of two ways to learn:
a) Take the self-guided course (no certification) $99.
b) Take the self-guided online course and attend a skills scenarios workshop (one day on-line) and get certified $249 (Early Bird).
Register here: https://solowfa.com/register-online-SOLO-disaster-wilderness-first-aid-course.html
In order to get certified, you will start watching our highly-rated, self-paced videos one month prior to your Skills Scenarios Workshop date and:- Practice skills at home before your Workshop date, send us photographs and our Instructors will provide you with kudos and constructive ideas.
- Pass the multiple-choice quiz and test is what verifies that you're ready for your workshop day with an instructor.
- Attend your online Skills Scenarios Workshop full day with a live instructor and a live human patient. Use a unique software which nearly replicates the in-person learning experience.
- Gain as much to more hands-on learning experience as compared to an in-person course.
- Instructors give individual live feedback to students while you perform hands-on skills in your own home.
- Graduates receive the internationally-renowned SOLO 2-year WFA Certification.
Upcoming online Skills Scenario Workshop dates:
November 17th, 2024
January 25, 2025
March 1, 2025
May 3, 2025
May 31, 2025
and June 14 2025.Sneak peek at the course:
https://www.solowfa.com/online-sample.htm
