WHITESIDES MTN NORTH CAROLINA
(700FT)
This is a MANDATORY event for all Bridgeday and El Capitan Team Members.
The exposure and rope weight is similar to that of the New River Gorge Bridge. For El Capitan team members we practice with a weighted rope for simulation of a 2600ft rappel. This is an excellent place to experience exposure and deal with the issue of the heavy rope weight of El Cap.
September 26th weekend. As always any new members are required to attend this event in order to qualify for the Bridge rappel. Thursday, September 25th late arrive at camp. Friday Sept. 26th, 7:00am, breakfast, 9:00am rig and rap, Saturday Sept 27th 7:00am breakfast, 9:00am rap and derig, diner at Carolina BBQ. Sunday Sept. 28th breakfast and depart for home. There is a good possibility that we may be doing El Cap weighted rope practice at Whitesides this year as we are in the planning stages of a year 2010 El Cap Rappel Expedition. If so we may add an extra rappel day on Thursday, more info LATER.
We will be camping at Blue Valley campground. It is free and the same drive as Van Hook. You can bring a camp shower or a plastic bowl to wash out of if need be. It is private and secluded. Nice spot with a wonderful outhouse.
Directions to Blue Valley and Whitesides from the North
I-77 south to Wytheville, I-81 south or west towards Bristol, follow to Johnson City I-26 south to Ashville (this is where you have to pay attention) when you come into Asheville, follow signs to get to I-40 west, take I-40 west 17 miles to Waynesville, Lake Janaluski Exit,, Rt 74/23/441 south towards Waynesville approximately 30 miles, take Rt 23/441 towards Franklin, 22miles, exit onto Rt 64 east/ 28 south to Highlands, when you come into Highlands it should be the second light, rt 64 will turn left to Whitesides app 5 miles to the Whitesides turn of just past Wildcat Cliffs country club. To get to Blue Valley turn Right at the second light, 28 south, app 5.5 mile down the mountain you will see the Blue Valley camp ground sign on the right, (if you cross into Georgia you went to far), Turn right onto the road follow it several miles till you come to a "T", we should be to the right of this "T".