It's no walk in the park...

We'll climb a cumulative 18,000' in elevation over our 72.371 miles of the Appalachian Trail. FYI: That's a greater elevation gain than climbers ascending from base camp to the summit of Mt Everest.

(click to enlarge this diagram)

Base elevation map courtesy of Robert Lochbaum.

This portion of the AT also boasts the highest point (Clingmans Dome: 6,643') on the entire 2,143 miles of the trail as well as the longest continous stretch above 5,000'.

Full moon, Great weather...

We're going for this thing rain or shine, but it sure is good to have such a fantastic weather report for Sept 2nd and 3rd.

Moon phase: 2 days from full... great for night visibility

Temp: 73-high = 51-low... perfect!

Precip: partly cloudy

Sunset Wed: 8:04pm

Sunrise Thurs: 7:05am

Of course... now it comes together.

Well folks, with just 30 minutes till kickoff on September 2nd, here's your schedule of runners and their approximate trek.

16.8 miles 9-2AM Mark Thurman and Bryan Hill

16.3 miles - 2-7AM Nick Baker and Paul Hassell

7.8 miles - 5:30 at Newfound Gap, then 6:00 at the parking lot at Clingman’s Dome. Walk up ~0.5mile paved trail to lookout tower ready to depart by 6:30am.

10.2 miles (in, then same distance back) - 8am at Newfound Gap. Ready by 8:30-9 am – 12:30 (passing on the torch) is Mark McComas and ?

9 miles - 12:30 – 3:00pm (hikes out down Snake Den Ridge Trail when torch is passed on) 30 is David Zampini from Pecks Corner ending at the trailhead of Snake Den Trail Head

11.9 miles - 3:30 – 7:00pm Snake Den Ridge to Davenport Gap, 11’ish miles, Nick Raff and ?