This will be the first hike of what will hopefully become an official chapter of the American Pioneer Corps.

If you aren’t familiar with APC, read up on the website here.

The plan is to begin hiking NLT 0900 Saturday morning. The trail will be posted closer to the date, but it will be around Johnson City, TN.

The goal is to complete a 3 mile hike in accordance with APC standards to achieve a Provisional Candidate rating. This requires a pack weight of 25lbs and a time limit of under 1 hour. If there is enough interest and participation we can opt to complete 6 miles with 35lbs in under two hours to go toward the Pioneer Candidate 3rd Class rating.

We will not be carrying long guns, so in accordance with the standards we will carry an additional 10lbs each. So, 35lbs total weight plus water for the 3  miler or 45lbs plus water for the 6 miler.

More reading on the APC rating system can be found here.

Please remember that the APC is an apolitical organization, so political discussion while acting on behalf of APC is not allowed. (See link above)

Also I recommend reading the posts by @Ben in this thread.

Ben, if I have left anything out that you would like posted here please let me know. A lot of us appreciate what you are doing with APC and want to see it grow and prosper. Thank you.

I look forward to seeing some of you guys again and meeting new people next month!

@arowneragain
@FBATFE
@Paulie771

@mohawk17
@Merlin

Thanks for the invite!  Unfortunately, the 5 1/2 hour drive is a bit too much.  

Shiiiiiiit. That’s the weekend my little brother is getting married in ‘Nooga. Hopefully I can make the next or one in middle TN. Thanks for the mention.

I will get it on the schedule and will update if I can’t make it.
I run and bike a few times a week but we don’t have much hiking in my part of Texas so i would have to opt for the 3mi only.
Any advice on gear/prep would be greatly appreciated.
I look forward to seeing more of East Tn and getting to meet some of you!

I'll be there.

That's a really long drive, and not the best weekend for me, so I decided to wait a bit before replying to the thread.

I'm not saying 'no'. But I do want to ask:

Anyone want to split an Airbnb the night before? If I was rested I think I could do the hike and drive home the same day. And I have a decently fuel-efficient car for up to 4 passengers (6 if you're REALLY SMALL).

I've got a couch or tent spot for you if you want.

Would something like this be suitable for 35lb?
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THANK YOU!

I have to be sure I can come before I commit. But that's a great option.

I definitely recommend something with a hip belt. I’m not familiar with that pack but try to find something rated to carry the weight you plan to hike with.

I was planning for tomorrow at your place.  

This one is too far.  

Humm....I am in east TN (eastern time zone) but way further south....like can throw a rock and hit GA.  I doubt I could make that trip.

As a note people are going to have to @ me as I don't usually go in the hometown section that much.

It will be the second weekend of Bear season with dogs. May want to carry some orange.

sounds interesting but i will be out hunting.

If anyone from the Knoxville area is wanting to go and would like to save a little on fuel, I will have plenty of room in my pickup.

Hey guys, we’ll be doing the Tweetsie Trail, meeting at the Johnson City trailhead.

More info on the trail.

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It was great meeting everyone and I look forward to doing this more often.
I am good with a two hour radius around Knoxville for future hikes if we are wanting to do another one closer to some
of you that were interested but felt Johnson city was a little far.
I am also open to carpooling with locals to hikes that may be further away.

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Great hike today! Wonderful to meet you guys. Looking forward to the next one. We gotta pump those numbers up though!

Yep! Lol I’ll even wear a pack next time