To answer Anna's questions:
1) Sam's maps for Rockies are broke out into Colorado or New Mexico, which one is needed?
We will be in NM ever so briefly before we get into CO and pick-up the Shadow of the Rockies (SOR) route. So if you wanted to save a few pennies and skip the NM map that would be fine. The black line parallels the route we'll be taking.
2a) Since the rally point is WV, does this mean that the Atlantic Spur is skipped?
Yes, we are skipping the Atlantic Ocean Spur. We are doing the Shadow of the Rockies Spur (SOR) once we're in CO, and picking up the Pacific Ocean Spur (POS) in ID.
2b) If so, should I choose to do this section, what is the allotted timeframe I should plan for this section and still make the rally point?
I honestly don't know. The route is described as starting from the outer banks of the Atlantic Ocean (Nags Head) to Burnsville, VA (469 miles). Then once in Burnsville, you head north to Ripley WV (about another 225 miles) which I'm figuring is all pavement. So you're looking at about 700 miles total, with a good portion paved at the beginning and end. Those last 225 miles should all be pavement, so that's an easy half-day or so.
Link:
Atlantic Ocean Spur: aka AOS – TransAm Trail
Off the top of my head... be at the start of the AOS in Nags Head a week prior (start the spur on 5 June). That'll give you a week to enjoy the AOS. You want to get to Ripley, WV NLT early in the day on 11 June, so you can get repacked/replenished, do laundry, and be ready to go early on 12 June (I'm shooting to get to Ripley by the 10th). The AOS sounds beautiful - you don't want to rush it or miss any part of it.
3) I currently have Kelly AT's new, came with the purchase. About 6k on them. Would these work or do they need upgraded? I was looking at the Wildpeaks, but don't want to spend the cash if not necessary.
Those tires should be fine. Make sure you've got a same-size matching spare tire on a matching rim.
4a) Nightly camping. Will it be disbursed/primitive?
Totally depends on where we end up for the night. Plan on primitive, so if there are facilities, you'll be pleasantly surprised. If we're at a formal campground, we may be assigned spots, and we might not all be side-by-side. We might even spend a night circling the wagons in a Walmart parking lot one night (it might happen, and it'll give you a story to tell afterwards).
4b) At the very least have a outhouse?
Again, depends on where we end up. The TAT has campgrounds and such marked, and many of us have apps that show camping areas (from primitive sites to luxurious). If we're at a campground, there should be something there for bathrooms. If in the middle of a field, you may be digging a hole. One of those folding toilet seat things come in handy. This looks like what I've got:
Link:
Rothco Portable Camp Toilet-RO560-5188 (gnarlygorilla.com)
My folding toilet seat, TP, supplies, etc. all go in the Trasharoo bag mounted on the spare tire of the Jeep. I can also put trash bags in there till I can get to a place to dispose of them. You can see the small shovel used to dig potty holes up on the roof rack above the passenger door. The gray container inside the spare tire on the back of the trailer holds two gallons of water.
4c) What about water/trash? Will there be spots to drop off trash and refill water daily?
Don't count on campgrounds having water. Carry it with you. We should be somewhere daily where you can refill water when we stop (I usually buy gallon jugs of water for drinking, and use this to refill my water bottle). I usually have separate water for drinking, and water for everything else. And there should be places we get to daily (like a gas station) to dump trash if the campground doesn't have a dumpster. You may have to carry your trash with you sometimes till we get to a place to drop off trash. Buy a box of kitchen trash bags so you can have a fresh bag daily (you can tie them in a knot so they're sealed-up and won't leak till you can properly dispose of them).
5) Will refueling be done daily?
That's kind-of my plan. But that's one of the reason's I mentioned early-on that when we stop for gas, everyone fills-up.
6) Not sure which TAT to purchase - Hard copy/paper or go with GPX. I have a Garmin RV660 (lived the RV life full time for 3 yrs) which uses SD cards along with Basecamp. However as we know SD's have a tendency to stop working. As such, I am leaning towards the hard copies. I see the group as a whole uses GAIA; Is there an app a little simpler to use?
I would go with the GPX. I've become a believer after using it for a while (actually, after the first time). Unless you've got a passenger acting as navigator with their nose constantly in the map watching where you're going (not fun for them), it is too easy to not know where you are on the paper map. Been there even when I was trying to follow a map the best I could.
My recommendation: Get the premium GAIA subscription (about $35/year), download it on your computer/laptop, and put it on your phone (and have a phone mount on your dash). Then order the GPX maps from Sam and load them. Most of us (I don't know if everyone) will be using GAIA. So if you have a question about it, you'll have plenty of folks that can help you with GAIA questions. I don't know of a "simpler" app. They all have a learning curve. I'm 60 years old, and somewhat computer knowledgeable. I'm able to get it working pretty quickly (still learning some of the finer points) - it isn't that difficult. There are a lot of smarter folks on this thread that can help you/us. Once set-up, you're all set - just follow the line with your arrow.
7) Will there be some sort of virtual gathering(s) before departure, (i.e. zoom, facetime, etc.)?
I hadn't planned on it. I was going to contact all that are signed-up starting a month out to see if everyone is still going, and put out last minute info on this thread the two weeks leading up to the departure date. I will be traveling from WA to WV the week prior (driving 2500 miles), so I won't have my usual computer access like I do when at home. I figure there will be others who will be driving a few days to get to the starting point too.
I'm trying to keep this simple - Sign-up, Show up ready to go, & Enjoy the ride, comradery, and the adventure. This thread is the place to ask questions. Lots of info was front loaded by me in the first few posts (requirements and such), and questions have already been brought-up and answered such as radios, licenses, GPS, etc. But I'm sure there will be more questions that come-up as we get closer to the departure date.
And on that note, if anyone out there who is signed-up finds out they're not going to be able to go after-all, please remove your name from the list. If you can't get it removed, send me a PM and I'll get an administrator to remove your name.
Keep asking questions - there are probably others with the same questions in mind.
