WELCOME TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF OUR MUCH ANTICIPATED PEAKS 2 SHORE 2023 EVENT. #p2s2023

"I wish there was a way to know you were in the good old days before you actually left them." Andy Bernard

Venture Unknown is beyond excited to announce one of our most exciting events to date……Peaks 2 Shore 2023! This is a REAL overlanding adventure!! We traverse the acroos the entire beautiful state of North Carolina from the furthest point west to the outer banks! This is our 3rd year doing this trip and is the one the started it all!!! P2S last year was some of the best time I’ve ever had with some really amazing people! This trip has a lil bit of everything.... From creek crossings, mountain trails, to meandering mountain top to mountain top on the Blue Ridge Parkway, to the popular trails in Uwharrie NF, to trekking to the coastal forest of Croatan NF and then the rewarding finish of beach camping on Cape Lookout National Seashore!! It will be 7 DAYS of adventure packed fun while also becoming closer to ol friends and meeting new ones. Believe me this is a trip you will never forget and will tell the grandkids about on that rocking chair porch one day.

VU Registration process

Below is the timeline and explanation of our registration process. (ask questions if needing more info). Please only pre register if you honestly believe you will go. 

Due to the popularity of VU group rides, we will follow this process to honor a max rig count. The process is created to be fair. to keep the ride manageable. Our camps are only so big. We hope you will understand why we have this in place. 

4 registration phases

-Announcement on FB

-Pre registration (The phase we are in currently)

*If Pre-registration exceeds the rides max rig count we will proceed with the drawing of names (lottery)

-Drawing

-Official registration

Peaks 2 Shore registration timeline

-Mar 15th Official announcement of the ride details on FB

-Mar 16th 7pm Pre-registration opens.

-Apr 5th 7pm Pre-registration closes

-Apr 7th 7pm Drawing of names and official registration opens

-Apr 14th 7pm Official registration deadline

Drawing members

3-5 support members  chose by me 

10 drawing names

1 veteran 

1 Patreon (Best Friend or Family tier only)

Max rig count:

For the whole trip it will be appx 15.

The beach only portion does not have a max rig count but still must pre-register. There will be a question asking what portion you want to do. If beach only I will not include you in the drawing and you can proceed to officially register when it opens.

Ride Options

BEACH ONLY June 10th - 13th

MOUNTAIN ONLY June 7th - 9th (not encouraged due to taking up a spot for someone possibly wanting to do the whole trip)

WHOLE TRIP June 7th - 13th (Highly recommended) the journey is as important as the destination

Itinerary: (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Wed June 7th Early camp / 8th RALLY DAY

(Early arrival option) Early rally time can be Wednesday at our camp in the Martha Sundquist or arrive Thurs Jun 8th the morning of our 8am driver meeting. When you decide to end your trip depends on if you stay till the end June 13th or leave the island earlier. (Camp/rally coordinates will be shared in the registration)Rally at our camp in the Martha Sundquist Forest

Thurs June 8th

Appx ride time is 10 hours

Drivers meeting #1 will promptly begin @ 800am *PLEASE BE ON TIME* We will air down and depart at appx 900am to explore the beautiful Goat Trail, Buzzards Roost, and Hurricane Creek. After Hurricane we will air up and make our way to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway till we arrive and set camp near Old House Gap.

Fri June 9th

Appx ride time is 10 hours.

Drivers meeting #2 @ 730am. We will break camp and make our way over to Uwharrie NF where we will rally @ 4021 NC-109, Troy, NC 27371 Eldorado Outpost to obtain ride permits ($5) and ride the exciting Uwharrie trail system. We will split into 2 teams for this section of the trip. Stock 4x4 and built 4x4 teams. Afterwards will be a long drive to the coast where we will set camp somewhere in the Croatan NF and may have a Hipcamp. This is where we will stage to board the ferry the following day on Saturday morning

Sat June 10th

This is the day we will have a reservation to ferry over to Cape Lookout and will start exploring the island as we wait for the rest of the crew to arrive. Depending on your ferry time will determine how you spend this day. This is a great time to grab a shower at the bath houses located on the island!! Once we have rounded up all our friends we will proceed to find camp.

Sun June 10th- Tues June 13th

We do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BUT RELAX!!!

NOTE : YOU CAN DEPART ANYTIME YOU NEED FROM THE BEACH AS LONG AS ITS ARRANGED WITH THE FERRY SERVICE WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR RESERVATION

Cost:

Venture Unknown fee:

Donations are welcome and encouraged. This trip requires a good bit of time to plan and plus we will have stickers, patches, and possibly shirts created for this special event. More info on this will be on the website.

State permit:

$50 per rig state permit

https://www.recreation.gov/vehiclepermits/3332402

Rig requirements and ride expectations

• 4x4 required

• All terrains tires

• A small lift recommended

• First aid kit

• Spare tire

• Recovery gear recommended but not required

• GMRS radio (we have loaners if needed)

• Beach gear (sand stakes/bags)

• TREADlightly online awarness certification is required for all VU rides (Free and takes 30 minutes to do online). More info on this on the official registration

• Adventurious spirit is a must.

• Seat times for this ride are long. We have points we must make it to in order to make our ferry times on Saturday. Thurs and Friday will require appx 11 hour seat times. We do stop for lunch, fuel, and restroom. 

• Beach camping can be nice when the weather is cooperative, but has the potential to change and be brutal. Rain, wind, sand, tempertures can all be factors. It is important to stay informed and ask questions so we can all help each other be properly prepared. 

• We will all attend daily driver/ safety meetings before each day. Experienced spotters will be available if needed. The hardest trail we do on this route is Hurricane Creek. HC has some spots that require possible spotting.

Communication leading up to the ride:

Once official registration is complete we will have scheduled video conference calls . Typically I schedule 3 calls. First one is to thank yall, go over permit process, discuss ride plans, and answer any questions. Second will be to check in and make sure everyone has their permits and third will be appx a week before the ride to check all systems are go. We also will create a private chat on FB messenger . This is a way to prep, get excited, plan food prep, etc. It is highly encouraged to be in this chat. 

Ferry Service Info

$100 per rig +$18 per person (Children under 4 are free (this includes round trip)

WHEN YOU CALL TO MAKE RESERVATION FOR FERRY YOU MUST ARRANGE ON THE ISLAND AND OFF THE ISLAND TIMES. YOUR ON THE ISLAND TIME SHOULD BE SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY JUNE 10th.

https://cape-lookout-cabins-camps-ferry-davis-nc.com/ferr...

- link to acquire beach driving PERMIT ($50)

https://www.nps.gov/.../planyourvisit/orv_ed_certificate.htm

READ THE PERMIT WEBSITE CAREFULLY

-you need to call ferry service and reserve for a time for June 10th for whatever time is avail and is convenient to you. TELL THEM YOU ARE WITH VENTURE UNKNOWN

****THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT ***YOU MUST KNOW THE DAY/TIME YOU PLAN TO FERRY BACK TO THE MAINLAND (Most of us will leave Tues June 13th)

-you do not have to pay till the day you show up

-Beach access permit must be bought BEFORE THE TRIP

To sum up...

Call make reservation to ferry on island and off island day/time

Buy beach access permit before the ride

It seems expensive to visit Cape Lookout. The way we always justify it is it's under $200 to have a million dollar view for several days and wonderful nights. A beach hotel is more than $200 per night.

I'm looking forward to this epic adventure again this year with everyone!

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES

-I will have communications leading up to this trip to include a group chat on FB messenger , emails, video conference calls, and Facebook discussions.

-I will ensure you are fully informed and prepared to embark on this trip.

-Arrive to the rally point with a FULL TANK OF GAS!

-This trip is a matter of endurence and will require a tight schedule and good nights sleep. Once arrived at the beach is when we can cut loose and relax

-Some will choose to do only the mountain/beach section but the entire trip is highly recommended

-PACK FOR THE BEACH APPROPRIATELY. THERE IS NO STORE ON THE ISLAND. BEFORE ARRIVING AT THE FERRY YOU MUST HAVE EVERYTHING FOR THE DAYS PLANNED TO STAY. BAGS OF ICE ARE AVAILABLE , FUEL, AND HOT SHOWERS ON THE BEACH BUT THATS ABOUT IT.

Ok lets do this!! Thanks for your interest in joining Venture Unknown on this journey!!!