The Saturday following this hike is the Mt. Mitchell Challenge, a trail run from Black Mountain, NC to the summit of Mt. Mitchell and back.  It’s not an easy run, and to compound difficulty, the organizers put the run on the last weekend of February, with the greatest chance of bad weather.  Basically you have to be insane to want to run it.

We will hike up Mt. Mitchell and observe/document the trail conditions.  Be prepared for a winter hike by ensuring you have all necessary winter gear. Mt. Mitchell is the coldest and windiest location in the entire Southeast, as such gloves, extra layers are strongly encouraged, and may help avoid hypothermia at the summit. 

As we approach this hike, I may recommend having some additional traction for your feet like yaktracks, etc.  I have been on Commissary Ridge (the last 1.5 miles of the hike up to the summit) with a foot and half of ice covering the entire way up to the summit.  Traction would be very helpful here.
The last few winters in NC have been relatively mild compared to this year, so you may be in for a treat!  Read up on 2007’s Mt. Mitchell Recon hike to get a better idea (be sure to check out video of Greg Paige in the snow!):

http://mohammednc.blogspot.com/2007/02/mt-mitchell-in-snow.html

We will meet in Belmont, drive up to the Black Mountain Campgrounds, hike up to the summit at a comfortable pace, and then hike back down to the campgrounds. The hike is 12 miles round trip.  This is a no drop hike, however the hike is not recommended for beginners as the elevation gain (3,700 feet) and weather may pose challenges.

Bring water, a snack, map (Trails Illustrated #779), bunch of cloths (chicken me if you need advice here), camera, and a whole lotta positive energy!