deep wilderness adventure ?

Check Outward Bound:

http://www.outwardbound.org/

They offer some of the best backcountry training and trips in the country for folks of all ages and abilities. You do have to pay to participate but it is well worth it. One of their offices in in North Carolina and another is in Atlanta.

Also, see if there is a Sierra Club chapter in your area: they usually have active members who do extended backcountry trips.

Before I answer your question I will preface my answer by saying I know you said Georgia or North Carolina. With that said I would say if you are serious about wilderness and getting into the thick of it look farther north, way north as in Northern Minnesota north. There is a area called the Boundary Waters which is over 1million acres of wilderness and lakes, and that's just on the American side, you can cross into Canada if you want. I go up there on my own for about a week and a half at a time with very little gear. I know that there are quite a few outfitters in Ely (the town closest to the Boundary Waters) that run trips in the BW. I would highly recommend looking into that area. Some of the outfitters that I can remember off hand are Voyageur North and Piragis, these would be good starting points for you.

Try joining one of the many Yahoo! or Facebook groups on backpacking, camping or hiking. There are groups as specific as "Backpacking Northwest Georgia," if you like.

Also, before you run off and join the Sierra Club, you should investigate their true goals and track records. I won't go on an off-topic rant here, except to say you might be surprised at how anti-recreation and elitist this club really is.

If I were you I'd go to sportsmans warehouse and talk to people there in the store it's a friendly place with cool stuffed heads to look at too. or maybe bass pro shop or cabellas. you're destined to find lots of people interested. Kudos on the buddy system tons of hikers die because of poor planning and solitude. I can tell you've got a good brain in your noggin.

PS I'm sssooooo super jealous there is seriously no place to camp in china can't wait to train to be a park ranger in college!

Come to the smoky mountains! Lots of hiking groups here! And really not that dangerous.