AT 2,000 Miler Plaque from ATC

 I don't think the ATC does this anymore, especially given the thousands who hiked the trail after me.

Appalachian Trail 1974-1975

 In my research of the AT in the early seventies. I got the 2,000 miler applications for the two years from the Appalachian Trail Archives, housed in the Special Collections at George Mason University:

Join us for “An Evening in the Archives” ft. The Appalachian Conservancy Trail Collection | News (gmu.edu)

I missed this talk, but have been getting papers and such from the collection.

So on this date in 1975

George Conger

Ralph Ferrusi

Gordon King

Chris Lea

Completed the 2,000 Mile AT!

Congrats.

Appalachian Trail Lean-tos

 More recently known as shelters, I prefer the old name fashioned after the classic Adirondack LT.  The ATC has a page devoted to the shelters and suggests the positives and negatives as well as Shelter Etiquette!

High Point Number 1 LT, NJ. at 1230 miles from Springer Mtn.

For a list and map of the AT Shelters, look no further than here.  

On my 2,000 mile I stayed in lean-tos probably 79 times.  Not so much in Georgia, though, since I was in synched with the gaps and not the ridge lines.

Gentian Pond LT, NH at 1766 miles from Springer and brand new in 1974!

The AMC crew was leaving the site and left us a bunch of food.  

Most LT were nice, (Locust Ridge LT),

some had resident mice, (Russell Field LT),

some leaked (Neys LT),

many were trashed by hikers (Curley Maple LT),

and a picnic table was always nice! (Old Orchard LT).

Now for two great references one free and one not. For example search for this title in the Whites.

"WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST HIKING SHELTER SYSTEM"

Plus this one on a slide sharing website.

For a nice coffee table book, see The Appalachian Trail: Backcountry Shelters, Lean-Tos, and Huts

Finally, do youe search with Google; Bing is not complete.

Appalachian Trail Histories

 First you gotta' check out this excellent website.

Like the ATC's history and the NPS, this goes into details of the (mainly) southern AT.

So, while you are waiting to head to Springer in a couple months, read about the AT.

And it is also a plug for the new book by Mills Kelly.  I got my order in!

Thinking about an Appalachian Trail hike?

 Well, if you got Bill Bryson's book for Christmas , you might one of the 1,000 plus hikers who will strike out from Springer Mt this spring.

Blood Mt. Georgia

Before you head to Dick's* to buy the $1,000 worth of equipment you will need, you might get real and visit this ATC page first.

And then get in shape, prepare your diet, save about $5,000 in 2023 dollars. practice backpacking in 100 degree weather, freezing snow and ice, a week of raining eating the same kind of food and so on.  Oh yeah carry enough water in case of draught (2 pounds a quart/liter).

*or better yet, REI, EMS or the local outdoor store in your community like Shawnee Trails Wilderness Outfitters.

For that matter hike the River to River Trail or some local long distance trail (100  miles or so) to test your mental and physical ability.

Wet Boots on the Appalachian Trail (5 June 75)

 Anyone who hikes the AT should expect wet boots, 60% of the time.  On the 5th of June in 1975, I had been trailing several thru hikers and just could not catch up to them.  So I spent many days alone.

"When will the rain stop?"

At this point of my trip I shared my concern about hiking in Connecticut and Massachusetts without maps and a guidebook, but figured I would ask other hikers to see theirs.

oh yeah, Farmers Mill LT leaked.

Here is a recent map of Fahnestock State Park.

Lots of trail relos were in the future for this area of the AT in New York.  Google AT in NY in the 1980s to read more about the relocations.  Lots of interesting stuff.  Kudos to the ATC for making it happen.

Tourism Transformations in Protected Area Gateway Communities

 

On 6 April 1975, I hiked down the mountain to Duncannon, PA, where my dad picked me up.  I would return to the trail later that spring.  Stay tuned.

Here in 2021 and 2022, I am still writing about the Appalachian Trail.  A BIG thanks to my coauthors Julie Judkins, from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Jessica Schottanes, MRP and MS in Geography from UMass - Amherst.

Get your copy from CABI.

Enjoy chapter 2 in particular: Appalachian Trail Communities: Gateway Partners in Parks and Protected Area Management

See a preview here.

Starting your thru-hike of the AT

 This webpage from the ATC shows the number of registered hikers heading north from Georgia.  Each day there could be around 50 hikers reaching the same campsite, pooping at the same spots and drinking from the same springs.

Enjoy and stay safe.

Does a bear s%$t in the woods?

 Well yes of course.  

To learn more about sanitary facilities, see the ATC blog.

And to get really deep in the subject try this.

The A.T. in Its Second Century - Collaborating with A.T. Communities

 Check out this video from Julie Judkins.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-7u4KbYhcw

ATC Director of Education & Outreach Julie Judkins explains how collaboration between Trailside communities and Trail management partners is essential for engaging and encouraging a new generation of stewards to become involved in A.T. protection.

Here is a trail pic to satisfy your craving.