CELEBRATING 2,000-MILERS How to Plan Right for Your Next Hike Energy Equilibrium: Finding a Balance Along the A.T

the official magazine of the appalachian trail conservancy / spring 2018

CELEBRATING 2,000-MILERS How to Plan Right for Your Next Hike Energy Equilibrium: Finding a Balance along the A.T. Corridor MISSION The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail — ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come.

On The Cover Do you know these 2,000-milers? Perhaps it is you in this photo? If The Magazine of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy / spring 2018 so, send a note to: editor@ appalachiantrail.org and we will publish ATC Executive Leadership it in the Letters Suzanne Dixon / President & CEO section of the Summer 2018 issue Stacey J. Marshall / Vice President of Finance & Administration of A.T. Journeys. Mark Saari / Acting Vice President of Membership & Development Board of Directors / Vice President of Conservation & Trail Programs Laura Belleville Sandra Marra / Chair Brian B. King / Publisher Greg Winchester / Vice Chair Javier Folgar / Director of Marketing & Communications Elizabeth (Betsy) Pierce Thompson / Secretary Lynn Davis / Director of Federal Policy & Legislation Mary Higley / Treasurer Cherie A. Nikosey / Director of Human Resources Colin Beasley Beth Critton Shalin Desai A.T. Journeys Norman P. Findley Wendy K. Probst / Managing Editor Arthur Foley Traci Anfuso-Young / Graphic Designer Edward R. Guyot Daniel A. Howe Contributors Robert Hutchinson Colleen Peterson Laurie Potteiger / Information Services Manager Jennifer Pharr Davis Jordan Bowman / Public Relations & Social Media Manager Rubén Rosales Brittany Jennings / Proofreader Nathaniel Stoddard

President’s Advisory Circle Membership Advertising Hon. C. Stewart Verdery, Jr. / Chair For membership questions A.T. Journeys is published four times Shooter Starr / Vice Chair or to become a member, call: per year. Advertising revenues directly Diana Christopulos (304) 885-0460 support the publication and production of Constance I. DuHamel the magazine, and help meet Appalachian Lisa Koteen Gerchick Trail Conservancy objectives. For more Jessica Herrera-Flanigan [email protected] information and advertising rates, visit: R. Michael Leonard appalachiantrail.org/atjadvertising Stephanie Martz Robert Rich Thomas Torrisi The staff of A.T. Journeys welcomes A.T. Journeys is published A.T. Journeys ( ISSN 1556-2751) is Sara Hazelwood Yanes editorial inquiries, suggestions, on Somerset matte paper published quarterly for $15 a year by and comments. Email: manufactured by Sappi North the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, [email protected] America mills and distributors 799 Washington Street, Harpers Observations, conclusions, that follow responsible forestry Ferry, WV 25425, (304) 535-6331. opinions, and product practices. It is printed with Soy Bulk-rate postage paid at Harpers endorsements expressed in A.T. Seal certified ink in the U.S.A. Ferry, West Virginia, and other Journeys are those of the authors by Sheridan NH in Hanover, New offices. Postmaster: Send change- © 2018 Appalachian Trail Conservancy. All rights reserved. and do not necessarily reflect those Hampshire. of-address Form 3575 to A.T. of members of the board or staff of Journeys, P.O. Box 807, Harpers the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Ferry, WV 25425.

welcome

A.T. Inspiration Hey Y’all, It is an honor to join That message is resonating. The ATC the Appalachian Trail Conservancy has responded to several requests to speak (ATC) as the president and CEO. As I before large and small groups about the write this, I am 14 weeks into my new importance of the A.T. greenway. In March, position, just long enough to form some the ATC was one of three organizations strong and positive initial impressions invited to present at the National Park I’d like to share with you. Friends Alliance annual meeting, a gath- Before my first day on the job with the ering of 200 friends groups who support HATC, as I began telling my friends and national parks around the country in family that I was taking this position, I various ways. I am proud to report that heard dozens of stories about weekend the reception to our message is positive backpacking trips and aspirational thru- and enthusiastic, and that we are building hikes on the Appalachian Trail; about and expanding our base of support to help Trail angels and people who eventually protect the Trail. became life partners after meeting on the Over time, with the support of our great LEVITY | LUMINA Trail; about encounters with bears and team at the ATC, our volunteers, and part- about dealing with loud snorers in shared ners, I expect to build the profile of the ATC shelters; and about the pleasures of hot to draw in more and more supporters. I want showers and restaurant-served comfort to make certain the public understands that Spring 2018 food after several days on the Trail. the work we do honors the forward-looking 04 Our work will Delightfully — as I meet with members, vision of Benton MacKaye, who, while walk- volunteers, donors, clubs, and communities, ing in the woods, conceived of a unifying preserve one of federal agency partners, and elected officials trail in 1921 — and is credited with getting the most important — the colorful accounts of Appalachian the grand idea of the A.T. built. Now is our

A.T. Journeys A.T. Trail experiences continue. Everyone seems time to take MacKaye’s vision to the next landscapes in the to have an A.T. story — or wants one. phase. MacKaye 2.0? eastern United Which leads me to the point: the Trail We need to let the nation know (the You know what isn’t cool? Suffering has a remarkable ability to inspire. Nearly world, for that matter) that the inspiration States so that it can for the wrong reasons. Suffering 6,500 people are inspired every year to of and for the A.T. prevails. Over the next continue to inspire give up time and other pursuits to build several years, we will continue to welcome through physical challenges? That’s each of us. privies, rip out invasive species, and clear millions of outdoor recreationists. We will cool. Suffering because your pack the Trail of hazards after a storm. Local continue to assist Trail Communities in hurts? Not cool. So whether you’re communities welcome thru-hikers and optimizing their economies and way of life. over three million day-hikers and week- We will continue to be one of the most planning on doing the Lost Coast Trail end backpackers, appreciating that their impressive volunteer forces in the country, in a weekend or setting a blistering future is closely tied to ongoing steward- and will catalyze the engagement and ship of the A.T. Educators and researchers stewardship of youth. Our work will pre- pace on the Triple Crown, why not discover new ways to connect young serve one of the most important land- take an ultralight pack that feels people, and all of us, to nature. Veterans scapes in the eastern United States so that good on your back? After all, find peace and refuge. it can continue to inspire each of us. I have made it my mission to meet with Our mission — together — is to build nothing weighs more than pain. the public and our partners to carry this and mature broadened awareness of the message forward: the power of the A.T. significance, importance, and uniqueness motivates each of us and the very future of the A.T. Our strength is in our stories and of the Trail depends on what we do now. in our shared commitment to the Trail. I am What we do now affects millions of grateful to be on this journey with you. Americans in the eastern United States, for generations to come. Suzanne Dixon / President & CEO LEVITY | LUMINA

You know what isn’t cool? Suffering for the wrong reasons. Suffering through physical challenges? That’s cool. Suffering because your pack hurts? Not cool. So whether you’re planning on doing the Lost Coast Trail in a weekend or setting a blistering pace on the Triple Crown, why not take an ultralight pack that feels good on your back? After all, nothing weighs more than pain. contents spring 2018

Lou Killion and Allie Tate pose with a handmade pizza box sign marking the end of their flip-flop thru-hike in Greenwood Lake, New York.

16 / Trailhead ATC Opens D.C. Office; myATstory Season 2; Land and Water Conservation Fund Support; National Trails Day

44 / A.T. Communities Our new feature profiles inviting communities near the A.T. that work in tandem with the ATC to enhance stewardship of the 24 Trail — this stop: Marion, Virginia. 2,000-milers Whether northbound, southbound, flip-flop, 46 / PROFILES or by section — 1,254 hikers reported Dudley White’s preparation for a flip-flop thru-hike this spring included a generous their completion of the A.T. this past year. donation to the ATC.

12 / Energy Equilibrium 48 / Trail stories When it comes to energy infrastructure plans along the One spunky woman shares her burning desire A.T. corridor, the ATC wants a seat at the table. to hike portions of the Trail on her own terms.

22 / Q & A with Suzanne Dixon 55 / as i see it Get to know the ATC’s new president and CEO. Thoughts on the highs and lows — and the rhythm of long-distance hiking on the Trail. 32 / planning your hike A how, where, and what-to-know guide to prepare for and enjoy any section of the Trail. 04 / welcome 09 / Letters 38 / Mother Nature’s 10 / overlook Finest Pallet 50 / Trail giving A New Jersey native regularly hikes sections of the Trail with his camera to capture its beauty one frame at a time. 54 / public notices Submerse yourself in the Trail experience with our new dynamic digital edition of A.T. Journeys NO APP // ANY WHERE // ALL DEVICES engaging video, additional photo features, and more, all in a beautiful easy-to-use format. GO PAPERLESS

Subscribe today appalachiantrail.org/paperless Photo by Steven Yocom !

ADVENTURE ANYWHERE WITH THE NEW OPTIC & OCTAL

ULTRALIGHT REIMAGINED

OCTAL 45 =2.3lbs OPTIC 48=2.4lbs [GREGORYPACKS.COM] OCTAL 55=2.4lbs OPTIC 58=2.5lbs letters

The 14 State Challenge is a ed parts of the Trail, and the mud oh, so gently. A big thanks to all of ATC, marvelous initiative. The Winter issue of (thank God for the slimy rocks and especially its volunteers. I am really A.T. Journeys came in today’s mail and I roots so one can hop from one to an- grateful for being able to have this read Anne Baker’s article (“14 States other for miles, right?!) Loved to meet wonderful and insightful experience. Endless Ways to Hike”) with great inter- the much more solipsistic SOBOs. Jakob Jasa Kenda est. I have been walking on the A.T. for Loved the solitude of the southbound Ljubljana, Slovenia 46 years and lived beside it for 13 years. hike. Loved southern Maine and north- I have no ambition to walk the entire ern New Hampshire, especially the part I very much liked the illustration length. This notion of hiking some por- from Caratunk to Gorham — so beauti- by Rick Sealock of the damage going on tion in each state is very appealing. I ful one could die of happiness. Loved to the ash trees along the Appalachian have my aspirational patch already. walking back into the NOBO bubble and Trail (“Beneath the Bark” Winter 2018). Seven states down, seven to go. meeting the people I had hiked with If one picture can capture the carnage, Barry “Loop Trail” Chafin down south — oh, the joy of seeing so then he was successful. We are losing the Louisville, Kentucky many friends again! Loved the chal- fight on most invasive species issues in lenging weather in the Whites. Loved this country. The battle to fight these Did the “late Georgia start getting back into the temperate kind of things is worth the doing and we can win Flip-Flop”: Springer Mountain to Harp- woods, descending from Mount Moosi- with one. This is not an American Chest- ers Ferry. Then Katahdin to Harpers lauke. Had some hard time through nut story. We have the tools, we just need Ferry — the best way to walk the Trail Vermont and Massachusetts due to vi- the effort. Thank you. and see its demographic profiles and the tamin deficiency and a head cold. Loved Frank Moulds most important ways of walking it! coming out of the NOBO bubble and its Delray Beach, Florida Loved starting with late starters, who straggler tail; the woods were again all ! are a fascinating mix. Loved the adven- mine. Was amused by the occasional I would like to thank the ATC for ture down south (such as nearly getting and quirky late summer section-hiker. making my hike possible. I am sure walk- killed by falling pines in the 80 mph Enjoyed the slow descent that went on ing the Trail is quite simple compared to winds in the Smokies, drinking moon- and on, all through Vermont, Massa- the issues that must be handled daily to Spring 2018 shine, and talking politics with the chusetts, Connecticut, and Pennsylva- keep the Trail intact and clear. Thank you 09 [locals]). Loved to hate the bugs, flood- nia; it was like landing a big jet, gently, for what you do! Patrick W. Wright Chandler, North Carolina A.T. Journeys A.T. I was introduced to never know with a child, and handling with her own backpacking at age 8. I had how something you do problems. #IWD#rolemodel ATC: Keep doing what you are a homemade pack — my with them will change their doing! The A.T. is a treasure we must dad made the frame out lives. I was 24 the first time Our little post office protect. The original intent is being well- of aluminum tubing and I stepped on the A.T. and in Delaware Water Gap, served. The fact that there is a continu- ADVENTURE ANYWHERE my mom made a pack bag it changed my life and the PA gets more than 400 WITH THE NEW ous “thread” of a path through the wil- out of canvas. I’ve passed lives of my children. It is an packages every summer for derness that extends from Georgia to on that passion to my son, experience that stays with thru-hikers. I’ve seen folks Maine is still a major source of wonder- OPTIC & OCTAL now age 10 and already an you your whole life. sitting outside the PO with ment to me. experienced backpacker. – Monty G. Heise open boxes, putting on new Jeff M. Connally ULTRALIGHT REIMAGINED – Douglas Wagoner socks or boots, new gear, Austin, Texas @gamer68 etc. Our town streets are @yellowstoneguy Feels like a dream but I’m literally part of the A.T. (you A.T. Journeys welcomes your comments. Ready to get my little ones gunna walk thru that arch in have to walk through town The editors are committed to providing balanced into backpacks ASAP! a little over a day! Tuesday to take the bridge over the and objective perspectives. Not all letters received Thanks for the inspiration! can’t come fast enough. Just Delaware to Jersey), so it’s may be published. Letters may be edited for wish my pack was 20lbs :/ like having a mail drop on clarity and length. My oldest grew up and not 40! the Trail itself. We were told to be kayaker and my that the huge number of younger one, who is now @runhalifax thru-hiker packages helped [email protected] 29, is in Japan walking a I read the book about save our little post office Letters to the Editor thousand miles of trail and Grandma Gatewood last from closure a few years Appalachian Trail Conservancy has climbed Mt. Fuji. They fall. Ugh! So good! Badass ago. So, thanks hikers! P.O. Box 807 were 8 and 6 during our woman just doing what she – Terrence Fagan Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807 OCTAL 45 =2.3lbs OPTIC 48=2.4lbs first backpacking trip. You wants, setting herself free [GREGORYPACKS.COM] OCTAL 55=2.4lbs OPTIC 58=2.5lbs overlook

The wind has been a big topic standard of citizen contributions to our around here recently. We literally were public lands. buffeted by record-setting winds in the Those figurative winds present differ- mid-Atlantic region. And, it seems, we ent challenges. Our Federal partners are figuratively are buffeted by strong winds facing unprecedented changes to staffing of change and challenges daily. How we and budgets. Questions as to the funda- adjust our sails toward them says much mental purposes of public lands is being about our character and our mission. debated, as is the definition of public In early March of 2018, strong winds access. Plus, the pull and push of energy Troared through from the Potomac High- resource development versus land protec- lands to the Chesapeake Bay. Wind gusts tion continues unabated. Determining our were recorded at over 90 miles per hour. role and responsibility during these times North and south of here the spine of is something with which the Appalachian the Appalachians also experienced large, Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) Board and staff late winter snowfalls as four continues to remain committed. different nor’easters made Yet again, though, the A.T. spirit always their way up the coast. Late rises to the challenge. The ATC presented winter is wreaking havoc on a large and unified coalition during “Hike the Appalachian Trail. the Hill” week in February. I was especially In the section maintained thrilled to see nine of our Next Generation by the Potomac Appalachian Council members in town and ready to Trail Club (PATC), overseers meet with elected officials to talk about were reporting up to 30 the importance of the Appalachian Trail, downed trees on one to two- keeping it and its hiker’s experiences pro- mile sections. Shenandoah tected. Our website has been updated to National Park had to close to highlight our role as the Protectors of the clear Skyline Drive. The Appalachian Trail, including specific ways impact of the spring snow- that members can support our mission storms, not to mention the through citizen action. And I must spe- anticipated runoffs and coming rains, cifically acknowledge the work of the for our northern and southern sections Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club and Members of remain to be seen. Diana Christopulos and their efforts to the ATC’s Next The weather, always a challenge to stop the Mountain Valley Pipeline across Generation the Trail overseer, has reached a new level the A.T. in southwest Virginia. While part Advisory Council of impact. However, we are as always up of a larger and extremely robust coalition and ATC staff pose during a day of to the challenge. PATC has done phenom- of environmental and community groups, advocating for the enal work in a short timespan to ensure as well as local government entities, the A.T. on Capitol Hill that the section of Trail they are respon- A.T. club’s leadership in this effort cannot this past February. sible for will be open and ready for the be over emphasized. hiking season. Trained volunteers The Appalachian Trail community has deployed individually and in teams to all a long history of withstanding strong impacted areas, often working side-by- winds and we will always make sure the side with park personnel to clear trails Trail is passable and protected from the and Trail accesses. I know that these impacts of both meteorological and soci- actions are being repeated up and down ety’s storms. Thank you for joining us in the Trail by all of our clubs and partners. these efforts. What our volunteers accomplish is truly without compare and represents the gold Sandra Marra / Chair New York 225 miles

Chambersburg Gettysburg

Washington DC 85 miles CELEBRATING THE OUTDOORS

IN HARPERS FERRY AND BOLIVAR

i a

a T

h T

c a i la l a p p A

JOIN US APRIL 28-29 FOR GAMES, WORKSHOPS, LIVE MUSIC AND HIKES, INCLUDING FLIP-FLOP THRU-HIKER SEND OFFS!

WHEN: Saturday, April 28 from 9AM to 7PM | Sunday, April 29 from 7AM to 5PM WHERE: Harpers Ferry, WV To learn more visit: ﬂipﬂopfestival.org Don’t miss the fun!

TRAIL DAYS

damascus

virginia MAY 18-20 m an an B ow Highlights include a hiker parade, educational programs, guest speakers, free gear repair, music, food, and more. y J o rd Stop by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy booth in the town park to enter to win prizes. b photo For more information visit: traildays.us

Energy Equilibrium Just after Christmas last year, the Deerfield Wind understanding the full range of costs and the potential impact Project became the first commercial wind farm to on natural resources. operate on national forest land in the Green Mountain “At the end of the month you usually get a bill. That’s one National Forest in Vermont. The field’s 15 turbines will metric for the cost of electricity,” says Joshua Rhodes, a power 14,000 homes and generate up to $7 million of scholar at the Energy Institute. But, he adds, the full cost of payments to the towns of Readsboro and Searsburg acquiring and delivering electricity includes plenty of other — and accrue $6 million in tax revenue to the state externalities that may be difficult to quantify or anticipate, over the life of the project. It’s a renewable energy including environmental spillovers, such as air pollution, vi- installation with clear benefits, however, the towers sual impacts, noise, and health and safety effects. are within the Appalachian Trail viewshed. While some While the natural gas pipelines have lately been the center may frown on the visual mark of the 400-foot towers and the of attention, new and relatively cheaper power options — such environmental impact of its installation, the Appalachian Trail as solar and wind — has created a completely new energy in- Conservancy’s (ATC) New England regional director Hawk frastructure landscape and with it, a different policy discussion. Metheny was concerned that the standard FAA-required strobe The anticipated transformation explains why the ATC is posi- lights would flash near an overnight site on the A.T. and impact tioning itself to be more involved in shaping future policies Spring 2018 the Trail experience. related to energy production and delivery. 13 The ATC appealed the Forest Service’s permit of the project, “Communities up and down the A.T. are grappling with the and, at its urging, the federal agency agreed to require lighting development of energy infrastructure,” says Lynn Davis, the that will flash only when radar detects an aircraft nearby. The ATC’s director of federal policy and legislation whose day-to- appeal may have only tempered a portion of the project’s im- day work in Washington, D.C. is to help the organization Journeys A.T. pact, but the outcome was a small win for protecting the values navigate policy advocacy around complex energy issues. “It’s of the Appalachian Trail, and may set a precedent for wind not something that we’re walking away from. We prefer to be tower projects on other public lands. in a position of working toward a solution.” Davis points out Yet energy infrastructure projects like the wind farm in that the ATC is willing to work with energy companies, govern- Vermont — both large and small — are becoming more com- ment, industry, and communities, but plans to weigh in on mon throughout the A.T. landscape. “I have a sense that we’ll projects and policies to help guide decisions on future projects. continue to see more energy infrastructure proposals,” says The proposal for the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline Metheny. “We’re starting to look ahead and prepare for ap- (MVP) that will cross the A.T. in Southwestern Virginia is why propriate ways to avoid or reduce impacts to the A.T.” the ATC adopted a pipeline crossing policy in 2015. The policy Indeed, according to the University of Texas at Austin En- includes eight standards outlining the organization’s expecta- ergy Institute, the U.S. will experience a significant transition tion for future projects, among them, that each pipeline mini- in the development of energy infrastructure. In addition to an mize its impact through the Trail corridor and that the project aged energy grid, economic forces coupled with climate change must demonstrate a pressing public need. The ATC has also and new technology will have a broad impact on how the U.S. developed guidelines for wind energy projects and the ATC’s acquires and delivers energy. The future energy grid may in- Stewardship Council is working on a solar sighting policy to clude more wind turbines, solar fields, gas pipelines, and give volunteers and staff guidance on when and how to com- transmission lines whose installations may have consequenc- ment on proposed installations. es for the Trail. While there are plenty of benefits of a switch “Energy issues are incredibly complex. So, the more that we to cleaner forms of energy and a more efficient power grid, know and understand their impact the better,” says the ATC’s experts and Trail advocates are worried that decisions about vice president of conservation and Trail programs, Laura Bel- future energy infrastructure projects may be made without leville. While the ATC has supported numerous infrastructure

By Jack Igelman

illustration by corey sebring - projects there may be cases, explains Belleville, where develop- Forest, as of March 2, 2018, the pipeline had received permits ments shouldn’t go forward due to their impact on the Trail from the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the and the surrounding landscape. For example, this was the case Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to begin clearing land with the recently scrapped Northern Pass transmission line in managed by the National Forest system. In June 2017, 11 stan- New Hampshire that would have had a significant impact on dards in the Jefferson National Forest land management plan the White Mountains. While the ATC did not outright oppose were amended to exempt the MVP. For example, the forest plan the project, it provided public comments that were in line with limits public utility right of ways to areas where “major impacts the organization’s guidelines that resulted in a siting alterna- already exist” in order to contain infrastructure in established tive that minimized impact to the Trail corridors. The amended plan would exempt the MVP from the The ATC’s pipeline crossing protocols may help guide en- requirement. Critics argue that the project has troubling pub- ergy companies on the least impactful ways to coexist with the lic safety consequences too, since it crosses steep slopes and A.T., but there are plenty of impacts that are difficult to predict. karst topography, a landscape that features sinkholes, caves, Spring 2018 For instance, pipelines routed over steep terrain have dem- and underground water. The pipeline will also bisect the largest 14 onstrated that construction can lead to slope failures among active seismic zone in the state where a rupture could damage an array of other scenic and environmental effects. Since property and imperil water quality. pipelines are seldom angled across steep slopes to avoid poten- Safety and water quality concerns aside, the corridor route tial damage from sliding soil and debris, pipeline routes follow will likely have a significant impact on the viewshed. In the

A.T. Journeys A.T. a direct path up, which magnifies slope erosion problems and future, the ATC hopes to anticipate the visual impact of en- makes revegetation difficult. According to West Virginia resi- ergy infrastructure projects by developing an inventory of dent Maury Johnson, who has been monitoring the expansion vistas throughout the Trail corridor and establishing a crite- of a small pipeline on the Virginia-West Vir- ria for measuring scenic values. The Na- ginia line up the steep slope of Peters Mountain, tional Park Service’s (NPS) “Enjoy the View!” what is being done to revegetate the site is not is an inventory system developed by the NPS working. “What you see is a scarred mountain Air Resources Division to evaluate views that will take decades to heal, if it ever does,” within and beyond the boundaries of Na- says Johnson who has been monitoring the site tional Park units, including the Appalachian since its completion. In addition to the chal- Trail, which is a unit of the NPS. This view from the A.T. lenges of steep slope construction, the resulting on Palmerton Cliffs in impact of the pipeline on Peters Mountain may Pennsylvania shows Strategy and Support have been compounded by non-compliance to a pipeline, power line, The sum of the short and long-term impacts best practices, relaxed regulatory oversight, and and highway — and is — what are known as “cumulative environ- a lack of regional infrastructure planning. Of an example of an area mental effects” — is what concerns central where infrastructure course, the MVP presents similar hazards and surrounds, and has the and southwest Virginia regional director risks, but its impact is on a far greater scale. potential to impact, Andrew Downs. He worries that the lack of Spearheaded by the EQT Corporation, the pipe- the Trail corridor. regional infrastructure planning means that line will carry fracked natural gas over 300 miles Photo by Chris multiple pipelines may be delivering the same through Virginia and West Virginia, and run Gallaway/Horizonline gas product to the same place, just along a Pictures parallel to the Appalachian Trail for over 90 different path. Imagine a college campus, he miles. The route, critics say, will have an unprec- says, with no sidewalks. The system of spon- edented impact on the A.T. taneously created pathways would likely In fact, clearing for the MVP has begun. serve each student’s self interest, but may According to Joby Timm, the supervisor of the result in a campus dense with footpaths ev- George Washington and Jefferson National erywhere. “That’s what we’re doing now. Each pipeline company is making their user-created trail,” he ex- Another component of the legislation favored by the ATC is plains. “It’s really inefficient, costly, and unsafe. We want to limiting the ability to amend national forest land management see more thought put into the placement of infrastructure on plans that are vetted by the public. Each national forest is re- a regional scale.” quired to have a land management plan that’s revised every 15 While the ATC’s energy infrastructure policy guidance to 20 years. The plan is developed using the best available sci- may help influence future projects, they need understanding ence and public input to create a strategy to manage each na- and more support in Congress to have greater influence. That’s tional forest’s resources over a two-decade period of time. For why the ATC has formed a caucus in the U.S. Congress to raise decades, the ATC and other trail organizations have developed awareness and support for Trail corridor landscape issues and standard language and prescriptions to manage the A.T. cor- to advocate for legislation on issues that may have an impact. ridor, such as rigid viewshed protocols, wildlife habitat protec- For example, the ATC has participated in crafting bipartisan tions, and preservation norms for cultural and historic sites. federal legislation to address a number of concerns associ- National forest planning rules dictate that national trails ated with the planning and regulatory process of pipeline should be managed to maintain their unique special character projects. Known as the Pipeline Fairness and Transparency or purpose. That’s particularly meaningful to the A.T. since half Act, the bipartisan bill was introduced by Republican U.S. of the Trail passes through national forest land on eight na- Congressman Morgan Griffith who represents a portion of tional forests from Georgia to New Hampshire, each managed southwestern Virginia. Democratic Senators Tim Kaine and by a unique land management plan. Mark Warner of Virginia have introduced similar legislation In fact, the outcome of the Deerfield Wind Project in Ver- in the U.S. Senate. According to a press release from Griffith’s mont was influenced by the ATC’s position as a collaborator in the Green Mountain National Forest planning process. “We welcome being an important stakeholder — that’s what will uphold our standards and values,” says Metheny. “I “We prefer encourage the public to understand how the decision-making process works and turn out to public hearings or be involved as a citizen.” Both Metheny and Belleville suggest to be in a Spring 2018 that involvement by the ATC’s members in position of shaping policy is more important than ever. 15 working toward Journeys A.T.

office, the bill addresses the protection of a solution.” the A.T. and other national scenic trails as well as the public vetting and approval process by the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission. The lack of an overarching national energy policy, says Bel- “Knowing the long-term impacts of these projects, we must leville, has created an opportunity for the ATC to work with ensure that the right processes are in place so the public can a range of partners on crafting better policies in the future. more thoroughly evaluate the effects of a proposed pipeline, But navigating the complex regulatory processes of the Fed- and opportunities for engagement should be a priority,” said eral Energy Regulatory Commission and other agencies, or to Griffith in a press release. The bill would also focus on the cu- anticipate the new wave of energy projects, has forced the mulative visual impacts of any similar proposed project and ATC to rapidly adapt its approach. include visual impact simulations depicting leaf-on and leaf-off “We’re going to see more energy projects that will have an views at each potentially impacted location. It would also impact on the Trail corridor. We need our members, volun- mandate that multiple projects meeting certain criteria would teers, and supporters to engage with us as we advocate for be considered as one project, increasing the likelihood of locat- meaningful policy development,” says Belleville who believes ing multiple projects in a single energy corridor. that stronger policies and more effective deci- Belleville is encouraged by the language in the sion making processes can help limit the cumu- legislation. “It’s thoughtful and forward looking lative effects of future projects. “I understand and showcases the kind of policy work the ATC For more information why we’re developing new energy sources, but is working towards,” she says. “The Appalachian about ATC’s Energy there may be better ways to build wind farms region is likely to see more proposed projects Infrastructure Policy visit: or pipelines. The ATC wants to be part of the that fragment forests and that may be seen from appalachiantrail.org/policies discussion and develop a policy agenda that popular recreation areas.” gives us a seat at the table.” trailhead✶ ATC dirt ✶

myATstory Season 2

High elevation grasslands like the Roan Highlands of North Carolina and Tennessee are just one part of the vast and varied, wild landscapes, communities, and culture that are unique to the Trail corridor and the Trail experience.

Connecting to Something Greater appalachiantrail.org/myatstory ATC Opens D.C. Office The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) has opened an office in Washington, D.C. to support the conservancy’s work with Congressional members, federal agencies, and conservation allies. The office is located within the Wilderness Society’s offices along- side a dozen other conservation organizations at 1615 M Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036. ¶ “Establishing an office in D.C. is a significant part of the Conservancy’s strategic direction,” says ATC’s president and CEO Suzanne Dixon. “Our work in protecting the A.T. is important on a national level. This office helps us to establish and position the ATC as a strong conservation organization worthy of national attention and support. Our future is in the people we engage, the networks we build, and the civic power we harness to address Voices from the Mountains important policy.” ¶ The Appalachian Trail Large landscape conservation means maintaining not only the Conservancy has a strong historical con- federally protected A.T. footpath and its corridor, but also protect- nection to the Wilderness Society. Benton ing the areas surrounding the Trail. “Voices from the Mountains” MacKaye advocated for the creation of the — the first of season 2 of the myATstory video series — is about Appalachian Trail in 1921 with a compel- a connection to something larger than the A.T. footpath. The head- ling article that proposed the need for sav- waters of creeks, streams and lakes dot the Appalachian Mountain ing and protecting wild open space in the Range, providing clean water to millions of people. The breed- populous Eastern United States. Fourteen Spring 2018 ing grounds and migration flyways of many bird species run the years later, MacKaye co-founded the Wil- 17 length of the Appalachian Trail corridor. High-elevation grasslands, derness Society along with now-legendary numerous wetlands, and a variety of alpine, coniferous, and mixed- conservationists Aldo Leopold and Bob hardwood forests host rare and endangered plants found nowhere Marshall. The A.T. passes through 25 wil- else on earth. The A.T. also meanders past significant cultural and Journeys A.T. derness areas for a total of 150 miles of historical landmarks, from Civil War battlefields to the Dover Oak the A.T.’s 2,191 miles, equating to approxi- — the largest and oldest tree on the entire Trail — serving as a mately seven percent of the Trail. lens into our nation’s cultural and natural histories. ¶ “On the East Coast, the A.T. is the backbone of the wilderness — a place where all protected lands are connected to something greater,” says Nicole Wooten of the Hudson Highlands Trust. “[It is] a large land- Connecting to scape that really is important beyond just the East Coast of the U.S. Ecologically speaking, the Trail is part of the heartbeat of the wilderness along these [American] continents.” The A.T. Landscape Something Greater Partnership has identified a list of 10 Priority Focus Areas, including Maine’s High Peaks, Kittatinny Ridge, Virginia’s Blue Ridge and appalachiantrail.org/myatstory Catawba Valley, and the Roan Highlands. All of the focus areas exemplify a diversity of conservation values, threats to these values, and opportunities to protect these special places. “The A.T. was built on the idea of taking the impossible and making it possible,” says the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s board chair Sandra Marra. “It is our legacy [to continue to] take on these impossible tasks and turn them into reality.”

Watch this story and others — and get involved at: appalachiantrail.org/myatstory ✶ trailhead ✶

New Nahmakanta Stream Lean-to Encourages Sustainable Camping ★ By Lester C. Kenway “live-streamed” New Online Voting for ATC Board

New voting procedures are going into effect this August for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) first “live- streamed” annual meeting. All ATC members will receive an email with information that will allow them to The Maine Appalachian Trail Club’s newest lean-to was vote for the slate of five new mem- finished on October 14, 2017. Nineteen MATC members Spring 2018 bers of the Board of Directors. Voting volunteered 1,239 hours to this project from June 2016 will require a membership number 18 to October 2017. Nine weekend trips were made to complete The new Nahmakanta for access to the voting page. Paper the construction of the Lean-to. ¶ The lean-to is designed to stream lean-to is ready ballots will not be distributed. ¶ The for use. Photo by accommodate eight hikers per night. The overall plan for the Lester Kenway meeting will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 A.T. Journeys A.T. lean-to was adopted from the Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to, built P.M. on Sunday, August 12, 2018, at in 1991. This is the first lean-to on the A.T. in Maine to feature the National Conservation Training a transfer platform for disabled hikers where a portion of the bunk is extended to the Center outside Shepherdstown, West front of the deacon seat, in compliance with modern day accessibility standards ¶ The Virginia. Participants must register in lean-to is located near the Nahmakanta Stream Campsite that was established in 1996. advance and cannot register on-site. You can reach the lean-to via a three-mile hike south of Nahmakanta Lake. This site was The meeting will also be open to chosen back then noting that a nearby stand of spruce trees was available for building a discussions of ATC corporate affairs in lean-to sometime in the future. ¶ During the construction of the lean-to we noted that the a town hall format — members can campsite was heavily used, with up to 20 people pitching tents each night. We hope that participate online or in person. the new lean-to will attract hikers that might otherwise stay at unauthorized campsites close to the stream. ¶ On most sections of the A.T., you have two potential choices for Members who have not yet provided camping: staying in a shelter or pitching a tent. Backcountry camping is available at about an e-mail address should contact: 100 designated camp sites and is also allowed in the immediate vicinity of most of the [email protected] 250 shelters along the Trail. In some areas, you can choose your own campsite (called or call: (304) 535-6331 dispersed camping), but hikers are always encouraged to use designated sites even when you can legally choose your own, so please check local regulations and recommendations. Using designated campsites means you will have fewer impacts on vegetation and wildlife habitat and will keep the Trail corridor looking natural and pristine.

Lester Kenway is the president of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club. For more information about camping on the A.T. visit: appalachiantrail.org/camping and ATCAMP.org New A.T. Bridge Near Damascus A.T. hikers heading north out of Damascus, Virginia have a new landmark to look out for: a sturdy, engineered footbridge over Straight Branch. ¶ Five and a half miles north of town, near Highway 58 and a parking lot for the Virginia Creeper Trail, the clear waters of Straight Branch pass under the A.T. and tumble into larger Whitetop Laurel Creek. Due to the steep terrain, this humble mountain stream can swell dramatically after a thunderstorm. In 2013, a flash flood washed away the existing A.T. footbridge without leaving a trace. ¶ Since the area is prone to dangerous flooding, a much larger bridge was needed as a long-term solution. Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) regional staff, volunteers from the Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club (MRATC), and Forest Service personnel from the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area collaborated on a project proposal for state funding. The state of Virginia awarded grant funding for the new bridge through the Recreational Trails Program, and the Forest Service got to work designing a bridge that would be above the 100-year floodplain. ¶ Grant funding from the State of Virginia wasn’t enough to cover the entire cost of materials and construction, so this bridge

became a true partnership project. A Forest Service contractor installed concrete abutments to support Spring 2018 massive wooden beams, graded the approach, and stabilized the bank with riprap. Meanwhile, the 19 ATC used funds from the Virginia specialty A.T. license plate to purchase lumber and hardware for From top: Members of the Mount Rogers A.T. Club the decking, posts, and railings, which Mount Rogers A.T. Club volunteers were standing by to prep pose on the finished bridge and install. ¶ The project was nearly waylaid in the final phase. The design called for rounded posts — happy that their hard work is complete; The new and railings, which had to be custom cut in order to fit together and fit onto the square decking. Journeys A.T. foot bridge will keep hikers Fortunately, MRATC volunteer Ron Bobko had a sophisticated wood shop at his workplace, and the high and dry when crossing know-how required. Bobko got permission for the club to use the specialized tools and work space Straight Branch creek. Photo by Anne Maio at the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, and MRATC custom cut each post and railing so they fit together perfectly. All told, MRATC volunteers gave 473 hours of their time to the bridge project. ¶ For four years, A.T. hikers were temporarily re-routed along the Beech Grove and Virginia Creeper trails in order to safely cross Straight Branch. Thanks to a strong partnership and some very dedicated local volunteers, they are back on the A.T. and crossing the creek high and dry. If you’re heading to Trail Days, be sure to check out the bridge and admire those rounded posts and railings.

Bear Canisters and Bla ck Bear Awareness

Due to an increasing number of serious human/bear interactions at many locations along the A.T., the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) continues to strongly recommend use of a bear canister by anyone staying overnight on the A.T.

Photo by Ben Benvie

For more information visit: appalachiantrail.org/bears ✶ trailhead ✶

U.S. Capitol Building Photo by Amanda Wheelock

essential to the management of the Appalachian National Sce- nic Trail. ¶ The added acreage in this area enables rerouting of the Trail to protect the habitat of several important species. The acquisition allows the Trail to be relocated out of the wetlands to a more suitable area sustaining the striking views from Cat Rocks of the beautiful and historic Hudson Valley and providing visitors with Going to Bat for the enhanced hiking experiences. The Pawling, New York project is one of several LWCF-projects along the Trail this year and one of hundreds Land and Water of similar undertakings along the Trail (and throughout the country) over more than 50 years. ¶ Congressionally established in 1964, Conservation Fund LWCF does not use taxpayer dollars but, instead, invests earnings By Lynn Davis from offshore oil and gas leasing. Under this fund, Congress can ap- propriate up to $900 million each year to provide grants to state Spring 2018 An acquisition of 216 ecologically significant and local governments and to federal agencies including the National 20 acres near the Appalachian Trail in Pawling, Park Service and U.S. Forest Service. The 2018 federal budget caps New York is a good example of why the Ap- LWCF appropriations at $425 million, less than half of what can be palachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is teed up used to meet the intentions of the fund. ¶ A diverse coalition pro- to promote the reauthorization of the Land moting LWCF — which includes the ATC — is actively and diligently A.T. Journeys A.T. and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Es- advocating for increased appropriations and for all-important reau- tablished more than five decades ago, LWCF thorization of LWCF, which expires September 30, 2018 and could supports the protection of federal lands and end this successful funding program. ¶ Protection of land along the waters through voluntary conservation ini- A.T. has been a priority for Trail managers ever since the Trail was tiatives. ¶ Under congressional authoriza- established. Over the years, this has resulted in one of the most tion provided through LWCF and the recent significant and successful land acquisition programs in the United passage of the 2018 federal budget, $2 mil- States. Today, there is a 250,000-acre greenway around the Trail lion will purchase private property in Pawl- that connects significant public lands in the eastern United States. ing along the Trail. An additional $300,000 The A.T. Landscape Partnership — a coalition of public and private in private funding — including a contribution partners, co-convened by the ATC and the National Park Service — from the ATC made possible by the Volgenau is actively engaged in safeguarding the picturesque vistas, wildlife Foundation — is being raised to complete habitat, farmlands, and valuable historic sites that are all part of the transaction. ¶ The Pawling land might be the Trail experience. considered, in baseball terminology, a grand slam for its protection of wildlife, preservation For more information about ATC’s position on the Land Water of scenic views along the Trail, and improved Conservation Fund and appropriations to deferred maintenance visit: recreation experiences for visitors, many of appalachiantrail.org/lwcf who travel from New York City to hike this Trail section. The National Park Service had identified this area as its number one priority for land protection in the United States and National Trails Day You’re Invited to the Party! In 2018, America is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act as well as the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Join the celebration by participating in a National Trails Day event, or simply head outdoors and #FindYourTrail. ¶ Saturday, June 2, 2018 is National Trails Day — the only nationally coordinated event designed to unite all muscle-powered trail activities with the goal of connecting more people to trails. Every trail beckons adventure Call for 2020 and has a story to share with any person willing to discover it, and the American A.T. Calendar Hiking Society believes these trail experiences can improve the lives of every Photos American. ¶ Each year, on the first Saturday of June, the American Hiking Society Do you have that perfect and the trails community invite people of all ages and abilities to find their own photograph of the adventure and discover their unique story at one of the thousands of events Appalachian Trail? hosted throughout the country. ¶ By coordinating a wide array of trail activities on a single day, National Trails Day attracts new trail users and helps connect We are seeking photos for the official existing trail enthusiasts with local clubs and organizations with the hopes of Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) creating trail advocates and stewards. The task to protect and maintain more 2020 calendar by July 15, 2018. The ATC than 200,000 miles of trails in the U.S. requires a collaborative effort among trail calendar, co-published since 2012 with clubs, organizations, government agencies, and most importantly passionate Rizzoli International’s Publishing, features trail advocates and stewards. a mix of photographers and subjects and has always had a dual purpose: To show the For more information and to host or join an event visit: visual allure of the Trail landscape to hikers americanhiking.org/national-trails-day and non-hikers alike — and to brag a bit about the volunteers who maintain it. You could be a part of that legacy.

What we need: High-resolution digital A guided hike on the A.T. through the Roan Highlands. images (TIFFs only) of scenes on the Trail. Photo courtesy of the Send images (limit of 36) to: Publisher, Southern Appalachian Appalachian Trail Conservancy, P.O. Box Highlands Conservancy 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. Digital images should be no smaller than 13 inches long and wide. Please include: location and month taken for each image — with the photographer’s last name and image ID in the file name. Visible blazes are a major bonus; so is sunshine. Candid shots of hikers near blazes are a double bonus (each selected image is worth $200 — posed shots cannot be considered).

For detailed guidelines visit: appalachiantrail.org Suzanne Dixon

uzanne Dixon, the Appa- Spring 2018 lachian Trail Conservan- ATJ: What can you tell us cy’s (ATC) new president Suzanne at Laguna about creating a world 22 Atascosa National Wildlife and CEO, walks into the Refuge in Texas heritage site and a room confidently. She national monument? takes a seat, leans in and SD: Both took years and considerable

A.T. Journeys A.T. says, “Hey, y’all. I’m here to work to achieve. Plus, both required learn all I can.” It’s her twinge of Irish building strong coalitions of supportive brogue that tips you off to Suzanne’s Irish voices. I was fortunate to work with a upbringing. Just as her fancy cowboy boots give a nod to broad spectrum of people — people like former First her work in Texas. Prior to becoming the ATC’s CEO/ Lady Laura Bush — to help disadvantaged youth in president, Suzanne worked on behalf of 16 national park Brownsville, Texas. I strongly believe that everyone who units in Texas where she impressively achieved World wants a seat at the table in protecting America’s trea- Heritage Site status for San Antonio Missions and, just sures should be given a place at the table. as impressively, secured a presidential designation to create Waco Mammoth National Monument. One thing ATJ: Why did you take the position about Suzanne is that she is not easily stereotyped so A.T. as ATC’s president and CEO? Journeys (ATJ) decided to start our Q&A session asking SD: The mission of protecting the Trail corridor and the about her boots. Trail’s surrounding landscapes certainly appealed to me. The A.T. corridor travels along one of the most important ATJ: Let’s talk about the cowboy land features in the eastern United States. I believe there boots and your Irish heritage. are great opportunities we must pursue now to make SD: (Laughing, and then getting serious). I suppose you certain the A.T. is protected in the future. could say I’m all about immersing myself, giving myself fully, to the work I do. I grew up in Ireland in the County ATJ: In three words, how would you Kildare in a village of less than 2,000 people surrounded describe your first few months by spectacularly scenic countryside. I moved to the States on the job? two decades ago and, within a short period of time, found SD: On the road. myself working on behalf of national parks. It wasn’t a stretch to join my childhood experiences and appreciation ATJ: What are you for beautiful places with America’s national parks. And, learning on the road? for the record, whenever I can, I lace up my hiking boots. SD: First let me say, I’ve only scratched the surface in my travels. It’s important for me to meet with Trail clubs and community leaders, to learn the details of their work and hear about their challenges. I’m committed to getting out and meeting as many A.T supporters are possible.

ATJ: What have you learned in your travels? SD: Believe me, the meetings with clubs and partners have impressed me greatly. I have met extraordinarily dedicated, smart people. I believe the Trail’s greatest strengths include dedicated supporters and partners and the hard-working staff at ATC. I have also, of course, been spending time at Harpers Ferry and in regional From top: Suzanne (middle) offices, getting to know my team. at the designation of Waco Mammoth National ATJ: What are your Monument with former priorities? National Park Service director Jon Jarvis, CEO of the SD: Building the profile of the Appala- National Parks Conservation chian Trail is my number one priority. Association Theresa Pierno, We need to make certain the country Former First Lady Laura — the world, for that matter — knows Bush, and National Parks about the A.T. and regards it as impor- Conservation Association program manager Erika tant. The Trail is significant for many Pelletier. Photo by reasons — for its recreational value and Bob Howen; In Guadalupe Spring 2018 contributions to local communities; for Mountains National Park; its natural resources and how those With friend Erika Pelletier 23 resources support clean water and air; in Big Bend National Park for its open space that facilitates wildlife migration; and for its place in American history. Quite frankly, if we don’t build Journeys A.T. public understanding and support now, we are likely to lose opportunities in the future.

ATJ: What is a typical day for you? SD: I’m not certain I’ve had a typical or routine day. (Laughing.) I can tell you that, when I’m not on the road meeting with clubs and donors, I get up early to answer emails or I am in our Headquarters in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Also, I’ve been spending considerable time in Washington, D.C. in meetings with federal partners and our non-profit allies.

ATJ: Sounds grueling. SD: Not at all. The A.T. is all about inspiration and aspiration. I am fueled by possibility.

ATJ: Are you intending to the hike the A.T.? SD: Enthusiastically, yes! I have spent time on the Trail but intend to log some serious miles this year and for years to come.

To learn more about Suzanne visit: appalachiantrail.org/ourteam Hanuel Lee / Sky

John Welt / PaJohn

Dan Byrnes / Slim Shady

Sharon Cassidy / Shortcake

Srinidhi Venkatesh / Tooth Pamela Parker / Chilly

Pablo De Gárate / Three Bells milers This listing of determined individuals represents a record number of 2,000-milers for the 7th year in a row. Those included have reported Andrew Bayer / Carolina Red hike completions of the entire Trail (thru-hikes or section-hikes) to the Matthew Bayer / Long Dong Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) since the last listing in A.T. Brian Beaty / M.I.A. Walter Beauchamp / Sensei Journeys a year ago. For the second time, the number of thru-hikers Richard Beilock / Sisyphus Gyula Bela / 4WD who reported completing a flip-flop itinerary was greater than the Christian Belcher / Bruce Wayne number of those reporting a southbound thru-hike, although David Bell / House Ryan Benz / Scrambler northbounders are the largest category by far again. And for the first Colin Bernier / Mr. Goodboy time, we received applications from hikers as far away as Poland and Betsy Bevis / Hot Sauce Russ Bevis / Ziploc Slovenia. The rest are from previous years (there is no time limit on Jay Bigelow / JayBird Sarah Bigelow / Towhee reporting a hike completion) — with 1,254 hikes of the entire Trail John Bilbrey / Tennessee Boy included. The ATC does not verify hike completion reports, which are Daniel Binde / Knotts Eileen Biscaha / Cheesy, Triangle submitted via an honor system. Dustan Bishop / Firecracker Michael Bishop / BearBait Sym Blanchard / Symbiosis Brian Bland-Clark / Scar Katelyn Bland-Clark / Monk 806 Kevin Blonski / TreeWalker Northbound Ed Bocklage / Bull Dog McKayne Boedeker / Senator 121 Erin Bogert / Tenacious southbound Doug Bonacum / NOWA Anthony Bonanno / Bog Angel Carol Bontekoe / No Chill flip-flop 160 Rebecca Booroojian Spring 2018 Jason Bordash / Scallywag Ethan Boswell / Dutchess 25 section hiker 167 Jonathan Botha / Jono Amelia Bothel / Body Bag Steve Botnick / Wrong Way David Boudreaux / Speckled Trout A.T. Journeys A.T. Patrick Annaloro / Timber Joshua Bourke / Goose 2017 Shani Arbel / snapchat Clay Bourne / Scar Laura Abbey / Minnie Mouse Tom Armistead / Swamp Fox Christopher Bowley / Easy Goin’ Hesham Abdunnasir / Tall Boy Kelly Arnett / Safari Drew Boysen / Scooby Robert O. Abel / O² Charlie Arsenault / TNC Aaron Bradford / Nicorette

Thomas Abel / Red Beard Ian Artinger / Little Prince Graham Brandwood / Don Quixote Stefan Abraham / Two Trails Kenneth Ashcraft, Jr. / Piper Charles Braswell / Fishstix Trevor Abrams / Frisbee Ashley Ann Asprocolas / Leap Frog Krista Braun / Pickles Amanda Adams / Tropical Patrick Auger / Not Solo Bob Breakfield / City of New Orleans John Adams / Kiltman Dave Ault / Magoo Joe Brendler / GI Joe Oakley Aguiar / Velveeta Christopher Autry / Adele Richard Brey / Traveler Berkley Aiken / TEN Katja Bachmann / Flashfire Amy Britton / Little Bear Stumbles Christine Alexander / Summercamp Steve Bacon / Huckleberry Finch Susan Brookreson / Twisted Knickers Sakkara Algie / Nepala Piotr Baidas / Wiki Spencer Brothers / Circus James Allen / Crazy Tree Mark Bailey / Uncle Pyro Chris Brown / Seth Rogen Mathew Allison / Single T Bill Bailey / B² C. David Brown / VanMan John Alm / Umbrella Face Adam William Baker / RootBeer Colton Brown / Wallace Sam Almy / Cauldron Colin Baker / Footprint Devin Brown / Fried Green Tomato Amy Aloe / Tuff Broad Nathan Baker / Hansel Dillon Brown / Lumberjack Judi Alvarado / Flicker Philip Baker / Sure Foot Scott Brown / Kreature Ethan Amerine / Piper Linda Bakkar / Soulflower Skye Bruggeman / Just Right Jeff Amos / Captain B. David Baldwin Julian Brugo / Sardines Dan Amundson / Bullseye Kristy Ball / Tattoo Stephanie Brummett / Bartender Yaakob Amzalleg / Rock Spider Elmar Bardill / Cooper Steve Bruton / Fescue Constance Anders / Spiraea Michael Barger / Tengo Hambre Deborah Brzozowski / Ranger Kelly Anderson / Sleeping Beauty Jacob Barnett / Chef BoyRD Jeannine Buchanan-Cauthen / B.B. Amanda Andrade / Clearwater Jeffery Barr / Tin Cup (Bumble Bee, Busy Bee) Al Angel / Bodhi Abe Barrera / Diablo Brian Buchbinder / Super Mario Kyle Ankermann / Chicklet Nigel Bates / Tree Beard Ron Buckley / Huckleberry

illustration by peter estiler Elliot Bulejski / Airbud Joseph Cleary / Pokey David Curtis / ShopTeacher Christopher Bullock / Mantis Marina Clementi / Librarian Hal Curtis Jr. / Old Bull Jeff Bullock / Chopstix David Clifton / ManyMiles Katina Daanen / Arachne Jeff Buncie / Treehouse Edward Cline / J Zach Dalton / Tenenbaum Bob Burgess / Punchy Therese Coad / Bangles Shawn Daly / Antman David Burka / Nashville Cat Sean Cochran / Nav Kirty Danenberg / Socks John Burkart / Rogue Julie Coffman / Trippin Mason Danheim / Indy Cole Burke Max Cohen / Wicked Wahine Trevor Darling / Newfie Tim Burke / Plow Deborah Coleman / Mona Lisa Steven David / Trek Barbara Burns / Ringer Geneva Coleman / Prism Victor Davis / Wick Natalie Burr / Spice Girl Isabella Comstock / Scoots Connor Dawson / Clicks Robert Burton Jr. / Obi-Wan Daniel Condlin / Falls Kevin Dawson / AKA Parin, Snails Pace Elly Thomas / Chernobyl Stephen Bushman / Still Steve Jeff Connally / Greybeard of the Ogowa Pablo M. De Gárate / Three Bells Dustin Bussell / Gus David Conner / Just Dave Sean Deadwiley / Journeyman Brian Dirker / 2CHAIRZ Billy Connolly, Jr. / Blue Ray Mark Dearfield / Forrest Daniel Dixon / Colby Jack Marlin Conrad / Longfish Trudy DeCoste / Olive Katie Doane / Raider Christopher Cook / POGO Sarah deFerrari / Fire Socks Daniel Dodge / Macro Man David Cook / Oblio Lauren DeLand / DustBuster Michael Doeppler / grams Matthew Cooley / Moose Gina DeMeo / Tumbleweed Karen Doherty / Half-Pint Ben Corr Nathaniel DeMeo / Check-it Kate Dorrough / Haiku Kristen Corrente / Otto Daniel Patrick DeRosier / Puck Christopher Doucette / Frog! Ronald Cortese / Faramir Marie-Soleil Desautels Burt Dowden / Sir Linear Jonathan Coss / Butt-Tape Laurent Desourdy / Maple Syrup Aubri Drake / Timex Bryan Cote / Mashum Dale DeVoe / Will Call Charlie Drake / Mandrake Euan Coull / Juggernaut Joseph Diaz / Lookout Larry Drake / Old School Jim Covington / Pack Tim Dickey / Radar Sarah Dramis / Hawaii Megan Cox / J. Wiggles John Dickson / Banshee Sean Drapac / Purge Christopher Cronk / Ace John Dickson / Pappy 12 Connor Drooff / Sugar James Crowe / Ramsay Bolton Shauna Dickson / Best Wife Alina Drufovka / Abstract Kálmán Csigi / Walkamolé Chris Dieringer / O-Man Matt Duckworth / Chewie Shelley Hurtado / WonderWoman Rebekah Cullen / Sun Joel Diller / Pippin B Trimpen’ Milo Duffy / Little Badass Timothy Cupp / Birdperson Nicholas DiNardo / SnowBird Michael Duncan / Crispy David Butler / Mulga Sadie Curry / Sketchy Kurtis Dinelle / Sherpa Debbie Dunkle / Pippi James Byers / AKA Slumberland Raymond E. Dunn Spring 2018 Dan Byrnes / Slim Shady Alaina Durkac / Snap 26 Cameron Byrtus / Powder Aidan Durkin / Kanalkanut Peter Calarie / Repete Scott Durkin / Mr. Shoes Libby Camines / Birk David Durling / Deacon Thomas Camp Kevin Dvorsky / Picasso Marion Campbell / Train Wreck Molly Dymond / Firefly

A.T. Journeys A.T. Mary Campbell / Berries Agnieszka Dziadek / Zebra Ralph Campbell / Tiny Tim Bret Eady / Suches Scott Cantey / Uno Socko Graham Eastham / Blink Christina Carlson / Turquoise Curt Ebert / Disciple Rich Carlson / Still Thinking/Dirty Girl Richard Eckert / Vince Jake Carr / Spur Katie Eckman / Old Soul David Carson David Eddy / Pathfinder Geoff Carter / G WaG Cathy Edson / TORQUE Jordan Carter / Aspirations Gary Edwards Jr. / Super Squirrel Kyle Carter / P.R. Gary Edwards, Sr. / Expendable Jacob Casavant / Doobie George Ehrgott / Jager Sharon Cassidy / Shortcake Rachel Eigner / Spillz Tess Cassidy / Rabbit Leanna Eisenman / Freebird Wes Caudle / Pumba John Elliott / Gas William Caulway / Yoda Pierre-Yves St-Onge / Hoopa Joseph Elliott / Bushmaster Justin Cave / Red Hot Chris Elniff / hobojoe Claire Cawley / Chip Kim Elniff / Kim Alexa Stillwell / Tinker Bell Linda Moore / Ghosthiker Brian Cerney / Mountain Goat Max Erasmus / Baggins Josie Chen / MVP Zoe Erickson / Lemony Snicket Yen-Hua Chen / Blue Smurf Ted Ernst / Webb Sara Chico / Sweet Cheeks Linda Eshleman / Bounder Todd Childress / Ranger Rick Peter Eshleman / Bounder Peggy Chrisman / Flow Sebastian Eugster / Jukebox Robert Christianson / Third Half Gregory Eversole / Candyman Andy Christman / Yinzer Victoria Fairfield / Xena Byron Church / BC Raymond Fancher, Jr. / Papa Philip K. Cihiwsky / Hickory Brendon Fassett / Outsourced Stephen Claffey / Hootie Zack Feldhege / Mamba Carlton Clardy, Jr. / Chip Jerry Felinczak, Jr. / Tasty Dylan Clark / Torch Gregory Ferrell / Flash Daddy Grady Clawson / Fun Size Katelyn Ferrell / Lady Bug Matthew Harker Chad Hornbacher / Daddy Long Legs Beth Harper / Purple Mist Christina Howard / Indiana Jane Jordan Harper / Optimist Andrew Hubbard / Peaches Marena Harris / Penny Machine Mark Huber / Mark Bob Harris / Zen Master Jim Hubler / Weatherman Ezekiel Hart Tyler Hudgins / Bluedeer Gillian Hart Daniel Hughes / Bonesaw Sean Hartigan / Snow Monkey Jack Humphrey / Red Walker Rebecca Hatch / Flicker Emily Hunt / Walkie-Talkie-Nightingale Richard Hatton / Hatts Heath Hunt / Heath Bar Gray Hauser, Jr. / Mudandflood Shelley Hurtado / WonderWoman Benjamin Hawes / Sherlock Eli Huyard / GQ Jackson Hawkins / Granola Caroline Iantosca / Amazon Claudio Hayes / Tarzan Baylor Ingram / Keller Jonathan Hebert / Reddmage Dustin Innerst / Fifty Shades Blake Hedrick / Turbo Turtle Kyle Irving / Lanky Quinn Hefferon / Blackfoot Kenji Ito / JAM David Heile / Goliath Mateusz Jablonski Lizzie Heine / Sunshine Mike Jachim / Extra Mile Henry Rorie / Viet Nam Vet Brae Hemphill / Waterboy Cody Jackson / Feathers Jordan Hendrickson / Little Cards Keith Jacobson / Counselor Jeffrey Ferry / Lost & Found Sam Gibson / Sam Mike Hennessy / Turk Ty James / Lucky Penny Jameson Fetzer / Lorax Daniel Giguere / Lt. Dan Patrick Herrmann / Persistent Jacob Jansen / EVAC David Fidrych / Radio Jordan Gilstrap / RedLeg Ernie Hess / Morning Song Brian Janson / Sasquatch Mason Fields / Jabba Olivier Girard / Monty Lois Hess / Towhee John Jarrell / Papa John Timothy Fields / Buc Sophie Glassford / Floater Brendan Hickman / Speed Racer Erik Jarvi / Airhockey Joe Fink Michael Glavin / Magic Mike Joseph Hilbig / NoBo Joe Evan Jarvi / Highlighter Helena Fiore / Auntie Jennifer Gleason / Silky Lee Hill / Road Warrior Justin Jay / Hook Steven Fishback / Fish Greg Goforth / RadaR Sam Hindman / Goose Manuela Jay / Swiss Miss Chelsea Fisher / PCP Rose Goldberg / Wildflower Shannon Hindman / Maverick Bill Jensen / 77 James FitzHenry / JD, Chief Pretty Feet David Goldman / Rocky Bottom Talley Hite / Tater Justin Johnigean Sean Flanagan / Gimli Reid Goodfellow / Mercury Emily Hochheiser / Pudge Dennis Johnson / OnthegO Rachel Flint / Bearbait Ian Goodnow / Hotpants Shannon Holliday / Dairy Queen Judy Johnson / French Bread

Stephen Fogg / Foggy Garrett Gorenski / Bear Sweatz Rick Hood / Sleeve Jon Jones / Skippy Jon Jones Spring 2018 E.J. Fonda / Wrong Way Rory Gorman / Tipperary Rhys Hora / Chongo Alan Jones / Rambler Amy Forinash / Mrs Joy K Andrew Gostel / Woodbury Christopher Horan / Turtle Ben Jonkman / Warthog 27 Bob Forsythe / Planner Susan Gouveia / Gone Gal (GG) Kate Jonkman / Ansel Vincent Forte / Cotton Mario Graf / Blitz Amy Jorgensen / Just Amy Zachary Fortenbaugh / Sons of Thunder Brady Graham / Trail Name Ethan Joseph / St. John the Baptist David Fox / Jayhawk Christopher Graham / COY Joe Joyce Julie-Anne Fox / Travellingfoxes/Bugs Christopher Graham / UNCLE FOOL Philippe Juhel / Bug Bait Journeys A.T. Kenneth Fox / Travellingfoxes/S Jessica Graham / Checklist Matthew Kahn / Big Al Dente Casie Frederick / River Jan Grajkowski / Juicy Fruit Jenny Kamm / Gradeschool & the Staff Jacob Freeman / Cheese Grant Granger / Rocket Fuel James Kaptur / Sir Dickspatcher Nicole Frias / Legs Clifford Gray / 1st aIde Devin Karch / Darwin Rose Friend / Trail Spawn Maston Gray / GrayGhost Nicholas Karikas / GATOR Laura Frings / Landlady Austin Graziano / Dirty Harry David Karr / Tugboat Larry Frisce / One Stick Logan Greenhaw / Gibberish Monique Katlin / Frizzle Ken Frost / 60/40 Morgan Greenhaw / MoonShine Cameron Kearney / Overload Natalie Frost / Intrepid Maxwell Greenspan / Fingerbang Daniel Keating / Turtle Charli Fulton / Sturdy Peasant Thomas Gregg / Cool Breeze Dana Kee / Atlas Thomas Funk / GPS Jack Griffin / Voices Randy Keener / Flying Amanita Vincent Fusco / Dozer Kevin Grooman / Space Jam Cindy Keller / Drive Thru Hikers Matt Gagat / EDGE Hillary Groover / Mona Terry Keller / Drive Thru Hikers Lucie Gagnon Jeff Grove / ThunderBuns Megan Tischbein / Boo-Boo (& Yogi) Tasia Kellogg / StinkyCheez Joey Gallant / Samsquanche Michael Guffie / Highlander Gregory Galush / Waves Julie Guirl / Lost Cathy Edson / Torque & Kate Gant / Glampress Troy Galyon / Pretty Boy Chris Guynn / Two Speed Kate Gant / Glampress Eric Haapaniemi / Bear TJ Ganter, Jr. / Fancy Caroline Hackett / Johnny Utah Lisa Garner / SomeShine Roger Hahn / Samurai Blue Adam Gary / Neo Dann Hailey / Night Crawler Julie Gayheart / Jester Tom Haldimann / Skyman Kristen Geary / Brightside Andrea Hale / Danger Frederick Gedicks / Freddo Matt Hall / Trigger Kathy Gentry / Seamstress Maury Hall / Deacon Zachary George / Non-Stop Ryan Hall / Mantis Gary Germany / CornChip Harley Halley Jameson Giamo / Old Man Jameson Emily Hancock / Dragon Neal Gibby / NOBOdy Zack Hardoon / Burning Man Courtenay Gibson / Dessert First Keith Hargis / Boo-Boo Larry McCoy / Crazy Larry Mike McCue / Salesman Leslie McDonald / ReRoute Blane McElreath / Zookeeper Ashley McFall / Nosebleed Ryan McGehe / Hot Tub William McGovern / Yogi Alex McGuire / Ash Jack McKenzie / Mitten Man Maura McKenzie / Socko Ryan McLaughlin / Milkman Jeffrey McNamara / Easy Mac Mark Meadows / Sluggo Patrick Meehan / Tap Curt Meeks / The Colonel Stephen Mesch / Funky Moon Ali Thomson / Peach, Zack Hardoon / Burning Man; Quintin Zima / Tin Cup, Matthew Methot / Happy Hour Taryn Anderson / Trinity, Ryan Anderson / MacGyver Steve Metz / Jones Elliot Meyer / Faxmachine Erik Kolesar / Bean Adam Luthin / Dance the Hiker Charles Millaway / Baloo Walter Beauchamp / Sensei Travis Kosarek / WIP Cliff Lutz IV / Lone Ranger Al Miller Tyler Kozlowski / Stubbs James Macduff / Lobo Christopher Miller / RopeBurn Stephen Krake / Rabbit Tomas Maciel / Top Peak Tommy Clark Miller / Ultra Ray Krautschneider / Tuna Shannon Mackenzie / Inasias Jillian Miller / Glow Worm Garrett Kreiner / Yahtzee Nicholas Maddaloni / Zen Kara Miller / Bagheera Micah Krell / Ferdinand Trisha Madeleine / Sherlock Kevin Miller / Shillelagh Kathy Kristof / Splash Kaitlyn Madge / Veto Russell Miller / Beaker Jennifer Krzikawski / Cubana Doug Mahan, Jr. Taylor Miller-Meeks Leah Kucenic / Drama Queen Sebastian Mahfood / Foxy Carla Mitchell / Jukebox Eric Kuipers / Ricky Bobby Rachel Majors / Boss Steve Moffitt / The Warden Victoria Kuiwicki / HoochieMama Travis Majors / Sweets! Carolyn Mohn / Spice Stacy Miller LaBare / Waterbug William Malfaro / Will’s-Da-Beast William Monk / Whistler Mark LaGuire / 8-Track Connor Maloney / Homeschool Chris Monson John Lambert / Mechanic Naomi Manaster / gnome Elizabeth Moore / MoMiles Charles Land / Greeter Lori Maney / Pied Piper Jared Moore / Crazy Horse Corey Lander / Strider Parker Maney / Little Bird Linda Moore / Ghosthiker Jake Langston / Humbuck Ryan Maney / Bulldozer Mark Moore / NoNail Alexandre Lanoue / A-pic Alexa Manley / McFlurry Michael Moore / Cmoore Jesse LaPrad / Good Feelin’ Jefferson Mann / Sticks Stewart Moore / Super Ultra Lite John Larch / Loki Jared Marcus / Patch Leah Moran / Avalanche Daniel Lavargna / Skipper Renato Marisa / Lost Sole Larry Morgan / Growler Tom Moylan / Steamer Kasey Lawson / Commando Kathleen Markey / Splat Alexander Morrill / Big Foot Jerry Lechnyr / Salty Camel Travis Marks / Scarecrow James Morrison / Mojo Adam Kelly / Switchback Haneul Lee / Sky Jamie Marsden / Dori Avery Morrow / Lazy Bean Rayanne Kelly / Shortcut Scott Lee / Rabbit Christopher Martin / Dancing Bear Jurdan Mossburg / Trashman Jakob Kenda / Sulo Roman Lehmann / Hans Clinton Martin / Pace Sam Motter / Sequoia Ross Kendall / Terminator Timo Lehmann / Franz Fox Marttinen / Finnisher Ferrell Moultrie / Daddy Long Legs Ashley Kennard / Sally Mae Christopher Leininger / Peregrine Stanton Mason Thomas Moylan / Steamer Will Kenyon / LaZBoy Brooke Leister / Princess Vidalia Kara Mast / Piñata Shawn Muckenhirn / Snow Jordan Kerley / Beach Party Scott Lemmen / Two Hearted Kristopher Mast / Rash Marie Muir Sara Kersten / Heinz Josh Lemmon / Multi-tool A.J. Matthews / Blue Steel Tess Mullaney / Lotus Susan Kettles / Iris Mark Lena / Maineiac Uno Pam McAfee / Immram Madison Mumma / Princess Leia Greg Key / The Traveler Steve Lentine / Crusher Anna McAuley / Tough Cookie Carissa Murillo / Pickles Hannah Kiermayr / Pearl Dirk Lentz / skeeter Marcia McCarroll / Marciamallow Al Musser / Just Al Lou Killion Emily Leonard / Black Bear Saehyun Kim / Buffalo Evan Leonard Gregory Ferrell / Flash Daddy & Katelyn Ferrell / Lady Bug Leah Kimbler / Honey Badger Guy Lerner / Scout Snowden Kindler / Beany Daniel Lilley Ken King / StickShift Jayn Lindholm / TBA Meredith King / Tunes Ryan Lindsey / Business Casual Robert King / Doc John Loomis / O’well Sylvia King / Maggie Simpson Uwe Lorenzen / Walking Tree Rhiannon Kirby / Wonder Woman Estus Lott / Estus Jerry Kirk / Dreamcatcher Kendall Lott / Jekyl Ken Klatt / Stamps Amanda Lourenco / GI Jane Sam Klementovic / Long Haul Lindsay Lovett / Mufasa Amelia Klos / Gin● Gin Benjamin Loy / Ganzo Sierra Knotts / Sierra Mist Benjamin Loyal / Switchback Lynn Koeppen / Meadowlark Adam Loyd / For Now Michael Koeppen / Montana Mike Anthony Lozzi / Honey-Badger Charlotte Kolesar / Fresh Kevin Lundquist / Bubuh Raymond Myers, Jr. / Rain Man Merry Plocki / F-Stop William Nabinger / HUMAN Olivia Plumb / Tick Tock Daniel Nash / Dapper Dan Alex Popp / Mile Back Max Nash / Slip n’ Slide John Poppe / Grey Wolf Ashley Nelson / Mishap Orval Porter / GO Dalton Nelson / Waterboy Frederik Pöschel / Backgammon Brandon Neltner / Young Scout Jamie A. Potchett / The Almighty Zeus Joel Neville / Joules John Potter / Call me Ishmael Tri Nguyen / NoBo#1253 Jeffrey Poulin / Dr. J Rick Niersbach / Ragnar Stefan Pouliot / BARREL!!! John Niesen / JJ Hans Praller / Norm! Christopher Nobblitt / Sriracha Hans Praller / ¡Norm! Trevor Darling / Newfie Jake Nofsinger / U.N.O. Matt Prather / VISA Joe Nofsinger / SALSA Thomas Priestner / Cricket Jonas Nold / Wombat Thomas Pryputniewicz / Fireball Lulu Russell / Smalls Erica Notini / Spitfire Leon Przybilla / Peanut Pan Dillon Saas / Early Bird Emily Nuckols / Sweets! Cathryn Pugh / Sunshine Sandra Sachs / SHEHULK Paul Nuckols / Beyonce Jack Qualey / Half Squatch Joe Saffron / GI Joe Kelsey Nunn / Curry Ryan Qualizza / Peaches Brian Salvesen / Downwind Denver Oakley / J.D. Kyle Quick / Iron Lungs Chris Samples / UP Tess O’Brien / Shredder Kevin Quinn / Gray Mountaineer Dale Sanders / Grey Beard Leah O’Connor / GrassHopper Creg Rabun / Augusta Beth Sanfield / Walden Tom O’Connor / Redirect Owen Rachampbell / Sir Owen Taylor Santa / Hamilton! Brian Odom / Middle Brother VanGrizzle, Duke of Beartown Jeff Santos / Speedy Gonzalez Kyle O’Donnell / Sticks Matthew Radford / Dirty Harry Jeff Sargent / Tinman Takeshi Okamatsu / CrazyPants Andy Rainer / Orphan Andy Theodore Sas / Sassafras Mariah Olczak / Junk Kristen Rankin / Pixie Jeremiah Satterfield / Tobaggan Eddie O’Leary / EdBeard James Ransford / Cricket Katie Saunders / Bottles Caitlin O’Neal / Committed Kalle Rasinkangas / Bambi Magnet Nathan Schaefer / Henry Stefan Abraham / Two Trails Kevin O’Neil / Ringo Bethany Rawleigh / Inside Out Christopher Scharfglass / Sleepy Bear Tony Or / Tiger John Rayburn / Dingo Matthew Schillawski / Johnny Bravo Orville Orr Rebecca Reddish / Busdriver Calvin Schirmer / Gandalf Collin O’Shea / Mudflap Molly Reese / Gretel Tenley Schofield / Lucky Davis Ozier / Engineer Nicholas Reese / Venture Eric Schott / Pick of the Litter David Pagano / Malink Sydney Renaud / Potato Tahoe Schrader / Fizz Robin Paguia / Sonic Jessica Reynolds / Woodpecker Adrian Schrell / Washbear Robert Palermo / Sparky Susan Reynolds / Sweet Blood Greg Schulte / Billy Goat Philip Pappas / Too Clean Timothy R. Reynolds Philippe Schuppisser / Swag of Switzerland Spencer Parkinson / Birdperson Carrington Rhodes / Mortis Michael Schwitek / Skittles Beau Parks / Joiner Andrea Rich / Already Stinky Kelly Scott / Hillz Tim Parritt / X-Ray Kate Richard / Lost & Found Jared Scripture / Scrip Connie Parsons / Tinkle Simon Richard / Rictic Steve Seegmiller / Funky Duck Mike Parsons / Doc Janet Ridgeway / Girl on Fire Melissa Seidel / Lumber Jill John Parsons Steven Riecker / Rooster Joanna Seirup / Rockhopper Joan Paswell / Sojourner Andrew Riker / Raggidy John Seirup / Honest Abe Patrick Paton / Pat Symbol Akin Daniel Riordan / Straps Lynn Seirup / Linnaea to Prince, It is Indecypherable Jonathan Riordan / Stoat Kevin Selfe / Tornado Darryl Patton / Poncho Grace Rivera / Katniss Victor Selmon / Puddles Kálmán Csigi XIV / Walkamolé Kim Patton / Idgie Scott Robert / Beast Ashby Semple / OMG Beth Pearson / Sweet Pea James Robertson / Dice Ivetta Severance / Caboose Matthew Shannon / Log Jam Valerie Peckarsky / Sprinkle Seth Robertson / Hob Steve Severence / Engine Alison Shelford / Lemsip Steve Pekarskiy / Baskets Michael Rodriguez / El Vago Greg Seymour / Sunsets Bruce Shepherd / Boss Alex Pellerin / Baguette Randall Rodriguez / Last Call Jen Seymour / Chica Ashleigh Sherman / Clover Lee Pennebaker / Candles Joshua Roesener / Turkish Ruth Shafer / Home-Ec Zachary Sherman / Yogi Alan Pentecost / GQ Shane Romig / Terminator Nick Perkins / Pheasant Melon Lauren Roppolo / Eleven Samantha Perkins / Clementine Marc Roppolo / Daze Denise Horen / Nemo, Julie Gayheart / Jester, Patti Stechschulte / Beacon Mark Perlin / Wizard Henry Rorie / Viet Nam Vet Gregory Peters / Painted Turtle David Rosenau / Story Teller Veronica Petersen / Valkyrie Jimmy Ross / Moving Target Malaika Petersen-Pelletier / BulletProof Rodney Rossignol / Chilli Dog Jeff Peterson / Just Pete Peter Rosswaag / POKEY Grant Pevahouse / Cashew Matt Roth / Onion William Phifer / Phife Dawg Scott Rothermel / Scooter David Phillips / Just Dave Tom Rottmann / Daypack Jeff Pieklik / Sassysquatch Chris Roundtree / Halfway Nathan Pierce / Stretch John Routh / Hop Along Scott Pierce / Squire Randy Ruble / Shady William Pierce / Remix Dylan Runde / (Rav)ioli Dylan Pilger / 12 Pack Paul Rus / Tailgate Tim Piotrowski / Pio Gavin Russell / 2x’s Megan Tischbein / Boo-Boo Wesley Williams / Yahtzee Becca Tompkins / Brave Drew Williamson / Fresh Christina Triantafilidis / Pockets Nancy Wilson / Singing Sister Amy Trujillo / Dilly-Dally Ned Wilson / Willie Bren Trusty Keith R. Wingad / COWG Anne Turner / Lighthouse Alex Wnorowski / Creedence Jake Twydell / J2 David Wood / Ringo Agustin Umanzor Jr. / Guac Ethan Wood / Piper Ethan Uradnik / Lizard King David Woodard / Sir Poops-A-Lot Megan Urban / Overdrive Adele Woodmansee / Pantry Deb Vacek / Uturn Dan Woody / Logan Matthew Valle / Granite Jessica Woody / Pippi Manuel / Goalie & Berkley Herden / TEN Aiken Maria Julia Calzadillas Valles / Autumn Leaf Andrew Workman / Mello Yello Oliver Van Assche / B.C. Brian Workman / Stogie Brandon Shewmake / Smeagol Wayne Stargel / Medicine Man Reed Van Den Berghe / Chef 6.0 Renee Wrest / Roam Josh SHI / Handy Josh Chris Staron / Thumper Mark van der Linden / Dutch Fiona Wright / Trail Mouse Nicholas Shigo / REX Michael Staudaher Loretta Van Ekris / PB Graham Wright / Survivor Alan Shorr / Flatbush Melanie Stempowski / Ma’am Lucas Vance / Scuba Jon Wright / UnOriginal Charles Shugrue / Hooch Cole Stevens / Pole Runner Justin Vandaveer / Preacher Kaleb Wright / Jetpak Jedi John Sindewald / Thor John Stifler / Whistler Natalie Vandaveer / Stretch Patrick Wright / Mando Travis Sindewald / Finn the Human Michele Stiles / Misplaced Ken Vande Vrede / Treadmill William Wright / Frozen Justin Singh / Badger Alexa Stillwell / Tinker Bell Joseph Vanderkooi / Tin Man Lynne Wummel / Lioness Mark Skouby / Scooby Adam Stone / Chipotle Maddy VanderVeen Heejong Yang / Spontaneous Bobby Joe Smith / PawPaw Forrest Stone / Buck Wild Lelia Vann / Princess Brian Yoder / Chopper Bryan Smith / Smitty Pierre-Yves St-Onge / Hoopa Bethany Varner / Snap Larry Yoder / Murray Dean Smith / Stick in the Woods John Strandberg / Hodge Podge Srinidhi Venkatesh / Tooth Tom Young / Grey Eagle Austin Smith / Buffalo David Stroebel / Timeless Chris Verry / Norseman Zachary Zacchero / Pop Tart Jim Smith / Gravity Caitlin Struhs / What’s Her Name Robert Vettel / Bob Edwin Zatkovic / Happy Feet Kerri Smith / JK TJ Struhs / TJ Bryan Vick / Houdini Anna Zimmerman / Stinker Margo Smith / Pitbull Brittney Stuard / Two Step Bryan Victor / Red Fox Daniel Zube / Screech Ronald Smith / Geezer Dylan Suhr / Superfly David Voda / Jumanji Grant Zulick / Smalls Sharon Smith / Mayzie Mark Suiters / Stumpknocker Mike Vogel / Bazinga! Tracy Zupich / Pippi Tom Smith / Frog Greg Sullivan / MEGAPHONE Jordan Wade / Rabbit Eli Zwillinger / Einstein Thomas Smith / NEWT DJ Suter / Captain Hot Legs Jonah Wagan / Powerade Jacob Zwillinger / Cheese Spring 2018 Hannah Smothers / Milkshake! Micheal Sutton James M. Wages / JustMike 30 Christopher Snyder / Atlas Michael Swartz / Speedy Chris Walker / Stay Puft Kelly Snyder / Summer Breeze Alison Swing / Atlas Rick Wallace 2016 Steve Snyder / Torch Tom Swinhoe / Imagine Derick Walsh / Dirty Jesus Joey Alonso / Gasket Calvin Sossoman / Southern Planter Wayne Sylvester / Spiderman James Walsh / True Grits Kevin Arsenijevic / Chaco Jean-Marc Souchon / Froggy Andrea Tabb / Cousin Eddie Jeff Walsh / Potable Amos Atwell / Moose

A.T. Journeys A.T. Christopher Souliere / G.Q. Maureen Tait / Momentum Pearl Wapner / SweetSpot Stephen Bables / Crocamolé Leslie Spangler / H2NO Allie Tate Bailey Ward / Stargazer Ethan Barach / Tormund Giantsbane Amanda Sparger / Barbelle Nick Taylor / Cricket Valerie Wargo / Possum Grant Barnette / Achilles John Speck / Carpenter Richard Taylor / Sabre Murrah Watson / Foghat Nicholas Bast / False Top John Speer / Cakes Dianne Tebbe / Night Hawk Adam Weaver / Coach Ryan Bax / Redwing Beth Spencer / Bam Bam Elly Thomas / Chernobyl Jared Weeber / Fuego Claudia Brown / Claudia Jessica Spiltoir / Jellybean Brian Thomasset / BR Rebecca Weimann / Beast Zachary Brown / Corn Thomas Spiltoir / Papabean Lee Thompson / Leebob Zachary Weinman / French Dip Richard Bull / Sage James Spurk / Drop Top Ken Thompson / Scout Rachele Weintraub / Firefly Vinnie Burke III / Snooze Alexander St. Angelo / Garbahnzo Ali Thomson / Peach John Welt / PaJohn Christopher Burrell / Walker ‘Trail Blazer’ Evan St. Angelo / Firetruck Samantha Thorpe / Honeystick Carson West / Yardsale Kaitlin Busse-Wolfgram / Kalamity Cory Stager / DaVinci Anonymous / Crayola Gregory West / Hoot Nicole Cary / Pebbles Gail Stairs / Rockette Evan Tice / That Guy Ben Westervelt / Grease Spot Dale Castle Roger Stairs / Rocket Bill Tidey / Bill T David Westfall / JD Clancy Clawson / Dogface Andrew Weyer / Imposter Whitney Clement / Wednesday Katherine Whitaker / Lumberjack Jodeob Cogbill / Mr Sunshine Jason Bordash / Scallywag, Amy Novek / Giggles, Juan Rodriguez / JuanGone Paige White / Snacks William Cole III / Pookie Tory White / Lakes John Cowart / Journey Man Bill Whitehead / Quietman Lee Culler / Stowaway Colette Whitney / Grinder William Dale / Agent Josh Wigley / Peter Pan Jeff Davis Carl Wilcox / Avalanche Nathan Davis / Sleeping Beauty Courtney Willemin / Hoops Anonymous / Toasty Hands “Burner Travis Willhelm / Tunnel Rat of Dreams & Bread” Brandon Williams / Waldo Shawn DeLancey / Waterboy Bridget Williams / Giggles Rachael Delano / Rabbit David Williams / 1st Sgt Jim Eagleton / Rambler Joshua Williams / Switchback Robert Earll / Fisherman Larry Williams / Sarge Brenda Eckrose / Velcro Noah Williams / Narwhal Diana Erber / Moontire Jenny Williams / Cassandra Jessica Eshleman / Skooch Nicholas Espinosa / Master Splinter Andrew Tucker / Daddy Eitan Feldstein / Trout Martin Waters / Journey John Fowler / Shaggy Geoff Weathersby / A$$Captain Benjamin Fox / Obi-Wan David Weitz / DAS MACHINE Michael Francisco / Curly Kris Wenschuh / Spirit of 76 Andrew Franklin / Zen Master Maxine Weyant / Dys-feng-shui-nal Jonny Geeslin / Poophands Nathaniel Wirta / Rocky Raccoon Adam Geilker / Handmade Ivor Wood / Stumbledwarf Jake Gerhardt / Fish n’ Chips Mack Yarbrough / TRIPPER Stephen Gibson / Beast Patti Yarbrough / SLIPPER Anonymous / Bachelor Alex Young / Boombox Justin Graff / Al dente Laura Zingrone / Crash Kelsey Gregory / Greyhound David Grover / Pumpkin Caroline Grundy / Weasel 2015 Dalton Gunderson / Barack Obama Len Barnes / Mystyr Lynyrd Kenneth Hacker / (aka “Tuna”) Genevieve Beals / Killer Brittany Hawkins / Smash Tony Bloom / Bloomer Justin Hawkins / Sunrise Chaser Scott Dameron / Captain Pants Lia Heinze / Pinky Purple George Hansbrough / Huckleberry Derek Hoffman / Honeybuns Paul Ingram / Pie David Johnson / New Dave Padraic McGarry / Forger Taylor Judice / Cousteau Alisande Osuch / Warm & Toasty Barbara Kelly / Nice Lady Ron Pace / Old Man with Two Women Casey Kemper / Bambi Jone Reid / Wildflower Maia Kenney / Recon Chad Relinski / Hillbilly Rob Kerr / Sherpa Stephen Rolle / Smokescreen Greg Key / The Traveler Sarah Shores / Cooter Cody King / Ron Paul Micah Krell / Ferdinand Erin Kirkpatrick / Weebles Monique Knaggs / Scorpion 2014-1974 David Lane / Squarepeg ’14 Brooks Dame / Giggles Marian Tichy / Hawk Woman Stephanie Langner / Pancake “14 Riley Kern / Chef Robert Leiphart / Bake ’14 Gary Kling / Grouch Florian Lerch / Cous Cous ’13 Jason D’Ambrosia / Cornflakes Lindsey Loving / Charge ’13 Julio Rodriguez / Patience Erin McDowell / Fire ’12 Jeff Davis Jared McKenny / Smokey the Bear ’12 Matthew Hess / Easy Rider Donald McNaughton / Blue ’12 Charles Smoot / Relic Hunter James McShane / Songbird ’11 Garrett Gorenski / Bear Sweatz Brian Miglorino / Peanut Butter ’11 Tim Jackson / Trek Eric Mills / Evergreen ’10 Tim Jackson / Trek Jeff Mogavero / Burger King ’09 Tim Jackson / Trek Kelcey Moreau / Fern ’08 Tim Jackson / Trek Benjamin Moster / Tailspin ’08 Eric Markley / Chainsaw Terri Gilmore ’0 Tim Jackson / Trek Patrick Murray / Princess Peach ’07 Christopher Martin / Mowgli Mackenzie Myers / SOS Sunshine ’06 Tim Jackson / Trek Steven Nance / Superman ’06 Steve Lake / Stray Cat William Nelson / Pharaoh ’06 Colby Morrill / Doc Cords Sam Oseroff / Safety First ’05 Sarah Brownlee / Poet Bob Parker / BLUE ’05 Tim Jackson / Trek Pamela Parker / CHILLY ’05 Joe Marshall / Epistemological Anne Peterson / Pokey Megalomaniac (EM) Eric Peterson / Moose ’05 Mike Renn / Pumbaa Georgina Podany / Mama Cheddar ’04 Tim Jackson / Trek Jaime Robertson / Wrecking Ball ’04 Marit Janse / Lulu Katie Ryan / Flat Lander ’03 Tim Jackson / Drifter / Trek Alex Smith / Cap ’03 El Matador Lauren Smith / Danger 1998 Belinda Young Bob Snyder / Great AT 58 1993 Gregory Griffith / Sugarfoot The ATC would like to thank volunteer Sandra Ragsdale and Travis Spencer / PBS 1985 Mark Miller / The Well-Dressed other volunteers in the Harpers Ferry Visitor Center as well Chelsey Sproul / Steel Woodsman Christopher St. John / Backbone 1984 Tom Durban / Tallahassee Tom as ATC’s visitor services representative Dave Tarasevich for Greg Stutz / Magellan 1976 Leigh Bloom maintaining, editing, and compiling this year’s listing. Jordan Sykes / Timber 1976 Scott Bloom Melissa Szabo / Chicken Hawk 1974 Richard Brannon Additional statistics Michael Szabo / Dregs Jacobsen Thurman / Feel Good can be found at: Marian Tichy / Hawk Woman appalachiantrail.org/2000milers Jeffrey Tourigny / Just Jeff Plan- ning Your Hike

B y

Amanda

W h e e l o c k Having spent my entire childhood in north Georgia and east Tennessee, at 17 I was presumptuous enough to think I knew the Appalachians. I had spent count- less days exploring their rivers and trails. I loved their slopes and their swimming holes, their draws and ridges that un- dulated endlessly across the landscape. Then I moved to New Hampshire for college. The first time I saw the White Moun- tains soaring skyward from Franconia Notch on I-93, I felt like I was in a completely foreign land. There was no way that these sharp, imposing peaks could be part of the same range that hugged my hometown. Spring 2018 From those craggy granite peaks to the clear 33 Spring wildflowers along the A.T. lakes of Maine and the picturesque pastures of in West Virginia Photo by Raymond Salani III Virginia, the Appalachians encompass many

diverse landscapes, and the Appalachian Trail Journeys A.T. traverses them all. This variety is one of my favorite things about the A.T. Each section of Trail feels unique, and there are always new adventures to be had. But because of this richness, planning a trip on the A.T. can be daunting — it’s like 2,190 destinations in one. How do you decide what section to hike? What state, even? And once you’ve settled on a destination, the questions have only begun. What do you need to bring? Do you need a permit? Will the Trail be overrun with summer campers singing their way down the mountain, or will you find the peace and quiet you desire? Well, worry no more. Consider this your guide to help you start planning your dream A.T. vacation. Best for: Spotting

wildflowers and April flip-flop thru-hikers in Although the first half of April is the northern half of unpredictable, the end of April is Virginia, West Virginia, generally a pretty good bet for and Maryland some warmer days and wild blooms along the A.T. in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. If you’d like to meet some May Best for: Exploring aspiring thru-hikers, you’ll encounter a smattering mostly While the A.T. passes within an the wild side of walking north. A few dozen will start their journey around easy drive of several major cities Pennsylvania, New the time of the fourth annual Flip Flop Festival in the A.T. in the mid-Atlantic, it feels sur- Jersey, and New York Community of Bolivar-Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, prisingly wild as it traverses on April 28– 29. Check out the festival, then hike south to beautiful river valleys, gentle help disperse traffic. Winter conditions can persist anywhere ridges, bogs, and wetlands. The Trail meanders at rela- along the Trail this month, so be sure to pack some extra tively low elevations through these states, so it’s best to non-cotton layers in your pack and stick to lower elevations. explore them before summer brings heat and humidity. As with any hike in the Appalachians, don’t forget your rain Wear light-colored clothing that has been treated with jacket and pack cover or trash bag to waterproof your pack. permethrin (you can spray it on clothing you already own, If you decide to camp along the A.T. in Shenandoah Na- buy pre-treated clothing, or send your clothing away to be tional Park, you’ll need to acquire a free backcountry permit factory treated), and check yourself at least daily for ticks, at a visitor center or entrance station. Some facilities may because these states are home to high concentrations of the not be open for the season yet. In Maryland, you’re required disease carriers. Camping is only allowed at designated to stay at designated sites overnight. Avoid hiking in New overnight sites in New Jersey, and New York, and restrictions England (it’s still winter there) and in Georgia, North Caro- vary widely in Pennsylvania, so you’ll need to plan your days Spring 2018 lina, Tennessee, and southern Virginia — high numbers of wisely. Virginia becomes increasingly busy this month as 34 northbound thru-hikers and spring breakers searching for northbound thru-hikers continue their journeys, and it’s still warmth make these states awfully crowded this month, not quite time to hike in New England. The end of winter which can make for an uncomfortable experience when you there simply ushers in the start of mud season, when trails have to share a shelter site with dozens of other hikers. range from unpleasant to impassible. A.T. Journeys A.T. June Best for: Taking in Now that the wave of north- the vistas in Georgia, bound thru-hikers has moved North Carolina, and through, June is the perfect time Tennessee to visit the Southern Appala- chians. The high-elevation balds that dot this region provide beautiful views of the surrounding forests and towns, and picturesque waterfalls often await those willing to take short detours off the Trail. The A.T. Community of Roan Mountain, Tennessee, hosts their world- famous Rhododendron Festival just down the mountain from the A.T. on June 16 – 17, where you can experience this quintessential Appalachian flora in all its splendor. The month of June can get hot and humid at any elevation in the Southeast, so bring plenty of water and refill whenever you get the chance, being sure to treat and/or filter your water. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) recommends using a bear canister to store your food along the entire length of the Trail, and proper food storage and bear awareness are especially important in the South. Bear-human interactions have become significantly more frequent in this region in recent years. July Best for: Beating Those of us who are familiar with the heat in northern the Appalachians know that it New England gets hot in July. The higher elevations of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine stay a bit cooler this month, and their many lakes, creeks, and August Best for: swimming holes provide welcome relief. Always exercise August is a wonderful time to Embracing the last days caution when swimming in natural bodies of water, and don’t experience summer in New of summer in southern swim alone. Maine’s many river crossings can be dangerous, England. The forest is lush, the New England especially after rain, so know your limits, remember to days are long and, if you’re lucky, unbuckle your pack before crossing, and when in doubt — you may even experience the first don’t cross. Never cross the Kennebec River on foot; the water crisp nights signaling that fall is soon to come. Just four can rise rapidly, and the ferry is the official route of the A.T. miles from the Trail, the A.T. Community of Manchester, There are many summer camps and other groups who hit the Vermont, knows how to celebrate summer in style. The Trail this month, so registering your hike using the ATC’s A.T. Vermont Challenge bike race, the Green Mountain Bluegrass CAMP tool becomes especially important so you can avoid and Roots festival, sidewalk sales, and a fly fishing festival crowded campsites. And if you head to Maine’s Baxter State all hit town this month, so enjoy some classic New England Park, be sure to do your research into the special rules and charm and spend a night or two in town recuperating after regulations there before your trip. your hike. Many college orientation groups will test their new classmates on the steep trails of northern New England this month, so stick to Connnecticut, Massachusetts, and southern Vermont unless you want to be kept awake by the sounds of get-to-know-you games played long into the night. Remember that camping is only allowed at designated Clockwise from left: May flowers on the Trail overnight sites in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and these near Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. Photo states also have restrictions on campfires. If you venture by Suzy McKelvey; A July hike — crossing the Pleasant River in Maine. Photo by John south of New England this month, bring more water than Bilbrey; Late summer trek to Bromley Summit you think you’ll need; you’re likely to encounter dry water in Vermont. Photo by John Stifler sources and persistent heat. September Best for: Finding Great Smoky Mountains Nation- some solitude in the al Park is the most visited na- Smokies tional park in the country, with almost 11.4 million visitors in 2017. A.T. hikers who visit the park in September, however, have a good chance of sharing stretches of Trail with few other people. Kids are back in school, leaf peepers won’t show up in droves until October, and most southbound thru-hikers haven’t made it quite this far yet. One group you may run into is the ATC’s Rocky Top Trail crew, so be sure to thank this merry band of volunteers for all their hard work. In the Smokies, camping on the A.T. is only allowed at designated shelters and campsites. Visit the park website to get a general backcountry permit in order Above: Fall colors on the Trail near Buena Vista, Virginia. Photo by to camp on the A.T. and other trails in the park. The A.T. stays Cathy Shiflett; Right: 2017 thru-hikers “Torque” and “Glampress” at the start of their flip- flop hike at Amicolola Falls. mainly on high elevation ridges here, so you may see some early fall color, and you’ll need lots of layers and a three- season sleeping bag. In large part because of the high numbers of visitors and bears, the animals are particu- October larly problematic in the Smokies. Before your go, read up Best for: Leaf While many people flock to New on what to do if you see a black bear, and remember to peeping in Central and England, Shenandoah National properly store your food and all scented items, even small Southwest Virginia Park, and western North Carolina ones like lip balm, toothpaste and sunscreen — bears have to see fall foliage, the mountains a much stronger sense of smell than humans do. Bear can- of central and southwest Virginia isters remain the most animal-resistant way to store food. put on a spectacular show of their own. The Mountain Day A.T. campers who are carrying bear canisters in the Smok- festival in the A.T. Community of Buena Vista, Virginia, ies should hang them on the cables provided at each shelter, which takes place October 13, highlights traditional as required by park regulations. Appalachian culture and generally coincides with peak color in the region. Elevations above 4,000 feet, common along the A.T. in Tennessee and North Carolina, often get below freezing this month. So, while it may seem counterintuitive, it’s best to stay north of Marion, Virginia, unless you enjoy and are prepared for some serious cold-weather backpacking. Books to help you plan YOUR next If the summer was dry, October can bring dry springs and A.T. experience are available at high fire danger along much of the Trail, so be prepared to the Ultimate A.T. Store carry extra water, stay up-to-date on local fire restrictions and, as always, completely douse any allowable campfires you choose to build before you leave. Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Planner Before heading out on a hike, check the ATC Trail Updates Leave No Trace in the Outdoors – by Jeffrey Marion page at appalachiantrail.org/updates to learn of any Trail The Best of the A.T. (available in May) closures or Trail conditions you need to be aware of. The Appalachian Trail Food Planner And there you have it! While it’s certainly possible to How to Hike the A.T.: The Nitty-Gritty Details of a backpack in the winter, conditions along the length of the Long-Distance Trek – by Michelle Ray A.T. can be unpredictable and even dangerous in the winter The Appalachian Trail by Day Hikes: months, which is why I’ve only made trip suggestions from Tips for the Timid – by Polly Schoning April to October. And remember — the ATC has a plethora Best A.T. Hikes (New England, Mid-Atlantic, and South of great information about planning any length of hike in any season on their website. Happy trails! Start Well can pose hazards to hikers and the Trail. The dirt at Amicalola Falls State Park Forest Service roads used to access Springer are sometimes impassable due to deep winter mud, and the small parking lot and nearby campsites are often overcrowded. For these reasons, the ATC has long encouraged NOBOs to begin at AFSP but with the increased numbers of thru-hikers, it is even more important — and an AFSP start also provides the best opportunity to provide NOBOs with crucial information. So, beginning in February, ATC ridgerunners and volunteers from the Georgia A.T. Club began offering free courses designed to help thru-hikers understand the essential items and skills they need. “Every year, we see hundreds of aspiring thru-hikers set themselves up for discomfort, abandoned thru-hikes, and potential danger due to a lack of expert advice and preparation,” said the ATC’s southern regional director Morgan Sommerville. “The Start Well class is designed to help instill some of these valuable skills before Spring 2018 In 2016, in response to the increased pressure NOBOs begin their journeys, simultaneously 37 that growing numbers of thru-hikers placed increasing their chances for success and, ideally, on the natural resources of Baxter State Park, decreasing the impact they will have on the Trail the ATC opened a Visitor Center in the A.T. itself.” Additionally, thru-hikers who start at AFSP

Community of Monson, Maine. Almost 7,000 are able to pick up the coveted A.T. hangtag they Journeys A.T. people visited the center in its first two seasons of earned by registering their thru-hike through operation, learning about topics including hiking A.T.CAMP, the voluntary registration system, the A.T. in Maine, Leave No Trace, and the local get a gear shakedown, and begin their journey communities. In 2017, 83 percent of northbound by hiking through the iconic AFSP archway at thru-hikers (NOBOs) stopped in at the Visitor the beginning of the Approach Trail. Early signs Center, where staff and volunteers ensured they indicated that these efforts were successful in knew about the free permit they would need within encouraging thru-hikers to consider their impact Baxter State Park. Seeing the success of this effort on the Trail: as of March 1, registrations of thru- to help NOBOs Finish Well, the ATC – along with hikers planning to start at Amicalola Falls instead the Georgia A.T. Club, National Forest Service, and of Springer increased from 52 percent to over 90 Amicalola Falls State Park (AFSP) — launched a percent. When you Start Well, you are bound to new initiative this year to help them Start Well, too. Finish Well. In the past, many NOBOs have chosen to start their journey by driving to near the southern terminus of the A.T. at Springer Mountain, as opposed to starting with the A.T. Approach To register your thru-hike or overnight camping trip on the Trail that connects Amicalola Falls State Park to Trail visit: appalachiantrail.org/thruhikeregistration and Springer. Starting at Springer Mountain, however, atcamp.org “The Point” — Harpers Ferry, West Virginia — Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia converge overlooking the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers Spring 2018 39 Mother Nature’s Finest Pallet A.T. Journeys A.T. Landscape photographer Raymond “Flash” Salani III says he delights in, “capturing the beauty of the Appalachian Trail one frame at a time for people of all ages to enjoy.” He was born and raised in north central Monmouth County, New Jersey where he purchased a home four years ago. As a section hiker, he has logged more than 550 miles on the Trail so far — usually with his camera in hand. “Any day on the Trail, Mother Nature shows us her finest pallet,” he says. When on the Trail, he is usually with members of the Appalachian Mountain Club, his college cross country coach Welles Lobb from his time at Muhlenberg College (who took him on his first A.T. hike during cross country preseason), and his family — when they can make it. “I am grateful to have others who want to hike the Trail in sections and who are also patient with my photographic visions and needs,” he says. “I often lead Appalachian Mountain Club hikes that focus on a love for photography, but are also strenuous, so we can maximize the amount of Trail we take in.” Raymond’s photos of the A.T. capture both up-close and sweeping views from as far south as northern Virginia straight up through to Connecticut.

SalaniPhotography.com Spring 2018 40 A.T. Journeys A.T.

Clockwise from opposite page: Welles “Coach” Lobb hikes the Trail in Connecticut; Wild azalea in northern Virginia; Mushroom family on Bear Mountain in Connecticut; Turtles along the A.T. in the Potomac River, southern Maryland

Spring 2018 43 A.T. Journeys A.T.

View of the Hudson River from the A.T. on Bear Mountain in New York A.T.Communities We can cover that spring What to see and do in in your step... Marion, Virginia and around Marion: with ATC-licensed merino-wool socks made in the USA by family-owned companies. ● Take a walking tour through downtown Marion’s historic district to drop into boutiques, art galleries, old-fashioned diners, and chic bistros.

● Stop at the General Francis Marion Hotel to check out the meticulous restoration of this grand (#344) old hotel, originally opened in 1927. While you’re there, make your way to the hotel’s Speakeasy North Carolina for a dinner of gourmet southern foods. Appalachian Trail License Plate Application

● The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) now has a specialty license tag in the state of North Carolina. Be a part of a live performance of “Song of the By getting your tag today, you’ll help the ATC protect and maintain America’s (#316) Favorite Long Distance Trail! Facts  You must already have The ATC will receive $20 annually for each AT plate purchased or renewed. the vehicle registered in North Carolina. Mountains,” an award-winning televised showcase  You receive a FREE How Much Does It Cost? with  ATC Membership $30 Regular Appalachian Trail plate* the purchase of your NC  $60 Personalized Appalachian Trail plate* AT Tag. ProceedsYou are allowed four (4) benefitspaces for a personalized message. the  *The $30 or $60 annual of bluegrass and old-time music, broadcasted ______1st Choice ______2nd Choice ______3rd Choice fee is in addition to regular annual license Name (as shown on certificate of title): fees you have already paid.  Personalized tags may FIRST MIDDLE LAST be relinquished to from Marion’s historic Lincoln Theatre. someone else, but once a numerical tag expires ADDRESS without renewal, that number can never again CITY STATE ZIP CODE be reissued.  If you change your mind, you can go back to a HOME PHONE OFFICE PHONE regular license plate at

Current North Carolina Vehicle any time. There will not be a refund of unused ______● portion of special fees.

Pick up fresh produce and meats at Marion’s PLATE NUMBER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER  Additional applications

______can be found online at

DRIVER’S LICENSE # YEAR MODEL MAKE BODY STYLE www.appalachiantrail.org

Saturday morning farm-to-table market. Owner’s Certification of Liability Insurance (#337)

APPALACHIANTRAIL.ORG/ATCPLATES I certify for the motor vehicle described above that I have financial responsibility as required by law.

FULL NAME OF INSURANCE COMPANY AUTHORIZED IN NC – NOT AGENCY OR GROUP

The perfect mix of old and new, indoor and POLICY NUMBER – IF POLICY NOT ISSUED, NAME OF AGENCY BINDING COVERAGE ______SIGNATURE OF OWNER DATE OF CERTIFICATION outdoor, traditional and unusual. Located in south- ● Try your hand at everything from yoga to wood- Mail your check or money order made out to NC DMV Thanks for your generous support of the and application to: Appalachian Trail! Questions about the NC AT License Spring 2018 NC Division of Motor Vehicles, Specialty Plate Division Tag can be directed to Leanna Joyner 828-254-3708. 3155 Mail Service Center western Virginia, the town of approximately 6,500 working, pottery, quilting, or beekeeping at the Raleigh, NC 27699-3155 www.appalachiantrail.org 44 residents has worked hard to create an appealing artsy, Wayne C. Henderson School of Appalachian Arts. Are funds tight? outdoorsy tourism destination and efforts are paying off. ¶ Marion is, in fact, a recognized, certified Main ● Attend a special event including: artisan craft Are you between ages 18-30? (#327) Street Community, which means it meets high stan- fairs, vintage car cruise-ins, musical concerts and

A.T. Journeys A.T. dards in hospitality, offers heritage events, and pro- theatre performances, and holiday extravaganzas. We have three variations from Darn Tough Vermont — a motes nearby outdoor recreation. It is also a designated charcoal micro crew (#327) and a heather-moss micro Appalachian Trail Community, which means it works ● Canoe, kayak, swim, and fish from the shores crew for women (#337), both $20.70 to members; and Downtown in partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy of the lake at Hungry Mother State Park. The Marion bustles an oatmeal-colored quarter-length crew (#347) for during a Chili (ATC) to enhance hiker experiences and build steward- park also offers hiking and biking trails. $18.90. From Steamboat Springs, Colorado, we have Cook Off and ship for the A.T. In 2013, Marion and Smyth County is for YOU! a stone-colored crew sock (#316) from Point6. And music festival. officially became part of the A.T. Community designa- ● Ride the “Back of the Dragon,” a paved the newest member of the family is the Harpers Ferry Photo tion program. Notably, tourism-based travel to Marion 32 miles of 300 winding turns. A favorite of technical style sock in moss green (#344) from Farm to courtesy the has increased over the past five years. ¶ Within close motorcyclists and sports cars enthusiasts. Town of Marion Feet in Mt. Airy, North Carolina. proximity of Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, ● Make your way to the Dip Dog Stand on Lee Size details and fabric variations (among wool, nylon, and Hungry Mother State Park, Marion serves as base- Highway, practically an institution in Marion for its and spandex) are available online. camp for day hikers and a place for campers to refresh battered deep-fried hotdogs and custard cones. and refuel. ¶ Only seven miles from the Highway 16 crossing and Partnership Shelter on the A.T., the com- ● Get the lowdown on mountain life in the late munity of Marion offers a 50-cent shuttle called the 1800s at the Settlers Museum, 12 miles north of “Mountain Lynx” between town and two A.T. trail- Marion and right next to the A.T. heads, plus a range of overnight accommodations, dining, and resupply options. Several budget hotels on ● Get behind the wheel to travel along the Join the Appalachian atctrailstore.org the north end of town are within walking distance to Mount Rogers Scenic byway to the high country Trail Conservancy now and the Walmart. For a more upscale experience, Collins of the 150,000-acre national recreation area for toll-free: (888) 287.8673 House Inn is a charming bed and breakfast with step- exceptional views of Virginia’s two highest peaks: Mon. – Fri., 9 am – 4:30 pm Eastern out-the-door access to downtown Marion. Mount Rogers (elevation 5,729 feet) and Whitetop “Pay Your Age!” We usually ship on the same business day! Mountain (elevation 5,570 feet). Buy direct from the Ultimate Appalachian Trail Store and For more information about this and other A.T. Communities visit: ensure a maximum return to the Trail. appalachiantrail.org/communities ● And, of course, hike the Trail! appalachiantrail.org/NextGen Follow the instructions at check-out to claim your 10% ATC member discount! We can cover that spring in your step... with ATC-licensed merino-wool socks made in the USA by family-owned companies.

(#344)

North Carolina Appalachian Trail License Plate Application

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) now has a specialty license tag in the state of North Carolina. By getting your tag today, you’ll help the ATC protect and maintain America’s (#316) Favorite Long Distance Trail! Facts  You must already have The ATC will receive $20 annually for each AT plate purchased or renewed. the vehicle registered in North Carolina.  How Much Does It Cost? You receive a FREE with  ATC Membership $30 Regular Appalachian Trail plate* the purchase of your NC  $60 Personalized Appalachian Trail plate* AT Tag. ProceedsYou are allowed four (4) benefitspaces for a personalized message. the  *The $30 or $60 annual ______1st Choice ______2nd Choice ______3rd Choice fee is in addition to regular annual license Name (as shown on certificate of title): fees you have already paid.  Personalized tags may FIRST MIDDLE LAST be relinquished to someone else, but once a numerical tag expires ADDRESS without renewal, that number can never again CITY STATE ZIP CODE be reissued.  If you change your mind, you can go back to a HOME PHONE OFFICE PHONE regular license plate at

Current North Carolina Vehicle any time. There will not be a refund of unused ______portion of special fees.

PLATE NUMBER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER  Additional applications

______can be found online at

DRIVER’S LICENSE # YEAR MODEL MAKE BODY STYLE www.appalachiantrail.org

Owner’s Certification of Liability Insurance (#337)

APPALACHIANTRAIL.ORG/ATCPLATES I certify for the motor vehicle described above that I have financial responsibility as required by law.

FULL NAME OF INSURANCE COMPANY AUTHORIZED IN NC – NOT AGENCY OR GROUP

POLICY NUMBER – IF POLICY NOT ISSUED, NAME OF AGENCY BINDING COVERAGE ______SIGNATURE OF OWNER DATE OF CERTIFICATION

Mail your check or money order made out to NC DMV Thanks for your generous support of the and application to: Appalachian Trail! Questions about the NC AT License NC Division of Motor Vehicles, Specialty Plate Division Tag can be directed to Leanna Joyner 828-254-3708. 3155 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-3155

www.appalachiantrail.org Are funds tight? Are you between ages 18-30? (#327)

We have three variations from Darn Tough Vermont — a charcoal micro crew (#327) and a heather-moss micro crew for women (#337), both $20.70 to members; and an oatmeal-colored quarter-length crew (#347) for $18.90. From Steamboat Springs, Colorado, we have is for YOU! a stone-colored crew sock (#316) from Point6. And the newest member of the family is the Harpers Ferry technical style sock in moss green (#344) from Farm to Feet in Mt. Airy, North Carolina. Size details and fabric variations (among wool, nylon, and spandex) are available online.

Join the Appalachian atctrailstore.org Trail Conservancy now and toll-free: (888) 287.8673 Mon. – Fri., 9 am – 4:30 pm Eastern “Pay Your Age!” We usually ship on the same business day! Buy direct from the Ultimate Appalachian Trail Store and ensure a maximum return to the Trail. appalachiantrail.org/NextGen Follow the instructions at check-out to claim your 10% ATC member discount! profiles

shifting with pans for amethyst, garnet, zircon, beryl, aquamarine, etc. Gapping and gorging is hiking to and through the gaps and gorges of the MacDonnel Ranges near Alice Springs.) Back in the States, Dudley stayed connected with his rediscovered sense of adventure, and became involved with Boy Scouts, first with his son and then as an adult leader in his own right. His family had settled back in Virginia and there were many backpacking trips on the A.T. with his son, with Scouts, and on his own. Dudley White He continued to drive hard professionally, volunteer for church and civic organizations, and devote himself to family; but the dream of a long walk in the woods to “focus A Single Task on that single task of getting up and hiking some distance every day” while thru-hik- By Beth Griffin ing the A.T. had begun to take hold. As this issue of A.T. Journeys is hitting Dudley White’s childhood was mailboxes, Dudley White will be several like that described by so many of his gen- weeks into his long-dreamed-of, post- Spring 2018 eration: exploring the woods near home retirement thru-hike. Heading north 46 unsupervised, on foot or on bikes. No from Harpers Ferry to Katahdin to start, internet, cell phones, video games — as he will be travelling well ahead of the long as kids were home before dark, nobody crowded bubble of northbound hikers seemed to worry. For Dudley, there were who departed from Georgia in February

A.T. Journeys A.T. also a couple of years in the Boy Scouts in and March. He’s chosen to start his thru- elementary school, SCUBA on college hike in the middle —to “flip-flop”—in spring breaks, and sailing as a young man. pursuit of a quieter experience that helps And then a PhD program, marriage, mort- conserve the Trail. gages, children, and a demanding profes- Preparation for his hike has included all sional life to keep him more than busy — the usual efforts — shakedown hikes, gear and off the water and out of the woods. research and trials, and obsessive reading A four-year work assignment in Aus- of guide books and maps. Beyond those tralia offered Dudley new opportunities efforts though, Dudley included a greater for biking, hiking, camping, fossicking, financial commitment to the Appalachian gapping and gorging in the desert. (Fos- Trail Conservancy (ATC) and its mission sicking is collecting semi-precious stones to protect and preserve the Trail. After his either on the surface of the ground or company was sold several years ago, he and his wife established a donor advised fund that generates a substantial gift to the ATC each year. The Whites’ thoughtful planning will ensure annual gifts to the ATC for From top: Dudley on many years to come. Goose Creek near Dudley, we wish you (and all the others Middleburg, Virginia; who walk the Trail) all the best on your With his wife Barb at the University adventure. And we thank you for what you of Virginia do to protect the Trail experience.

Beth Griffin is the ATC’s associate director of Individual and Planned Giving. Join Us at the 2018 ATC Membership Meeting Sun day / 8.12.2018 1:30-3:30 p m National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, WV

If you can't make it in person, it will be streaming live on the internet and on Facebook Live

Voting will be done online and in-person at the event We hope to see you there!

For details visit: appalachiantrail.org Spring 2018 47

A.T.CAMP plan Journeys A.T. ahead REGISTER Aspiring A.T. thru-hikers can now register their 2018 hikes online. Registrants will be able to ✓ see the numbers of hikers registered to start on each day, then plan accordingly to start on an uncrowded day or location to limit their Register ecological and social impacts on the Trail. for A.T. Campsites to Reduce Crowding 2018 thru-hiker

A.T. Camp was designed to help groups plan Registration Open their hikes while avoiding overcrowding and To register a hike visit: related natural and social impacts at camping areas. Register your hiking group and receive appalachiantrail.org/ an immediate notifications thruhikeregistration ATcamp.org trail Stories funeral in 2011, the emotion of the moment combined with the exquisite gentleness of the notes to create a music so beautiful that it hurt; it lit something inside me — a desire I never knew that I had. Long after those particular moments, I faced the realization that I would turn 60 years old. Small, but active and in Trail Passion reasonably good health, I read an article in a Sunday newspaper magazine discuss- A special variety of grit is behind an ing hiking the Appalachian Trail. Now I unyielding burn to tackle the Trail could identify the desire lit within me years before — I could nurture that spark. I recognized that my spark would need to By Robin Luthanen be fanned with research before action — lots of research. To begin, I contacted my son, Jon, in Bellingham, Washington. Having worked three years with the Mon- tana Conservation corps, he proved to be a wealth of knowledge regarding backpacking. I also pored over websites discussing backpacking and camping equipment. The public library provided additional resources with books on camping, the Appalachian Trail, and so forth. To plan requires a dream — to imple- ment requires money. During the course of two years or more, I slowly acquired necessary gear using a variety of sources such as REI, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Gander Mountain, and Walmart. Train- ing for this hiking involved multiple workouts each week at the Perry Fitness Center at the local high school. In addition, I practiced using equipment by test- ing Merrell hiking shoes from Gander Mountain on nearby hiking trails in metroparks. I also swam laps to help improve my aerobic capacity. However, the necessary surgical repair of my right rotator cuff temporar- Some who possess a passion ily sidelined my training for this hiking. for the Appalachian Trail cannot plan During this period of unplanned conva- thru-hikes. They lack support resources, lescence, I clarified my goal from “hiking they lack the pure physicality or condi- on the Appalachian Trail” to “hiking 100 tioning necessary for the 2,190-mile hike miles on the Appalachian Trail before I from Georgia to Maine. But that passion turned 65 years old.” This could be still burns deep, like the embers of an achieved with multiple day hikes two or Above: A foggy evening campfire smoldering at dawn. three times a year. hike near Harpers Such am I. Too short to stand in the Now I needed to learn how to use the Ferry, West Virginia; five-foot section of a swimming pool, my equipment that I had collected. Breaking Right: Robin reaches 153-pound frame might be the envy of an a tent pole the first time, I tried to set up the border marker eighth-grade football player, but not most a tent proved to be a bad way to begin. between Virginia and West Virginia during 61-year-old women. Despite two repaired Church friends, Doug and Joyce Zinn, her first hike on the shoulders, a duck-footed walking gait, invited me to camp with them at the Trail (just before and a lifetime lack of camping experience, nearby Thompson/Grand River Valley turning 61) this passion has smoldered. When the campsite, a KOA campsite not far from tune “Shenandoah” played at my father’s home (Perry, Ohio). So, at the tender age of 60 years, four months, and 20 days, I listened intently to conversations with their help, I set up my Northwest around me: “Think I can get another 18 Territory nine by seven-foot tent and miles today…” “The water at that free spent my first night outdoors. This gra- shower was freezing! I’d rather go with- cious gesture allowed me to test and out…” “It’s only been five days since I refine equipment and food ideas in prep- showered anyways. I don’t think I need to aration for my Appalachian adventure. stop today…” A week before my 61st birthday, Joyce My September plan with my oldest and I drove to Harpers Ferry, West Vir- son, Matt, fell apart. Despite long-held ginia. Staying in a hotel seemed safest for reservations at Big Meadows Camp- this first step in fulfilling my dream. Our ground in Shenandoah National Park, first day, we hiked from the Econolodge despite preparations including packaged hotel on Washington Street to the West meals, despite Automobile Association of Virginia-Virginia state line up the Appa- America’s Trip Tik, the plan fell apart. lachian Trail south on a day hike — a Who could plan for my mother-in-law’s strenuous 735-foot elevation change in a death? Love of family trumps camping, two-mile stretch. At one point, I sat alone even though Shenandoah would have on a log as the fog transformed the forest been the climax for the 2017 season’s from huge trees to dark sentinels — water our way when the screen suddenly went hiking. But Shenandoah National Park drops glistened like diamonds on leaves blank. “Bev!” I said. “There’s no WIFI here will not go away. Nor will Boiling Springs, — the quiet surrounded me like a blanket near the Appalachian Trail! Who would’ve Pennsylvania, or Pearisburg, Virginia, — and I felt God’s pleasure in the sacred thought it?” Well, as we drove I spotted two more planned hiking spots. creation that He had made. This made me the familiar white rectangle on a tele- So today, trekking poles in hand and hungry for more. phone pole. Here was the Trail. We pack strapped to my back, I hiked along Another day, another state, and my parked, then meandered a few miles up the trails of Lake Erie Bluffs, continuing girlfriend, Bev and I sought the Appala- and down hills, as showers occasionally to build endurance, test equipment, and chian Trail in Falls Village, the second permeated the forest top to cool us. After- maintain physical conditioning. And smallest town in Connecticut. We were wards, we ate lunch at Toymakers Cafe fanned that spark of passion — that Spring 2018 using our cell phone map features to find — famous for serving A.T. hikers — and spark with its slow, slow burn. 49 A.T. Journeys A.T. ob Parker o by B o by t Pho eorgia. ain, G t oun ringer M erminus, Sp .T. t .T. Share your LOVE for the A.T. with a gift membership appalachiantrail.org/giftmembership Pamela Parker, “Chilly” A trail giving

NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2017 / donors

Chase Arnett Tockie Baker Ron & Jill Balistreri John & Jean Ball Laura & Buzz Belleville Judie Birchfield Mary Blanton Paul Brame Matthew & Julianne Brott Bill & Marlene Bryan Spring 2018 David Buddington Tim Burke 50 Ken & Nancy Burnett Wesley Callender & Pat Davis The Ward & Shelley Cammack Family Foundation

A.T. Journeys A.T. The Carmi Family Charitable Fund Thom & Gay Carman Irad Carmi David Carter Diana Christopulos & Mark McClain Brian Cook Robert P. Coon Bradley Currey, Jr. George & Elizabeth Danis Courtney A. Daragan Max Patch, North Carolina/Tennessee Photo By Hannah Ripley Scott & Kay Dawson Joe DeLoach Constance Duhamel^ & MSB Cockayne Fund Carolyn Handler Individual Gifts PROTECTOR Beth Bryan Critton* David Eddy LEADER $10,000 - $24,999 Audrey Duane Diana R. Ellsworth $100,000 - $499,000 Anonymous Rachel Ramona Eubank Inge Borre English Estate of Mary K. Gall Rev. L.H. Buff, Jr. Janet Malcolm Charles Ermert Estate of Robert J. Shlifer Daniel Collins Sandra Marra* & Chris Brunton James Fields Norman* & Adrienne Findley Peter & Sally Parsonson Robert & Constance Fletcher PARTNER Daniel & Laura Gold Martha Piper Karen & Ivan Foster $50,000 - $99,999 Mary Higley* & Kyran Kennedy Robert “Rhea” Patrick Sky Foulkes Greg* & Jan Winchester Robert* & Catherine Hutchinson Calvin Sossoman Erin Frackleton Robert Salerno Nathaniel C. Stoddard* Bill & Barbara Gibson ADVOCATE Ron Tipton & Rita Molyneaux Don Glasgow $25,000 - $49,999 Betsy* & Bob Thompson Supporter Nancy Glenz William W. Farkas $1,000 - $4,999 Elizabeth Graham Rubén*& Valerie Rosales STEWARD Anonymous (2) Pamela & James Grange Tracy Rothstein $5,000 - $9,999 Nancy D. Anthony Brian C. Gruber Ann Satterthwaite Colin* & Liz Beasley Bernard & Holly Arghiere John & Betty Grumm Jeffrey Gump & Maureen Kinevey Robert E. Rich^ John Gunther-Mohr & Craig Roberts Elizabeth Wedemeyer John Rodger Edward* & Janelle Guyot Betty Schroeder Jim Haggett Kathleen Donaghue & Kimball William & Alice Hart Simpson Robert L. Harvey Father Daniel Sloan Eli V. Hestermann Landon Smith Michael Hiemstra Brian Soucy Ray W. Hiltbrand Robert & Betsy Springman Arthur & Eloise Hodges Kevin St. Clair June Horsman Steven Staats Dan Howe* E. Jeffrey Stann Andrew Huggins Willy Staples Fred M. Hughson Richard & Connie Steudel Miles Hurley Ernie Stovall II Geoffrey & Christine James Lisa A. Teot Lewis & Lydia James G. Carleton Thackston Richard & Patricia Judy Steuart H. Thomsen Sam Kearney James Truesdale Brian B. King Michael Vaden Estate of Charles Klabunde Jeff Walden Robert & Kelly Kyle William A. Weary Eric Lazerson Joseph White R. Michael Leonard^ Ted Williams Create Eugene & Diane Linfors William Womack Judy & Bart Lipofsky Mike Worley Richard H. Longo Christina L. Wtulich Sarah Lynch Benjamin Zax Anne Marie Macari your legacy Kurt MacLeod * Denotes ATC Board member Peter Mangan annual gift or pledge Paul Mansfield ^ Denotes ATC Advisory Rich Margolin Circle member with The James Martineau L. Hardy Mason In Honor Of Edward & Marsha Mattison Clifford Andrew by Carolyn & James McCabe Robert Hill, Joseph Lawrence, Bryant McDaniel Frank & Dorothy Principe Appalachian Judith McGuire & Arthur Tsien Nancy Anthony by Amanda Anthony Scott McQuilkin Mitchell Baer by Matthew Baer Richard M. Morten Elisabeth Barker by Scott Moyer Christopher Barker Trail Mark Mullins Peter Barker, Jr. by The Barkers Heather & David Nagy Joe Beauchamp by Barry & Cynthia Neel Catherine Maloney Cherie Nikosey Rob Bellury by Christopher Volle Planned Giving is an easy and flexible way to meet Tanya K. Nitterhouse The Berens Family by Evan Purcell your philanthropic goals while protecting the Trail Alan & Janet Nye Honorable Don Beyer by Jim & Katherine O’Hatnick Laurie Blackburn you love. Whatever your stage in life, your financial Eric & Susan Olson Ken Bodmer by Florette Bodmer circumstances and your charitable goals, let us show Dana Olson Kelly Brady by Michael Brady te rm an Michael O’Shea Clark Broome by Chad Nolan, you how to make a gift that benefits you and your Clint Oster Deb Zaengle loved ones as well as the Appalachian Trail. Andrew Parker Christian Brown by Alexander Brown Charles Parrish Bill & Margaret Bryant by Graham d H a l y Davi Sue & Jack Peck Holmes, Katie Turner Sydney Peterson Ronald “Huck” Buckley by Colleen T. Peterson* Jonathan Buckley b photo Contact: Beth Griffin Chad Pfrommer Robert Butter by Robert Caro Jennifer Pharr Davis* Victorian Carballo by Associate Director of Individual and Planned Giving vania

John & Susan Poole Josephine Carballo yl [email protected] Jeffrey S. Poulin Kai Carlin by JP Carlin Tip & Ann Ray Susan Carlson by Aleeza Strubel 828.357.4698 Gregory Reck Julie Carraghan by Visit: appalachiantrail.org/legacy Scott Redfern Katherine Roberts P enns , A.T. Thomas Reifsnyder Dick Clark by Thomas Fisher Shawn Remacle Tom Coe by Laura Kirkham Pete & Mary Rentz Avegail Colegado by Charles Reuben Alexandra Dobell V i r ginia Cr aft Dr. Alan Conlon by Matthew Jeff Metzger by Lyn Widmyer Protect Conlon, Kyle Guay Jem Michelitch by Heather Rosner Elisabeth Copp by Kate Naugle Robin & Carl Middleton by Chris Dalldorf by Jane Bultman Giorgia Cecchinato Susan Dawsey by Rebecca Crump Sue Miller by David & the A.T. Scott Deitchman by Carolyn Lee Jennifer Nichols Margaret Deutsch by Katie Saas Zach Moeller by Ryan Jaeger Kay Dotson by Ron & Barry Meade Mary Money-Waldman by Timothy Duffy by Michael Duffy Elizabeth Waldman Experience Michael Fallat by Andor Czompo Doris Moorman by Barbara Heckman Robert Field by Thomas Fisher Amanda Noe by Candace Noe Norman Findley by Bryant Norwich Hanover Trail Angels by Support the 2018 McDaniel, Nancy & Ernest Hess William McDaniel Kate Ostevik by Kari Ostevik Annual Campaign Autumn Fischlin by James Isom Jerry Parker by Melissa Bell Learn more about how your support will Robert Freer by Steven Periconi by Kristin Brianchi Jenna Patchen Metzger, Lucy Joyce Peterson by Amy Peterson protect the Trail and the dramatic impact we & Mike Fribourg Tim & Julie Pifer by Mark Kelsey can have when we join together. Lily Gelfars by Rose Fiorello Laurie Potteiger by Victoria Jeff Grab by Brian Grab Heckler, Lyn Widmyer Chris “two speed” Guynn by Jeff Poulin by Raven Holm Rob Rutherford Brian Price by Gay Bush $50.00: Provides personal Neil Hacker by Claire Hacker Adam & Bobbee Raczynski by protective equipment for Irene Hall by Carolyn Lee Janet Racznski volunteers and youth Martha Harper by Bill & Jeff Roth by Mary Geiger Louise Bazemore Ashley & Cole Rumschlag by conducting stewardship Carl Hayden by Jean Ripple Elisa Rafol projects on the trail. Maryjane Heagney by Tenley Schofield by Brett Schofield Dasa Dzierwa Chris & Jenna Selmer by Provides Kathryn & Susan Herndon-Powell Kathleen Selmer $500.00: by Anne Herndon Matthew Simcoe by Joanne Leslie transportation for a youth group Mary Holmes by P E O Chapter Jonathan & Robbin Sloan by experience or stewardship D Delaware Jennifer Precise project on the trail. Kayla Horvath by Emery Horvath James Smith by John Pillow, Logan Frederick Hughson by Smith, Melinda Winkel Sam Gavis-Hughson Kevin Smith by Rebecca Erdahl $5,000: Gift provides Frank Hughto-Delzer by James Stacy by Mary-Margaret Stacy wilderness first aid training Gabrielle Delzer Ed & Geraldine Staley by Jim Hunt by Sandra Johnson-Haris Samuel Staley for 28 participants. Michael Johnson by Therese Dunn Rachel & Paul Stansel by Christina Klassis by Amy Seldon Barbra Rosenberg $50,000: Gift provides the The Krieg Family by Stephanie Ard Julien Sturgill by John & Kay Dotson opportunity for 45 communities Mary Lou Lee by Bill & Roger Summer by Rod & Linda Ray, Louise Bazemore Dennis & Diana Shock, William & to convene for an annual Nan Leininger by Lucy Fribourg Patricia VanAlstine conservation summit. William “Fields” Lindley by Dave Tarasevich by Lyn Widmyer Rachel Simon Stewart Taylor by Jennifer Webster Adam Liscia by Rose Friorello Tom Tedards by Rebecca Atwell $500,000: Gift supports five Brendan Loftus by Sarah Loftus Susan Terwilliger by Curt & major land protection projects. Tom Long by Barbara McCollum Carol Terwilliger Natalie Lopez by Natalie Lopez Elizabeth & Robert Thompson by Johnny & Logan Love by James Eunice Thompson & Kelly Haugh Alexander Titcomb by Mark & Bridget Lowry by Alexander Titcomb Rebecca Lowry Donna Torreyson by Bill & Hunter Lupton by Jim Warren Louise Bazemore Michael Maher by Mary & Don Trantow by Kevin Soderman Donate today Paul Scagliarini Jason Tristan by Lynn Tarpey Cheryl & Mark Mahoney by Cameron Watson by Megan Watson Barbara Baethke Terri Welfare by Bill & appalachiantrail.org/ProtectTheAT Mary Mahoney by Barbara Baethke Louise Bazemore Zack Maier by Karen Murphy Lyn Widmyer by F. J. Coleman Marsha Thrift Martin by Bill & Gerald Witt by Shan Todd Louise Bazemore Jeff Young by Melody Young Michael McGinn by Theresa Hipps Yungchaps by A. E. Pasche Jeremy McKeon by Danielle Rose Nathania Meade by John & Kay Dotson trail giving

Knight, Diane & Bruce George Matthews by Bill & Mayfield, Betsy Roques, In memory Of LaBuddle, David Leflar, Jesse & Susan Davis Therese Schuele, Sheila Styron, Anne by Fernanda Dias Stephanie Lockridge, Dorian John Kennedy McLaughlin, Sr. by Trihydro Corp., Susan Walter Chan Barksdale by S. Parker Gay Mair, Mark & Jane Mattheis, Shell Collins William “Stan” Spurrier by Patricia Barnett-Brubaker by Katelyn Mattox, Katie Sam “Wheeler” Miele by Ralph Kinnane Connie Boyer McDowell, Liz McDowell, Katie Melissa Townsend Carol Summers by Rod & Linda Ray, Will “Qtip” Beard by Amanda Murphy Miller, Chyna Minnis, Crystal Carlton Reynolds Myrick by Dennis & Diana Shock, William & Robert Bedow by Rhonda Barnat Minnis, Stacey Murphy, Sylvia Adin Adamian, Carmen & Carol Patricia VanAlstine Michael Bonifas by Stephen Peppa Murphy, Rick & Kathy Nixon, Anastasio, Thomas Barker, Jean Thomason by Nicole Payton, Clark Broome by Kay & Napolean Onate, DeeDee Camille Bassinger, William & Roan Mountain Homeowners Timothy Carlisle, John & Peters, Donna & Alan Plott, Gail Beaver, J. Scott Bengel, Assoc., Joseph & Lynne Walton Madeline Hire, William Mann, LaTonya Preson, Erika Pshniak, Blair, Bohle & Whitsitt, PLLC, Mary Jean Healan Thomason by Barrett Parker, Piedmont Pamela Reed, Sloan Bryan & Elizabeth Boone, Randall Sauer Coastal Section Society of Richardson, Chaz Rithmire, Stephen & Mariam Brown, John Joseph Francis Vojta by Yori Vojta Plastics Engineers, Plastics Taylor Saldivar, Markus Satryb, Caron, Karen & Scott Carroll, Don Weaver by G. Massafra News, David Shanks, Eve Vitale, David Sconzo, Koby & Kate Kenneth Coe, Cottingham James Wheeler by Thomas Wheeler Gore & Cheryl Williams Shaw, Tyler Sims, Mika Chalk & Associates, Inc., Frank Winfree by Timothy & Richard Buchholz by Skidmore, Brent Smith, Melanie James Donaldson, Mr. & Mrs. Tracylynn Mullins Peggy Buchholz Smith, Mandy Snavely, Leslie Bruce Flachs, Franklin Golden, Frank Woodson Winfree, Jr. by Dave Connell by Jerry Keohane Stacey, Barby Starnes, Jamie Robert Hale, James & Lorraine Anderson Brothers Bank Danny Cramer by Margie Komninos Starnes, Trevor Starnes, Harrell, Donna Hayworth, David Donald Cutting by Merrill Cutting Jennifer & Carla Sullivan, Sara & Julie Howdy, Mark Kaufman, Joseph Michael Deffner by & Sammy Surrency, Wayne & Belva Keighron, Beth Kilguss, Corporate & Wendy Packer Gwen Surrency, Brenda Tello, Kimberly Laster, Pamela Linker, Foundation Gifts Rich DeThomas by Tom Loebig Makinley Turner, Zachary Brian & Mary Anna Marley, Trailblazer Marjorie Dexter by Ruth Button, Vaudo, Savana Wehunt, Ann & Matrix Wealth Advisors, Inc., $1,000,000+ C.K. & Mary Scott Gyory, Carl & David Whited, Cameron & Peggy & Neill McBryde, Heather The Volgenau Foundation Paula Stafford Keegan Wiss, Stacey & Dennis McCullough, Peter McGrath, Miles Ezell, Jr. by J. Duncan Wiss, Kaelan & Joseph Woodall, Frances & Michael McGuigan, LEADER Guy & Rita Fairchild by Georgia Kamdyn Woodall, Myra Moore & Van Allen, PLLC Staff, $100,000-$499,000 Appalachian Trail Club Woodall, Jennifer & Brett Jim Myrick, David Nardoni, William Penn Foundation Daniel Joseph Fazzio by Debra Weitz Workman, Matt Wright, Otto Randel Phillips, Kathy & Paul Spring 2018 First Light by Jonathan Duncan Wright III, Vanessa Wright Rutledge, Katie Schafer, Shelco, MAINTAINER 53 Thomas Fisher, Jr. by Thomas Fisher John Furnas by Lyn Irving LLC, Glenn Sherrill, Ronald $25,000 - $49,999 John Fletcher by Robert & Nap Gary by Thomas & Gay Carman Sherrill, Amanda Sorensen, Devils Backbone Brewing Company Constance Fletcher Harry Hicock, Sr. by Harry Hicock Todd Stewart, David Strubbe, ENO Martin Fossett by Guy Steucek Stephen “Hyde” Hoffsis yb William Vaden, Joe Wall,

Thomas Foulkes by Sky Foulkes Robert Berger, Bruce Coffin, Louise Warren RIDGERUNNER Journeys A.T. Nicholas Frossard by Randy & Mary John Conte, David Crespo, David “Dave” O’Connell by $10,000 - $24,999 Anderson, Alicia Ashby, Bobby Ashley Hayes, Janet Hayes, Ann Albertson, Lynne Casey, Crenshaw Associates Lee & Barbara Baker, Jason Kristy Hergrueter, Robert Don & Rose Gore, Stephen Harney & Sons Fine Teas Black, Jeremy Black, Camden Hergrueter, Corey Kennedy, Greene, Richard Keohane, Kendall Lott, M Powered Blake, Savannah & Drew Blake, Tom & Sue Kornacki, Liberty Rebecca Washam Strategies, Inc. Hamilton Bolton, Brittany Behavioral, Loomis, Sayles & Anastasia Ogonek by Lynda Falcone Elmina B. Sewall Foundation Brown, Donny, Lynn & Kelly Company, Ronald Mason, Eileen John “Butch” O’Meara by Brown, Josh Brown, Kenneth Paris, Stu Smith, Jamy Stammel, Beverly O’Meara HIKER Brown, Robert & Melody Brown, Lauren Walker, Sam Walker, Ellen Anne Picotte by Sally Rogers $1,000 - $9,999 Kit Burris, Chris Cannon, Judy Tad Winterbottom George Puglia, III by Scott McQuilkin Atlas Guides Cannon, Jacie Carroll, Paul John Jayne by Edward Uehling Q tangs Father by Team Perfusion Blue Ridge Hiking Company Conlon, Cynthia Cornel, Dylan Frank Kaczyoski by Morrissette Katherine Reichert by J. Teare Darn Tough Vermont Cornel, Jaime Cornel, Chandler Wes Kanoy by Hyman & Joe Rhodarmer by Anne Jordan Monument Policy Group, LLC Cox, Chrissy Diaz, Kevin & Lizbeth Sater Jason Richards by Vickie Cross, Northwest Federal Credit Union Haley Diaz, John & Marlene Don Kelly by William Kelly Scott Gurr, Sandra Maggioli, Jefg Osprey Packs Dickson, Shelly Dressel, Sterling Kreider by Richard Yost Slbertson, StarChild Academy SPOT Dausha Erickson, Brian Farish, Morton Lewis Kurman by Loren Schroeder by Betty Schroeder Top of the World Sean Frantz, Pamela, John & Inge Borre English Doug Sewell by Todd Cartner UMB CardPartners Greg Frossard, Patrick & Lori Gordon Lazerson by Eric Lazerson Richard “Dick” Sharpless by Univision Frossard, Maureen Hanratty, Jere Lee by Allie Deckard, Scott & Wayne Clark, James & Joan Nick Hanratty, Clark Harrison, Beth Derrick, Laura Hutchinson, Hurley, Robert Krick, Todd Membership dues and additional David & Brandy Hearn, Soctt , David Lee, John Schlechty, Loeber, Leo & Beverly donations are tax-deductible Susan, Will & Haley Holland, Alison Vehorn Malkasian, Claudia & Larry as a charitable contribution. Vicky Hudson, Delores Hughes, Kendall Lott by Stephen Blommer Reichart, Janet & Timothy The ATC is a Section 501(c)(3) Kris & Michelle Hutley, Luke Chad Lovette by Michael & Sullivan, Eugene & Jane Vogel educational organization. Hutley, Marc Hutley, Rick & Joy Kennedy, Tracey McKee Betty Skaggs Smith by To make a contribution or Jennifer Hutley, Samantha Jocko Magro by Polly Whittaker DCES Team Morreau renew your membership, call Hutley, David Jackson, Laura Zachary “Zach” Maier by Kevin Smith by Karen Benrud, (304) 535-6331 ext 119, or visit: Jacques, Matt Karr, Milas King, Donna Day, Trent Haines, Sarah & Andrew Dempster, appalachiantrail.org/donate Michael Kittrell, Clay & Julie Theresa Maher Jennifer Hutchison, Kaylahree public notices

For Your Information are $375 per person, which includes African American History Hike, food. Contact Chloë de Camara, TAKE THE NEXT STEPS WITH US Sunday, April 29, 1-3 PM. This ATC Trail education specialist at: popular National Park Service [email protected]. ANNUAL FUND ranger-led one-mile hike is being offered as part of the Flip-Flop ATC Affinity Groups. Help the LEADERSHIP CIRCLE Festival. Learn the fascinating Appalachian Trail Conservancy stories of how Harpers Ferry reach out to communities Our Annual Fund giving program has expanded became the site of an influential currently underrepresented with new levels and exciting benefits to help us institution of higher learning on the Trail through our new enhance our ability to build a strong foundation after the Civil War. Meet at the launched Affinity Groups. We will and capacity to fund our Five-Year Strategic Plan. Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 799 host a webinar on April 25 at 12 Washington St., Harpers Ferry, WV PM. All are welcome. Contact 25425. For more information visit: Shalin Desai at: shalin.desai83@ appalachiantrail.org/events. gmail.com or Julie Judkins at: [email protected] LEADER A.T. Museum Hall of Fame Banquet. for more information. $100,000 OR MORE The eighth annual Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Banquet The Trail Dames announce will be held at the Appalachian their next summit, to be held PARTNER Trail Museum in Allenberry, July 13-15, 2018 at Western $50,000 - $99,999 Pennsylvania; Friday, May 4, 2018 Carolina University in Cullowhee, from 6- 9 PM. For more information North Carolina. The Trail Dames visit: atmuseum.org. Summit is the nation’s only hiking and backpacking conference ADVOCATE The How to Hike the just for women, and welcomes $25,000 - $49,999 Spring 2018 A.T. backpacking courses will armchair dreamers, and complete 54 help new hikers feel prepared to novices, as well as seasoned successfully hike the A.T., while backpackers. If you identify as a gaining an appreciation for the woman of any shape, size, color, outdoors, knowledge of the religious, political, or otherwise

A.T. Journeys A.T. PROTECTOR Trail, and long-distance hiking persuasion, you are welcome. In $10,000 - $24,999 culture. Course graduates should addition, there will be book leave as competent, responsible signings, gear vendors, and a hikers prepared to accomplish silent auction to benefit the Trail their version of a successful Dames Charitable Foundation. long-distance hike. This year the For more information about three STEWARD Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) days of laughter, learning, and $5,000 - $9,999 will offer five courses throughout dreaming with women who share the southern region: a love for the outdoors visit: SUPPORTER ● June 8-10 (Great Smoky traildamessummit.com. $1,000 - $4,999 Mountains National Park) ● July 27-29 (Pisgah National Forest) The Appalachian Trail Conservancy ● August 17-19 (Nantahala is recruiting for several internship National Forest) positions. For more information ● September 14-16 (Great Smoky and to apply visit: Join our Leadership Circle! Mountains National Park) appalachiantrail.org/internships. ● October 5-7 (Pisgah For more information, contact: National Forest) Beth Griffin at 828.357.4698 or Course attendees will be spending Public Notices may be edited [email protected] the two nights/three-days for clarity and length. backpacking, rain or shine. Courses are limited to six participants, and spots will be tentatively reserved [email protected] on a first come, first serve basis. Public Notices www.appalachiantrail.org/annualfund Pending review, applicants will be P.O. Box 807 chosen by ATC staff. Cost of courses Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807 as i see it

It is late in the afternoon when we emerge from the canopy of the tall trees and thick woodland Shadow self portrait on that has sheltered us from the the Trail by Harry Deitz strong spring sun. We have been climbing for three hours, stopping only occasionally to catch our valley below and the far-off moun- breath, rest our heavy legs and sip tain ridge. You try to find the words water that has long since lost the — majestic, breathtaking, magnifi- refreshing chill from the stream in cent, captivating — but none will the valley far below. satisfy you because there are no The Trail seemed to go on end- sufficient words. Only seeing it can lessly as we looked ahead and up. describe it. This is why you climb. Always up. The mountaintop, our This is what made the struggle so destination, seemed to be just steps worthwhile. or minutes beyond us. But each time You sit and stare across miles for the path leveled off, it brought into what seems like hours. At this mo- view another climb. Another chal- walk from one point on a map to ment, there is nothing to distract lenge. It’s always that way on the another — especially when the you. There is nothing more impor- Trail. You hike along, not knowing rocks beneath you slide and force tant or pressing in your life. The what lies around the next bend or you to catch yourself just before you colors in the distance start to fade, over the next crest. You desperately stumble off the path. Then, as sud- so slowly, so subtly that at first the want to reach the destination, and denly and sharply as a twig snap- change eludes your detection. The you know you will, but then the ping beneath your boot, the pain light dims as the sun starts to drop journey will be over. So, in spite of disappears. You feel a new mixture behind the next mountain in the the struggle, you try to focus on of energy and calm. For a moment, distance. Your exhaustion returns, enjoying the present. Every step you stop, but this time not because but this time more peacefully. Spring 2018 takes on the significance of another of exhaustion or a need for water. It You’re almost too tired to eat. But 55 milestone reached. Each mile brings just seems to be the right thing to you force a little nourishment, with it a special sense of accom- do. All around, the world seems to prepare your shelter, and soon are plishment, but only briefly, because stop with you. wrapped in the darkness that is the next mile waits for you. Your mind, which had been so broken only by a few stars on a clear Journeys A.T. The next mile — often steeper occupied with your struggle, now is and almost moonless night. You call and rockier than the previous one consumed by the momentary silence them heaven’s night lights. Sleep — stretching out ahead, challenges and bathed in the beauty and peace comes quickly. Soundly. Completely. you not to quit yet, daring you to go that surrounds you. You notice the Then, you hear the birds again, a little farther along this lonely, sounds of nature begin to build. and you pull back the tent flap as narrow road — even as your legs Birds communicate from their hid- the first rays of light break through ache and the bottoms of your feet den perches, possibly announcing the trees behind you. You watch as burn. Sometimes you wonder why your arrival. Gentle gusts of wind the sun rises. Just as you knew it you put yourself through this — the occasionally kiss the new leaves of would, because it always does. You spring. A tree branch falls in the can count on it. And ahead of you distance, a late victim of heavy win- lies the next section of Trail. A new “As I See It” is a column ter snows that had weakened it until day awaits. Another journey calls to from guest contributors it could hold on no longer. you. It’s always that way on the representing the full range of Just as suddenly, the sounds of Trail. It’s always that way in life. ATC partners, members, and the forest fade. You listen to the volunteers. To submit a column quiet of the woods. Then you take a (700 words or less) step, and another, and your journey Harry Deitz is the winner of the myATstory for consideration: resumes. But those few reflective essay contest. Check back for the runners-up moments stay with you. Something for the myATstory Essay Contest as well as has changed. Almost without warn- the Photo Contest and Video Contest winners [email protected] ing, the trees around you are gone. in the Summer issue of A.T. Journeys. or write to Editor/As I See It The soft blue sky of this late after- Appalachian Trail Conservancy noon opens above you. There before P.O. Box 807 you, is the reward for all your labor. Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 You stare in awe at the view of the www.appalachiantrail.org P.O. Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807

Southbound 2,000-milers complete their hike at Springer Mountain: Michelle “Sequoia” Clark, Katelyn “Monk” Bland-Clark, Brian “Scar” Bland-Clark, Jackson “Granola” Hawkins, Forrest “Camel” Agee, Lulu “Smalls” Russell. Photo by Katelyn Bland-Clark