the official magazine of the appalachian trail conservancy / spring 2016

Celebrating 2,000-Milers Widening the Scale of Trail Protection Hammocking gsi_2016_Minimalist_ATJourneys_4.2016_r.1.pdf 1 3/4/2016 1:33:31 PM

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 2015 flip-flop thru-hiker Norma “Dropknife” Minar snaps a selfie on The Magazine of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy / spring 2016 Mount Moosilauke in New Hampshire while “having a good time even without any ATC Senior Staff views.” She is Osprey packs is prOud Ronald J. Tipton / Executive Director, CEO from Munich, Germany. Stacey J. Marshall / Senior Director of Finance & Administration tO partner with the Royce W. Gibson / Senior Director of Membership & Development Board of Directors Laura Belleville / Senior Director of Conservation Sandra Marra / Chair appalachian trail cOnservancy Brian B. King / Publisher Greg Winchester / Vice Chair Javier Folgar / Director of Marketing & Communications Elizabeth (Betsy) Pierce Thompson / Secretary Arthur Foley / Treasurer A.T. Journeys Beth Critton Norman P. Findley Wendy K. Probst / Managing Editor Edward R. Guyot Traci Anfuso-Young / Graphic Designer Mary Higley Daniel A. Howe Contributors Robert Hutchinson Laurie Potteiger / Information Services Manager John G. Noll Brittany Jennings / Proofreader Colleen T. Peterson ORDER YOUR A.T. Jennifer Pharr Davis ORDER YOUR A.T. Rubén Rosales LICENSE PLATE AND SUPPORT THE Nathaniel Stoddard APPALACHIAN TRAIL! Advisory Circle H. Jeffrey Leonard / Co-Chair Membership Advertising Terry Lierman / Co-Chair For membership questions A.T. Journeys is published four times Donald Ayer or to become a member, call: per year. Advertising revenues directly Colin Beasley (304) 885-0460 support the publication and production of Constance I. DuHamel the magazine, and help meet Appalachian North Carolina Wendall T. Fisher Trail Conservancy objectives. For more Appalachian Trail Destry Jarvis [email protected] information and advertising rates, visit: License Plate R. Michael Leonard Application appalachiantrail..org/atjadvertising Hon. Jim Moran 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 Favorite Long Distance Trail! Facts  You must already have Robert Rich 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 Ann Satterthwaite $30 Regular Appalachian Trail plate* the purchase of your NC  $60 Personalized Appalachian Trail plate* AT Tag. The staff of A.T. Journeys welcomes A.T. Journeys is published A.T. Journeys ( ISSN 1556-2751) is You are allowed four (4) spaces for a personalized message.  *The $30 or $60 annual ______1st Choice ______2nd Choice ______3rd Choice fee is in addition to Brent Thompson regular annual license editorial inquiries, suggestions, on Somerset matte paper published quarterly for $15 a year by Name (as shown on certificate of title): fees you have already paid. Hon. C. Stewart Verdery, Jr.  Personalized tags may and comments. Email: manufactured by Sappi North the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, FIRST MIDDLE LAST be relinquished to someone else, but once a numerical tag expires ADDRESS without renewal, that [email protected] America mills and distributors 799 Washington Street, Harpers number can never again CITY STATE ZIP CODE be reissued. Observations, conclusions, that follow responsible forestry Ferry, WV 25425, (304) 535-6331.  If you change your mind, you can go back to a HOME PHONE OFFICE PHONE regular license plate at opinions, and product practices. It is printed with Soy Bulk-rate postage paid at Harpers Current North Carolina Vehicle any time. There will not be a refund of unused ______portion of special fees.

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The A.T. in 2016 could be an AD I am writing this column as At the other end of the Trail, Baxter I look out my window at home at what State Park recently announced a new A.T. will likely be the last snow of the season hiker registration system for 2016. The for our neighborhood. It is March and park now requires any long-distance A.T. several thousand aspiring A.T. thru-hik- hikers, except for those who are south- ers will make the pilgrimage to Springer bound, to pick up a registration card and Mountain over the next couple of months have it in their possession as they summit to begin a nearly 2,200-mile trek from Katahdin. There is no fee for the card and Georgia toward Katahdin. From past ex- no limit on the number of cards distrib- Iperience, we know only a fraction of them uted to A.T. hikers. (perhaps 25 percent) will complete the It is certainly a sign of the times that entire Trail this year. Baxter has adopted this new hiker regis- At the same time there will be many tration requirement. Since 2012, the Great other A.T. hikers in north Georgia up to the Smoky Mountains National Park has re- Great Smoky Mountains National Park. quired a permit and a $20 fee to hike the These include day hikers, overnight camp- Trail across the 70-plus miles within the ers, and in the Georgia section of the Trail, park, and Shenandoah National Park also Spring 2016 an ever increasing number of students has a permit requirement for any over- 04 backpacking during college spring break. night hiker. All of these rules are a result It is a serious challenge for the Appalachian of the growing popularity of the Appala- Trail Conservancy (ATC) and our federal chian Trail. and volunteer partners to manage the in- The ATC works collaboratively with MasterEducator Courses A.T. Journeys A.T. creased popularity of the world’s most fa- national parks, national forests, national Follow Ron mous long-distance hiking trail. wildlife refuges, state parks, and many on Twitter at: The exciting five-day Master Educator course May 2 — 6: The ATC and its partners have devel- other state and local jurisdictions to pro- twitter.com/ teaches participants the skills and ethics oped a thoughtful and detailed approach tect Trail values and to assure a high Ron_Tipton South Egremont / MA necessary for safe, fun, and responsible to this challenge, with special emphasis on quality hiking experience. We would June 27 — July 1: the north Georgia section of the A.T. This prefer not to have permit and registration outdoor recreation, and perhaps more new initiative builds on decades of manag- systems for any section of the A.T. The importantly, how to effectively share Gardners / PA ing growing use of the Trail. We have best alternative to even more rules and August 8 — 12: named this program “Protecting the A.T. regulations is for Trail hikers to follow these lessons with others. Hiking Experience” (PATHE). For Georgia, Leave No Trace principles; to accept and Students, teachers, recreation managers, rangers, Sugar Grove / VA it includes the following strategies for 2016: follow existing restrictions on group size, outdoor program directors, scout leaders, and Trail use of shelters and campsites, and to treat club maintainers are all encouraged to apply. Through For more information visit: fellow hikers with respect. classroom discussions, demonstrations, and a three- appalachiantrail.org/lnt ❚  A full-scale voluntary thru-hiker registration system, which has Hiking the A.T. continues to be a spe- night backpacking trip, participants explore the seven Or contact morlousky@ been available since December, to all aspiring thru-hikers cial experience that is being enjoyed by principles of Leave No Trace, as well as their personal appalachiantrail.org to apply. ❚  An increase to five in the number of on-Trail ridge runners to larger numbers of people. Let’s all work backcountry ethics. The Leave No Trace Master Educator To learn more about Leave No interact with hikers in Georgia (There was only one ridge runner as together to protect that experience for the qualification is recognized and valued throughout the Trace visit: www.lnt.org of several years ago for this section of the A.T.) next generation. outdoor industry. ❚  A large number of new campsites near Hawk Mountain Shelter — the first major camping area on the Trail for northbound thru-hikers Ronald J. Tipton / Executive Director . CEO ❚  Additional law enforcement presence for the A.T. by the Forest Service

illustration by corey sebring contents spring 2016

Virginia Craft, A.T. Pennsylvania - by David CreateHalterman

2,000-milers “Seeker,” “Hip,” “Moment,” and 20 / Trailhead your legacy “Salmon” on Max Patch, Long-distance Hiker Permits in North Carolina/Tennessee Baxter State Park; 14 State 27 Challenge; Stewardship 101 with The 48 / profiles 2,000-Milers Greg Winchester has the heart of a Whether northbound, southbound, “flip-flop,” Boy Scout, a professional background in finance and conservation, and an Appalachian or by section, 1,051 hikers reported their completion of the A.T. this past year. infectious love for the Trail. Planned Giving is an easy and flexible way to meet your 12 / The Swing of it 50 / trail stories Trail A love affair with the Trail is transferred As hammock camping becomes more popular, one philanthropic goals while protecting the Trail you love. through three generations of women. seasoned A.T. hiker and Leave No Trace advocate explains the Whatever your stage in life, your financial circumstances pros and cons and do’s and don’ts for hammocking on the Trail. 57 / as i see it and your charitable goals, let us show you how to make a After 20 years of operating Kincora 24 / follow thru Hiking Hostel and 15 years of overseeing te r man gift that benefits you and your loved ones as well In the past year, tangible results to the ATC’s five-year the Hard Core Trail Crew, Bob Peoples Strategic Plan demonstrate that the plan is working. as the Appalachian Trail. looks to the future of the A.T. H a l avid y D b 26 / the next 100 One of the primary goals for the National Park Service 04 / welcome For more information Centennial is to connect with, and create, the next vania generation of park visitors, supporters, and advocates. 08 / Letters yl Call: 304.535.2200 x122 10 / overlook Email: [email protected] Visit: www.appalachiantrail.org/legacy 42 / A playground and 52 / Trail giving P enns , A.T. a living ground 56 / public notices The next phase of preserving the A.T. experience includes taking a bird’s-eye view of the footpath to conserve and

protect the iconic landscapes that the Trail traverses. V i r ginia Cr aft letters Ultimate Appalach ian possible! I am proud to be an ATC member was also a doctor. Off the trio went leaving and look forward to supporting the ATC behind real expert medical advice. The Executive Director’s response: Trail Store JOURNEYS all my life. surgeon had appeared out of the blue in We want A.T. Journeys to be a forum for a THE MAGAZINE OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY Winter 2016 Christina “Coconut” Schubert the middle of nowhere to dispense real wide range of views on Trail issues. That Utica, New York Trail magic. being said, it is simply incorrect to charac- open 24-7 J.R. “3RS” McDermott terize the ATC’s interest in attracting a Real Trail Magic (“Trail Magic,” Arlington, Virginia broader segment of our population to the Winter 2016). Many moons ago, my son A.T. experience as an “affirmative action” Jim and I were approaching the shelter on The ATC’s latest A.T. Journeys program. We are not seeking “racial/ethnic Mount Rogers from the south in the late edition deserves a much-needed response. quotas;” and this is by no means a “left drink up! afternoon when a hiker passed us. When In our constantly evolving “progressive” wing political agenda.” We are attempting we arrived at the shelter he was being society, the ATC has chosen to incorporate to reach out to an audience of existing and We have the mugs, the water bottles, helped with his dinner by another hiker “government speak” into the editorial and potential A.T. hikers to encourage them to because he had injured his hand. Turned feature article pages of our magazine. I do enjoy the Trail experience and become part the tumblers … from $10.76 for members to out he had torn the flesh between his believe your affirmative action plan for of a growing A.T. constituency, which is an $28.80. From stainless steel to pottery handmade CLEAR CORRIDOR BOUNDARIES A More Diverse A.T. / Recreational Trail Running index finger and thumb on the barbed the Appalachian Trail comes right out of important initiative within our five-year in central Virginia — $13.46 for members wire of a stile. His bandage was makeshift the pages of the government agencies you Strategic Plan. at best. The next morning, as breakfast are partnered up with. Perhaps we also You can in fact “judge a book was being prepared, three hikers appeared need to discourage male thru-hikers in an Order online or visit the ATC Visitors Centers in by its cover” if you have the kind of fine from the shelter loft who had retired for effort to equalize the ratio of male/ CorrectioN: In the feature article “A Run Harpers Ferry, West Virginia or Boiling Springs, arts cover that you had in the latest the night before our arrival the previous females completing the Trail; or station a in the Woods” (Winter 2016), Richard Innes edition (A.T. Journeys Winter 2016). The evening. The first of the trio asked to see “diversity officer” at Neel’s Gap and was incorrectly described as “deeply involved Pennsylvania and grip one for yourself. watercolor painting by Katie Eberts is the wounded hand, examined it, advised Harpers Ferry to enforce arbitrary racial, in the World War II development of radar.” Mr. very well done. I had mine framed and it’s a change in bandage placement for better gender, and ethnic quotas. I suggest you Innes explains that he was, in fact, “involved on the wall. I hope to see some more fine healing and told the injured hiker that he devote considerably less space to pushing with radar several decades later during the Spring 2016 art covers in the future. would be OK. [When] the injured hiker left wing political agendas and concentrate Cold War era in a U.S. Department of Defense. 08 Frank Moulds then asked where he got his expertise, he on the Trail that we all love and support. Smithville, Tennessee explained that he was a hand surgeon Kevin P. Cannon from Nashville. The second of the three Port Saint Lucie, Florida A.T. Journeys welcomes your comments. Throughout all my hikes I The editors are committed to providing balanced

A.T. Journeys A.T. enjoyed the beauty and solitude of the and objective perspectives. Not all letters received wilderness and its wildlife, the glimpses may be published. Letters may be edited for clarity of Americana in Trail towns, and the sup- and length. portive and endlessly fascinating Trail When my daughter from getting it all. But when Trail are responsible for culture. I was consistently amazed by the was nine years old I began we finished our last mile improving the quality of the bounty of Trail magic we encountered backpacking short sections she smacked the final blaze, experience). Priscilla Giroux [email protected] from total strangers with open hearts, the of the A.T. with a group of looked at me and said. “I Letters to the Editor devotion of volunteers to Trail mainte- women. That first year I want my passport.” She has Now that I’m far beyond Appalachian Trail Conservancy nance, and learned that I was mentally took her along, unsure if I been traveling ever since. My the time of life when I can go P.O. Box 807 and physically capable of more than I’d was asking too much of her. advice: get out there with hiking, I highly recommend Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807 ever imagined. I mostly met fascinating, Turned out, she ran circles them. I knew nothing about to everyone who still can selfless hikers who were hiking to learn around us. Sometimes backpacking when we hike to DO IT! There are so about themselves and nature, but also a literally. Each summer started; I just got out there many intriguing places to few entitled partyers who saw the Trail as we’d do another three -to and learned along with her. see that can only be seen a way to avoid society’s rules and commit- four-day section. Along the Even if it’s just a day hike, by hiking there. Margaret ments. This tiny minority of “bad apples” way she began meeting walk in the woods with Swaim have been lately having a greater negative thru-hikers and at some them. Tammy Sizemore impact, trashing hostels and souring at- point decided she wanted to [The relocated section titudes toward hikers. However, I am thru-hike before she finished Thank you; let’s hope of A.T. near Pearisburg] is confident that the A.T. and its greater, high school. It took a lot of the ATC’s concerted effort AWESOME! A couple years positive, community of conservationists thought and planning, but in to educate this year’s A.T. ago, this was the scariest will survive and continue to preserve 2008 she and I backpacked hikers pays off especially part of the Trail — happy atctrailstore.org wilderness for future generations’ life- from April to October, at its Baxter State Park to hear that the two road changing experiences. Thank you for all almost finishing the A.T. Bad terminus. (Ultimately crossings are gone! Julia Hix or call toll-free: (888) 287.8673 you do and for making these experiences weather in the north kept us all of us who use the Buy direct from the Ultimate Appalachian Trail Cover illustration by katie eberts Store and ensure a maximum return to the Trail. overlook New York 225 miles

Chambersburg Gettysburg

Washington DC 85 miles

As I’m writing this I am to the south and in the distance is Great surrounded by boxes and movers as my North Mountain. The rock outcropping husband Chris and I begin our next ad- itself was part of a key land acquisition venture. For those of you who have been made in the 1980s as we worked to per- keeping up with my columns, you know manently protect the Trail through the that my life has been in transition for the Northern Virginia corridor. past year. Retirement, winter escapes, As I sat there, the noises in my head living at the Blackburn Trail Center — all dissipated and I listened to the sounds of have been woven into my thoughts about the forest. Chirps and wing flaps of birds, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and buzzing of early insects. Dew still hung the Appalachian Trail. Now we are selling from the branches of trees too high up the mountain to have buds yet, though there were crocus blooming along the access trail. Once again the Appalachian Trail was working its magic. Spring on the A.T. This issue of A.T. Journeys includes a near Blackburn Trail Center piece on the rising popularity of ham- mock camping on the Trail. As I sat on the rocks I thought that sometimes we Spring 2016 need to string our mind between a couple 10 trees and just let it gently sway in the reduce breeze. On the Trail there are no bigger changes than the view from one step to Connect with the A.T. and support the next. The A.T. allows us a chance to your A.T. Journeys A.T. breathe and do nothing but be in the the Appalachian Trail Conservancy moment — for a minute or two, or as our carbon 2015 2,000-milers know, for weeks or by advertising in A.T. Journeys months on end. our home and I am leaving the hustle and The day-to-day world was of course footprint bustle of the Washington, D.C. area after ready and waiting for my return. More A.T. Journeys is the official magazine of the 33 years. Change can be good and exciting, boxes were packed, columns were writ- A.T. and the membership magazine of the but also scary and stressful, and some- ten (only a smidge past deadline), and GO PAPERLESS! Appalachian Trail Conservancy — a national times sad. conference calls were scheduled for the I was feeling the latter emotions the business of managing and protecting Receive A.T. Journeys not-for-profit corporation with more than other day when Chris and I took a carful this priceless resource. Change, both right in your inbox. 43,000 members from all 50 U.S. states and of supplies to Blackburn for a second personal and for the ATC, will continue more than 15 other countries. Our readers season of caretaking. While I was looking apace. Some changes will be met posi- are adventurous, eco-friendly outdoor forward to once again hosting hikers at tively — others may be disconcerting enthusiasts who understand the value in the the center, my day-to-day efforts were as we leave behind old ways and face protection and maintenance of the Trail and keeping my anticipation at bay. So after new and unknown futures. But through unloading the car I took off for a brief it all we know that we need only to step its surrounding communities. hike to the A.T. and the Blackburn view, on the Appalachian Trail and we can which is a rock outcropping that looks to find our peace. the west over the Shenandoah Valley. Subscribe today Zoom in on that view and you can see Sandra Mara / Chair appalachiantrail.org/paperless Charlestown, West Virginia and the Enter your contact information Advertising revenues directly support the Shenandoah River. Signal Knob is visible publication and production of the magazine and and Click “Go Paperless” help meet the ATC’s objectives.

Photo by Laurie Potteiger Spring 2016 13 A.T. Journeys A.T.

Hammock camping is dramatically expanding along the A..T.. andand raisingraising bothboth questionsquestions andand concerns among Trail land managers, club members, and backpackers. Are hammocks really that comfortable and viable as a long-term Trail shelter? Do hammocks pose a threat or a benefit with respect to minimizing camping impacts?impacts? ShouldShould wewe bebe concernedconcerned aboutabout damagedamage toto treestrees inin frequently-visitedfrequently-visited sites?sites? Do hammock users create or resolve problems at over-crowded shelters and camping areas along the A..T.?.?

A.T.-Cherokee National Forest, North Carolina. Photo by ATC’s Seasonal boundary monitor Garrett Fondoules pacts from my hammock advantages & disadvantages of hammock camping camping and experimenting with low-impact practices. I would like to describe the many advantages that ham- In 2003, I began using an ultralight backpacking hammock, which is uniquely designed mocks offer campers, allay for camping. For me, camping hammocks provide numerous advantages over the other some of the concerns I’ve forms of shelter. My hammock weighs 2.4 pounds, lighter than many one-person tents, heard, and include some com- and has integrated zipper-accessed bug netting. A separate silicone-treated nylon rainfly prehensive low-impact ham- can be attached to the hammock lines, to the trees, or removed. My hammock came with mock use practices that will a pair of wide webbing straps to protect tree bark. truly allow you to “Leave No For me, a chief advantage of hammocks over tents is that I always stay dry — top Trace” of your visits. and bottom. On one of my A.T. section-hikes through Pennsylvania, the remnants of a hurricane passed over me one night. Warned of its approach, I had picked out a The author in Baxter State Park My Journey to younger grove of trees to camp in, with no dead trees or limbs nearby. The wind rocked last spring, during Hammock Camping me to sleep with earplugs to dampen the noise. A predicted rainfall of four inches fell the final section My first exposure to a ham- that night, with the ground pooling water beneath my hammock, but not a drop reached of his 43-year section-hike of mock occurred on a canoe trip me. Even better, you never have condensation problems with a hammock. Any raindrops the Trail. on Kentucky’s Green River on the fly in the morning can be quickly removed by shaking it — and you never have From top: Girls with a co-ed Venture Crew of high school students — led by around 1970. I was on a Boy to pack heavy, wet fabrics with rain-splashed dirt or clinging mud. And there are quite Jeff Marion — learn the correct way to Scout outing with my dad and a few other advantages: hang a hammock during a backpacking we set up a tarp pulled over our trip past McAfee Knob in Virginia; Venture ❚ Crew youth enjoy their hammocks after canoe on an island. Several of Sleeping in a hammock is comfortable. By orienting your body at a slight diagonal to the hammock’s successfully setting up. the older boys were permitted hang, you sleep ergonomically flat, which easily accommodates both side and back sleepers. to set up their army surplus ❚ By floating above the ground you avoid sloping terrain, rocks, roots, or muddy soil that inevitably jungle hammocks on a sepa- trouble ground sleepers. Spring 2016 Spring 2016 rate, smaller island about 60 ❚ In the summertime, it’s airy and cool and you save the weight and bulk of a sleeping pad. 14 feet away. That night it rained ❚ You can see the stars on clear nights and the hammock makes a great chair or couch for reading and 15 hard and the river rose steadily. studying maps for the next day’s hike. So what’s not to like? My chief complaint My dad and I were forced to get ❚ My hammock has an overhead internal ridgeline with a mesh bag for storing small items. I use is that sleeping suspended in the air up and move our canoe and the ridgeline to hang my bathroom bag, headlamp, damp socks, and a bottle of water. maximizes convective heat loss — you A.T. Journeys A.T. A.T. Journeys A.T. tarp to higher ground around 1 ❚ You can enter and exit a hammock easily during a rainstorm, and even eat a meal and pack up under sleep cold in a hammock. Fortunately, a.m., but with water again lap- the rainfly. there are several solutions to this prob- ping at our feet by 4 a.m. we ❚ I use “snakeskin” hammock covers that slide over the hammock from each end for transport and lem. I initially tried sleeping pads in the were forced to sleep inside the storage — it takes just a few minutes to set up and take down. hammock but it’s hard to position and

Photo by H. Dean Clark canoe with our tarp draped keep yourself on them throughout the overhead. Aluminum canoe night. When you wake up cold you in- the A.T. has certainly changed I began section-hiking the ribs and a wet sleeping bag al- stantly know what parts of your body are since 1955 when Grandma A.T. in 1972 in ninth grade and lowed little sleep. At daybreak, off the pad. A more successful option was Gatewood completed the Trail summited Katahdin last fall I peered across the river to my purchase of a sleeping bag that re- wearing sneakers and carrying after 43 years and 24 section- discover that the small island places all bottom insulation with a sleeve a homemade denim sack slung hikes. I’ve been using a ham- was underwater, with four that you slide a mummy-shaped sleeping over her shoulder. The Trail has mock for the last dozen years. hammocks suspended less pad into. On sub-30-degree nights and in seen tremendous growth in use Hammocks offer some unique than a foot above the floodwa- treeless areas I set up my hammock on and substantial changes in the advantages over tents, with one ters. The older boys had been the ground with suspension ropes tied to types of gear used. The heavy, main challenge, which I’ll ex- forced to move their ropes trees or trekking poles to elevate the external-frame packs that I plain. Also, as a scientist who further up the trees during the canopy and netting. Your hammock be- carried in high school have studies camping impacts in the night, and tie off their canoes, comes a tent and you sleep warmer on the given way to the lightweight, National Parks and along the but they had remained warm, ground. Another option for cold-weather interior frame packs that I A.T., I’ve assisted in developing dry, and comfortable. I’ve been hammocking is to use an insulated un- carry today. While Grandma sustainable camping manage- fascinated by hammocks ever derquilt suspended beneath the ham- Gatewood used a plastic ment and Leave No Trace since. mock. For those interested in trying out shower curtain as a shelter, I’ve practices. While hammock hammock camping I suggest searching used double and single-walled camping impacts have not yet the internet to investigate the many dif- tents, a tarp, a bivy sack, and a been formally investigated, I ferent types and brands of hammock and hammock. have been observing the im- Photos by Jeff Marion methods for suspending them. Hammock Camping Leave feet apart with no obstructing plied to trees. Ropes and narrow suspension lines a bit loose — a No Trace Practices saplings or shrubs. Never at- webbing cut into tree bark, weighted hang angle of 30 de- The use of hammocks on the tach to, or near, dead trees or leaving ugly indentations that grees is best. Pulling the lines A.T. has clearly grown substan- overhanging dead limbs, or set may also harm the outer cam- tight dramatically increases tially in recent years. I view this up inside A.T. shelters (which bium layer that produces all the shear force on your hammock as a positive trend from the are not designed for side loads). new cells in the trunk. It’s criti- and suspension lines and dam- perspective of minimizing Trees with durable, hard bark cal to leave your hammock aging pressures on trees. I gener- Attach webbing to trees about six feet Keep suspension lines above the ground, adjusting them up or camping impacts, though even and little to no lichen or moss ally attach the webbing to trees loose — a weighted hang down in sloping terrain so that a line more impact can be avoided if cover are best. at about five to six feet above the A hiker relaxes in angle of 30 degrees is best stretched between them is nearly level hammock users learn and apply Use only webbing “tree-sav- his hammock on ground, adjusting them up or some simple low-impact prac- er” straps (a minimum of one the A.T. in Georgia. down in sloping terrain so that tices. As author of the Leave No inch — but wider is better) to Photo courtesy a line stretched between them Eagles Nest Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics suspend your hammock as Outfitters is nearly level. book, Leave No Trace in the these increase surface area and Whenever possible, camp Outdoors, I’ve been experiment- reduce the harmful forces ap- within the barren core por- ing for years with alternative tions of well-used campsites; LEVEL 6' low-impact hammock camping always select the least desir- practices. I’ve concluded that able tenting spots, such as the single most important item rocky areas or uneven, sloping of gear in my pack that helps terrain. I’ve heard A.T. hikers 30° me “leave no trace” on my A.T. complain about hammock visits is my hammock. campers setting up over the Hammocks allow you to “best tent spots.” If there is no avoid many of the impacts and space, or the trees are poorly constraints associated with positioned, find and use an- camping on the ground. First, other campsite. Don’t set up in hammocks allow camping adjacent offsite areas as this Spring 2016 Spring 2016 across a much wider range of could expand the campsite. 16 locations, including those with Campsite proliferation and 17 sloping and uneven terrain. expansion are two significant Flat terrain is often limited to forms of camping impact that stream and lake shorelines in hammock campers should al- A.T. Journeys A.T. A.T. Journeys A.T. the mountains, locations that ways strive to avoid. Prevent are more sensitive to camping late-night visits by bears and impacts and vulnerable to other animals by not cooking campsite expansion and prolif- near your hammock. Store avoid trampling vegetation A rainfly provides shelter from the elements eration. Second, unlike tent, your food, trash, and “smell- tarp, and bivy users, there is no ables” by hanging them in a need to remove rocks, woody tree or placing them in a bear debris, plants or organic mate- Pristine site / best practices canister or food storage locker. rials from the site, or to alter Hammocks also greatly fa- surface water flows by ditching. ❚ Consider stopping at a shelter or campsite with a nearby water source cilitate what I call dispersed Use only webbing snakeskin covers Finally, sleeping on the ground to cook and eat your dinner. Then fill up with water and hike at least 15 “pristine site” camping, also “tree-saver” straps slide over the involves crushing underlying minutes down the Trail before searching for a place to camp. known as stealth camping. This (a minimum of 1" or wider) hammock for easy set-up and storage vegetation and compacting ❚ As you hike, look for an area with dense tree cover and few shrubs, does not mean illegal camping; soils, impacts that are avoided saplings, herbs, mosses, or lichen. Walk off-Trail more than 200 feet to apply this form of camping only Choose trees 6"in by hammock camping. find a spot with no prior evidence of camping, preferably in sloping or when legal and you are willing diameter or larger, It’s nearly always possible to uneven terrain that hikers are unlikely to see, find, or reuse. to apply low impact practices. with durable, hard find hammock camping spots ❚ The prime objective of this bark with little to If you need to cook dinner then also look for an adjacent area with no lichen or moss where you can avoid trampling exposed rock for a durable kitchen site away from your hammock. If you form of camping is to select only cover — 12 to 15 feet vegetation. Along the A.T. these must cook on leaf litter then move flammable leaves away from your pristine spots that will not be re- apart (never attach to, or are generally on existing camp- stove and return them after you’re done. used by others and to leave them near, dead trees or overhanging sites or in dense forests over ❚ in pristine condition. This is the dead limbs, or set up inside A.T. Never build a campfire when pristine site camping. When moving about, shelters) leaf litter with little to no herbs avoid stepping on plants and don’t shift branches or logs. form of camping that I have or mosses underfoot. You’ll ❚ Scatter branches and leaves on any disturbed areas before departing; been experimenting with on Photos by Jeff Marion need two trees (6 inches in di- someone walking past this spot after you depart should see no evidence my section hikes for the last ameter or larger) about 12 to 15 of your camping. dozen years. As hammock camping be- comes more popular on the A.T., it’s a trend that could help reduce crowding and resource impact at our shelters and ex- isting campsites. However, it could also result in the creation of new campsites, the expan- sion of existing sites, or cause conflicts with other campers. Education will be key in deter- mining the actual outcomes and A.T. Leave No Trace prac- tices could be updated to in- clude guidance for low-impact hammock camping and Q /A strengthen our communica- tions with hammock users. with ENO GM Lane Nakaji Damascus, Virginia

Dr. Jeff Marion is a scientist with the As the G.M. of Eagles Nest Outfitters enjoy and respect the outdoors. We take pride in May 13 – 16 U.S. Geological Survey stationed at (ENO) — how often do you get a helping others discover and enjoy all that nature has TRAIL Don’t miss the fun! Highlights include a hiker Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. He chance to hammock in the outdoors to offer. I was fortunate enough to thru-hike the A.T.

an I nnamo r ato parade, educational programs, guest speakers, free gear served on the ATC Stewardship Council while hiking, camping, etc.? Unfortunately, and wanted to give back to this community. For many y D repair, music, food, and more. Stop by the Appalachian Trail (2005 - 2011) as chair of the Trail and with a growing company like ENO, I am unable to of our users, our products act as a catalyst, a gateway Conservancy booth in the town park to enter to win prizes. Camping Management Committee. get out as much as I’d like to. I strive to go hiking/ to adventure and a connection to the natural world. In b photo Spring 2016 DAYS He was a founding member of the backpacking at least one night a month during the many ways, the Appalachian Trail acts as this same For more information visit: www.traildays.us 18 Leave No Trace Board of Directors and spring, summer, and fall. catalyst. [Its] accessibility to so many Americans is a chaired the committee that developed blessing. But with this comes challenges of funding, and refined Leave No Trace practices How much hiking and hammock overuse, and management. The ENO ATC DoubleNest from 1997 to 2005. camping have you done on the A.T.? I have hammock was created in order to help users enjoy the

A.T. Journeys A.T. hiked and hammocked primarily in Georgia, North A.T., as well as raise awareness and support of this Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Time off is often a treasured national trail. limiting factor so my wife and I usually stay closer to home. Fortunately for us, the closest A.T. trailhead is How do ENO’s contributions benefit only 35 minutes away. the ATC/A.T. and what plans do you have to continue that partnership in the In your opinion, what are some of future? ENO’s contributions help raise awareness the benefits of hammocking (as and support of the A.T. Many of our retailers have been opposed to tent, shelter, or open- great supporters of this program and help to garner air sleeping bag camping)? Benefits support and awareness of not just the ATC but the ForO everyne Card.new credit Countless card activated, theRewards. ATC will receive of hammocking include a deeper, more Pacific Crest Trail Association and Continental Divide $50, plus 15¢ on every $100 spent® on all retail purchases. restorative sleep. I find myself sleeping Trail Association, too. OThene Appalachian Card. Trail Conservancy Countless Visa credit cardRewards. – a credit card that gives Additionalback every time card you benefits make a purchase. include: Additional card benefits include: fewer hours while hammocking and waking The Appalachian Trail Conservancy Visa® credit card – a credit card that gives up more refreshed when compared to What is the story behind the ENO ATC back every• timeCompetitive you make arates purchase. and fees. Additional card benefits include: 1 The ENO ATC sleeping on the ground. I enjoy the ease of my DoubleNest hammock? Coming from an • AutoCompetitive Rental Emergencyrates and fees. Assistance Services DoubleNest hammock hammock system as well as the number of potential outdoor retail background, I always felt that as a brand, 1 • TravelAuto Rental Emergency Emergency Assistance Assistance Services Services1 was created in order campsites compared to tent camping. Hammock the ATC had unlimited potential. It just made sense to 1 to help users enjoy the • TravelWarranty Emergency Manager Assistance Service Services1 A.T. — 10 percent of camping is very low impact and once mastered, it’s form a partnership between two organizations that 2 sales are donated to easier to leave no trace of ever being there. shared the same passions: getting people outside and • WarrantyFraud Liability Manager Protection Service1 the ATC. Available at Apply for your own card at: protecting our resources. 2 the Ultimate A.T. Store: https://www.cardpartner.com/app/A162B • Fraud Liability Protection atctrailstore.org What drew you to become involved Apply for your own card at: with corporate support of the https://www.cardpartner.com/app/A162B

Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC)? Eagles Nest Outfitters has been a generous Corporate Cards issued by UMB Bank, n.a. 1See cardholder benefits for details.2 Visa’s Zero Liability Policy covers U.S. issued cards only and does not apply to certain commercial card transactions or ENO consists of many like-minded individuals who Partner of the ATC for six years and counting. any transactions not processed by Visa. You must notify your financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. For specific restrictions, limitations and otherCards details, issued please by UMB consult Bank, your n.a. issuer. 1See cardholder benefits for details.2 Visa’s Zero Liability Policy covers U.S. issued cards only and does not apply to certain commercial card transactions or any transactions not processed by Visa. You must notify your financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. For specific restrictions, limitations and Photo courtesy Eagles Nest Outfitters other details, please consult your issuer. One Card. Countless Rewards. OThene Appalachian Card. Trail Conservancy Countless Visa® credit cardRewards. – a credit card that gives back every time you make a purchase. Additional card benefits include: The Appalachian Trail Conservancy Visa® credit card – a credit card that gives back every• timeCompetitive you make arates purchase. and fees. Additional card benefits include: 1 • CompetitiveAuto Rental Emergencyrates and fees. Assistance Services 1 • AutoTravel Rental Emergency Emergency Assistance Assistance Services Services1 1 • TravelWarranty Emergency Manager Assistance Service Services1 2 • WarrantyFraud Liability Manager Protection Service1

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Cards issued by UMB Bank, n.a. 1See cardholder benefits for details.2 Visa’s Zero Liability Policy covers U.S. issued cards only and does not apply to certain commercial card transactions or any transactions not processed by Visa. You must notify your financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. For specific restrictions, limitations and otherCards details, issued please by UMB consult Bank, your n.a. issuer. 1See cardholder benefits for details.2 Visa’s Zero Liability Policy covers U.S. issued cards only and does not apply to certain commercial card transactions or any transactions not processed by Visa. You must notify your financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. For specific restrictions, limitations and other details, please consult your issuer. One Card. Countless Rewards. OThene Appalachian Card. Trail Conservancy Countless Visa® credit cardRewards. – a credit card that gives back every time you make a purchase. Additional card benefits include: The Appalachian Trail Conservancy Visa® credit card – a credit card that gives back every• timeCompetitive you make arates purchase. and fees. Additional card benefits include: 1 • CompetitiveAuto Rental Emergencyrates and fees. Assistance Services 1 • AutoTravel Rental Emergency Emergency Assistance Assistance Services Services1 1 • TravelWarranty Emergency Manager Assistance Service Services1 2 • WarrantyFraud Liability Manager Protection Service1

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Cards issued by UMB Bank, n.a. 1See cardholder benefits for details.2 Visa’s Zero Liability Policy covers U.S. issued cards only and does not apply to certain commercial card transactions or any transactions not processed by Visa. You must notify your financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. For specific restrictions, limitations and otherCards details, issued please by UMB consult Bank, your n.a. issuer. 1See cardholder benefits for details.2 Visa’s Zero Liability Policy covers U.S. issued cards only and does not apply to certain commercial card transactions or any transactions not processed by Visa. You must notify your financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. For specific restrictions, limitations and other details, please consult your issuer. 14 State Challenge: Sign Me Up! Lyn Widmyer

My job as a volunteer at the Appalachian Trail Visitors Center is to greet people. I have enjoyed meeting NOBOs, ✶ trailhead✶ ATC dirt SOBOs, section hikers, day hikers and lots of folks who simply want to know how to get to Harpers Ferry (via the Appalachian Trail, of course). While I have only hiked the four-plus miles of the A.T. in my home state of West Virginia, I am dazzled by those who have tackled the entire Trail. My first day at the Visitors Center, a woman arrived and announced she had just completed the A.T. “How long did it take you?” I asked in amazement. “Thirty years,” she replied. Her husband had taken her to different trail heads and picked her up days or weeks later for three decades. Someone taking 30 years to complete the Trail is just as awe inspiring to me as those who press through and do it all at once. I may never hike all 2,200 miles of the A.T. but I still want in some way to be part of the Trail hiking community. The Appalachian Trail 14 State Challenge gives me that chance. Visitors to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) Visitors Center who are pursuing the goal of hiking a piece of the A.T. in all 14 states inspired the staff to promote this simple concept. Participants are challenged to visit Trail locations in each of the 14 states traversed by the A.T. For those who Soldiers from the U.S. Army’s Volunteers complete the challenge, a certificate can be downloaded from the ATC’s website and a patch will soon be available. 5th Ranger Training Battalion Laurie Potteiger, the ATC’s information services manager, says the program encourages people of all ages and abilities carry heavy lumber along the A.T. to help improve the camping to explore the beauty of the Trail “in small bites.” “If you have the Appalachian Trail on your bucket list, but don’t have area at Hawk Mountain in the time (or perhaps desire) to haul a pack up and down remote mountain trails, no problem,” explains Laurie. Georgia ­— more than 1,000 What I have learned from talking to hikers is that a very spe- volunteer hours have already been logged on this project. cial community exists among those tackling the Trail. Numerous hikers speak of their adventures as the thrill of a lifetime, the Army Rangers Join the Effort most positive experience ever, and a chance to meet wonderful people. I actually get misty-eyed sometimes reading heart-felt Spring 2016 This past February, 32 Army Rangers from the U.S. Army’s comments on 2,000-miler applications. We all have a chance to 5th Ranger Training Battalion at Camp Frank D. Mer- 21 visit and experience some of the A.T.’s most iconic places though rill and 10 members from the Georgia Appalachian Trail – and you don’t need to spend much money or purchase the Club (GATC) gathered for a full day of volunteer work. The latest gear to do so. The concept behind the 14 State Challenge Rangers carried heavy beams along the A.T. mountainside

is to visit sections of the A.T. in whatever capacity works for you Journeys A.T. to help build new sustainable tent pads at Hawk Moun- – whether it’s a day hike during a family vacation or a small out- tain campground. As a popular first stop along the Trail door jaunt while on a business trip. for thousands of hikers a year in Georgia’s Chattahoochee All that’s required is that you touch a white blaze in each National Forest, this beloved area has been increasingly of the Trail’s 14 states. Although many areas of the A.T. are strained as use continues to grow. ¶ In a collaborative remote, virtually every Trail state has locations where you can effort to find solutions to the growing problem, the Ap- conveniently access and enjoy the Trail. It could be in a state or palachian Trail Conservancy, GATC, and the Forest Service national park, an A.T. Community or nearby town, or at a famous developed the Hawk Mountain sustainability plan. Addi- landmark. A few locations are even wheelchair-accessible. Spec- tional partners, including the Appalachian Long Distance tacular vistas await sometimes just a few feet from the parking Hikers Association and university student volunteers, are lot. The ATC’s website suggests a destination and short hike for helping to realize the project on the ground. ¶ This spring, every state, but you can choose your own. the new camping area, privy, and drinking water source at My favorite duties at the Visitor Center include photograph- Hawk Mountain will be put to the test as thousands of hik- ing thru-hikers, handing them packages from home, hearing ers — many beginning their long journeys as northbound their stories, and logging in 2,000-miler applications. I will never thru-hikers — alight at Springer Mountain. If successful, join their ranks. But thanks to the 14 State Challenge, I will par- the project will serve as a model for sustainable use along take in the miracle of the Appalachian Trail and feel part of the the entire A.T. as the Forest Service and partners continue Trail community. working toward the right balance of current use and future Trail preservation. For more information visit: appalachiantrail.org/14statechallenge

Photo courtesy USFS/ Becky Bruce-Vaughters ✶ trailhead ✶ Stewardship 101 By Beth Critton

So, what is the Stewardship Council? My favorite definition of “stewardship” A.T. Long-Distance Hiker Permit is that it means “the responsible overseeing and protection of something Now Required in Baxter State Park considered worth caring for and preserving.” As Stewardship Council chair, I often share my belief that there is no greater privilege than serving as a steward of the Appalachian Trail. The council’s role in Trail stewardship has Baxter State Park has implemented a new A.T. Long Distance Hiker Permit System in shaped its composition and structure and gives focus to its work. 2016 to improve its management of A.T. long-distance hikers in the years ahead and to Within the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) governance structure, be equitable to all park visitors. A free A.T. long-distance hiker permit will be required of all the council is a committee of the Board of Directors and its chair is a mem- northbound long-distance hikers who enter the park in 2016 (this includes section-hikers, ber of the board. The council presently includes, among others, associate and flip-flop hikers); southbound hikers are not required to have a permit. Permits can be professors with expertise in parks, forest resources, recreation and tourism obtained in person at Baxter State Park Headquarters, Katahdin Stream Campground, the management; a retired international development expert; a former park Appalachian Trail Lodge in Millinocket, and from the A.T. Steward at Abol Bridge — there ranger, several attorneys, including a community advocate for clean water; will be no limit to the number of permit cards available in 2016. ¶ “The Appalachian Trail a retired chemical engineer, the managing editor of an outdoor magazine, Conservancy understands that the increasing number of long-distance A.T. hikers presents the director of conservation and stewardship for a state land trust, and an a management challenge for Baxter State Park officials,” explains the Appalachian Trail award-winning math teacher with a gift for youth outreach. Many are for- Conservancy’s (ATC) executive director Ron Tipton. “We will continue to work cooperatively Baxter State Park photo by Ellen Gass mer A.T. thru- or section-hikers or are active in local Trail maintaining clubs. with Baxter State Park by informing and educating long-distance hikers about proper hiker The council oversees policy development and programs related to behavior.” Processes to limit daily access to Katahdin trails, to manage visitor experience in the A.T. and surrounding lands and takes a lead role in volunteer devel- the park’s wilderness, and to protect the park’s alpine zone have been in place for 30 years opment and training, outreach and education, and mitigating threats to for park visitors from Maine and elsewhere, with the exception of A.T. long-distance hikers. the Trail. It also serves as an interface among the Trail maintaining clubs, Long-distance hiking on the Trail has steadily increased during the past two decades and, regional partnership committees, agency partners, ATC staff, and the in Baxter State Park alone, A.T. hiker numbers have nearly doubled in the last 10 years. ¶ To Board of Directors. On a select number of proposed new policies the

Spring 2016 assist in the growing number of A.T. users and to help educate long-distance hikers about council looks to the board for final consideration and approval. the new permit system the park is implementing in 2016, the ATC will have two seasonal The substance of its work is shaped by requests from ATC staff, 22 staff people in Monson, Maine beginning this summer. “A presence in Monson demonstrates maintaining clubs, agency partners, and by the initiative of council the ATC’s commitment to a comprehensive and proactive stewardship plan that will further members themselves. It also oversees and advises on policy matters. our ability to work with our partners in protecting a high-quality hiking experience,” says 2016 Garlic For example, identifying the need for a policy on drones. The council Tipton. “Baxter State Park is an important ATC partner, and we will continue to cooperate Mustard Challenge A.T. Journeys A.T. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy often has the opportunity to weigh in on partner or board initiatives. closely given our mutual interest in providing A.T. hikers in the park with a meaningful Trail (ATC) is hosting a second annual Garlic Several council members had the privilege of helping to develop the experience while preserving the outstanding wilderness values of Baxter. The ATC has Mustard Challenge. The ATC and A.T. National Park Service’s Foundation Document for the Trail. existed for more than 90 years to preserve and manage the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail, maintaining clubs will host a series In fall 2014, the council temporarily suspended its existing commit- and with a growing interest in this world-famous Trail, the mission of the ATC remains just of spring and summer projects to tee structure to align its work with the ATC’s five-year Strategic Plan as relevant and important today.” help volunteers identify and remove goals. As a result, two committees renamed and redefined themselves. invasive garlic mustard plants in the The Community Outreach Committee became the Youth and Diversity For more information visit: baxterstateparkauthority.com A.T. corridor. The 2016 Trail-wide goal Committee; the Regional Partnership Committee became the Partner will be 3,100 pounds; representing 100 Communications and Resource Committee. All committees are pounds for each of the 31 Volunteer dedicated to helping the ATC attain specific Strategic Plan objectives, Trail Clubs. With your help, we know we resulting in the council’s involvement in issues ranging from updating can reach this ambitious goal. Trail MOUs to launching the Next Generation Advisory Council. #AT2016 Current initiatives include planning the August 2016 Volunteer Lead- ership Meeting, developing a policy related to hazard trees and a club To learn more or to schedule your advisory regarding animal-deterrent food storage systems, bringing ATC Do you love own garlic mustard pull contact: lands into compliance with National Land Trust standards, addressing social media? garlicmustardchallenge@ external threats from gas pipelines, and developing a case statement Join a thriving Appalachian appalachiantrail.org for the enhanced integration of A.T. Communities into the cooperative Trail community and tag your management system. photos #AT2016 Being a member of the Stewardship Council requires commitment, but rewards its members with a wonderful opportunity to give back to 2015 2,000-miler Erick Dahl, White Mountains, New Hampshire the Trail.

For more information visit: appalachiantrail.org/leadership 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Broader Relevancy Strengthened Engage and sustain a network Capacity of partners that reinforces our goals for the A.T. and our Continue to build a financially programs. strong foundation and It’s been just over a year since organizational capacity to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) After much assessment in 2015 — including endure long-term success. began implementation of its five-year Stra- focus groups with educators and staff, tegic Plan. When the Board of Directors interviews with the ATC’s leadership, surveys, In order to provide advice on programs and approved the plan, we made it clear that it and listening sessions with Trail clubs — expand fundraising potential, we created the would remain a living, breathing document the ATC is poised to move forward with its Engaged ATC Advisory Circle in 2015, which consists and would require updates as circum- Broader Relevancy action plan that will create Partners of a diverse group of individuals who provide stances dictated. The foundation of the opportunities for stronger connections with expertise, leadership, and outreach on behalf plan – the ATC’s mission, vision, values and diverse audiences and develop and form key Through continued training opportunities, of the organization in order to fulfill the ATC’s goals – remains intact, which is a testa- local, regional, and national partnerships consistent communication, and the support mission. More than $300,000 was added ment to the board, ATC staff, and partners for recruiting a younger and more diverse of the initiatives of our 31 Trail maintaining to the David N. Startzell Stewardship Fund, who helped to craft it. Some of the indi- Effective Proactive population to the A.T. and its management clubs’ work with A.T. Communities and (the ATC’s endowment) as well as almost vidual strategies that were developed to Stewardship Protection and protection. new audiences, we strive to ensure the $300,000 to the ATC Lands Fund, which achieve the Strategic Plan goals have We launched the Next Generation Advisory strong beating heart and vibrant soul of is designated for land transactions and evolved in the past year, specifically as they Be the leading voice with Advocate for broader Council, which gives 15 young, diverse leaders our volunteer corps. The ATC hopes this improvements. relate to the Effective Stewardship Goal our partners in managing protection of the Trail’s a voice in our cooperative management year will bring renewals of Memorandum We also defined and filled fundraising and hiker use issues along the Trail. This is the A.T. and its surrounding natural and cultural system. We also created skill training of Understanding agreements between positions for both an ATC foundations officer landscapes. resources. good news as it shows that the plan is work- and professional development programs Trail clubs and the ATC to re-affirm their and corporate/events officer to help position ing, as it should, to provide the ATC and its ATC field staff hiked a large portion of the In 2015, the ATC scaled up landscape such as the new Conservation Leadership shared commitment to the A.T. We have also the ATC to exceed revenue expectations in partners with a roadmap for managing the Trail with GPS units to inventory more than conservation for the Trail. We hired a director Corps, a career pathway for young adults (18 launched webinars for volunteers to share 2015 and in the coming years. Spring 2016 Spring 2016 business of the ATC and the Trail. half the A.T.’s assets — they then created of landscape conservation and hosted the to 25) providing a 10-week paid internship best practices. We plan to host a volunteer 24 a database with that information that will first annual A.T. Landscape Conservation and participation in our seasonal programs. leadership meeting and continue to invigorate 25 be used to improve the treadway, bridges, workshop — nearly 70 participants attended, This summer, we will conduct listening A.T. Community involvement Trail-wide. Operational overnight sites, and parking areas. The representing large and small conservation sessions with urban audiences to help us Excellence Here’s what we’ve been inventory will be completed in 2016. organizations, and federal and state agencies. conduct a wellness platform to convey the up to. for updates visit A.T. Journeys A.T. A.T. Journeys A.T. After partnering with the Leave No Trace The ATC and its partners are working on mental and physical benefits the Trail provides appalachiantrail.org/ A five-year capital plan was created, which strategicplan Center for Outdoor Ethics in 2014 to become important conservation issues across the through new, innovative ways. will help the ATC plan for its future facility a Leave No Trace Master Educator course landscape from Georgia to Maine. We are and equipment needs as our organization and provider, the ATC offered two Master Educator creating leverage by building a bigger umbrella programs grow. We also began work on the courses in 2015. More than 50 individuals for our partners to operate under, fostering ATC’s five-year Information Technologies plan, are now positioned to help train others in more collaboration and funding to secure which is vital in order to understand what the skills and ethics of Leave No Trace. Three lands and work with communities surrounding tools are necessary for staff to achieve its Master Educator courses and several Trainer the Trail. This network — working under the five-year Strategic Plan goals. courses are planned for 2016. A.T. Landscape Initiative — will be supported We​ learned from staff what our overall The ATC published a “Group Management by the ATC to expand successful landscape internal communication needs were — for Manual” — in partnership with several protection in priority areas. One excellent example: setting some basic procedures for New England Trail clubs — to be used as example of this is the recent formation of daily operations. As a result, one of our goals a resource by Trail maintaining clubs for partnerships in three watersheds in the in 2016 is to put together standard operating managing large, organized groups on the A.T. Delaware River Basin in eastern Pennsylvania procedures manual.​ We also launched a voluntary thru-hiker with support from the William Penn Moving forward this year, we will focus our registration system — a tool that helps Foundation. attention on a new financial system that will prospective thru-hikers share their start more effectively allow the ATC to budget for dates with other thru-hikers and plan their and track programs as outlined in our Strategic itinerary in order to avoid the social and Left: The Roan Highlands area Plan. Our current financial system had not ecological impacts of overcrowding on the is a prime example of exemplary been updated since 2005. As we’ve grown, Trail. Through registration, hikers can enhance landscape protection surrounding the our needs and the needs of our partners have their A.T. experience and enable the ATC to A.T. Photo by Travis Bordley Right: Participants take part in a Leave changed, therefore, a system that allows us to better manage the A.T. — without additional No Trace Master Educator course effectively report to all of our stakeholders in regulations. Photo by Kathryn Herndon an efficient way is a major priority. B:8.75” T:7.75” S:7.25”

with the National Park Service, it is only a middle-aged member of the National Park family — becoming a National Scenic Trail There are parks everyone should see some day, in 1968. However, the Trail’s management and a few you could stop by this a� ernoon. is a model for addressing today’s challenges due to its Cooperative Management System the Next — one of the nation’s oldest and most suc- By Matthew Graves cessful examples of a public-private conser- vation partnership. In fact, more and more 100 public land managers are embracing the benefits of “cooperative management” as a way to address the challenges of today’s world by actively engaging volunteers, non- profits, communities, new audiences, school systems and universities, and even corpora- This year marks the 100th tions in the active stewardship of our na- anniversary of the creation of the National tional treasures. Park Service (NPS) — the federal bureau One of the primary goals for the National designed to manage a unified system of na- Park Service Centennial is to connect with, tional parks within the Department of Inte- and create, the next generation of park rior. In 1916, there were only 35 national visitors, supporters, and advocates. Our parks and monuments. Places like Yellow- hope is to inspire a rapidly diversifying Tstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon. One population to develop their own individual hundred years later, there are 409 diverse connections with our natural, cultural, and park units, including the Appalachian Na- recreational public lands, so they find Spring 2016 S:10.125” T:10.875” tional Scenic Trail, protecting 84-million meaning and personal relevance in these B:11.25” 26 acres of public land. Regardless of title — places. A colleague once shared that “the park, monument, battlefield, historical park, public must care about parks before they will lakeshore and seashore, river and trail, be willing to care for parks.” The Trail’s parkway, and more — the mission is the history demonstrates that the Trail clubs,

A.T. Journeys A.T. same: “to conserve the scenery and the natu- the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, NPS, ral and historic objects and the wildlife U.S. Forest Service, and land management therein and to provide for the enjoyment of partners can maintain and protect the the same in such manner and by such means footpath of the Appalachian National as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoy- Scenic Trail. The future will judge us by ment of future generations.” These words whether we can accomplish the bigger from the NPS “Organic Act” signed by Presi- challenges of protecting the iconic dent Woodrow Wilson on August 25, 1916 landscapes and environments surrounding resonate just as soundly today as they did the Trail, along with meaningful experiences 100 years ago. for those using the Trail. It might seem a While the words remain same, the cur- daunting task to protect both the physical rent and future challenges associated with Trail and the environment through which achieving this mission far eclipse what it passes, but if the past teaches us anything, anyone could have imagined when the Park it’s that there is no limit to what an Service was created. Climate change and air informed, caring, and dedicated public can quality issues, habitat fragmentation and accomplish. The next 100 years of preserving invasive species, over-use or irrelevant, our national heritage looks bright. changing public interests, and other na- tional priorities — the list of challenges Matt Graves is the program manager for goes on. While Congress can create new Interpretation, Education, and Outreach with the NPS national parks, today we know that to pre- Appalachian National Scenic Trail Park Office. serve parks in perpetuity, it takes an in- formed and caring public. Although the The National Park Service protects our most treasured places, Appalachian Trail has a long association from Arches National Park to National Historic Landmarks, like the Brooklyn Bridge. The parks are so many things. fi ndyourpark.com

200 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK, NY 10010

THIS ADVERTISEMENT PREPARED BY GREY WORLDWIDE JOB #: NPFNPF-P50122_Page PROOF: 4 CLIENT: National Parks Foundation SIZE, SPACE: 7.75” x 10.875”, 4C CLIENT: National Parks Foundation OP: CC, JS PRODUCT: National Parks Foundation PUBS: Magazine SPACE/SIZE: B: 8.75” x 11.25” T: 7.75” x 10.875” S: 7.25” x 10.125” JOB#: NPFNPF-P50122_Page ISSUE: 2015 LEGAL RELEASE STATUS AD APPROVAL ART DIRECTOR: C. Perrone COPYWRITER: None DATE: Release has been obtained Legal Coord: Acct Mgmt: Print Prod: Art Director: Proofreader: Copywriter: Studio: Jessica “Code Red” Alley – Mahoosuc Notch, Maine by Peter Donati This listing includes those who have reported hike completions of the entire Trail to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) since the last Alternative thru-hiking styles are listing in A.T. Journeys a year ago. Of up — a record number of “flip-flop” this year’s listing, 916 are from 2015; thru-hikers reported completing their the rest are from previous years (there hikes in 2015. Flip-floppers are a mix is no time limit on reporting a hike of those intentionally starting at a completion) — with 1,051 hikes of location mid-Trail, and those who “flip” the entire Trail reported. after starting a traditional northbound thru-hike. Harpers Ferry was the most popular location for those starting mid- Trail, but flip-floppers who completed

the Trail in 2015 started in more than Spring 2016 Spring 2016 a dozen different locations. As hikers 28 29 are choosing innovative approaches to planning their traverse of the A.T., it can be challenging for the ATC to compile A.T. Journeys A.T. A.T. Journeys A.T. statistics on them, but we know their numbers are growing and they are helping to spread out use.

CONGRATULATIONS! ✖ life members / ✖ current members We would like to express our appreciation for those 2,000-milers who have chosen to support the Appalachian Trail as Appalachian Trail MIL Conservancy members. 611 northbound thru-hikers finished their hikes — with fewer reporting completions since last year

72 hikers reported completing the Trail in 2015 “flip-floppers,” who started in dozens of different locations, successfully completed their thru-hikes Spring 2016 30 thru-hikers registered their start dates in 2015. Roughly half of those who completed the A.T. this year participated in the voluntary thru-hiker registration A.T. Journeys A.T. 158 hikers completed the Trail piece by piece over the years via section-hikes Voluntary Thru-Hiker �Registration Voluntary registration was initiated in 2015 as a their start dates last year, frequently updated mechanism to allow thru-hikers themselves to graphs were posted on the ATC’s website showing 75 spread out their start dates on their own accord. how many people had registered to start each southbound hikers started The ATC views voluntary registration as a way to day. This allowed those with flexibility to choose a in the north and headed enhance your A.T. experience and better manage this day when fewer hikers were beginning their treks. south to complete the Trail natural resource — without additional regulations. appalachiantrail.org/thruhikeregistration As various categories of thru-hikers registered

illustration by marisa viana Derek Henry Bestor / Supernova Thundercat ✖ Elizabeth Carliss / Laugh Track ✖ Joseph Biasi / Icarus ✖ Ryan Carpenter / Green Tortuga ✖ Eric Bickford / Night Terror Jimmy Carr / Wandering 1 ➊ Catherine Hopkins & Sojourner Colleen Binkley / Toasty Jordan Carr / Whiskers ➋ Fedelina & Marvin Gross ➌ Cheri Jackson Birrell / Pumpkin Butt ✖ Gretchen Carroll / Ukalady Noren & Bonnie Hedberg Karet Richard Birss / Dusty ✖ Dan Caruso / Uncle D ➍ Judi & John Melanson ➎ Ian & ✖ Jessica Elise Bitter / Rapunzel Aimée Casey / Iron Maiden George Brenckle ✖ Zane Blakey / Relish ✖ Kevin Casey / Mr. Peanut Butter Steven J. Blessinger / Beestinger Nicholas Cellini / MisMatch Johanna Blevins / Bud Light ✖ Evan Cestari / Too Colin R. Blye / Bee Sting ✖ Hannah Chamberlain / Songbird ✖ C. David Bockman / the White Wolf Joseph Chapman / Bruin ➊ ✖ Daniel Boeker / Bud ✖ Kyle Chapman / Shivers ✖ ✖ ➋ Andrew Boggess / Wayah Adrian Charkowski / Quiet Diet ✖ Lee E. Bohner / Loner Bohner Rachel Cheatham / Glacier-Swiss Jim Bond / Mado ✖ Susan Bond / 007 Molly Borgstrom / Green Bay John T. Borst II / Magician ✖ Tim Boulton / Ghost Chili ✖ Carol Bovell / Rabbit ✖ David Bowen / Guitarzan Ben Bowles / Ginger T ✖ Steve Bowling / Mongoose ➊ Beth Abel & Marcia ✖ Eddie Boyd / Oilcan Roland ➋ Allyson Hester ✖ Erik Boydston / Paperclip ✖ Jeff Boyer / Barbarosa ✖ John Thomas Brady / Biscuit ✖ Russell Aulds / #1 Michael Bray / Papa Oats ✖ Philip Ayliff / Time Machine ✖ Danielle Breakell / Red Panda Paul Bach / Phyzzy ✖ Ryley Breiddal / Monk Nate Bachman / Pick-Me-Up ✖ Michael Brekke / Wrecker ✖ Michael Baggot / Just Mike ✖ George Brenckle / Dos Equis Benjamin K. Ball / Still Smokin Ian Brenckle / OSHA ✖ Summerset Banks / PomPom Johnny Brennan / Castaway ✖ Bryan Banning / Wolverine ✖ Thomas D. Brewer / Sliderule ✖ Andrew Baranak / Lightning ➌ Lindsay Brisko / OUTRO Frank Barbon / Peaches 2016 Allison Broadwater / Mountain Mama ✖ Michael B. Barclift / XL Robyn Crispe / DejaThru ✖ Josh Brockman / CHEWY ✖ Lori Barkley / Rawhide, R2, 50Tree Jessica Somos / Frisbee Erik Brooks / fiddlehead Kelsey Barklund / Poppins Scott Webster / MaGee ✖ Sean W. Brooks / Gold Star Bekah Barnett / Micro Elisa Brown / Yoga Taco Frank Barnett / Joker 2015 ✖ Jennifer Brown / Pebbles Josh Barrett / JB ✖ Andy Aarons / Rock ✖ Katherine Brown / Wilderness ✖ Drew Bartlett / Forrest Gump ✖ Lorene Aarons / Roll ✖ Laura Brown / Mayo Kasey Bartnick / Cheeks ✖ Beth Eden Abel / Spirit ✖ Steven Brown / Brown ✖ Debra Barton / Fireball Melissa Adamo / Free Range Chicken Colin Brownlee / Little Debbie Ryland Bates / Frost Christopher Richard Adams / Yahoo ✖ Anda Bruinsma / Unhinged ✖ Bert Bausmith / Pa Bert ✖ J. Brady Adcock / Castaway ✖ Marilyn Brundage / Blue Blaze ✖ Jeffery A. Beacham / Stache ✖ Nancy Adrian / Greyhound ✖ Nicholas Bruno / Poboy Stevie Beam / Patrick Alcott / Meatstick Matthew Buckley / Big Deal Robert A. Beaumont / Butter Bar ✖ Allan Aldrich / Jack Rabbit Jessica Buice / Dirty Peanut Joni Beauvais / Beast Bison ✖ Jessica Alexander / Almost Fun ✖ James Buker / Sparky Clayton Beckett / Chef ✖ Abdullah Alhag / Wandar Kristin Bullett Susan Beckett / Redback ✖ Joseph Aliotto / Snowta Thomas Buononato / Red Swagger ✖ Michael L. Bennett / Chief ✖ Dennis W. Allen / Bowie ✖ Warren Burbury / BULL ✖ Tina Bennett / Toad ✖ Edna Neal Collins / Andante Roger Cortes / Uncle Rog ✖ Joseph D. Allen / Mojo ✖ Edward A. Burkert / Easy-Go ✖ Yen Lin Chen / Glamper ✖ Donald Benson / Oatmeal Heather Collins / Hard Headed Marc Cossette / Freedom Fry Shanna Allen / Keychain ✖ Terence Burns / Silverfoot Logan Christiansen / Squabbler ✖ Tim Berens / Fireball Joseph Collins / Runs with Beer ✖ Cameron Cotner / Cameron ✖ Jarrett B. Alley / Karaoke the Bard David Logan Burnum / Goodpeople ✖ Anthony Clark / Semi ✖ Steve Berger / Walking Man ✖ Nick Collins / Yeti Matthew Coward / McGuyver ✖ Jessica Alley / Code Red ✖ Graham Burry / Led Steppelin ✖ Glen A. Clark / QUAHOG Eva Berndt / Red Titan ✖ William Taylor Collins / Swift ✖ Geoffrey H. Cowart / Captain Handy ✖ Kyle Altman / Shortbus Jimmy Butler / Bear Attack Sarah Clark / Flick Linda Comeau / Little Biscuit Julian David Flashman Cranberg / Treebeard ✖ Melody Alvarez / Chameleon Bob Button / Zipper ✖ Michael David Clasing / Freestyle ➍ ➎ John K. Conant / Pain Wizard ✖ Jordan Crawford / Fireball ✖ Gene Anderson / PaPaBear ✖ Maggie Byelick / Solo Austin Clay / Boris Daniel Condon / Sticks Kimberly Crisman / Moxie Heather Anderson / Anish ✖ Joseph Andrew Byran / Tor-Tis ✖ Alec Clement / Die Free ✖ Michael A. Conn / Drifter Travis Crouch / Odiferous ✖ Timothy L. Anderson / Last Minute Céleste Cabot / Gravity ✖ Elliott Cleveland / Blaze ✖ Ernest Elisha Cook / Hallow Phillip Curry / Princess Charlie Andrews / Sam Wise Dan Campagna / Steady ✖ John Cleveland / Salmon ✖ Ellen C. Cooper / Mt. Laurel ✖ Paul Curtin / Magnum Robert D. Angst Jr. / Roadside Jade Campagna / William Coffer / Firestarter aka Mosshead Erik M. Dahl / Goodfoot ✖ Dominick P. Aponte / All the Way ✖ James Cape / Auto Draft ✖ Erez Cohen / Stretch ✖ Anthony Corazza / Snakefoot ✖ Jane Dailey / Calamity ✖ Madeline Arena / CindeRella ✖ Robert Capo / Rush ✖ Jorge Salvador Machuca Timothy Corey / Lay-Z-Boy Hannah Darst / Little Engine ✖ Jim Arzigian / Catnapper ✖ Kent Caraway / Fox Cohen / Naptime ✖ Pamela Cornell / Corky ✖ Andrew M. Davidson / Phantom Charlotte Atti / Booterman & Boomerang ✖ Abigail Carl / Pink Panther ✖ P.J. Coleman / Young Blood ✖ Charles W. Davidson / Chase ✖ Marie Fogle / Dora the Explorer Carolyn Garrity / Lil Bean ✖ Emily Harris / Lumi ✖ Bonnie Hedberg Karet / BonBon ✖ Steven Lange / Sparrow ✖ Gwendolyn Davies / Frizzle ✖ Chris Ford / Pacer ✖ Jeffrey Garstecki / Fly-By ✖ Ian Harrison / Skipper ✖ Molly Katzman / Tick Tock David Lapham / Moxie Ben Davis / HomeFry ✖ Rebekah Ford / Dragon ✖ Bradley Gaspard / No Worries ✖ Collin C. Hart / Waylon Jennings ✖ Daniel Kayser / Simple Sole ✖ Peter Foster Larsen / Thorfinn Josle Daw / Sweet Blood Andrew Forestell / Reptar ✖ Kevin B. Gavin / Spartacus of “The Highwaymen” Jeffrey L. Kayser / Hammertoe ✖ Lee V. Larson / Lifeguard ✖ James M. Day II ✖ Jan Forro / Good Kn1ght Kyle Gavin / Pigpen Ian H Hart / Willie Nelson ✖ Ryan William Keeling / Pippin Sarah Lasky / Twiggy Ninja ✖ Chloë de Camara / Vulture ✖ Billy Fournier / Tex ✖ Christopher Gaye / Varsity “The Highwaymen” ✖ Blake Kehler / Kaleb Jan Latarius / Autobahn ✖ Jeff De Troye / Flash Zachary Fox / PeaceDawg ✖ Carrie Geiger / Mama Bear Ryan O. Hart / Kris Kristofferson Michael Keighley / Archangel ✖ Thomas Lavin / Zephyr Kaitlyn DeBiasse / Soggy Dirt Anna Freedman-Peel / Honey Britches ✖ Chris Geiger / Farmer Chef of “The Highwaym ✖ Robert J. Kellner / IMBOB/Boomerang ✖ Mike Leach / Monk ✖ Lee Deckelman / Sonny ✖ Patrick French / Dosu Kinuta ✖ Gabriella Geiger / Hiney ✖ Jocelyn Haversat / Tric (Electric Lizard) Birgit Kemper / Mother Nature ✖ Dianne M. LeBlanc / Neon ✖ Shalin Desai / Shay Scott French / Hooti ✖ Hudson Geiger / Moe ✖ Peggy Hawkins / Advil Jonathan Kemper / Between Andre Leiwen / Harvey Wallbanger ✖ Linda Deyling / Bluebird Dan Fritz / Cheese Lucas Gentry Erica Hayden / Thistle ✖ Jason Kennamer / Rock Boat ✖ William Leslie LeMieux / MASLOW ✖ Andrea Deyling-Hobbs / Hakuna Matata Marisa Fritz / Mak Andrew George / General Burnsides ✖ John Hayes / Gravel Boy Tori Kent / Tortoise Chim Lev / Road Runner ✖ Johathan Didner ✖ David Funkhouser / Funk David Getchel / Lunchbox Rachel Hecht / Duck!!! ✖ Stanley Ketchel / Slowski ✖ Elizabeth Ann Lewis / Towanda ✖ Nhan Diep / Hands N Mouth ✖ Thomas Furey / Stately ✖ Allison Ghaman / Knock on Wood Hunter Heiney / Cambo ✖ Deidre Kibbie / Pony Puncher ✖ James Lewis / GRIZLY1 Tyler Dingfelder / Hot Wheels ✖ Paul John Fuzinski / Bronco Justin Gibbs / Mushu ✖ Dennis S. Heller / Snowhead ✖ Megan Kidston / Bearcat ✖ Kristen Lewis / Forever ✖ Clifford Worth Dixon / Clean Cut ✖ Zachary Fyffe / Sweeteyes ✖ John Gillespie / Dizzy Jimmie Hellstroem / Hailstorm ✖ Kevin Kiernan / Possible ✖ Tim Ligon / Whip ✖ Nicholas Dobbs / MacDaddy Brent Gaither / Super Glue ✖ Justin Gilpin / Yonder Michael Hemmerle / Samson-the-Bear ✖ Kerry Killebrew / Falcon Theodore Lindman / Go Hard Hannah Dobson / Rabbit Brion Gallagher / O David Gilrein / Deadline ✖ John Hepp / Bengal John ✖ Clifford King / Just Dad ✖ Reiner Linke / Beetle ✖ Jessica Dodds / Myles ✖ Scott Gardner / Freebyrd ✖ Noah Ginsberg / Bluebeard Emily Herman / Mooch Elizabeth King / Blazer Adam Lint / Hook Eric Dolak / Chef ✖ William J. Garlinghouse / L. DOG ✖ Constantine Gletsos / Picador Sarah Hersey / Pinecone Matthew King / Pyro Jeffery Lister / PA Trail Runner Gary Dollman / Wookie Alex Garner / RED Joshua B. Glick / Lone Ranger Allyson B. Hester / Clarity Samuel Kirschbaum / Karaoke John P. Litherland / Piper Thomas Dondeneau / Little Brother ✖ Heath Garner / Cruise Control ✖ Harrison R. Glicklich / Just Harry ✖ Jacob Hewitt / Rocko ✖ Carey Kish / Beerman ✖ Mackenzie Lloyd / Gangrene ✖ Jerry Doran / Jerry Jude Goch / Nobody ✖ John Hildebrand / Sycamore ✖ Jonathan Klassen / Big Brother Barkley Logan / Blister Babe ✖ Sara Douma / Stretch Robert Gonnelli / Kodak Jared Hill / Hot Pants ✖ Rance Kleiber, Sr. / EZ Kurt Lohide / Phantom ✖ André Douzant / Selfie Paul Goransson / TARman Rita Hill Terry Dowdry / Soda ✖ Elliot Gorr / Elliot Jeremy R. Hillner / Spongebob Kirk Dresden, Jr. / ToSol Michael J. Goshey / Maxheap ✖ Kevin Hilsey / jikido ✖ Nicole Dresher / Falling Angel Emily R. Gosselin / Rocket Chris Hirsch / TARPMAN ✖ Russell Dresher / Night Terror William A. Gouveia, Jr. / Billy the Kid Terry Lynn Hodge, Jr. / Tweet ✖ Wesley Dry / Raiden ➊ Joe Farrand & Terry Danielle Granaroli / Janezilla ✖ Jevin Hoeper / Orange Crush ➋ ➌ ✖ Sam Ducharme / Sam I Am Hodge & Kevin & ✖ Kevin E. Gratz / Silverback ✖ Brenda M. Holdener / Iron Lady Aimee Case ✖ Ron Dumoff / Old Sherpa Jeff Green John Hollis / Shark Bait Michael W. Dunavent / Wildcat Marc Greenwald / SkyWatcher ✖ Ryan Holody / Chewbacca ✖ Elena Dunckel / Smiles Arlene Gregoire / Eveready ✖ Catherine C. Hopkins / Salix & Sojo Spring 2016 ✖ Douglas E. Dvorak / Just Doug Fedelina Gross / Sunshine Denise Horen / Nemo ✖ Elysha M. Dyer / Yard Sale ✖ Marvin Gross / Mango Susan Hornbuckle / Cashmere 34 Sean Eaton / Bigfoot ✖ McLane Grow / Die Hard Mark R. Horne / 1Step ✖ Paul C. Ebert / Good Enough ✖ Timo Grueneberg / U Haul ✖ Carol Horowitz / Penguin ✖ Kellie Eldridge / Smoke Signal Andreas Gruenhage / Andreas Shane Horvath / Tilt ✖ Mohamed Elerman / Flame ✖ Gregg Gruschow / Fire Man ✖ Paul E. Hosier / Seaoats ✖ ✖

A.T. Journeys A.T. Nicole Eller / Blue Kazoo Mariah Guay / Flame Thrower Claude Houge / Pilgrim ✖ Melissa S. Emmerson / Swampy Aubrye Gugger / The Aristocrats ✖ Ann Houghton / Mountain Ann Michael L. Episcopo / Drifter Ian Gugger / Thomas O’Malley ✖ Rachel Hoyt / Queen Bee ✖ Kayla Epperhart / Happy Baby Hannah Guilford / Shine On ✖ Edward Hubbard / Ideas Anthony V. Esposito / Rolling Thunder Janto Gundlach / Open Oliver Hudgins / Roker Keelin Esposito / Brightside Alison Gutacker / Little Goat Martin Huettl / McFly Joe Estes / Pilgrim Matt Gutacker / Yellow Beard ✖ Richard Humphries / Buckle ✖ Sol Adrian Everett / Vanguard Rex Gutsue / Numbers ✖ Colin Hutchison / Nazi Surfer ✖ Gordon Ewald / Euchre ✖ Melanie Guzek / Rainbow Snow Zombie ✖ Richard Knight / French Press Gregory Eynon / Chuckles ✖ Melissa Guziak / Moment ✖ James Huth / Smasher Jeremy Koch / Mud Socks #124 Debra Barton, Cindy Jack Farley / Squire ✖ Robert Leo Haase III / Heavyweight Mary Ann Hyde / Little Engine That Could ✖ Robert E. Koch / Tiger Bob Spangler & Melanie ✖ Woody Farmer / Dancing Bear Martin Haendl / Arrow ✖ Emily Ingram / Voyageur ✖ Nikolaus Kolb / Klaus Harmon ✖ Adrian R. Farrall / Pace Penny Hainer / Outlier Allison Irion / E-brake Daniel Koning / Smoke ✖ Monica A. Farrall / Mac Kasey Hale / TANK ✖ James Irvin / Twister ✖ Kathleen Koning / Splash ✖ Joseph Farrand / Yoyo ✖ Kevin B. Halsey / Bull Sami Ishac / Taco ✖ Melissa Kowalinski / Gypsy William Michael Farrell / Oyster Andrew Hambrick / Tigger ✖ Dakota C. Jackson / Artichoke Tosha Kowalski / Skittles ✖ James Fath / Don vino Brent Hambrick / Simple Man Kurtis Jackson / Hoot ✖ Hank Krakat / Horse André Aubin Faubert / Double Down Colette Hambrick / Chocolate ✖ Tobias Jaeschke / Mr. Clean Jae Kramisen / Scribbles ✖ Michael Faulkner / Better Corban Hambrick / Mud Magnet ✖ Jonathan Jeffery / NeeMor Jared Krechko / Turbo Than Expected Elizabeth Hambrick / Lollipop Mark Jeglinski / Jig Aaron Krevans / Hobbit(s) Rebecca Loo / Fuzzy Walkins Michael Fermin / Rhino Luke Hambrick / Turbo Clayton Jernigan / Clay Robert Krieger / Rise ✖ Adam Loyd / Adam ✖ Jodie Fernald / Haulin’ Oats Matthias Hambrick / Dash ✖ Andrew Jezewski / Big Easy ✖ Andrew J. Kruis / High Life ✖ Mary Lukasiewicz / Frostbite Jake Filisky / Butcher ✖ Sarah J. Hamilton / Waiting ✖ Greg Johns / Just Greg ✖ Sarah Kruis / Wisconsin ✖ James Lunning / Attrition ✖ Norm Findley / T.P. ✖ Andrew S. Hamm / Gordon Gekko ✖ Lester Johnson / Blue Toes ✖ Emmi Laakso / Frozen Mac Reneé Lupien / Storybook ✖ Sylvia Fine / Siva ✖ Teri Hanavan / Hopper ✖ Seth J. Johnson / Strech Justine LaFernére / Axon Brian Luzader / Dr. Pickles Matthew Fioramonti / Mirage Geoff Hancock / Rookie ✖ Skip Jonas / Strider Patrick Lalonde / High-Five ✖ Tina Luzader / Mockingbird ✖ Willis Fireball / Fireball SoBo ✖ Michelle Hand / Apple Cider Eric Jones / Yoohoo ✖ Rob Lamar / Wreck ✖ Brendan Lyons / Lionheart ✖ Dominique Fischer / Take It Easy Michael Handwerker / Hip ✖ John Kaizar / Comrade ✖ Brian Lambert / Slider John J. Lysaght, Jr. / Lean To ✖ Bennett Fisher / Jolly ✖ Courtney Hans / The Countess Coco ✖ Sarah Kaizar / Moon Unit Mark Land / Mouse ✖ Y Elaine Ma / T-Storm ✖ Henry Fisher / Powerslide ✖ Winnie Hardy / Shadow of a good bear Sean Kamp / P-Diddy Robert Landauer / Coyote ✖ Heidi Madsen / Clark Kent ✖ Katie Fleming / Yoda Melanie Harmon / Gamel Chris Karcz / Bloop, Bleep David Alan Lane / Squarepeg Vincent Magnoux / Shrugs Tim McWade / Riddler ✖ Paul Pavlides / Wheaties ✖ Alan Richardson / Call Me Al ✖ Alfred Sauld / Papa Al ✖ James Meehan / Uphill Rocky Pearson / Hare ✖ John Richardson / Ramenjohn ✖ Natalie Sawn / Pocahontas Eric Meeks / Socrates Bo Peaseley / Typo ✖ Graydon Rickert / Smiles David Sayers / Mr. Clean James A. Meeks / Maverick Robert Peck / Silent Bob Christopher A. Rider / Shaggy Jay Sayers / Mountain Goat John Melanson / J² ✖ Douglas J. Pecot / Croc Rocket ✖ Victor Riffle / Scooby ✖ Julie Sayles / Little Bear Judi Melanson / J² Joseph Pendleton / Hare Katrien Rigo / Akela Ariela Schear / Willow Luis Melodelgado / Luis Virginia Pendleton / Temper ✖ Judy Riley / Dancer ✖ Kathryn Schertz / Doc Kate Kasey Merritt / South Paw ✖ David Penniston / BWR ✖ Michael Risano / M & M Dan Schmidt / Top Fuel ✖ Michael G. Merwin / Half-life Michelle Pérez / Timber Joseph Risi / Tick Tock ✖ Janet Schmidt / Green Fire ✖ Candace Mickle / Woodchuck ✖ James-David Perkins / Cornsilk ✖ Benjamin Rizy / Kaiser Feedbag ✖ Curtis E. Schmitt / Low Profile ✖ Carlos Miera ✖ Matt Perrenod / Homeless/Priest ✖ Stephen Roberts / Tally ✖ Katarina Schneider / Kat Arin Miller / Click-Clack ✖ Clayton F. Perry / Ridge Rambler Ryan Robertson / Sh*t-To-Do ✖ Alan Schoen / Chat Cat Matt Miller / Gator Dale Perzanowski / Nurse ✖ Alexander Scott Robinson / Superman ✖ Andrew Schubauer / Slingshot ✖ Steven D. Miller / Night Candy David Peterkin / Red Pepper ✖ Stanley J. Rock / Sidetracker & The Hairy Missile William J. Miller / Hot Sauce ✖ Mark Petermann / Moody 9 Anthony Rodriguez / Rockfish ✖ Jason Schultz / Scribe ✖ Jessica Mills / Dixie ✖ Jordan Peters / Safari ✖ Norma Minar / DROPKNIFE ✖ Amanda Phillips / Chesapeake Phillip Mizell / Phil Colton Pierce / Foxtrot William A. Modrall / Diesel ✖ Barbara A. Pippenger / Virginia Beach Nathan Mogan / Morning Wood ✖ Nicholas Mokhiber / Birthday Bear ✖ Richard T. Monahan / Shoe’s Cassandra A. Morecroft King / Kamikaze Lily Morgan / Secret Squirrel ✖ Nathan Mori / Dirty Nate ✖ Robert Morin / Red Hot Norman Morris / Jingles Dwayne L. Morrison / Mountainman

Jacob Maheu / Mass Sarah Y. Morse / Leap Frog ✖ Dan Maloy / Gray Ghost ➊ 1 Andrea Deyling-Hobbs & ✖ William Moyer / Fireball Sobo ✖ ➋ Elise Mann / Giggs Linda Deyling Shalin Desai Molly Moynihan / Dirtface ➌ Anna Zailik & Colton Pierce Paul Mann / Walkie-Talkie ✖ Gregory Muenchow / Uhaul ✖ Joseph Marchione / Gimpy ✖ Connor Mullen / Seeker ✖ Jeffrey L. Marion / Dr. LNT Ashley Mullins / Stoat Spring 2016

Spring 2016 ✖ Spencer Marple / Mismatch Sharon Mullins / K.y.a. Breeze ✖ Christian Marshall / Coin Toss ✖ Andrew Cobb Murphy / The Law ✖ 37 36 Blake Martin / BirdMan ✖ David C. Nauss / Gasman

Bob Martin / Mr. Pink ✖ John Nethercut / Coffee John

Bryan D. Martin / Tarzan ✖ Levi Newbury / Sir Scrabble ✖ Jeremy Martin / J-Rock ✖ A. Wayne Newton / Fig ✖ Timothy Martin / Yoseki Skywalker ✖ ✖ A.T. Journeys A.T.

A.T. Journeys A.T. Dennis R. Newton / Trail Pilgrim Benjamin E. Pitts / Prefontaine ✖ Felix Martinez / Funcle Andrew Neylon / Bookworm ✖ Michael Pleiss / Tiger Mike ✖ Ted Mason / Happy Quoc Nguyen / Magic ✖ Bret Popp / Non Toxic ✖ Richard N. Massie / Roub Jack Nichols / Cuatro Alexandria Potocki / Harken ✖ Wade H. Massie / Bad Foot Laura Nolte / Flair ✖ Robert G. Powell / River Dawg

Emma Mathis / Laces Jon Noltie / Redbeard ✖ Nicholas P. Power / Spinoza

Raphael Matto / Ice Cream Emily Nuckols / Sweet Roll Carilyn Powers / Mushroom ✖ Kimberly Maxwell / Hollywood ✖ Paul Nuckols / Beyonce Zachary Prediger / Weeble Wobble ✖ Trey Michael McBride / Spooner Shelley Nuckols / Frito ✖ Barbara Prescott / Hatorade ✖ Glenn B. McCombs / Mac Gyver ✖ Jeffrey Ochoa / Sugar ✖ Marc Putzi / Ten Speed John Rogowski / Amish ➊ Eva Berndt ➋ Liz Wojcicki,

Amy McConaughy / Flynn ✖ Douglas G. Odell / Jedi Ingo Rabeler / YOLO ✖ Art Rohr / Two Bad Dogs Emily Leonard, Kim Crisman

Jeff McConkey / Hot Pants ✖ Joseph O’Donnell / Psych ✖ Seth Rackley / A-Town Marcia Roland / Smasher & Stephanie Harvie ✖ Peggy McConnell / Mighty Mouse ✖ Dirk Oesterle / Earth Katie Rapp / Captain Planet David Ross / Jumanji

Kevin McCormack / Solo ✖ John-Christopher Ogden / As They Martin Ratsch / Breakless Jesse Ross / Cakebo$$ ✖ Bryan McCullough / Binjali Say in Mexico ✖ Ron Read / The Sweaty Yeti Kory Ross / Cash ✖ Jade McFadden ✖ Gregory Ohlsen / Tex ✖ Chris Reamer / Cyclops/Cloppy Jim Rossini / Yankee ✖ Michael McFadden / ? Roger Oldaker / S.S. Britman ✖ Gregory M. Reck / Rocketman ✖ Leigh Rothermel / Starcrunch

Richard McGarrell / Moonwatcher ✖ Catie Olszewski / Paradox Stephanie Redick / Banana Boat ✖ Topi Ruohisto / Finn Jeffrey F. Schutz / Magnet ✖ Jennifer McGarvey / Wonderland ✖ Chet Orton / Chet ✖ Hannah Redmon / Zucchini ✖ Susan Rush / WalkerBee Madelena Scotto / Moxa

Zach McGarvey / Twilight Zone ✖ William C. Oster III / Squirrel ✖ Clifton Reeder / Honeybuns Gregory Ryan / The Cheeseburglar ✖ David Seamans / Beowulf ✖ Kevin McGovern / Coyote Matthew Otremba / Jeopardy Nicholas Reichard / CLICK Paul Ryland / Finn Tessa Searle / Lorax

Phillip Kirkwood McIntosh / Lifeboy ✖ Tom Overbaugh / Fudge Foot Alana Reid / Muddy Duckling ✖ Bob Saari / WANABE Christina Seiler / Luna

Alexis McKenzie / So Way ✖ Sara Packin / Sassafras Lindsey Reid / Fire Bear ✖ Alicia Salyers / Murphy’s Law ✖ Marcus Seitz / Putt-Putt ✖ Scott McKenzie / Cookie Monster ✖ Jessica Page / Mama Long Legs ✖ Michelle Revoir / PR Barbie Amy Elizabeth Samp / Chicago ✖ Sheila Seitz / Tumble

Theodore McKenzie / Thor Josh Panchision / CatDog ✖ Matthew Reynold / Hazmatt Morgan Sandera / Steel Foot ✖ Kyungsuk Seo / Solar Body ✖ Lara McLellan / TR Eddie Paniccia / Buster ✖ Mary Rhyner / Knitter Jonathan Sansoucy / Peaceful Warrior Kyle Settlemyre / Greywolf ✖ Al McLemore / El Caminero Stacie Parker / Trail Mom! ✖ Thomas Rhyner / Weirman ✖ James Sapcoe / Gray Goat Shaun E. Sexton / NTN ✖ James B. McMath III / Boyd Paul K. Parmer III / WALRUS ✖ Gary U. Richard / Giuseppe ✖ Peter W. Sauber / Just Pete Eric Shaw / D.G. (Delayed ✖ Devon McPhee / Pockets Christina Parson / LOG ✖ Gary U. Richard / Giuseppe ✖ William J. Sauber / Ironman Bill Gratification) ✖ Michael J. McPheron / Houdini ✖ Paige Pasquini / fiddlehead James J. Richards / Happy Warrior ✖ Angela Sauer / Squirrel Jordan Sherbet / Fozzie Greg McWade / Sir Iasis Michael Patota / Robin Robinson Jesse Richards / Slugbait Kelsey Sauer / Spock ✖ Siobhan Sheridan / Drop Bear ✖ Tracie K. Winters / South Pole Trevor Wire / Taco ✖ Joseph Wodnik / Big Sky Liz Wojcicki / MAPS Kelly Wood / Rain Drop ✖ Renea T. Woodard / Speck ✖ Timothy Neal Woody / Ropeburn ✖ Jennifer D. Wright / wanderwoman ✖ Gillian Wyman / Uncommon ✖ Mark Yaeger / Yaeger ✖ Pat Yale / Dish ✖ Kylie Yang / Sugar Magnolia ✖ Howard Yates / Trail Dog Robin Yates / Crumbs Jeffrey C. Ylitalo / Happy ✖ Anna Zailik / Woodstock ✖ Benedict M. Zappone / Slapshot ✖ Danne Zerow / Trudge James Zeske / Ole Skool Mitchell Zinck / Cookie Monster ✖ Beth Zivitski / Mother Nature 2014 ✖ Robert Anderson / JEB Brendan Avery / Giggles ➊ Marie Fogle ➋ Robert Capo Zachary T. Barger / Zachsquatch Don Barnett / Mushmouth Caitlin Belcher / Lopsang Jonathan M. Bent / Rikki Tikki Tavi Kurt Bramel / Fitty Shrimp Anna Brand / Scout Belle Buterbaugh / Yellow James Buterbaugh / Mellow Michael Byrne / Senator Spring 2016 Spring 2016 Haley Choice / Sunshine 38 Andrea M. Clement / Dandelion 39 ✖ Christopher TeBeau / Redlocks Brandon Chapman Cline / Johnny Laura tenPas / Tough Lil Biscuit Appleseed Todd tenPas / Optomist Dan Codispoti / Spot ✖ Marcia Terry / Tumbler Aeriel Corey / Goat Girl A.T. Journeys A.T. A.T. Journeys A.T. ✖ Winston Terry / Ratman David Dalger / Merman ✖ Zachary Thomas / Jokes Daniel Evan Day / Sloth ✖ J. Oliver Tilley / Werewolf Eric Denemark / Morning Joe Jody Tinsley / Brightwings Katherine Denemark / Roots ✖ Josh Tippett / Cheesebeard David Dodds / Navigator ✖ Quentin Tobey / Q-Tip Jimi Driscoll / Slim Jim Clint Tokash / Burrban ✖ Derrick G. Earls / Smooth D Robert Torbert / Wayfarer Eric von Gleich / Rusty ✖ Thom Wham / Obsolete Hunter Eggleston / Rafiki Kevin Tostenson / Hardcore ✖ Laura Wacker / Granma LaLa ✖ Patty Wheelbarger / Yoda John Ellison / Rarebreed ✖ John M. Treacy / Messy Garage Nick Wagers / Parks ✖ Scott Whipps / Ten Year Jason Douglas Elwood / Bamboo ✖ John K. Treiber / John Len Caspar Wagner / Not Swedish ✖ Brad Whitcomb / Walnut Haley Evans / Hawkeye ✖ Scott Eugene Shipley / Eternal Scout Theresa Smith / Hummingbird ✖ Andrew Stephens / Sunshine Jessica Somos & Scott Webster ✖ Patty A. Troutman / Bottle Cap Aaron Walker / Power House ✖ Joel A. Wier, III / NAMI Michael J. Ewald / Big Cheese ✖ Kyle Shirley / Swahili Liz Snyder / Yellow Bird Joseph Stephenson / Spike ✖ Richard C. Troutman / Steppin Wolfe ✖ Emily Walker / Spice ✖ Colin Wiesner / Miles John D. Fleming / Hey Everybody ✖ Matthew Shirley / Paul Soderberg / WIRED ✖ Sarah Sterman / Pacecar R.J. Turcotte ✖ Roger Walker / Soft Pedal ✖ Kevin Wietrzykowski / Captain K Calvin Froedge / Bear Bait ✖ Allison Page Short / Timber Joseph Solis / Gandalf DA Brown ✖ Cynthia M. Stevens / Hopscotch Daniel Turkington / Wild Turkey ✖ Sarah Walker / Mighty Mouse ✖ Dylan Wilcox / Baby Blue Ryan Gallagher / The Fonz ✖ Walter Shroyer / Treeartist ✖ John Sommers / ✖ Kerry Stewart / Cyndi Loppers ✖ David Tyrrell / Gator Cooper Walter / Milky Pancake ✖ Russell Wilcox / Desolation Row Thomas Gary / Zig ✖ Daniel Shumac / PaPa ✖ Jim Sowell / Dirt Time Michael Stewart / Stew ✖ Lynn Udick / Two Bad Dogs ✖ Luke Ward / 20 Names Charlie Wilkinson / Chuckles Bill Griffiths / Woodman ✖ Daniel Shumate / Twister ✖ Cynthiana Spangler / Loon ✖ Pat Stith / Lucky ✖ Penny Studt / Woodstock Patrick Alan Uecke, Jr. / Cakes ✖ Chance M. Ware / Smokey Bear Victoria Wilkinson / Little Red Ralf Gunkel / Catch Up Steve Silva / Not Yet ✖ Randal McDonald Speakman / Teddy Bear Hannah Stolba / Deer Dog ✖ Michael Stuman / Rain Check ✖ Mike Unger / AYCE Cory Washburn / Body Glide ✖ Reed Willard / Detox Riley Hall / Smokey ✖ Gregory M. Simmons / Mufasa ✖ Edd Spencer / Piece of Cake ✖ Mark Stoltzfus / Proudfoot ✖ Philip Svartoien / Wilson Stewart Urist / Ascot ✖ Su Wasseluk / Clover Jack Willett / J.W. Just Walking Abril Hammerstone / Pilot ✖ Gaby Sippel / Pinocchio Joel Spinney / Lumberjack Kyle Stone / K2 Sarah Svendsen / Blue ✖ Phillip A. Valentine / Right Click ✖ Graham William Watson / BossAnova Christy Williams / Fancy Pants Andrea Hasselbacher / Caboose Scott Skrabal / Jarhead Paul Spranklin / Wind Zachary Starer Stor / Bostrich ✖ Chris Swanson / Pegleg ✖ Earl J. Vallery, Jr. / Magnus ✖ Neal Watson / Spoon ✖ Erin Denny Williams / Genesis Thomas Hawkes / Terrapin ✖ David Slaten / ISO ✖ Jeremy Stank / Slim or Fatboy Slim ✖ Kaitlyn Storey / Tink ✖ Walter E. Swartz / Machine ✖ Jessica Vanderveldt / Burl Nicholas Way / Tunez ✖ Jimi Williams / ¡Fuego! ✖ Matthew Hickes / M ✖ Maggie Slepian / Honey Badger Van Staskus / 2G ✖ Will Stowe / Gruffalo ✖ Bruce Sweet / 14 ✖ Nicholas Vanderveldt / Tree Beard Crystal Weaver / Caboose Bobby Williamson / Boomer ✖ Bill Hofman / Zest Adam Smith / Headlights ✖ Clinton Stauff / Silent Force ✖ Joseph Stradley / Lorax! Thomas Swiader, Jr. / Easy Strider ✖ Lelia B. Vann / Princess ✖ Ryan Weaver / Hummer Michelle M. Wills / Chell Jake Januszanis / Roadrunner David Smith / Weedeater ✖ John Stebbins / Big Sky ✖ Joseph Strain / Fireball ✖ Buzz Sztukowski / Caboose ✖ Matthew Vaughan / Ironman ✖ Tory Webb / Heat Pack ✖ Beth Wilson / Skeeter Robert Jenrow / Dad! ✖ Glenn P. Smith / Sir ✖ Patti L. Stechschulte / Beacon Daniel Stratton / Blue Collar Russ Tamashiro / Hollywood Ryan Vaughan / Ryan Ben Weiserbs / Rebel Yell ✖ John L. Wilson / MoFo (Moving Cat Kelley / Slim ✖ James Smith / Plank ✖ Larry Stefanick / itinerary ✖ Theodore Strelecky / Mantis Lai Tang / Rabbit ✖ Arthur Veilleux / Wharton ✖ Marcus Reid Welker / Kaleidoscope Forward) Jenette Kloss / Swish ✖ Jesse Smith / Packman Scotia Stein / Eclipse Horst Strunk / Bigmountie Todd Tapper / Stumbles ✖ Gleb Velikanov / Drugstore ✖ Nadia Westenburg / Furball ✖ Donald N. Windsor / SALTY DOG Robert Langer / milkmonsta Robert Smith / Peter Pan ✖ Scott Steiner / Old School ✖ JoAnne G. Studer / Food Truck Bryce Taylor / Ox ✖ Michael T. Venus / Ice Man Mark N. Weyer / Rebel Yell ✖ John Wingren / Southside ✖ Ryan Legits / Achilles ✖ Spencer Smith / Fairway Tobias K. Stenberg / WALL-EE ✖ Mike Studt / Scruffs ✖ Jonathon Teach / Ambassador Stephen McClain Vilsack / WYE KNOT Bernard Weymouth / Lone Wolf John Winter / Young Gun Carsten Lenz / Ginko ✖ Tony Timberway / Ruger ’12 Charles Gross / Cheese Jennifer L. Cicchetto Tuthill / Seeks Chayah ’12 Ryan Kippeny / Bison Stephen Underkofler / Cobble ’12 Jonathan Lundy / Grundlehammer Katherine Ann Vance / Phoenix ’12 William A. Martin / YoYo Will Vonk / Speedy G. ’12 Devin M. Rodgers / Pan-American Alexander D. Wallace / Sweet Siesta Birdman Beau Welder / Straight Up ’11 Dan Codispoti / Spot Holly Welder / Strogi Yogi ’11 Eugene M. Kancianic / Mr. K. ✖ Brenan A. West / Squanto ’11 Nelly van de Mortel / T Gary White / Walter White ’11 William Van den Bogaard / DD Thomas Williams Jr / Ranger ’10 Gregory Stevenson / One Life Zima Wood / Zima ’09 Bartholomew Lindberg / Bambam Russell Woron-Simons / ShakesBear ’09 Drew Mintz / Muscles ✖ Ethan Wright / Berenstein Bear ’08 Colleen Contrisciane Lewis / ✖ Kyle Zalaski / Frankenstein Forest Gimp Cassra Zareie / Gonzo ’08 Loduska Schook / Butterfly Moon ’07 Patrick Dean / Chilly ’04 Dan Codispoti / Spot 2013 – 1976 ’04 Jorma Hale / Slimer ’13 Nicholas Burns / MacGyver ’03 Dan Codispoti / Spot Maureen Lewis / Little Bit ’13 James Burns III / Dr. Seuss ✖ ’02 Julia Duren / Jules Benjamin Lutter / Buckeye Jeff DeTroye ’13 Philip M. Cash Jr. / Big Dog ’02 Nashira Leigh Tuting / Moonshine

James Manley / jman ’13 Alexandra Edwards / Chicory ’01 Jeff T. Graves / Graveytrain Connor Matheson / Stringbean ’13 Dan Ferguson / Nomad ✖ ’00 Bill Hofman / Down Hill Amalia Matthewson / Toast ’13 Aaron Gillett / Huckleberry 1998 Dan Codispoti / Spot ✖ Julie McPherson / Mama Bear ✖ ’13 Glenn Harman / Oboe Hobo 1993 Jason P. Lee / Salamander John Mudrey / Johnny Walker ’13 Jason Jones / Red Rocket ✖ 1979 Jerry Doran / Jerry Trevor Oelrich / Cannon ’13 Krystal K. Miller / Bear Snack 1979 Jim Schaffrick / Aaron V. Ruecker / Oregon Jessica Pearson / The Inventor ’13 Zachary Moeller / 1978 Brett O’Brien / Kevin Shivers / Late Start Connor J. Powell / Lighthouse ’13 Garrett Muro / Garbear 1978 Gary Taylor / Lem ✖ Peter M. Smith / No Big Deal ✖ Logan Vincent Pratt, Jr. / Carolina Blue ’13 Maggie Petersen / Copperhead 1976 John J. Michel / Trudge William Sullivan / Stretch Ray Reynoso / Geared Up ✖ ’12 Matthew J. Berlett / Testament Shawn Summers / Upgrade ’12 Matt Buchan / 2/3 Michael Roberts / Butterscotch

Julian Tapia / Youngbeard Spring 2016 Spring 2016 Emily Rolando / Reach ’12 Jillienne Chavet / Sketch Megan L. Thompson / Volde Meg ’12 Michael Ervin / Animal 40 Robert W. Rose / Hercules 41 A.T. Journeys A.T. A.T. Journeys A.T. ORDER SOON! DEADLINE JULY 1

Building a stronger A.T. Community brick by brick The Community Pathway Project is an opportunity for community members and A.T. enthusiasts to pay tribute to the A.T. and the Trail Community of Damascus, Virginia. Custom-engraved bricks are available for a $100 donation to benefit the town of Damascus and the ATC. Bricks will be installed in the downtown Damascus sidewalk where the A.T. passes directly through. A classic summer evening on the bald at Big Yellow Mountain in the Roan Highlands. The Greater Roan Highlands Landscape is a roughly 65,000-acre project area that encompasses a mosaic of private and public lands and includes one of the richest collections of biodiversity on the planet. Spring 2016 43

InIn NNovemberovember 1974,1974, AnnAnn SSaatterthwtterthwaiaitete deldeliiveredvered aa Journeys A.T. paperpaper thatthat presentedpresented aa boldbold visionvision forfor thethe AppalachianAppalachian TTrailrail toto celebratecelebrate thethe AppalachianAppalachian TTrailrail Conference’sConference’s 50th50th anniversary.anniversary. InIn directdirect relationshiprelationship toto BBentonenton MMacKaye’sacKaye’s originaloriginal notion,notion, sheshe imaginedimagined aa broadbroad landscapelandscape surroundingsurrounding thethe TTrailrail thatthat transcendedtranscended traditionaltraditional boundariesboundaries andand landland designations.designations. SatterthwaiteSatterthwaite calledcalled itit anan AppalachianAppalachian TTrailrail GreenwayGreenway andand describeddescribed aa vastvast “greenbelt”“greenbelt” thatthat wouldwould notnot justjust protectprotect thethe TTrailrail corridor,corridor, butbut connectconnect thethe footpathfootpath toto thethe countrysidecountryside andand showcaseshowcase thethe richrich cultural,cultural, economic,economic, andand historichistoric diversitydiversity ofof communitiescommunities fromfrom MMaineaine toto Georgia.Georgia.

Photo by Travis Bordley By Jack Igelman At the time, her study brought needed attention to the Trail and helped secure millions of dollars in funding for the A.T. during the Carter “The reason so many people have powerful administration, according to the Ap- palachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) experiences on the A.T. is driven by more than director of conservation, Laura Bel- just walking on the footpath … memories leville. But the momentum generated by Satterthwaite’s lofty proposal faded can happen on your way to the Trail or in the as the ATC’s push focused on complet- community you stopped in for food or ing protection of the last 200 miles of the Trail. to spend the night.” Still, the ATC’s director of land- scape conservation Dennis Shaffer says her work wasn’t in vain, and is definitely an inspiration. “Ann’s work was an important bridge to MacKaye’s experience since he first met a pair of Canadian thru-hikers at a store near original vision that A.T. leaders saw his family’s cottage in Pennsylvania when he was five years old. “I remember and appreciated, but the timing of her talking with them and being fascinated by how many pairs of shoes they’d conservation approach wasn’t ripe gone through,” he recalls. “The reason so many people have powerful experi- yet,” said Shaffer. ences on the A.T. is driven by so much more than just walking on the footpath. Now, more than four decades after The memories can happen on your way to the Trail or in the community you her ambitious proposition, both Shaf- stopped in for food or to spend the night.” Or perhaps explaining to an eager fer and Belleville believe that it’s time lad why you’re on your fifth pair of boots. to widen the scale of Trail protection. And while the core of a hiker’s journey may happen on the Trail where In December of last year, Satterth- the tread meets the dirt, the Landscape Initiative is taking an expansive waite was among several dozen plan- approach to protection that takes a bird’s-eye view of the Trail and considers ners, Trail advocates, and land manag- more than just the footpath. At the meeting, participants poured over maps Spring 2016 ers to discuss the launch of the A.T. of the Trail from Mount Katahdin to Springer Mountain marking and 44 Landscape Conservation Initiative labeling current large-scale conservation initiatives and targeting high- — co-hosted by the ATC and the Na- priority or threatened sections of the Trail corridor. The goal, said Shaffer, tional Park Service — a collaborative was to look at the A.T. landscape as an entire system, rather than a corridor effort of both private and public part- segmented by boundaries.

A.T. Journeys A.T. ners and agencies to conserve ecologi- That’s a perspective Satterthwaite, who was trained as a planner, proposed cal, cultural, historic, and economic in the 1970s. Her view was inspired by English national parks that include values across a wide-ranging area living communities and land uses that are inextricably linked to the surrounding the A.T. The initiative landscape. “When we think about parks in the U.S. we fence them off. I don’t coincides with the 100th anniversary set boundaries myself — I see conservation in much broader terms,” explains the years that followed the release of Satterthwaite’s study was a tremen- Lost Cove Creek — just of the National Park Service whose Satterthwaite. “The A.T. as a spine of the landscape is a wonderful given, but dous achievement (the Trail itself is now 99 percent protected) protecting a few miles from the A.T. “scaling up” strategy promotes large it doesn’t express the extent of what can be done. The Trail has been protected, the Trail experience is perhaps as pressing as ever as iconic vistas, healthy in Avery County — is one of the great secrets in land conservation projects through but how are we connecting the Trail to cities and showcasing the very diverse ecosystems, and irreplaceable cultural, historic, and natural resources are Pisgah National Forest public and private partnerships. communities from Maine to Georgia? That should also be part of the threatened by development. and is as enticing as it “When you think about the origi- experience.” Among the discussions of the December meeting was crafting a vision to sounds. nal, bold vision to create a trail Laura Belleville also participated in the gathering and said that a 30,000- discuss best practices to tackle such an ambitious initiative. One of the through the Appalachian Mountains, foot view of the A.T. may help the ATC grasp less obvious opportunities for conclusions was that a large landscape-scale approach dictates that the ATC protecting the footpath has been the the Trail — as well as threats — that may surface in the future. “I think a and their partners reach out to potential stakeholders who aren’t typically primary effort,” said Shaffer. “I feel like large-scale landscape initiative helps you understand the big questions,” she at the table. Shaffer said that the “tent has been populated by the usual cast this is the next phase of protecting the said. “We like to give areas names and draw lines around places and put them of characters” who are typically recreation, conservation, and natural “Our job is to open a realm. Trail experience.” And while it may be in a political framework, but when you’re dealing with land conservation resource centric. a new stage of protection, he said, it’s that’s not necessarily how it plays out.” Belleville admits that she’s inclined “Landscape level conservation is a huge opportunity to bring together a This is something more than a rooted in the Trail’s earliest begin- to approach conservation from a biological standpoint — for instance, lot of different values. There are so many more opportunities that come to nings: Benton MacKaye’s vision to not understanding how species migrate from one place to another — which bear that really depend on building a broad and diverse coalition,” said Shaf- geographical location — it is just create a 2,000-mile-long trail, but means that how you draw boundaries can be dynamic. fer. “We have an opportunity to broaden the tent.” That future discussion an environment.” a ribbon of green space connecting the Shaffer said that while some of the values that enhance the A.T. experi- may include local officials, planners, and businesses that may have a stake communities around it. ence are tangible and can be defined on a map, such as a viewshed, some in the geography around the Trail. Benton MacKaye While Shaffer has logged three of the values that contribute to a hiker’s experience are nebulous. And While Belleville and Shaffer said the ATC has a proven track record of decades of experience in land conser- that’s just it: a conservation landscape includes not just what you see, but working collaboratively, perhaps no one at the December meeting has a better vation, he’s been captivated by the A.T. what you sense and feel too. While completing protection for the Trail in understanding of a broad approach to large scale landscape conservation Photo by Travis Bordley efforts than North Carolina author and Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy trustee Jay Leutze. Leutze lives in a cabin built by his “Protecting the landscape is rooted in the family on the flanks of Big Yellow Trail’s earliest beginnings: Benton MacKaye’s Mountain, a 5,480-foot bald mountain that’s within an easy stroll of the A.T. vision to not just create a 2,000-mile-long in Avery County, North Carolina. The views from the bald are breathtaking, trail, but a ribbon of green space connecting but are also a window to a much larger the communities around it.” area and inspired an ambitious effort to engage in one of the most substan- tial conservation collaborations in the southern Appalachians in recent de- cades. The Greater Roan Highlands Landscape is a roughly 65,000-acre Carolina] and Carter County [Tennessee] still feel pretty remote from the project area that encompasses a mo- Trail experience,” he said. “I’d say the Roan is a place needing future engage- saic of private and public land holdings ment with the local communities. The [A.T. Landscape] Initiative will succeed that includes one of the richest collec- where there can be a link to the population base.” tions of biodiversity on the planet. One large-scale landscape project that’s made significant headway is the While roughly 20,000 acres is public South Mountain Partnership, a public-private collaborative effort that en- land, the majority of the land within compasses the A.T. in south-central Pennsylvania over a four-county region the landscape is not defined by tradi- that includes a half-million acres. It’s a large scale project that has blurred tional conservation boundaries. But the lines between natural resource conservation and cultural preservation. because of the high recreational, eco- In addition to protecting the scenic qualities of the region, the partnership logical, and scenic value of the Roan is also invested in protecting the cultural and historic context of the region Highlands the region has been on the including the area’s rich civil war history, it’s bucolic farmland, and Native radar of conservationists, including American history to name a few. Spring 2016 Leutze, for decades. Katie Hess, the ATC’s director of the South Mountain Partnership, said 47 “Initially they [private landowners the project has thrived because of a grassroots approach to conservation in the Roan] saw conservation organi- instead of being driven from the top-down. In the decade since the project zations as outsiders,” admits Leutze. began, Hess said they’ve formed critical relationships with municipalities

“They saw us as a branch of govern- and county governments, a task not so easy in a state where people take great Journeys A.T. From top: The South ment, which they saw as limiting ve- pride in local control and aren’t always willing to work across administrative Mountain region hicular access to the beloved mountain boundaries. demonstrates the conservation challenge tops. But people were also becoming Each year, the project presents the Spirit of South Mountain Award to encountered in much of concerned about losing the way they’ve recognize individuals, projects, or organizations that make significant con- the Northeast — that related to the landscape for genera- tributions to advancing a positive and sustainable future for the South of urban and suburban growth into farmland tions. Local folks learned that real Mountain landscape. In 2015, the prize was given to the Franklin County and forestland; In estate developers were a far more seri- Commissioners and Greene Township Supervisors for their cooperation in addition to protecting ous threat to what they treasured than conserving more than 1,100 acres of land. “Residents and local decision the scenic qualities of the region, the South was the U.S. Forest Service or the makers have to be on board,” urges Hess. “If it’s top-down there’s less owner- Mountain partnership Southern Appalachian Highlands ship. Large landscape projects must be driven by locals — that’s the number is also invested in Conservancy.” one takeaway.” protecting its cultural and historic context Shaffer emphasizes that the ATC is The ATC is also in the initial stages of forming partnerships in three — here a group is led sensitive to including local landowners watersheds in the Delaware River Basin in eastern Pennsylvania with a recent on a history hike of and doesn’t want people to see this $82,000 grant from the William Penn Foundation. The funds will be used to the area along the A.T. near Boiling Springs, initiative as a land grab. “We want to develop educational and interpretive materials to help establish a constitu- Pennsylvania. work with willing partners,” he said. ency of supporters in the region. “This is a coalition of network building Hess acknowledges that developing meaningful relationships with po- people who want to work with us.” tential partners takes time. “It’s a long-range approach to conservation. You While projects such as the Greater have to commit for the long haul,” said Hess. That’s something Satterthwaite Roan Highlands Landscape may be a and others within the A.T. community understand all too well. Nearly a model for future collaborations century after, MacKaye’s vision to create a giant wedge of wilderness con- throughout the Trail corridor, Luetze nected to the cities of the East Coast is still a work in progress. “To have a said the project still has a long way to wilderness experience that is so accessible to so many people is remarkable. go. “People in Avery County [North This,” said Satterthwaite, “is just the next chapter.” above left: Photo courtesy of South Mountain Partnership / below: Photo by Kelly McGinley profiles

A.T., and expose more adult leaders in the sionaries and leaders who created it and real estate loans and properties. I have Boy Scouts to the Trail,” he explains. “It has other National Scenic trails. “It allows found that the Trail has provided me of- been so encouraging to see the strong sup- people to recharge themselves from the tentimes with the right antidote for deal- port from the leadership of both the Boy day-to-day stresses of urban living and to ing with stress and challenging situa- Scouts and the ATC for this project.” He reconnect with nature,” he explains, “and tions.” His long-term goal is to section-hike says that, over time, the hope is to achieve allows those who are in transition or re- the entire Trail. He and his business the ATC’s goal of broader relevancy and to turning from military service to deal with partners recently sold their company, allow the Order of the Arrow to serve the [their experiences] and to refocus to the which, he says, will allow him to spend country with a high-profile national service next stages of their lives.” even more time on the A.T. in the near Scout’s project. Greg finds refrain from stress and future. “The Order of the Arrow Service project gusto for life through plenty of outdoor Greg’s family has an equally strong fondness of the outdoors — they enjoy Honor hiking, biking, camping, swimming, and skiing. The entire Winchester clan, which greg winchester has the heart includes six kids (three sons and three and soul of a quintessential Boy Scout. And daughters), has hiked some portion of the he puts that same Scout loyalty, helpful- A.T. with him. “My three sons are Eagle ness, and kindness into his work to protect Scouts and have hiked the Trail through- the Appalachian Trail. He was 16 when he out Georgia. They ‘ve also gone on long- first set foot on the A.T. in North Carolina. distance treks out West and in other parts “An Assistant Scoutmaster with our troop of the country,” he says. “My wife Jan, who in Charlotte had taken his sons on the Trail loves the outdoors, has been very sup- and decided to lead all of us on a weekend portive of me in my various activities with outing [on Roan Mountain],” explains the A.T. and ATC.” Greg. “I was awestruck by the beauty and Greg’s hope and vision as a board mem- the magnificence of God’s creation and Spring 2016 Spring 2016 from that point forward wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) mittee meetings and in his constant ad- Trail whenever I could.” Board of Directors in 2013, he decided to vocacy for the Trail.” Clockwise from left: Greg and his wife Jan on the 48 A.T.; With two of his daughters, Rebecca-Joy and 49 While attending the University of do so because, as he says, “I saw the op- Mary-Elsye, and with one of his sons, Asa, during North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Greg be- portunity to serve with an organization Helpfulness various jaunts on the Trail; Greg and members came a member of Alpha Phi Omega, the where I could use many of my lifelong Since recently becoming a member of the of the Boy Scouts, Order of the Arrow, Georgia A.T. Club, and ATC, during a pilot “day of service” A.T. Journeys A.T. A.T. Journeys A.T. national service fraternity founded by the skills to help maintain and preserve a Georgia Appalachian Trail Club, Greg has project on the A.T. in Georgia last spring. Boy Scouts of America. “Several members national treasure.” With a background in enjoyed learning about the club’s roots. of the fraternity were in leadership roles banking, finance, real estate, nonprofits, “Georgia has a wonderful history of a with the UNC Outing Club and through and conservation, the ATC board was a strong club with great leaders, many of them I joined the club and began to go on perfect fit. “Most of my business activities whom have also served in major leader- is a great way to bring diversity, particu- weekend outings,” he says. “Many of these have been in major gateway cities in the ship roles for the ATC,” he explains. larly youth diversity, to the Trail,” Greg were along the A.T. in North Carolina, U.S. and Europe, and I saw the ATC as a Through his work with the club, he be- explains. “Scouting has been and is be- Virginia, and Tennessee. “Today, I still way to reconnect to conservation and the came part of creating a service project that coming more engaged in servicing under- stay in touch with some of the club leaders great outdoors.” His hard work, innovative would allow the Order of the Arrow Scouts privileged youth and inner city youth; who also share a love for the Trail.” ideas, and enthusiasm led to a quick ad- (Scouting’s Honor Society) to work along- and, over time, I hope that [many more of vancement into his current role as the side the Appalachian Trail Conservancy these young people] will discover and Leading the Adventure board’s vice president. When asked about (ATC) and the Trail maintaining clubs on enjoy the Trail.” He also hopes to see From childhood to fatherhood, Boy Scout that role, he says, “I feel like my greatest a day-long Trail maintenance project. “Last greater support for the ATC from urban to Eagle Scout, Greg stayed close to Scout- impact so far has been to participate in year was our pilot project in Georgia with areas like New York City where he has activities himself – at the forefront ber is that, “we continue to responsibly ing and ended up leading his own three the development of the ATC’s Strategic the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club on some strong business relationships. “Vol- though is hiking. So far, he has hiked fulfill our mission of protecting and main- sons’ troop. “While serving as the Scout- Plan and to share some best practices I Rocky Mountain, which was a wonderful unteering on the A.T. allows participants about 250 miles of various sections of the taining the Appalachian Trail as the master we hiked the Trail in Georgia and have learned from businesses and non- success,” he says. “Our goal this year is to to connect with others who share a love Trail in his home state of Georgia and in World’s premiere long-distance hiking North Carolina many times and used it to profits with the board and ATC staff.” “He expand the service day into North Caroli- for the outdoors and the Trail,” he says. “It North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West trail. As the population of the U.S. grows help engage our youth with the Trail and is a wonderful board member because he na, Tennessee, and southern Virginia. The provides exposure to many fellow citizens Virginia, New Jersey, and New York. “Hik- and hiker participation increases, the ATC backpacking,” he says. Today, Greg serves is always looking for opportunities to long-term goal is to have an annual service from a broad spectrum of backgrounds in ing on the A.T. is reinvigorating for me; will have to address greater and greater on the Board of Trustees of the Northeast promote the Appalachian Trail experience day where the Scouts along the Eastern the U.S., and it unites us toward a com- physically, mentally, and spiritually,” he challenges, threats, and opportunities.” Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts — an and the important role of the ATC,” says Seaboard can work on the Trail in all 14 mon good which serves our country and says. “I have worked in many high pres- And with the help of trustworthy, courte- active and growing council with more the ATC’s executive director Ron Tipton. states with the local A.T. clubs. “This will future generations.” sure roles with financial institutions ous, kind, cheerful, thrifty, and brave than 30,000 members. “Along with many great ideas, he brings provide resources to the clubs, improve Greg believes that experiencing the throughout my career, which included leaders like Greg, that vision will be a When Greg became a member of the much positive energy to board and com- Trail maintenance, engage youth with the A.T. gives one an appreciation for the vi- cleaning up large, troubled commercial flourishing reality. trail Stories

me an advertisement in American Hiker magazine. “This sounds pretty cool, Mom. It says, ‘you can help build a piece of the Appalachian Trail!’ We should do it!” Her excitement reminded me of that summer Saturday so many years before, so I signed us up to work with the Mid- Atlantic Trail Crew on the Jefferson Rock project in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. We had so much fun that we went on to work with the crew on the Peters Moun- tain Shelter in Pennsylvania. Over the next three years, both of my daughters and I worked in Vermont on the Long Trail Patrol and, in 1996, I asked my friend Carol to join in too. Carol and I had been day-hiking sec- tions of the A.T. in Pennsylvania starting in 1995, with friends from the Chester County Trail Club. After we had com- pleted Pennsylvania, it seemed only natural that we would move on to New Jersey, New York, and Maryland. Then Connecticut and Massachusetts. Wait, what about Virginia? We’d better start couple or the other might have missed. olina. There we met up with Carol and her Spring 2016 heading south as well. So began the long It began to look as though we might actu- husband, and we completed the Trail to 50 weekends, then week-long trips, heading ally be able to complete this footpath Springer Mountain in Georgia together. ever farther south (as well as north.) from Georgia to Maine. This left us with only 82 miles in Maine During these years I continued to In 2010, we made our first trip to the — through the Bigelows and over Saddle- work with the Mid-Atlantic Crew on a A.T. in Maine. It wasn’t my first trip to back. My husband crisply pointed out

A.T. Journeys A.T. that we had saved the hardest part for last. On Monday, July 20, we were the first to meet the ferry at the Kennebec River and begin our trek south. Nine My 11-year-old imagination filled with hiking days (and a couple of zeros) later visions of green mountains, rushing creeks, we all crossed the highway outside Rangeley together and got to the car just and the mystery of the woods. “I’m going to as a gray summer rain started to fall. “Patsy! Come look at how far do it, Mom!” I said, excited. My mom passed away in 2013, so I All the Way this trail goes; the sign says it goes the couldn’t tell her that I finally finished the whole way to Maine!” My mom called Trail that went “all the way to Maine.” But, out, waving me over to an informational I have a feeling she knows. By Pat Yale sign at the park we were visiting on one variety of projects — tearing down a Maine – I had been many times as a kid, of our many summer weekend trips. I timber frame barn, building turn-piking, to visit my mom’s family all over the state. Above: Pat and Carol with their wandered over and looked at the sign steps, and water bars, and working on Starting at Jo-Mary Road, we hiked to and Pat Yale and her husband Neal Watson live near husbands Neal and with her, my finger tracing the long dot- Trail re-locations. In 2001, Carol once up Katahdin. That went well; let’s do the Michaux State Forest in Pennsylvania, and continue Kevin on the A.T. ted line that meandered up the map, again joined me to work with the crew. Mahoosuc Notch. Then we were hooked. to work one or more weeks each year with ATC Trail near Stratton Pond in Maine Right: Pat crossing so many states. My 11-year-old There we met and worked with the men We were back the next year to finish the crews. They have participated in numerous projects, with her husband imagination filled with visions of green who are now our husbands. 100-mile Wilderness. OK! At the same including a 2008 relocation near Palmerton, working Neal near Hog Pen mountains, rushing creeks, and the With these new hiking partners we time we were also heading south each year for the ATC Boundary Program in 2009, and 10 Gap in Georgia last summer mystery of the woods. “I’m going to do began completing more sections of the getting closer to Springer. Talk about years working on the Bear Mountain, New York it, Mom!” I said, excited. Of course, life Trail. Of course Carol and I had to re-do burning a candle at both ends. relocation. They are the maintainers for a section gets in the way. some sections so our husbands could Finally, 2015 was our year. In June, my of the A.T. on Peters Mountain in Pennsylvania, and It was 1993, more than 30 years later, “catch up” to where we had hiked. We husband and I hiked south through the are the boundary monitors for the Susquehanna when my own daughter, then 21, showed helped each other fill in sections that one Smokies and on to Franklin, North Car- Appalachian Trail Club. trail giving Brian B King Individual Gifts december – january / donors Keith Knipling Leader C.H. & Jennifer Leavy $100,000 or more Dan & Deanna Lentz Estate of Damon Bee Tom Lingan Judy & Bart Lipofsky Partner Douglas & Marie Liu $50,000 - $99,999 Janet M. Malcolm Lenny Bernstein James Martineau Gayle Maslow Advocate Chris & Valerie Mason Thanks to your incredible $25,000 — $49,999 L. Hardy Mason generosity, this is a very exciting column Lane and ENO have been giving back Robert W. Becker Edward Mattison to write. Because of your dedication and for a long time but in recent years the Steve & Kathi Cramer Jane Mattlin William W. Farkas Ken McClung, Jr. commitment to the Appalachian Trail effort has taken on a life of its own and Rubén* & Valerie Rosales Mary F. McCoy Conservancy (ATC), we exceeded our the ENO ATC DoubleNest hammock Greg* & Jan Winchester Bryant McDaniel fundraising goal in 2015 by more than has resulted in significant income Edward McGrath $60,000. We set an ambitious goal of rais- stream for us (ENO donates 10 percent Protector Jacqueline McKool ing $955,000 in the last quarter of the year of sales to the ATC). It is fitting that in $10,000 — $24,999 Preston & Christy Mitchell T Steve Corman Todd Newnam and we raised more than $1,000,000. the same timeframe the name of Lane’s Norman P Findley* Cherie & Michael Nikosey Thank you! company has become a verb as well as a Edward J. Gehringer Tanya K. Nitterhouse As with most charities, the bulk of noun. In some instances, to “ENO” is to ENO hammocks Mary Higley* & Kyran Kennedy John Noll* our donations come in the last quarter replace your bed with a hammock. Lane, are set up for Estate of Charles Klabunde Alan & Janet Nye of the year, which can create some angst thanks for all you do to promote the hikers to try out Robert* & Catherine Hutchinson Eric & Susan Olson at Damascus Robert Salerno Kevin O’Brien in August as we prepare the budget for Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Trail Days Nat Stoddard* Carl & Susan Overmiller the next year. However, you have always The other donor is Greg Winchester Betsy* & Bob Thompson Andrew Parker been faithful in your generosity and and his wife Jan. I first met Greg when Ron Tipton* & Rita Molyneaux Lewis Parker & Family he joined the Membership and Develop- H.O. Peet Foundation ment Committee of the Board of Direc- Steward Dexter & Betsy Perkins $5,000 - $9,999 Colleen Peterson* tors in 2011. Since then, Greg has Zelie Pforzheimer Bennett Cowan Spring 2016 Spring 2016 jumped head first into leadership at the Beth Bryan Critton* Jennifer Pharr Davis* 52 ATC. He joined the board in 2013 and Audrey H. Duane Tip & Ann Ray 53 became both vice chair of the board and Sam Ferguson Pete & Mary Rentz chair of the Membership and Develop- Pamela & James Grange Lemont K. Richardson Arthur* & Denise Foley Eric Saxe ment Committee in 2015. Not only is he Sandi Marra*& Chris Brunton Linda A. Schlueter A.T. Journeys A.T. A.T. Journeys A.T. a dedicated volunteer of his time, exper- Robert “Rhea” Patrick Judith L. Seay tise, and energy, he is constantly explor- Ann Satterthwaite# Marianne & Jim Skeen Photo by Russell Findley ing new ways for the ATC to reach new Scott Redfern Douglas & Lynn Smith audiences and advocating for the ATC H. Jeffrey # & Carolyn Leonard 2015 2,000-miler Shirley M. Sontheimer and ATC Board James E. Davidson Brian Soucy wherever he is on the planet. It is my Sustainer member Norman Michael & Holly DiFlora Kevin St. Clair great pleasure to work with Greg and I $2,500 — $4,999 Findley completes John Dixon Wayne M. Steger his section hike in Anonymous (2) Kathleen Donaghue & Joseph G. Stuchel am grateful for the leadership example Maine he provides every day. Tockie Baker Kimball Simpson Elwood R. Trumbauer dedication to our mission. As we embark Lastly, the ATC is in the middle of a Charles Clarke Constance Duhamel# & Carrie & Rolf Tweeten Edward*& Janelle Guyot Carolyn Handler William A. Weary on the second year of our Strategic Plan challenging change to our comfortable Ellen Hill David Eddy Marilee Wheeling and it’s very ambitious goals, your com- business processes. These changes, once Audrey King Diana R. Ellsworth Joseph White mitment is needed more than ever if we implemented, will enable you to interact Ned Kuhns Gregg Fellows Gregory Whitehead are going to achieve those goals. with us in a much more personal and Judith McGuire & Arthur Tsien John Freeman Billie Whittaker In this issue we highlight two donors substantial way. We hope that when all Jack & Nancy Milne Richard Gehring & Judy Hill-Gehring Stanley J. Wiegand Michael O’Shea Ron & Jill Balistreri Bryan Green Robert Williams who exemplify their commitment every our data is converted and the new ap- Robert E. Rich# Laura & Buzz Belleville John W. Grumm Kathy Winters day to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. plications deployed you will find more Jim & Kathleen Schrock Mary Blanton Eli V. Hestermann Bob & Carol Wolf First, there is Lane Nakaji and his reasons to stay connected to the ATC Matthew & Julianne Brott Van J. Hill company, Eagle’s Nest Outfitters (ENO). through our website, social media, mail, Supporter Wesley Callender & Pat Davis Catherine Heberding *denotes ATC Board Member phone and, best of all, in person. $1,000 — $2,499 John & Cecilia Carey Arthur & Eloise Hodges annual gift or pledge Anonymous (5) Irad Carmi Daniel A. Howe* # denotes ATC Advisory Circle Connie Abrahams David Carter Ann Hughes member gift during this period My very best, Scott D. Allen Diane Carter Fred M. Hughson Note: Beginning with this issue of Royce W. Gibson / Senior Director of June Amer San Ho Choi & Gwen Kelly Miles Hurley A.T. Journeys, only individual Membership & Development Nancy D. Anthony Diana Christopulos & Mark McClain Robert Hyman & Deb Atwood gifts of $1,000 or more will be Jim Austin Rob Cleveland Geoffrey & Christine James listed; Benton MacKaye Society Susan Baker Stephen Cooke Judy Jenner & Dave Startzell ($500 -$999) members will Edna Baden Robert & Cindy Crossan Irene & David Kay be listed in the Annual Report. Photo by Dan Innamorato Christopher Martin by Amy Shawn & Paula Tsetsilas, In Honor Of In Memory Of Costello-Hogan, Edward Hogan, University of Maryland Cliff Andrew, Ph.D by Dr. Mary Adair by Marsha Resinol Louis & Sandra Rice University College, Steve Charles Bennett Richard Albert by Emile Schmidt, George Matthews by Col. & & Sue West John Ball by Barbara Ball Wolfermann Family Mrs. Bill Davis, USA (Ret) Jean Bangham by James Taggart Edward “Ed” Austgen by Paul & TAKE THE NEXT STEPS WITH US Mike McDermott by Juliet Mancino Phil Barlow by Chuck & Michelle Haluska, Kurt Kenning, Corporate & Georgia McElhaney by Alexander Jody McClurg Mildred Kovachevich & Janet Ober Foundation Gifts Rebecca Barney by Anonymous Beverly Baker Lafollette by David Director’s Circle Robert McKool by Jacqueline ANNUAL FUND Carol & Bill Bock by Marlene Clancy & Christine Sechrist $50,000 and above McKool Grace “Stearman” Brayley Louie Bargmann by Louise Frey The William Penn Foundation Shawn McNeley by Annette LEADERSHIP CIRCLE Childress by John Brayley & Family Brooks, Mary Ann Dundon, John Cote by Micah McMullen Kenneth Bothwell by Margaret Diamond Louise & Frank Golden, Maggie Our Annual Fund giving program has expanded Danny Couch by Allison Williams Bothwell $25,000 — $49,999 Hall, Dwight Mann, Jonathan & Gene Degitz by Lynne Degitz Richard Buchholz by Peggy Bafflin Foundation with new levels and exciting benefits to help us Barb McIntosh, Jerry & Debra Marigold Gatewood Downs by Buchholz F.M. Kirby Foundation McNeley enhance our ability to build a strong foundation Roy & Janie Downs Brian Connors by Jill Magda Squire Patton Boggs LLP Joseph Metz by Linda Bernhardt, Allen Evers by Suzy Boros Gary Cook by Richard Wiley and capacity to fund our Five-Year Strategic Plan. William Clyne Brad Ferguson by Danny Cramer by Elizabeth Coe, Visionary Sam Miele by John & Bernadette Svrcek Amy Heller, Kittie Hook, Rachel $10,000 — $24,999 Kathryn Duggan Keri George by C. Mitchell George Ibarra, Sherri & Stephen Google Mountain View Shay Moorman by Veal Moorman Samuel Gilmore by Paul & Weinstein Harney & Sons Fine Teas Marilyn Napier by Scott & Marje Richter Chad Crawford by Darlene Ellis, Independent Charities of America Betsy Aiman LEADER Beth Griffin by Royce Gibson Judy Lowman, Jon Schauber L.L. Bean John “Butch” O’Meara by $100,000 OR MORE Matt Hassman by Sue & Donald Cutting by Carol Walker QVT Financial LP Beverly O’Meara Earl Helder Jim Deason by Wilma Odlivak Tucker Overbey by Carole & Jill Henry by George Henry W. David Draughon, Jr. by Trail Blazer PARTNER A. Palmer Fousek, Mike Kelly, Kathryn “Dinosaur” Herndon by Greg Denton $5,000 — $9,999 $50,000 - $99,999 Diane Cavin Joseph Frisina, Anne Herndon Margaret Drummond by George American Backcountry Tom Paternostro by Chris Walter Hoffman by Robert Jones Owen, Jr. Six Moon Designs Armstrong Tyler Hudgins by Allison William Kenny “Sparkplug” Fagg by Pete Ben Pickard by Carol Pickard ADVOCATE Intrepid Hiker Club by & Brenda Fagg Leader $25,000 - $49,999 Robert Quinn by Kathy Laprade James Curtis Carolyn Fitzgerald by Patricia $2,500 — $4,999 Peggy Ready by Lt. Col. Todd Kapner by George Henry Fitzgerald, Emily Goodstein BNY Mellon Center Ann Bransford

Spring 2016 Jim Leonard by Christie Myers John Fletcher by Jacqueline & Fontana Village Resort Robert Reinhard by Robert & Mike Leonard by Royce Gibson Bob Lahnemann Network for Good share Patricia Bisbing, Kathleen & Mark Mahoney by Barbara Baethke William Foot by Laurel Foot Salazon Chocolate Co. 54 Ralph Lewis, Moody & Jane Tom Mann by Parkway United Martin Fossett, Ph.D. by Paul & Thrivent Financial Bank PROTECTOR Norelli, John Schevets, Robert Church of Christ Sue Fossett, Guy Steucek Turkey Hill Dairy $10,000 - $24,999 & Lorraine Sugra, Walter & your Ben Miller by Paula Miller Margot Peet Foster by Adam Foster Mary Toth Alexa Monfort by Anonymous Richard Fugate by Barbara Fugate Ambassador

A.T. Journeys A.T. Jeff Rush by Micky Simon Anna Mumaw by Royce Gibson Ralph & Shirley Gehring by Judy $1,000 — $2,499 Cooper Shelnutt by Ernest & John Owen by Jack & Hill-Gehring, Richard Gehring A.T. Passport love Nancy Campbell, Robert Hart, Carlyn Hutchens Charles Gerhardt, Jr. by Ensemble Benevity Community Impact Fund STEWARD Camille & Tim O’Neill, Shelby Sharon Pearson by Theatre Cincinnati Staff Catherine Paris Foundation $5,000 - $9,999 SUSTAINER Sachetti, Margaret Orth Sandra McAninch Judson Germon by Barbara & Delaware County Foundation $2,500 - $4,999 Thomas Sickles by Larry & Rotraut with a gift Laurie Potteiger by Lyn Widmyer Bruce Anderson, Jeff & Diane The Greene Wiegand Charitable Fund Bockstahler, F. B. Harding, Inc., Susan “Blue” Powell by Joseph Blodgett, George Owen, Jr. Impactassets, Inc. Logistics Management Institute, Frisina, Anne Herndon Gertie by Glenn Harman Kirlin Mid-Atlantic, LLC membership @ Jaime Pachesa, Sandra & Lloyd Bob Proudman by Joe DeLoach Phil Green by Catherine Shade Mattlin Foundation Sloan, Joe & Myra McLellan Dan Raber by Martha & Phil Green by Catherine Shade Plato Malozemoff Foundation appalachiantrail.org/giftmembership Charles Sloan by Sally Strain Gregory Raber Michael Harrington by Sean Point6 Steve “Snuffy” Smith by Friends & SUPPORTER Mark Saari by Royce Gibson Pumphrey The Whitehead Foundation Colleagues of Duke Energy We rely on the generosity of donors like you $1,000 - $2,499 Tim Schenken by Royce Gibson Sean Herman by Gary Harris, David Van Der Meid by Susan Kathy Singleton by Eleanor Lamb Bill Records to help us fulfill our mission and vision of Knight, Diane Lander Leigh & Mike Sneed by Anne Donna Hyatt by John & Len Winans by Wilma Odlivak Membership dues and additional protecting the Appalachian Trail. Membership Brown, Lee Alison Crawford Noreen Powell David Woolf by Naola “Pooh” The Silly Old Bear by Norville Jones by Sharon Masek donations are tax-deductible benefits include: an oversized Appalachian Gersten-Woolf William Person Wesley Kanoy by Janet Carroll, as a charitable contribution. Donna Wyatt by Fred Apgar, Trail strip map, four issues of A.T. Journeys, Elizabeth Thompson by Sarah Parks, Christine & Chantrill, Join our Leadership Circle! Aquino & Bogan Families, Best Harold & Kaye Threatt The ATC is a Section 501(c)(3) discounts at the Ultimate Appalachian Trail For more information, contact: Biondo Investment Advisors Marie Uehling by Royce Gibson Timothy Kutch by Kathy & educational organization. Store and other select retailers, volunteer LLC, Patrick & Kelly Birish, Rita, Ned Uehling by Jeanne Werner Buddy Kutch Marie Uehling at 304.885.0462 or David, Jerry, Myrna, Shirley & To make a contribution or opportunities, and invitations to special David Weber by Karla Kingsley Beverly Janice Rease Baker [email protected] Michael Casteel, Roper & Smith, renew your membership, call Katrinka Westendorf by Lafollette by Charlotte & events. Best of all, you’ll help us protect an James & Vickie Johnson, Christi Marc Pratte Cosmo Barbaro (304) 535-6331 ext 119, or visit: Lee, Nancy L’Esperance, Martie irreplaceable American treasure! Robert Whaley by Susan Seidler William Lamson by Norman & appalachiantrail.org/donate Leys, Heather & Brian Nowak, Rebecca Wierman by Janet Carpenter Jesie Owens, Jennifer Pariale, Kelley Roshka K.D. Lavene-Neidigh by June & Laurea Salvatore, Lorraine Doyles River Falls, Virginia – by Ken Hawkins Dr. Michelle Withers by Mark Donnelly-Escudero www.appalachiantrail.org/annualfund Schug, Shir-Demuth Family, Michael Galie David Lewis by Peggy Lewis public notices as i see it Hikers at Trail Days 2015 sign up for Hard Core volunteer work with Bob Hiking Partners One hour to Roan Mountain, Sam’s Hiking partner wanted. Male, 66, Gap, Hughes Gap, and Hot Springs. experienced hiker (A.T., BMT, PCT, Also: 2 story garage and furnished etc.) seeking partner(s) (male apartment renting at $500.00 a or female) to trek the Long month. Asking $175.000. For photos Trail. Contact: Tom Fuller (828) 349- and more info contact Richard (’84 Although I hike all over the world, 4629 or [email protected]. thru-hiker) at (828)-682-9099 or my primary interest has always been [email protected]. trail maintenance. After retiring from Female hiking companion. I’m the U.S. Air Force, I began A.T. main- hiking a section between tenance with the Green Mountain Pearisburg, Virginia and Loft For Your Information Club’s Long Trail Patrol and spent the YOGA in Harpers Ferry, West Mountain Campground (260 last 20 years, over 8,000 hours, work- . Experienced yoga teacher miles) September/October 2016. Virginia ing with Tennessee Eastman Hiking now offering classes in Harpers I’m 69 and finishing up the Trail. and Canoe Club (TEHCC). Through Ferry. Close attention to alignment, Are you interested in joining me the years we have been fortunate to strength-building, flexibility, and for any segment or all of it? have been able to set up yearly Trail efficient breathing. Learn simple Contact: [email protected] maintenance commitments with Ap- movements to practice on the or (802)434-2533. palachian State University, Wright Trail. Just a short walk from the State University, and Watauga College. Appalachian Trail Conservancy Senior A.T. hiker, 70, having hiked a Damascus Hard Core (based out of Visitors Center. Private and small little over 600 A.T. miles, is looking Damascus, Virginia during Trail Days) group lessons. To schedule, contact for partners to backpack sections has been our major event introducing Alexa at: (202) 763-2351 or of the A.T. in 2016 and beyond — hikers to Trail maintenance. TEHCC visit: . at average of 8 to 10 miles per day. simplejoyfulyoga.com has coordinated the event for 15 years Interested in southwest Virginia, with support from the Appalachian The North Carolina, and anywhere from Appalachian Trail Trail Conservancy (ATC) and ALDHA. Spring 2016 Delaware through Massachusetts. Conservancy is recruiting for In those 15 years, Hard Core volun- this Photo by Dan Innamorato Contact: [email protected]. several internship positions teers have contributed more than 57 summer including: Public Relations, 20,000 hours of Trail maintenance on For Sale Social Media, Market Research, As I begin my 20th year 40- to 60-year-old bracket and a high- the A.T., building, re-locating, re- Visitor Services, and Land Steward. Vasque Breeze 2.0 men’s hiking operating Kincora Hiking Hostel, er percentage of woman and minori- furbishing, and repairing Trail as well

For more information or to apply Journeys A.T. boots, mismatched (right foot 13, 22,000 hikers later, I would like to re- ties are present. The thing to me that as building bog bridges and a shelter. Volunteer visit: appalachiantrail.org/jobs. left foot 14); $80 brand new and flect a moment on how the Appala- has changed the most is their support This year, Andrew Downs, the ATC’s never worn, recently purchased chian Trail has changed. Sure there is and support of the A.T. in general. regional director in Virginia and Ter- Ticks are appearing earlier and in for an at REI for $159. Contact: Bill (301) a lot more technology out there, but Programs like Trail to Every Class- ry Williams, president of the Mount greater numbers than ever along 346-2033. that is not what I want to focus on. The room, Trail Ambassador/Trail Com- Rogers Appalachian Trail Club, will the A.T., so take precautions to stay changes I am talking about are the munities, and the Next Generation host the Hard Core effort and TEHCC Appalachian safe. Visit: appalachiantrail.org/ Home for sale. At 3,200 feet and hikers and the A.T. support groups. Advisory Council, simply were non- will assist. Once again, the ATC and health for tips on what you can do to ½ acre lot 2,100 square foot 3/2, 2 The hikers are much more cosmo- existent. When the wife and I built ALDHA will continue to provide man Trail Crew story. Huge upper floor designed minimize your risk of tick-borne politan, there are many more in the Kincora Hiking Hostel, the next hos- hours and financial support. Hard . in Mission style with leaded illness tel to the north was 50 miles, to the Core brings together current and past this season! glass doors and 1920s clearstory “As I See It” is a column south 143 miles. Today, there are 10 hikers of all ages from all over the windows. Water music at front and from guest contributors places to stay in that 143 miles south world. Lasting friendships are formed rear 24 hours/365 days. Swim in representing the full range and four in the 50 miles north. Origi- during this two-day Trail mainte- the crystal clear Cane River just of ATC partners, members, nally you were entirely on your own nance effort. A number of the par- down the hill. Cold pure deep and volunteers. To submit a operating a hostel. Today organiza- ticipants have become Trail stewards. well. Cherry upper floors, oak column (700 words or under) tions like the Appalachian Trail Long They are the future of the Appala- for consideration. Distance Hiking Association (ALD- chian Trail. downstairs. Located on a quiet Public Notices may be edited HA) help low-cost/donation-only It has been a great 20 years for both county-maintained road surrounded for clarity and length. by 3,000 acres of hiker-friendly hiking hostels with ALDHA care pack- the A.T. and me. I hope I have 20 more forest with miles of trails and [email protected] ages (cleaning supplies, toilet paper, years in me to see how the Trail has views. All appliances included and or write to Editor/As I See It paper towels, etc.) and crews to help evolved. handmade Amish shaker style [email protected] Appalachian Trail Conservancy the hostel owners with day-to-day Bob Peoples furniture available. Home of High Public Notices P.O. Box 807 operations during the peak hiker lives in Hampton, Tennessee appalachiantrail.org/crews Peaks hiking association. Five P.O. Box 807 Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 season. miles to Burnsville, North Carolina. Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807 www.appalachiantrail.org P.O. Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807

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“8 Paws” takes in the beauty of the White Mountains – photo by Emma “Laces” Mathis