March 5, 2021
Trailway News: March-ing On
Happy March! It seems like each week we receive news giving a bit more hope that life could soon to return to “normal” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we also remind hikers not to drop their guard, particularly as traffic increases on the Appalachian Trail. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states:
- Wear a well-fitting mask — add this to your essential hiking gear.
- Stay 6 feet apart and avoid crowds — avoid common gathering areas like shelters, and camp away from others.
- Avoid travel — choose hikes that don’t require extensive travel or resupply trips in town.
For COVID-19 guidance and safety tips, and an updated list of any restrictions currently affecting A.T. hikers, be sure to check our COVID-19 page.
Lead image courtesy of Lukas Chin
Virtual Event
Climate Change and the A.T. Landscape: A Conversation with Climate Experts
Join us live on March 25 at 7 p.m. for an online conversation about one of the most pressing issues facing the A.T. and the world at large: climate change. Through a discussion with climate experts Harvey Locke and Charles C. Chester, we will review the expected impacts to the Appalachian region and the actions we can take to ensure the A.T. is as protected as possible from climate change’s most damaging effects. Those who register for the event can also submit questions for a live Q&A session during the event. For more information and to register for the event, click below.
Photo by Brent McGuirt Photography
Featured Article
Climate Resiliency and the A.T.
As the effects of climate change become increasingly severe, protecting and expanding climate-resilient forests along the A.T. is vital to ensuring their long-term survival.
Photo by Horizonline Pictures
Featured Article
Preparing for the Trail
After posting a question on Facebook about hiking the A.T. as a Black woman, Shilletha “Dragonsky” Curtis was met with dozens of hostile and racist comments. Shilletha shares her story to show how the A.T. experience can differ greatly depending on your race and background, to spur conversation on how we can address these problems, and to explain how nature can heal us when challenges cross our paths.
Featured Partner:
American Backcountry™
In the winter of 1993, Frank Hintz drove to the ATC’s headquarters in Harpers Ferry with his first T-shirt designs in the back of his car. Today, his company American Backcountry™ is known for its Destination T-shirt series that highlights and celebrates America’s Public Lands. In between supplying the Ultimate A.T. Store® with top-selling T-shirt designs for 28 years, Frank has been section-hiking the A.T. American Backcountry™ donates a portion of their sales to the ATC, helping us in our mission to protect, manage, and advocate for the A.T.
Community Spotlight
Want to be featured in our community spotlight? Follow us on Instagram at @appalachiantrail and use #atcspotlight in your post!
Happy Trails!
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