Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Northbound Appalachian Trail thru-hikers have already started reaching Katahdin and many more will reach the iconic summit sign in the coming months. 🏔 For #MountainDay, we're sharing tips for how to experience one of the A.T.'s most iconic summits. Whether you are a long-distance hiker still hiking northward, or planning your own future adventure, we've got up-to-date guidance on finishing your hike well in Baxter State Park, home of the A.T.'s northern terminus: https://lnkd.in/e9pGhYeZ 📸 Photo by Eddie O'Leary features a scenic view of Katahdin in Baxter State Park. 

Happy National Book Lovers Day! 📚As you explore the A.T., don’t forget to pack a great book for those restful moments. For inspiration, check out our blog post on favorite nonfiction hiking reads: https://lnkd.in/eMf3ZGSN Share your own favorite trail reads and hiking-inspired books in the comments to inspire fellow hikers! 🏞️✨ 📸 Photo of Eric Barron in Duncannon, Pennsylvania

🚨 A.T. Weather Update 🚨Tropical Storm Debby continues to have severe impacts across portions of the Southeast and the National Weather Service now predicts the storm’s track will cover much of the Appalachian Trail in the coming days as it moves north. Impacts are expected to last through Sunday, August 11th. Hikers should follow the weather forecast closely and consider postponing hikes on the A.T. if severe local weather is predicted. Heavy winds may cause trees and branches to fall and flash flooding may create impassable river crossings, especially in New Hampshire and Maine. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/erjeCA2Y

Our Appalachian Trail Club spotlight series continues with the York Hiking Club! During the Great Depression in 1932, a group of enthusiastic folks formed the York Hiking Club to enjoy each other’s company while engaging in a local, inexpensive outdoor activity — hiking! 🥾🥾 For more than 75 years, this all-volunteer nonprofit organization has maintained the 7.5-mile section of the A.T. from the western bank of the Susquehanna River to the top of Peter's Mountain in Pennsylvania. The club organizes work hikes to build new trail, remove blowdowns, blaze the Trail, maintain the Clarks Ferry shelter and outhouse, and other much-needed trail work. Everyone who is interested in taking care of the Trail is welcome to join a work hike or become a year-round maintainer — no special skills or experience needed! Find opportunities to volunteer with YHC or your local Trail Club at https://lnkd.in/eQGd2C9m. 📸 Peter's Mountain vista by Dustin Underkoffler

On this day in Appalachian Trail history, Earl V. Shaffer stepped onto the summit of Katahdin in Maine 76 years ago and became the first known A.T. thru-hiker! A World War II veteran, Shaffer undertook this journey as a way to "walk off the war." Today Shaffer continues to inspire thousands of attempting thru-hikers, including many veterans seeking their own respite on the Trail. Learn more about Earl Shaffer's story and his legacy as the first known A.T. thru-hiker: https://lnkd.in/eknpUMSC

On National Friendship Day, we celebrate the connections made along the A.T. Whether hiking solo or with a group, it’s the friendships formed that make every journey unforgettable. 🥾👫🌲 Volunteering is also a great way to meet new friends and give back to the trail. Explore opportunities to get involved at https://lnkd.in/ehEpdJzV. 📸 Photo of John "Peter Pan" Tatara, Dick Potteiger, Wendy Pacek in Knoxville, Maryland.

Did you know that tomorrow, August 4, is the fourth anniversary of the #GreatAmericanOutdoorsAct and a fee-free day at National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) units (like Shenandoah National Park)? For #GreatAmericanOutdoorsDay, we're celebrating the significance of the GAOA for public lands like the Appalachian Trail and working hard to make the most of the GAOA for the Appalachian Landscape. The GAOA provides support for two important conservation funds: The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF). The #LWCF built the A.T. and the #LRF has been very valuable to maintain the Trail Corridor. The ATC remains focused on working with our federal agency partners and Congressional champions to improve and extend the LRF so that public lands, including the A.T., receive the support they need. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e9JkrwQR

Ready to trail-blaze a new adventure?⛰️ Join the Mid-Atlantic #AppalachianTrail Crew! We're excited to announce that applications are open for multiple sessions from late August to October. Joining an A.T. Crew is a great way to spend a few days in nature, stay physically active, and play a crucial role in maintaining the Trail all while making lasting friendships and memories. Learn more and sign up to join a session today: https://lnkd.in/ex3tvK_M

Leave a legacy for the next generation during Make-a-Will month! Wills are not just for the rich and famous — they are important legal documents that everyone should have. Wills provide peace of mind for you and your family, and they allow you to create a legacy that lasts beyond your lifetime. Find out how easy it is to include the ATC in your will. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/ev8ubujR

🌿 Exciting News! 🌿 The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is thrilled to announce the permanent protection of 505 acres in Dutchess County, New York, creating the new Grape Hollow State Forest! This project is vital for several reasons: it reinforces the thin A.T. corridor of protected lands in the area, safeguards biodiversity, and defends the wild experience in an increasingly urban area so that people have a chance to reconnect with nature. The collaboration with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Trust for Public Land, and New York-New Jersey Trail Conference highlights the importance of partnerships in conserving the A.T. for future generations. This success not only supports the Trail, but also strengthens local communities and aligns with New York's '30x30' conservation initiative. Let's celebrate this incredible achievement for nature and the hiking community! 🥾🌲 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dvyfRJie 📸 Zachary Cole