Appalachian Trail Celebration

This past weekend we were excited to take part in the Appalachian Trail Celebration at Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia. At this two-day event we had the chance to talk with individuals preparing to hike the 2,135-mile Appalachian Trail, along with other outdoor enthusiasts who came out to enjoy this amazing area. Since many of these hikers will be spending the next few months on the AT, it was a great opportunity to talk to them about ways they can reduce their impact while hiking this incredible trail.

Also speaking at the event was trail legend, Gene Espy. In 1951, Gene was the second person to thru-hike the entire Appalachian Trail. During the 1950’s only 14 people completed the trail. While the trail hasn’t become any easier, it has certainly become more popular. Since 2000 over 4,000 people have repeated the infamous trek. With an ever increasing interest in the trail, it was great to be part of an event focused on promoting and preserving this unique experience.