Camping Restrictions on A.T. From Jarrard Gap to Neel Gap
March 1 through June 1
From March 1 through June 1, anyone camping overnight along the five miles of Appalachian Trail from Jarrard Gap to Neel Gap (including the Woods Hole and Blood Mountain Shelters) must bring a bear-resistant container to contain personal garbage, toiletries and foods. The new regulation was issued by the USDA Forest Service in response to public safety concerns and repeated bear-human conflicts in the region.
For more information, see the U.S. Forest Service website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/conf/news-events/?cid=STELPRDB5351877
Celebrate thru-hiker season on the A.T.
In celebration of the beginning of thru-hiker season on the A.T., two weekend-long events will take place in North Georgia in March. On March 2-4, the lodge at Amicalola Falls State Park will be the venue for a full schedule of events including author lectures, gear demonstrations, etc. For schedule and information, see http://www.friendsofamicalolafalls.org/images/pdfs/2012atc.pdf
On March 16-18, Dahlonega will host the second annual Spring on Springer Trail Fest. Information about this event can be found at www.dahlonegatrailfest.org. The activities will actually kick off on Thursday, March 15 when the Dahlonega Gold Museum will host “Hiking & History on the Appalachian Trail” presented by GATC’s Charles Aiken. The event will be from 5:30p.m. to 7:00p.m. with an admission fee of $3.50 - $6.00.
GATC recently received a generous donation from a backpacker in Mandeville, LA. Read the letter that accompanied the donation.
The March, 2012 edition of the “The Georgia Mountaineer”, the GATC monthly bulletin, includes an article about “Shelters Along the AT in Georgia” by Marianne Skeen. Read an earlier article on the same topic by Whit Benson from the May, 2005, edition of “Mountaineer”.
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest & CoTrails announce weekend workshops January 20-22
The mission of CoTrails is “to provide diverse, quality trail experiences that are maintainable and ecologically sustainable on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests.” CoTrails began when a diverse group of trail users—who have sometimes been in conflict with one another or with the Forest Service—were brought together to find common ground and address a shared concern of maintaining an appropriate trail system on the forest. Read the CoTrails Strategic Plan at www.CoTrails.org, and find more information on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest’s website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/conf/trail-collaboration.
A weekend of events is planned at Unicoi State park January 20-22. All events are open to the public. Get more information.
Donnie Kelley named ATC Community Ambassador for Blairsville/Union County
Donnie Kelley has been selected to serve as the volunteer ambassador to the designated Appalachian Trail (A.T.) Community of Blairsville and Union County, Georgia. In this role, he will serve as a community liaison to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and the local volunteer club, the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club, to bolster volunteerism and stewardship of the Trail at the local level. Read more >>
Presidential Ponderings - March 2012
Some interesting issues come my way as president of GATC. For example, I have received several emails in the past few months relating to using the AT to raise funds for various organizations and causes. Is this an appropriate use of the AT? Should GATC as an organization support and publicize these efforts? If so, within what parameters? Our local management plan states “Use of the AT by large groups or for fund-raising "Hike-a-thons" is incompatible with the concept of the AT as a wilderness footpath." Should GATC have a say in the individual hiker who seeks to raise funds and bring attention to the AT? What do you think? I’d be interested in hearing from you on this.
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AT-Series: Hike the Georgia AT in One Year
Have you ever dreamed of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail in Georgia? Maybe hiking the full 75 miles during one trip is too ambitious. Or maybe you'd rather hike with some buddies by day, but sleep in the comfort of your bed at night. Well get out your calendar -- have we got a deal for you!
The A.T.-Series, offered by the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club, offers club members the opportunity to hike the complete Appalachian Trail in Georgia over the course of one year. One day-hike is scheduled each month.
Hikes are open to club members, prospective members and their guests. For information on club membership, see our membership page.
Once you've hiked the entire Georgia A.T., complete the application form and mail $5 to receive the coveted Georgia Thru-Hiker patch.
