News - September 2011

Sept 16, 2011
 Gene Espy honored for famed Appalachian Trail hike
Sixty years ago this month -- on Sept. 30, 1951 -- Gene Espy became the second “thru-hiker” in history to complete the Appalachian Trail, the longest continuous and marked footpath in the world. Read the article in the Macon Telegraph about our  GATC member and friend of the trail, Gene. [Read More]

Sept 7, 2011
Charles Aiken is ATC’s volunteer of the month Charles Aiken is ATC’s volunteer of the month
Congratulations to Charles Aiken for being named "Volunteer of the Month," by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Charles was introduced to the A.T. when he was 12 by Rufus Morgan. Morgan, a legendary A.T. volunteer and “mountain man” captured Charles' imagination with stories of the A.T. This “remarkable man” inspired Charles, many years later, to become an A.T. hiker and volunteer. [Read More]

Sept 7, 2011
Pine Mountain Trail in FDR State Park
Is back open after April tornado damage [Read More]

Sept 6, 2011
 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Trails Collaboration
Early in 2010 the USFS initiated a trails collaboration process. A small group representing all user groups – hikers, bikers, equestrians, conservation groups and motorized users – began meeting with Forest Service officials to study how to produce sustainable and manageable trails for all users in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. The results were defining what sustainability and manageability meant and how to better pursue that as a goal in our Georgia national forests. The next step was holding state-wide meetings to receive public comment. Over 350 participants in five town hall meetings presented their ideas and offered suggestions.
[Read More]

Sept 6, 2011
 Status Report on the Blood Mountain Shelter Rehabilitation – September 2011
As GATC members are aware, GATC received a significant grant from the Waterfalls Foundation for restoration and rehabilitation of the Blood Mountain Shelter roof. This has been a long and complex process and we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. [Read More]

Sept 5, 2011
GATC Annual Business Meeting - Oct 1
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is pleased to announce that it has received over 12,000 reported 2,000 mile hikers applications. Each year, thousands of hikers attempt a thru-hike the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) but only about one in four make it all the way.

Sept 5, 2011
ATC Reports on Thru-Hiker Applications: 12,000th Application Received
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is pleased to announce that it has received over 12,000 reported 2,000 mile hikers applications. Each year, thousands of hikers attempt a thru-hike the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) but only about one in four make it all the way.

Sept 5, 2011
 Update on the new AT License Plate
Recently an article was published in a local Atlanta publication regarding the new Georgia State license plate program. While the main focus of this article was on the new Georgia plate and the lack of interest in the design, a spotlight was shone on the new Georgia Appalachian Trail plate. While the article did give some publicity to the new AT plate, it did not really address the current progress being made with the State concerning revenue sharing for this plate.

Look for GATC at these Upcoming Festivals
GATC has been invited to have a GATC/AT Community display booth at four fun festivals in Union County over the next four months. These are great opportunities to represent our club in nice venues and communicate the value of the AT to the public!

Mark your calendars for the following festivals, and if you'd like to help volunteer to staff the GATC booth, contact Dayton Miller.

September 1, 2011
Presidential Ponderings
Shelley RoseAt the beginning of July I attended the 37th biennial conference of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The 2013 conference will be held in Cullowhee, NC, and GATC is one of the sponsoring clubs. Read my full message to learn how you can help. I also urge you to attend the GATC Business Meeting on October 1 in Dahlonega.    [Read More]