Appalachian Path Conservancy discourages thru-hikers in 2021

Appalachian Trail thru-hikers – the intrepid outdoor adventurers who endeavor a one-shot, conclusion-to-conclusion hike of the 2,190-mile trail from Ga to Maine just about every calendar year – need to postpone their journeys right until subsequent yr.

So claims the Appalachian Path Conservancy, the nonprofit that manages and maintains the mighty path, which runs by way of 14 states, which include approximately 96 miles in North Carolina, since the lethal COVID-19 pandemic proceeds to make extensive-length hikes unsafe.

Morgan Sommerville, ATC regional director, claimed most of the 4,000 or so hikers who start off a through-hike just about every year vacation northbound, and several start out the 6-month journey starting off in February and March at Springer Mountain, Georgia.

“Our tips, as long as the pandemic is raging and vaccines aren’t broadly available, and the CDC has not specified us the all-distinct sign, we are recommending that extended length hikes not be taken on the A.T.,” Sommerville mentioned.

“We’re concerned about the protection of A.T. volunteers, A.T. hikers, of the associates of A.T. communities and of system ATC staff members and staff members of our federal companions.”