"Does the Appalachian Trail Call to You?"

"Does the Appalachian Trail Call to You?”

100th Anniversary of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
February 25, 7-9 PM

Commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and celebrate the longest walking only path in the world. Hear about its origins its protection and the experience of several end-to-end hikers.

Andover Trails’ 2026 Winter Talk will focus on celebrating the Appalachian Trail. Andover Trails Board member Steve Golden, hiked the entire trail in 1972, and went on to serve as the first National Park Service staff person working to see it protected. He will share stories of hiking long distance on the AT over 50 years ago, as well as how the Trail corridor is being protected. At least one other recent end-to-end hiker will share their experience and inspiration.

Come learn more about the 2,100 mile Appalachian Trail stretching from GA to ME. It is the inspiration for many long-distance trails and a national treasure hiked in its entirety by over a thousand people a year and by countless others for short trips.  

Limited to 60 people. The cost of this event is $20/person. This includes one beverage. Andover Trails will make a donation to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy from the proceeds.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Amber "Happy" Stearns
I thru hiked in 2022 as a flip flop hike. I started at Harpers Ferry,West Virginia, at the end of May and hiked north to Katahdin, summiting in early September. I hiked nearly 1800 miles with the same people and will consider them friends for life. Thru hiking provided me the greatest sense of community I?ve ever had.It was my f irst long dist ance hike, but it will not be my last !

Christel "ButtChinz" Charlesworth
I thru hiked in 2022 as a flip flop hike. I started at Harpers Ferry, I did my AT Thru Hike in 2009. I started in Georgia in April and summited Katahdin in October, right as Baxter was closing for the season. Although I had minimal backpacking experience and started the hike as a solo late 20's female, I quickly learned what I did and didn't need and found a group of hikers from that became my trail family. It was t he great est advent ure of my life!