GSMNP - HIKER

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Appalachian Impressions

The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: Appalachian Impressions:

Appalachian Impressions

Throughout the month of October the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) will be showcasing the film Appalachian Impressions in 15 cities nationwide, as part of their 2013 membership drive, called A Journey of 2,000 Miles: the Appalachian Trail. The organization has set a goal to gain the support of 2,180 new members, one new member for each mile of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.).

Appalachian Impressions is an epic story about hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. The program takes viewers on a six-month, 2,180-mile journey along the famous long-distance hiking trail in the world. Participants will hear the stories from hikers who have embarked on this trek and experience the thrills and challenges of daily life on the Trail. The film covers all fourteen states, the changing of the seasons, footwear, food, shelters, volunteer trail crews, and Leave No Trace Ethics. It captures the true essence of this historic pathway, its interesting characters, beautiful scenery and the generous spirit found in small town America.

Each city will feature several guest speakers including authors, volunteers, key members of the A.T. community, and 2,000-milers (those who have hiked the entire A.T.). Some guest speakers include Richard Judy, thru-hiker and author of THRU – A Love Story; Susan Letcher, 2,000-miler and author of The Barefoot Sisters: Southbound; Captain Sean Gobin, co-founder of Warrior Hike & the Walk off the War Program; Michelle Pugh, thru-hiker and author of Love at First Hike: A Memoir about Love & Triumph on the Appalachian Trail; and Ron Tipton executive director/CEO of the ATC.

Included on the tour is Cincinnati, Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh, Hot Springs and Franklin NC, and Erwin, TN, among other towns along the east coast.

Show participants will receive a one-year membership to the ATC. They will also have the chance to win cool prizes such as an ATC ENOTM Hammock and a Gregory Backpack.

For more information, as well as a full list of dates, locations and times, please click here.

Here's the trailer from the film:

Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies

How to Pack a Backpack

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Man Sentenced For Vandalism at Max Patch

The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: Man Sentenced For Vandalism at Max Patch: The U.S. Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service, today announced that Tyler Pace was sentenced to 90 days incarceration by United States Magistrate Judge Dennis Lee Howell for vandalizing parts of Max Patch, a scenic area in the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina.

"This sentence sends a message to vandals that damaging our public lands will not be tolerated," said United States Attorney Anne Tompkins.

Pace received the sentence during an appearance in U.S. District Court in Asheville on July 9, 2013. Prior to his sentencing hearing, Pace paid restitution for his share of the damage to Max Patch.

Pace was with a group of men who illegally drove vehicles in the Max Patch area in January 2013, causing more than $5,000 of damage to that scenic area. Pace facilitated that damage by tearing down the entrance gate and fence, thereby enabling the other persons to drive their vehicles into the protected area where vehicles are prohibited. Pace is 24 years old and a resident of Canton, North Carolina.

Max Patch sits next to the Tennessee state line in the Harmon Den area and is intersected by the Appalachian Trail. At 4,629 feet this bald offers 360-degree vistas of Mount Mitchell to the east and the Great Smoky Mountains to the southwest. An abundance of ferns and grasses blanket the area making it perfect for picnics.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Edwards.

Jeff

Hiking in the Smokies

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Roads That Intersect The Appalachian Trail

Southern Terminus: Springer Mountain, Georgia

U.S. Highway 76 in northeast Georgia

U.S. Highway 64 near Nantahala River, North Carolina

U.S. Highway 19/U.S. Highway 74 near Fontana Lake, North Carolina

U.S. Highway 441 at North Carolina/Tennessee border

Interstate 40 at North Carolina/Tennessee border

U.S. Highway 25/U.S. Highway 70 in Hot Springs, North Carolina

Interstate 26/U.S. Highway 23 at North Carolina/Tennessee border

U.S. Highway 19W at North Carolina/Tennessee border

U.S. Highway 19E near Roan Mountain, Tennessee

U.S. Highway 321 at Watauga Lake, Tennessee

U.S. Highway 421 near South Holston Lake, Tennessee

U.S. Highway 58 in Damascus, Virginia

Interstate 81 near Marion, Virginia

Interstate 77/U.S. Highway 52 near Wytheville, Virginia

U.S. Highway 460 in Pearisburg, Virginia

Interstate 81 near Roanoke, Virginia

U.S. Highway 501 at James River, Virginia

U.S. Highway 60 near Buena Vista, Virginia

Interstate 64 near Waynesboro, Virginia

U.S. Highway 250 near Waynesboro, Virginia

U.S. Highway 33 in Shenandoah National Park

U.S. Highway 211 near Luray, Virginia

U.S. Highway 522 near Front Royal, Virginia

Interstate 66 in Front Royal, Virginia

U.S. Highway 17/U.S. Highway 50 near Waterloo, Virginia

U.S. Highway 340 in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

U.S. Highway 340 in Sandy Hook, Maryland

Interstate 70/U.S. Highway 40 near Hagerstown, Maryland

U.S. Highway 30 near Fayetteville, Pennsylvania

Interstate 76 near Middlesex Township, Pennsylvania

U.S. Highway 11 near Middlesex Township, Pennsylvania

Interstate 81 near Middlesex Township, Pennsylvania

U.S. Highway 11/U.S. Highway 15 in Duncannon, Pennsylvania

U.S. Highway 22/U.S. Highway 322 in Duncannon, Pennsylvania

Interstate 81 near Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania

Interstate 476 near Slatington, Pennsylvania

Interstate 80 at Pennsylvania/New Jersey border

U.S. Highway 206 near Frankford, New Jersey

Interstate 87 near Harriman, New York

U.S. Highway 6/U.S. Highway 9W/U.S. Highway 202 near Fort Montgomery, New York

U.S. Highway 9 near Garrison, New York

Taconic State Parkway near Shenandoah, New York

Interstate 84 near Whaley Lake, New York

U.S. Highway 7 near Falls Village, Connecticut

U.S. Highway 44 near Salisbury, Connecticut

U.S. Highway 7 near Great Barrington, Massachusetts

Interstate 90 near Lee, Massachusetts

U.S. Highway 20 near Lee, Massachusetts

U.S. Highway 4 near Rutland, Vermont

Interstate 89 near West Hartford, Vermont

U.S. Highway 5 near Hanover, New Hampshire (US-5 is in Vermont)

Interstate 91 near Hanover, New Hampshire (I-91 is in Vermont)

Interstate 93/U.S. Highway 3 near Franconia, New Hampshire

U.S. Highway 302 in White Mountain National Forest

U.S. Highway 2 near Berlin, New Hampshire

U.S. Highway 201 in Caratunk, Maine

U.S. Highway 16 in Monson, Maine

Northern terminus: Mt. Katahdin, Maine