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If you are planning to hike the Appalachian Trail this year, you might want to think about it again.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is discouraging people from trying to hike the entire 2,190 mile trail – called the trek through – and has said it will not recognize attempted hikes until the coronavirus pandemic is over. not “under control”.
The group – which operates the multi-state trail – also said it will not distribute hang tags, the plastic tags given to aspiring hikers to promote sustainable hiking practices and celebrate their attempt.
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“Due to the pandemic and the risk that interstate travel could spread COVID-19 (including emerging variants that could be even more contagious), ATC has advised hikers to postpone their hikes until the CDC has ruled the pandemic ‘under control’ or a COVID-19 vaccine or an effective treatment is widely available and distributed, ”TAC said on its website.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has said it will not recognize hikers until the coronavirus pandemic is found to be “ under control. ” (iStock)
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“We do not believe it is appropriate to provide what might be perceived as a reward for long distance hiking, which we actively discourage until any of the above conditions are met,” added the group.
The group said it had not distributed hang tags since March 2020 due to the pandemic.
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Those who want to be considered hikers must hike the 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail in a single trip within 12 months – although it typically takes between five and seven months, the ATC website says.
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Despite the group’s discouragement from hiking this year, Morgan Sommerville, regional director of ATC, told the Asheville Citizen-Times that 2,000 hikers have already signed up to attempt the trip.
“We are concerned for the safety of AT volunteers, AT hikers, members of AT communities and of course ATC staff and staff from our federal partners,” Sommerville told the newspaper.
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On its website, ATC said if the coronavirus was found to be “under control” by the CDC later this year, it could change its policy regarding hang tags and hiker recognition.
“While we don’t know when the pandemic will be declared ‘under control’ and we can resume the distribution of AT hang tags and recognition of 2,000 milers, we hope for all concerned that it will be soon,” the group said on his website.
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