ATC Registration

[Derf]

Looks like the ATC really changed there voluntary registration page https://www.atcamp.org/index.cfm

[Lone Wolf]

not required

[Derf]

not required

You are correct!

[Tennessee Viking]

The whole purpose of the voluntary registration is so they pole numbers of hikers. ATC can then use those numbers to analyze hiker traffic and possibly use it for grant purposes.

[George]

The whole purpose of the voluntary registration is so they pole numbers of hikers. ATC can then use those numbers to analyze hiker traffic and possibly use it for grant purposes.

and to get your email so they can hit you up for donations

[Sarcasm the elf]

and to get your email so they can hit you up for donations

Registering your intention to use a trail every day for 4-6 months, only to have the non-profit that maintains the trail ask you for a donation? I'm comfortable with this.

[Lauriep]

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy does not use emails collected during the A.T. voluntary camping or thru-hike registration process for solicitations, period.

If someone who chooses to participate in the voluntary registration also chooses to become an ATC member, they may receive additional solicitations for support through their membership. However, as a member they can opt to reduce the number of solicitations, or opt out of solicitations entirely.

Laurie Potteiger
Appalachian Trail Conservancy

[MuddyWaters]

The whole purpose of the voluntary registration is so they pole numbers of hikers. ATC can then use those numbers to analyze hiker traffic and possibly use it for grant purposes.

So they arent attempting to spread out hikers to forestall the inevitable permits?

[Lauriep]

The registration process does provide valuable data to AT managers, but the primary purpose of the registration is to give hikers themselves information about usage that helps them disperse themselves, providing greater opportunities to avoid crowded conditions, and helping reduce impacts.

As the top of the registration page at www.atcamp.org explains: By registering your camping plans, you will be able to avoid crowds and minimize the impact you have on fragile Trail resources.

[Just Tom]

We (our Boy Scout troop) has been using this site for months. When it first came out in early 2017 it was just for groups. In theory it is useful for groups to avoid two groups hitting the same site on the same day. That being said, those college groups you see in the fall did not seem to be using this system, so it is only as good as the data input into it.

[Lauriep]

Just Tom,

Thanks so much for using the registration system!

It can take time for a new system to become known. Voluntary group registration systems are now in effect on the A.T. in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. The older systems have shown that as the system gets to be known, the participation rate is pretty high.

[Slo-go'en]

That being said, those college groups you see in the fall did not seem to be using this system, so it is only as good as the data input into it.

I'm pretty sure the colleges have been coordinating their groups on their own. They have been doing these freshman hikes for a while now. While you'll find a group at nearly every campsite through out New England and beyond, rarely will you find two groups at the same place at the same time.

It would be nice if there was one place where all groups, Boy Scouts, churches, outward bound, colleges and the like could coordinate their hikes as to not coincide with each other. There should also be a requirement that they do so and a group usage permit be obtained.