Two Weeks until the Appalachian Trail Summit

[Miss Janet]

The Second Annual
APPALACHIAN TRAIL SUMMIT

A look at the Appalachian Trail as an important economic and recreational resource for Erwin and Unicoi County.

MARCH 18th & 19th, 2005
Centenary United Methodist Church
203 North Elm Avenue,
Erwin, Tennessee

For More Information call event coordinator,
Janet Hensley 743-1932

Is the Appalachian Trail an economic resource for our area?

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, previously known as the Appalachian Trail Conference, estimates that over 4 million people will hike some portion of the
Appalachian Trail this year. A very popular 30 mile stretch of this 2,174 mile long National Scenic Trail is located in Unicoi County. Many more miles are easily accessed throughout Upper East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.

In 2005, thousands of hikers will come from all over the country and the world, to hike our beautiful section of the Appalachian Trail. Many of these hikers are just on the trail for a day or two. Some of these hikers are attempting to hike the entire Appalachian Trail in one continuous trip.

Most of these people will stay for a few hours or a few days in Erwin as part of their hike. They will patronize local businesses, shops and restaurants, and some will wish to attend local churches. Many of these hikers will find that they love this area and will return someday with their families and friends to vacation here. Some will choose to make this area their home.



Is the Appalachian Trail an important recreational resource for our area?

Hiking and backpacking are two of the fastest growing outdoor activities in the United States.

Hiking clubs throughout East Tennessee have many active members that are out
hiking every week. Many local churches, schools and other groups have hikes planned for the coming year.

Some of the most beautiful miles of the Appalachian Trail are right here in Unicoi County. The AT is easy to access at many trailheads and it is free to hike on the Appalachian Trail! Increasing numbers of local hikers are discovering the recreational benefits of the famous AT... the most popular long distance hiking trail in the world!

The goals for this event are:

1. That everyone will come away with a better understanding and appreciation of the Appalachian Trail as a valuable economic and recreational resource for Erwin and Unicoi County.

2. To continue to encourage the networking among local businesses, agencies and individuals that promotes Erwin and Unicoi County as HIKER FRIENDLY!

3. To provide those interested in hiking and back packing with some basic knowledge about hiking safety, equipment and gear as well as give them resources for learning more about these activities.

4. To provide a day of fun and learning to the community as a way of celebrating the Appalachian Trail and Appalachian trail hikers as valuable resources to our community.


Schedule of events for the
2nd Annual Appalachian Trail Summit

Friday, March 18
5:00-7:00
NETWORKING SOCIAL AND FUNDRAISING DINNER Community leaders from the area are invited to meet and mingle with representatives from agencies and organizations concerned in some way with the Appalachian Trail. Anyone interested in learning more about the AT as a valuable economic and recreational resource, is invited to join us for this opportunity to share interests and learn together. Representatives from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the American Hiking Society, the United States Forest Service and other groups will share their goals for the future of the Appalachian Trail and for this event.
DINNER SERVED BUFFET STYLE $6.00 PER PERSON
DONATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED
(Please call 743-1932 to make reservations.)
Or email RSVP [email protected] Funds raised will be used to help cover the costs of this event and to fund startup costs for a local Appalachian Trail Club.. This club is intended for individuals interested in hiking, back packing and trail advocacy as well as for those interested in the Appalachian Trail as a valuable local resource.

7:00-8:00
KEYNOTE SPEAKER Andy Brown from Equinox Environmental Consultation and Design, Inc. will present the findings of the new Upper Nolichucky Watershed Natural Resources Study.

8:00
The New Mark Flagler film "Appalachian Impressions" will be presented. This film is beautifully made and is a great introduction to the Appalachian Trail and those that hike it!


Saturday, March 19
9:00-5:00
RAIN OR SHINE! THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO JOIN LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS AND OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR A FUN FILLED DAY OF EVENTS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE A BETTER INDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE APPALACHAIN TRAIL IS AND WHAT IT MEANS TO OUR COMMUNITY. THOSE ATTENDING WILL ENJOY HIKING AND TRAIL RELATED EXHIBITS AND WORKSHOPS PRESENTED THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING:
THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY
THE TENNESSEE EASTMAN HIKING AND CANOEING CLUB
THE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE
THE AMERICAN HIKING SOCIETY
THE APPALACHIAN LONG DISTANCE HIKERS ASSOCIATION
… AND MANY MORE. THOSE ATTENDING WILL LEARN ABOUT LOCAL HIKING CLUBS AND HIKING OPPORTUNITIES.

THEY WILL SEE THE NEWEST IN HIKING AND BACK PACKING GEAR AND EQUIPMENT.

THEY WILL SEE EXCITING FILMS AND BOOKS ABOUT THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL.
YOU WILL ALSO MEET "THRUHIKERS" ATTEMPTING TO HIKE THE ENTIRE APPALACHIAN TRAIL IN ONE CONTINUOUS HIKE THAT WILL TAKE THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS!

THERE WILL DRAWINGS FOR DOOR PRIZES ALL DAY!

For more information about the Appalachian Trail Summit or how you or your group can get involved, please call the Summit Coordinator, Janet Hensley, at 423-743-1932 or email at [email protected]

[Miss Janet]

I am sorry that last post turned out so long!

[Jaybird]

THANKS FOR THE A.T.S. Update...Miss Janet!

see u APRIL 28th! :D

[Miss Janet]

The Appalachian Trail Summit will be this weekend. Will any of you be in the area? I would love to see you there!

[SGT Rock]

I'm going to try and make it Janet. Should I come in Dress Blues

[foggy-bottom]

Leave before the sun comes up on friday moring and schould be their mid afternoon miss Janet. Its going to be awesome, long freaken drive from Illinois. Cant wait to see the trail again.. WOO HOOO

Foggy Bottom

[The Old Fhart]

SGT Rock-"I'm going to try and make it Janet. Should I come in Dress Blues?"

I hope you're not dysletic and mean a blue dress. Oops, sorry, I thought this was the thread about how to get booted off WB!

[Mountain Dew]

Sgt. Rock hearing you say what you did about dress blues got me to thinking. Often hikers "dress" in something odd for their mt. K pics. You should wear your dress blus on mt. K.