The GATHERING
Gettysburg College
October 5-7, 2007
THE 26th ANNUAL GATHERING was held for the first time ever at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pa., on Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 5-7, 2007. The weather was almost too perfect -- it was wickedly hot, in fact -- the campus venue was perfectly compact and easily accessible; the campground was so spacious we could've had hundreds of more tents; and the college could not have been more accommodating.
We would like to put together another scrapbook of pictures and text to tell the story of the 26th Gathering, much like the one we did a year ago for the 2006 Gathering. So PLEASE, email your photos and thoughts to aldha@aldha.org and we will put it together. THANKS!!
In the meantime, if you would like to download a high-resolution version of the GROUP PHOTO, you can click here to download a copy directly. When it comes up on the screen, just right-click on it and take it from there. Our thanks to Kevin Richter for setting that up -- and for climbing the ladder without falling! When you see this photo, by the way, you'll be pleased to see how great it came out. Notice all the smiles? We had an awesome time all weekend!
27 receive ALDHA diplomas!
The ALDHA Long Distance Hiking Diploma program initiated at this year's Gathering in Gettysburg has been very successful and positively received by our members. The first class of graduates consists of the following folks, all of whom have received their diplomas:Congratulations to you all! Now get out on the trail and put all that knowledge you gained to good use!
Barry "Berryhound" Noss
Carly Noss
Kyle "Frogboy" Noss
Mary Ann "M.A. from PA" Nissley
John "John Boy" Raynor
Joyce "Dogpaw" Marshall
Lorrie "Shutterbug" Preston
Rick "Handelbar" Ostheimer
John "Johnny K" Kluchonic
James "Runningbare" Bare
Moira Harrington
James "Solitary Man" Frazier
Paula "Superstar" Connolly
Bill "imobileman" Dreibelbis
Mark Agricola
Jim "Mechanical Man" Rowland
Carolyn "Sooner Grace" Clark
George "Wandering Soul" Fenn
Sierra Gladfelter
Mike "Wing-Heart" Wingeart
Mike "Hiker Miker" Cunningham
Sharon "Peanut Butter" Stone-Shellenburger
Bri Rudinsky
Brian "CJ" Umbrell
Wendy "Tiger Bomb" Pacek
Denny "Katahdin Kid" Libby
Ryan "Redneck Rye" Hamler
-- "Gourmet Dave"
GATHERING PROGRAM
Here it is: the program of events, workshops, slideshows, etc., for those who want to get a sneak peek at what's in store for Oct. 5-7 at Gettysburg.
Have you been curious about the site of our next Gathering? So were we. So, on the weekend of the spring meeting at nearby Ironmasters Mansion Hostel, we took a stroll on a sunny day and offer these snapshots of our fall venue.
This link will take you to a PDF copy of the fall newsletter which is packed with information about the Gathering.
Here are the details on this year's photo contest, so be sure to bring your best pictures to enter. Give it a shot! There are nifty prizes to be had.
Once again, the Appalachian Trail Museum will conduct a silent auction to help it raise needed funds. If you have a piece of equipment or can get something new donated, by all means bring it to the Gathering and the museum folks will be happy to use it in the auction.
A big reunion of your Trail Family and a thru-hikers’ homecoming — all rolled into one.
If you would like a brochure that you can print out in color, here’s where to get one. It includes a few details about the 2007 Gettysburg Gathering, directions to Gettysburg, important dates for hikers, key names and addresses, and a registration form.
Photos, news items and other things from the 2006 Gathering, including how to order a copy of the group photo. Have photos you want to share? E-mail them to us at gathering@aldha.org. We can forward them from here to the newsletter editor for her use there, as well.
Dear ALDHA members,
We have a fantastic venue and program shaping up for our 26th Gathering. The central location on the AT, just a short 15 minute drive from Wood Chuck’s midway marker on the trail, should ensure a good, if not record turnout for the event. All those at the Spring Steering Committee meeting were very impressed with the facilities at both Gettysburg College and Redding Farm where we’ll be camping.
Our hub of activities at Gettysburg College will be the CUB (College Union Building), where we’ll utilize the ballroom for the Hiker Fair and evening entertainment. All workshops are being held in the CUB or an joining building, with smart classrooms for our tech savvy workshop presentations. The college will be on a 3 day weekend break from classes, so dinning services will be limited. I have built a little extra time in the schedule for meals, as it’s only 2-3 blocks into town where there is a wide variety of dinning options.
Redding Farm is located just 5 minutes north of the campus. They are used to hosting lots of tents, as it is the home of the annual Gettysburg Battle Reenactment, which draws thousands. We’ll have a quiet camping area in front of the barn and for those who are a bit noisier, there is lots of room for you behind it. The barn will provide us dry space for registration on Friday.
Friday evening we will have our opening ceremony followed by a short presentation from Pam Underhill, Superintendent of the AT for the National Park Service. Pam will also be part of a forum workshop on the trail on Saturday, so you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions of her.
Here’s something new. Knowing how everyone wants to see friends they spotted during the class years, we’ll be providing much more time to catch up on Friday evening. We’ll have a meet and greet from 9-11 with music from Voxology. Voxology’s musical styles include Americana, Contemporary Folk, Blue Grass and Country. This trio played the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and have a long list of accomplishments to their credit. You can find more at www.voxology.com .
It is with great pleasure that I can announce that our dear friend, “Walkin Jim’ Stoltz will be bringing his music, pictures and message back to us as our feature presentation Saturday night. If you haven’t seen one of ‘Walkin Jim’s’ shows you’re in for a great treat. What am I saying, even those of us that have seen him are in for great treat. For more on ‘Walkin Jim’, go to www.walkinjim.com.
You can’t forget the dance! Our Saturday night Contra Dance will be called by Karl Senseman with musicians Ryck Kaiser, Bill Goldberg and Freya Qually.
With so much interest on the CDT, I’ve decided to have Sunday evening be CDT Night at the Gathering. Stay tuned to www.aldha.org for more info on that and all the late breaking Gathering news and info.
— Gourmet Dave
Trailhead
New Boots • Gathering • Grapevine • Springer Fever
A.T. Companion • Headlamp Material • Work Trips • Side Trails