How ALDHA got involved

In 1993, when Dan Bruce decided he wanted to publish the Thru-Hiker’s Handbook on his own, the Appalachian Trail Conference cast about for someone to put together a new guidebook for long-distance hikers. The ATC had been publishing such a guide for more than 10 years, beginning with The Philosopher’s Guide, and it saw no reason to discontinue the tradition. Darrell Maret gave up the Philosopher’s Guide, but ATC didn’t stop publishing a guidebook. And when Dan Bruce struck out on his own, ATC again saw no reason to stop its long-held practice of publishing a guide.

Enter ALDHA. Then-coordinator Frank Logue was in touch with the Publications Committee of ATC around the time of the ATC’s biannual meeting in Dahlonega, Georgia, and volunteered the services of ALDHA as authors of this new guidebook. Checking with the steering committee, he found enough support to proceed, and appointed Joe and Monica Cook as the first editors.

The first book appeared the following year, in 1994, continuing ATC’s unbroken streak of publishing a thru-hikers’ handbook for about the 14th year. Joe and Monica served as editors for the ’94 and ’95 editions. Bill O’Brien took over as editor, putting out the ’96 and ’97 books. In 1998, two co-editors shared the task, Bill O’Brien for the North, and Henry Edwards for the South. Henry took on the job solo for the 1999 edition and in 2000 he and Stacy Mikkalsen split the task again in a North/South division.

In ’01 and ’02, Stacy continued the editorship as sole editor. The 2003 edition will once again have a shared editorship; John O’Mahoney (John O’) will be acting as co-editor in preparation for a full take-over for the 2004 Companion.

As she has since its beginning, ATC staff member Kay Bresee will shepherd the information to the publishing house. Of all the jobs, hers may be most difficult, dealing with a series of volunteer editors. Without her, the book wouldn’t see a bookshelf!

The initial philosophy behind the Companion was that only the most basic information should be provided to make logistics easier for the average long-distance hiker. Opinions, recommendations and other subjective advice were not necessary. In fact, they tended to diminish the individual experience on the trail, replacing personal preference with peer pressure. That philosophy remains unchanged.

The Companion is also different in that it’s not the sole domain of a single individual. That’s why the editorship rotates on 2-year cycles and the work is performed by a host of field editors. If you’d like to volunteer, let us hear from you. We can always use help gathering info from your neck of the woods.

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Trailhead
New Boots • Gathering • Grapevine • Springer Fever
A.T. Companion • Headlamp Material • Work Trips • Side Trails