Trailhead
New Boots • Gathering • Grapevine • Springer Fever
A.T. Companion • Headlamp Material • Work Trips • Side Trails
FRIDAY, Oct. 5, 2007 12-5 Registration at Redding Farm FARM Pick up your registration packets and other goodies at the Registration Desk on the east side of the Barn 6-7 Registration at the CUB Ballroom CUB Registration will be moved to the area inside the ballroom of the College Union before and after tonight’s program. 7-8:30 Opening Session CUB Introduction Dave Hennel, Gathering coordinator Welcome Mark Hudson, ALDHA coordinator Gettysburg College representative ALDHA Song Walkin Jim Stoltz Testimonials Chris Bagby, Bill O’Brien, Mark Hudson ATC Brian King introduces ATC, with words from Dave Startzell, executive director of Appalachian Trail Conservancy Presentation “The Appalachian Trail,” by Pam Under- hill, manager of the Appalachian Trail for the National Park Service Class Years Mark Hudson 8:30-11 8:30-11 Meet and Greet CUB Time to see all those friends you spotted during the class years or to meet new friends. We’ll have Voxology playing music reminiscent of the trail. 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 may want to be sure to wear your dancing trail runners for this one. 8:30 Orientation for New Members CUB260 ALDHA board member Jolene ‘Jojo Smiley’ Koby-Burley will explain to first-time attendees how to make the most of the Gathering. 8:30-10 Registration CUB Ballroom Foyer 11-1 Campfire FARM 1 a.m. Quiet hours FARM If you listen closely, you might be able to hear the ghosts of Gettysburg. That should be the only thing you hear besides snoring. Earplugs will cure that. SATURDAY, Oct. 6, 2007 8-5 Registration Cub Ballroom “ALDHA Central” will be here all weekend long. Here you’ll find the registration desk, hospitality center, ALDHA T-shirts and patches, A.T. table, Lost & Found, Message Board, Ride Board, Memorial Wall, Photo Contest, Apple Contest, etc 8-11:30 Planning a Thru-hike on the A.T. Science 300 LDH101 He was once called “the Evelyn Wood of the Appalachian Trail.” No one else comes close to his years of experience and knowledge about thru-hiking the A.T., and yet his only “How-To Book” fits on both sides of a single sheet of paper. Trail legend and ALDHA founder, Warren Doyle will offer a workshop that puts emphasis on realistic preparation for completing the A.T. Warren Doyle. 8-11:30 Historic Hike of the Gettysburg Battlefields CUB 260 Jester, an avid Civil War history buff, leads you on an information packed hike on the battlefields of Gettysburg. He’s been planning this for months. You can count on it being humor packed too. Hike group size is limited, so it will be repeated from 1-4:30 this afternoon. Shane O’Donnell 8-10 The Pacific Crest Trail McCreary 115 LDH101 Workshop on one person’s hike of the second jewel in hiking’s Triple Crown, including video highlights and a handout with more information. Jackie McDonnell 8-9 AT Thru-Hiker Study: A snapshot in time Masters 117 The preliminary results of a study re-creating Roland Muesser's 1989 survey as found in the book "Long-Distance Hiking: Lessons from the Appalachian Trail" A comparison of gear, motivations, electronics, water treatment, etc will be given. Over 350 AT thru-hikers completed the current survey, making it one of the largest thru-hiker specific studies ever conducted John Pugh 8-9 Grand Canyon McCreary 101 Jojo Smiley and Nomad treat us to a slide show on hiking the Grand Canyon Jolene Koby-Burley & Frank Burley 8-9 Arctic Dance – The Mardy Murie Story McCreary 109 Mardy stood as the inspiration, the mentor, the steadfast reminder for several generations of American wilderness advocates. Wilderness for Mardy was not avocation or abstraction. It was a life. 8-9 History of the IAT/SIA, International Appalachian Trail Science 200 Proposed on Earth Day 1994, the IAT/SIA is now 1400 miles long. It extends from Katahdin to the Northern tip of Newfoundland. Through the state of Maine, the province of New Brunswick, the province of Quebec, the province of Newfoundland&Labrador. This presentation, by Dick Anderson, will include a discussion of the history and pictures of the landscape from Katahdin to St Anthony, Newfoundland & Labrador Dick Anderson 9-5 Ultimate Trail Store CUB 126 The ATC will set up a modified version of its Trail Store here, just off the Ballroom, offering books, T-shirts, patches, calendars and other wares. 9-5 Hiker Fair CUB Ballroom Here you can see displays of different trails, buy some of your favorite CDs, check out gear and other goods from vendors, swap stuff with other hikers, take part in the A.T. Museum’s silent auction, get a book autographed, or just hang out. 9-10 The IAT/SIA in Nova Scotia Science 200 Nova Scotia hosted the Annual International Meeting of the International Appalachian Trail/Sentier International des Appalaches(IAT/SIA) on Cape Breton Island in September. Hikers there are planning to add a new section of trail to the IAT/SIA. This new section will be approximately 300 miles long and will end at the ferry terminal at North Sidney where hikers can board the ferry to continue their hike on the IAT/SIA on the Island of Newfoundland. Pictures of the landscape, hiking opportunities and the activities associated with the IAT/SIA International Meeting will be included in the presentation. Presenter to be announced 9-10 Journey in the Highlands of Scotland Masters 208 The highlands of Scotland are a sublime landscape where backpackers feel welcomed. In the summer of 2006, I took a university class on an experiential exploration, hiking from Glasgow to Inverness and on the Isle of Skye. We hiked the West Highland Way, the Great Glenn Way and went on a few day hikes on the Isle of Skye. The trails pass through towns and villages where we encountered the culture of the highlands. I will present slides and talk about ways of hiking Scotland. Kip Redick 9-10 The ECT, Eastern Continental Trail McCreary 101 Belle Island Newfoundland to Key West Florida on the IAT/SIA, AT, Benton MacKaye, Pinhote and Florida Trails. It’s a great slide show. Jolene Koby-Burley & Frank Burley 9-10:30 AT Forum CUB 260 Join Pam Underhill, Manager of the AT for the National Park Service, and Steve Paradis, Chief Operating Office for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, for an open forum on the AT. 9-10:00 Mosaic of Diversity Olympic NP McCreary 109 Olympic National Park has more world record holding trees than anywhere else in the US. Red Wolf moderates a film on the park. 9-11 Walking With Freedom Masters 110 Mara Auditorium Documentary on the Appalachian Trail, but more of a personal view, not a how to or history of the trail. The “good, bad and ugly” of being a hiker. Plus townspeople, angels, wildlife. Mike Daniel 10:15-11:30 The role of Thru-hikers in the development of long-distance trails Science 200 Using the experience of the IAT/SIA, Dick Anderson will detail, in words and pictures, how the many thru-hikers of the IAT/SIA have played a key role in the successful development to the trail. The physical building of a trail is an important task, but just as important ,is the cultural and social building of a long-distance trail that is accomplished by thru-hikers. 10:15- 11:30 Long Distance Biking Masters 208 Hear about a thru-hiker’s next great adventure: Bicycling coast to coast with his daughter. Slide show included. Pete Lane 10:15- 11:30 GSMNP, Crown of the Continent Red Wolf McCreary 109 Red Wolf moderates NPS & US Fish and Wildlife films on Great Smokey Mountain NP, Wrangell-St. Elias 10:15- 11:30 South Africa's Otter Trail McCreary 101 Hike through one of the earth's smallest, most diverse climate zones. This coastal trail is a highlight of Tsitsikamma N.P., home deep gorges and the Cape Charles Otter. Dan Kahn 10:15-11:30 Ultralight Backpacking Masters 117 LDH101 Not just lightweight, ULTRA-lightweight! Hear from this past judge of the “Most Useless Piece of Gear” contest tell you everything you need to know in order to go very, very light, keeping your packweight below 10 pounds. Handouts available. Carl Rush 10:15- 11:30 Reducing alcohol-related incidents on the Trail Science 151 Join ALDHA and concerned organizations for an open discussion on problems related to excessive alcohol consumption and its effect on the A.T. Driven by several incidents along the Trail this year we are looking for ideas and suggestions for reducing problems affecting hikers, hiker services, communities along the Trail, and the broader Trail experience. Moderated by Skeeter SATURDAY AFTERNOON 12-1 LUNCH 1-4:30 Historic Hike of the Gettysburg Battlefields CUB260 Jester, an avid Civil War history buff, leads you on an information packed hike on the battlefields of Gettysburg. He’s been planning this for months. You can count on it being humor packed too. Hike group size is limited, so it will be a repeat of his morning hike. Shane O’Donnell 1-2:30 The Appalachian Trail Science 300 ALDHA founder, Warren Doyle, presents a slide show with music 1-2:30 CDT Workshop & slideshow McCreary 115 LDH101 Walking the Continental Divide Trail from Mexico to Canada - the best of the US long-distance trails. Forget the fantasies & the fears - learn about the remoteness, the beauty, the wildlife - the reality. Jim&Ginny Owen 1-2:30 Class of 2007 presents... McCreary 109 LDH101 So, you've just finished hiking the Appalachian Trail. Now what? Well, here's your chance to repay some of the magic you received by giving next year's class of thru-hikers the kind of heads-up that only you can provide. A.T. Dreamers take note: You rule here. Ask whatever you want of the only true experts in present-day thru-hiking. Fire away. (Moderated by Bill O'Brien) 1-2:30 Unknown Epic Trails of the West McCreary 101 Learn about mostly unknown western trails and learn how American Hiking Society is protecting an entirely new system of public lands called the National Landscape Conservation System.” Seth Levy 1-2:30 Wildflowers of the AT Masters 208 Enjoy a multi-media presentation complete with classical, new age and folk music that follows the progression of the flowers from spring to fall and from Georgia to Maine. Leonard Adkins 1-2:30 IAT/SIA Newfoundland Science 200 The development of the International Appalachian Trail/Sentier International des Appalaches is well underway. Several hundred kilometers of trail have been laid out this year and work will continue until the snow flies. This presentation will include pictures of work being done, camps being built, the spectacular landscape and the wildlife of this most northern segment of the Appalachians, at least on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. The presentation will be by Joe Norman, a Katahdin to Saint Anthony thru- hiker of the IAT/SIA and Dick Anderson and Will Richard , IAT/SIA Board members. 1-2:30 Tarp Tenting Masters 117 LDH101 An introduction and how-to clinic for using a tarp as a shelter. The half will be spent outside for the clinic. Aaron Sworden 2:45-4:15 GDT Slideshow & Workshop: McCreary 115 LDH101 Walking the Continental Divide in Canada from the US border to Jasper. You know you can handle the Beauty, but are you ready for the Beast? Slide show first - then the workshop. Jim&Ginny Owen 2:45-4:15 The Marketing of a Long-distance trail Science 200 Will Richard, official photographer of the IAT/SIA will detail, in words and pictures, the efforts made by the IAT/SIA developers to promote their trail. Only proposed in 1994, the IAT/SIA is now a well known long distance trail. In fact it is the longest international trail in North America and well known in the outdoor community. Learning about the experiences of the IAT/SIA builders could serve you well as you try to make your favorite trail better known. 2:45-4:15 Thru-hiking the Florida Trail Masters 208 In December of 2005 Lwop (A/T ’04) set out to thru-hike the Florida Trail from Key West to Alabama. Hurricane damage and high water levels added to the challenges and logistical difficulties of his 1200 mile plus trek. Come and enjoy a 45 minute slideshow depicting the beauty and wildlife this beautiful trail has to offer. For anyone interested in hiking all or a portion of the Florida Trail a question and answer session will follow the slide presentation. ‘Lwop’ Bob Coveney 2:45-4:15 You’ve Got Maildrops Masters 117 LDH101 Workshop discussion on how to prepare the most efficient and effective maildrops that will also save you money. Aaron Sworden 2:45-4:15 30,000 Miles of Trail Stories Science 300 ALDHA’s founder spins new, old and favorite yarns about some of the experiences he’s had during his multiple thru-hikes of the A.T., all told in true story-teller fashion. There may be a story or two from his most recent thru-hike this year. Warren Doyle 2:45-4:15 Leave No Trace McCreary 109 LDH101 This Awareness Workshop is a must for Dreamers and a great review for day and long distance hikers. George will familiarize the participants with the principles and ethics of Leave No Trace, and the mission of Leave No Trace. In addition, participants will examine how long-distance hiking impacts may be different than weekend campers. More importantly, this workshop reviews the responsibilities we have to be good stewards of the land. It is not a set of rules, but a way of behaving in our outdoor recreation to sustain, and if possible make better, the opportunities available to us and those who follow. George Fenn 2:45-4:45 Planning the Dream CUB 260 LDH101 Multiple A.T. thru-hiker "Baltimore Jack" Tarlin hopes to answer any and all of your questions regarding planning and preparing for your trip; this talk is designed especially for those actively planning to hike the whole A.T., or those who hope to 2:45-4:45 Walking West With Freedom Masters 110 Mara Auditorium Michael Daniel is at it again. This time the 'Lion King' tackles the Pacific Crest Trail. With his camera in tow he sets off from Mexico and heads for Canada, on foot, of course. This film touches on the travails and joyous moments that occur when you are hiking a long, long distance. This is not a 'How To' film but more a study of what it takes to do it, the culture and the great people you meet along the way. 4:30-7 Trail Reunions IAT/SIA Hikers will meet in Science 200 AT Class of 1991 will meet in McCreary 109 SATURDAY EVENING 5-6:30 Dinner 6-7 Contra-Square Dance Workshop CUB 260 Learn a few moves so that tonight, at the Contra Dance, when everyone moves one way, you won’t be going the other. Beginners are most welcome. Warren Doyle 7-8:30 Feature presentation CUB Ballroom Walkin' Jim Stoltz presents "Forever Wild", a multi-media concert celebrating America's wild lands, wild waters, and wild lives. Walkin' Jim has walked over 26,000 miles through North America's backcountry and combines his photography, stories, and songs to offer this inspiring and motivating show. He has received an "Outstanding Achievement Award" from the EPA for "sharing nature and wilderness with others across America through your extraordinary words, images, and music." "Jim Stoltz is a music man of exuberance and passion, with more to say in one song than Frank Sinatra ever managed in a whole bloody concert." - Edward Abbey 9-11:30 Contra Dance CUB Ballroom Our annual contra dance features musicians Ryck Kaiser, Bill Goldberg and Freya Qually and called by Karl Senseman. This foot-stompin’ hoedown is an ALDHA tradition that began at the first Gathering in 1982 and is still kickin’. 11-1 a.m. Campfire FARM The Gathering has a new campfire tradition, the second annual Trail Stories hosted by Jester. Bring your best trail stories, even if your hiking partner has heard them a million times, they might win you the Best Trail Story title. 1 a.m. Quiet Hours FARM Please know that from this point on, only crickets, owls and snorers have the right of way on the airwaves. SUNDAY, Oct. 7, 2007 7-7:45 Sunrise Service Redding Farm Join us for an informal gathering that annually features a rendition of “Amazing Grace. You may want to think of some story to share with others, drawing on inspirational experiences from the trail. The Service will be held at the re-enactment bridge directly across the road from the hiker camp. . 8:30-11 Annual Business Meeting Masters 110 Mara Auditorium If you have an agenda item, see Skeeter. Your registration packet has more information on resolutions, elections, parliamentary procedure, etc. Please come prepared to take part in the business of our organization, which only meets like this once a year. We’ll be electing a new coordinator, assistant coordinator and other officers, plus at least three at-large board members. 9-3 Ultimate Trail Store CUB 126 The ATC will set up a modified version of its Trail Store here, just off the Ballroom, offering books, T-shirts, patches, calendars and other wares. 9-3 Hiker Fair CUB Ballroom Here you can see displays of different trails, buy some of your favorite CDs, check out gear and other goods from vendors, swap stuff with other hikers, take part in the A.T. Museum’s silent auction, get a book autographed, or just hang out 11-11:15 Group Photo Memorial Field outside the CUB We need a volunteer to shoot this epic picture and to keep the tradition of these family photos going. Please, refrain from asking folks to keep standing “for just one more” on your camera. We’ll put a quality copy of it on ALDHA.org to download. SUNDAY AFTERNOON / NIGHT 11:15-1 Lunch 1-2:30 First Aid Science 200 LDH101 Dr. David Gwinn, who has hiked extensively across the United States and thru-hiked the A.T. in 1980, discusses prevention and treatment of common backpacking health problems, from blisters to snakebite, ticks to itches. David Gwinn 1-2:30 Appalachian Trail Museum Masters 117 The board of directors will meet to discuss the latest developments. All friends of the museum are welcome. Discussion of a spring retreat weekend will take place. Larry Luxenberg 1-2:30 “Circle of Dreams” Science 300 What better way to follow up Warren’s stories than to see a video documentary on his 1990 A.T. Expedition. Warren Doyle 1-2:30 Light Weight Backpacking Masters 208 LDH101 Gearing up for the first time? Transitioning from a heavyweight backpack? This workshop shows how lightening your load saves you energy and gives you more backpacking options without sacrificing comfort or safety. Mara will also show you where to find relevant on-line resources. 1-2:30 A Southwest Tour: Hunting the Elusive Pictoglyph McCreary115 A tour of the American Southwest combining hiking with a hunt for petroglyphs, pictographs and the Anasazi. So - what's a pictoglyph? 1-2:30 Hammock Workshop On the Patio outside the CUB LDH101 Ed Speer has created a complete line of hammocks and shares his wealth of knowledge about their versatility and use. Come see why Ed says, “Hammocks are changing how America camps.” 2:30 Apple Judging Bring your apples to ALDHA Central in The Ballroom. Your home state’s best brand will then go up against the Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Virginia varieties that always do well. 2:30 Photo Judging 2:45-3:45 Triple Crown, the Early Years McCreary115 This is your chance to speak with the pioneers of the Triple Crown. This forum will be hosted by Jim Podlesny, the 2nd person to complete the Triple Crown (1979) and other Triple Crowner’s. 2:45-3:45 Hiking the IAT/SIA Katahdin to Cape Gaspe’ McCreary 101 From Mount Katahdin to Cap Forillon, down the Restigouche River, and a detour to the Montreal Jazz Festival. A story of two hikers adventures along the International Appalachian Trail 2:45-3:45 Fiftysense Masters 117 LDH101 Common sense ideas for backpacking after the age of fifty! Leapfrog 2:45-3:45 Oral History of the Keystone Trails Association Science 200 The program and history are by Debra Smith, who will be showing a video she produced. Included in this program is a short film on Katahdin and a video of the dedication of the A.T. Museum's first exhibit. 2:45-3:45 Trail Jeopardy! Science 300 Quick! “Spent weaponry.” The answer is, Duncannon! Puns like this and other trail-related brain teasers may pop up in this year’s rendition of the ever-popular trail trivia contest. Warren Doyle 2:45-4:15 Women and Backpacking Masters 208 LDH101 Topics of particular concern to women will be presented in a frank discussion. Coping mechanisms for each of these topics serves to make women more comfortable and confident both in the backcountry and in frontcountry (trailheads, etc.) while thru-hiking. This workshop can be offered to female only audiences or for mixed audiences in order to include men who would like to learn techniques to share with their wives and female friends. For mixed workshops, a period of time can be reserved for female only conversation for those women who may be uncomfortable discussing certain topics with men present. Mara Factor 2:45- 4:30 A 2006 AT Thru-hike Masters 110 "Sparrowhawk" presents his 2006 Appalachian Trail picture DVD with movie clips. "Sparrowhawk" has completed 10,000 miles of long distance backpacking. The presentation is set to contemporary music. Thanks to my AT friends for the shared experience and good times. Ray Ward 2:45-4:30 Post Business Steering Committee Meeting CUB 260 4-5 CDT Forum with Jim Wolf McCreary115 LDH101 CDT Society organizer, Jim Wolf talks about the trail and takes questions 4-5 The Hiking Game Science 300 Is there such a thing as true love on the trail? Find out in this trail oriented rendition of the Dating Game. Warren Doyle 5-7 Dinner 7-10 Feature Presentations Ballroom It’s CDT night at the Gathering! 7-8:30 ‘The Walkumentary’ On November 6th, 2006, 6 Southbound Continental Divide Trail (CDT) hikers walked up to a humble little barbed-wire fence on the Mexican Border and finished an end-to-end hike that started 5 months earlier at the Canadian Border. Join them on their 2,800-Mile journey hiking the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail southbound thru Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. Directed & Edited by Lawton "Disco" Grinter 8:30-8:45 Intermission 8:45-10 Packrat on the CDT Provided some technical glitches are overcome, you’ll be treated to a film of “Packrat’s” 2006 northbound thru-hike of the CDT. This scenic, entertaining and humorous film is set to all original music performed by musicians from the area around Hikers Welcome Hostel in Glencliff, NH. 10-1 a.m. Campfire Redding Farm One more campfire if you’re up for it ... If not, we’ll call it a night. 1 a.m. Quiet Hours Wow! Time to start coming down from the Gathering high MONDAY, Oct. 8, 2007 8:30 a.m. ALDHA Work Trip IRONMASTERS HOSTEL Join us for ALDHA’s traditional post-Gathering Work Trip! Loosen up your muscles after sitting all weekend — join us at the Iron Masters Mansion Hostel and get a chance to pay back some trail magic! Sign up at the registration area, and/or see JoJo Smiley for details. If you want to participate, please sign up at the registration desk. Leader: Jojo Smiley