Hot Spot

Amicalola Falls/Chattahoochee National Forest Revisit 2019

Amicalola Falls State Park, GA

We originally carried out a Hot Spot at the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail in 2016.  Since then, the number of aspiring thru-hikers, as well as day hikers, have only increased.  Currently, over 4,000 people start a thru hike on Springer Mountain each year.  These, along with hundreds of spring breakers and week-end campers, create a major impact on the A.T. in Georgia. The Hot Spot will connect with many of these hikers and educate them as they set out on their journey north. We will continue to work with the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club (GATC), Appalachian Trail Club (ATC), Amicalola Falls State Park, and the Chattahoochee National Forest on strategic planning and maintaining momentum in implementing Leave No Trace principles in the area.

Solution

  • 45 Volunteer Hours
  • 145 People Educated
  • 6 Educational Programs across four days

The revisit provided an opportunity promote Leave No Trace practices to hikers at the well-attended Appalachian Trail Kick-Off (ATKO) event at Amicalola Falls State Park. Trainers were able to augment the education hikers receive at the A.T. Basecamp during a one-hour Awareness Workshop. Furthermore, Trainers provided an additional communications training opportunity for both ATC and GATC staff and volunteers.  We hope that by instilling and/or reinforcing Leave No Trace best practices at the outset of this iconic thru-hike, backpackers will be able to hone their own skills as well as share them with other hikers they encounter. 

Your donation helps bring Leave No Trace solutions to these impacted areas.

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