Appalachian Trail Conservancy Launches New Website

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), in collaboration with Williams Forrest, a premium technical services agency, launched a new website yesterday, featuring a fresh new design, updated photos and content, and overall improved user experience for the hiking community. This new site captures the feel of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.), while communicating what the ATC is all about and providing information about hiking, volunteer opportunities, and how to give back to the Trail. This site serves as the official website and source of information for the Appalachian Trail.

The new website contains a wealth of information for hikers, from novice to experienced. It covers such hiking topics as food and water, camping and shelters, how to follow Trail markings, clothing and gear, health and safety, hiking with groups, families and dogs, regulations and permits, and Leave No Trace practices. It also provides anyone attempting to hike the entire Appalachian Trail with vital information, such as how to prepare for your journey, when the best time to start is, sample itinerary plans, and updates on the Trail.

The ATC’s interactive map, built with Google’s mapping technology, allows users to explore multiple dimensions of the A.T. to aid in planning a hike. Visitors can zoom in to see topography, terrain, and satellite imagery as well as information on and photos of shelters and vistas. The map also shows parking locations and provides driving directions.

The website also features an in depth look at the history of the Appalachian Trail, along with a detailed description of the ATC and its current programs & initiatives. For those looking to give back to the Appalachian Trail, online visitors have a searchable database of volunteer opportunities based on their location and interest. Individuals are also invited to become a member of the ATC to help support its mission and vision.

New features include a detailed list of the names of all reported 2,000-milers. The ATC also announced its plans to launch “my A.T.”, an online portal for A.T. enthusiasts, in the coming months.

To view the new and improved site or make a donation, visit www.appalachiantrail.org.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com