With health officials still advising limiting group gatherings and avoiding recreational travel, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is actively discouraging 2021 thru-hikes. While the voluntary registration is open, the ATC is not offering its 2021 “hang tags” usually gifted to people attempting a full AT thru-hike.
While potential for transmission outdoors is far lower than indoors, the risk factors for a crowded AT start lies in the travel to the trail, the “bubble” reaching small towns for resupply at the same time, and the ubiquitous shelters every 8-10 miles along the trail.
The ATC will only recognize thru-hikers this year if the CDC determines the Covid-19 pandemic to be “under control” as the year progresses.
In a recent post, the ATC stated: “Since we are advising hikers to postpone thru-hikes and section-hikes until the CDC has deemed the pandemic ‘under control’ or until a COVID-19 vaccine or effective treatment is widely available and distributed, we will not recognize hikes undertaken and will postpone distribution of the A.T. hangtag (which could be construed as a sanction for undertaking a thru-hike) until that time.”
It is widely understood that the Appalachian Trail is public land, and no one is putting tape up around the 2,190 miles and telling people they can’t hike. The trail organizations are working to balance information dispensing for people who still want to thru-hike while not incentivizing 2021 AT thru-hikes.
People taking on an AT thru-hike this year should expect increased crowds at the start due to the combination of canceled 2020 hikes plus this year’s hikers, and should avoid shelters or other enclosed spaces such as hostel bunk rooms that would put them in close confines with people and increase the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
Similar to last year, concerns about AT volunteers, trail angels, and limited medical resources in trail towns are all part of why the ATC is asking people to avoid thru-hiking this year. The ATC will continue to update its messaging and advice as spring gets closer.
