6th Annual Alabama Hiking Trail Society Conference Recap
Despite threatening weather on Friday and Saturday, the 6th Annual AHTS Conference and the Pinhoti-Appalachian Trail Connection Celebration were huge successes!
Not even the threat of severe thunderstorms and heavy rain could stop the 6th Annual AHTS Conference which was held March 14-16. For the third year, the Conference was held at the beautiful CCC built Bald Rock Lodge high atop Cheaha Mountain. The event began Friday at noon under threatening skies and sure enough, as our first planned hike of the weekend was getting ready to roll, the clouds cut loose. But that didn't dampen the spirits of those who gathered early. They enjoyed catching up with friends old and new until the Social kicked off. The Social is a much anticipated event each year and this year was no different. We had a full house and a record number of clubs and environmental groups on hand with displays and information for attendees.
Things really got rolling on Saturday. The tone of the weekend set by our opening speaker, Pete Conroy with Jacksonville State University's EPIC program. Pete filled us in on the latest from JSU and the extraordinary museum and education center being built at Little River Canyon. AHTS will let you know when the opening is planned so we can all join in for the fun. The speaker lineup was great this year. Janice Barrett filled us in on the fabulous hiking in the Sipsey Wilderness; Robert Shuffert (renowned Alabama outdoor photographer) shared some of his secrets with us; Kent Evans and Bob Pasquill with the US Forest Service took us on a history tour of the Pinhoti and the latest news from the USFS in the Talladega National Forest; and ABC 33/40 meteorologist Brian Peters talked about weather and hiking and keeping safe in the worst situations. Coincidentally just as his presentation ended, another severe thunderstorm with hail passed through cancelling the afternoon hike. We also had some fantastic hands-on presentations. Thanks to Beth McCandless for returning to once again teach us orienteering with map and compass and Wendi "Cuffs" Merritt and Sue "Hammock Hanger" Turner for their gear demo. We were also excited to have JD and Emily, two of the Subaru Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers with us all weekend. The highlight of the Conference was the evening program. After a delicious dinner prepared by Mike Neeck and Cody McCandless, we heard from our key note speaker, Pat Byington. Most of us know Pat from his work with the Bama Environmental News. He now works with the Wilderness Society and he presented those gathered with a frightening look at the changing face of Alabama and how much of our wilderness will be gone before we know it. He presented us with ways to fight back and protect our land (we'll be posting that info shortly.) Awards were presented to AHTS member Bill Matthews for the tireless work he does for hikers in the Shoals area and to Hugh "Solo" Hickman for his year of service helping to maintain the Pinhoti Trail. Following a brisk raffle and the auction of a weekend for two at the Fontana Village Resort in Fontana Dam, NC, Sue Turner told us about her Great Eastern Trail hike last year. Because of all the work that needed to be done in preparation of the Pinhoti-Appalachian Trail celebration on Sunday, the closing ceremonies were curtailed and off we all went to the big celebration (see the article elsewhere in this newsletter.) Once again it was a fantastic weekend. Thanks to all of you who made it possible by volunteering to lend a helping hand, our sponsors, and of course all of you for attending. We will have complete details of Conference 2009 coming up in the next issue. All we can tell you is to get your swim suit and sun tan lotion ready!
Alabama Hiking Trail Society, PO Box 231164, Montgomery, AL 36123
