#65 | Sandi Marra on Why The ATC is Asking People to Avoid the Appalachian Trail

Backpacker Radio

Zach Davis

Sports, Wilderness

4.6 • 1.7K Ratings

🗓️ 25 March 2020

⏱️ 43 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

We're joined by Sandi Marra, the president and CEO at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. As noted in our previous podcast, the news and guidelines around COVID-19 and the trail system has been evolving rapidly. At the time of the previous recording, the ATC asked people to postpone their thru-hikes. Since that recording, the ATC has increased the severity of their recommendations- urging people to avoid the Appalachian Trail altogether, even for day hikes.

Today's interview will largely center around that subject, including how the ATC arrived to this decision, when Sandi predicts that the trail will be safe to hike and backpack again, amongst many other Coronavirus related questions.

Sandi Marra of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
- Why was this decision reached to ask all people to stay off the Appalachian Trail? Both in the context of backpacking and day hiking.
- What does she have to say to those who are still on the trail?
- What guidance does she have for those who want to get off but are having trouble finding resources?
- When does she foresee the trail reopening?
- Her thoughts on hiking in general right now?
The Trek will be helping to put together a resource for those who are looking for a ride from the trail in the near future.
Save 10% at Greenbelly.co by using code "TREK2020" at checkout.
Save 15% at Gossamergear.com by using code "ATDRINK15" at checkout.
Save 10% at AppalachianGearCompany.com by using code "BACKPACKERRAD10" at checkout.
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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	The I've been out walkinghost, Patrick Davis.
0:31.1	Chaunce will be joining us in a minute.
0:33.2	This is a little bit of a different format today.
0:35.7	In lieu of your typical backpacker radio nonsense,
0:38.3	today show is brief and only an interview, no segments.
0:41.8	We're joined by Sandy Mara, the president and CEO of the
0:45.4	Appalachian Trail Conservancy. As I mentioned at the top of the previous podcast,
0:49.6	the news and guidelines around COVID-19 and the trails has been changing rapidly and
0:55.6	drastically. At the time of the previous recording the ATC asked people to
0:59.7	postpone their through hikes, this applied to both people planning to leave in the near-term future as well as those already out on the trail.
1:07.0	Since that recording, the ATC has increased the severity of their recommendations and have started urging people to avoid the Appalachian
1:14.9	trail altogether, even for day hikes. Today's interview will largely center around that subject,
1:21.2	including how the ATC arrived to this decision when Sandy predicts the trail will be safe to hike again
1:27.1	Amongst many other coronavirus related questions
1:30.3	No ads on today's show. We wanted to get this out as soon as possible. It should be in your pocket within an hour of wrapping the conversation. In fact, if you do want to support the show you can do so through Patreon.com slash backpack or radio.
1:43.2	Obviously, we are well aware that given the current economic outlook,
1:47.2	many are worried about how they're gonna pay their bills
1:49.7	or put food on the table.
1:50.9	So if you're struggling right now please please please feel
1:55.5	zero pressure to support the show okay here it is our interview with Sandy Mara of the
2:01.0	at C we are recording.
2:04.0	We are joined by Sandy Mara.
	...

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