Does the Appalachian Trail Call to You?
Stories to Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
February 25, 7-9 PM
Oak & Iron Brewing
hosted by Andover Trails
Stories to Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
February 25, 7-9 PM
Oak & Iron Brewing
hosted by Andover Trails
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Commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and celebrate the longest walking only path in the world. Hear about its origins its protection and the experience of several end-to-end hikers.
Andover Trails’ 2026 Winter Talk will focus on celebrating the Appalachian Trail. Our Board member Steve Golden (pictured below) hiked the entire trail in 1972, then went on to serve as the first National Park Service staff person working to see it protected. He will share stories of hiking long distance on the AT over 50 years ago, as well as how the Trail corridor is being protected. At least one other recent end-to-end hiker will share their experience and inspiration. Come learn more about the 2,100 mile Appalachian Trail stretching from GA to ME. It is the inspiration for many long-distance trails and a national treasure hiked in its entirety by over a thousand people a year and by countless others for short trips. Limited to 60 people. The cost of this event is $20/person which includes one beverage. Andover Trails will make a donation to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy from the proceeds. Location: Oak & Iron Brewing Co. 18 Red Spring Rd, Andover, MA 01810 MAP 
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Event SpeakersAmber "Happy" Stearns
I thru hiked in 2022 as a flip flop hike. I started at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, at the end of May and hiked north to Katahdin. I had never been backpacking before and went out solo, but I was lucky enough to become close friends with my trail family about 500 miles in. They were also flip flopping their hike. We submitted Katahdin in early September with a large group of Northbounders who we’d grown close with along the way. Then we flipped back down to Harpers Ferry and hiked south to Georgia, ending at Springer Mt two days before Thanksgiving. I hiked nearly 1800 miles with the same people and will consider them friends for life. Thru hiking provided me the greatest sense of community I’ve ever had. It was my first long distance hike, but it will not be my last!
Christel "ButtChinz" Charlesworth
I did my AT Thru Hike in 2009. I started in Georgia in April and sumitted Katahdin in October, right as Baxter was closing for the season. Weather kept me and my fellow thru hikers off the mountain to finish our hike for a few days and many people, including me, had to go home without sumitting. Luckily, we got a break in the weather and myself and three of my friends were able to drive back up to Baxter and summit Katahdin together. Although I had minimal backpacking experience and started the hike as a solo late 20's female, I quickly learned what I did and didn't need and found a group of hikers from that became my trail family. It was the greatest adventure of my life!
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