The Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association is a
non-profit organization founded in 1983 to support and promote the interests of long-distance
hikers in the Appalachian mountain area and east of the Mississippi. It "was the first organization of long-distance hikers in the United States".[1]
Activities
The ALDHA authors the annual Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion, a guide to hiking the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). It also publishes a monthly email newsletter, The Blaze.
The ALDHA Gathering is an annual event with hiking- and trail-oriented workshops about trails worldwide.[1] It is held over
Columbus Day weekend and has hundreds of experienced hikers in attendance.[2]
Backpacker ethics education
In 1990 the ALDHA published of a list of behavioral expectations for hikers staying in
hostels to prevent problems and improve public perception of A.T. backpackers.[3]
Since 1995, the "Endangered Services Campaign" has provided
backpackeretiquette education[3] and encouraged hikers to "act responsibly when they are in trail towns as well as on the trail."[4] One slogan in the campaign was "Just because you live in the woods doesn't mean you can act like an animal."[5]
The "Hike In Harmony" campaign uses the
yin and yang symbol with boot footprints and distills and adapts
Leave No Trace principles into three basic ethics rules for A.T. backpackers:[6]
"Leave no trace in trail towns, not just in camp."
"Follow the rules as you would the white blazes."
"Help keep the Appalachian Trail a good neighbor."