We are tired of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) engaging activities counter to its mission statement. The ATC applied to Congress to close the trail during the pandemic. They continued to discourage hiking well after the pandemic was under control. Hikers who completed miles between 3/15/20 and 3/11/21 will not be recognized. The discouraging of a safe, socially distanced activity harmed hikers, businesses along the trail, and was contrary to epidemiology based science.

Keeping people away from the trail resulted in increased congregation indoors, denied people access to macro level self care (increasing physiological distress) and harmed local seasonal economies. 

Their lack of stewardship during this period resulted in NO official count of hikers on trail, poor or no maintenance, and produced physical hazards. The stewardship of the trail should be privatized; or given to an organization interested actual promotion of the trail itself.