BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 29, 2020
As the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, the Appalachian Trail has potential to be a place where the coronavirus is spread to different communities and across state lines. To address this problem, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy recently released updated guidance for visitors. The new guidelines ask visitors to keep hike locations local, minimize time spent in towns and carry a face covering and hand sanitizer in addition to standard hiking gear. In addition, the conservancy asks that visitors refrain from using shared trail resources such as shelters, privies and picnic tables. And thru-hikers (people attempting to hike the entire trail within 12 months) are asked to postpone their journeys for the time being.