7 Reasons to Attend the ATC’s Fourth Annual Fundraiser [And How You Can Win FREE Tickets]

The following post has been provided by our friends at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the Appalachian Trail.

Looking to connect with the hiking community? Join them for their fourth annual fundraiser in October. We’re visiting five different cities to showcase a new Appalachian Trail film and highlight exciting guest speakers, and we’re hoping to bring in 2,180 new ATC members along the way. 

Find out why you should attend below and then learn how you can win 2 FREE tickets to Relive the Legacy: the Appalachian Trail at the end of the post.

7. Curb your Trail Nostalgia

Thru-hikers, if you’re catching yourself staring out your window too many times, dreaming of your time on the Trail, here’s an opportunity for you to chat with other hikers about how you’re adjusting to post-thru-hike life. (Wait, now that we think about it, this event might just make your pining worse. We still think you should come, though!)

6. Includes an ATC Membership (For You or a Friend)

If you’ve been meaning to give up a few coffees or beers per month to get that ATC membership, well, there’s never a better time. A ticket gets you not only a one-year membership but also admission to see a great new film and hear from leaders in the A.T. community. And, if you’re already an ATC member, we still want you there: you’ll get a gift membership that you can give to a friend. (Christmas is less than three months away, believe it or not.)

5. Watch a Great New Film

Did we say, “Great new film?” We did, and it’s a bit different than ones we’ve all seen in the past. Sam Henegar’s “The Appalachian Trail: An American Legacy” takes viewers back to before the Trail even existed, highlighting how it came about and how it managed to become what it is today. We’re willing to bet you’ll learn a lot that, believe it or not, a thru-hike didn’t even teach you.

4. Hear Amazing Stories from Esteemed Thru-Hikers

Remember all the unique people you came across while hiking, and those great tales you heard on a daily basis? Relive those moments as you listen to stories from an astronaut-turned-thru-hiker; an Air Force veteran and participant in Warrior Hike’s “Walk Off The War”; a speed hiker and ultralight backpacking expert; one of the Trail’s most devoted supporters from the National Park Service; and other thru- and section hikers and key leaders within the ATC.

3. Backpacking Trivia (And Loads of Prizes)

You know you love showing off your backpacking knowledge. Here’s your chance to do it in front of a big crowd: thanks to a new A.T. board game, we’ve got a bunch of fresh questions to test your memory. You could win some great hiking gear at our show.

2. Appalachian Trials Readers Save Money!

We’re giving you $5 off right now. (See reason #6 – that’s one less coffee or beer you have to give up.) Use the promo code trials14 and get your ticket for $25.

1. Best of All- You Are Helping the AT!

Do we really need to say this? If you attend, you’re helping us protect something we’ve all come to know and love: 2,180 miles of hopes, dreams, fears, frustrations, excitement, curses, exclamations, laughter, and really dirty feet.

We hope to see you there!

Now how can you win free tickets?  In the comments below tell us…

1. Which event you’d like to attend (happening in DC, Cincinnati, Carlisle, Atlanta, and Charlotte),
2. Your favorite moment from the AT,
3. And who your ATC membership would be given to (if not yourself).

The deadline to enter is this Friday, October 3rd at 11:59 pm EST.  The winners (three winners will receive a pair of tickets) will be notified via email within 48 hours of contest’s conclusion.  Happy commenting!