New AT Section

“CNN says this is happening...that's all I know!

Anyone have better info than this?”

“yep, it's been in the works for years.

i can't wait. i'm sure it'll be a great piece of trail.”

“I know of two possibilities:

1. The IAT - International Appalachian Trail. It continues north past Katahdin into Canada.

2. The Benton McKay/Pinhoti. There is a group tying to add this southern extension into the official AT for a while also. Takes the AT down into Alabama.”

“Yeah but I don't think that the part going into Alabama will be recognized as the AT though.
Springer will always be recognized as the Southern Terminous.”

“It doesn't really matter if they're recognized as AT or something else. Its still exciting. I'd love to go from Katahdin to Gaspe.”

“MORE TRAIL!!!!!
MORE TRAIL!!!!!”

“What do you mean Springer will always be known as the southern terminus of the AT? The AT originally went further south to Mt. Oglethorp, Springer was just another peak like Blood Mountain. Be nice if they added some length back into it. I think it would be a good thing - like taking a species off the endangered list because it has come back.”

“I didn't know that SGT ROCK. Ya learn something everyday”

“Cant never have enough trail.”

“Uh, Sgt Rock, you DO know what Mt. Oglethorpe is today don't you????? That'll NEVER be the southern terminus of the AT again. Dude is correct about the actual S Terminus. However, in years to come an end-to-end trail will likely begin north of Katahdin a thousand miles beyond into Canada, and end waaay beyond Sprinter to hook up with the Florida Trail. That's what, rougly a 4 THOUSAND! mile continuous trail!?! But more'n likely an AT thru-hike will always consist of a Katahdin/Springer trek.

It'd be pretty cool to be the first to actually do the entire Eastern US Appalachian hike tho!! Say from Canada to, where does the FT end?? The Keys? Now that'd be sweet!”

“It's already been done. A guy that appears to be in his mid sixties, based on his picture on www.gorp.com, did it this past sping/summer/fall. He did the whole S.FLA to Quebec route.”

“Mutha&$*#@, I reckon' I shoulda figgered that.”