ECT Partner - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

I don’t want to wait till spring to start my hike! Decided last night that I am not going to wait. Gonna start in Key West in Mid-December or Jan 1. ANYONE WANNA COME WITH? I am lookign for a partner (or even better, a whole group) to do this with. If you are interested in doing all, some, or parts of this with me, let me know. Other input is also welcome.

FYI: The ECT (East Coast Trail/Eastern Continental Trail) starts in Key West, and combines various trails and road walks up to Springer Mountain. From there, you can do the AT to Katadin, and from Katadin you can do the IAT to Quebec, Cananda. Here are a few links that will provide more info:

http://www.nimblewillnomad.com/HTML/Journals/ECTJournals/ECT.htm

http://www.internationalat.org/Info/SIAIAT_PDF/ECT.pdf

A major portion of the Key West to Springer hike is along 825 miles of the Florida Trail. Here is the link for that trail:

http://www.florida-trail.org/

Tom

#2

Here is a better link with which to replace the first one listed (font is bigger and subsequesnt links are better):

http://www.nimblewillnomad.com/HTML/Journals/ect&amt.htm

Tom

#3

Hi Tom - Congrads on your decision to start the ECT. Rest assure that on your journey thru Alabama, members of the Alabama Hiking Trail Society (AHTS) will be there with you. I don’t believe that there has been one ECT thru hiker who has not experienced our hospitality. Nimblewill Nomad was so taken by our spirit and excitement that he became a lifetime member .
One of the main initiatives AHTS has undertaken since our birth 2 years ago is to replace the roadwalk in Alabama with a wilderness trail. We have been extremely succesful in laying the ground work for what will one day become the Alabama Trail connecting the Florida Trail to the Pinhoti Trail in north Alabama. Our friends at the Alabama Trails Association have also been working diligently to extend the trail northword to the GA line and into that state.
We look forward to supporting all those who take on this monumental endeavor as that journey unfolds in our wonderful state.
For anyone interested in learning more about AHTS and what we have to offer, please visit our new website (in developement) at www.alabamatrail.com.

[yellowtail]

Michael Kennedy

#4

Hi: Johnny Brewer here. I’m the VP, Publicity of the Alabama Hiking Trail Society, Inc. Let me echo Mike Kennedy’s comments regarding our state and our organization. We would be glad to extend Trail Magic on your way through Andalusia, the location of the state office for the AHTS. Also, if there is any information you need regarding your route through Alabama, you may contact the AHTS office at 334.427.4445 or ahts@alaweb.com. Our website is www.alabamatrail.com. Take care.

Johnny R. Brewer

#5

Tom,
Would love to hike with you, especially portions of the FLorida Trail. I worked on the FT as a crew leader for a couple of years and have done several sections of the trail, most notably, the Big Cypress, Ocala, Olustee and Appalachicola sections. I also had the great privelege of building a majority of the section along the Econfina River north of Panama City. E-mail me in person if interested and we can compare schedules and plans. Also, check out my current hike at www.trailjournals.com/restless.

JIm Davis