Welcome ​to the website of the Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club.  SATC is one of 31 volunteer clubs that help maintain the world's largest hiking-only path, the Appalachian Trail. We offer about 100 group hikes each year,  mostly in and around Central Pennsylvania - otherwise known to many thru hikers as "Rocksylvania". We support and practice "Leave No Trace" principles and welcome your participation!​
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Latest News:

Message From Our President On SATC and the COVID-19 Virus –
  • SATC is complying with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's (ATC) request to stay off the Appalachian Trail.  Yes, you read that correctly!  In a time when social distancing is necessary to minimize the spread and contraction of a dangerous virus, many have escaped to nature seeking isolation and unpopulated spaces. On the A.T., however, what they’ve found are trailhead parking lots exceeding their maximum capacities, shelters full of overnight hikers, day hikers using picnic tables and privies, and group trips continuing as planned. Popular spots along the Trail like Blood Mountain in Georgia, the McAfee Knob area in Virginia, and Annapolis Rocks in Maryland have seen day use reach record-breaking levels. Cars line the highways leading to popular day-hiking spots on the Trail. Hiking the A.T. has become, in other words, the opposite of social distancing.
    These same crowds accessing the A.T. may not know how a simple half-day hike can spread COVID-19. While hiking, they may have eaten lunch at a picnic table, taken a break in a shelter, used a privy, or shared a map or food with someone unknowingly infected with COVID-19 and carried this highly contagious virus back to their communities at the end of the day. They may not have realized that ATC staff and Trail volunteers have been recalled from the A.T. and cannot maintain the footpath, trailheads, shelters and privies that may be heavily (or permanently) impacted by increased visitor use. And, they may not be aware of the rural communities adjacent to the Trail that may not have the healthcare resources to help a sick hiker or volunteer or manage a COVID-19 outbreak should a hiker transport the virus in from the Trail.
    Many day hikers see the outdoors as an escape from the stresses of these difficult times. But with crowding from day hikers reaching unmanageable levels and the lack of any staff or volunteers to manage this traffic, it is necessary that all hikers avoid accessing the Trail. The A.T. is not a separate reality from the communities in which hikers live – so, until the risk of spreading COVID-19 has reduced significantly, hiking on a heavily-trafficked trail like the A.T. potentially increases rather than reduces harm.
    The ATC does not want to do too little, too late. We cannot close the Trail. We cannot physically bar access to trailheads or connecting trails. We can and do, however, urge everyone to please stay away from the Appalachian Trail until further notice.
  • Following the suggestions put forth by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, SATC is cancelling the hike schedule at least through April 16th; and there is to be no trail maintenance by work groups or individuals on the trail, it's shelters, or parking lots.
  • SATC has cancelled the annual banquet.  Refunds will be sent to those who have already registered.  We are likely to have some type of ‘annual meeting’ when the air has cleared. 



 
What Our Members Say About SATC!
"SATC hikes are always fun and well organized. I've met many good friends by being a member." Tom N.

​"Thank you so much for organizing the A.T. Hike Across Pennsylvania series. I never would have, or could have, completed the 229 miles on my own." C.W.  
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