Appalachian Trail Days Festival
Programs & Presentations
Find information and inspiration from a packed schedule of presentations, trail tales, and discussions by trail personalities. Programs are located at the Rock School Auditorium and the Old Mill Conference Room throughout the weekend. 2024 presenters include Warren Doyle, Brandon "Horsepower" Weis, Jennifer Pharr Davis, Heather "Anish" Anderson, the Perch Creek Explorers, 32 Feet Up, and more.
Friday, May 17
11:30am-1pm at the Rock School Auditorium: ALDHA Annual Hiker Feed.
ALDHA is the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association. Come to enjoy the camaraderie and food. ALL ARE WELCOME, hikers, hikers’ friends, and dreamers. Volunteers are needed and food donations are greatly appreciated. For more information contact Penny Vann at [email protected]. aldha.org.
1:30-3pm at the Rock School Auditorium: Horsepower’s Calendar Year Triple Crown+.
Come see a presentation of Brandon “Horsepower” Weis’s 8,292-mile traverse of the AT, PCT, CDT, and AZT in 2021.
3:15-4:15pm at the Rock School Auditorium: Book Reading by Author, Mark Johnson.
Mr. Johnson will read passages from his new novel, "Mr. Ledbetter's Boots" and "Doofus Dad Does Everest Base Camp". Both are adventure stories related to the iconic Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal. [email protected].
4:30-5:45pm at the Rock School Auditorium: The Everest Base Camp Experience.
An audiovisual journey to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, along with everything you need to know about this trip. [email protected]
5-6:15pm at the Old Mill Conference Room: A Talk in the Woods with Cary Segall.
Come hear a former award-winning newspaper reporter, Cary Segall, as he reads from and describes his reasons for writing "A Talk in the Woods". This newest edition to AT literature is filled with stories of dozens of hikers, trail maintainers, ridge runners, hostile owners, shuttle drivers, and others he interviewed while section hiking the entire AT from 2014-2018.
7-7:50pm at the Rock School Auditorium: Beginners’ Contra Dance Lesson.
Warren & Terry Doyle (AT thru-hikers) will offer patient, fun instruction so you don’t look too foolish at tonight's dance. Don't worry, you don’t have to know your left foot from your right foot to contra dance.
8-11pm at the Rock School Auditorium: Annual Trail Days Contra Dance.
Enjoy dancing to some mighty-fine musicians and with patient, clear dance calling by Warren & Terry Doyle, and it’s FREE! For new dancers, please come to the beginner’s lesson at 7pm. “Contra dancing is the most fun you can have standing up!” No partner or fancy duds needed. Please attend sober. Damascus also hosts a quarterly contra dance, the Trail Town Twirl, in March, June, September, and December. contradancersdelight.com, visitdamascus.org/contra-dance-trail-town-twirl-quarterly.
ALDHA is the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association. Come to enjoy the camaraderie and food. ALL ARE WELCOME, hikers, hikers’ friends, and dreamers. Volunteers are needed and food donations are greatly appreciated. For more information contact Penny Vann at [email protected]. aldha.org.
1:30-3pm at the Rock School Auditorium: Horsepower’s Calendar Year Triple Crown+.
Come see a presentation of Brandon “Horsepower” Weis’s 8,292-mile traverse of the AT, PCT, CDT, and AZT in 2021.
3:15-4:15pm at the Rock School Auditorium: Book Reading by Author, Mark Johnson.
Mr. Johnson will read passages from his new novel, "Mr. Ledbetter's Boots" and "Doofus Dad Does Everest Base Camp". Both are adventure stories related to the iconic Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal. [email protected].
4:30-5:45pm at the Rock School Auditorium: The Everest Base Camp Experience.
An audiovisual journey to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, along with everything you need to know about this trip. [email protected]
5-6:15pm at the Old Mill Conference Room: A Talk in the Woods with Cary Segall.
Come hear a former award-winning newspaper reporter, Cary Segall, as he reads from and describes his reasons for writing "A Talk in the Woods". This newest edition to AT literature is filled with stories of dozens of hikers, trail maintainers, ridge runners, hostile owners, shuttle drivers, and others he interviewed while section hiking the entire AT from 2014-2018.
7-7:50pm at the Rock School Auditorium: Beginners’ Contra Dance Lesson.
Warren & Terry Doyle (AT thru-hikers) will offer patient, fun instruction so you don’t look too foolish at tonight's dance. Don't worry, you don’t have to know your left foot from your right foot to contra dance.
8-11pm at the Rock School Auditorium: Annual Trail Days Contra Dance.
Enjoy dancing to some mighty-fine musicians and with patient, clear dance calling by Warren & Terry Doyle, and it’s FREE! For new dancers, please come to the beginner’s lesson at 7pm. “Contra dancing is the most fun you can have standing up!” No partner or fancy duds needed. Please attend sober. Damascus also hosts a quarterly contra dance, the Trail Town Twirl, in March, June, September, and December. contradancersdelight.com, visitdamascus.org/contra-dance-trail-town-twirl-quarterly.
Saturday, May 18
8-9am at the Rock School Auditorium: Trail Epiphanies with Warren Doyle.
Receiving the gifts the trail provides, IF you are aware and open to them. (no mention of ounces/pounds; equipment; Far Out; hostels/shuttles). warrendoyle.com.
9-10:15am at the Old Mill Conference Room: Appalachian High Route: Exploring Endurance.
Come and hear about Meg Landymore’s AHR FKT during the summer of 2023. Learn how she put together an adventure to explore personal endurance and join a discussion on setting new records vs. chasing records. The Appalachian High Route is a new loop trail in North Carolina that incorporates the Appalachian Trail, Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and the Black Mountain Crest Trail. mxgadventures.com.
9:15-10:45am at the Rock School Auditorium: Going SOBO on the AT.
Join Joe Gleason of ALDHA as he presents the ups and downs (i.e. physical/emotional) of hiking the AT from Maine to Georgia from the perspective of a hiker who decided to get off the couch one day and hike 2,194 miles. aldha.org.
10:30-11:45am at the Old Mill Conference Room: Appalachian Trail RunVenture: The Busy Moms’ Guide to Adventure Logistics. An adventure tale of two mother runners (i.e. Celia Eicheldinger-Sweet Potato; Meg Landymore-Rock Dancer) taking on the entire AT without losing their jobs, their sanity, and family balance. We’ll take a deep dive into the planning and logistics, as well as the laughter and struggle of leading a double life. mxgadventures.com.
11am-12:15pm at the Rock School Auditorium: Grandma Gatewood’s Walk.
Come see actress Anne Van Curen transform into Emma Gatewood to describe what it was like to become the first woman to solo hike the AT in 1955. Based on the book “Grandma Gatewood’s Walk.” mountainstorytelling.com.
12-1:15pm at the Old Mill Conference Room: Women Endure: Realizing our female superpowers in the realm of endurance sport. Sarah ‘Gazelle’ Baker and Tara ‘Candy Mama’ Dower will talk about their thru-hiking experience, motivations for setting FKTs (Fastest Known Times), and how they hope to inspire a new generation of women to reach their full potential through endurance efforts.
12:30-1:45pm at the Rock School Auditorium: The Wonder of Woods Hole.
Come hear about a special place along the trail just south of Pearisburg, VA. Find out what makes this spot like no other. Neville Harris, the guiding spirit/caretaker of this oasis, will share her thoughts/feelings on Woods Hole’s past, present and future.
3:30-4:45pm at the Old Mill Conference Room: Building a new AT segment to Cheaha State Park, AL.
Jeff Hayes proposes building a new, 21st century trail segment to connect Amicalola Falls State Park with Cheaha State Park in Alabama. AT2AL.net
4-5:30pm at the Rock School Auditorium: Untold Stories.
Listen to Jennifer Pharr Davis (Odyssa) and Brew Davis share their adventures on the AT. There will be new content from Jennifer along with original songs from Brew’s latest ‘Brewgrass’ album and more! jenniferpharrdavis.com, nickandbrew.com.
5-6:15pm at the Old Mill Conference Room: Navigating the Trail Within: Managing your mental health while hiking the Appalachian Trail. This is an interactive, discussion-based workshop that focuses on how to manage your mental health on the AT, facilitated by Stu Skinner, a mental health professional and seasoned thru-hiker who leads challenging hikes in remote environments all over the world. changinghorizons.org.
6-7:15pm at the Rock School Auditorium. Dream Big, Be Courageous with Anish.
Stories of Adventure on America’s Long Distance Trails. Heather ‘Anish’ Anderson prolific/successful self-supported FKT long-distance hiker, author, speaker. wordsfromthewild.net.
6:30-7:45pm at the Old Mill Conference Room: A Feat with our Feet (All 16 of them).
We made it! 6 kids, 1 job, 5 seasons. From Sept. 2020 to Sept. 2021, this family of eight (known on trail as the Perch Creek Explorers) completed an unconventional northbound AT hike. This all with six children, facilitated by two vans, while homeschooling and working full-time along the way. Come meet them and hear how they did it, along with what happened along the way. perchcreekexplorers.wordpress.com.
7:30-9pm at the Rock School Auditorium. ‘Safe and Found’ film screening.
This new film showcases the gripping world of search and rescue in the rugged Smokies and surrounding mountains of western North Carolina. The film dives deep into actual SAR operations, witnessing the intense experiences of rescuers and those in need of help, while highlighting how to stay ‘safe and found’ on a hike. nancyeast.com, jesterwallisproductions.com.
8-9:15pm at the Old Mill Conference Room: 1 Mom & 15 Kids: Doing the “Impossible” with 32 Feet Up.
Come and hear about this family’s 2023 thru-hike and their why, how, and logistics of successfully hiking 2,198.4 miles with 15 kids in tow. 32feetup.com.
9:15-11pm at the Rock School Auditorium. My 56 y.o. Love Affair with the AT.
Come be regaled by Warren Doyle who has attended all of the Trail Days. His AT hiking exploits speak for themselves. Be prepared to be entertained, amused, agitated, enlightened and/or pushed out of your comfort zone (just like the trail does to its pilgrims). The question of “What motivates someone to walk the entire trail 18 times?” might be answered by the end of this program. warrendoyle.com.
Receiving the gifts the trail provides, IF you are aware and open to them. (no mention of ounces/pounds; equipment; Far Out; hostels/shuttles). warrendoyle.com.
9-10:15am at the Old Mill Conference Room: Appalachian High Route: Exploring Endurance.
Come and hear about Meg Landymore’s AHR FKT during the summer of 2023. Learn how she put together an adventure to explore personal endurance and join a discussion on setting new records vs. chasing records. The Appalachian High Route is a new loop trail in North Carolina that incorporates the Appalachian Trail, Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and the Black Mountain Crest Trail. mxgadventures.com.
9:15-10:45am at the Rock School Auditorium: Going SOBO on the AT.
Join Joe Gleason of ALDHA as he presents the ups and downs (i.e. physical/emotional) of hiking the AT from Maine to Georgia from the perspective of a hiker who decided to get off the couch one day and hike 2,194 miles. aldha.org.
10:30-11:45am at the Old Mill Conference Room: Appalachian Trail RunVenture: The Busy Moms’ Guide to Adventure Logistics. An adventure tale of two mother runners (i.e. Celia Eicheldinger-Sweet Potato; Meg Landymore-Rock Dancer) taking on the entire AT without losing their jobs, their sanity, and family balance. We’ll take a deep dive into the planning and logistics, as well as the laughter and struggle of leading a double life. mxgadventures.com.
11am-12:15pm at the Rock School Auditorium: Grandma Gatewood’s Walk.
Come see actress Anne Van Curen transform into Emma Gatewood to describe what it was like to become the first woman to solo hike the AT in 1955. Based on the book “Grandma Gatewood’s Walk.” mountainstorytelling.com.
12-1:15pm at the Old Mill Conference Room: Women Endure: Realizing our female superpowers in the realm of endurance sport. Sarah ‘Gazelle’ Baker and Tara ‘Candy Mama’ Dower will talk about their thru-hiking experience, motivations for setting FKTs (Fastest Known Times), and how they hope to inspire a new generation of women to reach their full potential through endurance efforts.
12:30-1:45pm at the Rock School Auditorium: The Wonder of Woods Hole.
Come hear about a special place along the trail just south of Pearisburg, VA. Find out what makes this spot like no other. Neville Harris, the guiding spirit/caretaker of this oasis, will share her thoughts/feelings on Woods Hole’s past, present and future.
3:30-4:45pm at the Old Mill Conference Room: Building a new AT segment to Cheaha State Park, AL.
Jeff Hayes proposes building a new, 21st century trail segment to connect Amicalola Falls State Park with Cheaha State Park in Alabama. AT2AL.net
4-5:30pm at the Rock School Auditorium: Untold Stories.
Listen to Jennifer Pharr Davis (Odyssa) and Brew Davis share their adventures on the AT. There will be new content from Jennifer along with original songs from Brew’s latest ‘Brewgrass’ album and more! jenniferpharrdavis.com, nickandbrew.com.
5-6:15pm at the Old Mill Conference Room: Navigating the Trail Within: Managing your mental health while hiking the Appalachian Trail. This is an interactive, discussion-based workshop that focuses on how to manage your mental health on the AT, facilitated by Stu Skinner, a mental health professional and seasoned thru-hiker who leads challenging hikes in remote environments all over the world. changinghorizons.org.
6-7:15pm at the Rock School Auditorium. Dream Big, Be Courageous with Anish.
Stories of Adventure on America’s Long Distance Trails. Heather ‘Anish’ Anderson prolific/successful self-supported FKT long-distance hiker, author, speaker. wordsfromthewild.net.
6:30-7:45pm at the Old Mill Conference Room: A Feat with our Feet (All 16 of them).
We made it! 6 kids, 1 job, 5 seasons. From Sept. 2020 to Sept. 2021, this family of eight (known on trail as the Perch Creek Explorers) completed an unconventional northbound AT hike. This all with six children, facilitated by two vans, while homeschooling and working full-time along the way. Come meet them and hear how they did it, along with what happened along the way. perchcreekexplorers.wordpress.com.
7:30-9pm at the Rock School Auditorium. ‘Safe and Found’ film screening.
This new film showcases the gripping world of search and rescue in the rugged Smokies and surrounding mountains of western North Carolina. The film dives deep into actual SAR operations, witnessing the intense experiences of rescuers and those in need of help, while highlighting how to stay ‘safe and found’ on a hike. nancyeast.com, jesterwallisproductions.com.
8-9:15pm at the Old Mill Conference Room: 1 Mom & 15 Kids: Doing the “Impossible” with 32 Feet Up.
Come and hear about this family’s 2023 thru-hike and their why, how, and logistics of successfully hiking 2,198.4 miles with 15 kids in tow. 32feetup.com.
9:15-11pm at the Rock School Auditorium. My 56 y.o. Love Affair with the AT.
Come be regaled by Warren Doyle who has attended all of the Trail Days. His AT hiking exploits speak for themselves. Be prepared to be entertained, amused, agitated, enlightened and/or pushed out of your comfort zone (just like the trail does to its pilgrims). The question of “What motivates someone to walk the entire trail 18 times?” might be answered by the end of this program. warrendoyle.com.
Sunday, May 19
8-10:15am at the Rock School Auditorium: How to Successfully Complete the Entire AT.
Dreaming of doing the AT either as a thru-hike or a section hike? There doesn’t have to be a decades-old 70-75% failure rate and all that waste of people’s time and money. Come and get some time-tested, field-proven wisdom by an elder who has ‘walked the walk’ and has earned the right to ‘talk the walk.’ warrendoyle.com.
10:30am-12:30pm at the Rock School Auditorium: Walking Home film screening.
A feature film about a father/son duo who hiked the AT in 2016. It won the Maine Outdoor Film Festival Award in 2018. emilysescapades.com.
12:45-2pm at the Rock School Auditorium: Should the Trail be Closed for Health-related or Budgetary Reasons? A moderated discussion to answer the question: Are we hiking into a Brave Old World or a Timid New World? warrendoyle.com.
Dreaming of doing the AT either as a thru-hike or a section hike? There doesn’t have to be a decades-old 70-75% failure rate and all that waste of people’s time and money. Come and get some time-tested, field-proven wisdom by an elder who has ‘walked the walk’ and has earned the right to ‘talk the walk.’ warrendoyle.com.
10:30am-12:30pm at the Rock School Auditorium: Walking Home film screening.
A feature film about a father/son duo who hiked the AT in 2016. It won the Maine Outdoor Film Festival Award in 2018. emilysescapades.com.
12:45-2pm at the Rock School Auditorium: Should the Trail be Closed for Health-related or Budgetary Reasons? A moderated discussion to answer the question: Are we hiking into a Brave Old World or a Timid New World? warrendoyle.com.
