Connecticut Appalachian Trail Day Tenth Anniversary
by Dave Boone, AT Chair and Peg Peterson, Excursions Chair
with contributions from Beth Critton, Steve Braciak, and David Roberts
On a day in April, 1960, eight teams of hikers were assigned by CT-AMC Trails Committee Chairman Seymour Smith to hike a specific section of the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut. Each team was to note any problems or deficiencies on the section they walked, and report back at the end of the day when the teams reassembled. Using this early season first-hand information, the Trails Committee had a basis for determining and prioritizing what work needed to be completed on the Trail during the upcoming season. This was the birth of an annual Connecticut Chapter event which became known as “AT Marathon Day”. The event proved to be so popular, in addition to collecting useful information, that the Trails Committee decided that an CT Marathon Day should be conducted each spring.
Marathon Day in 1961 proved to be even more challenging. 45 members did the CT section end-to-end, but this time relay fashion. As you might imagine, to complete the entire State within a 24-hour period required some of the teams to do night hiking, which made the day even more exciting to many members!
In 1962, Marathon Day became an Chapter event (as opposed to strictly a Trails Committee effort). It became a “Marathon Weekend” with a delicious Chicken & Dumpling dinner provided to participants at Northwest Camp Saturday night. In 1966, the relay aspect was discontinued and the section assignment hikes returned, although an end of the day dinner still remained an important part of the event.
By the 1980s, Marathon Day included hikes for the entire AT in CT, followed by a social hour, pot luck supper, and then an evening program, during which each leader or someone appointed by the leader would give a short oral report on the condition of the Trail as well as the names of any wildflowers, birds, butterflies, etc. that were observed during the hike. During that time, the potluck suppers were very popular, but over the years, the logistics involving such a large scale event became too much, and in 1997, AT Marathon Day was replaced with the annual Spring work party event known today as “Give A Day to the AT.”
In 2006, Chapter Chair Beth Critton, who in addition to leading the AMC Connecticut Chapter had (and continues to have) a fondness for all things Appalachian Trail, revived the idea of a one-day celebration of the AT in Connecticut in the manner of the old AT Marathon Day, having hikers on every section on our Trail. The hikes would regroup for some food (of course!) and fellowship at the end of the day. With the support and help of then Excursions Chair David Roberts, and then (and still) AT Committee Chair Dave Boone, and past Chapter Chair Dale Geslien, AT Day in its current form was created. David mapped out several hikes to cover the entire length of the trail in CT and found leaders for each of the hikes, many of whom have led the same hike every year since. Since Macedonia Brook State Park included a part of the trail (the trail has since been rerouted), it was chosen for the after-hike celebration. David also gathered a group, now known as the AT Day All-Star BBQ Team, to handle the post-hike picnic at the pavilion. Darcy Witham, our Newsletter editor, has created posters every year since to advertise the event. Since that first CT-AMC AT Day, the celebration continues to grow. Other Chapter Committees including Biking, Mountaineering, Flatwater and Whitewater, Young Members, and Family Activities have hosted events on and near the AT.
The CT-AMC AT Day party and appetites have grown each year, and included over 150 people last year. It is the CT-AMC’s largest outdoor event of the year. This year, our 10th anniversary, we are expecting….who knows? … how many people. Hope to see you there!
