Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group (Nonprofit Org)
Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group Presents — The 2nd Annual MAHG 41 Appalachian Trail Challenge" — Border to Border Insanity! The Entire Maryland Section of the Appalachian Trail! A Very Strenuous 41 Mile Supported Ultra Hike to Support the MAHG Charity
Are You Up to the 2nd Annual MAHG 41 Appalachian Trail Challenge? We will be taking on the ENTIRE Maryland section of the Appalachian Trail in one day hike — better known as the MAHG 41 Border to Border Insanity Trail Challenge! Join us while we hike across the state of Maryland and celebrate the 2nd year of hosting this supported trail challenge to support our charity.
This hike will start in the North at Pen Mar County Park, the town straddling the border between Pennsylvania and Maryland, and will end at Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, just across the Maryland State line. As a whole, the hike, while lengthy, is rolling hills and features no lengthy inclines, by the standard of most hikers who have been participating in MAHG's sponsored series of training and conditioning hikes to prepare hikers for the 2nd Annual MAHG 41 Appalachian Trail Challenge. The hikes total elevation gain is 5,288 feet.
The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest continuously marked footpaths in the world, measuring roughly 2,180 miles in length. The Trail goes through fourteen states along the crests and valleys of the Appalachian mountain range from the southern terminus at Springer Mountain, Georgia, to the Trail’s northern terminus at Katahdin, Maine.
Known as the “A.T. or AT,”, it has been estimated that 2-3 million people visit the Appalachian Trail every year and about 1,800–2,000 people attempt to “thru-hike” the Trail. People from across the globe are drawn to the AT for a variety of reasons; several are exemplary examples of the MAHG charity's mission: to reconnect with nature, to escape the stress of city life, to meet new people or deepen old friendships. Additional reasons people are often drawn to hike the trail are to experience a simpler life.
The trail was completed in 1937 and is a unit of the National Park System. The AT is managed under a unique partnership between the public and private sectors that includes, among others, the National Park Service (NPS), the USDA Forest Service (USFS), an array of state agencies, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and 31 local trail-maintaining clubs.
Trail Information
Nearby City: Penn-Mar
Length: 41 total miles
Trail Type: Point-to-Point
Skill Level: Ultra Hike
Natural History Feature: Rolling hills, woods
Trailhead Elev: 1300 feet
Top Elev: 1800 feet
Facilities: There are AT shelters (with privies) and sources of water along the way.
This is an Extremely Long Hike. Participants are subject to pre-approval to ensure that everyone is fully prepared for the challenge.
Please Follow the Stated Extra Precautions Below for the Event
• Headlamps are REQUIRED (For Saftey Reasons, No Flashlights are Allowed):
We will be starting and possibly finishing the hike in the dark. We also recommend an extra set of batteries for the headlamp.
• Bring Plenty of Hydration and Food
WARNING: Do NOT wait until you are thirsty to drink as thirst is an early sign of dehydration. Eat a meal high in carbohydrates to "carbo load" the evening before the hike and a small meal before the hike starts. Begin hydrating the day and evening before the hike and continue drinking fluids throughout the duration and well after the hike. During the hike, eat and drink a little every hour or so. Come with enough calories for a long day as you will be burning a huge amount of calories which must be replaced while you are on the trail. There is some water available along the way, but it is best to be prepared. While this is a supported event with aid stations, these are not to be used as your sole source of calories and hydration for the challenge.
• Protect Your Feet
Things that you don’t notice rubbing during a 10-mile hike may cause problems at 30 or 40 miles. Wear comfortable shoes and consider extra protection for your feet such as liner socks, pre-taping your feet, or Smartwool and similar socks. These things can vary a lot by an individual, so it is important to test your strategies during shorter, but still lengthy hikes. More thoughts on foot protection:
-- Extra Socks: One of the most important strategies to prevent blisters is keeping your feet dry. If your feet start getting hot and sweaty, fresh socks can be a life saver.
-- Change of Footwear:
This adds to your weight, but a change of shoes can help if one pair is causing a particular problem.
-- Blister Prevention:
Learn how to prevent blisters by pre-taping your feet. Click Here for information concerning preventing blisters and dealing with them!
• Prepare for Weather Extremities:
We will be outside for a VERY long time for this one day hike, so it is critical that you take measures to protect yourself from the sun. Please bring sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. Also, weather can change quite a bit over the course of an extended hike, so keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared. It's always good to be prepared for rain whether it looks likely or not.
General Gear Suggestions
Click Here for suggestions regarding what to wear and what not to wear for hiking the trails.
Weather Information
This event is held rain or shine! Click Here to see an up to the minute forecast for where we will be hiking.
Carpool Suggestions and Information
Note that you are responsible for knowing how to get from carpool locations to the venue. Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is not responsible for transportation to and from events or carpools. Suggested carpool times and places are provided as a courtesy because many members are either new to the area or unfamiliar with a particular hike or venues location. Please use the 'Comments' section below, or reach out via e-mail to make arrangements for carpooling needs and offerings.
If you can drive or want to carpool from any particular place, please post your offer to help those in need of a ride, and those looking for a ride, in the comment section below. Click Here for a list of suggested carpool locations, each complete with a physical address, GPS coordinates, driving directions and additional carpool information.
For those who need a ride, reach out to the drivers. Make friends, and support the environment — by just offering a ride!
Directions to the 2nd Annual MAHG 41 Trail Challenge!
Click Here for Directions to Where We Meet for Shuttle Service for this Special Fundraising Event. Note: If you are planning on providing your own transportation to Pen Mar, please contact Mike ASAP to coordinate exact meeting spot.)
** Shuttle Service is at 3:00 a.m. **
** The MAHG 41 Appalachian Trail Challenge Starts at 4:00 a.m. **
SHUTTLE. We will meet at Pen Mar at 4:00 a.m. for the trail challenge. If you choose to meet at Harper's Ferry, we have found a service that will meet Hikers at 3:00 a.m. at the Harper's Ferry Train Station. This service will bring Hikers to the trail head in Pen Mar just before 4:00 a.m. If you want to take the shuttle, you must pay for the shuttle by going to this link. IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON MEETING AT PEN MAR BUT NOT USING THE SHUTTLE SERVICE, PLEASE MESSAGE MIKE ASAP AND INFORM HIM THAT YOU ARE NOT PLANNING ON TAKING THE PAID SHUTTLE. Mike will coordinate on the exact meeting spot at Pen Mar with you.
PARKING IN HARPER'S FERRY. You can park overnight at the train station, BUT you must fill out and fax this form to the National Park Service Ranger station at 304-535-6061. There is 24-hour access to the lot. Do not attempt to park at the Visitor's Center as that lot is locked after hours. It's an excellent idea to carpool. Remember to leave no valuables in the car.
Event Contacts:
Mike Carlson: 410.615.6251
Kellie Carlisle: 240.393.7640
• Please Click Here Now and Help Support Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group in Serving our Mission.
• Donations to Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group ARE Tax Deductible: Tax ID 47-5141831. Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charitable organization.
• Click Here to Learn more about Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group’s Mission.
• 100% of Every Dollar Goes Directly to the Expenses of Meeting our Mission.
, MD - USA
Saturday, September 24 at 4:00 AM
2
Price: 20.00 USD
http://www.meetup.com/Mid-Atlantic-Hiking-Group/events/233000235/