When the Atlanta audience at a recent sneak preview of “A Walk in the Woods” saw aerial views of Amicalola Falls and Neel Gap up on the screen, they burst into applause and “oohs” and “aahs.”
Robert Redford and Nick Nolte are the big names in this comedy about the misadventures of two middle-age men on the Appalachian Trail. But when the film opens Wednesday, the hikers may find themselves upstaged by the landscape. And much of that glamorous landscape is in Georgia.
“The trail really was one of the stars,” said Beth Rothermel, president of the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club, who was at the preview. “I think it’s going to inspire people to come out.”
In fact, Rothermel is bracing for an onslaught.
The Appalachian Trail, a 2,189-mile footpath from Georgia to Maine, engages 2 million to 3 million day hikers each year. Annually, thousands of heartier enthusiasts attempt a “thru-hike” along the entire length of the trail, and most of them start at the trail’s southern terminus, on Springer Mountain in Georgia.
Consequently, some shelters and campsites in the first section of the trail are pretty beat up. Hawk Mountain Shelter, for example, is 7.6 miles north of Springer, a spot where many tenderfooted northbounders find their energy giving out. It’s a way station that’s worse for wear.
Last week, a few trail experts scouted out campsites near Hawk Mountain, looking for alternatives that could spread out the impact and take some pressure off the shelter, Rothermel said.
The GATC also is putting more ridge-runners on the trail next spring, when the largest of influx of hikers is expected. These folks will answer questions, re-direct lost hikers, pick up trash and offer safety suggestions.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the national organization that cares for the trail, also is preparing for a boost in visitors. Executive Director-CEO Ron Tipton said voluntary registration for overnight campers will help the organization manage the use of the trail, making it possible to collect data on how many hikers are on the trail at any given time and where they’re headed.
Hikers can register at the ATC website, which is being renovated.
Tipton and Rothermel both stressed that overnight hikers should learn about about the trail before they set out and said the organization is working with outfitter REI to sponsor hiker education classes.
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