Sandi Marra's guest appearances

Sandi Marra

Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

Backpacker Radio

Gary Sizer

Alan Carpenter

Jim Kern

Derick Lugo

Clay Bonnyman Evans

Jamey Mossengren

Miss Janet

Nimblewill Nomad

Juliana Chauncey

Neville Harris

Jones Decker

Jennifer Pharr Davis

Sarah Jones

Cindy Ross

Scott Carney

OwlTail

This week, we have Sandi Marra on the show. Sandi is the President and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and has had to make some tough decisions during the 2020 hiking season. With a longtime love of hiking and volunteerism, Sandi combined both to give most of her life to the Appalachian Trail and its hikers. I wanted to bring her on to the show to find out the thought processes behind the 2020 closures, and she responded with thoughtful and decisive answers.  Typically, her choice of links to share with listeners is illuminating. If you want to find out more about the Conservancy, go to https://appalachiantrail.org/.  If you want to help, either through volunteering with or joining the organization, go to https://appalachiantrail.org/get-involved/volunteer/ or https://donate.appalachiantrail.org/default.aspx?tsid=7709.  Mr President is fast discovering the joys of Pennsylvania, delighted that he invested in a fresh pair of shoes before he hit the state. He met up with two old friends and even met a listener.  Fozzie's Balancing on Blue reaches the magnificent Virginia Triple Crown of Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs. He also bumps into a stranger in need and steps up to help. This week, I got a wonderful surprise in the shape of a beautiful map from a listener, Don Robinson. Listen to how this all developed in the show, but check out https://www.redeftmapping.com/.  You won't be disappointed!! If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com Any support is gratefully received.

This week, we have Sandi Marra on the show. Sandi is the President and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and has had to make some tough decisions during the 2020 hiking season. With a longtime love of hiking and volunteerism, Sandi combined both to give most of her life to the Appalachian Trail and its hikers. I wanted to bring her on to the show to find out the thought processes behind the 2020 closures, and she responded with thoughtful and decisive answers. Typically, her choice of links to share with listeners is illuminating. If you want to find out more about the Conservancy, go to <a href="https://appalachiantrail.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://appalachiantrail.org/</a>. If you want to help, either through volunteering with or joining the organization, go to <a href="https://appalachiantrail.org/get-involved/volunteer/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://appalachiantrail.org/get-involved/volunteer/</a> or <a href="https://donate.appalachiantrail.org/default.aspx?tsid=7709" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://donate.appalachiantrail.org/default.aspx?tsid=7709</a>. Mr President is fast discovering the joys of Pennsylvania, delighted that he invested in a fresh pair of shoes before he hit the state. He met up with two old friends and even met a listener. Fozzie's Balancing on Blue reaches the magnificent Virginia Triple Crown of Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs. He also bumps into a stranger in need and steps up to help. This week, I got a wonderful surprise in the shape of a beautiful map from a listener, Don Robinson. Listen to how this all developed in the show, but check out <a href="https://www.redeftmapping.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.redeftmapping.com/</a>. You won't be disappointed!! If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at <a href="https://www.hikingradionetwork.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.hikingradionetwork.com</a> Any support is gratefully received.

Episode #236 - Sandi Marra (President and CEO of the ATC)

We're joined by Sandi Marra, the president and CEO at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.  As noted in our previous podcast, the news and guidelines around COVID-19 and the trail system has been evolving rapidly.  At the time of the previous recording, the ATC asked people to postpone their thru-hikes.  Since that recording, the ATC has increased the severity of their recommendations- urging people to avoid the Appalachian Trail altogether, even for day hikes. Today's interview will largely center around that subject, including how the ATC arrived to this decision, when Sandi predicts that the trail will be safe to hike and backpack again, amongst many other Coronavirus related questions.           Sandi Marra of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy  Why was this decision reached to ask all people to stay off the Appalachian Trail?  Both in the context of backpacking and day hiking. What does she have to say to those who are still on the trail? What guidance does she have for those who want to get off but are having trouble finding resources? When does she foresee the trail reopening? Her thoughts on hiking in general right now?   The Trek will be helping to put together a resource for those who are looking for a ride from the trail in the near future. Save 10% at Greenbelly.co by using code "TREK2020" at checkout. Save 15% at Gossamergear.com by using code "ATDRINK15" at checkout. Save 10% at AppalachianGearCompany.com by using code "BACKPACKERRAD10" at checkout. Hikerlink! Intro Song: Walking Slow by Animal Years Check out The Attempt!  [divider] Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio?  Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co.  Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on  Stitcher and  Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Christopher Marshburn, ineedcoffee17, S11N, Sawyer Products, and Thomas Fullner A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: dcnerdlet, Jacob Northrup, Jeff LaFranier, Mark Snook, Michelle Pugh, Peter Leven, Peter Ellenberg, and Zoe Jenkins Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio, and Chaunce on Facebook. Follow The Trek on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

We're joined by Sandi Marra, the president and CEO at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.  As noted in our previous podcast, the news and guidelines around COVID-19 and the trail system has been evolving rapidly.  At the time of the previous recording, <a href="https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/appalachian-trail-conservancy-urges-thru-hikers-postpone-hikes/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">the ATC asked people to postpone their thru-hikes</a>.  Since that recording, the ATC has increased the severity of their recommendations- <a href="https://thetrek.co/atc-asks-people-please-stay-off-appalachian-trail-including-day-hikes/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">urging people to avoid the Appalachian Trail altogether, even for day hikes</a>. Today's interview will largely center around that subject, including how the ATC arrived to this decision, when Sandi predicts that the trail will be safe to hike and backpack again, amongst many other Coronavirus related questions.  <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/backpacker-radio/id1339028551?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a> <a href="https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&amp;isi=691797987&amp;ius=googleplaymusic&amp;apn=com.google.android.music&amp;link=https://play.google.com/music/m/Iiacyqmtlnhu4z3vkaeskn4odga?t%3DBackpacker_Radio%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a> <a href="https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&amp;isi=691797987&amp;ius=googleplaymusic&amp;apn=com.google.android.music&amp;link=https://play.google.com/music/m/Iiacyqmtlnhu4z3vkaeskn4odga?t%3DBackpacker_Radio%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5FO5edVqPbDcny0ja8kF4d?si=PwcNj15IQ_ubnDl05BNnMA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a> <ul> <li>Sandi Marra of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy <ul> <li>Why was this decision reached to ask all people to stay off the Appalachian Trail?  Both in the context of backpacking and day hiking.</li> <li>What does she have to say to those who are still on the trail?</li> <li>What guidance does she have for those who want to get off but are having trouble finding resources?</li> <li>When does she foresee the trail reopening?</li> <li>Her thoughts on hiking in general right now?</li> </ul> </li> <li>The Trek will be helping to put together a resource for those who are looking for a ride from the trail in the near future.</li> <li>Save 10% at <a href="https://www.greenbelly.co/discount/TREK2020" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Greenbelly.co</a> by using code "TREK2020" at checkout.</li> <li>Save 15% at <a href="https://www.gossamergear.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gossamergear.com</a> by using code "ATDRINK15" at checkout.</li> <li>Save 10% at <a href="https://appalachiangearcompany.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">AppalachianGearCompany.com</a> by using code "BACKPACKERRAD10" at checkout.</li> <li><a href="https://hikerlink.co" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hikerlink</a>!</li> <li>Intro Song: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY02JAB170k" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Walking Slow by Animal Years</a></li> <li><a href="https://thetrek.co/category/podcasts/the-attempt/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Check out The Attempt!</a></li> </ul> [divider] Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio?  Reach out to <a href="mailto:podcast@thetrek.co">podcast@thetrek.co</a>. <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/backpacker-radio/id1339028551" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes</a> (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/backpacker-radio-by-the-trek/backpacker-radio" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Stitcher</a> and <a href="https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Iiacyqmtlnhu4z3vkaeskn4odga" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Google Play</a>. <a href="https://www.patreon.com/backpackerradio" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Support us on Patreon</a> to get bonus content. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from <a href="https://www.patreon.com/backpackerradio" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Patreon</a>: Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Christopher Marshburn, ineedcoffee17, S11N, Sawyer Products, and Thomas Fullner A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from <a href="https://www.patreon.com/backpackerradio" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Patreon</a>: dcnerdlet, Jacob Northrup, Jeff LaFranier, Mark Snook, Michelle Pugh, Peter Leven, Peter Ellenberg, and Zoe Jenkins Follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thetrek.co/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Trek</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/juliana_chauncey/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chaunce</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/zrdavis" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Badger</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/trailcorrespondents/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trail Correspondents</a> on Instagram. Follow <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/apptrials" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Trek</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/julianachauncey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chaunce</a> on YouTube. Follow <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BackpackerRadio/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Backpacker Radio</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chauncehikes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chaunce</a> on Facebook. Follow The Trek on <a href="http://twitter.com/thetrek_" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://thetrek.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a390119c39d0193a621329ae5&amp;id=e17c3c8d7e" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">sign up for our newsletter</a>.

#65 | Sandi Marra on Why The ATC is Asking People to Avoid the Appalachian Trail