What You Need to Know About the 2018 Appalachian Trail Kickoff

The Appalachian Trail Kickoff, or ATKO, is an annual event held in early March. This event has been going on for 17 years, and continues to get better and better each year. If you are an aspiring Appalachian Trail hiker, whether you’re planning a thru-hike, long section, or just want to get out and do some day hikes, this event has something to offer.

The 2018 ATKO will be held March 2-4 at Amicalola State Park

What is the ATKO?

The ATKO is kind of a send-off for the year’s thru-hiker class. The ATKO draws crowds of hikers setting off for their long treks, many of whom will start the march to Maine following the weekend-long event. It’s also a great opportunity for experienced hikers and long-time AT enthusiasts to congregate and re-unite with old friends while making new ones.

Each year, vendors and experienced Appalachian Trail community members coordinate and gather to make the kick-off happen. Vendors set up booths with backpacking-focused equipment for hikers who need to make last minute purchases or gear upgrades. Hostel owners hand out cards and vouchers for discounted stays. Trail experts give talks and presentations on everything from Leave-No-Trace to dehydrating your own backpacking food. Hikers come for a weekend of fun and fellowship – welcoming the new class of AT hikers into the family, and sending them off better prepared than they were before.

Why should you go?

There are a lot of reasons to attend ATKO, from gear to shakedowns to building community.

Hear it from the pros

The ATKO offers a prime opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge from people who have been there. While checking out the latest in cottage-industry gear offerings is cool, I think the talks and presentations are the real draw of this event. Attending ATKO will provide the opportunity to meet and hear from the likes of trail angel Miss Janet, Lightheart Gear’s very own Judy “Heartfire” Gross, Hiker Yearbook founder Matthew “Odie” Norman, and triple-crowner and hostel owner Bob “Sir-Packs-Alot” Gabrielson, among many others.

Get up-to-the-minute status updates and information about the AT

In addition to hearing from trail celebrities, many trail organizations will be providing valuable information and updates. This year, a representative from ADLHA’s search and rescue team will give a talk about “Staying Found on the AT.” A certified LNT trainer will discuss Leave No Trace ethics, and a naturalist will be giving a live animal demo and talking about snakes on the AT!

Try out new gear options and purchase last-minute items at a discount

If you are still in need of some major pieces of gear, avoid the shipping costs and buy it in Georgia! Several representatives from both big and small name gear companies will be present. These companies often offer deep discounts to attendees. This year’s exhibitors will include Lightheart Gear (ultralight tents, stuff sacks, and more) and Antigravity Gear, among others.

Shake down your pack

If you already have all of your gear, ATKO offers a prime opportunity for the ever-important “pack shakedown”. Several experienced long-distance backpackers are usually available to help you shed some pack weight. Get professional opinions on what you need vs. what you don’t and start the trail with a leg-up.

Hang out with other hikers

Finally, if all of the above hasn’t convinced you, come for the fellowship. There is a community fire pit in the tenting area, and plenty of opportunity for lounging at the lodge. Each year, new and experienced hikers gather in the evenings to discuss trail life. Newbies come with their eager questions and concerns. Long-time hikers reminisce on their own thru-hike attempts. Trail stories and laughs abound. Someone usually brings s’mores. Sometimes, thru-hikers walk away from this event with new friends that will become family as they make their way to Maine.

Where should you stay?

Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge offers a lodging option for every type of traveler. For the hiker who just isn’t quite ready to rough it yet, the Lodge itself offers nice indoor accommodations. Most of the events and displays happen at the Lodge, so staying here is convenient. There is also a restaurant inside.

For the glamper who isn’t quite ready to turn into a full-fledged camper, the State Park offers both cabins and RV sites nearby. Both the cottages and RV lot are pet friendly. These accommodations are a short walk from the lodge and are a slightly less expensive option.

For the aspiring thru-hiker and fully fledged hiker trash, there will be a tenting area available. Tent sites are $10/person/night. The tenting area is in a flat field next to a creek. There are a few options for hanging hammocks, and it is close to the visitors center, where restroom and shower facilities can be found. This is also where thru-hikers will check-in to begin their hikes, weight their packs, and pose for for a photo under the arch! It’s also the beginning of the Approach Trail for those who will be taking that route to Springer Mountain.

Whichever lodging option you choose, you’ll want to call and make reservations ASAP! The Lodge and the Campground fill up quickly for this event. As the event gets larger, the tenting area may fill up as well.

Transportation

You can get to this event via whatever method you were planning to arrive for your thru-hike. There are several shuttling options available from the Atlanta area. In addition, Top of Georgia Hostel will be offering shuttles, as well as Ron’s Appalachian Trail Shuttles. The REI stores in Atlanta have also started offering hiker shuttles, and will likely be attending the event so that could be a good option for someone.

If you are starting your thru-hike immediately after the event and need to get to Springer, there will be people at the event offering shuttles. In addition to the above mentioned services, past hikers and trail angels attending the event will offer rides to Springer. Someone will get you there, don’t stress over that.

Now that I’ve talked you into it, here’s the ATKO schedule for 2018

Friday March 2 – Sunday March 4

Friday March 2nd

7:00 pm- “10 Golden Suggestions for Hiking the Appalachian Trail” Bob “Sir-Packs-Alot” Gabrielsen – Top of Georgia Hiking Center

8:00 pm- “The Trail is Full of Surprises”- Gary Sizer, Author

Saturday March 3rd

9:00 am- “State of the Trail Update”- Bill Bryant

10:00 am- “Staying Found on the AT”- Ken Bunnings, ALDHA’s Search and Rescue Coordinator

11:00 am- “Dehydrate it Yourself, Backpacking Food”-Judy (Heartfire) Gross, Lightheart Gear

1:00 pm- “The Trail of my Life”- Gene Espy, Author/Legend

2:00 pm- “Ultra Light Hiking and Making Your Gear”- George (Tinman) Andrews, Antigravitygear

3:00 pm- “Leave No Trace”- Jay Dement, GATC/LNT Trainer

4:00 pm- “Simple Backpacking Principles”- Sunny Waller

5:00pm- “Practical Ultra Light for the AT”- Paul Fitzner, Etowah Gear

6:00 pm- “Leave No Trace Trail Magic”- Miss Janet, Trail Angel

7:00 pm- “The Hiking Community and How We Relate to Each Other Through our Individual Roles”- Odie Norman, The Hiker Yearbook

Sunday March 4th

9:00 am- “The AT Game”- Ron Burger, ALDHAs Asst Coordinator

10:00 am- “Trail Service Providers Q & A Panel”-Bob Gabrielsen and guests

11:00 am- “Ssssnakes Alive”- (live animal presentation) Doug Grant, Naturalist

There will also be a Gear Lab with Sunny Waller on Saturday.

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See you at the kick-off!