I Hike Appalachian Trail

It seems the news on the AT is getting better and better. Not only is there an agreement to add more land to Baxter State Park, but the City of Hagerstown, Maryland will be selling an $800,000 easement, which would conserve nearly three miles of the Appalachian Trail, to the National Park Services. This land is the largest segments of the AT that still lacks federal protection. In the coming week Hagerstown's City Council will vote to make the offer official.

There is a $14 million land-purchase agreement to add over 6,000 acres of land to Baxter State Park awaiting funding and legislative approval. For nearly 100 years the state of Maine has sought out this land which includes Katahdin Lake and its spectacular shoreline. After this purchase is approved Mount Katahdin, the Northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, will be surrounded even further by protected land.

BODY IN SMOKIES UPDATE

On Friday, January 20th police arrested 20-year-old Terrence Howard Roach for the death of Tamara Susan Seay, the body discovered in the Smoky Mountains. Seay was 18 years of age and lived in Cherokee, NC. It is believed she was killed on Friday, January 13th about a half mile into the mountains. Tamara was found on January 15th by a church group from Florida while hiking Toms Branch Road.

CONCLUSION TO STORY
It ends up that the death was related to drugs. Terrence Roach admits to shooting Tamara, twice in the head, over money that she owed him for cocaine. For many hikers this is relieving news since it wasn't a random act of violence on a hiker, like the recent murders that took place in the Ocala National Forrest. However, this isn't anymore relieving for the family of Tamara Susan Seay.

BODY FOUND IN SMOKIES

With the news of two campers killed in Florida's Ocala National Park still plastered in the local newspapers, it is even more disturbing to hear that on Sunday, January 15, the body of a 17 year old female was found in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Not much information has been released at this time, but I will be sure to post as it becomes available.
Park investigators, police, and FBI are investigating this as a homicide.

While some place are debating and reviewing options on developing roads over and thru the AT (North Shore Road and GA I-3,) other towns are looking into how they can expand and compliment the AT. Warwick, NY is the latest city to unveil their plans on expanding the trail systems.

Congresswoman Sue Kelly obtained $400,000 in federal money, through the Transportation Equity Act, to amplify trails for bikers and walkers. For residents and guest of the Hudson Valley area there will soon be a system of trails that lead to the AT for many to enjoy.

Michael Sweeton, Town of Warwick Supervisor said, "These funds will allow us to connect different parts of our town which will let all of our residents, young and old, experience our outstanding scenic beauty."

It is great to see individuals work to help others "seek fellowship with the wilderness."

For the source of this story go here.

Today the National Park Service stated that they had no preference at this time on what to do in regards to the "Road to Nowhere" in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Dale Ditmanson, Great Smoky Superintendent, stated in a news release, "We have postponed selection of a preferred alternative to allow time for the public and resource agencies to review the (draft statement),"

This statement didn't strike environmentalist to well. D.J. Gerken, attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, feels that the lack of a preferred alternative "does read like a surprise ending... In our opinion, the decision should be clear... It's an alarming development and it's very unusual."

For further info on the Road to Nowhere scroll down to December 1st post.