#18 | Andrew Downs on the Future of the Appalachian Trail, Thru-Hiker Entitlement, and Trail Maintenance

What's in store for the future of the Appalachian Trail? This is one of the primary topics in today's episode of Backpacker Radio, as the Cinnamon Connection are joined by Andrew Downs, the Central and Southwest Virginia Regional Director at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy . We also talk about the unintended negative consequences of trail magic, thru-hiker entitlement, Leave No Trace, bear canister regulations on the Appalachian Trail, how people can most effectively give back to the AT, and embarrassing chaffing and poop stories. Subjects discussed include: The man who fatally fell off McAfee Knob A woman who got mauled by a bear in the Greyson Highlands How to manage chafing and ass hair (don't light it on fire) The pros and cons of more people hitting the trail Thru-hiker entitlement Trail angels and responsible trail magic Giving back with trail maintenance work What the ATC is and what it does Local clubs that maintain the trails Ridgerunners on the AT The biggest challenges the AT faces today Potential for bear canisters on AT 'Hardcore' and connecting current hikers to trail work Bob Peoples : the Chuck Norris of the AT The spending report for the ATC Golden Rules of Thru-Hikers The Thru-Hiker's Code of Conduct Mt Shasta first official PCT town article Send your question for Andrew to editors@thetrek.co 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 . A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon : Sawyer Products A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon : Gregory Gardner, Kate Hurley, Clint "DuctTape" Sherbet, and Peter Leven. Follow Andrew Downs , Backpacker Radio , The Trek , Chaunce , and Badger on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow The Trek on Facebook , Twitter and sign up for our newsletter .