Conservancy: Appalachian NST thru-hikers should put plans on hold

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is asking thru-hikers to postpone or cancel their planned trips, citing the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus along the way.

In a statement posted to the group's website, CEO Sandra Marra acknowledged that aspiring thru-hikers had "scrimped and saved" and invested countless hours in planning their journeys, but said that the risk of passing along the illness had become too great.

https://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/appalachian-trail-coalition-postpone-your-thru-hike