The deadline to submit a nomination for the Appalachian Trail (AT) Hall of Fame Class of 2024 is January 31, 2025.
Those who have significantly contributed to the creation and upkeep of the about 2,190-mile pathway, which runs across 14 states from Maine to Georgia, are honored by the Hall of Fame.
Larry Luxenberg, president of the Appalachian Trail Museum, which is in charge of the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame, announced that nominations are now being accepted for the 15th class of the Hall of Fame, which will be honored in 2025. Candidates have to be individuals who have contributed significantly to the Appalachian Trail and who have selflessly dedicated their time, effort, and finances to establishing the Appalachian Trail as a national treasure.
Clockwise from top left, the late Arno Cammerer, Ronald S. Rosen, Raymond Hunt, and Edward B. Ballard are members of the 2024 Class of the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame.Museum of the Appalachian Trail
According to a news release, in the first 14 years, 59 people have been admitted into the Hall of Fame. The Museum’s website, www.atmuseum.org, has their names and biographies.According to Luxenberg, these trailblazers were instrumental in creating, preserving, safeguarding, and promoting the Appalachian Trail.
The following are the nomination criteria and the selection and nomination procedures for the 2025 Hall of Fame:
Criteria: Anyone who has significantly and favorably impacted the Appalachian Trail or Appalachian Trail community is eligible for inclusion. This could be accomplished by creativity, service, leadership, inspiration, or accomplishment. Those who have enriched the culture or community of the Appalachian Trail by their association with it include, but are not limited to, pioneers who conceived and developed the trail; those who organized or directed major trail organizations such as the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Appalachian Trail clubs; maintaining clubs; longtime trail maintainers; leaders who promoted and protected the A.T.; hikers who have achieved notable feats; and others. Those that qualify may be living or deceased. Whether or whether they are currently active, the focus will be on those who have contributed to the A.T. over an extended period of time. Race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, or country of origin will not be taken into consideration when determining eligibility or selection.
Nominations: The entire hiking and trails community will be asked to submit nominations. Using the internet site at this URL is the simplest way to submit a nomination. The paper nomination form can also be used to submit nominations. If you would like a copy of the paper form, you can request one from the Museum. To submit a nomination, a person does not have to be a member of any hiking group. Only one nomination per election cycle may be made by a nominator. In a succinct statement outlining the nominee and the reasons why they meet the requirements, nominators will be asked to defend their choice.
The deadline is January 31, 2025.
Hall of Fame Committee; Election: The Appalachian Trail Museum Board of Directors has chosen an Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Committee to oversee the election procedure. Jim Foster is the chair of that committee. The committee also includes Larry Luxenberg (2016 inductee), Bill O. Brien, Ron Tipton, Gwen Loose, Karen Lutz, Brian King, and David Field (2013 Hall of Fame inductee). Six members of the 2011 Charter Class, five members of the 2012 Class, five members of the 2013 Class, and four members of each subsequent class were chosen by the Committee.
Recognition and announcement of inductees: Early April will see the announcement of the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame inductees. The time and location of their induction will be disclosed. The honorees will be placed on the Wall of Honor of the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame at the Ironmaster’s Mansion, which is close to the Museum. The Museum is situated on Pennsylvania Route 233, close to the Pine Grove General Store, in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, at the halfway point of the Appalachian Trail.
The Great Outdoors
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