Appalachian Trail

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/appalachian-trail

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the thru-hike success rate?Approximately 25% of over 3,000 annual thru-hike attempts are estimated to succeed
2. How long is the Appalachian Trail and where does it start and end?The trail is almost 2,200 miles long, starting at Springer Mountain in Georgia and ending at Mount Katahdin in Maine.
3. Who takes care of the trail and what do they do?Volunteers in 31 trail clubs clean up fallen trees, fix bridges, stop erosion, and keep shelters safe, while the National Park Service and Forest Service help with resources.

Thru-hiker: An individual who hikes the entire length of a long trail, such as the Appalachian Trail, in one continuous journey.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC): A non-profit organization that works in partnership with federal agencies and volunteer trail clubs to protect and manage the Appalachian Trail.
Triple Crown of Hiking: An informal designation for completing three major long-distance hiking trails in the United States: the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail.