Two Tennessee hikers attempt FKT of Smokies trails to raise money for park

Two hikers from Tennessee plan to walk over 900 miles and raise $60,000 for Great Smoky Mountains National Park Preventative Search and Rescue. Nancy East and her hiking partner Chris Ford are attempting a fastest known time (FKT) attempt of hiking all the trails in the national park. Along the way, the duo plan to raise $60,000 for preventative search and rescue programs.

The money will fund two seasonal rangers who will implement a robust PSAR program, according to East’s blog. “This program will undoubtedly save lives,” East says. Follow their progress on East’s Facebook page. 

Damascus, Va. adds self-guided, walking history tour

Damascus, Va., known to Appalachian Trail aficionados as “the friendlies town on the Appalachian Trail,” has added a self-guided walking trail highlighting the rich history of the town. The self-guided tour includes 12