Mean voice: "Take a hike!"
Nice voice: "Take a hike."
See the difference? The Appalachian Trail Conservancy hopes so. The nonprofit that supports the trail is having a little fun with the official definition of the phrase in some dictionaries. Often described as a rude way to tell people to scram or go away, the ATC is lobbying to "make take a hike nice" by changing the definition to "a friendly invitation to reset, recharge, and reconnect with the outdoors."
As part of the conservancy's 100th anniversary, the group is circulating an online petition that anyone can sign and they've enlisted comedian and hiking enthusiast Kevin Nealon to help.
“Look, I’m not saying hiking solves everything, but I’ve never seen anyone come back from the woods angry," Nealon said in a news release. "Hungry, maybe, but not angry. That’s why I love this campaign, it’s a reminder to reset, breathe, and take a hike.”
The conservancy's campaign aims to bring attention to the positive benefits of hiking, especially when it comes to wellness and mental health.
“For 100 years, the Appalachian Trail has been a place of refuge, discovery, adventure, and connection,” said Sandi Marra, president and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. “Now more than ever, we all can benefit from taking a hike. With this campaign, we’re not just celebrating a century of stewardship, we’re inviting everyone to experience the restorative power of the trail and help protect it for the next century.”
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail stretches about 2,200 miles from Katahdin, Maine, to Springer Mountain, Georgia. It's estimated that more than 3 million people visit the AT every year. Portions of the route were badly damaged by Helene, and the conservancy is helping lead restoration and repair efforts. All but 5 miles of the trail have reopened.
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