Hello all. I'm going to the ALDHA Gathering for the first time this year. Does anyone have tips, advice, input of any sort to make it as informative and enjoyable as it can be? I am planning a thru-hike leaving February 2018 and possibly a section hike in NJ/NY shortly after the Gathering. I also hope to do some short hikes on the Ouachita trail but that may not work out logistically. I'm new-ish, having past experience backpacking but not having done it for a decade or so.
In addition to the general question, I'd appreciate insight about vendors at the Gathering. I have a couple gear items left to buy but I'm kind of all shopped out and feeling general anxiety about my budget. I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile to wait and check out what might be available there. For instance, I haven't bought trekking poles yet but I'm getting burned out on researching and I'm thinking that maybe I should slow my roll, get off the internet and stay away from REI for a couple weeks.