After the whole Scott Jurek donnybrook, the ATC application added “expectations of 2,000-milers that include treating the natural environment, A.T. communities, other hikers, and our agency partners—whose land the A.T. passes through— with kindness, respect, and cooperation”
Given Sandra Marra’s impassioned request that ALL hikers (thru hikers, section hikers, and day hikers alike) stay away from the AT, would not the ATC’s standards prohibit them from confirming the award to any hiker who refuses to respect this request?
The ATC could not have been any more clear: “We cannnot physically bar access to trailheads or connecting trails. We can and do, however, urge everyone to stay away from the Appalachian Trail until further notice”.
Whether one agrees with the ATC or not, I just don’t think there is any way they can possibly award the 2000 Miler Certificate to anyone who has included miles walked during a period they have so forcefully urged hikers not to do so.
Their rules, not mine.