The Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1983 to support and promote the interests of long-distance hikers in the Appalachian mountain area and east of the Mississippi.
The ALDHA Gathering is an annual event with hiking- and trail-oriented workshops about trails worldwide.
[1] It is held over Columbus Day weekend and has hundreds of experienced hikers in attendance.
[2] In 1990 the ALDHA published of a list of behavioral expectations for hikers staying in hostels to prevent problems and improve public perception of A.T.
"[5] The "Hike In Harmony" campaign uses the yin and yang symbol with boot footprints and distills and adapts Leave No Trace principles into three basic ethics rules for A.T. backpackers:[6]