App Trail Hall of Fame accepting nominations

Nominees for the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame will be accepted through Wednesday, Feb. 29, to recognize those who have made a significant contribution toward establishing and maintaining the 2,181 mile footpath that passes through 14 states from Maine to Georgia.

“Last year was the inaugural year for the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame, and it became an instant hit with those who hike and appreciate the magnificent resource that we have in the Appalachian Trail,” said Larry Luxenberg, president of the Appalachian Trail Museum Society, the organization that oversees the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame. “The hall of fame recognizes those people who have unselfishly devoted their time, energy and resources toward making the Appalachian Trail a national treasure.”

Nomination criteria and the nominating and selection processes for the 2012 Hall of Fame are:
Criteria - Those eligible for inclusion include anyone who has made an exceptional and positive contribution to the Appalachian Trail or Appalachian Trail community. This could be by leadership, inspiration, service, achievement or innovation. This includes, without limitation, pioneers who conceived of and developed the trail; those who organized or directed major trail organizations like the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Appalachian Trail clubs; maintaining clubs; longtime trail maintainers; leaders who promoted and protected the AT; hikers who have made significant accomplishments, and other persons who have enriched the culture or community of the Appalachian Trail by their association with it.

Eligible persons can be living or deceased. The emphasis will be on people who have made their contribution to the trail over a long period, whether or not they are still active. Six individuals were elected in the first year. The sizes of the succeeding classes will be gradually reduced to create the maximum degree of honor and exclusivity. The first few classes will be comprised primarily of important historical figures (living or deceased) rather than contemporary figures. Eligibility and selection will be determined without regard to race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.

Nominations will be solicited from throughout the hiking and trails community, by using http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KGCPCBW. A nominator need not be a member of any hiking organization to submit a nomination. A nominator may only make one nomination per election cycle. Nominators will be asked to justify their nomination in a brief statement not exceeding 200 words that describes the nominee and why he or she fits the criteria.

Deadline for nominations is Wednesday, Feb. 29. Inductees will be announced on Friday, June 8, at the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Banquet in Boiling Springs, Pa. The inductees will be enshrined on an Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Wall of Honor to be located in the Appalachian Trail Museum in Gardners, Pa.