[pct-l] PCTA Trail Fest in Seattle March 23-25--Program Details

[Tom Griffin]

Dear PCT-L List,

As one of the members of the organizing committee, I am happy to 
announce that for the first time in four years, the Pacific Crest Trail 
Association is holding its annual gathering in Seattle. Trail Fest 2007 
takes place March 23-25 at the Mountaineers Club, 300 Third Ave. W., in 
Seattle’s Lower Queen Anne neighborhood just north of downtown. Trail 
classes, local outings, a vendor fair and special presentations are on 
the program. You don’t have to love the Pacific Crest Trail to enjoy the 
conference (but it helps). PCT-L readers will find many recognizable 
names and familiar topics (NOTHING on bear cannisters, however).

Here are just some of the highlights:

Speakers:

Scott Williamson, the only person to hike the PCT from Mexico to Canada 
and back in one year--and he’s done it twice.

Andy Skurka, the first person to walk the 7,700 transcontinental 
Sea-to-Sea Route and Backpacker Magazine’s 2005 “Person of the Year”

Brock Evans, environmental activist, the former Washington D.C. director 
for the Sierra Club and winner of the club’s highest honor, the John 
Muir Award.

Dr. Ben Shifrin, wilderness medicine expert and co-author of the Pacific 
Crest Trail guidebook.

Jackie “Yogi” McDonnell, triple crown thruhiker and author of the 
Pacific Crest Trail Handbook.

Courtenay Schurman, fitness expert, contributor to "Mountaineering: 
Freedom of the Hills" and co-producer of the DVD “Train to Climb Mt. 
Rainier.”

Scott “Squatch” Herriott, director of the PCT documentaries “Walk,” 
“Still Walking,” and his newest video, “Even More Walking.”

Eric Valentine, nature photographer whose work has appeared in regional 
and national publications.

Liz Bergeron, executive director, Pacific Crest Trail Association.

Donna “L-Rod” Saufley, trail activist and well-known “trail angel.”

Plus owners of gear companies, representatives from the forest service 
and other agencies, and five 2006 thruhikers. Also on the program: A 
place those who thruhiked the trail in 2006 to reunite and meet hikers 
who will try the same thing in of 2007.

Topics:

To Canada and Back: A PCT Yo-Yo
Going Light: New Gear & Best Tips
Fire & Flood: Damage to the Trail and Plans to Fix It
Protecting the Trail: How You Can Help
Trail Angels: Endangered Species?
PCT Guidebooks: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Getting Ready: Workouts, Gear & Technique
Capturing the Journey: Photos and Videos on the Trail
Trail Conservation from a Thruhiker’s Perspective
Wilderness Medicine from A to Z
Thruhiker Panel
Animals on the Trail
and more…

Trail Fest Sunday Outings:
Beer & Gear: A tour of Seattle’s outdoor retailers followed by a no-host 
lunch at the Pyramid Ale House
Ride the Ducks: See Seattle’s sights on an amphibious vehicle
Bainbridge Island and Bloedel Reserve: Take a ferry to an island in 
Puget Sound, visit a winery and walk in a nature preserve.

The 2007 Trail Fest is only $10 for PCTA members and $15 for non-members 
(Sunday outings have additional charges) Visit 
http://www.pcta.org/meetover2006.asp to register and for the latest 
information.

Questions? Contact:
Brenda Murry, PCTA <info at pcta.org>
or me.

Thanks,

Tom Griffin
Seattle
PCT Pages: http://griffinte.home.comcast.net/pct.html