IATNL News

IATNL To Launch New Website!

Welcome to the IATNL original website. We will be launching our new 20th Anniversary website in May. However for more information you can visit it now at IATNL.org

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Lew Coty's West Tablelands Trek

Unable to travel to Newfoundland during the summers of 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19, Lew Coty recently reminisced about his many adventures in Western Newfoundland while browsing his e-photo albums, and shared the following story about his West Tablelands Trek with us. Lew hopes to return again this August when he takes a break from his Vermont maple syrup grove. ... "Looking northeast across Trout River Pond from the Trout River campground, the western end of the Tablelands looms on the horizon. Centered in this scene is a deeply cut canyon that my topo map shows is cut by a stream that flows into ..."

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Stone Brook Basecamp Nearing Completion

After significant work over the past two years, the IATNL basecamp at Stowbridges in North Arm is nearing completion and will soon be available for public use. Serving as a basecamp for eco, geo and adventure "seefarers" and hikers interested in exploring the remotest region of the Bay of Islands and Cabox Geopark, the renovated two-storey biscuit box house in a small southeast facing cove once served as seasonal home for a local fisherman from Cox's Cove.

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IATNL In Memoriam for Tom Calon

The IATNL is saddened to announce the passing of Tom Calon, a professor of earth sciences at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) who spent many years exploring the geology and landscapes of Western Newfoundland and often took advantage of IATNL trails to access the backcountry. As a tribute to Tom and his keen desire for our spectacular landscapes be made available to the public, Tom's family requested that in memoriam donations be made to the IATNL to help develop and maintain trails for all residents and visitors to enjoy.

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Arne Attacks Bear Head!

On October 15, octogenarian Arne Helgeland hiked up 335 meters (1100 feet) to Arne's Lookout at the top of the new IATNL Bear Head Trail. Follow along as he takes in the bright fall colours and fantastic views of the lower Humber Valley.

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IATNL Launches Elephant Trail with Group Hike

On Friday, June 25, after 2.5 years of intermittent work, the International Appalachian Trail Newfoundland & Labrador (IATNL) launched the Elephant Trail on the south side of Trout River Pond with a group hike of 14 people. The trail is at the northern end of the 3-day North Arm Traverse, with the southern end located at the IATNL Basecamp at Stowbridges on the north side of North Arm, Bay of Islands.

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Across the Blow Me Downs to Knights Brook Falls

With early spring in the lowlands and late winter in the highlands, IATNL/Cabox Chairperson Paul Wylezol set off to cross the eastern end of Blow Me Down Ophiolite Massif to check out a series of waterfalls on Knights Brook, where the crystal-clear stream emerges from the mountains and turns south to follow its course through 7kms of foothills to the eastern end of Serpentine Lake. In 2021 spring arrived a month early in Western Newfoundland, which permitted this April 25 trek. Temperatures ranged from 8 to 10C at the base of the mountains and in the valleys, but hovered between 2 and 4C on top, where a 20-30km breeze across large swaths of snowpack added a 'still winter' chill.

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Spring Up and Over the Elephant

On April 14 during the mildest spring in many years, IATNL Directors Paul Wylezol and Delano Pittman took advantage of a blue sky day to make the first spring trek of the new IATNL/Cabox Geopark Elephant Trail on the south side of Trout River Pond, which will be completed to the top of the Elephant's back by early Summer 2021. The 10-hour 23-kilometer trek began approximately 2kms past Trout River Campground on Chimney Cove gravel access road, where an ATV trail makes a right angle intersection and follows the Gros Morne National Park boundary southeast to within 1 kilometer of the foot of the Elephant.

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A Blow Me Down Trek

On September 16, IATNL directors Paul Wylezol and Delano Pittman set off from Benoit's Cove on a trek across the Blow Me Down Mountains to fine tune some Cabox Geopark hiking routes and identify points of interest. After a 3km drive up Webcon forestry access road, then a ford of Clark's Brook, Paul and Delano scrambled up over a peridotite scree field on their way to the top of the mountains. Once on top, the landscape changes considerably to low rolling serpentine barrens with occasional patches of low grass and puddle strewn wetlands.

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Mapping a New Route Along Simms Gulch’s East Rim

As one of the most spectacular and remote canyons on the island of Newfoundland, Simms Gulch on the south side of the Blow Me Down Mountains requires inclusion on any diehard adventurer's bucket list. Located above the northwest corner of Serpentine Lake, it is accessed by gravel logging road after a 1.5 hour drive from either the Trans Canada Highway or town of Mount Moriah on the south side of the Bay of Islands. In the 1960s this pristine wilderness area, along with the northeast corner of the Lewis Hills, was held in reserve for a major provincial park. However with the designation of Gros Morne National Park surrounding nearby Bonne Bay, the plan was abandoned and the

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Scouting a New Route Along Wheelers Gulch’s East Rim

On August 17 after an unusually long dry spell in Western Newfoundland, IATNL/CABOX Director Paul Wylezol set off from the Lewis Hills Trail's northern trailhead in search of a hiking route to the east rim of Wheelers Gulch on the northeast corner of the Lewis Hills, then returned via the relatively dry Blue Hill Brook that flows north along the base of the mountains into the western end of Serpentine Lake near its outflow into Serpentine River. After walking the trail up through the forest and above the tree line at the base of the “hills”, Paul turned left (south) and scrambled up over rock and low scrub as he followed the course of a small stream that marks the boundary between ...

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Exploring the Western Blow Me Downs

Though it was a little warm for hiking, the occasional cloud and ocean breeze made for a pleasant 12-hour 23km trek into the remote western Blow Me Down Mountains on August 11. The goal was to find an access to/from the mountains below Round Hill and The Haystacks (the highest peaks on the Blow Me Downs) that would provide a 2-day east-west traverse of the hills from Benoit’s Cove via Simms Gulch. The route requires a small amount of bushwhacking and a little scree hopping, but with a few improvements will provide an intermediate level trek with great new views and more stunning geology.

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In Search of St Gregory’s Cross

On the morning of July 23, IATNL directors Paul Wylezol and Delano Pittman set off in pickup truck down a gravel road just south of Trout River, heading to the remote resettled community of Chimney Cove on the gulf coast about midway between Trout River and the Bay of Islands. They were on a mission to find a hikeable route to the top of Mount St Gregory from Chimney Cove that would serve as the northern leg of a planned ST GREGORY'S CROSS one-day trek from Lower Crabb's Brook on the north shore of the Bay of Islands to Chimney Cove, then on to Trout River at the edge of Gros Morne National Park.

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Exploring a New Route to Man In The Mountain

On May 21, IATNL Directors Paul Wylezol and Delano Pittman took advantage of a beautiful day during an ideal time of year to make an exploratory bushwhacking trek up a prominent ridge in the lower Humber Valley to find a new scenic route to Arne's Lookout, 1.6 kms (1 mile) west of Man In The Mountain above Humber River.  The new 1.5 km route would begin 130ft above sea level near the current western trailhead and rise to 1110 ft, and provide spectacular new views of the Humber Valley, Humber Arm and Blow Me Down Mountains.

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IATNL Directors Visit AT Southern Terminus

On March 15, IATNL Directors Arne Helgeland and Paul Wylezol visited the Appalachian Trail Basecamp in Amicalola Falls State Park near the southern terminus of the AT at Springer Mountain, Georgia. The basecamp is the starting point for south to northbound treks of the Appalachian Trail from nearby Springer Mountain to Mount Katahdin in Maine, then onward along IAT North America through northern Maine, New Brunswick, Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec, PEI and Nova Scotia to Crow Head on the tip of Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula.

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Report Identifies Keys to Developing Tourism

City of Corner Brook staff are stressing the importance of a collaborative tourism approach with the completion of the STAR (Strategic Tourism for Areas and Regions) Report. The report, a tourism plan developed for the Corner Brook/Bay of Islands/Lower Humber Valley region, was released publicly Nov. 18.

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Humber Valley Trail part of 2020 STEEP Ultra

On September 5, 2020, nearly 200 trail runners will descend on the Humber Valley to participate in Newfoundland's first 100-kilometer ultramarathon trail race or shorter 50km race, both including the entire length of the IATNL Humber Valley Trail from Ballam Bridge to Humber Village. The region's first ultramarathon, STEEP ULTRA, will enable runners to "experience breathtaking ocean views, majestic rolling mountains and vast, remote landscape."

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MUN Geologist Andy Kerr on BOI Ophiolites

In 2019, MUN Adjunct Professor Dr. Andy Kerr set his sights on the Bay of Islands Ophiolite Complex, beginning with a July trek of the Blow Me Down Mountains with Cabox Aspiring Geopark Chairperson Paul Wylezol, followed by an October article entitled Exploring a Famous Ophiolite: A Guide to the Bay of Islands Igneous Complex in Gros Morne National Park, Western Newfoundland for Geoscience Canada.

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City Approves Report Supporting Geopark

Cabox Geopark is one step closer to coming to fruition. After a Corner Brook city council meeting on Nov 18, the project now has the support of every community in the Bay of Islands region. The council approved and accepted the Strategic Tourism Areas and Regions Plan (STAR) report, a strategic tourism development plan for the Bay of Islands, Corner Brook and lower Humber Valley Area.

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Ulster Ireland Meeting at AMC in Boston

On November 13, IAT Co-Chairs Don Hudson of Maine and Paul Wylezol from Newfoundland joined Ulster Ireland mayors Michaela Boyle (Derry City and Strabane) and Nicholas Crossan (Donegal County) at a meeting with Appalachian Mountain Club President John Judge and Conservation and Recreation Director Heather Clish at their new headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Work Continues on Stone Brook Basecamp

During 2019, the IATNL made significant strides in completing its Cabox Geopark basecamp at Stone Brook (aka Stowbridges) in North Arm, Bay of Islands. The two-storey former fisherman's house will serve as a start/end point for 2-3 day treks across the North Arm Hills to/from Trout River. This year's work included the installation of new cupboards, bunk beds, vinyl flooring, indoor plumbing, and the reconstruction of the damaged seawall.

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New Signage for Humber Valley Trail

In 2019 the IATNL added new signage to the Humber Valley Trail, including directional signage and memorial interpretive panels at both Scott's Lookout on the west side of Wild Cove Valley and Barry's Lookout above Humber Village. The latter two were designed in the James Cook inspired style of the new trailhead sign at Ballam Bridge, which was installed in 2017.

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Coty Explores Hills between Trout River & Chimney Cove

For many years now, Vermont maple syrup farmer and Appalachian hiker Lew Coty has travelled to Western Newfoundland in August to spend a month exploring the Long Range Mountains, the most northerly of North America's Appalachian Mountain range. In 2019, in addition to making a Gregory Mountain trek with IATNL/CABOX director Paul Wylezol and a number of other shorter hikes, Lew set his sights on another hike of the West Hills between Trout River and Chimney Cove. These coastal mountains are part of the Little Port Island Arc Complex and are approximately 50 million years older than

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New Trail Routes for Blow Me Downs

During the summer of 2019, the IATNL made several exploratory treks into the Blow Me Down Mountains east of Blow Me Down Brook in search of new trail routes to connect the mountains to Benoit's Cove and the new Cabox Geopark Information Center at Saltbox restaurant.  Plan calls for routes to link to the IATNL Blow Me Down Mountain Trail and Cabox Geopark's UltramaTrex.

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Lew Coty in Search of St Gregory's Arc

August 6-8, Appalachian explorer Lew Coty from Vermont, USA undertook a 3-day trek across the Bay of Islands north uplands in search of a St Gregory's Arc hiking route from the southern end of the Gregory Mountains across the North Arm Hills to the IATNL basecamp at Stowbridges. He was joined during the first half of the trek by IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol who broke off midway to explore Lower Crabbs Brook.

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UltramaTrex: "A Photographer's Dream"

For one week in July, long-distance hiker Geoff Rose of Ontario took on the challenges and rewards of Western Newfoundland's UltramaTrex, a 6-8 day trek across the ultramafic sections of the four Bay of Islands Ophiolite Massifs, from Tablelands in the north, across the North Arm Hills, Bay of Islands, Blow Me Down Mountains and Lewis Hills to the south.  "It was a photographer's dream!" he said.

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Ulster Ireland Hosts Outdoor Economy Forum

From June 2 to 7, representatives of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT), Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and Appalachian Trail Museum gathered in Ulster Ireland for an Outdoor Economy Forum to discuss common issues and assist IAT Ulster Ireland develop a world-class trail network.

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10th Anniversary Visit to Scotland

From May 28 to June 2, representatives from IAT Newfoundland and Maine visited Scotland on a 10th anniversary IAT Europe tour which ended in Northern Ireland on June 7 after an Outdoor Economy Forum that also included representatives from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Museum, and Appalachian Mountain Club based in Boston, Mass.

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IAT 25th Anniversary Meeting at Shin Pond

On May 2-3, the International Appalachian Trail held a 25th Anniversary Meeting at Shin Pond Village in Northern Maine. The meeting was attended by IAT North America representatives from Maine, New Brunswick, Quebec and Newfoundland, as well as long-distance hikers Nimblewill Nomad (M.J. "Eb" Eberhart), Mother Nature's Son (John Calhoun) and Ed Talone.

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Cabox UltramaTrex Nearing Completion

Cabox Aspiring Geopark's UltramaTrex long-distance hiking route across the ultramafic sections of the four Bay of Islands Ophiolite Massifs is nearing completion and good to go for the brave of heart!  The 145 kilometer (90 mile) trek is divided into 4 stages that can be completed individually, in groups of two (north and south of the Bay of Islands), or in a single 6-8 day trek. The Geopark and UltramaTrex are projects of the IATNL.

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Lew Coty Circumnavigates Baker's Brook Pond

Appalachian Hiker Lew Coty from Vermont is one of the most experienced explorers of Western Newfoundland's backcountry wilderness, having hiked most of the Bay of Islands Ophiolites and Long Range Inlier.  One area that stands out for Lew is Bakers Brook Pond, the most inaccessible of Gros Morne National Park's inland fiords.  He recently recounted his most memorable trek into the watershed, a circumnativation that included many of its pristine views.  This is his story in his own words.

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Cabox Completes Year Two of Signage Plan

With the recent installation of Hank Williams' Tectonic Lithofacies Map of the Appalachian Orogen at the Saltbox Restaurant and Geopark Information Center in Benoit's Cove, Cabox Geopark has completed Year Two of its 5-year signage strategy.  A wide variety of indoor and outdoor signs and interpretive panels have been installed at key locations around the Aspiring Geopark that were created at the IATNL print shop in the Goodhouse Building in Corner Brook.

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Geopark Commemorates Appalachian Map

On December 15, Cabox Aspiring Geopark, a project of the IATNL, commemorated the 40th Anniversary of the Tectonic Lithofacies Map of the Appalachian Orogen. The map was compiled by renowned Newfoundland Geologist Harold "Hank" Williams, with assistance from his graduate student Jim Hibbard who continued to update and digitize the map at North Carolina State University where he was Professor Emeritus until his recent retirement.

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Cabox Information Center Launches at New Saltbox Restaurant in Benoit's Cove

On October 26, Cabox Geopark and the soon to be Saltbox Restaurant in Benoit's Cove launched the first Cabox Geopark Information Center. Located approximately halfway along Route 450 on the south side of the Bay of Islands, the center will provide natural heritage and outdoor adventure information to both residents and tourists.

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In Search of Stage One of the UltramaTrex

On the morning of June 23, IATNL members Ulrica Murley Pye, Sharon MacDonald Lahey, Delano Pittman and Paul Wylezol set off up Winterhouse Gulch on the northeast side of the Tablelands in Gros Morne National Park on a mission to identify and gps track the route for Stage One of the 4-stage UltramaTrex, a 7-9 day trek across the ultramafic sections of the four Bay of Islands Ophiolite Massifs.

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Geopark Reps Attend Drifting Apart Meeting

On February 25, representatives of the IATNL and OBIEC traveled to Iceland to attend the final meeting of the 3-year EU funded Drifting Apart project.   Paul Wylezol and Arne Helgeland were joined by Alan Shepherd at the 2-day meeting held just outside of Reykjavik.  They were representing Cabox Aspiring Geopark spanning the Bay of Islands Ophiolites from Lewis Hills to Tablelands and east to the Ancient Continental Slope of the lower Humber Valley.

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Joggins Fossil Centre Hosts IAT Meeting

On Saturday, September 30, the IAT held its annual North America Council Meeting at Joggins Fossil Centre, Nova Scotia, part of Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site. The meeting included chapter updates, website and social media, mapping, international gatherings, and fundraising. The gathering began the night before with dinner and refreshments at the Pump House Brewery in Moncton, New Brunswick.

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NL SOTA Hike NL's Highest Peak

On September 3, 2017, Loren Butler and his buddy Doug Harrison combined two hobbies and made a S.O.T.A. trek to the Cabox on Lewis Hills, the highest point on the island of Newfoundland. Summits On The Air is an amateur radio activity geared for the more adventurous radio enthusiasts who carry radio equipment to a summit and "activate" it by making contacts. Follow along on Loren and Doug's adventure to the Roof of Newf.

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IAT Attends 2017 ATC Biennial

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy held the workshop and business component of its 2017 Biennial Conference at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, between August 4 and 5. The IAT was well-represented by a North American contingent, including IAT Maine Board Members Dick Anderson, Don Hudson, Earl Raymond, and Herb Hartman, as well as Poul Jorgensen from New Brunswick and Paul Wylezol from Newfoundland.

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IATNL Commemorates James Cook Survey

During summer 2017, the International Appalachian Trail Newfoundland & Labrador in conjunction with Cabox Aspiring Geopark is commemorating the 250th Anniversary of British navigator, surveyor, cartographer and explorer James Cook's survey of Western Newfoundland and his fifth and final year of Newfoundland surveys.  Commemorations include three new indoor exhibits and the re-designation of two trails on the south side of the Bay of Islands.

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4th General Meeting of Aspiring Geopark

On November 28, the 4th general meeting of Cabox Aspiring Geopark was held at the Atrium of Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland in Corner Brook. In addition to updates on the past year's developments and a preview of next year's Canada 150/Cook 250 celebration, Grenfell History Professor Olaf Janzen gave a presentation on James Cook in Newfoundland.

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Thor's Landing To Become Basecamp

In the autumn of 2015, Thor Hansen of Steady Brook donated his old cabin on the north side of the lower Humber Valley to the International Appalachian Trail Newfoundland & Labrador to rennovate into a basecamp for hikers of the IATNL Humber Valley Trail.   Work began in the Spring of 2016, and by Fall the little camp was already looking rejuvenated.

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Work Continues on Stone Brook Basecamp

During the spring, summer and fall of 2016, work continued on the IATNL hiking base camp near Stone Brook on the north side of North Arm, Bay of Islands.   The two storey camp is well positioned to serve as the start or finish for a 2-3 day trek across the North Arm Hills to or from Trout River Pond in Gros Morne National Park and will serve as an intersecting point for the north and south halves of the planned Cabox Geopark.

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Lew Coty Treks Long Range South

On August 1, 2016, Appalachian hiker and explorer Lew Coty from Vermont, U.S.A. set out from Route 430 (Viking Trail) at Southeast Hill in Gros Morne National Park on a two-day trek to Gros Morne Mountain.  Follow Lew in his own words as he hikes up Burridge's Gulch and heads north across the Long Range Mountains on one of his many perennial solo treks of Newfoundland's Appalachian Mountains.

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IAT Greenlanders Hike IAT Newfoundland

From October 12 to 15, a small group of Greenland youth from the Ummannaq Peninsula and their Danish leader Rene Kristensen were in Western Newfoundland to hike sections of the IATNL.  They were joined by French film maker Marc Buriot and arrived from St. John`s where they attended an Inuit Studies Conference and screened local Greenland films, including INUK.

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International UNESCO Geoparks Conference

On September 27-30, IATNL / Cabox Aspiring Geopark Chairperson Paul Wylezol attended the 7th International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks at Torquay, England, where he learned more about the UNESCO Global Geopark programme and gave a presentation on next year's 250th Anniversary of James Cook completing his surveys of Western Newfoundland and Eastern Canada.
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IAT Ulster Ireland Hosts IAT Annual Meeting

On September 19 to 25, IAT Ulster Ireland hosted the International Appalachian Trail Annual General Meeting, from Slieve League in County Donegal to Ballycastle, County Antrim.  The week-long event included scenic hikes, historic tours, fine dining and tasty beers, all with the great hospitality this beautiful emerald island is renowned for.
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IAT Presents at UK's Captain Cook Museums

On September 16 & 17, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol was in England visiting the Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Whitby and Captain Cook Birthplace Museum in Marton.  While there he gave a presentation on the 250th Anniversary of James Cook completing his surveys in Eastern Canada, most noteably in Newfoundland.  In the coming years, James Cook 250 will provide a unique opportunity for the IAT and partner UK National Trails to promote their natural and cultural heritage across the North Atlantic and South Pacific.
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First To Complete IAT UltramaTrex

On September 2, Michigan long distance hiker Eric Moll became the first person to hike the complete IAT UltramaTrex in a single trek across the ultramafic sections of the Bay of Islands Ophiolite Complex from Fox Island River to Trout River.  Eric began the 7-day hike with his twin brother Andrew, who had to pull out with sore feet after 5 days hiking across the Lewis Hills and Blow Me Down Mountains.  This is the story of Eric's hike, in his own words.

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29K on a Beautiful Day ... in the Lewis Hills

On a beautiful August 16, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and local adventurers Delano Pittman, Sharon MacDonald Lahey, Ulrica Murley-Pye and Ryan Oxford set off for Cabox on the IATNL Lewis Hills Trail on a mission to find a new hiking route connecting the highest point on the island of Newfoundland to the upper Fox Island River valley.  Along the way they viewed cascading clear waterfalls, a vast landscape of ultramafic peridotite, winter's last snow and a family of caribou napping in the midday sun.

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Volunteer Girl Power

The IATNL is planning trail enhancement activities for 2016, including on the Humber Valley Trail, Grand Codroy Way, and French Shore Trail near Conche, with volunteers Katie Broadhurst and Alex Fortin channeling girl power. They are seeking adventure-loving low-maintenance volunteers to help on these popular yet under-maintained scenic trails. There is lots to do, but they know how to get 'er done and still have fun!

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IAT North America Meeting in Nova Scotia

On April 8 & 9, IAT North America held its Annual Spring Council Meeting in Mabou, Nova Scotia, a Gaelic speaking region of Cape Breton. The two-day event held at Duncreigan Inn was an opportunity for the U.S. and Canadian chapters to gather to discuss common issues and joint initiatives, as well as provide updates on regional and international progress.

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First Snowshoe of Frenchman's Head Trail

On a beautiful Monday morning in early March, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol dusted off his snowshoes for his first winter trek of 2016, on the recently completed IATNL Frenchman's Head Trail above the small Bay of Islands community of Frenchman's Cove. It is the newest section of the Hummock Trail, which links the Blow Me Down Mountains to the picturesque fishing community.

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3rd General Meeting of Aspiring Geopark

The 3rd general meeting of Cabox Aspiring Geopark was held Friday, March 4 at Memorial University's Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook. In addition to updates on the past year's developments and a review of the upcoming application process, MUN Geologist Andy Kerr gave a special presentation entitled 'Newfoundland, the Bay of Islands, and the Geological Revolution'.

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Presentation at GAC Annual Meeting

On February 22-23, IAT/Cabox Aspiring Geopark Chairperson Paul Wylezol attended the Geological Association of Canada Annual Technical Meeting at the Johnson Geo Centre in St. John's, where he gave a presentation on the International Appalachian Trail, UNESCO Global Geoparks and Cabox Aspiring Geopark in Western Newfoundland.

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Lew Coty Completes Second Circumtrek

In 2014 Appalachian Mountain Explorer Lew Coty from Vermont, U.S.A. returned to Western Newfoundland to hike the Long Range Appalachians, including his first circumtrek of Western Brook Pond in Gros Morne National Park.  Having found the terrain "so varied and exciting", he returned again in 2015 to do it all over again!

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UK Earth Heritage Magazine Features IAT

The Spring 2016 Issue of Earth Heritage Magazine features their first story on the International Appalachian Trail. Check out the 45th issue of this "geological and landscape conservation magazine" for a detailed update on how far we've come and where we're headed, including Cabox Aspiring Geopark.

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Newfoundland Geologist Among Pioneers

The International Appalachian Trail has established a chronicle of geoscience investigators who over many decades of mapping and research contributed to the development of the theory of Plate Tectonics and successfully applied it to the Appalachian/Caledonian terranes, thereby establishing the foundation for the IAT. Newfoundland geologist Harold "Hank" Williams is among the first group of honourees.

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A Geosite Day on the Bay

On the beautiful fall day of October 4, IATNL executive members Paul Wylezol and Kevin Noseworthy joined True North Charters and Tours' Tony and Joan Oxford on a scenic excursion around North Arm and the outer Bay of Islands. The goal was to identify significant geosites for Cabox Aspiring Geopark, which will extend from the Lewis Hills to Gros Morne National Park.

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Blazing a Trail around Bottom of North Arm

Early on Sept 29, IATNL executive members Paul Wylezol, Kevin Noseworthy and Katie Broadhurst headed to the bottom of North Arm, Bay of Islands to mark a new IATNL trail to the top of the North Arm Hills. The route will serve as both the beginning of a new land route across the hills to Trout River in Gros Morne National Park, as well as a one day access route to the IAT base camp at Back Cove.

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IAT Presents at Geoparks Conference

On Sept 3-5, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol attended the European Geoparks Conference in Oulu, Finland, where he gave a presentation on the IAT and its connection to Global Geoparks. The 3-day event was attended by over 400 representatives and concluded with an announcement that Global Geoparks is expected to become a full UNESCO designation during its 38th General Conference in November.

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A Geosites Adventure in Middle Arm, BOI

On the beautiful morning of August 17, IAT/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol and IATNL Finance Director Kevin Noseworthy set off in a dory from Cox's Cove, Bay of Islands in search of Middle Arm geosites for the planned Cabox Global Geopark. They toured Middle Arm Point and Goose Arm with Darren Park of Four Seasons Tours.

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IAT Attends ATC Biennial in Virginia

On July 17-19, the IAT attended the ATC 2015 Biennial at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia where it gave 3 hours of presentations and distributed information from an extra large conference booth. Attending the event were IAT Founder Richard "Dick" Anderson, IAT Geologist Walter Anderson, IAT Maine President Don Hudson, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol, IAT Europe Vice President Hugh Barron, UK National Trails Rep Mark Owen and distinguished Appalachian geologist Jim Hibbard from North Carolina State University.

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Canada Day at James Cook's Stone Brook

From June 30 to July 2, IAT/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol, IATNL Vice Chair Arne Helgeland and IATNL Finance Director Kevin Noseworthy returned to James Cook's Stone Brook to do some maintenance work on the IATNL base camp at Back Cove. Work included re-shingling the roof of the two-storey house, rebuilding the weather-beaten sea wall, and eating fresh lobster provided by fisherman neighbour Kerry Park.

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In Search of an Elephant Trail

On June 15, IAT long distance hiker Diane Arnold from Connecticut, USA joined IAT/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol and IATNL Finance Director Kevin Noseworthy on an exploratory hike to the top of the Elephant at the southwest corner of Trout River Inner Pond. The goal was to find a new trail route on/off the mountains as part of the third stage of the IAT UltramaTrex across the Bay of Islands Ophiolites, from Lewis Hills to Tablelands.

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IAT North America Meets in Moncton

On April 24 & 25, IAT chapters from Maine to Newfoundland gathered in Moncton, New Brunswick for the annual IAT North America Council Meeting. The two-day event included presentations on chapter progress, updates on IAT news, discussion of joint projects, and participation in the July, 2015 ATC Biennial in Winchester, Virginia.

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A Spring Tour of IAT Spain

On March 29, the day after participating in the official launch of IAT Portugal at Naturtejo Geopark, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and IAT Spain President Ruth Hernandez crossed the Ebro River into Extremadura to take a three day tour of IAT Spain. From there they traveled a short distance to Alcántara, where the world's largest Roman bridge at 194m long and 71m high, crosses the Tagus River.

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1000 People Attend IAT Portugal Launch

On Saturday, March 28, approximately 1000 people gathered in Naturtejo Geopark, Portugal to officially launch GR38 - Grande Roto Do Muradal-Pangeia as the newest section of the Trilho Internacional dos Apalaches. Joining the crowd were Geopark President Armindo Jacinto, Turismo Centro Portugal President Pedro Machado, IAT Portugal President Carlos Carvalho, Canadian Consul David Marion, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and IAT Spain President Ruth Hernandez.

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How Spain Discovered the "Apalchens"

As the name suggests, the International Appalachian Trail winds its way across sections of North America's Appalachian Mountains, before crossing the Atlantic Ocean and following other Pangea related mountains of Western Europe and North Africa. Though the mountains themselves were formed over 250 million years ago when continental plates collided, what is the origin of the name "Appalachian", the fourth oldest surviving European place name in the United States?

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Second Cabox Global Geopark Public Meeting

On February 10, the Cabox Global Geopark initiative held its second public meeting at the Grenfell Campus of Memorial University in Corner Brook. Special guest speakers included Alana Hinchey, Senior Geologist with the Newfoundland & Labrador Geological Survey and Mike Jones, President of Beyond Ktaadn and co-author of the recently published Eastern Alpine Guide.

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Portuguese Exploration of North America

In 1498, just one year after Italian explorer Giovanni Caboto rediscovered North America and six years after fellow Italian Christopher Columbus "discovered" the New World, Portuguese explorers João Fernandes Lavrador and Pêro de Barcelos were the first modern explorers of much of northeastern North America, including the Labrador Peninsula. They were followed (1500-02) by Portuguese explorers Gaspar and Miguel Corte Real. This is the story of Portuguese exploration of North America, the fourth in the IAT Natural and Cultural Heritage Series.

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Lew Coty's Western Brook Pond Circumtrek

During summer 2014, Appalachian Mountain explorer Lew Coty from Vermont, U.S.A. returned to Newfoundland for another great backcountry adventure, this time circumtrekking Western Brook Pond in Gros Morne National Park. Lew began his 5-day trek in Sally's Cove on Route 430 (Viking Trail) and followed a clockwise course from the western end of the "pond".

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IATNL Trek Listed #1 by Explore Magazine

The newest route of the International Appalachian Trail Newfoundland & Labrador (IATNL) has recently been listed #1 of 4 Amazing Adventure Travel Trips by Explore Magazine. The route extends from Trout River in Gros Morne National Park to James Cook's Stone Brook in the beautiful Bay of Islands, and is included in the planned Cabox Global Geopark.

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North Arm Traverse Makes Top 16 for 2015

Explore Magazine's Fall 2014 edition recently named the IATNL's 2015 North Arm Traverse from Trout River in Gros Morne National Park to Back Cove in North Arm, Bay of Islands as one of its Top 16 Amazing Trips for 2015. The 3-day/2-night guided trek will cross some of the most scenic and pristine landscapes in Newfoundland, and will be one of "the most interesting and exciting expeditions in Canada and beyond." The goal is to find the last leg of a backcountry mountain hiking route connecting Gros Morne National Park to North Arm Ophiolite, with spectacular views and alpine wilderness along every stretch of the way.

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Cabox Joins Interreg Drifting Apart Project

In October, the IATNL sponsored Cabox Aspiring Geopark joined the European Union's Interreg VB Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme's Drifting Apart project. Its goal is to increase the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the fascinating and interconnected geological heritage of the Northern Periphery and Arctic region and its many links to natural, built and cultural heritage. It will also support the development of new and aspiring Global Geoparks and promote innovative products and services for economic prosperity across the Northern Periphery Region.

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Restoration Begins on Back Cove Base Camp

On October 22, the IATNL's Arne Helgeland, Kevin Noseworthy and Paul Wylezol set off in boat from Cox's Cove in Middle Arm, Bay of Islands for Back Cove in North Arm. With them were new windows, assorted lumber and miscellaneous building supplies needed to start restoration of the 50+ year old fishing house now hiking camp at the base of the North Arm Hills, a location central to the planned Cabox Global Geopark spanning the Bay of Islands Ophiolites from Lewis Hills to Tablelands.

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IAT Chairperson Meets with FFRP in Paris

After the IAT Annual General Meeting in Plymouth, England, IAT/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol traveled to Paris, France to meet with Madame Claude Hüe, President of La Fédération Francaise de la Randonnée Pédestre and Monsieur Armand Ducornet, Vice-Président of la Fédération Européenne de la Randonnée Pédestre. The October 13 meeting was to discuss the IAT route across France, which will connect with IAT England (via the English Channel) to the north and IAT Spain to the south. The planned route will follow existing FFRP trails along the west coast of France and pass through the city of St. Malo, home port of early French Explorer Jacques Cartier.

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IAT Holds AGM in Plymouth, England

From October 6-9, the International Appalachian Trail held its Annual General Meeting in and around the historic city of Plymouth, England, in conjunction with a National Trails Annual Meeting. The event was hosted by the South West Coast Path National Trail, and included tours of Dartmoor National Park, English Riviera Geopark and South Devon AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

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6th International Global Geopark Conference

On September 19-22, IAT/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol attended the 6th International UNESCO Conference on Global Geoparks hosted by Stonehammer Geopark in Saint John, NB. He was there learning about the Global Geopark network, promoting the proposed Cabox Global Geopark in Western Newfoundland, and meeting representatives from Geoparks along the IAT route.

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Our Girls-Only Blow Me Down Grad Trek

After recently graduating from MUN's Grenfell Campus with education degrees, IATNL members Katie Broadhurst and Caroline Swan took advantage of some rare free time to make a girls only trek across the Blow Me Down Mountains. Follow them as they spend a few days "trekking, exploring the ancient mountains, re-discovering favourite swimming holes, hanging out by pristine waterfalls, and sleeping under a blanket of stars."

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IAT Attends Conjugate Margins Conference

From August 20-22, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol attended the 4th Conjugate Margins Conference in St. John's and presented a trio of posters on the IAT, IAT Geoparks and the planned Cabox Geopark in Western Newfoundland. The Conference started in 2008 to bring industry and academia together to discuss the similarities of basis evolution in conjugate margins.

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IATNL Members Produce Hiking Guide

IATNL members Katie Broadhurst and Alexandra Fortin have recently completed their new west coast hiking guide, Hikes of Western Newfoundland. Printed by Boulder Publications, it is a full-colour guide to over 60 spectacular trails and trail networks, from easy seaside walks and picnic spots to spectacular multi-day treks. It contains vivid detailed hike descriptions, including difficulty ratings, distances, trailhead GPS references, points of interest, photographs, and maps.

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Cabox Geopark Meeting Held at Grenfell

On June 10, the Cabox Global Geopark initiative spanning the Bay of Islands Ophiolites from Lewis Hills to Tablelands held its first public meeting at the Grenfell Campus of Memorial University in Corner Brook. IAT and Geopark Chairperson Paul Wylezol gave presentations on the IAT and proposed Geopark, while Special Guest Speaker Hugh Barron, Marketing Sector Manager with the British Geological Survey in Edinburgh, Scotland, gave a presentation on Global Geoparks.

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In Search of a Walking Route to Stowbridges

On June 23, IAT/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol and IATNL executive member Delano Pittman took advantage of a beautiful early summer day to head into North Arm of the Bay of Islands to look for an overland route to the IAT hiking camp at Stowbridges, within the boundary of the proposed Cabox Global Geopark spanning the four Bay of Islands Ophiolites.

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Simms Gulch Trek with BGS's Hugh Barron

On June 12, IATNL executive members Paul Wylezol, Arne Helgeland and Kevin Noseworthy took Hugh Barron, Marketing Sector Manager with the British Geological Survey in Edinburgh, Scotland, on a day-hike into Simms Gulch on the north side of Serpentine Valley. The 24 km (15 mile) trek was under ideal conditions, including clear blue skies, good visibility, mid-teens temperatures, and few black flies and mosquitos!

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Planning Under Way For Global Geopark

The International Appalachian Trail Newfoundland & Labrador has taken a page from the IAT Europe playbook with plans to establish a Global Geopark, spanning the Bay of Islands Ophiolites from Lewis Hills to Gros Morne National Park. Other stakeholders include Western DMO, Corner Brook Pulp & Paper Ltd, and all towns in the Bay of Islands and western side of Gros Morne National Park.

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Winter Duathlon Across The North Arm Hills

On April 10, 2014, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and IATNL Finance Director Kevin Noseworthy set off on a 16-hour snowmobile/hike duathlon across the North Arm Hills. The purpose of the adventure was to check out the condition of a remote fishing outpost at Stowbridges in North Arm of the Bay of Islands. It will be used as a base for hiking across the North Arm Hills to and from Gros Morne National Park.

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Explorer Lew Coty Hikes Mount St Gregory

In August 2013, Appalachian Explorer Lew Coty of Vermont, U.S.A. returned to Western Newfoundland to continue his exploration of Mount St. Gregory, overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence just north of the outer Bay of Islands. It was the follow-up to his first trek of the mountain in August 2012.

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Cotton Joe is First to Complete IAT Scotland

On November 9, 2013, Appalachian long-distance hiker Cotton Joe Norman from North Carolina, U.S.A. became the first person to complete IAT Scotland, from the Mull of Galloway in the south to Cape Wrath in the north. It was the continuation of an 800 mile (1,280 km) journey that began at Slieve League on the west coast of Ireland on September 2.

 

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McIver's View, Bay of Islands

On a beautiful Saturday, November 16, 2013, McIver's Mayor Warren Blanchard guided IAT/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol and IATNL Finance Director Kevin Noseworthy on a 3.7 km (2.2 mile) round trip hike of the new community trail to the top of Bound Head overlooking the scenic outer Bay of Islands.

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8th Northeast Alpine Stewardship Gathering

On November 1-3, 2013, IAT/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol attended the 8th Northeast Alpine Stewardship Gathering at the Sargent Center in Hancock, New Hampshire. There he learned of the latest developments in northeast North America alpine ecology and gave a presentation on the International Appalachian Trail and Global Geoparks.

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IAT Meets with AMC President John Judge

On October 31, 2013, IAT/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol and IAT Maine President Don Hudson met with Appalachian Mountain Club President John Judge at the AMC headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts. The purpose of the meeting was to bring John up-to-date on new IAT developments and to discuss ways in which the AMC and IAT can cooperate to promote the Appalachian brand and experience.

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IAT Chairperson Meets DOI in Washington

On October 30, 2013, IAT/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol was in Washington, D.C. to meet with officials from the U.S. Department of the Interior to discuss international DOI - IAT cooperation. Of special interest is Morocco, where the DOI is helping to establish a National Park - Toubkal - and the IAT is in the process of forming a new trail chapter.

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AGM Walk Along The Ayrshire Coastal Path

On September 20, 2013 during the IAT AGM, IAT/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol joined a small group of walkers who departed Balloch, Scotland and traveled to Maidens on the southwest coast to walk a 6-mile (10-km) section of the Ayrshire Coastal Path (ACP). In addition to strolling sandy beaches and clifftop paths, the group walked the grounds of Culzean Castle and finished at Dunure Castle ruins.

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Visit to North York Moors & Cleveland Way

On September 13-14, 2013, IAT/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol stopped at England's North York Moors National Park on his way to Balloch, Scotland for the IAT AGM. While there, he met up with Park Ranger and IAT England Director Jay Marrison, visited various points of interest, and walked sections of the IAT Cleveland Way National Trail.

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Cotton Joe is First to Complete IAT Ireland

On September 27, 2013 long-distance hiker Cotton Joe Norman from North Carolina became the first walker to complete the recently launched IAT Ireland, from Slieve League to Larne. From there he crosses the Irish Sea to IAT Scotland, where he plans to walk from the Mull of Galloway to Cape Wrath. Cotton Joe volunteered with the IATNL for four summers, from 2006 to 2010.

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IAT Holds First AGM in Western Europe

On September 18-20, the IAT held its first Annual General Meeting in Western Europe, at Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Scotland. It was here in 2010 that the West Highland Way, became the first section of the International Appalachian Trail in Europe. The 3-day event included a tribute to Scottish American conservationist John Muir, two half-day treks and the annual meeting.

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IAT Holds Tribute to John Muir

On September 16, a small delegation from the IAT traveled to Dunbar, Scotland in advance of the 2013 AGM to pay tribute to Scottish American conservationist John Muir. Led by John Muir Birthplace Trust Chairman John Thomas, the group toured the Birthplace Museum, walked a section of the nearby John Muir Way, and visited Siccar Point, made famous by pioneering Scottish geologist James Hutton in the late 18th century.

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Official Launch of IAT Ireland & Ulster Way

On August 31, 2013, the IAT welcomed Northern Ireland's Ulster Way as its newest member and celebrated the completion of the IAT across the emerald isle. The official launch was held at the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh and was attended by IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol, IAT Europe Vice Chair Magne Haugseng, Northern Ireland Environment Minister Mark H. Durkan, and Donegal North-East TD Joe McHugh.

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The Bay of Islands Ophiolites

The second installment of the IAT Natural Heritage series is from Beyond Ktaadn's Eastern Alpine Guide, compiled and written by Mike Jones (IAT North America Alpine Ecologist), Liz Willey, and Marilyn Anions.  The Guide can be purchased in Corner Brook at Island Treasures, or on Amazon.com.

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Climbing the Lewis Hills' Pyramid Peak

On August 20, 2013, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and Western Newfoundland explorer Lew Coty from Vermont climbed Pyramid Peak on the north side of Lewis Hills between the entrances of Wheeler's Gulch and Red Rocky Gulch. The 9-hour day trek started at the IATNL Lewis Hills Trail Serpentine trailhead and continued on along the ridge between the two gulches before exiting down Wheeler's Gulch.

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Scouting The North Arm Hills

On June 28-29, 2013, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and IATNL member Ryan Oxford guided a group of Ontario Boy Scouts and their leaders on a two-day trek of the North Arm Hills. The adventure began in Cox's Cove with a one-hour boat ride by True North Charters & Tours across Middle and North Arms of the Bay of Islands to Stowbridge's Cove at the base of North Arm Hill.

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The Historic Greater Green Gardens Trail

On June 22, 2013, during the IATNL/Parks Canada Art & Adventure Festival , IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol took advantage of high winds and the cancelled zodiac shuttle on Trout River Pond to make an exploratory trek of the Greater Green Gardens trail between the town of Trout River and Gros Morne National Park's Green Gardens Trail.

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Second Annual Art & Adventure Festival

From June 21-22, Parks Canada, IATNL, and Ocean Quest Adventures presented the second annual Art & Adventure Festival in Gros Morne National Park. The 2-day event included a fine art exhibit at the park's Discovery Center in Woody Point, nightly entertainment, and half-day hikes on the western side of the park.

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Work Continues on Devil's Bite Trail

On the evening of May 15, 2013, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and IATNL executive member Delano Pittman set off in an open boat across chilly and windswept Parsons Pond on their way to Western Brook Gulch to continue work on the Devil's Bite Trail. Rising early the next day, they hiked a round trip of 13 kms (8 miles) to reach the worksite at the inside valley, where the trail climbs a scree field to the only exit out of the gulch.

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England's Pennine Way NT Joins IAT

In April 2013, Britain's first National Trail - the Pennine Way - joined the IAT. The 268-mile (429-km) path follows the top of the Pennine Mountains along the rugged backbone of north-central England, from the Peak District National Park through the Yorkshire Dales and over Hadrian's Wall to the Cheviots Hills on the border with Scotland. It is amongst the finest upland walking in England.

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IAT North America Meets in New Brunswick

On March 2 - 3, the IAT North America Council gathered in Moncton, New Brunswick to discuss issues of common interest, report chapter progress, and relax with friends over good food and drink! Topics for discussion included IAT maps and trail markers, websites and social media, corporate sponsors and long-distance hikers, and IAT Europe and the 2013 AGM.

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New IAT Natural & Cultural Heritage Series

January 2013 marks the introduction of two new website series on the Natural and Cultural Heritage found along the International Appalachian Trail, from eastern North America to Western Europe. This first piece on Natural Heritage by Beyond Ktaadn was excerpted and adapted from their new Eastern Alpine Guide, and is titled: Common Alpine Plant Species along the IAT in North America.

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Lew Coty Circumtreks Trout River

From August 22-23, Long Range Adventurer Lew Coty made a circumtrek of Gros Morne National Park's Trout River Pond, beginning at the trailhead to Trout River Pond Trail. The two day trek brought him across the top of the Tablelands, down around the back end of the pond near Overfalls Trail, and up and across the south side hills, with a final descent down the head of the Elephant.

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Work Continues On IATNL UltramaTrex

On the beautiful autumn day of October 30, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol, IATNL Vice Chair Arne Helgeland, and Signage Director Delano Pittman entered Serpentine Valley to continue work on the Lewis Hills Trail, the final stage of the new IATNL UltramaTrex. This one-week trek provides access to all four of the West Coast's ophiolites, characterized by the rust-colored ultramafic, peridotite.

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A Lewis Hills / Blow-Me-Down Trek

In July 2012, Appalachian Trail thru-hiker Paul Gagnon and his partner Laura White made a 4-day/4-night trek of the Lewis Hills and Blow-Me-Down Mountains.  With the exception of their start at Fox Island River south of Cache Valley, their south to north trek followed the IATNL route, most of it across alpine barrens above 2,000 ft (600 m) elevation.

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Beyond Ktaadn's Eastern Alpine Guide

In October 2012, Beyond Ktaadn, a collaborative research and outreach organization focused on alpine landscapes in eastern North America, will publish an Eastern Alpine Guide including IAT mountains of Newfoundland.  Contributors include academics and experts in the U.S. and Canada, as well as IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol.

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First IATNL North Arm Traverse

On August 27-28, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and IAT Hiker Sean LeMoine hiked across the North Arm Hills, from Stowbridge Head in the Bay of Islands to Trout River Pond in Gros Morne National Park.  The goal was to identify a route for the new IATNL North Arm Traverse.  The two-day trek requires a 45 minute boat ride on each end, provided by True North Charters out of Cox's Cove in the south, and Ocean Quest Adventures out of Trout River in the north.

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Blow-Me-Down Mountain Trail Improved

From July 31 - August 1, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol, Recording Secretary Caroline Swan, and Maine hiker Loren Johnston did a 2-day hike in the Blow Me Down Mountains to add trail markers to the IATNL Blow-Me-Down Mountain Trail, and look for route improvements and additions. The trek began at the parking lot of the Copper Mine To Cape Trail, a partnership of the IATNL and Outer Bay of Islands Enhancement Committee.

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National Geographic Includes IAT in Top 20

In August 2012, National Geographic included the International Appalachian Trail in the World's Best Hikes: 20 Epic Trails.  "We looked for walks that travel deeper into a location's history and culture. Sure, there's outdoor adventure on each of these 20 hikes, but the trails also tell a rich story."

 

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Visiting an Iceland Touring Association Hut

On June 26, after the IAT AGM in Reykjavik, Icelandic Touring Association Manager Palli Gudmundsson took IAT Chair Paul Wylezol and IATNL Vice Chair Arne Helgeland on a day-long tour of Thorsmork (named after the Viking God of Thunder) and one of the ITA's most popular backcountry huts.  The day began with a 2-hour drive from Reykjavik to the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, at the off-road entrance to the valley and the ITA's Laugavegur Trail, the most popular hiking trail in Iceland.

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IAT Reaches Greenland's Eastern Settlement

On June 19 after the IAT AGM in Reykjavik, Iceland, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and IATNL Vice Chair Arne Helgeland traveled to south Greenland to meet with IAT partner Blue Ice Explorer and walk sections of the new IAT route near Eric the Red's historic settlement at Brattahlid.

 

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IAT Bridges the Divide at Mid Atlantic Ridge

On June 18, following the IAT AGM in Reykjavik, Iceland, representatives of the IAT from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean traveled to the Mid Atlantic Ridge in Thingvellir National Park, where ITA President and park warden Olafur Haraldsson - a renowned arctic explorer - gave a guided tour through the park.

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U.S. Ambassador to Iceland Hosts Reception

On June 15, Mr. Louis Arreaga, United States Ambassador to Iceland, hosted a reception for all attendees of the International Appalachian Trail (IATAnnual General Meeting in Reykjavik on June 16.  The event was held at the Ambassador's embassy residence in downtown Reykjavik, and was attended by approximately forty guests, including Canadian Ambassador Alan Bones.

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First IAT AGM Held Outside North America

The Annual General Meeting of the International Appalachian Trail was held on Saturday, June 16 in Reykjavik, Iceland.  Since the establishment of chapters in Greenland and Scotland in the spring of 2010, this was the first combined meeting of representatives from Europe and North America.

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First Art & Adventure Festival a Success

From June 8-10, the first Art & Adventure Festival in Gros Morne National Park went ahead with good weather and participation.  Organized by Parks Canada, the IATNL, and Ocean Quest Adventures, the weekend included a rug hooking and art exhibit, art workshop, hiking, zodiac tours and shuttles, and nightly entertainment in Woody Point and Trout River.

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Art & Adventure Festival at Gros Morne Park

From June 8-10, Parks Canada, IATNL, and Ocean Quest Adventures will be presenting the first Art & Adventure Festival in Gros Morne National Park.  The 3-day event will include hooked rug and fine art exhibits and workshops at the park's Discovery Center in Woody Point, zodiac adventures on Trout River Pond, and guided hikes of nearby Overfalls Trail.

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Parisiens Trek Blow-Me-Down Mountain Trail

From May 19 to 21, two hikers from Paris, France braved chilly nightime temperatures and colder patches of snow and ice to make a rare spring trek of the Blow-Me-Down Mountain Trail.  Fabien Mignot and Loris Pennacchioli took a break from their studies in Montreal to visit Western Newfoundland -formerly a part of the French Shore of Newfoundland - and hike sections of the IATNL.

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New Trail to Eastern Point, Portland Creek

On May 5, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and local volunteer Robert Wentzell took advantage of a beautiful spring day to add a new section of trail to Eastern Point, near Portland Creek on the Great Northern Peninsula.  The original IATNL route ended near the rocky shoreline, while the new section provides a safe detour around the rocks, for those less nimble on their feet.

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Green Point: A 500+ Million Year Thru Hike

On the western coast of Newfoundland's Great Northern Peninsula, just 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of Bonne Bay and mid-way through Gros Morne National Park, lies a grassy headland with a geologic stature far exceeding its low-lying geographic profile. Unless IAT thru-hikers decide to camp at the nearby campground or trek the pebbly beach, they are likely to bypass this unassuming site.

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Springtime in Gros Morne National Park

On April 15, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol took advantage of a beautiful spring day to take a leisurely drive along the IATNL route through Gros Morne National Park, from Gros Morne mountain to Parsons Pond. After crossing from the western side of Bonne Bay on the pedestrian ferry to Norris Point, the route follows the highway to the park's Visitor Center, from where hikers can either take the 3-day Long Range Traverse to Western Brook Pond or ...

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Explorer Lew Coty & The Devil's Bite at Last

Vermont Explorer Lew Coty recently put fingers to keyboard to recount his 2011 Western Newfoundland adventures.  To follow - in his own words - is the first of two memorable treks:

August 1, 2010 This was the first day of a solo 4-day excursion around the IATNL's Devil's Bite and Indian Lookout loops. The Devil's Bite is a local landmark that can be seen from many miles in all directions, and is located ...

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Explorer Lew Coty & North Arm Hills Trek

Vermont Explorer Lew Coty recently recounted his 2011 North Arm Hills Trek.  To follow - in his own words - is his two-day adventure:

July 30, 2010 I made a one-day excursion into the terrain south of the upper end of Trout River Pond to see Overfall up close. This majestic waterfall is visible for many miles from its east side ... Such was the motivation to come back for more exploration in this area.

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Autumn Day Trek To Little Codroy Pond

On October 19, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and Dermot Wescott of International Alliance For Missions made a colorful autumn day-trek into Little Codroy Pond in southwestern Newfoundland.  The area is covered under a Special Management Area agreement between Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited and IATNL, and holds great eco and adventure tourism potential for the province's west coast.

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IAT Welcomes France at AGM

On September 18 at the IAT Annual General Meeting in Gaspesie National Park, Quebec, the IAT welcomed France to its growing network of trails in Europe.  At hand was Armand Ducornet, Secretary General of La Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre (French Rambling Association) with over 200,000 members in 3,000+ clubs and associations.

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Art and Adventure on the Overfalls Trail

On the morning of August 27, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol, Parks Canada Heritage Coordinator Kim Vokey, Filmmaker Mark Flagler, and a group of Western Newfoundland artists and rug hookers set off on a half-day trek of the Overfalls Trail in Gros Morne National Park.  The goal was to familiarize participants with the new trail, Trout River Pond, and the Tablelands in preparation for an Art and Adventure weekend in the spring or early summer of 2012.

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Flagler Films Begins IAT Documentary

From August 21 to September 2, long-distance hiker and filmmaker Mark Flagler was in Western Newfoundland beginning production on a one-hour documentary about the IAT in North America.  It follows his successful Appalachian Impressions documentary about the US Appalachian Trail, which aired in more than a million households on the PBS television network.

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Two Days of Adventure along the Petit Nord

On August 24, a Group Of Seven IAT adventurers set out on a 2-day adventure that began with a 2-hour zodiac boat ride on Canada Bay from Bide Arm to Englee, continued with a half-day hike along the French Shore Trail from Conche to Pillier Cove, then finished with a day-long longliner boat ride from Pillier Cove to Hare Bay to Conche Harbour - all in pursuit of the abundant icebergs lining the historic French Shore.

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Blazing the Iceberg Alley Way

On August 22, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol, IATNL Vice Chair Arne Helgeland, and IATNL Signage Director Delano Pittman made the first thru-hike of the IATNL Iceberg Alley Way between St. Carol's and Great Brehat on the tip of Newfoundland's Great Northern Peninsula.  They were joined by hiker/filmmaker Mark Flagler, who was in Newfoundland beginning work on his IAT North America adventure documentary.

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Solo Traverse of Blow-Me-Down Mountains

On August 2, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol took advantage of a rare and beautiful free day to make a solo east-west traverse of the Blow-Me-Down Mountains on the south shore of the Bay of Islands.  The goal was to find an IAT trail route connecting Cape Blow-Me-Down to the Hummock and Blow-Me-Down Brook Trails in the lowlands near Frenchman's Cove.

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Walking The Corner Brook Stream Trail

For most of its 1,000+ kilometer route, the IATNL follows a series of backcountry mountain trails connected by logging roads and the Newfoundland T'railway.  However at the small west coast city of Corner Brook - headquarters of the IATNL - the trail follows the well-developed Corner Brook Stream Trail along the namesake Corner Brook, from Main Street near city hall, past the lower marsh to Glynmill Inn Pond, then on to Margaret Bowater Park.

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Parsons Pond Tourism Committee Hikes Trail

On July 29 after a meeting of the new Parsons Pond adventure tourism committee, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol led some of the members on a tour of the new Jacques Cartier Memorial Trail on Parsons Pond Head.  Continued development of the trail is one of the items on the committee's agenda, as well as development of improved docking facilities at Parsons Pond and the creation of a "trail park" in the Parsons Pond watershed.

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French Shore Trek and Boat Tour

On July 20, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol, volunteer Brandie-Lyn Leafloor and hiker Connie Lebrun from Alberta headed out from the lookoff above Conche on the eastern side of Newfoundland's Great Northern Peninsula on a two-day trek of the IAT French Shore Trail, followed by a full-day boat tour of the surrounding islands and headlands to view icebergs and whales, seals and seabirds.  The goal was to plan the logistics for upcoming guided treks and boat tours of the scenic and historic French Shore.

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Overfalls Trail Opens In Gros Morne Park

On July 14, officials with the IATNL, Parks Canada and Ocean Quest Adventures set out from the dock at Gros Morne National Park's Trout River Pond on the new zodiac shuttle service to the trailhead of the Overfalls Trail, located at the southeast end of the 15 kilometer (9 mile) long pond.  The trail was developed in 2010 by the IATNL in partnership with Parks Canada, while the shuttle and boat tour were contracted to Ocean Quest.

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Feather and Folk Festival's Starlight Trek

On Saturday, June 4 during the Springfest Feather And Folk Festival in southwestern Newfoundland, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol accompanied a group of enthusiastic hikers on a scheduled hike of the Starlight Trail near Tompkins in the Little Codroy Valley.  The two-hour trek was preceded by the installation of a new IATNL sign marking the trail and its access to the Grand Codroy Way.

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IATNL Trek Named Best New Adventure Trip

In its May issue, Explore - "Canada's Adventure Magazine" - named the Inner Pond Trek as the #1 Best New Trip for 2011.  The nearly complete yet unmarked trail begins and ends with a one-hour boat ride:  across Parsons Pond in the south and Portland Creek Inner and Outer Ponds in the north.  The 30-kilometer trek includes views of 7 fiords and numerous waterfalls, including 1,000ft high Partridge Pond Falls.

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Snowmobiling Across The IAT North Arm Hills

On April 1, IAT President Paul Wylezol and IATNL Signage Director Delano Pittman took full advantage of a beautiful late winter day to head off into the North Arm Hills on snowmobile to scout out the IATNL North Arm Hills Trail, from the north shore of the Bay of Islands to Chimney Cove Valley.  With clear skies and ideal snow conditions, the ride couldn't have been better!

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Humber Elementary Snowshoes To Hummock

On March 25, IAT Finance Director Kevin Noseworthy, IATNL Secretary/Youth Coordinator Caroline Swan, and Caroline's first-year CNA Adventure Tourism students guided three Grade 5 classes from Humber Elementary School in Corner Brook on a 3-hour snowshoe trek to the Hummock above Frenchman's Cove. The adventure began at 9:00am after a 30-minute bus ride from Corner Brook. 

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Canadian Ambassador Welcomes IAT Ireland

On March 18 at the Canadian Embassy in Dublin, Ireland, new Canadian Ambassador Loyola Hearn extended a Canadian and Newfoundland welcome to IAT Ireland.  Also in attendance were IAT President Paul Wylezol and representatives from Fáilte Ireland, Geological Survey of Ireland, Department of Foreign Affairs, Irish Sports Council, Atlantic Corridor, Donegal Local Development Co., Coast Alive ....

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Coast Alive Designates IAT Trails

On March 16 at their Annual Meeting in Varberg, Sweden, IAT partner Coast Alive officially designated more than 10,000 kms (6,000 miles) of North Sea Trail and North Sea Cycle Route as part of the International Appalachian Trail.  The new IAT route will cross much of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, and England, and often follow the North Sea coastline. The two-day annual meeting brought together representatives from the 14 Coast Alive partners from the North Sea region, and included presentations and workshops on landscape biographies, climate change, small business development, geo-caching, the IAT, and various Coast Alive projects and initiatives. 

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Breaking A Snowshoe Trail To The Hummock

On January 30, IAT President Paul Wylezol and Finance Director Kevin Noseworthy headed out of Frenchman's Cove to break a snowshoe trail to the Hummock.  The route followed the Hummock Trail to the base of the Hummock, across the adjacent mountain range, then down the worker access trail and back to Frenchman's Cove.  It rises from a low elevation of 200ft (60 m) to a high of 1,000ft (300 m), and covers a length of 6.5 km (4 miles).

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First Snowfall On New Humber Village Trail

On December 30, IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol  and Vice Chair Arne Helgeland joined Humber Village resident Andrew May on a short one-hour wintery trek of a new access trail connecting the small riverside community to the IATNL's Humber Valley Trail.  The new trail winds its way up a forested hillside to a barren 900 ft (275 meter) high ridge, where it joins the IATNL overlooking the Humber River Valley.

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First December Trek of the IATNL Lewis Hills and Blow-Me-Down Mountain Trails

Beginning December 5, Ottawa-area adventurers Mike Bergeron and David Burnford made a 6 day/5 night early winter trek across the Lewis Hills and Blow-Me-Down Mountains.  The first December attempt of this IAT route was made under less than ideal weather conditions, and was supported by the IATNL, which supplied maps, GPS, satellite phone, and ground transportation to the trailheads.

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First Solo Trek of Devil's Bite and Indian Lookout Trails

Looking back on the IATNL highlights of 2010, no list would be complete without the solo trek by American hiker Lew Coty from Vermont.  In August Lew completed the first solo trek of the combined Devil's Bite and Indian Lookout Trails.  The feat was especially impressive given that the former trail is still largely incomplete and both are generally unmarked, and he did it in 4 days instead of the recommended 6.

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Overfall Trail completed in Gros Morne National Park

On November 12, the IATNL completed the new Overfalls Trail in Gros Morne National Park.  The trail begins at the eastern end of Trout River Pond after a scenic 1-hour boat ride along the south side of the Tablelands, a 2,000ft+ (600m+) mountain range of peridotite mantle rock heaved up through plate tectonics.   The trail then winds 5kms (3 miles) up the west branch of Trout River to the 500ft (150m) Overfalls waterfall.

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IAT Annual General Meeting in Dalhousie, New Brunswick

The International Appalachian Trail held its Annual General Meeting in Dalhousie, New Brunswick on October 28-30, with representatives from Maine, New Brunswick, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland Labrador, and European Coast Alive partner Denmark.

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Work Continues on Devil's Bite Trail

In September 2010 work continued on the southern end of the Devil's Bite Trail, from Middle Brook to West Brook Gulch, and on the inside of the gulch to the scree slope below Piss Pot Pond.  Two more days in 2011 will complete the West Brook section of trail, and create a new access to the top of the Long Range Mountains and the previously completed sections of the backcountry trail.

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Jacques Cartier Memorial Trail

During summer 2010, with oil exploration beginning on the barrens near Parsons Pond, work was completed on the Jacques Cartier Memorial Trail around the circumference of Parsons Pond Head.  The landmark is located 1.6 kms (1 mile) from the Gulf coast, and rises to a height of approx. 150 meters (490 feet).  From here one can view Jacques Cartier's June 16, 1534 anchorage off Cow Head, on his first voyage to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

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IAT Welcomes 9 New European Chapters

On October 7, during the Adventure Travel World Summit in Aviemore, Scotland, the International Appalachian Trail welcomed nine new European chapters to its growing international trail network.  Coast Alive partners in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and England, along with partners in Ireland, Wales, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland, joined what is quickly becoming one of the largest trail networks and premier outdoor adventure brands in the world.

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Starlight Trail To Cape Ray

In August a group of hikers, including IAT President Paul Wylezol, IATNL Secretary Caroline Swan, and Signage Director Delano Pittman, made a two-day mountain trek from the Starlight Trail in Codroy Valley to Table Mountain east of Cape Ray.  The goal was to explore the region for the Grand Codroy Way, to be the most southern IATNL trail in Western Newfoundland's Long Range Mountains.

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Taking Flight Over The North Arm Hills

On August 16, IATNL Transportation Director Robert Bradbury took IAT President Paul Wylezol and HEDB Executive Director Connie Taylor on a one-hour flight over the North Arm Hills in his Cesna 172.  The goal was to survey potential trail routes from North Arm, Bay of Islands across the hills to Trout River Pond in Gros Morne National Park.  The trio set off at 5:00pm when the sun was in the southwest, providing good views from the south and west.

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Cruising Into North Arm, Bay of Islands

On July 20 IAT President Paul Wylezol joined a charter cruise of the North Arm of the Bay of Islands to appraise the outdoor adventure potential of the North Arm and Hills.  The boat tour was arranged by HEDB and skippered by Cox's Cove Mayor Tony Oxford, an enthusiastic promoter of the outer Bay of Islands.  Also on tour were representatives from HEDB, HRLE, ACOA, INTRD, Parks Canada, and local community councils. 

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Clearing a New Section of Indian Lookout Trail

From July 21-24, IAT President Paul Wylezol and volunteers Tupac Norman (aka Cotton Joe) from North Carolina and Curtis Payne from Parsons Pond made a four-day trail cutting trek of the north side of Indian Lookout Trail between Indian Lookout and Portland Creek's Southwest Feeder.   The adventure began with a 45 minute boat ride across Portland Creek Outer and Inner Ponds, followed by a 2,000 ft (600+ meter) climb to the panoramic lookout.

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Gros Morne's Trout River Pond To Overfall

IAT President Paul Wylezol and Finance Director Kevin Noseworthy set out early Canada Day morning on a Gros Morne National Park adventure with Park Resource Manager Peter Deering, Visitor Experience Manager Myriam Lavallée, Client Services Manager Ken Kennedy, Heritage Presentation Coordinator Kim Vokey, and Kim's Labrador Retriever Cash.  They were on a day-long trek to the Overfall to evaluate the feasibility of a new hiking trail on the park's southern boundary.

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IATNL and Beyond Ktaadn Collaborate

In June, the IATNL and Beyond Ktaadn - an initiative of the Terra Nova Center For Mountain Biodiversity that promotes the conservation of alpine wilderness in eastern North America from New England to Labrador - met and agreed to collaborate on projects related to the Long Range Mountains of Western Newfoundland.

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Trek To Gros Morne National Park's Overfall

On May 18 IAT/IATNL President Paul Wylezol and Financial Director Kevin Noseworthy pulled on their hiking boots for the first time in 2010.  The occasion was a 10-hour trek into Gros Morne National Park's Overfall in Trout River Valley to survey the potential for an IATNL / Gros Morne National Park trail connecting Trout River Pond to the IATNL's future Chimney Cove Valley Trail.

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IAT Welcomes Scotland's West Highland Way

On June 5 at the grand opening of the Appalachian Trail Museum in Pine Grove State Park, Pennsylvania, the International Appalachian Trail officially welcomed Scotland and the West Highland Way as the first European Chapter of the IAT.   Joining IAT President Paul Wylezol in welcoming the WHW were ATC executive members, AT Museum directors, and State and County Representatives.

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Grand Opening of Appalachian Trail Museum

The Appalachian Trail Museum held its grand opening on June 5 at Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Gardners, Pennyslvania.  The event was attended by museum directors, Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) officials, state and county government representatives, long-distance hikers, and IAT/IATNL President Paul Wylezol.

 

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A Spring In Your Step

It's time to stretch your legs, breathe in the fresh springtime air and let us put a "Spring In Your Step". Join us for an activity filled weekend that will get you prepared for a fabulous summer of hiking and outdoor adventure activities!

 

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Algonquin Students Complete Winter Trek

From April 20-24 four students from Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley completed a 5 day/4 night winter trek of the Indian Lookout Trail.   The students were fulfilling an important requirement of their 2-year outdoor adventure program.  The expedition was sponsored in part by the IATNL, who provided logistical support and accommodations.

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2009 Greenland Trek

On April 22 at the Annual IAT Council Meeting in Halifax-Dartmouth, IAT Greenland Director René Kristensen and IAT Greenland member Hans Gundel gave a slideshow presentation of their 2009 two-week trail blazing trek of what would become the new IAT Greenland route.  They were accommpanied by 4 other hikers and the ever-present "midnight" sun.

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Greenland Joins IAT

On April 22-23 at the Annual IAT Council Meeting in Halifax-Dartmouth, Greenland joined the International Appalachian Trail as the 7th official chapter.  In attendance from Greenland were IAT Greenland Director René Kristensen and his Greenlander hiking friend Hans Gundel.   The two-day event started with cocktails (i.e. beers) and fine dining (i.e. pub grub), and a slideshow from René and Hans.

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Snowmobiling into Special Management Areas

On March 22 IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol and Signage Director Delano Pittman made a one-day snowmobile trip into the Long Range Mountains of the Northern Peninsula to scout out the recently created CBPPL-IATNL Special Management Areas at Brian's Pond Inner Pond and Western Blue Inner Pond, before returning to Zinc Mine Road just north of Daniel's Harbour.

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IAT Presents at Binational Tourism Summit

On March 25-26, IAT President Paul Wylezol gave a slide show presentation of the IAT at the Binational Tourism Summit in Niagara Falls, New York.   The host Binational Tourism Alliance is a not-for-profit tourism industry trade organization created to support tourism development in cross border regions shared by Canada and the United States.

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Algonquin Students Make IATNL Expedition

From April 19 to 27, four students from Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley's Outdoor Adventure Leadership Program will be in the mountains of Western Newfoundland completing their Final Expedition.  The group will spend 7 days and 6 nights winter backpacking on the Devil's Bite and Indian Lookout Trails between Parsons Pond and Portland Creek on the Great Northern Peninsula.

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Bringing the International Appalachian Trail to Scotland

A delegation of six to eight people from the Council of International Appalachian Trails (IAT) will visit Scotland in early June 2009 to promote the extension of the IAT to Scotland. They will sample some of Scotland's magnificent Long Distance Routes such as the West Highland Way and part of the proposed Scottish Coastal Path which, if completed, will exceed the length of the Appalachian Trial.

 

IATNL Attends Boston Travel Show

From February 19 to 21, IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol, Communications Director Greg Wood, and Treasurer Kevin Noseworthy attended the Boston Globe Travel Show.   The IATNL was  an exhibitor with its own booth to promote the International Appalachian Trail.  On February 19 they were joined by IAT Maine members Richard Anderson, Will Richard and Walter Anderson.

 

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CBPPL and IATNL Create Protected Areas

Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited and the International Appalachian Trail Newfoundland and Labrador have entered into an agreement to protect five areas of western Newfoundland where the trail network plans to expand.  The Special Management Areas, to which the paper company holds the timber rights, will have an indefinite moratorium on operations and development.

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Southwest Coast Meeting

 On January 25, IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol and Treasurer Kevin Noseworthy had the good luck of driving to Port aux Basques on a beautiful winter day to attend an IATNL information session.  The meeting was well attended by stakeholders from   Newfoundland's southwest coast, and the drive provided good views of the IATNL's planned trail along the Codroy Valley's Long Range Mountains.

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First Devil's Bite Trail Hike

The IATNL recently received news and photos from the first complete non-stop Devil's Bite Trail hike. Though the entire route was bushwacked by IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol over three separate occasions, French adventurers Matthieu Currat and Simen Andersen made the first non-stop 4-day trek in July 2009, before much of the trail was completed.

 

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Autumn On The Hummock

On a sunny October afternoon IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol made a trail blazing trek to the top of the Hummock, located 2kms southwest of Frenchman's Cove in the beautiful Bay Of Islands.  This 1,000ft hill provides fantastic views of the Blow Me Down Mountains, Bay of Islands, North Arm Hills, and Humber Arm.

 

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IATNL Annual General Meeting

The IATNL held its 2009 Annual General Meeting at the Greenwood Inn in Corner Brook on Saturday, November 21.  Both the AGM and AGM Dinner and Slideshow were well attended, including representatives from the provincial departments of Innovation Trade and Rural Development (INTRD) and Tourism, and 4 of the 5 Western Newfoundland Regional Economic Development boards.

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Work Progressing On Devil's Bite Trail

With 3 inches of snow on the ground and more falling, IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol and trail workers Caroline Swan, Katie Broadhurst, Curtis Payne, Tyler Grant, David Simms and Trent Foster set out late one October afternoon across Parsons Pond for a week of trail work inside Western Brook Gulch and Parsons Pond Inner Pond.  

 

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Blazing Trail Through Western Brook Gulch

In late August local outfitter Randy Parsons gave IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol and trail workers Curtis Payne and Trent Foster a boat ride across Parsons Pond to the Devil's Bite Trail southern trailhead.   From there the three hiked deep into scenic Western Brook Gulch while flagging the trail's southern access route.  It was a beautiful day, with great views of mountain and moose.

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Along The Humber Valley Trail

 

Read the account of Keith and Heather Nicol's recent hike along the IATNL's Humber Valley Trail, as reported in the Evening Telegram, November 14.

 

 

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Official Naming of French Shore Trail

On October 13 IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol and Trail Director Arne Helgeland attended a meeting in Conche to discuss the development of the Conche to Croque section of trail, and to officially rename it the French Shore Trail.   Also in attendance were community leaders from the historic French Shore, as well as representatives from the French Shore Historical Society and the Nordic Economic Development Corporation.

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IAT Annual General Meeting

On Halloween weekend IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol, Treasurer Kevin Noseworthy and Trail Director Arne Helgeland attended the 2009 IAT Annual General Meeting at Stanley Bridge, Prince Edward Island.  Also present were chapter representatives from Maine, New Brunswick, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and PEI.  Guest speakers included PEI Tourism Minister Valerie Docherty and Binational Tourism Alliance Executive Director Arlene White.

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Blazing The Trail From Conche To Croque

In September, College Of The North Atlantic Adventure Tourism Instructor Eugene Flynn accompanied IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol on a 2-day trail blazing trek of the Conche to Croque section of the IATNL along the eastern coast of the Great Northern Peninsula.  The trek began with a 5km boat ride from Southwest Crouse into Northeast Arm, and a one-hour hike to the end of completed trail.

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Blazing The Blow Me Down Mountain Trail

In September IATNL Treasurer Kevin Noseworthy and German volunteer Lenny Engelke journeyed into Simms Gulch on their way to trail blazing the barren mountaintop plateau of Blow Me Down Mountain Trail.  Accompanying them into the gulch was filmaker Mark Flagler, who was in Newfoundland filming an IATNL promotional video.

 

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Flagler Films First Inner Pond Trek

Adventure filmmaker Mark Flagler recently joined IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol on the first Inner Pond to Inner Pond Trek.  It began with an early 45 minute boat ride across Portland Creek Outer and Inner Ponds, and ended 3 days/2 nights later with a boat ride across Parsons Pond.  Flagler was in Newfoundland filming a promotional video for the IATNL.

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T'Railway Receives Funding

A new cost-sharing agreement between the provincial and federal governments aims to address a number of concerns along the T'Railway Provincial Park.  The initiative, cost-shared on a 50-50 basis, will result in $1.6 million being utilized for improvements and repairs, including reconstruction of the Crabbes River Bridge.

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Above North Rim Of Parsons Pond Inner Pond

In early August IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol and executive member Delano Pittman joined six IATNL trail workers on a backcountry adventure above the north rim of Parsons Pond Inner Pond.  The eight man crew flew in over the mountains for 3 days of trail blazing and cutting on the mid section of the Devil's Bite Trail.

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IAT Ireland Meets in Ecclesiastical Capital

The second meeting of IAT Ireland, the working group examining the feasibility of establishing a segment of the IAT on the island of Ireland, took place in Armagh city, Northern Ireland on September 10, 2009.   The meeting was held at the invitation of the North-South Ministerial Council, the body established by the Governments of Ireland and Northern Ireland to promote cooperation on the island of Ireland.

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Main River Becomes Waterway Provincial Park

On August 28 Newfoundland and Labrador Environment and Conservation Minister Charlene Johnson announced the establishment of the Main River Waterway Provincial Park.  According to Minister Johnson, by being designated the province's newest park, Main River will be able to remain a tourist destination, while being protected and maintained for future generations.

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Work Begins on the Conche To Croque Trail

In early August IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol accompanied a trail crew to Conche on the eastern side of the Great Northern Peninsula to begin work on the new Conche to Croque Coastal Trail.  While Paul and trail worker Brandie-lyn Leafloor departed Conche enroute to flagging the trail to Crouse Peninsula, the remaining crew "slashed and burned" in their footsteps.

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Blazing Trail to Simms Falls

 In July IATNL Trail Director Arne Helgeland and Treasurer Kevin Noseworthy made a trail blazing trek to Simms Falls, the first step in the development of a southern access to Blow-Me-Down Mountain Trail.  From Simms Falls the trail will wind its way through Simms Gulch and onto the top of the mountains.

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Flat Hills to Parsons Pond Trek

During the last week of July 12 intrepid adventurers, including 5 IATNL executive members, left Five Mile Road on the first IATNL Flat Hills to Parsons Pond trek.  The recently completed southern access trail off the Flat Hills makes this new scenic route possible.  The two-day hike was followed by a half-hour boat ride from Middle Brook back to the community of Parsons Pond.

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Working On The Devil's Bite

In late July IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol flew in over the mountains east of Parsons Pond with Devil's Bite Trail crew members Curtis Payne, Trent Foster, Caroline Swan and Troy Gaulton to complete an important section of trail above East Brook Gulch.  After a cloud-shrouded start, the weather cooperated nicely for 2 days, allowing the important and scenic stretch of trail to be completed in time for August hiking.

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Copper Mine To Cape Trail

On July 24 IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol took advantage of an ideal summer day to take Ontario resident David Slade and his nephew Sam on an afternoon trek to 660m (2,000ft) Cape Blow-Me-Down on the Copper Mine To Cape Trail in the beautiful Bay of Islands.

 

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Little East Brook Trail

In early July IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol and volunteers Troy Gaulton, Curtis Payne and Trent Foster travelled by boat to Middle Brook, Parsons Pond where they hiked to Little East Brook (just north of East Brook Gulch) to complete the last remaining section of the Parsons Pond to Flat Hills access trail.

 

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Canada Day in the Lewis Hills

From June 30 to July 2 IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol and volunteers Troy Gaulton and Caroline Swan made a 3-day trek into the Lewis Hills to survey the northern end of the IATNL's Lewis Hills Trail.  The 60 kilometer (36 mile) "Canada Day Trek" was under ideal conditions, with clear blue skies, dry barrens, cool clear streams (for drinking and dipping), and a pleasant light breeze to keep down the few flies and mid-20C's (80F) heat. 

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IAT Visit to Wales

On Tuesday, June 9 IAT representatives Paul Wylezol and Kevin Noseworthy travelled to Holyhead, Wales for the last leg of the IAT UK-Ireland 2009 Tour.  They were met by Adrian Humpage of the British Geological Survey, and representatives of GeoMôn Geopark and the Isle of Anglesey.

 

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IAT Visit to Ireland

From Northern Ireland the IAT delegation of Paul Wylezol, Kevin Noseworthy and Earl Raymond travelled to Dublin, capital of the Irish Republic, for more hiking, meeting and sightseeing.  The visit started with a trek into the Dublin Mountains and a short walk on sections of the Wicklow Way.

 

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IAT Visit to Northern Ireland

After the IAT visit to Scotland, the IATNL contingent of Paul Wylezol and Kevin Noseworthy and IAT Maine representative Earl Raymond travelled to Northern Ireland for 2 days of meetings and touring.  Again the weather was cooperative and our hosts were knowledgeable, entertaining and great ambassadors of the north.

 

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IAT Visit to Scotland

The IAT visit to the UK and Ireland got off to a great start this past week. The first leg of the trip began in Scotland with a meeting with Scottish Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham, followed by a trek to the summit of Ben Nevis and a public meeting on the creation of an IAT Scotland.

 

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