As part of our NSF SAI EAGER project, our team is leading a workshop at ALDHA 2022, this year’s edition of the annual Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association gathering, held in Williamstown MA in 2022.

Trail apps: Digital Trail magic or Duds? [Griffin 4]
Like it or not, the digital technology Pandora Box has now spilled out all along the A.T. We’ll share what we’ve learned regarding the likes and dislikes of various platforms and debate whether these technologies have changed the zen of a long-distance hike. And, where do we go from here?

Our workshop will be highly interactive. We will begin with an overview of our prior interviews and social media investigations, but the bulk of the time will be on discussing the current state of tech use on trails, how it has affected hikes, and what next steps can benefit trails with minimal impact on the beloved trail experience.

Visit this page frequently–we will provide links to workshop materials and outcomes.

For more information contact – Morva Saaty (morvasaaty@vt.edu)