After careful consideration and with regret, the Board of Friends of the MST has decided to cancel the 2020 Gathering of Friends on March 26-29 so as to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19.

We very much appreciate that you planned to join us that weekend and are disappointed not to see you and so many other great friends of the trail. Thanks also to our hosts at Surf City, Topsail Beach, and Pender County who have done so much already to prepare for our visit and have accepted our cancellation so graciously.

An important part of this annual gathering is our opportunity to let you know more about the “State of the Trail” and our vision for the future and to recognize the people – donors, volunteers, and trail completers – who make the trail such a special place and community. We will still be presenting that report to you — just through your e-mail inbox rather than in person. Look for it in a couple of weeks.

Millie Chalk, our board president, advises that “the best antiseptic is fresh air.” During this stressful time, we hope you’ll hike, work on the trail, or even start the 40 Hike Challenge.

Be safe and we hope you can join us in 2021.

Betsy Brown
Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail
bbrown@mountainstoseatrail.org