Free REI Class: Appalachian Trail Club Presentation at NE Atlanta REI store

IMPORTANT NOTES about HOW to SIGN UP:
1. FORMALLY RESERVE your free CLASS SPOT ASAP at REI.COM.  If you wish to attend you should click the following link to access REI's registration webpage for the class, and fill out & submit the brief online registration form: https://www.rei.com/event/appalachian-trail-from-a-to-k-amicalola-to-katahdin/atlanta/217850?cm_mmc=email_com_gm-_-retail_events-_-100218-_-bt_date&ev36=9154092&RMID=20181001_OPO_StoreEventsOctober&RRID=2000241&ev11=1&mi_u=2000241
  No problem if you're not an "REI member," in which case it's OK to skip that box on the form in lieu of entering a member number.  When I registered for myself on Oct 2nd they had just 18 spaces remaining (for the general public as well as our "AOC subgroup") so don't delay!
2. PLEASE ALSO ADD YOURSELF to our INFORMAL AOC "SUBGROUP ROSTER" for this event by clicking, etc. at the base of this article. (See also "Why an AOC Subgroup?" below.)

IN A NUTSHELL:  I'm posting this article recommending our Atlanta Outdoor Club participation in this REI-sponsored indoor event so our members can learn more about the Appalachian Trail.  Officers and other active members of the GA Appalachian Trail Club (GATC) will offer tips about hiking it, discuss its fascinating history and answer questions.  Each of us who wishes to attend should click the above-linked REI webpage and register individually as I have—see easy Directions to the "Atlanta store" below.
  All five REI stores in metro Atlanta offer a variety of FREE in-store classes, seminars and talks on topics ranging from hiking, backpacking, camping, bicycling & paddling to skiing, rock climbing & mountaineering—also first-hand accounts of exotic adventures and favorite wilderness destinations.  The sessions are presented either by invited guest speakers who are experts in their field or by REI employees who specialize in the featured topic.  Although the presenters may discuss the latest gear & merchandise, fee-based trips & outings, etc. that relate to the topic, be assured that there's no need to buy anything unless you so choose.

MEETING & SEATING:  Our AOC subgroup will first gather at 6:45 PM just inside the store entrance where we'll introduce one another and "take roll."  Then a few minutes before 7:00 PM we'll find seating together in the designated area where we'll meet the featured speaker(s) and other clinic attendees.  If you have to arrive late, you can likely still be seated - just ask an REI employee to direct you to the class area.
Here are excerpts from the online promotional material for the class:

APPALACHIAN TRAIL from A to K - Amicalola to Katahdin:  Join us for a presentation on the history of the Appalachian Trail from concept to current state! Learn more about the A.T. in Georgia from members of the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club. Backpacking on the A.T. will be talked about as well including a suggested packing list, useful tips, information about trail etiquette, and Leave No Trace principles. There will plenty of time for Q&A, so come join us to get an overview of the A.T., learn practical information for successful hiking, and find out you can help sustain and protect the A.T. The instructor is a two time A.T. Ridgerunner and a member of the G.A.TC. Board and the ATC Stewardship Council."  For info about the GA Appalachian Trail Club click:  https://georgia-atclub.org/

WHY an AOC "SUBGROUP" for these FREE REI CLASSES?  Several good reasons:
- AOC members can conveniently register to attend by going to the linked REI webpage for the class, and may not be aware that the class is available without seeing the AtlantaOutdoorClub.com announcement.
- By attending the class together as a "subgroup" we can meet other AOC members who share our interest in the class topic and can discuss related AOC-sponsored events.
- We can do "AOC Outreach" by letting non-member class attendees and REI staffers know about how easy it is to become active in our fine Club.
- After the class our AOC subgroup can browse the store together to compare and discuss various examples of the relevant gear, clothing, guidebooks, maps, etc.
- A record of each AOC member's attendance and a link to the class details is automatically archived in the member's "My Past Events" on the Club website. 

P.S.  OTHER REI CLASSES - HOW to make RESERVATIONS ON YOUR OWN:  You can check the various REI stores' class offerings and space availability as follows, and reserve spot(s) for yourself and friends for any class that interests you:
1. Go to http://www.rei.com/
2. Click "Stores" at the top of the home page, then click "GA" on the US map, then a particular store name; e.g. "Atlanta REI Store."
3. Scroll down the list of scheduled events and click on any of the Classes or Seminars that interest you. (Note that many are FREE and also that numerous fee-based classes are available.)
4. Fill in the online Reservation form and submit it.  For most REI classes it's unnecessary to be an REI member, but a lifetime REI membership costs only about $20. (A major benefit of membership is your annual "dividend" - a refund based on your REI purchases in the previous year.)
5. If you're unable to make a formal reservation, keep in mind that walk-ins at REI's free in-store events are usually acceptable, but only on a space-available or standing-room-only basis.

THE REI "ATLANTA STORE" is at 1800 Northeast Expy, Atlanta, GA 30329 (about 4 miles inside I-285).  It's on the southbound I-85 Access Road just south of the Clairmont Rd exit.  For a zoomable online color map and satellite view of the store and its vicinity click on the rectangular blue & green "Event Location" icon near the top of this article.  You GPS or Google.com/maps users may find its Lat/Lon coordinates handy as your entered destination: 33.8395,-84.3213
Two approach options are detailed below.  The store's phone number is 404-633-6508.

FROM SPAGHETTI JUNCTION ETC. via I-85 SOUTH:
1. Going southbound on I-85, take Exit #91 "Clairmont Rd" and continue straight ahead at the exit traffic light (crossing Clairmont).
2. After you cross Clairmont bear slightly right to stay in the rightmost lane of the I-85 southbound Access Road.
3. The store is on the right side of the Access Road, about 0.5 mile south of Clairmont and just beyond the Briarwood Road junction.

FROM MIDTOWN ATLANTA, ETC. via I-85 NORTH:
1. Going northbound on I-85 take Exit #91 "Clairmont Rd," and stay in the far left lane of the exit ramp as you near Clairmont.  This will loop you counterclockwise onto the southbound I-85 Access Road without any traffic lights.
2. Bear quickly right to get into the rightmost lane of the Access Road without re-entering I-85.
3. The store is on the right side of the Access Road, about 0.5 mile south of Clairmont and just beyond the Briarwood Rd junction.

Free Event with Free Parking!