Free Class at REI: Section Hiking the Appalachian Trail in GA

NOTE ADDED JAN 30 at 10pm:  Thanks to those of you who quickly registered today per my instructions below.  The CLASS IS OFFICIALLY FULL now, and no spots remain on REI.com's registration webpage.  If you're weren't able to reserve yourself a spot you may wish to come anyway - the stores don't usually turn away "walk-ins" at these classes, but there may be standing room only for those not formally registered.

IMPORTANT: REGISTER FOR YOURSELF at REI.com!  If you wish to attend this free class you should click ASAP on the following link to the REI webpage and register your own personal spot. http://www.rei.com/event/47921/session/64615

As of noon on Jan 30 there were only 13 spots left, so please go ASAP to the above-linked webpage and FORMALLY RESERVE your own spot for the class - you do not have to be an REI member. 

Please ALSO click, etc. at the base of this article, which will put you on our INFORMAL list (or wait list) of AOC members who would like to enjoy this REI class together.  (See "Why an AOC Subgroup...?" below.)

IN A NUTSHELL:  In the interest of our members who would like to learn more about hiking the Appalachian Trail I've posted this article to urge you to register yourself to attend this indoor REI class on Thursday evening, Feb 21 at the REI "Perimeter Store" in north metro Atlanta—see easy directions below.  Atlanta's REI stores offer a wide variety of excellent FREE classes, seminars and talks on topics including hiking, backpacking, camping, bicycling, paddling, skiing, climbing & mountaineering—also first-hand accounts of exotic adventures and favorite wilderness destinations.  Each session is presented by an invited guest speaker who is an expert in their field or by an REI employee who specializes in the featured topic.

MEETING & SEATING:  Our AOC subgroup will first gather at 6:40 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 seating area.

Here is the recent REI.com promotional material for this interesting and informative class:

SECTION HIKING the APPALACHIAN TRAIL in GA: Want to spend some time on the Appalachian Trail (AT) but don't have six months for a thru-hike? Did you know you can hike the Georgia portion (~75.6 miles) one section at a time?  Join REI's section hiking experts to learn how to plan your section hikes. Get an introduction to all the logistics, gear, nutrition and training necessary for the trail!
  Some of the beautiful sections of the 2100-mile AT in other states will also be discussed.  Questions & comments are encouraged.

WHY an AOC "SUBGROUP" for this FREE REI CLASS?  Several good reasons:
- AOC members can conveniently register to attend by going to the linked REI webpage for the class of interest, and may not be aware that the class is available without having seen this AtlantaOutdoorClub.com announcement.
- By attending the class together we can meet other AOC members who have an interest in the class topic. Relevant AOC events, specialty gear, etc. can be discussed with other AOCers and with REI's speaker(s).
- The AOC subgroup can browse the store together (e.g, after the class) to compare and discuss various examples of the relevant gear, clothing, guidebooks, maps, etc.

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 REI.com
2. Click on "Store Locator" in the upper right corner of the home page and choose your Store of interest from the pop-up menus that appear.
3. Click on the free Class or Seminar of interest. (Note that numerous fee-based classes are also available.)
4. Fill in the online Reservation form and submit it.  For most REI classes it's unnecessary to be an REI member, but if you choose to join it costs only $20 for a lifetime membership.
5. If you fail to make a formal reservation, keep in mind that walk-ins at these events are usually acceptable, but only on a space-available or standing-room-only basis.

LEN FOOTE HIKE INN photo above:  A popular destination for AOC trips, the Hike Inn is just off the AT "Approach Trail," about four miles south of the southern terminus of the 2100-mile Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain, GA.  

THE REI "PERIMETER STORE" is at 1165 Perimeter Center West, Atlanta, GA 30338, conveniently near the Abernathy Road exit of GA-400 - see directions below.  You GPS or Google.com/maps users may also find its Lat/Lon coordinates handy as your entered destination: 33.9299,-84.3487.  The store's phone number is 770-901-9200.

EASY DIRECTIONS FROM the GA-400/ I-285 INTERCHANGE in N ATLANTA:
1. From the interchange at I-285 take GA-400 North just 1 mile and exit toward your right at your first opportunity (eastward) onto Abernathy Rd, Exit #5.
2.  Follow Abernathy Road (which becomes "Perimeter Ctr West") straight ahead about 0.5 mile (through a couple of traffic lights) to the REI store on your right, by the Good Will and Honey Baked Ham stores.  The REI parking lot entrance is the 2nd right past the Mt. Vernon Road traffic light.

Free Event with Free Parking!