The annual Allegheny -100 Hiking Challenge (A-100) was held last weekend. It is an event where hikers can choose to hike 100, 75, 50 or 25 miles along the gorgeous North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) in 50 hours. There are approximately 100 miles of the NCNST in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF).

This year, one hundred seventy-nine hikers participated in the A-100. Most were from the tri-state area, but they also arrived from North Carolina, New England, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

This event allows you to challenge yourself. The new backpacker that attempts to cover 25 mile

Laird Fielding and Skye Hill celebrate their finish at the 50 mile mark. (Photo courtesy of Mike Toole)

s for the first time is climbing the same difficult mountain as the experienced hiker that challenges themselves to 100 miles. The A-100 always has a special challenge, and this year was no different. Periods of rain and muddy trails interspersed with sunny skies and drier trails defined the weekend.

We celebrate and congratulate the achievements of ALL the Allegheny 100 participants! Sixty-eight hikers challenged themselves to 100 miles; only 16 hikers finished. At 75 miles, 16 started and 5 completed that distance. Sixty-six participants attempted 50 miles. A good number completed their 50 and many of the 100 and 75 milers stopped at the 50 mile mark, for a total of 84 hikers covering at least 50 miles. Finally, twenty-nine backpackers attempted 25 miles. Fifty hikers completed at least this distance.

The A-100 continues to be a special event that draws together hikers. Kevan Kelleher, a first time 100-mile finisher, commented, “Really enjoyed the community aspect & sharing miles with lots of cool people. . . Definitely looking forward to coming back next year to experience the other direction!”

Deb Aunkst, who completed 50 miles for the first time with her husband and two friends, feels “It was an experience none of us will forget. Although at the finish, I felt like this is something I couldn’t do again, now that I am home, I’m already thinking of next year!” Deb also thanked the volunteers for all their hard work in making this event happen.

Cindy Smith, a 50 miler, says, “Thanks to all the awesome VOLUNTEERS whose countless hours make the A-100 possible; and that includes maintaining the trail as well as organizing the event. For me, it was definitely a challenge. It was also an experience I will never forget.”

Year after year, this event draws hikers and their traveling companions to the Allegheny National Forest area, spreading recognition about the unique area we are lucky enough to live in and drawing more tourists to the area.

A special thanks goes to the sponsors of our event: United Refining, Kwik Fill, Betts, Superior Tire, WCCBI, and Crescent Beer. Without their support, this event and maintenance of 100 NCT miles would be difficult.

The A-100 is hosted by the ANF Chapter of the NCTA. For more information on the NCNST and our local ANF Chapter go to https://northcountrytrail.org/trail/pennsylvania/anf/ . We’d love to welcome you to one of our monthly guided hikes or fun trail work opportunities.

The NCNST stretches from the NY border north of Willow Bay to the ANF border about 6 miles SW of Marienville. The whole North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) is one of only eleven National Scenic Trails. It spans almost 5000 miles from Vermont to North Dakota. That’s over twice the distance of its more famous cousin, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.