Tyler Socash will speak on “7,000 Miles to a Wliderness Ethic” Friday, November 17 at the Wallonsburg Grange.

Champlain Area Trails (CATS), is partnering with the Northeast Wilderness Trust to sponsor Tyler Socash’s talk, “7,000 Miles to a Wilderness Ethic,” Friday, November 17, 6-8 pm at the Whallonsburg Grange.

Socash has quite a story. After years of outdoor recreation in the Adirondack Park, Tyler went on a yearlong trek across the Pacific Crest Trail, New Zealand’s Te Araroa and the Appalachian Trail. It was a 7,000-mile trek, and is a story of mountaintop euphoria, unexpected trail magic, encounters with long-distance legends, heartbreak and renewal.

His grand adventure into the wilderness inspired Socash to help defend the wildest remaining places in New York’s Forest Preserve. To that end, the day before his talk, Socash is hiking the 25 miles from the Boreas Ponds Tract to the APA’s Ray Brook headquarters for the November 16 APA meeting. Carrying over 1,000 letters, he will urge the park agency to apply the most stringent environmental protections when the Boreas Ponds parcel is classified.

Socash’s talk and photographs will take listeners across mountains and deserts, but is ultimately a journey about defining how we relate to natural places and find our own wilderness ethic. For those who value wilderness, love hiking, or are ready to take on a through hike, this is a talk that is not be missed. The talk is free and light refreshments will be served.

Tyler Socash is a native Adirondacker and the Outdoor Skills Coordinator for the Adirondack Mountain Club.

Champlain Area Trails (CATS) is a nonprofit organization that creates and maintains hiking and cross-country ski trails in the Champlain Valley, with the goal of linking communities, connecting people with nature and promoting economic vitality. CATS is also an accredited land trust working to conserve natural communities, farmland, clean water, and scenic vistas. Information on future CATS events and activities is available on the website at www.champlainareatrails.com and by following CATS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Please call (518) 962-2287 for more information.