American Backcountry Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the National Trails System
The Made in the USA T-Shirt brand joins forces with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Pacific Crest Trail Association for a limited edition Tee.
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Asheville, NC (May 29, 2018) – 2018 marks the 50th Anniversary of the National Trails System Act and what better way to celebrate than with a Limited Edition Hiker Tee that gives back to these wild paths we love to adventure on. American Backcountry – the North Carolina T-shirt brand that specializes in trails, parks and destinations – has teamed up with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) to do just that.
The ‘Trails at 50’ shirt will launch at Outdoor Retailer this July and feature a signature ‘hiker guy’ logo and both ATC’s and PCTA’s logos – a nod to the work the trail management organizations have been doing to protect and promote since 1968.
“When I started this business 25 years ago, my first shirt was an Appalachian Trail print, so this celebration tee just makes perfect sense,” Frank Hintz, founder of American Backcountry. “In fact, our best selling shirt for the last 17 years is the Appalachian Trail Diamond Topo tee.”
A thru-hiker himself, Hintz first fell in love with the trails when he was a kid in boy scouts, and is currently out section hiking the Appalachian Trail in chunks every year. He values his relationship with both the ATC and the PCTA and respects the tireless work they do on a daily basis to manage their trail systems.
“Those working directly on the joint celebration felt a commemorative T-shirt would be an effective way to engage more hikers and backpackers in our events and help increase awareness,” Brian King, Publisher for the ATC and long-term friend of American Backcountry. “I hope the Tee helps people understand the trails are key elements in the national public landscape, not only for recreation, but also for the natural and cultural resources preserved by them.”
The trail shirt will retail for $30 and 10% of each shirt sold will be donated directly back to the trail organizations, split 50/50. It will be printed on American Backcountry’s signature Repreve recycled polyester blend made in Union, SC – a blend that uses recycled plastic bottles. To date, the fabric has helped repurpose 10 billion plastic bottles.
“We’re excited to celebrate the PCT and AT’s 50 years as National Scenic Trails with our friends at American Backcountry,” said Angie Williamson, Director of Philanthropy for the PCTA. “As much as we are looking back at the last 50 years of trails in America, we also are looking forward to what we can accomplish together in the next 50 years.”
Both the PCTA and the ATC will have launch parties of the Trails at 50 campaign this summer and will both be hosting online ways to get involved in the initiative. For more on the 50th Anniversary of the National Trails Act of the Trails at 50 campaign, please visit: https://www.trails50.org/.
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ABOUT AMERICAN BACKCOUNTRY
Making their debut in 1994 at Appalachian Trail Days festival in Damascus, VA, American Backcountry™ has long been known for its Destination and Trail Tee Shirt series that highlight and celebrate America’s Public Lands and wild places. The brand continues to stay true to their roots, celebrating 25 years worth of relationships, great hikes, and signature graphic designs. For more information: https://www.americanbackcountry.com/ or to join the hiking conversation: https://twitter.com/BackcountryTees.
