Ice Age Trail Alliance Thousand-Miler Application
The Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA) recognizes as a Thousand-Miler anyone who covers the entire Ice Age National Scenic Trail route on foot.
Thousand-Miler certification is based largely on the honor system. The IATA assumes that those who apply have made an honest effort to walk the entire Trail route.
Aspiring Thousand-Milers should understand the following key points:
• Hiking the entire Ice Age Trail ROUTE is necessary to qualify — this includes all established yellow-blazed Ice Age Trail segments AND the unmarked connecting routes that link the segments.
• The only exception to the above is the “big loop” in the central portion of the Ice Age Trail…both sides are NOT required. Aspiring Thousand-Milers may choose either side of the loop.
• As the Ice Age National Scenic Trail is intended primarily a footpath, hikers must cover the entire route on foot (e.g., hiking, jogging/running, snowshoeing, skiing). Other methods (e.g., biking the connecting routes) are not permitted for Thousand-Miler recognition.
• Issues of sequence, direction, speed, length of time, or whether one carries a pack or not are not considered.
• The IATA does not verify or validate records (e.g., fastest, oldest, youngest). Such records are fraught with arguable points and difficult to authenticate.
The IATA does not share contact information unless you answer "Yes" to our referral list question (see below).
Personal Info
First Name *
Last Name *
Trail Name
Gender
Mailing Address *
City *
State/Province *
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
American Samoa
Federated States of Micronesia
Guam
Marshall Islands
Northern Mariana Islands
Palau
Puerto Rico
U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
Virgin Islands
Armed Forces Americas
Armed Forces Europe, the Middle East, an
Armed Forces Pacific
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia
Northwest Territories
Nunavut Territory
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon Territory
Zip *
Phone *
Email *
Age at Completion
If you maintained a blog/website or social media account documenting your trip, please provide the address
Hike Info
Section-Hike or Thru-Hike? *
Section Thru
The IATA generally defines a thru-hike as a continuous (with allowances for family or medical issues) trek of the entire route of the Trail, typically completed within 6 months. As there are other commonly accepted definitions of a thru-hike, the IATA will respect the applicant’s choice in identifying themself as a thru- or section-hiker.
Start Date and Location *
Finish Date and Location *
Direction *
East to West West to East Various
Bifurcation (“Big Loop”) Route(s) Hiked *
Eastern Side Western Side Both Sides
Approximate % Hiked Solo *
Name(s) of Hiking Partner(s) or Group(s)
Name(s) of Other Section- or Thru-Hiker(s) Met on the Trail
Seasons Hiked
Spring (M/A/M) Summer (J/J/A) Fall (S/O/N) Winter (D/J/F)
Name(s) of IATA Chapter Rep(s) Met on the Trail
Employed Car Shuttles for Transportation or Supplies
No Yes
Used the Following Resources
Ice Age Trail Atlas Ice Age Trail Databook Ice Age Trail Guidebook FarOut app (aka Guthook Guides aka Mammoth Tracks)
Other Wayfinding Resources
Had Schedule Affected by Hunting Seasons (describe)
Was Lost at Times (describe)
Used a Backpacking Backpack (describe)
Used Water Purification System (describe)
Used a Tent or Other Shelter (describe)
Carried a Stove (describe)
Hiked with a Medical Condition (e.g., diabetes, arthritis)
Other Info
Other Trails Section-or Thru-Hiked
May the IATA put you on a Thousand-Miler referral list for prospective hikers? *
No Yes
May the IATA publish all or portions of your summary (e.g., website, newsletter, social media)? *
No Yes
Conclusion
In addition to this application, I am emailing to Eric Sherman (eric@iceagetrail.org, the IATA's coordinator for Thousand-Miler recognition) the following:
Required for all: A brief essay (at least 100 words, please...more are welcome) including highlights and/or unique aspects of your hike.
Yes
Required for section-hikers only: A brief itinerary of your hike...can be as simple as a quarterly summary of counties/segments hiked.
Yes
I verify that all information above is accurate. *
No Yes
After reviewing your application, if IATA staff determine that you meet the standard of a Thousand-Miler as defined above, you will receive a verification notice within approximately two weeks. Your Thousand-Miler certificate and patch will be mailed to you. Your accomplishment will be celebrated at the next IATA Annual Membership Conference and then cited in the following issue of the IATA's newsletter, Mammoth Tales.
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