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<DIV>Elevator wrote: <FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial
color=#000000 size=2>First of all ADZ is not just for the current year
hikers. In fact, there will be more past year, future year and wanna-bes
there than there will be 2008 thru-hikers. There are a lot of hanger-ons
as I call them. As a 2006 alum, I will be back to visit and provide rides
as necessary. The gear booths are a way to help support ADZ. These
vendors, I believe, sponsor some part of ADZ and it gives many folks a
chance to see what the cottage industry gear manufactures have on the
market.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000000
size=2>------------------------------------------</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000000
size=2>Switchback replies: I think Elevator is right on with this. There
is no pressure to buy anything at all. This year at the April Kickoff,
they might put me in charge of the Hiker's Box. If my understanding is
correct, this is where hikers bring items they want to donate to other
hikers. All is free. I plan to bring lots of old gear this year,
like I did last year --- I encourage everyone to do the same.
Also, I will bring some items again for the Silent Auction, which is a
donated bid money to help cover expenses. Neat. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000000
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<DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000000
size=2>Another interesting thing about this year's Kickoff is that it might be
the first year that the whole park is reserved for the Kickoff participants ---
at least I have heard that might be true this year. That would be kind of
neat too.</FONT></DIV>
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size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Of course, I am in the future thru hiker-wanna-bes category of participants
for my 2013 Thru Hike. Heh, heh, heh.</DIV></DIV></FONT><BR><BR><BR><DIV><FONT style="color: black; font: normal 10pt ARIAL, SAN-SERIF;"><HR style="MARGIN-TOP: 10px">Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. <A title="http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598" href="http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598" target="_blank">Watch the video on AOL Living.</A></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>