SALT LAKE CITY, July 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) will host a special screening of the new Robert Redford film, "A Walk in the Woods," in Salt Lake City, Utah on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m. Passes for the show are free and first-come, first-serve. Reserve them at http://appalachiantrail.ticketleap.com/a-walk-in-the-woods---special-screening---slc/.

"A Walk in the Woods," based off the Bill Bryson novel, follows the hike of Bryson and his friend Stephen Katz, both of whom seem like a long-shot to complete their journey along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). Hilarity ensues in this comedy as Bryson and Katz encounter jealous husbands, over talkative thru-hikers, and hungry bears along the way. While the film is not exclusively about the Trail, it emphasizes the life-changing impact the A.T. can have on those who hike it. The film is scheduled to be released nationwide on Sept. 2, and is rated R for language and some sexual references.

The screening will take place during the summer Outdoor Retailer Show, the largest outdoor industry gathering in the country. After the screening, Ron Tipton, executive director/CEO of the ATC, will discuss the ATC's involvement in the film, and the organization's proactive approach to limit any damage caused by the expected increase in usage on the Trail.

"The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is very excited about 'A Walk in the Woods' and the positive attention it will bring to the Appalachian Trail experience," said Tipton. "At the same time we are planning for how to manage the surge of new hikers we anticipate."

Enthusiasm for the A.T. is at an all-time high, with both the number of hikers and volunteers increasing significantly in recent years. The number of thru-hikers traversing the A.T. has increased by approximately 20 percent this year to more than 3,000 hikers, and in 2014 nearly 5,700 volunteers contributed more than 240,000 hours to maintain the Trail. On average, an estimated 3 million people hike the A.T. annually.     

Event Overview
Date: Aug. 6, 2015
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: The Gateway Megaplex, 165 South Rio Grande St., Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
Passes: Visit http://appalachiantrail.ticketleap.com/a-walk-in-the-woods---special-screening---slc/

Seats for the show are first-come, first-serve, and passes do not guarantee a spot in the theater. However, you must have a ticket for a chance to be seated. Limit 4 tickets per household.

For more information about the film, visit www.walkinthewoodsmovie.com.

About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy

The ATC was founded in 1925 by volunteers and federal officials working to build a continuous footpath along the Appalachian Mountains. A unit of the National Park System, the A.T. ranges from Maine to Georgia and is approximately 2,190 miles in length. It is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world. The mission of the ATC is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail – ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. For more information, please visit www.appalachiantrail.org.

SOURCE Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Related Links

http://www.appalachiantrail.org