We think Peace Pilgrim would have loved that OUR weekend of nature, music, beautiful food, contemplation, and wonderful conversation left each of us — many who had been strangers — with smiles of peace and friendship.

Perfect Weather Shines Over 2025 AT Retreat

On Oct. 3-5, 2025, a dozen friends, old and new, gathered at New Jersey’s Mohican Outdoor Center near the famed Appalachian Trail in honor of Peace Pilgrim, who was the first woman to complete the famous 2,200+ mile AT in one season in 1952. In fact, it was a vision high on the mountains during her trek that inspired her to start her pilgrimage the following January. Every autumn, Friends of Peace Pilgrim holds a weekend retreat to the AT in Peace Pilgrim’s home state.
Blue skies with warm sunshine during the day, and a brilliant almost-full moon at night added to the joy of the event. “It was wonderful to share the weekend amid the beauties of Nature, to walk in Peace's AT footsteps, and share music, meals and friendship,” said Fopp board member Bruce Nichols. A highlight, shown in the photos below, was a pre-dawn hike to witness the beautiful sunrise over the AT on New Jersey’s Kittatinny Ridge.

It was a special weekend of relaxing, singing, sharing, painting rocks, hiking, kayaking, shared meals, and honoring the spirit of Peace Pilgrim.

Thanks to FoPP board members Bruce Nichols and Barbara Reynolds for continuing the AT Retreat tradition. The next AT Retreat will be October 2-4, 2026.