A poorly executed secret tryst - that isn't a secret to anyone.

It is a reference to the disappearance of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford who "disappeared" for a week to Argentine on a romantic escapade. His staff and office told the news media that he was "hiking the Appalachian trail."
Dave needs to take a break from hiking the Appalachian trail with his secretary and get some work done!
by Walking Stick June 24, 2009
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Going AWOL on your job to have a clandestine affair.
"Where has Joe been for the last three days? He didn't tell us that he'll be taking time off!"

"Uh... He's hiking the Appalachian Trail."

"Oh. In that case, where's the pink slip?"
by L-R- July 17, 2009
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"Hey, where did our governor go?"
"He told me he was hiking the appalachian trail..."
"Hope he takes protection."
by girlmain July 14, 2009
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An unnecessarily bizarre and implausible cover story for marital infidelity.
I'm sorry, Carol, I can't go to your mother-in-law's Tupperware party this evening. I'm hiking the Appalachian Trail with that new secretary from the office... in Argentina.
by Abolish the Fed June 24, 2009
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To travel to Argentina to bang your mistress, while your gubernatorial staff back in South Carolina lies to the press about your whereabouts (see Sanford, Mark).

To cheat on your wife.
"Jane filed for divorce when she caught her husband hiking the Appalachian Trail with the babysitter."
by Palmetto Ghetto June 24, 2009
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Spending time with your mistress.
"Where are you going, Governor?"
"I'll just be hiking the Appalachian Trail with Lupe for the next few days."
by hayes6 June 24, 2009
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