Another Hard Day on the Trail/Matt's Creek

Looking north from a point close to the campsite towards Little and Big Rocky Row just north of the James River

Looking south from the AT hiking into the project site

This weekend I met up with folks from the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club to finalize logistics for the Matt’s Creek Project. Another long day on the Trail being subjected to great weather and views of the surrounding Wilderness….

As many veterans of Konnarock know, most projects entail camping in “primitive” conditions….well primitive if you mean being 100 yards away from the vehicles and sleeping on the ground. Really though, the crew often stays in places that die hard outdoor folk might not deem primitive. But, for the most part this situation works out great as it is pretty nice to have after a long day of working on the Trail.

However, this summer, the crew will have at least one good honest primitive project. The Matt’s Creek rehabilitation is smack dab in the middle of Virginia’s first congressionally designated big-W Wilderness, the James River Face Wilderness. For the project, the crew will backpack into a backcountry site near the project and enjoy really being away from everything (or as close to it by Virginia standards).

If you have a particular interest in this project, make sure to include that in your application. Additionally, if you have any questions regarding this or any other project, let me know.

Cheers,

Kerry

Base Camp Clean-Up 2008

Before you know it, spring will be here and with that we’ll have some clean-up to follow in getting ready for the 2009 season. Last March, over 20 Volunteers worked for a day or more around base camp doing odd jobs such as painting, carpentry, and general grounds work; these improvements were integral to the success of the 2007 season that I’d like to continue for 2008!

So, if you have a day or five and would like to pitch in this season in getting base camp ready at the 2008 Base Camp Clean-up (April 2-6), give us a shout at the office and we’ll get all the info to you.

BTW – Yes, you can earn your t-shirt during the clean-up.

Happy Holidays,

Kerry

Seasons's Greetings....Now Hiring

Greetings,

First and foremost, let me wish everyone Happy Holidays and a great New Year!

Second, the ATC is now hiring seasonal employees for our Trail Crews and Ridgerunners. If you’d like to learn more about available positions for the summer season out on the Trail, go to ATC’s employment website here.

If you have questions specific to Trail Crew give us a call at the office (540)953-3571 or kwood@appalachiantrail.org.

Thanks!!

Kerry

Sinking Creek Mtn------2010

The Keffer Oak, arguably the oldest (over 300 years old) and one of the largest)) trees on the AT

I’m pretty lucky I have to admit since my job requires me to work with Volunteers in the summer doing trail projects and then in the winter I “have” to hike the Trail doing condition assessments. Yesterday (yup, Sunday (no deer hunting allowed on Sundays in Virginia)), I worked. Ok, ok, I went hiking to do condition assessments close to Blacksburg on Sinking Creek Mountain but it was work!

Anyway, it’s a little early since the project (Sinking Creek Relocation) is not scheduled until 2010 but the pictures are pretty nice so I thought I’d share them.

Kerry

Hikers stile in farm fields (the crew will camp in the field)

Well, the crew will not be working here, but you can hike to it if you still have the energy!

USA Today Article

Our trail crew alumni already know the secret that USA Today just printed!! AT trail crews are one of the top “Volunteer Vacations!!”

Check out the article here.

Cheers,

Kerry

2008 Dates and Applications Up!

Volunteers work to complete a climbing turn on the Big Bald Relocation last season

Better late than never I always say! Anyway, as the title implies, the 2008 dates and projects (most of them anyway) are up on the website. The updated 2008 New Volunteer Application is online as well in PDF format. Also, new Volunteers will have the ability to apply online but the dates have not been updated for 2008 yet so hold your horses if that’s your preferred MO.

Also, as always, if you are alumni of AT trail crews then give us a shout (540.953.3571 or crews@appalachiantrail.org) and we’ll send you an alumni application.

You can click here to get to the ATC’s Trail Crew webpage.

Let us know if you have any questions!!

Thanks,

Kerry

Updates, Updates, Updates....

New shinguards, soil bags, and stickers for 2008!

Sorry for the lack of/infrequency of posts to the blog as we’ve been busy outside getting ready for next year before winter sets in. Anyway, a few things to note:

• 2008 Trail Crew dates should be posted on the ATC website by next week along with the 2008 crew application, as well as an updated projects page for Konnarock.
• Alumni letters along with applications should also go out in a week or so as well. Remember, alumni application are also available (in the next week or so) by emailing us at crews@appalachiantrail.org or calling the office at 540.953.3571
• Konnarock Crew Leader, Christine Hoyer, has traveled to Taiwan to consult with the Taiwanese Forest Bureau (and 2006 Volunteer Ming-Chein-Hsu) on trail-building in Taiwan. The first part of her journey is in the Nov-Dec ATC Journey’s magazine.

Hope everyone’s fall is going well!

Cheers,

Kerry