Trails in Other Places...

A "trail" (really a dry wash) in a narrow canyon south of the Hoover Dam on the way some nice hot springs.

It's nice to have views like these from any trail.

An evening sky while hiking along the "Boy Scout Trail" in Joshua Tree NP.

Vertical "Trail"....

No too much (if any) in the way of real Konnarock-related pictures here but thought I would share a few pictures of my recent trip to Joshua Tree National Park. It's always nice to see trails in other places as they are a good way to learn new ideas for trail design, etc. Of course with Joshua Tree only receiving 4" of rain a year, it's a bit different then what we deal with on the AT!

More Konnarock updates soon to come!

Cheers,

Kerry

T-Shirt Design

Here's the design for the back of our 2008 t-shirt drawn by Volunteer Nolan Hisey. At the moment, we plan to print the design without color (just blackline) except the blaze on the tree (white) on perhaps a dark green shirt. The upper text will also be different but this is a rough design.

Thoughts, comments?

Kerry

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