Join the Konnarock Trail Crew this summer

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is looking for volunteers to work and play in the backcountry on its Konnarock Trail Crew. Konnarock, the ATC flagship crew, tackles projects involving trail construction and rock work between the Trail’s Southern terminus, Springer Mountain Georgia and Shenandoah National Park: just over half of the Appalachian Trail. The program runs Wednesday to Monday evenings each week starting May 12 through Aug. 15.

Trail Crew volunteers are provided with food, transportation, lodging, tools, equipment and the opportunity to have a lot of fun. It’s free of charge and no experience is necessary, only the willingness to work hard and get dirty. You will meet people of all ages, from all walks of life, from all over the country and around the world.

Trail work is hard, physical labor. Trail construction involves working with a team of like-minded volunteers using hand tools. Crews work eight-hour days, rain or shine, hot or cold. They set up and live in a primitive campsite near the project site. Everyone, 18 or older, and of all backgrounds is welcome. Enthusiasm, good health, physical vigor, and adaptability are essential.

In addition to other projects this summer, the Konnarock Trail Crew will be working on relocation projects in the Roan Highlands and at Fontana Lake.

The Smokies Wilderness Elite A.T. Crew (SWEAT) is also recruiting for volunteers this summer. SWEAT is something completely different from other ATC volunteer Trail crews. The SWEAT Crew focuses on performing basic maintenance such as cutting back vegetation, removing blowdown, and clearing waterbars. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) SWEAT Crew is a mobile crew, carrying all food, tools and camping gear into the heart of the largest and most beautiful wilderness area in the east, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Spots on both crews are still available, but they’re quickly filling up! To become a part of the action, call 540-953-3571 or e-mail crews@appalachiantrail.org.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com