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ATC’s Rocky Top Trail Crew is Heading Into the Smokies Park With Open Positions

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) Rocky Top Trail Crew is searching for horse packers and crew volunteers this Fall to help maintain the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The ATC will provide food, tools, equipment and professional Trail Crew leaders to aide volunteers.

The Rocky Top Crew, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, works exclusively on the 35 miles of the A.T. through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that is open to horse use.

Beginning on September 5, 2011, volunteers can participate in one of the six packing days or one of five week long sessions. Crew members arrive on the afternoon before their work session for dinner and orientation. Crew members working more than one session may stay at the base camp during their days off.

Here's the Fall 2011 Schedule:

Week 1: 9/5-9/12
Week 2: 9/16-9/23
Week 3: 9/27-10/4
Week 4: 10/12-10/19
Week 5: 10/23-10/30

Horses take supplies to volunteers on six separate packing days. Any equestrians who hike the Trail are welcomed to bring their horses along and help the Crew maintain the A.T. in the Park.

The experiences of working together, learning new skills, and backcountry living makes for an unbeatable combination of fun. No experience is necessary, but you must be 18 years or older to participate.

This unique partnership between hikers and trail riders keeps this section of Trail open and in good shape. Join our partnership today and protect the A.T.

For more information or to register, visit www.appalachiantrail.org/crews or contact Andrew Downs at (828) 254-3708.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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ATC is offering Wilderness First Aid Course in Smokies

Saturday, February 5, 2011

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is accepting applications for their Wilderness First Aid Course at the Twin Creeks Science and Education Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

This two-day course will be held over March 2nd and 3rd, and is open to the public at a cost of $120 per person. Overnight accommodations are available at no charge. If you are a day-hiker, backpacker or outdoorsman, this is a great way to be prepared and stay safe. Fast paced and hands-on, the agenda covers a wide range of wilderness medicine topics for people who travel and work in the outdoors.

This course is pre-approved by such organizations as: the American Camping Association, the United States Forest Service and other governmental agencies.

Recommended for: avid hikers, teachers leading school trips, backcountry guides, canoe trip leaders, private expedition groups, college/university outdoor education programs, hiking club trip leaders, wilderness therapeutic programs, and adventure race safety personnel

To enroll or for more information, please contact Andrew Downs with the ATC at 828-254-3708 or adowns@appalachiantrail.org.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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ATC awarded grant to support Appalachian Trail Communities

Monday, January 17, 2011

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The Virginia Environmental Endowment has awarded a $22,000 grant to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to support the Appalachian Trail Community program in Virginia. During the 2011 granting period, the ATC plans to accept at least five new communities from Virginia into the growing network of designated trail-side communities.

Through this grant from the Virginia Environmental Endowment, the A.T. Communities program will expand its capacity by developing volunteer training, communication tools, program website and other resources to support local communities.

The Appalachian Trail Community program, managed by the ATC, provides tools and support to local communities that capitalize on the Trail as a community asset for tourism and outdoor recreation. The program is designed to provide an incentive for conservation of the Trail’s signature landscapes while giving communities the opportunity to grow rural economies that sustain rural heritage and quality of life. Launched in 2010, this program will ensure long-term stewardship and protection for the Appalachian Trail.

One quarter of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and its 280,000-acre land base traverse the Commonwealth of Virginia, protecting a 550-mile swath of the state’s natural resources, scenic beauty, and rich biodiversity. In addition, the 2,181-mile Appalachian Trail (A.T.) provides an unforgettable outdoor experience to an estimated four million visitors each year, including many local residents who use the Trail for physical and spiritual renewal. In Virginia, the Trail slices through the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests and Shenandoah National Park, offering ecological and economic benefits to 23 Virginia counties. With the millions that visit the Trail every year, as well as its international iconic status, it's no wonder that outfitters, restaurants and businesses catering to outdoor recreation call A.T. communities home.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy's 38th Biennial Conference

Thursday, December 2, 2010

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy recently announced details of it's 38th Biennial Conference.

The Conference, which is being called Virginia Journeys 2011, will be held from July 1 – 8, 2011 at Emory & Henry College in Emory, Virginia (about 25 miles east of Bristol).

Hosted by the seven A.T. maintaining clubs of Central and Southwest Virginia, the Biennial Conference will celebrate the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Blue Ridge Mountain Trails of Virginia. Planned around ATC's membership meeting, Virginia Journeys 2011 is also an opportunity for A.T. enthusiasts to take a trail related workshop, hike on the A.T., and explore Damascus, Virginia - the “friendliest town on the trail."

Over 60 different guided hikes to a variety of areas in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia and Tennessee will be offered during the week-long event, including more than 190 miles of the Appalachian Trail in a series of section hikes from Dennis Cove Road in Tennessee to Kimberling Creek in Virginia.

There are 13 different hikes with multiple departures in and around the Mt. Rogers High Country area, including several hikes to the summit of Virginia’s highest peak, Mt. Rogers. Whatever you do, don't miss this one - it's one of my all time favorite hikes.

Other hikes include loop hikes using the A.T. and other trails such as the Virginia Creeper Trail, hikes to viewpoints and waterfalls, and several hikes with a nature or history emphasis. There will also be several hikes with swimming opportunities at the end of the hikes in Hungry Mother State Park and Watauga Lake.

Click here for more information on the conference.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Appalachian Trail Celebration & Backpacking Clinic

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

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Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, GA will host its Annual Appalachian Trail Celebration & Backpacking Clinic on Saturday and Sunday, March 6-7, 2010. Both experienced and novice hikers and campers attend this annual event to celebrate the great outdoors, learn about the Appalachian Trail, listen to AT hikers share their experiences, and discover what it takes to make the 5-million step journey across 14 states.

Invited AT hikers include: Gene Espy, the second man to thru-hike the AT in 1951; David Miller, author of AWOL on the Appalachian Trail; Leslie Mass, a 2001-2002 thru-hiker, Laurie Potteiger of the ATC, a 1987 thru-hiker, and Bill Walker, who completed his thru-hike in 2005.

In addition there will be presentations by several invited trail organizations including the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), Georgia Appalachian Trail Conference, Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, Atlanta Hiking Club, Leave No Trace, and others.

Several equipment specialists will be on hand to display, demonstrate and answer questions about specific outdoor equipment such as shelters, cooking gear & food, backpacks, sleeping bags & pads, and clothing.

Evening activities will include informal chats, questions & answers, and book signings by speakers. Other activities will include a night hike, and a Birds of Prey program.

Activities will begin at 9 AM each day and end at about 8 PM on Saturday and 6 PM on Sunday. A detailed scheduled of events can be found on the Friends of Amicalola Falls SP website. More information can be found on the the Amicalola Falls State Park website, or by calling the park Programming Office at 706-265-1969.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.
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ATC offers discount on Appalachian Trail license plates in TN

Friday, January 22, 2010

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A grant from the Eastman Chemical Company Foundation is allowing the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to underwrite discounts on the fees for the next 500 people to apply for an Appalachian Trail license plate in Tennessee.

Once 1,000 applications are received and the state begins producing tags, ATC’s share of the renewal fees will serve as a permanent funding source for the organization's work to protect and maintain the 280 miles of the Appalachian Trail in the state of Tennessee.

As a result of the grant, the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) license plates are now available for $15 instead of the usual $35 annual fee. Renewals will be at the standard $35 annual fee.

The ATC is offering its own incentive as well, thanking people who sign up for the license plate with a one-time annual membership to the national non profit. Existing ATC members may give someone else the membership as a gift.

The specialty A.T. license-plate program will benefit the state’s natural resources and national treasure in several ways. It will broaden awareness for this resource by widely promoting the Trail on vehicles from Memphis to Bristol. In addition, each plate will generate $15.56 annually for ATC, supporting management of such programs as land conservation, volunteer-based trail and facilities maintenance, natural-resources management, and programs that introduce children and teachers to the A. T. in Tennessee.

For more information and an application to take advantage of this offer, call the ATC at 828-254-3708 or go on line to www.appalachiantrail.org/tnlicenseplate.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.
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Help the Appalachian Trail Conservancy win $1,000,000

Friday, January 15, 2010

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You may recall from a posting a few weeks ago that the JP Morgan Chase Foundation was sponsoring a Facebook-based charity campaign in which voters directed where Chase grants would be awarded. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) was among 100 organizations to win a $25,000 grant during the first round of the Chase Community Giving campaign.

Those same 100 organizations are now automatically eligible for a chance to win a final $1-million grant in the next round of voting, which begins today.

In this next round, the ATC and the other winning organizations have submitted documents stating what difference $1 million would make in their work. One organization will win that amount, and five others will receive $100,000 each. A Chase advisory board will select other charities to share in another $1-million pool.

The program the ATC is seeking funds is for is called Mother's Nature Keepers.

HOW TO VOTE:

1) You must be a Facebook user (it's free!)

2) You have to be a fan of Chase Community Giving- click here and then click on the "Become a Fan" button at the top of the page.

3) To vote for the ATC click here - then click on VOTE once on the Appalachian Trail Conservancy "Big Idea" page. You will likely be prompted to allow Chase to access your information so they can keep track of the votes. Please "Allow" or your vote will not be tabulated.

Each voter gets 5 votes they can spread around, however, the ATC hopes that supporters will only vote for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Voting ends on January 22!

You can also find additional information on the ATC website.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.
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ATC Wins $25,000 in Chase Community Giveaway

Sunday, December 20, 2009

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) announced on Friday that they were among 100 organizations to win a $25,000 grant from the Chase Community Giving campaign.

You may recall from a posting a few weeks ago that the JP Morgan Chase Foundation was sponsoring a Facebook-based charity campaign in which voters directed where Chase grants would be awarded.

The 100 organizations winning a $25,000 grant in the first round of voting are now automatically eligible for a chance to win a final $1-million grant in the next round of voting.

In this next round, the ATC and the other winning organizations will submit documents stating what difference $1 million would make in their work, with Facebook users voting on those proposals starting on January 15. One organization will win that amount in February, and five others will receive $100,000 each. A Chase advisory board will select other charities to share in another $1-million pool.

As soon as information is provided on how and where to vote in this second round, I'll post it on this blog.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.
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Help the ATC Win a Grant from Chase Bank

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

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Chase Community Giving is giving away $25,000 to 100 charities. With your help, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) will have a chance to win one of these grants from Chase Community Giving and possibly one million dollars if they make it to the second round.

Chase Community Giving is a program run by Chase Bank that allows Facebook users to vote for local charities and non-profits, and help direct Chase corporate philanthropy dollars to eligible organizations in the following focus areas: education, healthcare, housing, the environment, combating hunger, arts and culture, human services, and animal welfare. The grassroots campaign aims to inspire a new way of corporate philanthropy.

The ATC needs just a minute or two of your time to vote for ATC on Facebook. And then ask your friends to do the same. It's quick. It's easy. And best of all, it's free.

Voting for Round 1 ends December 11.

Please click here to vote!


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.
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ATC invasive exotic plant workshop

Saturday, November 28, 2009

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is seeking volunteers to participate in an invasive exotic plant workshop next Saturday, December 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. along the Appalachian Trail near Erwin, Tenn.

The workshop will educate hikers and the general public about the threats of invasive exotic plants and how to identify 15 of the most threatening species in the region. The workshop will also involve removing invasive plants to protect that section of the Appalachian Trail. There's no charge and teachers are eligible to receive credits toward Criteria II or III for the N.C. Environmental Education Certification Program.

All necessary equipment will be provided. For more information about what to bring, where to meet for carpooling and to sign up, contact jodell@appalachiantrail.org or call 254-3708.




Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.
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Rocky Top Trail Crew

Sunday, August 2, 2009

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Experience the Smoky Mountains from a different perspective this fall by working and camping on the Appalachian Trail. Between September 1 and November 1 of this year, volunteers can join the Rocky Top Trail Crew and work in the heart of the largest and most beautiful wilderness area in the east.

The Rocky Top Trail Crew is a professionally lead volunteer trail crew on the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The program, developed and administered by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), was designed to incorporate significant contributions from both the hiking and the equestrian communities. Each week, a team of horses’ packs up tents, food and tools for volunteers who will live and work together on the trail for 7 days. The crew's work will involve reconstruction of those sections where horses and hikers share the trail. The ATC will provide volunteers with the equipment, food, tools and training to engender a safe, fun and fulfilling Smokies experience like no other.

If you’re looking to give back to Great Smoky Mountains National Park on its 75th birthday, there’s no better way than to roll up your sleeves and get dirty while helping to manage and protect America’s first national scenic trail for future generations.

For more information and to find an application, please click here.





Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Smoky Mountain Day Hikers Store Quality gear and apparel from some of the best outdoor brands.
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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy needs your support

Saturday, March 28, 2009

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) needs your support, ASAP!

The Tennessee legislature recently approved for the creation of a specialty license plate for the Appalachian Trail. Funds produced from the sale of the plate will be shared with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy for the support and management of the Appalachian Trail.

In order for the state to produce the license plates, the ATC needs 1000 paid applications as soon as possible. As of March 11, the ATC has only 362 applications.

The plate will help the Appalachian Trail long into the future as a permanent source of funding. Funds from the plates will help the ATC by supporting:

* Trail and facilities maintenance
* land conservation
* public information efforts
* citizen scientist-based environmental monitoring program known as the A.T. MEGA-Transect
* the introduction of teachers and kids to the A.T. through ATC’s A Trail to Every Classroom program

A standard, numerical A.T. license plate will cost $35 and a personalized one will cost $70—in addition to the regular vehicle registration fee. The ATC will receive $15.56 of the fees for each plate produced or renewed. You also get a free one-time annual membership to the ATC.

The states of Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina have similar programs as well.

Please show your support for the Appalachian Trail by clicking here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Smoky Mountain Day Hikers Store Quality gear and apparel from some of the best outdoor brands.

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