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

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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Rocky Top Trail Crew

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.

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