The Appalachian Trail covers over 2,185 miles along the East Coast of the United States. The trail is continuously maintained with the help of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and 31 Trail Maintenance Clubs that span the length of the trail. Last year over 6,000 volunteers provided more than 240,000 hours of service.
The Trail Maintenance Clubs are typically active from April through October in their designated areas along the trail. Trail maintenance can involve shelter repairs, relocating sections of trail, monitoring invasive species, building bridges, digging, painting blazes and more. Trail maintenance teams will often work long days with heavy tools, moving rock and completing strenuous tasks. Other volunteer opportunities may include community outreach and Leave No Trace programs.
In addition to these clubs, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy has 6 Trail Crews that oversee large scale projects such as building shelters or large trail relocations. The crews may team up with Trail Maintenance Clubs or work on their own to complete projects.
The ATC trail crews often spend a week or more in the backcountry, hauling their tools up to the work site with them. Crew volunteers can expect to spend all of their time outdoors, rain or shine, completing rigorous and difficult tasks. The physical requirements for the crews range from moderate to difficult, and it is recommended that volunteers have a decent amount of outdoor experience and are in good physical condition. In return for volunteer work, the ATC offers shelter, food, and a great experience.
The Crews:
Konnarock Crew – This is the ATC’s flagship crew. The operate from Rockfish Gap in Virginia, all the way to to Springer Mountain in Georgia.
Mid-Atlantic Crew – This crew works from Rockfish Gap in Virginia north to the NY/CT border.
Maine Trail Crew – Works in Maine and sponsored by MATC.
Vermont Long Trail Patrol – This trail crew is sponsored by the ATC and Green Mountain Club. This crew works on the Long Trail in Vermont of which a large portion includes the AT.
Smokies Wilderness Elite AT Crew (SWEAT) – This crew works in Smoky Mountain National Park. The SWEAT Crew is known as the most difficult and strenuous. The crew members must backpack to a remote location and work for 6 days at a time. This crew is only recommended for those who have extensive backpacking experience and who are in great physical condition.
Rocky Top Trail Crew – This crew also works in remote areas of the smokies. Their work is also very strenuous and is a good starting point for people working up to the SWEAT crew.
If you are interested in joining one of these trail crews, you can take a test to see which trail crew you should be involved with.
The Rock Top and SWEAT Crews are the most labor intensive because they are working in some of the most remote parts of the trail. They have to carry in everything and work on location for a week or more.
During my thru hike I often walked by groups of volunteers working on the trail. They were young and old and carried chainsaws, pick axes, shovels and other heavy tools. They were creating steps, clearing the trail of debris and generally making my life easier. Whenever I passed these groups I tried to say hi, or thank you. I really appreciated what they were doing. I resolved that I would give back to the trail when I had the opportunity.
After doing some research and applying, I was approved to join the Rocky Top trail crew this August. I am very excited to spend a week in the backcountry in one of the most beautiful and remote sections of the trail.
For more information about volunteering, visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s website.