soilman
04-11-2018, 16:21
Now that I have got your attention, I'd like to talk about the less controversial kind of trail magic. The ATC is now accepting volunteers for trail crews. You want to meet thru hikers? Good chance you will while working on a crew. One of the most memorable thru hikers I met was years ago on White Cap Mt. We were building water bars and after work one night we hiked up to the summit. I met a thru hiker at the shelter who was finishing up his hike. I asked how his hike had been. He said he hated every minute of it, but he was military and he never quits. I have met lots of interesting people besides thru hikers while working on crew. The first time I met Bob Peoples was on crew. We were building rock steps at Laurel Falls and base camp was down the road from Kinkora. Bob worked with us every day. I have worked with TEHCC several times on crew and have a couple of their patches. Have also got a T-shirt from CMC when they worked with us. Got a hat from NJ parks when I worked in NJ.
Don't know where to do trail crew magic? There are crews in Maine, Vermont, PA, Smokies, and VA (Kincora). For those planning a thru hike 5, 10, even 20 years from today, what better way than to spend a week or two now working on the trail? Then when you thru you can proudly point out the good work you did. When I did my thru it was great to walk over the side hill I cut in the GSMNP just north of Birch Springs, cross the board walk I help build in the Pochuck Swamp in NJ and the other board walk I help build near Scotts Farm in PA. The water bars I built on White Cap and the stone steps on Gulf Hagas Mt and Laurel Falls are still there.
Don't know where to do trail crew magic? There are crews in Maine, Vermont, PA, Smokies, and VA (Kincora). For those planning a thru hike 5, 10, even 20 years from today, what better way than to spend a week or two now working on the trail? Then when you thru you can proudly point out the good work you did. When I did my thru it was great to walk over the side hill I cut in the GSMNP just north of Birch Springs, cross the board walk I help build in the Pochuck Swamp in NJ and the other board walk I help build near Scotts Farm in PA. The water bars I built on White Cap and the stone steps on Gulf Hagas Mt and Laurel Falls are still there.