My love for the Appalachian Trail goes beyond what some of you might feel.....then there's the few of you that I find along the path that share my passion.
That passion comes in many forms.
It can be in the form of hiking - of course! It can also be in the form of trail magic, hiker feeds, shuttlers, volunteer medical people, just doing good deeds along the Trail....and then you encounter......
The Trail Crew.....or work done by a trail crew.....and it makes you wonder why are there people like this? What makes a trail crew? What makes a trail maintainer?
Projects, crews, sweat, splinters, blisters, heat....gosh what possible reward could there be for that labor?
They ask for no rewards.
They are volunteers.
It is an unspoken, gratifying, self-encouraging job that begins with one person.....you, me.
Last year as I traveled along the A.T.....I met many of these people. What I thought was just a simple "passion" as I say for the A.T. was taken to a whole different level of enthusiasm, love and determination. It blew me away.
This is my year to give to those people: trail volunteers, trail crews, trail maintainers and Trail Bosses encouraging recognition for their hard work.
Your contribution to this can be in any form. An example is
Fishin' Fred.
There are also many events organized to bring together these people to discuss trail work:
ATC Biennial Conference
Check out the opening picture in that link!
If you are curious, want to become involved a LITTLE or a lot....this link to the
ATC will direct you to many different articles about trail work and good deeds performed.
Awareness.
Thank you.