<< Back 7/10/02 Volunteers sought to maintain Appalachian Trail SMN The Appalachian Trail Conference’s Trail Crew Program is currently recruiting volunteers to work on the trail during the weeks of July 18-22 and July 25-29. There are also opportunities to volunteer in the month of August. Locally the Trail Crew will tackle two trail relocations. One is along the Firescald Knob in the Pisgah National Forest near the North Carolina-Tennessee border. This project will consist of a lot of heavy-duty rock work. The second local project is near the Elk River in the Cherokee National Forest. This portion of the Appalachian Trail will pass two scenic waterfalls. During the week of July 18-22 the program offers an all-women crew. Be a part of the volunteer crews helping to build and protect the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, America’s premier long-distance footpath. When you volunteer for an Appalachian Trail Crew, you will spend a week or more building or rehabilitating a piece of America’s best-known long-distance trail. Great scenery, food, transportation, lodging, tools, equipment, training and the opportunity for lots of fun are provided. No experience necessary, only the willingness to work hard and get dirty. Enjoy the camaraderie with people of all ages, from all walks of life, from all over the country, and around the world. Trail work is hard, physical labor. Trail construction involves working with hand tools; getting dirty is guaranteed. The crews work eight-hour days, rain or shine, hot or cold, regardless of black flies, mosquitoes, and other insects. Trail Crew members backpack into a backcountry campsite and set up a primitive tent camp near the project site. In addition to personal gear, crew members carry all the food, tools, and group gear needed for the week in the woods. Persons age 18 or older of all backgrounds are welcome. Enthusiasm, good health, physical vigor, and adaptability are vital. For more information on how to become a volunteer on the Trail Crew write ATC Crew Program, PO Box 10, Newport, Va., 24128; phone 540.544.7388; or e-mail, crews@appalachiantrail.org.