Appalachian Trail Conservancy's Konnarock Trail Crew Is Heading Into The Woods With Open Positions

Online, June 16, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Blacksburg, VA - The Appalachian Trail Conservancy's (ATC) Konnarock Trail Crew is currently searching for volunteers to help maintain the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) from Rockfish Gap, VA to the Trail's southern terminus at Springer Mountain in GA. The ATC will provide food, tools, equipment and safety gear needed for volunteers to get into the backcountry and complete some much needed work on the Trail.

Konnarock is the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's flagship crew program, founded in 1983 and named after its original base camp in southwest Virginia. The crew is hosted by the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area at its Sugar Grove Work Center.

Crew members arrive on Wednesday before their work week in time to get settled in, eat dinner, and attend an orientation session that evening. An early morning on Thursday (7 a.m.) starts with a hearty breakfast followed by any last minute preparations and departure to the project site.

Volunteers work a five-day week in the field, from Thursday morning through Monday night. Volunteers working more than one session are welcome to stay at the base camp between sessions.

A.T. Professional Trail crew leaders will provide any necessary training on Trail construction. This past year the Konnarock Trail Crew has completed such projects as relocating and restoring 1.5 miles of Trail in North Carolina. In the upcoming weeks the crew will tackle such projects as relocating an eroding section of the A.T. on the North Carolina/Tennessee border and continuing to work on a five mile Trail relocation in Virginia.

Summer Trail Crew Schedule:

Week Seven
Thursday 7/7 to Monday 7/11 Crew 1 - Roan Highlands Relocation continues in NC/TN.

Crew 2 - New River Relocation continues in Virginia.

Week Eight
Thursday 7/14 to
Monday 7/18 Crew 1 - Jenkins Trail Rehab in Virginia - Define tread, install rock steps and checkdams.

Crew 2 - Flint Gap to Shelton Graves Relocation in North Carolina - Construct sidehill to move Trail to a more sustainable grade.

Week Nine
Thursday 7/21 to
Monday 7/25 Crew 1 - Dripping Rock Relocation continues in Virginia.

Crew 2 - Flint Gap to Shelton Graves Relocation continues in North Carolina.

Week Ten
Thursday 7/28 to
Monday 8/1 Crew 1 - Roan Highlands Relocation continues in NC/TN.

Crew 2 - Flint Gap to Shelton Grave Relocation continues in North Carolina.

Week Eleven
Thursday 8/4 to
Monday 8/8 Crew 1 - Thunder Ridge Relocation in Virginia - Construct sidehill to move Trail to a more sustainable grade.

Crew 2 - War Spur Relocation in Virginia - Construct sidehill to move Trail to a more sustainable grade.

Week Twelve
Thursday
8/11 to
Monday 8/15 Crew 1 - Roan Highlands Relocation continues in NC/TN.

Crew 2 - War Spur Relocation continues in Virginia.

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.

For more information or to register, visit appalachiantrail.org/crews or contact Alice Davis at 540.953.3571 or [email protected].

About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail - ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. For more information please visit www.appalachiantrail.org.

Contact: Alice Davis
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Tel: 540.953.3571
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.appalachiantrail.org