Archive for the ‘ATC’ Category

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ATC’s Rocky Top Trail Crew is Heading Into the Smokies Park With Open Positions

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) Rocky Top Trail Crew is searching for horse packers and crew volunteers this Fall to help maintain the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The ATC will provide food, tools, equipment and professional Trail Crew leaders to aide volunteers.

The Rocky Top Crew, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, works exclusively on the 35 miles of the A.T. through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that is open to horse use.

Beginning on September 5, 2011, volunteers can participate in one of the six packing days or one of five week long sessions. Crew members arrive on the afternoon before their work session for dinner and orientation. Crew members working more than one session may stay at the base camp during their days off.

Here's the Fall 2011 Schedule:

Week 1: 9/5-9/12
Week 2: 9/16-9/23
Week 3: 9/27-10/4
Week 4: 10/12-10/19
Week 5: 10/23-10/30

Horses take supplies to volunteers on six separate packing days. Any equestrians who hike the Trail are welcomed to bring their horses along and help the Crew maintain the A.T. in the Park.

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.

This unique partnership between hikers and trail riders keeps this section of Trail open and in good shape. Join our partnership today and protect the A.T.

For more information or to register, visit www.appalachiantrail.org/crews or contact Andrew Downs at (828) 254-3708.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in ATC, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Rocky Top Trail Crew, appalachian trail | Comments Off

ATC is offering Wilderness First Aid Course in Smokies

Saturday, February 5th, 2011
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is accepting applications for their Wilderness First Aid Course at the Twin Creeks Science and Education Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

This two-day course will be held over March 2nd and 3rd, and is open to the public at a cost of $120 per person. Overnight accommodations are available at no charge. If you are a day-hiker, backpacker or outdoorsman, this is a great way to be prepared and stay safe. Fast paced and hands-on, the agenda covers a wide range of wilderness medicine topics for people who travel and work in the outdoors.

This course is pre-approved by such organizations as: the American Camping Association, the United States Forest Service and other governmental agencies.

Recommended for: avid hikers, teachers leading school trips, backcountry guides, canoe trip leaders, private expedition groups, college/university outdoor education programs, hiking club trip leaders, wilderness therapeutic programs, and adventure race safety personnel

To enroll or for more information, please contact Andrew Downs with the ATC at 828-254-3708 or adowns@appalachiantrail.org.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in ATC, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Twin Creeks Science and Education Center, Wilderness First Aid Course, gatlinburg | Comments Off

ATC awarded grant to support Appalachian Trail Communities

Monday, January 17th, 2011
The Virginia Environmental Endowment has awarded a $22,000 grant to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to support the Appalachian Trail Community program in Virginia. During the 2011 granting period, the ATC plans to accept at least five new communities from Virginia into the growing network of designated trail-side communities.

Through this grant from the Virginia Environmental Endowment, the A.T. Communities program will expand its capacity by developing volunteer training, communication tools, program website and other resources to support local communities.

The Appalachian Trail Community program, managed by the ATC, provides tools and support to local communities that capitalize on the Trail as a community asset for tourism and outdoor recreation. The program is designed to provide an incentive for conservation of the Trail’s signature landscapes while giving communities the opportunity to grow rural economies that sustain rural heritage and quality of life. Launched in 2010, this program will ensure long-term stewardship and protection for the Appalachian Trail.

One quarter of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and its 280,000-acre land base traverse the Commonwealth of Virginia, protecting a 550-mile swath of the state’s natural resources, scenic beauty, and rich biodiversity. In addition, the 2,181-mile Appalachian Trail (A.T.) provides an unforgettable outdoor experience to an estimated four million visitors each year, including many local residents who use the Trail for physical and spiritual renewal. In Virginia, the Trail slices through the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests and Shenandoah National Park, offering ecological and economic benefits to 23 Virginia counties. With the millions that visit the Trail every year, as well as its international iconic status, it's no wonder that outfitters, restaurants and businesses catering to outdoor recreation call A.T. communities home.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in ATC, Appalachian Trail Community, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Virginia Environmental Endowment, grant | Comments Off

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s 38th Biennial Conference

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy recently announced details of it's 38th Biennial Conference.

The Conference, which is being called Virginia Journeys 2011, will be held from July 1 – 8, 2011 at Emory & Henry College in Emory, Virginia (about 25 miles east of Bristol).

Hosted by the seven A.T. maintaining clubs of Central and Southwest Virginia, the Biennial Conference will celebrate the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Blue Ridge Mountain Trails of Virginia. Planned around ATC's membership meeting, Virginia Journeys 2011 is also an opportunity for A.T. enthusiasts to take a trail related workshop, hike on the A.T., and explore Damascus, Virginia - the “friendliest town on the trail."

Over 60 different guided hikes to a variety of areas in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia and Tennessee will be offered during the week-long event, including more than 190 miles of the Appalachian Trail in a series of section hikes from Dennis Cove Road in Tennessee to Kimberling Creek in Virginia.

There are 13 different hikes with multiple departures in and around the Mt. Rogers High Country area, including several hikes to the summit of Virginia’s highest peak, Mt. Rogers. Whatever you do, don't miss this one - it's one of my all time favorite hikes.

Other hikes include loop hikes using the A.T. and other trails such as the Virginia Creeper Trail, hikes to viewpoints and waterfalls, and several hikes with a nature or history emphasis. There will also be several hikes with swimming opportunities at the end of the hikes in Hungry Mother State Park and Watauga Lake.

Click here for more information on the conference.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in 38th Biennial Conference, ATC, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Virginia Journeys 2011 | Comments Off

Appalachian Trail Celebration & Backpacking Clinic

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, GA will host its Annual Appalachian Trail Celebration & Backpacking Clinic on Saturday and Sunday, March 6-7, 2010. Both experienced and novice hikers and campers attend this annual event to celebrate the great outdoors, learn about the Appalachian Trail, listen to AT hikers share their experiences, and discover what it takes to make the 5-million step journey across 14 states.

Invited AT hikers include: Gene Espy, the second man to thru-hike the AT in 1951; David Miller, author of AWOL on the Appalachian Trail; Leslie Mass, a 2001-2002 thru-hiker, Laurie Potteiger of the ATC, a 1987 thru-hiker, and Bill Walker, who completed his thru-hike in 2005.

In addition there will be presentations by several invited trail organizations including the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), Georgia Appalachian Trail Conference, Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, Atlanta Hiking Club, Leave No Trace, and others.

Several equipment specialists will be on hand to display, demonstrate and answer questions about specific outdoor equipment such as shelters, cooking gear & food, backpacks, sleeping bags & pads, and clothing.

Evening activities will include informal chats, questions & answers, and book signings by speakers. Other activities will include a night hike, and a Birds of Prey program.

Activities will begin at 9 AM each day and end at about 8 PM on Saturday and 6 PM on Sunday. A detailed scheduled of events can be found on the Friends of Amicalola Falls SP website. More information can be found on the the Amicalola Falls State Park website, or by calling the park Programming Office at 706-265-1969.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Posted in ATC, Amicalola Falls, Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, Appalachian Trail Celebration, Backpacking Clinic, Gene Espy, Georgia Appalachian Trail Conference, State Park, friends | Comments Off

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