Appalachian Trail Conservancy Crew: Coleman Gap Trail Restoration

The Konnarock Trail Crew is the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s flagship crew program, founded in 1983. The Konnarock Trail Crew offers volunteers of diverse ages, backgrounds, and experience levels the opportunity to spend five days working together in the backcountry building durable sections of the Appalachian Trail that will last for generations. Konnarock is a joint venture of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the twelve southern A.T. maintaining clubs, the U.S. Forest Service, and the National Park Service.

The Konnarock basecamp in located in Sugar Grove, Virginia where volunteers are expected to meet at the start of the crew session. The Konnarock Trail Crew works on projects along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in backcountry settings anywhere from Waynesboro, Virginia, to the Trail’s southern terminus in Georgia.

Volunteers will repair heavily eroded treadway along a remote 1.7-mile section of the A.T. in the Southern Nantahala Wilderness Area. This is a backcountry project with a 2.6-mile hike to the campsite. Participants are required to backpack individual camping and personal gear, as well as a share of communal food, cooking accoutrements, and tools.

The following resources will be provided to volunteers:

-Shuttles to and from the nearest airports/bus stations, provided upon request.
-Transportation from basecamp to primitive, backcountry tent camping near the project work site.
-Room and board.
-Three meals a day (with lots of snacks!), including a large welcome and thank you dinners.
-All cooking/kitchen equipment for the backcountry
-All trail work tools, gear, and PPE (gloves, glasses, hardhat).
-Training and leadership guidance throughout the week.
-If needed, loaner camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, daypack, water bottles, etc.) can be provided. Please confirm with staff beforehand.

Volunteers are expected to provide the following:

-Appropriate work clothes (long pants, clothes you don’t mind getting dirty).
-Personal camping equipment if desired.
-A willingness to work hard within personal capabilities.
-An ability to follow crew staff instruction and example.
-A great attitude and being open to meeting new trail crew friends!
-Volunteers must be 17 years of age or older to participate in Konnarock. Volunteers who are 17 years old need a parent/guardian to sign a release form prior to the work week (the parent/guardian does not need to accompany the volunteer).

You will receive more detailed information during the application process.