The Ridgerunners work each summer with the public, trail community, and officials along the Appalachian Trail to enhance the public's enjoyment of the trail and to help protect it.  The PATC's section of the trail extends from the southern end of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, through Maryland, to Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Pennsylvania. The Ridgerunners who patrol the section of the Appalachian Trail maintained by PATC are hired, trained, and supervised by PATC's Trail Patrol.

Duties

Ridgerunner duties include:

• providing general support to hikers and campers, including directions and other information 
• educating hikers on the importance of minimizing their impact on the trails and surrounding resources
• inspecting the AT and trail-related facilities and reporting their condition to PATC officials
• performing light maintenance on the trails

Period of Duty

Ridgerunners patrol the Appalachian Trail generally from Memorial Day to Labor Day.  They begin training usually one week before Memorial Day.

For More Information

The Ridgerunner program is overseen by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. For more information and an application visit the ATC's Seasonal Jobs section of their web site. Also view this one-page.

Questions should be directed to:

Associate Regional Representative
Appalachian Trail Conference
P.O. Box 625
Boiling Springs, PA 17007
(717) 258-5771
ridgerunner@appalachiantrail.org

For information on how you can get involved with Trail Patrol's Ridgerunner program, contact Trail Patrol's Ridgerunner Coordinator.

 

 

Ridgerunners