I have great news! I loved being an Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner in the Smokies SO MUCH I’ve decide to be the long-season Ridgerunner again for the 2025 season!
As a Ridgerunner in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I am grateful I get to be a devoted steward of this magical land… I am honored to be a representative of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy… to look after this sacred ribbon of earth we call the trail, that provides such a joyful and transformational experience for so many. It is such a privilege to work alongside the National Park Service and all the dedicated volunteers that protect and care for this amazing land called the Smokies. I get to witness the magic and wonder of what each day brings and the shifting seasons in a way few get to experience. It is such a gift, and I am so grateful.
I am delighted to share my wisdom from practicing and teaching the principles of Leave No Trace for many years now, by being the best example I possibly can be. I clean the shelters and privies, haul out a lot of trash (just don’t do it, litterbugs!), perform light trail maintenance, and assist with search and rescue endeavors. I update hikers of the status of trail conditions, campsites, and shelters, collect data, and monitor water sources. I get to listen to tales of how the trail saved lives, brought people together, inspired new adventures, and of course, an endless supply of entertaining stories. To be a valuable resource for information, support, and guidance along this beloved path, as well as a smiling face to those I encounter – in their darkest and best of times – is nothing short of a divine blessing.
Even in times of crazy unpleasant weather, I find that I have immense gratitude for being right where I am. I have learned so much, and met so many wonderful people, I make new friends every day. And if you’ve spent even a short time on the trail, you know there is no such thing as meeting a stranger on the AT. I’ve walked this trail so many times now, it feels like home. I have missed it terribly these past couple of months and I am thrilled to begin the 2025 season at the beginning of February.
See you on the trail soon! 🥾
