Does anybody know if there’s going to be a Hardcore maintenance project after TrailDays this year? The one last year was a blast, and I’m trying to figure out how many days to take off work. Thanks!
Skittles
Hardcore? - Appalachian Trail
system
#2
For the 4th year in a row, Bob Peoples and his friends from the Tennessee Eastman Hiking Club will be doing a two-day trail maintenance project on Sunday and Monday after Trail Days. Folks are welcome to participate in some or all of the project. Lodging will be available at Kincora Hostel and the Braemar Castle Hostel in Hampton; there’s also excellent camping on the Trail just .3 from Kincora. There will also be two great dinners for trail workers on Sunday and Monday evenings.
The Hardcore projects has become perhaps the best-known annual Trail maintenance effort, and is a great deal of fun, as well as being a great way to give something back to the Trail; this is especially true for folks who’ve enjoyed Bob and Pat’s hospitality at Kincora, and would like to visit with them again.
There will be a sign-up list at Trail Days, most likely at the ATC both. Also, Bob will be at Trail Days if you have any questions, or you can ask me if you see me.
Baltimore Jack
:cheers
system
#5
This sounds like a great time. I would go, but I am graduating from college that weekend. I have a question. Last year on the trail, there were rumors that those who participated in trail maintentance at Kincora were shuttled twenty miles north of Damascus. I was north of Pearisburg at the time, and this is what people were saying. People were saying that ATC acknowledged the work by giving those who worked a dispensation of 20 miles of the trail. Is this true?
Bankrobber
system
#6
Who cares? I forgot to keep score anyway! just have a good time and help the resource.
Ed Pulaski
system
#7
Bankrobber—
You were misinformed. The ATC doesn’t give out mileage dispensations for good deeds; it doesn’t care where you hike out there; reporting in for your patch and certificate is done on the honor system; the ATC doesn’t keep tabs on who hikes where or how far; they’ve far more important things to do. They also feel that volunteer work is its own reward, and that people don’t need to be bribed in order to participate!
Last year’s Hardcore participants were shuttled back to Damascus after the work project, tho many folks who needed to get elsewhere (Bland, Pearisburg, etc.) found rides direct from Kincora back to where they needed to be. There are a lot of former thru-hikers and others who help out at Hardcore and they all arrive by car; they all are willing to help people get to where they need to be.
In short, no, you don’t get any mileage “reward” for doing a good deed by attending Hardcore; however, if you do attend and participate, you’ll have no problems returning to wherever you have to be.
B. Jack
system
#9
Baltimore Jack,
That is what I thought. I guess it was one of those truthless trail rumors. I am bummed I can’t make it to Bob’s to help out, but I am graduating from college.
Maybe next year.
Bankrobber