Preparing for the PCT… working on the AT.

When I found out that my internship would end several months before my PCT began, I realized that I needed to find more work before I started down the road. During my time after the Appalachian Trail, I learned about local clubs and volunteered with them. That’s how I learned about the opportunity to become a Ridgerunner and help hikers on the AT in Georgia.

About being a Ridgerunner

It was a great job and the biggest plus was being in good shape while working! The Georgia mountains are challenging enough to get my mountain legs back a little before hitting the desert. I usually moved at least 8 to 10 miles a day while working, clearing the trail, and helping hikers.

The biggest change of pace between a normal hike and a ridge run was how much my head turned while walking on a trail. I was constantly on the lookout for explosions (we took down smaller limbs and reported the rest to the sawing crews), trash in its many forms, and any hikers who might get into trouble along the way. It was surprising how slowly I moved along the trail when there was a lot of work to do. At the beginning of the season, we had a huge ice storm that brought down tons of branches, forcing me to stop more than a dozen times a day. It was shocking how much momentum you lose when you have to take off your backpack, put on gloves, get out a saw, and then pack it all up… only to stop 200 yards later.

As for trash, we often had to carry it for many miles before reaching a trailhead, sometimes there was enough that I had to carry an extra bag in my hands on top of all my overnight gear, extra running and medical tools on my back!
Luckily, all the extra gear and junk I had to carry now makes my current pack and design for the PCT seem lighter in comparison. Additionally, I had the chance to train on the dreaded Amicalola stairs that were nearby, to prepare for the difficult climbs. It was great to be back on the AT and see its beauty, before seeing the stark differences on the PCT.

You can read more about the ridgerunning program in my bio!

One of the largest pieces I found along the way… an abandoned lawnmower!

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