Rocko Smucker
September 2024
It’s easy to find Rocko Smucker at the beginning of each week. For the past 11 years, he’s volunteered with the Carolina Mountain Club’s (CMC) “Monday crew,” clearing meadows to open views, repairing the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) and other trails, and going above and beyond to ensure the Trail is a welcoming experience for hikers. Rocko is motivated to volunteer by his desire to spend time outside, to keep the Trail in good shape for fellow hikers, and to enjoy the satisfaction of hard work and meeting goals.
And, of course, the brownies don’t hurt either.
“We get brownies every Monday,” Rocko said. He also appreciates the opportunity to work with crew leader John Whitehouse. “He pulls us in and he’s supportive.”
Rocko has maintained trails with the CMC for 21 years. In addition to working with the Monday Crew, he maintains the A.T. section between Sams Gap and Street Gap near the North Carolina and Tennessee border. According to CMC’s A.T. Supervisor Paul Curtin, Rocko is one of the hardest-working section maintainers year after year.
Rocko adopted this section of Trail because he enjoys the culture and friendly community on the A.T. He frequently chats with people he meets on the Trail, from local residents who hike his section two to three times a week to the thru-hikers who are just passing by. In fact, thru-hiker season is one of his favorite times to be on the Trail.
“We sit and talk about where they’re going and where they want to be,” Rocko explained.
These conversations are one of the reasons Rocko is such a celebrated volunteer. He knows what hikers need because he takes the time to ask questions and listen to their responses.
“Rocko engages with hikers (part of the reason he likes maintaining so much) and brings their perspective to his work,” said Paul. “That’s why he knew they love the view from Street Gap toward Big Bald and why he successfully lobbied the ATC to keep that meadow clear of large trees.”
Rocko understands the positive impact of a beautiful view on the A.T. “There’s another place on the two-mile hike from Sams Gap, about a mile from Street Gap, that is just almost straight up. Hikers say, ‘When is this ever going to end?’ It’s arduous and then suddenly they come to this beautiful view. That wouldn’t happen if I wasn’t knocking that back and keeping the trail maintained.”
Rocko is not only creating a legacy of phenomenal trail work, he’s also introducing young people to the A.T. and inspiring future stewardship. A retired elementary school teacher, Rocko ran into a former student who co-founded the French Broad River Academy. With Paul, they arranged for students to join the CMC for a workday on the Trail.
“He made it a learning event, asking them questions and providing thought-provoking insights,” said Paul. “That event solidified our relationship with the French Broad River Academy and they now come out with us three to five times a year.”
Rocko perfectly captures the intrinsic satisfaction that volunteering on the Trail can provide anyone who likes to work hard and enjoys the outdoors.
“Working on the A.T. and other trail work – it’s very tangible. If I work all day to improve 15 feet of the Trail, no one can take that away. You can see what you’ve done and that’s a very good feeling.”
