Training Videos
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy released the following video series on essential trail maintenance in 2023 which reflect updates made to the ATC’s Essential Trail Maintenance Curriculum (found below).
Anyone interested in gaining more skills (or applying your current skills) can find an opportunity to volunteer on the Trail in their region on the A.T. Volunteer Engagement Platform or through an A.T. maintaining club.
Watch Videos
A.T. Volunteer Intro and Safety
The first video in a series on volunteering on the Appalachian Trail. This introduction is suitable for volunteers joining essential maintenance work trips, as well as natural resource stewardship opportunities, or corridor monitoring and maintenance. Whether volunteering through an Appalachian Trail Club or through the Appalachian Trail Conservancy the foundation of all volunteer effort is safety.
How Volunteers Manage Water on the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail volunteers play an active role in managing water on the footpath since moving water and standing water can damage the tread surface and surrounding areas. This video presents concepts of trail alignment, presents how to mitigate berms that trap water on the trail, and best practices for clearing waterbars and other drains.
Maintaining the Centerline of the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail volunteers actively work to encourage hikers to stay on the center of the footpath as part of routine maintenance. This video addresses short-cutting of switchbacks, user-created paths, resetting the backslope of sidehill trail, and other tactics to support the longevity of the footpath.
Blazing the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail volunteers actively work to encourage hikers to stay on the center of the footpath as part of routine maintenance. This video addresses short-cutting of switchbacks, user-created paths, resetting the backslope of sidehill trail, and other tactics to support the longevity of the footpath.
Planning for Appalachian Trail Maintenance
Section maintainers of the Appalachian Trail assess the condition of the footpath before beginning work and are asked to report recurring issues or items that require a bigger team, or specific skills, to plan for needed work.
Facilities Inspection
Section maintainers clean and inspect facilities along the trail. This video addresses how volunteer maintainers monitor Appalachian Trail facilities such as shelters, privies, bridges, parking areas, and kiosks, so that needed repairs and improvements can be planned.
Essential Maintenance of Moldering Privies
This video addresses the fundamental function and maintenance of moldering privies at overnight sites along the Appalachian Trail. Each privy requires a unique mix of monitoring and active management.
