Bev McDowell

March 2025

Bev McDowell makes volunteering on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) sound so fun that it’s hard not to grab your tools and hit the Trail when you hear her talk about it! For over a decade, Bev has been walking the walk – or, perhaps more appropriately, hiking the hike – of a dedicated steward of the A.T. by volunteering with the Carolina Mountain Club (CMC). She began maintaining the Max Patch section of the A.T. in 2016 and has contributed over 500 volunteer hours with CMC since then.

Bev was a teacher when she joined CMC as a member in 2008. She committed to hiking one weekend each month, “rather than washing dishes,” she laughed. She didn’t know anyone in the club, but appreciated how friendly everyone was, and relished the time she spent outdoors, enjoying the beautiful scenery. After a few years, she decided she wanted to contribute to the club by leading hikes and, later, by helping with trail maintenance.

Bev started her trail maintenance journey with CMC’s Quarterly Crew, a program that provides new volunteers the opportunity to learn safe trail work practices from experienced maintainers.

“Once you do trail maintenance, you don’t hike the same way again,” she said. “You realize Mother Nature didn’t make these steps and it opens up a new world.”

Now retired from teaching, Bev often assists with CMC’s weekly trail crews, in addition to maintaining her section of the Trail. Paul Curtin, CMC’s A.T. Trail Supervisor, shared that Bev frequently rallies other volunteers to help care for the Trail, multiplying the positive impact she has on the A.T.

The Trail isn’t the only thing improved after a day of trail work. Bev enthusiastically articulated the many ways volunteers benefit from a day helping on the Trail. She explained that trail maintenance is a satisfying physical and mental challenge, and that it’s more fun than hitting the gym for a great way to stay active. However, she was quick to note that, “No one is ever asked to do more than they can.” If there’s something she is unable to tackle on her own, there are others in the club willing to help.

Bev also shared the sense of accomplishment she feels after a day of volunteering on the Trail. “When you have that many hands working together, you can’t believe what you can do,” Bev said. “You get to step back at the end of the day and say that looks good!”

Volunteering on the Trail is also a wonderful social opportunity. “There’s a lot of laughing,” Bev said. “It’s very happy.” She has also enjoyed meeting kind and caring people from all walks of life, and appreciates that there are more women and younger volunteers volunteering on the Trail.

In case all of that wasn’t enough motivation to give trail work a try, Bev shared one other perk.

“After a day of work, it’s the best night of sleep you’ll ever get,” she said.

Bev described volunteering on the Trail as a “labor of love” and encouraged all who care for the outdoors to get involved. Not only does she believe that it is vital to protect the places we love, Bev has also been heartened by the kindness and appreciation of the hikers she meets on the Trail.

“You’re a hero automatically,” Bev explained. “People hiking by say ‘thank you.’”