Ron Hudnell

May 2025

Ron Hudnell’s journey as an Appalachian Trail volunteer has been as fulfilling, varied, and inspirational as the Trail itself. After hiking the A.T. for years, Ron jumpstarted his volunteer journey by joining the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) Smokies Wilderness Elite A.T. Crew, backpacking through challenging and steep terrain with a heavy pack to reach remote work sites in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The experience certainly wasn’t a gentle introduction to volunteering, but Ron enjoyed himself so much that he signed up to help with trail work in the Smokies with ATC’s Rocky Top Crew later that year. 

After attending a trail maintenance training with the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards and connecting with the Piedmont Appalachian Trail Hikers (PATH), an A.T. maintaining club that maintains 66 miles of the A.T. in southwest Virginia, Ron was officially hooked. 

Since becoming involved with PATH in 2013, Ron has maintained a remote section of the Trail, taking care of the shelter, maintaining and repairing the privy, checking the water supply, cutting small blowdowns with hand tools, and lopping the ever-encroaching rhododendrons and mountain laurels.  

Trail maintainers have a lot to do, but Ron reminded future volunteers that they will never be asked to do anything that makes them uncomfortable. 

“Others will have your back and will be there to help you with your load, whether it’s physical work or mental planning,” he said.   

Indeed, Ron ensures that PATH members are well-supported by serving as the club’s “Trail Boss,” supervising and helping other trail maintainers regularly. David Atkinson, PATH President, said that Ron’s personality and eye for detail has more than doubled the number of volunteers attending the club’s work weekends.  

Martha Emrey, PATH Board Advisor and club volunteer affirmed the significant role that Ron has played in recruiting and retaining volunteers. “It’s important to have meaningful work in order for volunteers to return and become part of the group, and as “Trail Boss,” there was work for everyone and everyone knew what they were doing, where they were doing it and with whom,” she said. “Enthusiasm is contagious and keeps new folks coming back not only as workers on the Trail, but volunteering for various off-trail jobs required to keep things growing.”

Additionally, Ron has played an integral role in the ongoing logistical management that is a necessary component of trail maintenance and projects. “We kid about Ron’s spreadsheets, but his organizational skills have been key to bringing an energy and enthusiasm to the club, which had been missing for a few years,” Martha said.

When Ron talks about what he enjoys most about volunteering on the A.T., it’s easy to understand how he has inspired so many to lend a hand on the Trail. Ron shared numerous benefits of volunteering on the A.T., from the “lifelong satisfaction” of completing the multi-faceted Hunting Camp Creek bridge project to enjoying early morning maintenance hikes while the dew is still on the trees and the sun is rising over the fog of the mountains. 

Ron especially appreciates the camaraderie of working with other Trail-lovers and the relationships he’s formed while volunteering. 

“I started trail maintaining with a set of strangers who have become a new set of close, lifetime friends – friends with whom I walk, work the Trail and talk about so many things, and friends with whom we breakfast every Wednesday and share trail maintenance concerns as well as family events,” Ron shared.  

Martha shared that Ron has been integral in not only attracting new volunteers, but also helping new and experienced volunteers coalesce as if they had been working together for years.

Ron did remind future volunteers that trail work isn’t the only way to make a difference on the A.T.  

“There are also many “inside” jobs that need to be done for volunteer trail maintenance clubs – transportation shuttles, treasurers, newsletter editors, meal cooks, website development and maintenance, community relations, and leadership positions,” he said.  

For those seeking the motivation to take the next step with volunteering, consider Ron your cheerleader.

“Don’t waste time considering – just raise your hand, step over the line and do it!”