Victor Treutel
October 2026
When Victor Treutel moved to western North Carolina and started volunteering on the Appalachian Trail, he wasn’t an experienced hiker.
“I was from Florida,” he laughed. “I wasn’t an outdoorsperson.”
But he found an accessible and welcoming place to start with the Nantahala Hiking Club’s (NHC) Trail Ambassador program.
“I knew the club did trail maintenance, but I had been sitting behind a desk and wasn’t prepared to do that kind of work,” Victor said.
NHC Trail Ambassadors spend time on the A.T., talking with hikers, answering questions, and sharing helpful information about the Trail and surrounding communities.
“You hike as far as you want, even just half a mile,” Victor said. “It’s a good way to get acclimated to hiking up and down mountains.”
After gaining experience on the Trail, Victor took over leadership of the Trail Ambassador program. He eventually began participating in trail maintenance and also served as the Club’s president.
Victor's first major maintenance project was helping rebuild a shelter. With a background in technology and no construction experience, Victor joked that his primary job was to “hold, lift, and carry things.”
The project took three months of winter work, often in cold, muddy, rainy, and snowy conditions. But seeing the finished shelter made it worthwhile.
“It was a wonderful experience to see an old shelter turn into a beautiful new shelter,” Victor remembered.
As Club President, Victor led a renovation of the NHC headquarters and worked to improve the way the Club tracks hours, making reporting easier for volunteers. He also helped create a succession plan for the board.
“He’s not afraid to offer new ideas or ways to improve how the club operates,” said Jayson Koscielniak, ATC Trail Specialist for Georgia and the Nantahala region. "Having been a member for many years now, his insight has been invaluable to the club as a whole."
Victor’s background in technology has come in handy, too. The Club uses radios to communicate when working out of cell service range. When Victor realized the radios needed updating, he helped procure new radios, and programmed additional frequencies and emergency channels. He also offered to update the Club’s existing radios.
“Victor saw a problem, figured out what we needed, and made it happen,” shared Orben Loucks, NHC Trail Manager.
“Victor has really found so many different ways to contribute to the club,” said Sarah Adams, ATC Regional Manager for Georgia and the Nantahala region. “He’s a great example of how volunteering can evolve as you find new interests and ways to use your skills.”
Victor earned his sawyer certification this year and enjoys the hands-on work of caring for the Trail, including clearing downed trees that continue to fall along NHC's section of the Trail as a result of a large wildfire in 2016.
For Victor, volunteering is about being part of something bigger than himself.
“People who hike the Trail say it changed their lives,” Victor said. “It’s amazing to be part of something like that. And if it wasn't for volunteers, it wouldn’t exist.”
Victor’s volunteer journey is a reminder that volunteering on the Trail doesn't have to start with knowing how to use a chainsaw, build a shelter, or swing a Pulaski. Just taking a small step can lead to new skills, new connections, and a lasting role in caring for the A.T.
Ready to take your first step? Explore current volunteer opportunities and find one that's right for you!