And if you like variety, you can support the A.T. the way Sherri and Ed Langlais do – by getting involved in some of everything.

For more than three decades, this husband-and-wife duo has been a steady presence on the Appalachian Trail and in the Monson Visitor Center in Maine. They were introduced to the Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC) in the early 1990s by a friend and quickly found themselves “hooked” – a common refrain among A.T. volunteers.

Together, Sherri and Ed have maintained various sections of the A.T. for 25 years, taken on numerous leadership roles with MATC, supported trail crews, and stepped in wherever help was needed – from building rock staircases and privies to packing in supplies for the 100 Mile Wilderness. Both have volunteered on MATC’s Trail Crew Committee for over two decades and continue to serve as Gearmasters for the Club’s Ridgerunner program.

Over the years, Sherri and Ed have worked alongside many longtime MATC volunteers and are quick to emphasize that the work of caring for the A.T. is deeply collective and there’s always a need for extra hands. “I am only one of many, along with Ed, and all volunteers need to be recognized,” Sherri said. “And MATC always needs more regular volunteers.”

Sherri currently serves as MATC’s Recording Secretary and also assists visitors at the Monson Visitor Center. From preparing northbound hikers for the 100 Mile Wilderness and Baxter State Park to sharing information with southbounders about southern Maine and New Hampshire’s White Mountains to pointing day hikers in the right direction, Sherri juggles a wide range of needs with “grace and skill,” according to Visitor Center Manager Wendy Weiger.

Ed is known as someone who shows up to do whatever needs done for MATC, both on and off the Trail. “Ed is quick to answer when the Club puts out a call, whether it’s for a sawyer or help with prep work for a privy build,” MATC President Janice Clain said.

According to Janice, what sets Sherri and Ed apart is their reliability, humility, and willingness to do whatever needs doing. “You can always count on them,” she said. “Not just on the Trail, but in their community as well.”

Keep reading for a conversation with Sherri and Ed about their 30+ years of volunteer experiences and why they continue to show up, year after year.

Why is the A.T. important to you?
Sherri: It amazes me every time I walk on the A.T. that it’s been around since 1937. The foresight at that time!

Ed: I want to help preserve what was started back in the 1930s. It is important for recreation – not just for thru-hikers, but for day hikers, section hikers, and other visitors.

What do you enjoy most about your time on the Trail?
Sherri: The people you meet! Whether they are hikers, maintainers, donors, students, committee volunteers, etc. They all have stories, and it is fun sharing and listening with all of them.

Ed: I love the wildness and the beauty of the Trail.

Do you have a favorite memory from your volunteer experience?
Sherri: There are so many! In the 1990s, we had the opportunity to work on rock staircases on the Hunt Trail in Baxter State Park. We had a high line strung from the trail across a ravine and we quarried rock way down. It was amazing, organized, and lots of fun!

Ed: For me, it’s meeting and working with different volunteers on work trips or privy builds.

What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering?
Sherri: Everyone should spend some time volunteering. It’s humbling and makes you feel good, and there is a volunteer opportunity for everyone, no matter your skill set.

Ed: It’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my lifetime. Don’t miss out on the opportunity.

Ready to get hooked? Check out our Volunteer page to start your journey.

The post Sherri and Ed Langlais first appeared on Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

“The York Hiking Club is relatively small as hiking clubs go, but it has a proud history,” Bernie explained. “Coming out of the COVID period, we struggled to keep our roughly seven-mile section of the Appalachian Trail up to standard as our experienced maintainers aged and replacements became harder to find. When it started to feel like a crisis, several people stepped up.” 

Two of those people were Matt and Kevin. 

A resident of Duncannon, Pa., Matt began volunteering with YHC because he wanted to care for the section of Trail closest to where he lives. Kevin, a retired contractor, began helping the Club with boundary monitoring shortly after Matt became involved. Bernie described Matt as a strong hiker and natural leader—charismatic, skilled, and an effective organizer. Bernie also expressed appreciation for Kevin’s versatility and energy, which has allowed him to support the A.T. in numerous ways. 

“Matt and Kevin brought their resources and dedication,” Bernie shared. “The York Hiking Club and the Appalachian Trail are fortunate to be the beneficiaries.” 

 In turn, both Kevin and Matt credit Bernie’s support as a key factor in what they’ve been able to accomplish on the Trail as relatively new volunteers. 

Keep reading to learn more about Matt and Kevin’s experiences as new volunteers, what’s ahead for the York Hiking Club, and how others can get involved. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

Did you have experience with the A.T. before you started volunteering? 

Kevin: I kind of accidentally (Forrest Gump-like) started section hiking the A.T. 10 years ago. I did a section near Gettysburg, then did a few more miles, and decided to keep going.  I completed the entire Trail last year in October. 

Matt: I grew up in York, Pa. I hiked there when I was younger and I realized I had hiked parts of the A.T. without realizing it. Five years ago, a friend and coworker decided to section hike the Pennsylvania section of the A.T. and she said, “You ought to come with me.” I had never been backpacking, so she loaned me enough gear and took me out for an overnight, which I loved. I’ve now completed four states. 

What motivated you to start volunteering for the A.T.? 

Kevin: I became a member of a couple of A.T. Clubs, but just gave financial support. About 15 months ago, I saw an ad in the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club newsletter that they needed a Corridor Monitor. I signed up and really enjoyed that work. I asked my ATC “boss” James Sedano if any other clubs needed help with corridor monitoring and he mentioned the York Hiking Club. 

Matt: (I was motivated by) the happiness I experienced section hiking the Appalachian Trail, and the deep appreciation I felt for those who designed and built a space for those experiences. I had fallen in love with the Trail community where I live in Duncannon and I didn’t realize how much the town benefitted from the Trail until I started hiking.  

What does your volunteer work involve?  

Matt: I clear blowdowns, cut brush, and maintain the Clarks Ferry Shelter and tent camping area. I also do boundary monitoring, organize and promote volunteer opportunities, and participate in ATC events. 

Kevin: I help with corridor monitoring. I also work behind the scenes, and I established a small “A.T. Fund” to make sure Matt has some financial resources for his work.    

What makes the A.T. special? 

Kevin: The community. While hiking on the Trail, I learned that you can have a really in-depth conversation with a stranger and share what you couldn’t share with a brother or someone in your community. And people shared things with me that they wouldn’t share with anyone else. You can have a three-to-four hour conversation with someone you’ll never see again, but you’ll have the memory of that conversation forever.  

Matt: Hiking and maintaining the A.T. promotes physical and mental health, land conservation, and an appreciation of nature. I live one block off the Trail in Duncannon, which is one of Pennsylvania’s Appalachian Trail Communities. Every year, the A.T. brings thousands of people through our town from all over the world. They enhance our community with their presence.  

Looking ahead, what are you most excited about in your work with the York Hiking Club this year? 

Kevin: I’m excited about the momentum the Club has and this year’s maintenance season. 

Matt: Last year, the Mid-Atlantic Crew replaced a retaining wall on our section and we’re going into this year with the Trail in great shape. I’m excited to build on that and keep it maintained throughout the season. 

How do you make new volunteers feel welcome with the York Hiking Club? 

Matt: I reach out and call them before volunteering so they don’t feel like a stranger. I also try to encourage the idea of being on a “crew” and had shirts printed last year. I want people to feel like, “You’re part of this,” and that they’re welcome to come back. 

Kevin: Matt cares about volunteers. He learns their names and something about them, welcomes them, and introduces them to others. He assigns them a task that matches their skills, gives them the tools, materials, and knowledge to succeed at their task, and thanks them as they are working and after the work is done.    

How can people help with the York Hiking Club? 

Kevin: We need more people to help with brush cutting, weedwacking, boundary work, and we need sawyers. 

Matt: We have a need for an updated website and more help in developing our social media. We also need sawyers and people to help with boundary marking.  

If someone is on the fence about helping, what would you tell them? 

Matt: What do you have to lose? What could you stand to gain? 

Interested in starting or continuing your own volunteer journey on the A.T.? Find a way to help here or email us at volunteer@appalachiantrail.org. 

The post Kevin Shenk and Matt Wilson first appeared on Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

“It was a good use of a week of vacation since I was hiking the A.T. and figured I should give back,” Bob remembered.  

The luck came about when Bob was able to retire shortly before his week with the crew, allowing him to sign up for several more Konnarock sessions that summer after he realized how much he loved the experience. “I was hooked,” he said. Since that first crew season, he considers working on the A.T. with the crew to be his “second home.” 

Bob enjoys the opportunity to work alongside fellow crew volunteers for several days at a time. “For me, the commitment of a week is the way to go,” he said. “I enjoy camping and getting to know other hikers and outdoors people, and a week allows work to be done and memories to be created.” 

Konnarock Crew Leader Matt Perrenod shared his gratitude for Bob’s willingness to take on any project with cheerfulness and enthusiasm. Remembering a time that Bob directed a crew truck that had to back down a steep and twisting Forest Service Road for over a mile, Matt shared that, “Bob is the sort of volunteer who has your back.” 

When he’s not working with the crew, Bob volunteers with the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club and the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club , two of the A.T. Clubs who maintain sections of the Trail in Virginia. He works alongside other Club volunteers, regularly performing maintenance to keep the Trail in good shape.   

For Bob, spending time on the A.T. hiking, camping, or volunteering has always had a calming effect. After a career in technology, he is grateful for the opportunity to disconnect while on the A.T. and believes that his time on the Trail helped him recover from his surgery. Bob also appreciates both the opportunity for solitude and the chance to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow hikers that the Trail offers. While volunteering, he’s gotten to work with “fascinating people,” from crew members who are preparing for their first hike to mineralogists to individuals who worked on the Apollo missions. He is grateful for the chance to collaborate with other volunteers who bring such diverse knowledge and passion to the Trail.  

“You get to work with people who can explain why the Trail is a certain way, whether it’s location, history, geography, or landscape,” he said. “Those interactions cannot be found anywhere else.” 

For anyone considering joining a crew or volunteering on the A.T., Bob has a heartfelt nudge.

“You will not regret the experience.” 

The post Bob Patten first appeared on Appalachian Trail Conservancy.