The Rocky Top crew works exclusively on 70 miles of the A.T. through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park following the ridge crest from Davenport Gap to Fontana Dam. The crew is sponsored jointly by the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, the National Park Service, and ATC.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Will Christine be in the Smokies... Yes, but not with the ATC

Guess what?! It is time for me to take on a new challenge... As of August 17th I will be the newest full-time employee of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Trails Division. It is an opportunity of a lifetime and it still feels surreal that they picked me! My list of duties is long and overwhelming but essentially I will be responsible for one of the Trail Districts in the Park - everything from trail assessment to trail work, have a professional crew to supervise and work with.... I will also be working on a volunteer program since I think volunteers are really who make great things happen on the trails. So in just a few short weeks I will move myself from my home at Konnarock into the Park. I wish I could have been there to lead Rocky Top 2008.... I hope to make appearances up on the AT to visit and work with you guys... or at least drop by the cabin for dinner. I hope you all know that I love you dearly and you are what makes it so hard for me to leave... but I hope that our paths will cross again - you all will be hearing from me once I need some volunteers -- and of course I am going to become a member of the Smoky Mountains ATC Hiking Club and will return to Konnarock and Rocky Top as a volunteer as soon as I can!!!!! Please, please, please stay in touch and enjoy your time at the good ol' Top this fall.
~Christine
wishfulthnkr@hotmail.com