Hanover
“Boundary monitoring is just as much a necessary aspect of trail stewardship as maintaining the actual trail,” said Bernie Waugh, who is coordinating the volunteer effort with the Dartmouth Outing Club. “The trail corridor is like a linear national park, which has been set aside for future generations and belongs to all of us as citizens.”
Trail boundaries are generally about a quarter mile off the trail on either side. Volunteers repaint trail markings, find metal benchmark monuments and clear growth when needed. Waugh said that maintaining the boundaries is a unique way to see the Appalachian Trail.
“It requires bushwhacking off-trail, so it can get a little rough — not unlike orienteering,” he said. “But anybody who’s in good enough shape for hiking can do this, and you get to see glades and ledges that you don’t see from the actual trail.”
Sometimes the monuments are hard to find, which adds another element of adventure.
“You have to measure and triangulate from ‘witness trees,’ so there’s a certain treasure hunt aspect to this, and finding the monument under eight inches of duff can feel like discovering gold,” Waugh said.
One-time volunteers are needed for three upcoming works days on the trail, happening Saturdays Sept. 8, Oct. 6 and Nov. 3.
“We tailor these for whoever comes and there are no minimum requirements,” Waugh said.
In addition, long-term volunteers are needed to “adopt” a section of trail to maintain the boundaries on an ongoing basis. Adopting a section provides the opportunity to get to know a section of the trail intimately, but after the initial work is done the time commitment is minimal — about two days per year, Waugh said. Anyone is welcome to volunteer on a one-time or on-going basis.
“No experience is necessary,” Waugh said. “Only a desire to get outside, follow blazes through the woods and help care for this priceless resource for future generations.”
Editor’s note: For more information, contact Waugh by email at berniewaugh@gmail.com or by texting or calling 603-359-9126.