Monday, April 02, 2007

Appalachian Trail Maintainers Meet in New York

Nancy Haggerty writes Without Limits every Sunday for the Poughkeepsie (NY) Journal, and on 1 April 2007, she wrote a column under the headline "Appalachian Trail monitors meet to talk preservation."

Highlighting the work of the trail monitors in New York, Haggerty tells about "a [recent] meeting of current and potential New York-New Jersey Trail Conference AT monitors at the RPH Shelter in East Fishkill." In particular she picks out the comments of three: Ollie Simpson, Ron Rosen, and Jim Haggett.

"Currently, 12 monitors cover Dutchess and the AT's 20 miles in Putnam, about half the number Haggett would like. Monitors commit to checking at least twice yearly for problems along the Park Service's boundary and property.

"Maintainers (there's a solid contingent of 30-plus) work more often, trimming overgrowth, removing or cutting trail-blocking fallen trees and doing more, including sometimes helping construct bridges."

A really nice explanation of the importance of this side of Appalachian Trail work, that helps keep the Trail open for hikers.

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