Around 30 ridgerunners are out on the trails each peak hiking season, performing all sorts of duties, but they are mainly out on the trails in order to offer support in whatever way they can, giving directions, educating hikers on the importance of minimizing their impact on the trail and the surrounding areas, effective food storage and hiker safety, or simply giving directions. Rigerunners also report on trail conditions, water availability, shelter closings and bear activity. They hike and camp the high-use sections of the A.T., though some remain at heavily used overnight sites.
The ridgerunner season differs depending on the location of duty, the earliest beginning in late February in the Smoky Mountains and the latest lasting until late October; however, the main season is from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
All ridgerunners undergo some kind of training, usually lasting a week and involving instruction in minimum impact camping and hiking techniques, the AT's cooperative management system, first aid, and the distinct characteristics of the specific portion of the trail the ridgerunner is responsible for covering.
They are hired by either the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, one of the 30 regional Appalachian Trail Clubs, or by a land managing agency partner.
For more information on becoming a ridgerunner, contact the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's Ridgerunner Coordinator at 717-258-5771 (ext. 203) or one of the 30 regional Appalachian Trail clubs, like the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC), which patrols the southern end of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia through Maryland to Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Pennsylvania, or the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club (NBATC) which patrols 90 miles in central Virginia.
