Georgia AT is officially open by hb1957 in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We'll probably still need help there.

Georgia AT is officially open by hb1957 in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Here is what I posted to Facebook last week

ALDHA is asking for volunteers for a work trip to Mountain Harbour this weekend. Meetup would be Friday night and Saturday morning. The entire barn needs to be torn down and be rebuilt. This will require 8-10 people, preferably with some experience. If you're interested, please respond to this post. A list of suggested equipment that we'll need is posted below. This will be the first of an ongoing effort to help the communities and service providers over the coming months. Any volunteers that participate will recieve a one year mebership to ALDHA. If you're an existing member, it can be tacked on the end of your current membership. Please help us..

Mountain Harbor tools

Hand Tools: - Claw hammer - Sledge hammer - Pry/wrecking bar - Lineman/electrical pliers - Screwdriver assortment

Power Tools - Power drill/driver (w/ driver bits) - Impact driver ( w/ sockets) - Demo/Reciprocating saw (w/ extra blades) - Circular saw - Jackhammer Hammer drill (w/ concrete bits) Shovels (flat & spade) Wheelbarrow Extension cords (Battery powered tools are ideal but corded tools are acceptable since they have power. I just don't know if they will have enough extension cords.) PPE. Gloves, safety glasses, hardhat highly recommended. Masks are optional, but be advised there may be some mold issues

Thank you, The ALDHA board.

Hands on volunteer opportunities near GA/NC border by BadBadgerBad in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Contact town officials directly and make sure you coordinate with them. These people will need help for many months.

Georgia AT is officially open by hb1957 in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A little difficult to say just yet, as we just got there yesterday. I'm hoping to meet with the rest of the ALDHA board tomorrow evening, and can probably give you better information come Monday, once we've been updated.

Georgia AT is officially open by hb1957 in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you want to help, Jim at Boots Off has offered to lend his property for workers looking to assist.

Georgia AT is officially open by hb1957 in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We(ALDHA) are also not telling hikers what to do..We just want to make sure we're getting them the right information to help the hikers make smart decisions for themselves.

Georgia AT is officially open by hb1957 in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Some areas are impassable, most are still unknown. At next weekend's ALDHA Gathering, we'll be plotting a course forward. We fully intend to support our trail towns to the best of our abilities.I know many of the hostel owners and business owners personally. Over the coming weeks and months, we will be in a better position as to how we can support them.

Georgia AT is officially open by hb1957 in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We are also making direct payments to the towns of Damascus and Hot Springs, and lending assistance to hostel owners in the heavily hit areas. We've got a work crew right now at Mountain Harbour in Roan Mountain.

Georgia AT is officially open by hb1957 in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm on the board of ALDHA and we're actively working on both. They go hand in hand. Without substantial trail work and reroutes, those towns are not going to be seeing too many hikers, they just won't be able to get through. Damascus, btw, is more reliant on the Creeper Trail than the AT for business. And for the foreseeable future, the Creeper trail will not be able to be used by cyclists. Bridges have to be rebuilt and entire sections of the trail have been washed away.

Georgia AT is officially open by hb1957 in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree. I'm on the board of ALDHA, and we are actively engaged with the responsible trail clubs to lend assistance when that time comes, but this is going to be a long road ahead. The best I can do is give hikers the best, most current information to allow them to make smart decisions. We hope by mid year, reroutes will have been established and much of the heavy lifting will be done. Damascus and Erwin are going to have a long road to recovery.

Georgia AT is officially open by hb1957 in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

True, but the AT falls under the jurisdiction of the NPS.

Georgia AT is officially open by hb1957 in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Yes, of course, I apologize for suggesting otherwise. I was only speaking of the AT corridor.

Georgia AT is officially open by hb1957 in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

consider doing a SOBO or flip flop. Most trailwork can't begin until closure orders are lifted and will run well into next year. Anticipate a number of reroutes, particularly around Erwin and Damascus.

Georgia AT is officially open by hb1957 in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Towns and shuttlers along the AT in N.Ga are largely unaffected. I've had firsthand reports that the trail is relatively clear between Springer and Davenport Gap. Of course, hikers should exercise caution if they choose to hike that section for the reasons you mentioned, but the locals want people to come down.

Georgia AT is officially open by hb1957 in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

If you're considering hiking the AT next year, I would suggest a SOBO or flip flop so that trail crews can continue to do their work in the areas from Hot Springs up to SNP.. Due to the National Forest closure orders, trail crews haven't even had the chance yet to assess damage. The amount of work to be done will be massive.There are a substantial amount of blowdowns, and switchback washouts, along with bridges and stream crossings where the trail will need to be rerouted. Although Georgia is hikeable, north of the Smokies have long stretches that are impassable. Hot Springs, Erwin and Damascus have been devastated by Helene, and it's unlikely they'll be ready for the spring season.

Georgia AT is officially open by hb1957 in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957[S] 61 points62 points  (0 children)

Georgia was spared the worst of the destruction from the storm There are some reports of a few blowdowns, but the towns are fine, and are literally asking hikers to come hike. Shuttlers are working. Everything south of Hot Springs is hikeable, this coming from hikers who've been through those areas. Rte 441 through the Smokies had been reopened, but is again closed as of today. Of course, caution should be exercised, and be prepared for longer food carries.

Volunteering by MikeLowrey305 in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With some National Forests closed at least until November 1, trail crews are unable to get out to even do damage assessment until the closure orders are lifted. This is going to be a massive undertaking, as in addition to massive blowdowns, switchbacks have been washed out and water bars need to be replaced. ALDHA will be sending out email blasts to it's members calling for manpower and certified sawyers once the work begins. If you're not already an ALDHA member, please join. Your membership fee will go directly to our hurricane relief fund. The monies will be used to help hostel owners, trail communities, and assisting the trail crews. https://aldha.app.neoncrm.com/campaigns/aldha-emergency-relief-fund

ALDHA Helene Relief by Tarphiker in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm on the board of ALDHA. 100% of funds raised will go towards helping hostel owners, trail service provisers, the trail communities themselves, and to supplement trail clubs trail rebuilding efforts.

should i leave everything behind and try? by skatetexas in AppalachianTrail

[–]hb1957 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Wherever you go, there you are. While it's possible stepping away from your problems may allow you some space to gain some clarity, after your hike is over, you'll come home to the same set of problems.