CFI's Yale Crew 2008

10 Resources for Getting into Trail Work

As many of you may know I am now working for the Pacific Crest Trail Association as their Southern California Regional Representative.  I love hiking, trails (especially the PCT) and I am honored to be an advocate for one of our National Scenic Trails.  Many people ask me how they can get involved with trails and how they could have a job like mine.  I have listed 10 resources for people looking to break into trail work, trail maintenance, and/or trail construction.  Without further ado…

1. Professional Trail Builders Association:  whether you are looking for a job or resources, this website will give you a great starting point.
2. The Student Conservation Association:  if you are 15 or older, you can get involved with this Conservation Association, check out their programs, opportunities to earn education awards and opportunities to live and work outdoors. 
3. The Rocky Mountain Youth Corps:  if you are 16 or older, you have the opportunity to be on one of the Corps Crews, living and working outside, earning an education awards and having a great experience.  I have worked with the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC) before and they run a great program and support their crew members. 
4. Southwest Conservation Corps:  another opportunity for those 16 and older.  Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) has a few offices in southern Colorado and Arizona and offers the opportunity to live and work in the outdoors.
5. The Colorado Fourteeners Initiative:  this is where I worked seasonally for two summers.  They have many options from volunteering, to becoming a volunteer peak steward or applying for one of their field positions.  If you are looking for experience, the Outdoor Leadership Intern (OLI) might be the position for you.
6. The Los Angeles Conservation Corps:  according to their website the LA Conservation Corps’ primary mission is to provide at-risk young adults and school-aged youth with opportunities for success by providing them with job skills training, education and work experience with an emphasis on conservation and service projects that benefit the community.”
7. The California Conservation Corps:  if you are between 18 and 25 this program could be for you.  Even though they tout “Hard work, low pay, miserable conditions…and more!” as their motto, their mission is “protecting and restoring California’s environment and responding to disasters, becoming stronger workers, citizens and individuals through their service.”
8. The Continental Divide Trail Alliance:  this is the youngest of the three major organizations advocating for the three north/south National Scenic Trails.  They have a volunteer program that grows every year.  If you are in the Rockies, check out their “Get Involved” page.
9. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy:  the ATC runs tons of trail projects each year.  To find out more, or to plan a volunteer vacation, check out their “Get Involved” page. 
10. The Pacific Crest Trail Association:  did you really think I wasn’t going to mention the PCTA?  Of course I am!  Whether you are looking to volunteer or searching for a job, the PCTA may have something for you.  Looking for volunteer work?  Click on the “Volunteer” icon on the right hand side bar.  Looking for season work?  We usually post seasonal (and full time) job opportunities on the left hand side bar, but just to be safe, check out our “employment” page. 

Bonus:

1. The American Hiking Society:  AHS runs many volunteer vacations.  In many instances you may end up working with one of the groups I mentioned above as many of their vacations coincide with projects that the SCA, PCTA, ATC etc. are running.  The AHS site give people a nation wide view of possibilities.
2. The US Forest Service:  The USFS has many opportunities for volunteering in your local forest.  Just look up your local forest and look for volunteer opportunities.  If you can’t find them on the website, give the Ranger Station a call, the should be able to point you in the right direction. 

Any resources I am missing?  Please let me know…

Top 5 Backpacking and Hiking Resources

I am frequently asked backpacking and hiking questions.  Questions like “where should I go” and “have you been to…” and “what gear do you recommend” and “where can I buy…?”  So to help answer those questions I thought I would put together my Top 5 Backpacking and Hiking Resources.  I have divided up these resources into a few groups but I am only giving you 10.  Here goes…

General Hiking and Backpacking

1.      Backpacker Magazine and Backpacker.com :  This package deal offers quite a bit of inspiration for me.  I find that many of the articles give me great trip ideas and they usually include information on which maps to get, how to get to the trailhead, etc.  There are also articles covering environmental issues, gear and outdoor trends.  Although these are not the main reason I enjoy reading Backpacker, they are an added plus (even if the gear they usually review is not quite up my alley).

2.      REI stores:  Every time I have been to an REI store, I come back with trip ideas.  Their staff is usually comprised of outdoor enthusiasts and if you chat with them long enough, then you get some great trip ideas.  REI also offers programs to the public, sometimes free, other times for a minimal cost.  I have learned a bit about GPS from one of their programs and have wanted to attend numerous other programs but my closest REI is an hour each way from my house. 

The chain of stores, and their website, offer gear for purchase and an outstanding customer satisfaction guarantee.  They also have a used gear sale a few times a year for their members.  In addition, if you like other outdoor activities, REI has an array of gear for most outdoor pursuits.  Finally, some stores rent gear, invaluable if you are trying to ease into an activity.

Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking

3.      Backpacking Light:  widely regarded as the go to resource for lightweight and ultralight backpackers.  Want to have a base weight of 5 pounds before adding in food, water and fuel?  This is the place to come for info.  Want to learn about some crazy trips?  This is the place to search around.  Try some of their podcasts or read some of their articles.  Join in and garner new info from the forums.  Like to make your own gear…then check out the MYOG forum.  You won’t be disappointed.  Just a warning, some of their content is for “Members Only”, but non-members can access quite a bit of  free content and use the forums (you will have to sign up for an account but it’s free).

4.      The Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick-Off Party (ADZPCTKO) and the PCTA’s Trailfest:  These are two separate events but they are both the main way that LW and UL backpackers can see and try lightweight gear made by cottage manufacturers.  Since most of our LW and UL gear is made by small organizations, they are tough (almost impossible) to find in stores, these events usually have a vendor section and guess who the vendors are…our cottage manufacturers. 

Make Your Own Gear       

5.      Thru-hiker.com:  This site is managed by AYCE (pronounced ace).  AYCE is a wealth of knowledge about making your own gear.  On his site he has info about making your own gear, has material and supplies available for purchase, and offers pre assembled kits that you can buy to make at home.  This is a great way to stay involved with hiking and backpacking in the winter months, save money and get a better understanding of how gear is made.  Although I haven’t made any of my gear, I have had many friends who have used AYCE’s kits and report them as being easy to follow but if they did have questions, AYCE was quick to respond to requests for help. 

So those are my Top 5 Hiking and Backpacking Resources.  I hope they help you in your endeavors to get outdoors.  Please remember these are just my favorites right now, what are your favorites?