Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club

General Instructions to Maintenance Team Leaders

Last Revised: March 08, 2007

APPALACHIAN TRAIL

General Instructions to Maintenance Team Leaders

Our 132 miles of the Appalachian Trail are kept open, marked, safe, and enjoyable almost entirely by regular maintenance and special project teams.  As a Team Leader you are essential to the success of this work.

Preparation

1. Review the information in the team leaders packet including the Trail Maintenance Report from the previous year, trail description, maps, and other information.  If you have questions about your section location or access routes, contact the .
2. Try to complete your spring maintenance trip before the end of April.  Sections with noted open areas generally need an additional weeding trip in June or July.  Sections with remaining blowdowns may need an additional trip with specialized equipment.  If there are blowdowns larger than your crew can handle, contact the Maintenance Coordinator to arrange a special crew to assist.
3. Notify all team members; remind them of appropriate personal gear.  If desired, advertise your trip more widely, for example, through the TEHC Newsletter, to attract additional volunteers.  Survey your members and see which dates are best for them.
4. Assemble equipment as needed: white paint, foam pads, tray, scraper, rag, paint can opener (screwdriver), carrying bucket; blue paint, small jar, and brush for side trails; clippers, weeders, pulaski or fire rake (to clear waterbars or repair treadway damage); bow saws, weed eater, gasoline, extra blades, and safety equipment; trash bags; signs, nails, hammer; duct tape and shelter register if applicable; report forms, trail description and maps, pen, first aid kit, etc.  Most equipment is in the Hiking Club Room in the basement of the Eastman Employee Center.

Maintenance Trip

This is the list of tasks that need to be completed on each section:

1. Blaze the Trail with white paint in the direction specified.
2. Clip brush and weeds along trail; be mindful that some open areas become severely overgrown with annual weeds in mid-summer.
3. Check trail description and maps; note changes needed.
4. Blaze water, shelter, and access trails with blue paint.
5. Install signs; note wording and condition of existing signs.
6. Clear blowdowns as you are able; note location and size of ALL blowdowns left and mark them (paint or cut an x).
7. Clean waterbars; correct minor drainage and treadway problems.
8. Clean shelters, patch minor roof leaks with duct tape, scan the shelter register for problems that you might be able to eliminate, and replace the register if near full.
9. Carry out litter.
10. Note Special Problems requiring further attention.

Follow-up

1. Clean foam pads, brushes, and trays immediately with water.
2. Clean other equipment and return promptly.  Notify the of problems or damaged equipment.
3. Turn in a trip report.  Be sure to acknowledge all participants and hours worked (including transit time).

Have a safe, productive, and enjoyable trip!