Almost a year after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the Southeast, an incredible team of volunteers from around the world is working together to restore the beloved Appalachian Trail using only hand tools like shovels, rakes, and pruners. The volunteers, spanning several generations and continents, are tackling the challenging work of filling massive holes left by uprooted trees and rebuilding damaged sections of the 2,000-mile trail that stretches from Georgia to Maine. Among the dedicated workers are three visitors from Japan who came specifically to help with the restoration, motivated by their own experience with natural disasters and wanting to return the kindness shown to their country after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The progress has been remarkable, with trail closures reduced from over 430 miles immediately after the storm to just 5 miles today.
Jake Stowe, a program support specialist with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, calls volunteers “the lifeblood of the Appalachian Trail,” and their efforts are making it possible for the 3 million annual visitors to once again enjoy this iconic hiking destination. The restoration work focuses not just on reopening the trail, but also on making it more resilient against future storms by adding sustainable improvements like water bars and steps. Crew leader Matt Perrenod, who hiked the entire Appalachian Trail himself about a decade ago, says the slow, careful work by hand is worthwhile because it improves the hiking experience for everyone. The incredible dedication of these volunteers from across the globe proves that when people come together for a common cause, they can restore even the most challenging natural spaces.