Trail maintenance

By Chappy Jack

June 18, 2019

Location: Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania

Mile: 1123

II Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

There are hundreds of volunteer trail maintainers that belong to 31 trail maintenance clubs that work constantly to keep the AT walkable from Georgia to Maine.

These volunteers remove downed trees from the trail, makes sure that the trail properly drains water from the trail, keeps white blazes painted and visible, makes sure that shelters are well maintained, maintains privys, keeps grass and high weeds cut, and does many other maintenance items.

Without these volunteers, life on the trail would be much much more difficult for hikers! I am so thankful for each and every volunteer trail maintainer!

However nice it is to have trail maintainers to maintain the AT, we individually have to maintain our relationship with God. This too, takes work and discipline!

I sometimes find it difficult on the trail to maintain the discipline of prayer and scripture reading. I get too caught up in the duties of the day. My relationship with God soon becomes covered with weeds and downed trees.

Lord Jesus, forgive me for not being attentive to you. Help me to keep my focus on you.

Chappy Jack at McAfee Knob
Chappy Jack reaches the 1,000-mile mark!
The unofficial halfway mark on the AT – Chappy Jack at the AT Conservancy Office at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia.
Chappy Jack leaving Maryland at the Mason Dixon line.
1,096 miles! The official half way mark. Congratulations, Chappy Jack!

4 Replies to “Trail maintenance”

  1. Choppy, so glad I finally got to meet you and forward to seeing you when you complete the trail !!!!

  2. Love the thought that goes into your posts! Hiking the trail reminds me of an old hymn, “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.”

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