Centennial Tshirt Design Contest
By Lindsey Scannell
Prior to joining PATC, my understanding of trail maintenance stemmed entirely from my brother-in-law’s annual trips at the end of spring into the backcountry in Oregon with his horse and pack donkeys to break trails ahead of the start of the hiking season. It was a solitary activity that took several weeks and reminded me of 17th and 18th century trappers setting off on their excursions. Upon joining PATC, I was promptly disabused of this notion as I came to understand the web of volunteers that maintain the second longest stretch of the AT. Perhaps most importantly, I’m not sure that any mounted PATC volunteer could go weeks without seeing another soul on the trail, even in winter.
Since its inauguration, PATC has been a social affair. No single member could maintain the over 1,200 miles that this club is entrusted to oversee. Members and thru hikers may hike stretches of the trail (or surrounding trails) alone, but inevitably, they will meet another hiker or volunteer on their journey. For me, that is the beauty of PATC. Although you have the option to hike or maintain the trail on your own, the community is always there, just over the horizon should you wish for the company.
Everyone’s reason for joining PATC is unique. For some it is the chance to work outdoors, giving back to the overall Appalachian trail ecosystem. For others, it offers a community and, in some cases, a second (unpaid) career. And for still others, it offers the chance to pursue artistic pursuits while being in the great outdoors.
As we celebrate this centennial year of PATC, we invite those interested to share what PATC means to you via a design contest. The top 3 submitted designs will be put to a membership vote and the winning design will be printed on limited edition T-shirts to commemorate the Centennial. More information can be found here.