What goes into PATC having among the best programs on the AT?



• We hire mature individuals with strong solo backpacker credentials, superior interpersonal skills and decision-making ability AND a dedication to serve the public
• Assure they are supported by professional volunteers and office staff
• We pay competitive Wages and mileage reimbursement
• Are provided In-depth training, including: Wilderness First Aid Certification, Leave No Trace Trainer Certification, Outdoor Ethics, Authority of the Resource Techniques, conflict resolution/de-escalation techniques, and trail and shelter maintenance basics
• We have dedicated free housing on or nearby the AT
• Have shuttles by PATC volunteers of park staff
• We provide Emergency Communications devices, either 2-way radios or a garmin inreach (or paid subscriptions if you have your own device)
• Are part of a fun and positive team environment, with monthly gatherings at PATC Cabins, a chat group and connections to the large PATC and trail management community.
  

2026 PATC Ridgerunner and Caretaker positions at a glance

All Positions:

• Full Ridgerunner patrols are 5-days with 4-nights on trail. Caretaker duties call for spending nights at a campsite (large tent, table, awning) nearby Annapolis Rock backcountry campground.
• Wages $19.00/hour, 40-hour weeks paid every two weeks
• Job related mileage reimbursement of 72.5 cents/mile with a seasonal cap tailored to the travel demands of the position
• Fulltime Living Quarters are available at no cost in PA, MD, and SNP and a rent reimbursement of up to $800/mo in NoVA for a non-resident.
• Shuttles provided, Ridgerunner coordinates these directly with the land managers (SNP and MD) or PATC volunteers (NoVA and PA)
• Trainings--Wilderness First Aid, De-escalation and LNT training at the start of the regular season, on the job training on your first patrol, and monthly in-service training/gathering at PATC Cabins.
• Issued Uniforms, maps, keys, First Aid/trauma kit, bear vault, clippers and lightweight saws, pepper spray, garbage bags and more
• Radios (SNP and MD) or Garmin Inreach (NoVA and PA) or similar for emergency communications
• Positive team culture and lasting memories.
• Opportunities to work with youth groups on LNT Education and AT Experience Hikes. On the spot “Jr Ridgerunner” recognitions of members of the public that help you, inspire you, or participate in an LNT game or learning moment.
• We strive to be THE BEST Ridgerunner program on the AT.

Positions in Detail:

Southern PA (Michaux State Forest) 1-Regular Season Ridgerunner

• A beautiful low mileage AT section extends from Pine Grove Furnace State Park to Pen Mar Park (37.5 Miles)
• Amazing shelters and very active PATC trail and shelter maintainer community. True halfway point on the AT, the half-gallon ice cream challenge and other fun. This is not “Rocksylvania”, that comes later.
• Season (18 weeks) starts week of 27 April ends after week of August 24, inclusive.
• Vehicle mileage reimbursement capped at around $360 for the season
• Ridgerunner is provided with a garmin Inreach or reimbursed for their monthly subscription if they have one.
• Quarters is a private bedroom with shared full bath and living room, partial kitchen and porch in small staff cabins at Camp Penn, a United Methodist Church Camp, located nearby the trail at the Old Forge Picnic Grounds. Camp has internet, free washers and dryers and free meals, outdoor pool etc. Ridgerunner typically does LNT talks and AT hikes for one day of their patrol each week during summer youth camp (late June and July) in exchange for quarters. Note additional security clearances are required for this position and strict adherence to drug, alcohol and youth protection guidelines while on their facility. PATC reimburses the cost of the clearances.

Maryland (South Mountain Recreation Area) 1 – Long Season Ridgerunner / Caretaker and 1 – Regular Season Ridgerunner / Caretaker

• A busy AT section extends from Pen Mar Park to Weaverton Cliffs parking area, with Caretaker duties of Annapolis Rock back-country campground and surrounding area (37.5 miles).
• Fantastic partnership with Maryland’s South Mountain Recreation Area and PATC and MCM Trail and Shelter Maintainers.
• Lots of contact with day hikers, section hikers, thru-hikers, flip floppers just getting started, and the heart of the 4-state challenge. The area is rich with civil war history and a lot of cute towns (ice cream fried chicken and whatnot).
• Long Season position (23 weeks) starts week of 13 April and ends after week of September 14, inclusive, Regular Season Position (18 weeks) starts week of 27 April ends after week of August 24, inclusive.
• Vehicle mileage reimbursement capped at around $460 for the long season and $320 for the regular season
• Housing is a dedicated cabin on the grounds of Washington Monument State Park, and located right on the AT. Each Ridgerunner has their own bedroom and shared bathroom, living area and partial kitchen. The cabin has heat and AC. A free washer and dryer are available nearby. Cell service is spotty inside the cabin but good nearby.

Northern Virginia (various State lands and APPA land) 1-Regular Season Ridgerunner

• The “wild west” of the Mid-Atlantic (not really). A sliver of West Virginia and mostly Virginia State lands with some APPA land holding it together. The AT section extends from Keys Gap to Possums Rest (boundary with Shenandoah National Park). Includes the famous Roller Coaster, a number of lively hostels and surprisingly remote sections (52 miles).
• Season (18 weeks) starts week of 27 April ends after week of August 24, inclusive.
• Vehicle mileage reimbursement capped at around $320 for the season
• Ridgerunner has access to non-private bunk areas, kitchen and bathrooms of both Blackburn Trail Center and Bears Den Hostel, located trailside. For a non-local Ridgerunner, PATC will reimburse housing/rent costs of up to $800/month for 5 months, with appropriate documentation.

Shenandoah National Park (SNP) 1-Long Season and 1 Short Season Ridgerunner

• The AT’s Disney World. A long AT section extends from Possums Rest at SNP’s north boundary to Rockfish Gap just outside of SNP’s south boundary (104 miles). Note: a typical patrol is 1/3 to ½ of the park.
• The AT crosses Skyline Drive 32 times and passes by a number of rest areas, snack bars, and full-service lodgings. While the AT in the Central District is quite busy, the hiker traffic is mostly thruhikers and section hikers on whole sections of the AT in the South and North Districts.
• A great partnership with SNP’s Backcountry Office and mediocre trail maintainers like your Ridgerunner Coordinator.
• Long Season position (23 weeks) starting week of April 13 ending week of September 14, inclusive, Short Season Position (11 weeks) starting week of April 27 ending after week of July 6, inclusive.
• Vehicle mileage reimbursement capped at $920 for the Long Season and $440 for the Short Season
• Quarters are provided in a 2 bedroom cabin dedicated to the Ridgerunner Program. Note the cabin is down a mile plus long gated fire road. Vehicles with good clearance and mud/snow tires are recommended, plus individuals that find comfort in the solitude. The cabin has a full kitchen, one bathroom, with power provided by a propane generator. There is NO cellular service or internet at this location, however, though there is at Skyland and Big Meadows located a couple miles from the fire road entrance.