September 20th.
Some Words about the Appalachian Trail.
Through-Hikers (they) and Trail Crews (we) call it the AT.
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To those who participate in it, the Appalachian Trail takes on a certain mythological vestment. Its champions complete over 2,100 miles of walking, usually in the summer. They move constantly. Even during sleep when their minds and their dreams plan the next days progress – where to get water, where to rest and eat, where to make camp the following night. During the months on the trail, through-hikers become part of it. They lose their given names in favor of trail names.
‘Hi, I’m David’
‘I’m Lefty’ he says.
Our conversation stops there.
I’ve spent three nights on the trail, but I’m still an outsider. My spirit shows that I have recently seen civilization and parts of me are still too clean. I haven’t yet changed my name.
To the trail crew, The AT is something to work with, to change and manipulate. With basic tools and principles of physics we move rocks that weigh more than our teams of three to create water bars, check steps, and other erosion preventing trail features. The space around the trail is full of possibility. A space to explore and search for materials. We are trail makers, handlers. To us, the trail is dynamic.
The through-hikers’ path is linear
One foot in front of the next
They move in two dimensions along a line that we maintain
Energy is conserved at all costs
The space outside the trail is forbidden, left undisturbed by passers through
The trail is relentless, two thousand miles of law
Hikers file along it in search of something
and although they all walk the same path, what they find within is unique
Wearing orange hard hats, we are facilitators. We step aside and accept thanks as they walk by. We manage small stretches to make the expanse of the trail possible. We get to know every rock and stepping stone so that they may tread lightly through the forest. We work the trail while they work something within and if we do it right, then the trail is an unnoticed guide through the wilderness. It is a connection and a space of possibility whose unspoken rules uphold it.
On the trail we are behind the scenes and I feel the need to hide when hikers come so as not to upset the myth and call attention to design and the human hand. Invariably they see us, greet us, and in a moment of presence I say, “have a nice walk.”
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through-hikers have nicknames and fancy gear
high tech in nature
push and pull
in order to survive
the human buys
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