Hurricane Helene Repairs on the AT Are Well Underway: Trail Clubs Ask 2025 Hikers To Consider Flip-Flopping

This is a guest post by Jim Fetig, president of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.

Five members of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club have just returned from two separate trips helping the Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club in their clean-up effort from Hurricane Helene. We were joined by members from five more of the eight trail clubs in Virginia and several ATC staff members.

It’s impossible to describe the devastation on the AT unless you actually see it on the ground. More importantly, the degree, type, and volume of damage far exceeds anything volunteers alone can tackle. Despite that, we have many reasons to hope.

“Facing such a daunting cleanup with winter already poking its nose under the blankets, nobody is wasting time.”

A widowmaker in waiting. It would not take much wind or ice to bring this tree down. Photo: Jim Fetig

There has been much speculation about the level of trail damage caused by Helene. The initial assessment was overwhelming and far beyond the capacity of any of the smaller clubs to tackle by themselves. Much of the trail was impassable. Facing such a task, many who love the AT felt despair and loss of hope.

The situation was dire. It is not hyperbole to say that parts of the trail were (and still are) like a war zone. To date, we know that thousands upon thousands of trees are down across the AT. We know that landslides and uprooted trees have erased the path in some areas.

Moreover, the danger has not passed. Trees and branches large enough to be proverbial “widow makers” continue to fall. A full assessment of the AT storm damage is not yet complete.

The war zone analogy is apt. Photo: Jim Fetig

What to do? Facing such a daunting cleanup with winter already poking its nose under the blankets, nobody is wasting time. A full-scale effort by the US Forest Service, National Park Service, ATC, and trail clubs is already underway.  Experienced maintainers and sawyers from up and down the trail are volunteering with any club that asks.  

The Mt. Rogers club — the cavalry, so to speak — had showed up to pitch in. Recent work trips show they weren’t alone: other people cared, and precious optimism was back.

“The initial prognosis leans toward optimism.”

The cracks are indicative of side bind and torque. The tree is about 25 inches in diameter. Photo: Jim Fetig

It’s important to note that a lot of the sawing is beyond even the most skilled volunteer’s ability. The size of the trees, binds, and terrain are prohibitive for volunteers.  For example, tackling 30 to 40-inch live trunks loaded with top and side bind, on rough terrain, coupled with snow and ice, requires muscle and serious skill. It isn’t amateur hour.

That’s why the cleanup includes large contract crews, which are tackling the heavy lifting many volunteers just can’t do.  Crew members have the young bodies, muscle, and big saws that (mostly retired) volunteers often lack. They move fast and far.

The initial prognosis leans toward optimism. It will take years to get everything fixed. But the big stuff, like clearing the blowdowns, can get done.  Unfortunately, stone-hard freezes are about to end dirt work for the season.  Picks just bounce off icy ground as hard as concrete.  It will be spring before the major tread repairs begin.

“The trail clubs ask hikers to consider a flip-flop hike.”

To date the crews have done amazing work. Photo: Jim Fetig

The clubs will be doing their best, but the going will be difficult for many thru-hikers. In some towns, the infrastructure may not be fully recovered. The trail itself has been wiped out in places.  

The trail clubs ask hikers to consider a flip-flop hike.  The tread repairs will go faster if the maintainers don’t have to stop work each time a hiker passes. The trail and towns will be in much better shape by the time hikers have returned from Maine.

Damascus, VA would be a great place to start.  The town experienced 24 inches of flood water on Main St., but businesses have largely recovered and are open for business. Damascus is accessible, not being far off I-81, two hours south of Roanoke.  Hikers can get their hang tags at the ATC Visitor Center.

Alternatives abound, including the April Flip Flop Kickoff in Harpers Ferry.  The exact dates for the festival have not been announced. This event is similar to the kickoff at Amicalola State Park in Georgia.  

The bottom line is that lots of people are busting their butts to get the AT back to its factory settings.  All we need is effort, luck, and the goodwill of the hiking community.

About the Author

There are still miles of hard going waiting to be cleared. Photo: Dan Hippe

Jim Fetig is the president of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, a former ridgerunner in Georgia, and 2014 thru hiker.

Featured image: “There is still plenty of work to be done.” Courtesy of Jim Fetig