~ Dan Ryan
Recent adversity came with Hurricane Helene, which caused severe damage, toppling trees, washing away sections of treadway, and flooding vast areas. Blowdowns blocked the Trail, landslides made stretches treacherous, and bridges were swept away. Yet, in response, the ATC and its network of Trail Clubs, volunteers, and agency partners quickly mobilized for recovery. Our goal: not just repairing damage but building a more resilient Trail for the future.
The recovery effort began with thorough assessments of the damage to the Trail, focusing on both the treadway and the natural buffer surrounding it. By prioritizing the hardest-hit areas, the ATC is working to reopen the A.T. as quickly as possible. However, this disaster also brought important lessons in preparedness and adaptation. The recovery work is not just about short-term fixes but about strengthening the Trail against future storms. Every natural disaster teaches the ATC new lessons, refining its approach and enhancing the organization’s resilience for future challenges.
Hurricane Helene’s impact extended beyond the Trail itself, devastating Trail communities in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Many of these small, often rural towns, rely on the Trail for its economic benefit. For them, the A.T. is more than a hiking path; it’s a part of their economy, connecting visitors to their outdoor heritage. As these communities recover, the ATC recognizes that the Trail’s restoration is vital not only to hikers but also to the economic and cultural fabric of the region.
Helene is a reminder that resilience is a collective effort. It’s not just about surviving a storm but about adapting and moving forward together. The A.T. stands as a symbol of endurance, reflecting the human spirit’s ability to overcome hardship and emerge stronger. While some sections of the Trail may take time to fully recover, the A.T. remains a vital connection to nature, offering hikers a place for reflection and renewal. The scars left by Helene are now part of the A.T.’s evolving story — a testament to the challenges it has faced and the resilience it continues to foster. With each step on this journey of recovery, the Trail’s spirit of resilience grows stronger, not just for the A.T., but for the communities and people who love it.
Dan Ryan is the ATC’s Vice President of Conservation and Government Relations. Prior to joining the ATC, he served as the Director of Conservation for the Georgia Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC). He oversaw the work of a large, diverse, and geographically dispersed team focused on protecting the region’s lands, water, and oceans and tackling climate change. Dan also spent more than a decade with the North Carolina Chapter of TNC, building its longleaf pine conservation program — for which he was awarded the Governor’s Conservation Achievement Award as Forest Conservationist of the Year. He also worked for two land trusts and is a proud Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, having served as an agroforestry volunteer in Bolivia.