2009 SORO - Don O’Neal

Don O’Neal is Nantahala Hiking Club’s Trail Supervisor for 60 miles of A.T. for the past seven years, contributing more than 5100 hours of volunteer service to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Many Trail improvements and rehabilitation projects have been overseen during his tenure, including relocation of the Trail above Wesser bald shelter and the construction of a new shelter and privy at Wayah Shelter. Included in his service to the Trail is the monitoring of purple frigeless orchid and creeping sunrose (rare plants) at Standing Indian as a natural heritage volunteer and as the guidebook editor for ATC. He is the former president of NHC, an A.T. 2,000-miler He also plays the penny whistle.