Though he “grew up on city streets,” once he was exposed to mountains and the outdoors in his early twenties, Bill Hurlebaus took up hiking and skiing; and still enjoys spending time outdoors. When he and his wife retired to a farm near the Appalachian Trail in southwest Virginia, Bill looked forward to spending more time out in the woods hiking.
As he began exploring the mountains near his new home, Bill contacted the Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club (MRATC) and volunteered his time. He started doing basic maintenance, and then became certified as a sawyer, so he could tackle more advanced projects. He now spends more time doing maintenance than he does hiking!
Bill’s volunteer work extends beyond the footpath – he is involved with community outreach in Southwest Virginia and represents his club at regional leadership meetings. He’s also helping to plan the 2011 Biennial – a week-long gathering of A.T. supporters that will be held in southwest Virginia. He has even been willing to meet with Congressional representatives to advocate for the A.T. Bill is a “very dynamic volunteer,” says Laura Belleville, ATC’s conservation director. “He contributes to A.T. management in so many ways [and] he is a true pleasure to work with.”
Bill enjoys spending time on the Trail with other MRATC maintainers and enjoys meeting hikers. They “deserve a clear trail,” he says, and keeping MRATC’s section of the A.T. open is rewarding work. If you see Bill on the Trail – stop and say hello – and thanks!
COMMENTS:
Comments:
Anonymous @ 4/5/2010 2:13:33 PM
Thank you for everything you do for the Appalachian Trail!
Jeanne Mahoney
Anonymous @ 4/5/2010 2:44:45 PM
THANK YOU! I will be hiking a 100 miles in SW VAs AT this spring! Maybe I'll see you there then! THANK YOU! ~Toni Page, Connecticut
Anonymous @ 4/5/2010 2:45:48 PM
Thank you, Bill!!!
Anonymous @ 4/5/2010 2:46:10 PM
Bill: I'm so glad you moved close to the Trail and started volunteering. I'll bet it's been a busy spring to clean up the Trail and keep it in good condition because of the rough winter we had - so I especially appreciate your efforts this year. I love to hike!
Anonymous @ 4/5/2010 3:05:29 PM
Thanks Bill. I really am thankful for the work you do. I hope that when I reach your age, I give back much more than I have taken. You are the type of person our children need to know and meet. Thanks.
Anonymous @ 4/5/2010 3:26:34 PM
Thank you so much Mr. Hurlebaus. There aren't enough people like you, everyone who hikes the trail appreciates everything you do. I really hope you enjoy it all, you bring beauty to so many others :)
Anonymous @ 4/5/2010 4:01:13 PM
Thank you!
Anonymous @ 4/5/2010 4:24:27 PM
It's people like you who make the A.T. what it is. Thank you.
Anonymous @ 4/5/2010 4:43:53 PM
Mt. Rogers is one of my favorite places to hike and camp! Thank you so much for your efforts! It is well appreciated.
Anonymous @ 4/5/2010 4:56:13 PM
Thank you SO much, Mr. Hurlebaus (from one of your new fans in Michigan).
Anonymous @ 4/5/2010 5:21:33 PM
Thanks Bill --- we appreciate all that you do for the A.T.!
Laura
Anonymous @ 4/5/2010 5:29:10 PM
Thanks for keeping our beloved trail open and in good shape!
Thanks also for all those hours getting your equipment ready, cleaning your saw and sharpening your tools, and all that other essential, off-trail stuff that takes up so much time.
--Dick & Laurie Potteiger
Anonymous @ 4/5/2010 7:37:24 PM
Bill.. this country needs more fine folks like you. Thank you for all of your efforts over the years, from a fellow skier and hiker. Best wishes.
Dave from Buffalo NY (formerly Burlington Vermont)
Anonymous @ 4/6/2010 4:11:47 AM
Thanks Bill and Mount Rogers A T Club for all your hard work.
Chicken Feathers
Anonymous @ 4/6/2010 6:02:26 AM
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the A.T.
Susan Daniels
Anonymous @ 4/6/2010 7:27:38 AM
Bill: It is a pleasure working with you... you are a good Trail worker, and a wise counselor to staff, volunteers and agency partners who work and play with you and the Mt Rogers A.T. Club daily to make our world a better, more beautiful, and more kindly place. Bob Proudman
Anonymous @ 4/6/2010 7:50:48 AM
Thanks, Bill! I look forward to hiking in Southwest Virginia during the 2011 biennial.
Anonymous @ 4/6/2010 8:00:10 AM
Hello Bill,
Thank you for all of your work with the treadway. See you on the boundary! Carlen, Land Protection manager, ATC.
Anonymous @ 4/6/2010 8:08:15 AM
Hi Bill - You've always been a joy to work with and I appreciate everything you do and all the time you devote to the AT! - Alice
Anonymous @ 4/6/2010 9:59:21 AM
What a treasure to have people like you working to keep the trail in hiking condition. Thanks for all of your hard work!
Anonymous @ 4/6/2010 6:55:57 PM
To ATC: Thank you for recognizing Bill Hurlebaus for his work as MRATC President,Immediate Past President,RPC for several years, 2007 and 2009 Biennial Attender and Scout, Capital Hill Climber, Major Planner for the July 2011 Biennial at Emory & Henry College in Emory, VA, and Certified Chain Sawyer of many fallen and threatening trees. Sincerely, Eleanor Grasselli, MRATC member
Anonymous @ 4/7/2010 6:01:24 PM
Thanks for everything you do...the world truly has diamonds in the rough. Maybe i'll run into you on my thru-hike next summer.
Anonymous @ 4/18/2010 3:05:25 PM
Brought up on Eighth Street - - Southie was your home town - - on to the Navy, after to GE, Green Mountains lured you in. Settled in VA, right on the AMTrail - - now ain't we lucky, you don't mind the muckey, and we have a trail that's clear. Cheer, cheer, cheers to Bill from the city. Wally and Claire
Anonymous @ 5/3/2010 7:50:32 PM
That's my brother! I know he's happy with the work he does for AT. Never one to brag, so I'll do it! I've always been proud of my brother, Bill. He's a triple G: Good, Giver, & Gracious. Carolyn