Volunteers repair damaged parts of Appalachian Trail by hand almost a year after Helene

UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. (AP) — In a rugged patch of the Appalachian Trail in eastern Tennessee, volunteers size up a massive, gnarled tree lying on its side. Its tangled web of roots and dark brown soil, known as a root ball, is roughly the size of a large kiddie pool.

The collection of volunteers and staff from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and local organizations, doesn't plan to move the tree. Instead, their job is filling the gaping holes left by it and many other downed trees along iconic East Coast trail.

Almost a year since Hurricane Helene tore through the mountains of the Southeast, restoration is still ongoing. In places like the Appalachian Trail it's powered primarily by volunteers, at a time when federal resources are strained and uncertain. That labor, made up of people spanning several generations and continents, aims to not only return the trail to its former glory but make it more resilient against future inclement weather.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Appalachian Trail,” said Jake Stowe, a program support specialist with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Stretching more than 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) miles from Georgia to Maine, the trail attracts more than 3 million people every year, according to the conservancy. Some committed hikers traverse its entire length to cross it off their bucket list. Others visit sporadically just to indulge in its scenic views.

Last September, Helene killed more than 200 people and wrecked entire towns. Many rural businesses have struggled due to the drop in tourism, Stowe said, such as in places seeing fewer trail hikers. Directly after the storm, more than 430 miles (690 kilometers) of the trail were closed, the conservancy said. That's down to 5 miles (8 kilometers) today.

Hikers still have to take detours around two damaged sections of the trail, both in Tennessee, according to the conservancy.

One spot where a bridge collapsed requires a 3.6-mile (5.8-kilometer) walking detour. The other location is near the destroyed Cherry Gap Shelter, where an Associated Press journalist accompanied volunteers this week making the area passable again for visitors who currently have to take a 6-mile (10 kilometer) detour.

Local groups typically take on day-to-day trail maintenance, such as hacking back plant overgrowth, Stowe said. Larger organizations like the Appalachian Trail Conservancy step in to assist with severe damage, although in Helene's case, safety concerns delayed restoration.

“At the time, we weren't really in the position to put people in the woods,” Stowe said. “It was such bad damage that it was just- you couldn't safely do that.”

The area near Cherry Gap has already been “sawed out,” meaning downed trees that blocked the trail have been cut and moved out of the way. But root balls are still a major problem because of how labor-intensive it is to deal with them.

When a tree tips over, the root ball lifts a big chunk of earth with it. Filling that hole can sometimes take a week, said Matt Perrenod, a crew leader with the conservancy. The trail runs along the spine of the Appalachian Mountains, and that rough terrain means crews must rely on hand tools like shovels, rakes and pruners to do the job, rather than heavy equipment.

The conservancy also has to consider more sustainable improvements to the trail, such as building steps or features like water bars, which are essentially little ditches that divert rainfall off the side of the trail.

It's a slow process, Perrenod said, but a worthwhile venture to improve the experience of hikers.

“You don't actually want to think about the thing you're walking on very much. You just want to walk on it," said Perrenod, who hiked the Appalachian Trail's entirety about a decade ago. “Well, if we don't do the work, you won't be able to do that. You'll spend all your time climbing over this tree and walking around that hole."

Partnering with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service has long been a critical component of preserving the Appalachian Trail. Through contracts, Perrenod said the agencies fund equipment, gas and the wages of some Appalachian Trail Conservancy staff members like himself. The Forest Service also helps the group lug their gear up to the trail, he said.

That's why Perrenod says it's imperative the federal government does not slash those agencies' budgets and workforces. Disrupting support for volunteers could be detrimental for the trail's restoration, as volunteers provide “a lot of muscle” to complete the vast majority of its maintenance, he said.

In Helene's aftermath, volunteerism across the region was “super high” because everyone wanted to help, Stowe said. This year, interest in volunteering has dipped, Stowe said, but he's heard from people all over the country — and the world — who cited Helene as a major reason they wanted to come out and help.

Among the volunteers on the July maintenance trip were three visitors from Japan who work on long-distance trails back home. They were enthusiastic to learn about best practices for improving trail longevity and take those ideas back to Japan.

The trio was also motivated by their own experience with natural devastation. After Japan's massive 2011 earthquake and tsunami, volunteer Kumi Aizawa said people from across the globe came to rebuild.

By restoring part of the Appalachian Trail, she's returning the favor.

Seminera reported from Raleigh, North Carolina.

Japanese volunteer Shin Hasegawa, right, helps to set up a kitchen tent as Jake Stowe, program support specialist for Appalachian Trail Conservancy, looks on, during a trail rebuilding project, July 22, 2025, in Unicoi, Tenn. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Volunteers gather near a makeshift kitchen near the Cherry Gap Shelter along the Appalachian Trail during a trail rebuilding project, July 22, 2025, in Unicoi, Tenn. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

U.S. Forest Service Forestry Technician Brandon Church, left, and Recreation Program Manager Chad Ingle, deliver supplies to a camp site during a trail rebuilding project, July 22, 2025, in Unicoi, Tenn. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

U.S. Forest Service Forestry Technician Brandon Church stands in front of the damaged Cherry Gap Shelter along the Appalachian Trail during a trail rebuilding project, July 22, 2025, in Unicoi, Tenn. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

U.S. Forest Service Forestry Recreation Program Manager Chad Ingle, left, and Technician Brandon Church, access damage to the Cherry Gap Shelter along the Appalachian Trail during a trail rebuilding project, July 22, 2025, in Unicoi, Tenn. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Volunteers Kumi Aizawa, from left, Shin Hasegawa, and Patrick Wilsey, walk to their camp site near the Cherry Gap Shelter along the Appalachian Trail during a trail rebuilding project, July 22, 2025, in Unicoi, Tenn. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Tools and other supplies are seen during a trail rebuilding project near the Cherry Gap Shelter along the Appalachian Trail during a trail rebuilding project, July 22, 2025, in Unicoi, Tenn. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Volunteers gather for a trail rebuilding project near the Cherry Gap Shelter along the Appalachian Trail during a trail rebuilding project, July 22, 2025, in Unicoi, Tenn. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Japanese volunteers Shin Hasegawa, left, and Kumi Aizawa, walk to their camp site carrying tools near the Cherry Gap Shelter along the Appalachian Trail during a trail rebuilding project, July 22, 2025, in Unicoi, Tenn. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Fallen trees are seen near the Cherry Gap Shelter along the Appalachian Trail, July 22, 2025, in Unicoi, Tenn. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Volunteer Laura Elliot, left, looks on as Matt Perrenod, crew leader for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, digs a privy hole near the Cherry Gap Shelter along the Appalachian Trail during a trail rebuilding project, July 22, 2025, in Unicoi, Tenn. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Jake Stowe, program support specialist for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, walks a trail damaged by Hurricane Helene a year ago, during a trail rebuilding project, July 22, 2025, in Unicoi, Tenn. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 18, 2026--

Running shoes brand Xtep has announced that it will form a joint venture with Bonia, a distributor with over 50 years of market expertise in Malaysia, to jointly develop the Malaysian market. Analysts indicate that this move will accelerate Xtep’s drive to become the leading running brand in Southeast Asia. Notably, this new strategic direction also involves an adjustment to Xtep’s previous business cooperation model in Malaysia. In line with Xtep Group’s overall strategic shift, the company’s business model in Malaysia will be upgraded from a single exclusive distribution arrangement to a multi-channel setup. The former exclusive distributor, VGO, will transition to a “non-exclusive distributor” and remain a key partner for Xtep in deepening its local market presence. Before Xtep’s partnership with Bonia, VGO served as Xtep’s exclusive partner in Malaysia. As the initial partner facilitating Xtep’s entry into the Malaysian market, VGO laid a solid foundation for the brand’s successful entry. Xtep will continue its collaboration with VGO to advance the Xtep brand’s development through channels where VGO holds particular strength. Meanwhile, Bonia will focus on maximizing Xtep’s brand visibility in Malaysia’s core commercial districts and running brand hubs.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260114707896/en/

Chinese media reports highlight Malaysia as Xtep’s springboard for expansion into Southeast Asia, emphasizing that this business model transformation is crucial for implementing the “Chinese Root, World-Class Running Shoes” strategy proposed in 2022. Bonia’s sales network spans Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian markets. The company maintains strong, stable relationships with major shopping centers in these countries, possesses deep insights into local consumer needs, and has solid cross-border retail operation capabilities.

The first store under Xtep’s partnership with Bonia opened in Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur. According to Xtep, this 3,262-square-foot professional running flagship store displays performance running products by function and features services such as a trial running zone and foot shape and gait analysis, allowing runners to experience world-class running technology. This store also showcases stories of local runners and photos from local running events to enhance runners’ sense of belonging.

Running culture in Malaysia is maturing. Data from the World Bank and Euromonitor International shows that Malaysia has the largest sportswear and footwear market in Southeast Asia. The Malaysian Sports Culture Index 2023 survey revealed that 63% of respondents cited jogging as their favorite sport. In terms of road racing popularity, the 2024 Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon attracted over 40,000 participants.

Xtep entered the Malaysian market in 2024 and has consistently employed an operational strategy of “Professional-to-mass influence” coupled with a cultural strategy of “adapting to local conditions”. The brand has connected with local consumers through events and running communities. During its partnership with VGO, Xtep organized several large-scale running events in Malaysia, including the “10KM Time Challenge” held in Penang in August 2024, which attracted top athletes from Indonesia, Singapore, Uganda and Kenya. With Malaysia emerging as a strategic hub for international growth, Xtep envisions the country as both a blueprint for overseas expansion and a dynamic showcase of its running heritage.

Comprehensive Channel Upgrade! Xtep Leverages Southeast Asian Foothold to Advance Global Running Footwear Strategy