Brian Tragno: A Day in the Life of the Trail Conference

January 21, 2018
Staff
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference

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Brian Tragno: A Day in the Life of the Trail Conference

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Trail Conference Role: Trail Steward

After working all week as a coffee shop manager in Manhattan, Brian Tragno has what he calls the perfect weekend job: being outside and educating hikers as a Breakneck Ridge Trail Steward.

Brian, who lives in Astoria, N.Y., and grew up hiking in New Jersey, joined the Trail Conference as a Steward in 2013. The Breakneck Stewards often see about 2,000 visitors at this popular trailhead every weekend, and Brian’s favorite part of the job is introducing first-time hikers to this challenging-but-rewarding trail—as long as they’ve got the right shoes and enough water, of course!

“There is an incredible community surrounding Breakneck: regulars who hike this trail every weekend and people who are out on their first hike ever. The views and experience can hook people,” Brian says. “We’re here to educate visitors, recommend new hikes, and get people involved with the trails they love.”