The Park has been using ridgerunners since 1990. Engineering, the first 'e,' has to do with developing campsite layouts. Ridgerunners fall into the second 'e,' which is education. They provide on-site education in the backcountry. Other education efforts include issuing backcountry permits, which have the rules and expectations of hikers printed on them.
Permits are mandatory for anyone staying overnight in the backcountry and are free.
The backcountry rangers are in the third category, which is enforcement. Gene Wesloh, Kent Looney and Greg Wozniak are all experienced rangers, Minnigh said. Wesloh will be covering the Deep Creek area. He is familiar with the Park because he is being transferred to the new position from within the Smokies. The other two come from other parks in the National Park Service.