Nigel Bates (he/him) is the Field Coordinator, managing hiring of seasonal staff and supporting both caretakers and trail crews. He previously supervised the caretaker program and was a caretaker himself.
Nigel’s enthusiasm for trails began with a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2017, shortly after he graduated from Williams College in Massachusetts. After a year spent working in environmental education in the Sierra Nevada, Nigel returned to New England as GMC’s Lead Caretaker on Mount Mansfield before transitioning into the office. His favorite part of the job is the psychological aspect of predicting human behavior in the backcountry, which plays a key role in both trail maintenance and educational messaging.
Outside of work, Nigel is a competitive trail runner and enjoys the challenge of moving efficiently through the rugged terrain of Vermont and New Hampshire. However, he also likes to slow down and appreciate the birds, plants, and other creatures that make these landscapes so special.
Written by Nigel:
