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If you are an experienced hiker, a beer-lover and good on social media, you may be interested in applying for a job that will see you getting paid to hike the Appalachian Trail in 2021.

Autumn sunrise over rolling hills at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Someone will get paid to hike the Appalachian Trail © KenCanning/Getty Images

Devils Backbone Brewing Company is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, just a few miles from the Appalachian Trail, and it has decided to offer a position of "2021 Chief Hiking Officer," starting next spring. It will pay the successful candidate $20,000 (€17,710) to drink beer and hike the Appalachian Trail, which crosses two national parks and traverses eight national forests, hitting 14 states from Georgia to Maine. They must also update followers on their progress via social media.

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"We’ll outfit our CHO with gear, fly ‘em to the trail head, and throw some big ol’ beer parties along the way," says Devils Backbone. "Plus, there’s a $20k stipend. Qualifications? You’ve gotta love hiking and beer. We mean really love it. We’re talking 2200 miles, camping under the stars, pack-in-pack-out for five-seven months love it."

A hiker pauses at a lookout point over a tree-covered valley on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia
The successful candidate must prove they are capable of hiking 2200 miles © Tony Barber/Getty Images
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To qualify for the position, you must be at least 21 years old and prove that you are capable of hiking 2200 miles and camping at night. As the company is a brewery, the successful candidate must be passionate about enjoying a delicious beer post-hike. An added bonus is that they will also get to assist in what the company is calling "product research."

High-angle view of Tallulah Falls and gorge during autumn
The trail spans 22200 miles from Georgia to Maine © Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

To apply, fill out the form on the Devils Backbone website here, explaining why you’re passionate about hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2021. Applications are open through 31 July.

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