June 2009 - Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
Transcription
June 2009 - Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
ISSN 098-8l54 The Newsletter of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, VA 22180-4609 www.patc.net Volume 38, Number 6 June 2009 PATC and Trails P ATC’s primary mission is trail maintenance, starting with hundreds of volunteer trail overseers. A critical part of PATC’s overall trail maintenance package is the dedicated trail crews and the expertise they bring to a project. The newest of PATC’s 12 crews is the D.C. based Thursday Morning Group. Now starting its second year, the group is filling a niche for members who have a weekday morning free to put in less than three hours of work. Crew members get to use a variety of trail tools, become more confident in trail maintenance skills, and meet other trail enthusiasts who live nearby. Last year, the Thursday Morning Group began in the spring with individual projects like digging signposts and building bridges. During the summer, we settled into pleasant walks in the woods as we did the never-ending job of clearing weeds, kudzu, and blowdowns. Last fall, we finished up by clearing even larger blowdowns with PATC crosscut saws, scouting a possible new trail, and other point-specific projects. The group’s focus is the Potomac Heritage Trail (PHT), a 10mile stretch along the Virginia side of the Potomac River from Theodore Roosevelt Bridge in Arlington to the American Legion Bridge (the Beltway) in Blowdowns and crosscuts mix well with the Thursday Mc Lean. This year, the Morning Group. group may also work in Great Falls National site (www.patc.net;volunteer tab; Park (VA side). Since the PHT is a trails tab) to view the other crews straight-line trail, the hardest part that make PATC so highly respected of any day is just finding the group’s throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. n rendezvous point among the urban streets, but Mapquest and GPS usuIn This Issue... ally solve this problem. The highAnnual Overseer Workshop........................ 2 lights for this group are being close Employment Opportunity............................ 2 to D.C., being able to sleep in your Council Fire............................................... 3 own bed at the end of the day, and Flying McLeods Start the Carr.................... 3 Lee’s Overlook.......................................... 4 - best of all - having the crew leader Trail Talkers Needed.................................. 4 provide chips and soda at the end of The Famous Peabody................................ 5 each work trip. If you are interested and want to get on an e-mail list for future events, contact Bruce Glendening, ([email protected], 703/5329093) – and visit the PATC Web Annual Overseer Workshop Shenandoah National Park, Central District June 6–7, see on page 2 Summer Picnic in the Park July 12, at Carderock Pavilion, see on page 8 Appalachian Nature................................... 6 Bringing Trails to the Public........................ 7 PATC Summer Picnic in the Park........ 8 & 19 World War II and the Conscientious Objectors....................... 9 Trailhead – June 2009............................. 10 The Story of ‘Pogo’ and his Campsite....... 12 Ken Lacey Retires................................... 12 Forecast.................................................. 13 2009 Council Members........................... 20 Ads, Swaps, Volunteer Opportunities........ 21 New Boots.............................................. 22 Prowl The Sproul..................................... 22 Basic Wilderness First Aid, CPR, & AED.. 22 Appalachian Trail Festival......................... 23 Hike Leader Training Course.................... 23 Trail Maintainers Workshop....................... 23 Help Wanted........................................... 23 Photo by Bruce Glendening. Introducing a New Trail Crew – the Thursday Morning Group ANNUAL OVERSEER WORKSHOP SNP, Central District June 6-7 PATC, in cooperation with the trails staff of Shenandoah National Park, is sponsoring a workshop intended to instruct new trail overseers (or prospective overseers) in the basics of trail maintenance, and to teach the proverbial old dogs new tricks. The workshop is open to all volunteers. Professional trail builders from SNP will lead the sessions assisted by PATC crew leaders. The workshop will begin Saturday morning.It will be based out of the Pinnacles Research Station, near Thornton Gap. The $20 registration fee will include dinner on Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. Camping is free on the Pinnacles lawn. For more details, visit the Blue and White Crew Web site (http://blueandwhitecrew.org) or contact Kerry Snow (e-mail [email protected]), phone 301/345-9408). Employment Opportunity ADT Society Administrative Position Open The American Discovery Trail Society is a national, volunteer-based, membership organization dedicated to improving and promoting the ADT—the country’s first non-motorized coast-to-coast trail. We are seeking a sole staff member to carry out all the administrative functions of running the organization. The current staff person (who is retiring) works from an office in her home in the Washington area. Responsibilities include the various tasks involved in running an office of a national organization with 1000 members: • maintaining the membership database; • processing memberships, renewals, and donations; • depositing checks, paying bills, and keeping the books; • printing of brochures and newsletters and mailing of newsletters to members; • coordinating membership solicitation mailings; • providing information to the public by responding to phone calls and e-mails; • staffing booth display at regional and national meetings; • processing/mailing merchandise orders; • purchasing office supplies; • keeping track of numerous other tasks and details. The job is primarily clerical, but provides an opportunity for growth and assumption of other responsibilities and titles as time, ability, and inclination permits. This is a vital position with a conservation organization that will very likely expand greatly over the next few years when the American Discovery Trail becomes part of the National Trails System. For information contact Eric Seaborg; 434-244-2688; [email protected] HOW TO CONTACT US, Headquarters, Sales, Cabin Reservations, And Membership Information Address: 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, VA 22180 Phone #: 703/242-0315 Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM; Thursday and Friday 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM Fax #: 703/242-0968 Club E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.patc.net Club President (leave a message), Lee Sheaffer: 703/242-0315 Staff, During regular business hours Position Staff Director Trails Management Coordinator Business Manager Membership/Cabin Coordinator Sales Coordinator Lands Management Staff Wilson Riley Heidi Forrest Monica Clark Pat Fankhauser Maureen Estes Sonya Breehey Potomac Appalachian Layout Editor: Stephanie Helline Editor: Gwenola Rolland-Chatila, [email protected] Features Editor: Joanne Erickson Forecast Editor: Vince Ferrari, [email protected] 2 Extension (Ext 105) (Ext 107) (Ext 106) (Ext 108) (Ext 103) (Ext 104) E-mail [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Club Officers & Chairs Contact Info www.patc.net then select [*contact us] from the list on the left or call the main number. Contact list published twice annually in the PA. Change of Address? Contact: [email protected] June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian April 2009 Council Fire P ATC President Lee Sheaffer opened the regularly scheduled Council Meeting on April 14, 2009, at the Club Headquarters. Lee told the group on behalf of Caroline Pettik that the Forest Service has rejected the wind tower farm proposed for Great North Mountain. He also thanked everyone who worked on the new “2009 Shenandoah Guide.” Staff Director Wilson Riley alerted everyone to the April issue of the Blue Ridge Outdoors, which focused on the AT and included a photo of Randy Motz. He said that PATC is searching for a registered agent in Maryland to represent the club. Please contact Wilson if you know of someone who may be interested. Lastly, two club members have been nominated to ATC for the 50-year award: Jack Reeder and Paula Strain. Vice President of Operations Tom Johnson commented on the spectacular success of the PATC cabins, recognizing Charlie Graf and Mel Merritt, among others, for the improvements that began in the mid-1990s, which have resulted in the wonderful resource the cabins are today. Cabin Operations — Mel Merritt told Council that there had been a small fire at Cliff’s House, but it has already been repaired. Supervisor of Trails John Hedrick said that the Thornton Gap restroom is open for business. A new moldering privy was installed at Gravel Springs Hut. Central District will hold a basic trails maintenance workshop May 6 and 7. Vice President of Volunteerism Rick Canter told Council that Bill HR1912 was introduced April 2 by Rep. Connolly (Va.-11). Endorsements and co-sponsors are being sought. If you have any contacts with members of Congress, please help encourage their co-sponsorship. Supervisor of Activities Randy Motz said that PATC had participated in three successful events in March. At one of the events, the first three northbound AT hikers stopped by and complimented PATC on the trails and shelters. Randy is looking for volunteers to assist with upcoming events. Please contact him if you would like to volunteer: Viva Vienna – Memorial weekend; July – family picnic. Around the Campfire Supervisor of Marketing Karen Brown - Jennifer Chambers’ group has bandanas available and will be selling them at the Bear’s Den event. AT Coordinator Management, Tom Lupp – Anyone interested in corridor maintenance/monitoring should contact Tom. Also, there is now an alcohol ban in Maryland parks unless you are at a paid or reserved facility, and there is no alcohol allowed on the AT. Signs will be posted at shelters and trailheads. Bear’s Den, Vernon Conaway – Expenses were $1,000 less than estimated, so they are $3,000 ahead of projections. They had 842 guests, 67 of whom were hikers. A volunteer will be identified to provide Scott and Marie assistance over the summer. Naturalist Bob Pickett - Working with the Smithsonian CRC (Rte. 33 and Rte. 211 and all of Maryland) on the mammal survey. Water quality monitoring and chestnut counts going forward this year; There is a new invasive species--wavy leaf basket grass--which is a perennial and shade tolerant, it is receiving lots of attention from USDA and SNP. The plant entered the country at the Port of Baltimore and is just beginning to spread. Right now it is mostly limited to Maryland, but there is a lot of interest in eradicating it as soon as possible. USFS will be working on a video on invasive plants. Bob is looking at a weekend in June when PATC volunteers could stay at Trout Pond and hike Big Schloss, accompanied by a camera crew. Volunteers would represent hikers and people who enjoy nature and share what they think about invasive species. Trail Patol, Katrina Hedlesky - The new Ridgerunners are: Pennsylvania - Darrel Decker; Maryland June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian - Neil Koch (1st) and Alan Grubb (2nd); Northern Virginia - Robert Freeman; SNP - Auggie Buchheit (1st) and James Ellis (2nd); (Just a note that all the Ridgerunners are AT thru-hikers). The next Leave No Trace Masters Course will be held June 22 and the weekend of June 27-28. Scout Liaison Rush Williamson – District mangers and shelter overseers are sending projects to Rush, and he has Scouts who are interested. Publications, Shirley Schulz – The new “Hikes in the Washington Region” is now available. Includes three hikes that were not included before. She hopes to print “Circuit Hikes in Shenandoah” in the fall. Grants and Donations - Susan Nelson- is working on building her committee. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please have them contact Susan. n —Anne Shimko, Secretary Flying McLeods Start the Carr On Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19, Mark Gatewood, the head McLeod, rousted 16 people out of their comfortable suburban homes to begin work on the Carr Mountain Trail, a new section of the Great Eastern Trail. Working in a remote section of the North River Ranger District, they sidehilled several hundred yards of very difficult 45 degree slope to begin this 6-mile section. Partnering with the International Mountain Biking Association crew led by Rich Edwards, they are building a highly sustainable trail that will be suitable for both hikers and mountain bikers. The crew overnighted at the Mennonite camp on VA 259, and were fed till they popped by head chef Sharon Johnson. A reprise of the event is planned for later this year. 3 Lee’s Overlook SIMPLE PLACES; SIMPLE PLEASURES T he most extraordinary part of it is how very ordinary it is, at least on the Appalachian Trail. In spring it is a rushing stream of clear cold water tumbling over rocks as it flows down the side of the mountain. Beside the stream is a spring, more of a seep really, adding water and a wetland near and around one side of the stream. Life seems to go into hyper drive here with the abundance of water, and many different varieties of plants both grow and thrive in this spot. marsh has dried up, it is the last cool stop before I must climb up the mountain to my car and back to the “civilized” world. I often stop and sit on the rocks and watch the water flow by as my dog gets a cool drink and sits in the shallow water to cool off. A place to sit among the ferns and the trout lily as nature moves at its own deliberate pace. It is a very simple place, and it provides a very simple but necessary pleasure in a world that seems at times to be coming apart at the seams. The trail crosses here on a small footbridge and then on rocks over the marsh area. It is a place of cool respite, a place to rest and to watch the tumbling water rush under the bridge. By trail standards it is quite ordinary, and I doubt that many hikers give it much thought or even stop to look around. There are many larger, more interesting streams and more significant destinations in both directions. For me, though, it is a special place, the last stop before the last big hill on my base hike; the hike I do when I only have time for a short hike close to home. As the economy continues to bottom out, all anecdotal evidence suggests that people are traveling less (or at least not as far) and seeking out a simpler lifestyle. If you get out on the trail you will find more people discovering the close in and inexpensive pleasures of their nearby parks and trails. The Last Cool Stop Photo by Laurie Potteiger, ATC staff member. During the summer when the stream is down to a trickle and the The Appalachian Trail Conservancy reports a significant increase in thruhikers attempting to do the trail this year. PATC cabin rentals are at an all-time high. The purchases of our maps and guide books have surged after a drop over the winter. All this would indicate that more people are spending more time in the woods near their homes. While we may lament the lack of solitude, we welcome these new people with enthusiasm. After all, we build these trails so people can use them, enjoy the wonders of nature, and find that small ordinary place to sit down and rest and discover the simple pleasures of being in the woods. n — Lee Sheaffer, PATC President ‘Trail Talkers’ Needed PATC is looking for volunteers to staff their information booth at community events in DC, MD, WV and Virginia. Applicants need not be long-standing members of PATC nor posseses an intimate knowledge of the mission, vision, history and activities of the club. On-site training and reference materials pertaining to the club and trails are provided. Benefits include the opportunity to learn about the club and local trails, the enjoyment of informing the public about the trails in our area and about the functions of PATC and you get a cool “Trail Talker” hat. This is a non-paying position—compensation is in the form of meeting like-minded people, providing answers to the many questions people have about trails and hiking and knowing that you are building for the future of PATC by generating interest in the club. Position Requirements: • A passion for the outdoors • A love of the trails in the DC/ MD/VA/WV/PA area • A desire to share this love and passion with the general public • An eagerness to attract new members to the club • Available weekends, for 2-3 hours, once a month, to staff the PATC information booth at community events Anyone interested in this important and enjoyable position as a “Trail Talker,” please contact Randy Motz, Supervisor of Activities, at [email protected]. Lee Sheaffer, PATC President 4 June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian The Famous Peabody Photo by Lee Sheaffer. nutrients that we do not normally get. Besides, afterwards we always like to greet our humans with a big healthy lick to the face just to tell them how much we love them. Gracie and the Forbidden Fruit You buy the food, you should give it a try! D ogs and humans do not always agree on what is good to eat. Humans buy their dogs food labeled dog food, which we dogs readily eat, but I have never seen a human even try a taste of dog food. You buy the food, you should give it a try. On the other hand, there are some things that humans eat that dogs will not. Most dogs would turn their noses up to a nice tall salad. There are parts that the dog might eat, like cheese and bacon, but for the most part, dogs would not eat a salad. Vegetables of any kind are mostly off the dog menu; we are carnivores and will mostly stick to meat and other animal products. There are some items (mostly animal products) that humans would prefer we not eat. We dogs see this differently. Any item that can or did contain protein of the animal variety should be considered edible. This is why you give a dog bones. They are both delicious and nutritious, and they last a long time. If there is more than one dog in the house then bones often become an item of competition. It is a matter of pride to have the only bone in the house. You must parade it around in your mouth and make sure the other dog knows that you have a bone and it does not. The only problem is that you must not drop or put down the bone, because the other dog might capture it and the whole process would begin again. There are other animal products that dogs are happy to eat that quite frankly disgust humans. Let’s call it recycled food. Though humans do not even want to touch or have us dogs touch this type of food, dogs find it quite good, and it contains There are other items that dogs assume are food just from their association with humans. For the most part, dogs are very interested in human food and will at least ask for a bite anytime the humans eat it. This brings us to the case of Gracie the dog. Gracie was a smart dog and knew that the humans always sat around a certain table and ate their food at that table. Gracie came to believe that anything that was on the table must be food. One day one of the humans in the house set something on the table and left for a short while. This was Gracie’s chance to sneak a bit of human food. Gracie jumped on the table and found a strange paper object filled with items that she figured had to be food. This did not surprise Gracie. Often the humans would eat food that had to be removed from some sort of package; this must be one of those types of food. Knowing that she did not have much time, Gracie ate as quickly and as much of the food as she could often only eating a little bit of each food before going on to the next bit of food. Soon the woman of the house came back and screamed at Gracie, yelling that she was eating their money. The Consequences Now humans have a very strange relationship to this thing they call money. They carry it around in their pockets, they have special items to carry it around in, and they have whole buildings that do nothing but hold money. One thing that humans never do is eat their money. They are also quite upset when their dogs eat their money. By the time Gracie had finished, she had eaten all or part of $1,400 dollars in cash and another $1,600 dollars in checks. It was June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian almost time to say Goodnight, Gracie! After the humans finished yelling at Gracie, they followed her around for the next several days waiting for her to recycle some of the money. After that, the humans collected all the money that Gracie partially ate and some of the recycled money and went to a place called the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. They took what was left of the money and went to a man there and said “my dog ate my money.” The man at the bureau smiled and said he had heard that excuse before and began a process that will give the humans some new money to replace the money that Gracie ate. So in the end, everyone learned something. Gracie learned that not all items on the food table are food, the humans learned that Gracie is a good jumper and has a taste for paper, and the man at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing learned a great new story, which he will tell to all his friends. NOTE: Of course you know that I could not make up a story like this. Gracie did actually eat over $3,000 that her family was going to use to buy many playoff hockey tickets for their friends. Gracie is doing well, though she has lost any interest in money as food, and she gets to spend much more time outside. The humans got most of their money back and went to watch big guys play a game on ice in the springtime heat of May. —The Famous Peabody Potomac Appalachian (UPS-440-280) ©2009, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Inc. Published monthly by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, VA 22180. Periodical class postage paid at Vienna, VA. Postmaster: send address changes to: PATC, 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, VA 22180 Subscription: (Free with membership) $9.00 annually; $.75 single copies. 5 Appalachian Nature ‘Glow Little Glow-Worm’ - Your Time is Now W ith June comes the beginning of summer. And with summer, comes the plethora of insects. More than perhaps any other animal, insect populations are dictated by temperature. It’s been said that with every 10° C (18° F) increase in temperature, insect activity doubles. A few years ago, in mid-June, I found myself in the Pisgah National Forest, assisting a wildlife biologist trapping black bear. This put me near the Great Smokies National Park where I’ve attempted to observe a very unique insect phenomenon. For two weeks in mid-June, a species of firefly lives out its short adult life and can be found in profusion in the old fields associated with the decaying summer homes adjacent to the Elkmont campground. What makes these fireflies so unique is that all the males tend to cooperate as a single force by flashing in synchrony. Not only do they flash in unison, but on occasion they will flash from the top of the mountain to the valley in a cascade of light, producing quite a spectacular show. Now, I say I attempted to see this display. I’ve spent four nights in this area and, so far, I’ve only seen localized populations flashing together; perhaps a twenty square foot area, not acres as advertised. People Get in on the Act It seems to me that the constant verbal, visual and physical interruptions made by the audience in this burgeoning public attraction, complete with lawn chairs, flashlights, and conversation, must be interfering with the natural display. Now, I understand this event is now highly structured, with visitors only allowed by shuttle bus and controlled by rangers. Hopefully, this will be a positive step. Up until a dozen or so years ago, this phenomenon was only known to exist in Southeast Asia. Then, entomologists were informed about 6 this site in the Smokies. Now, I read about other species known for this event in other regions, including one species that lives right here in Rock Creek Park! Look for it the next time you’re out among the fireflies. This glowing bioluminescence of the fireflies is quite special, but it’s not limited to the adult firefly. We’ve all heard the phrase “glow worms,” but were you aware that this term applies to the firefly larva that can be found in late summer or spring? Look for them deep in the grass in open areas. Glow Not Limited to Fireflies Bioluminescence in plants and animals is not that uncommon. It is found in many marine animals; both invertebrate (crustaceans and squid) and vertebrates (some fish), some terrestrial animals (like our fireflies, certain worms, snails, beetles and centipedes), some fungi and bacteria. There are even two citations discussing the luminescence of amelanistic (reversed normal coloration) corn snakes! The production of light in bioluminescent organisms results from the conversion of chemical energy to light energy; basically the opposite of photosynthesis. In photosynthesis, a living organism captures light and carbon dioxide to make organic materials and release oxygen. In bioluminescence, light and carbon dioxide are released by breaking apart organic materials using oxygen. This natural process is almost 100 percent efficient, meaning virtually no energy is lost producing heat. It’s referred to as cold light, as compared with incandescent lighting, where only 10 percent of the energy is utilized in light production, the other 90 percent being wasted as heat. Plants Join the Party Talking about bioluminescence, we have to talk about another wellknown term: foxfire. This is the glow found in rotten wood that has been permeated by the roots, or mycelium, of certain fungal species. If you want to find foxfire, you need a warm, moonless night in an old, dank, moist forest. Find a rotting log with streaked and splotchy bark, and mushrooms growing from it. Break the rotting wood apart, and if the right species exists, the availability of oxygen will enable the production of the bright elfin green luminescence. Foxfire is not the same as bioluminescent mushrooms. These are the species where the gilled, spore-bearing undersides of the cap glow. Jacko-lantern is a common luminescent mushroom, found in our area from July through September on rotting wood. Others include oyster and bitter oyster mushrooms. Interestingly, some luminescent fungi have fruiting caps that glow on the sporebearing underside, while others have glowing mycelial strands found in the wood, but normally one fungi will not have this capability in both the mycelium and cap. Origins of Luminescence It’s been suggested that fungal luminescence is a vestigial phenomenon, preserved in a few species. It originated after photosynthetic organisms evolved, when oxygen was toxic to most species and the best way to get rid of it was to chemically reduce it to water. The production of light accompanied this reaction. These early oxygen-removing organisms might have all been luminescent. While we’re talking about natural lights, we might as well address swamp gas, even if it isn’t due to bioluminescence. Swamp gas is a natural phenomenon, in which warm methane gas from swamps rises into the Earth’s atmosphere. This methane, a waste product from anaerobic primitive bacteria, is a volatile gas and can be ignited by electrical discharge and pressure conditions in the atmosphere, resulting in a display of bright light. I’ve read this phenomenon has humorously been called “wetland flatulence.” n (This article first appeared in June of 2003.) —By Bob Pickett June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian Bringing Trails to the Public AT thru hikers at Gathland State Park. W hat section of the Appalachian Trail would be a nice hike for our family?” “Are there any trails in Manassas for a short day hike?” “What does the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club do?” “Can you give me some tips on hiking the Tuscarora Trail?” “How do I rent one of your cabins?” These are just some of the questions posed to PATC “Trail Talkers” at the many community events we participate in. With each answer, Trail Talkers build a relationship with the hiking public, presenting PATC as the premier source for trail information and as guardians of the numerous trails in our area. With each community event we attend, more and more people are exposed to the club and gain a wealth of valuable information that can only benefit the future of PATC. We also had a third location, at Gathland State Park, where Leonard Keifer, Rush Williamson, Beth Lipford and Randy Motz, met with AT hikers and folks arriving to view Civil War cannon firings. Beth led a family on a short hike to Crampton Gap shelter, and upon their return, the family members openly expressed their enthusiasm for joining the club and spending more time on the AT. The first three northbound AT thruhikers of 2009 also stopped by for some trail magic and complimented PATC on the superb condition of the trail and the shelters in our area. Photo by Randy Motz. This spring has been extremely busy for the Trail Talkers, and over the next several months even more opportunities await us. Vern Conaway represented PATC at “It’s All About the Appalachian Trail” in Hillsboro, Va., as well as at the Sterling Earth Day event. For the second year in a Lee Sheaffer is talking to visitors at the Hot Air Balloon Festival. June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian Photo by Randy Motz. Photo by Randy Motz. row, the Frederick County Historic Sites Consortium invited PATC to participate in their “Bells & History Days” event. Ben Mayock hosted visitors at the Olive Green Cabin, and Jim Booker and his wife, Charlene, met visitors at the Catoctin Cabin. Beth Lipford& Randy Motz at Gathland State Park. These Events Work L.L Bean, in Tysons Corner Center, hosted its first four-day “Spring Sports Weekend,” which gave PATC extensive exposure to a large, outdoor-oriented clientele. Due to the short notice of this event and the bevy of other club activities during that weekend--which drew on our pool of volunteers--we were unable to staff the display ourselves. (continued on p. 8) CONFIRMED UPCOMING EVENTS Saturday, June 6th: National Trails Day, Big Meadows Campground, SNP, Luray, Va. (All Day) Also: June 6 National Trails Day event at Harpers Ferry, 10am-4pm. Saturday & Sunday, June 13th & 14th: Heritage Days Festival, Cumberland, Md. (Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5) Saturday, July 12th: PATC Annual Picnic, Carderock picnic pavilion, W. Bethesda, Md. (10:00-7:00) Saturday, Oct. 3rd: “In the Streets,” Frederick, Md. (no times yet) Friday – Sunday, Oct. 16th – 18th: Shenandoah Valley Hot Air Balloon & Wine Festival, Historic Long Branch House & Farm, Millwood, VA (no times yet) PENDING EVENTS Saturday, June 27th: Great American Backyard Campout w/Hudson Trail Outfitters, Riley’s Lock, Potomac, Md. (no times yet) Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 19th & 20th: Bluemont Fair, Bluemont, West Virginia (no times yet) Saturday, Sept. 26th: National Public Lands Day, Prince William National Forest, Triangle, Va. (no times yet) Friday – Sunday, Oct. 9th - 11th: Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association “Gathering,” Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pa. (no times yet) Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 10th – 11th: Apple Butter Festival, Berkeley Springs, W.Va (no times yet) Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 17th & 18th: Myersville Trolley Festival, Myersville, Md (no times yet) Sat. & Sun. Oct. 24th & 25th: PATC Annual Pig Roast, Blackburn Trail Center (no times yet) 7 Bringing Trails to the Public, from page 7 On April 25, the city of Alexandria held its annual Earth Day event, aptly named, “Taking the Green Route,” exposing the club to a large and diverse audience. Laura Simo, Nina Kendrick, and Randy Motz enticed the crowd to visit the booth by adding several new dimensions to the club’s display. They provided a fully loaded pack for people to try on to get a sense of what a hiker would carry on a long-distance hike, and they also participated in the event organizers’ “Earth Day Passport Program.” Children had their passports “stamped” at different booths after answering a question or completing a task. PATC used its “Animal Tracks” display and had children guess as to what animal or bird each footprint belonged. R More Celebrate Earth Day Staunton, Va., also held an Earth Day event at which Mark Gatewood and the Flying McLeods SNP South District Trail Crew handed out PATC brochures and other trailrelated information. It seems that everyone was having an Earth Day celebration, and Ft. Detrick was no exception. Michelle Hewitt and Jim Stauch staffed our exhibit at Ft. Detrick, providing valuable insight and assistance to the 600-plus people who stopped by. Their stellar efforts resulted in numerous visitors signing up to receive more information on the club, each one receiving a free PATC coffee mug. Coming up over the next several months are even more opportunities for PATC to reach out to the public, to inform them about what we do as a club, and to provide them with the information they need regarding trails in our area. Right now, our list of Trail Talkers is desperately short, so we are in need of more volunteers to staff these events. To be a Trail Talker, all you need to possess is a Visitors at the Trail Talkers booth at Viva!Vienna!. love of the outdoors, a passion for PATC, and the desire to share that love and passion with others. IT’S EASY and FUN! We provide you with all the information you will need to answer virtually any question posed to you, and the time commitment is minimal. (You even get a cool PATC Trail Talker hat!) If you would like to give Trail Talking a try, contact Randy Motz at [email protected]. n Second Annual PATC ‘Summer Picnic in the Park’ egister NOW for the 2nd Annual PATC “Summer Picnic in the Park”. Mark July 12th on your calendar and register NOW to attend PATC’s 2nd Annual “Summer Picnic in the Park.” This will be held at the Carderock picnic pavilion along the beautiful C&O Canal towpath, just outside the Beltway off Clara Barton Parkway. photographs or, for the more industrious, give the Billy Goat trail a try. There will also be volleyball, horseshoes and activities for the kids. Be sure to bring extra clothes for the kids, and yourself, to enjoy the wading pool and sprinkler. If you are a biker, take an 8-mile round trip family bike ride up to Great Falls on the towpath. Bring a lock for your bike so you can walk to the river and bring a lunch or plan to buy food at the snack bar. Come early enough to complete your ride before we serve dinner. Take a day off from maintaining the trails, building shelters or counting chestnut trees to join your fellow PATC members, families and guests and spend the day eating great food, Running all day, the Mountaineering having fun and simply relaxing. Section will have climbing equipment available for everyone to try their Gates open at 10:00 so you can ability at rock climbing. From kids to spend the day taking part in a wide adults – come on over! The rocks are array of activities. Take a leisurely just a short walk from the Pavilion. stroll along the canal and take 8 Photo by Randy Motz. However, the success of this event was so important to L.L. Bean, that it enlisted its own employees to staff our display. Gauging by how few brochures were left after the event, and the fact that 14 people signed up to receive more PATC information, it was obvious that their staff did a commendable job. Appetizers will be served starting at 4:00 pm and dinner (typical picnic food such as hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, chips, baked beans, sodas, and more) will be served from 5:00 to 7:00. If you come early be sure to bring your lunch and beverages to last until 4:00! You may also bring wine and beer, which may only be drunk in the pavilion area. No other liquor is allowed. Cost: Under 4 4 years old to 12 12 years old to 18 Over 18 years old Free $ 5.00 $ 7.00 $10.00 See registration form on page 19 June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian World War II and the Conscientious Objectors I t is often said that during World War II the Appalachian Trail was neglected, and it took some time after the war to restore the trailway that had been opened less than two decades before. But the trails in the Shenandoah National Park were not abandoned completely at this time. Conscientious Objectors (COs), those who refused military service, were put to work in civilian jobs, with so many workers being pulled into the military. Although the United States was spared battle in North America, the war effort affected everyone. As many as 14 million men were drafted into the military (and the population at that time was only about half what it is today). Because of the need to provide material for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, most consumer goods were in short supply--usually rationed. Newspaper headlines included, “Truck and Bus Gasoline Sharply Cut in East--40 Percent Slash Ordered by ODT Curtail Deliveries” and “Eastern Streets Bare of Autos-Motorists Leave Cars at Home under Driving Ban.” Deliveries of ice cream and flowers were abolished, and deliveries of many other products were curtailed. Personal driving was strongly frowned upon. Filling the Home Ranks The Shenandoah Valley is home to many Mennonite and Brethren churches (of the Anabaptist branch of the Reformation), which are pacifist. The churches are sometimes referred to as “peace churches.” Their members refuse to serve in the military. Their refusal caused severe problems for them (they were imprisoned) in World War I, as they even refused to serve the war effort. Adjustment of church and government policies after that allowed peace church members to serve the government in ways that did not involve military service. The 1930s saw many camps of the Civilian Conservation Corps that gave employment to men during the high unemployment of the Great Depression. These corpsmen did quite a bit of public work during that time, including building dams, roads, and trails in the national parks and forests. Most of these men joined the Army once the United States entered World War II, but the COs, such as the peace church members, members of groups like the Quakers and Jehovah’s Witnesses, along with individuals from other backgrounds that weren’t explicitly pacifist, were reorganized into camps doing civilian work. There were Civilian Public Service Camps near Grottoes and Luray. The COs were fewer in number than the Civilian Conservation Corpsmen, so they couldn’t do as much, but they did maintain the national forests and parks. Their biggest job was fighting fires, but they also did trail work. A leader among the COs in the Grottoes Civilian Public Service Camp was Henry Swartzentruber, from Oakland, Md. He was Amish, and they have reputations of being good record keepers, and that he was. His jobs were many, and he wrote down all they did. The Rescue Mission On May 17, 1943, a four-year-old girl, Doris Dean, went missing near her home near Island Ford, about 10 miles north of Grottoes. Henry Swartzentruber was among the first to join in the search, arriving that very night, and coming back each day as the search continued. Each day, more people joined in the search until nearly 1,000 men and boys who could get away from their duties were searching all over the side of Rocky Mount, directed by National Park and Forest rangers. At times during the week, very violent thunderstorms drove the searchers off the mountain. Finally, on Saturday, May 22, 100 members of the Civilian Public Service Camps from Grottoes and Luray were organized to search from the Skyline Drive, at the trailhead of the Rocky Mount Trail, then a fire trail. The group from Luray went June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian down the Two-mile Run Gorge, while the group from Grottoes, except for three men, went down the hollow of Hawksbill Creek. Henry Swartzentruber was assigned to take two men and search along the Rocky Mount Trail, as he was well acquainted with this trail as his crew had repaired it one wet day the winter before. He chose Luther Lerch and Paul Coffman, as he knew them well, and both had worked on this trail before. Henry walked on the trail, and the two other men walked about 100 feet on either side. It is 3.4 miles to the summit of Rocky Mount, and it took the three men almost five hours. Just before the summit, Paul Coffman found Doris on a rock bed. He stayed with her as Henry and Luther ran down the west side of the mountain to notify the authorities and to bring back a rescue group. She was taken down and driven to Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg, where she remained for 11 days. Although it has been almost 66 years since this event, Henry Swartzentruber and Paul Coffman are still alive (Luther Lerch died in 1974). In 2005, I took Paul to visit Henry in Oakland, Md. It was a great reunion, and those two old men almost exhausted me with all they had to talk about. Henry’s memory of the event was quite sharp, and he still had his old records. I also noted that he had a recent PATC map #11, of the Southern Section of the Shenandoah National Park. Doris Dean is also still alive and is now a great-grandmother. — Tim Hupp Tim Hupp is the overseer of the Brown Mountain Trail and is author of “Children Lost in the Mountains” (available at Amazon.com). A fuller account of the search for Doris Dean is in the second chapter of this book. Editor’s Note: A CO in Shenandoah National Park whom many of us are familiar with is Herbert S. Zim, who wrote the Golden Nature Guides printed in the 1960s. 9 Photo by Wayne Limberg. Trailhead – June 2009 Hoodlums tackle blowdowns on Piney Branch. T Finding a Bridge to Nowhere here are many good reasons to get out on the trails this month. Trails Day June 6, the first Saturday in June, is certainly a great motivator. There are plenty of planned activities and the only hard part is deciding which one(s) to participate in. If you’ve normally been hiking on Trails Day, maybe this is a good year to try some trail work instead. If you’ve been cleaning waterbars and cutting sidehill the last dozen times you’ve been out, maybe it’s time to leave the Corona behind (or at least sheathed) and experience the pleasure of a good walk in the woods. There will still be plenty of time later in the month to head out on the trails and get a jump on all the weeds that start popping out. Following up on its season-opening bridge levitation, the Thursday Morning Group created its first “Bridge to Nowhere” on an access trail to the Potomac Heritage Trail. The Group discovered the trail bridge (or boardwalk) severely undercut by erosion from the nearby stream, Donaldson Run. Rather than removing the bridge, the Group worked to reroute the trail further inland and left the proverbial Bridge to Nowhere as a late April’s Fools joke. We’ll see if hikers get the joke. A Special Crew Effort The “Jones Mountain Crew” conducted its spring-cleaning on Upper and Lower Entry Run on a beautiful March weekend. Chris Jones, overseer for Entry Run (Upper and Lower) gave an accounting of their efforts. After breakfast at RosserLamb, generously prepared and offered by Peg Manuel, the crew hit the trail. They took out lots of 10 Photo by Janis Stone. ND Hoodlums on the March in March Sure and it was a happy sight to see the North District Hoodlums gather on March 21 for their annual Irish work trip, the first of 2009. Twenty souls in all turned out, booted and gloved and eager to get to work after a long winter’s break. District Managers Dick Dugan and Wayne Limberg were pleased to see many returning faces and not a few new ones and quickly divided the group into four teams to tackle blowdowns up and down the AT and several side trails in the district. By the end of the day, the Hoodlums had walked over half the AT in the North District and a good 10 miles of side trail and removed over two dozen blowdowns. As the sun set and the temperature dropped, the Hoodlums stay retired to Indian Run maintenance hut for their traditional March Irish potluck. As in the past, the table moaned with dueling versions of corned beef and cabbage and all the fixings. The energetic Manassas Bull Runners spreading their woodchips. winter debris and cleared more than a few blow-downs. With Jennifer Hollm, they also constructed new steps on the trail. Erin Jones and Will Lorenc (aka Trail Dancer and Willie Goat) hiked the AT end-to-end in 5 months and 5 days in 2007. By 2008 they were Mr. and Mrs. Lorenc. Now, in 2009, they give back to the trails with hard work as part of the “Jones Mountain Crew”. While several of the team worked the trails, the co-overseers, Mason Child and Bob Hollm, made their best contribution by staying well away from any dangerous tools or hazardous work. Thanks to all for helping out in whatever way they can. Rock Creek Off and Running The Rock Creek Crew began its 2009 season with two lively worktrips in April. Braving a hard and cold rain, the gang met at its usual hangout on the morning of April 9. After a few greetings and some concerns about the weather, they proceeded to their destination of the day—Melvin Hazen Trail. The western entrance drops straight down a hillside and not surprisingly, the trail has eroded substantially. With an extra spring in their step, the crew took up its tools and broke into two teams. The first dug a re-route down to the main trail near the streambed and the second blocked off and tore up the old one. In two hours, a new and muddy trail had appeared. Two weeks later, the crew met again to take on another re-route. On the Normanstone Trail just east of the Naval Observatory, the trail falls steeply to meet Normanstone Drive. Unfortunately, the trail was laid out a bit too directly, and erosion has taken its toll. With the assistance of the trail’s overseer, Gabrielle Czaja, the crew dug a re-route, closed off the old trail and installed several checkdams and waterbars. Thanks go to Ranger Ken Ferebee and his trusty, albeit slightly dented, NPS truck. June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian A Woodlands Re-covering The Manassas Bull Runners have been working on the trails equivalent of a radical makeover, with the rapid application of copious quantities of wood chips to turn gravel paths into woodland trails. During their first work trip in mid-March they spread wood chips from the farm road to the Carter Cemetery, finishing just before it began to rain. The Park maintenance staff and PATC member Scott Bellefeuillle dropped 17 truck loads of wood chips during the week. The next Saturday the crew met back up at the maintenance area off Sudley Road and proceeded to have a very productive day. They were able to spread mulch to the Carter Cemetery sign and a good distance along the First Manassas. A key success factor was the use of Gators, vehicles for hauling the wood chips. The following Saturday, the crew was out yet again, this time dividing forces into those continuing the wood chip effort and those obtaining their certification on driving the all important Gators. The qualification training included a lecture and briefing from trails coordinator David Ammen, a video and a handson driving certification. Thanks to David’s instruction, the crew now has a good number of certified drivers. If the crew continues at their March pace, they’re going to need every one of them. Reviewing the before and after photos of the trails, Park Ranger/ Volunteer Coordinator Hank Elliott noted the trails looked really great with their new country woodland appearance, and thanked DM Bud Cunnally and the crew for their hard work and continued dedication to the park and volunteer program. Tex-Mex & Many Steps Spring was in the air and the sap was running as the North District Hoodlums gathered mid-April for their annual Southwest work trip. What promised to be a small turnout just a week earlier turned into a bumper crop—21 at last count. The near perfect weather probably accounted for some of the high turnout but the Hoodlums had also just been featured on the PATC Web site—ample proof that it pays to advertise. DMs Dugan and Limberg divided the group into three crews and headed out. One crew went to the AT south A re-covering of Manassas trails. of Jenkins Gap to tackle some serious eroApril Flowers Distract Group sion; another went to Pass Mountain The Potomac Heritage Trail got a and south to hit some blowdowns few new steps, but the Thursday and eroding steps; the third went to Morning Group got distracted by Dickey Ridge to do some tread and the April wildflowers — and a few structure work. By end of day the special volunteers actually finished three crews had rehabbed a dozen the job. checkdams and waterbars on Dickey Ridge, sidehilled over 100 yards and In less than three hours the Group cribbed over 40 feet south of Jenkins (1) crosscut-sawed three locust logs; Gap, and reset about 30 steps above (2) debarked and set the three logs Thornton Gap. The resetting of the into steps; (3) rerouted a 20 yard steps was something of a trip down section of trail, while (4) a “satellite” memory lane for Dick Dugan, Mike crew was out on the trail chainsawRitoli, and John McCrea as they had ing a couple of blowdowns. But built those steps 15 years earlier. For with time winding down, the main their work on the AT south of JenGroup went searching for the elusive kins Gap, the Hoodlums have their “white” Virginia bluebell, leaving hearts set on running water, heated the finishing work to only a few — privy, and big screen TV for Indian Ken WIlliams, Paul Blackman and Run maintenance hut as that is Trip Reid. Supervisor of Trails John Hedrick’s So while the Group was identifying section. OK, they will settle for a cutleaf toothwort; yellow trout lily; moldering privy. toadshade trillium; wild ginger; and, April being the Hoodlum’s Southfinally, finding the white variation of west trip, they gathered at the end Virginia bluebell (and even a single of the work day at Indian Run for a unique “white” trout lily), they owe take-no-prisoners Tex-Mex dinner gratitude to the few who actually featuring McCrea chili, Allen black completed what the rest started. The bean soup, and Mother Limberg’s Group now awaits the poetry surely Methodist potluck enchilada pie. to flow from such a spring outing. n Everything goes better with beans. For a finale, Dick Dugan proved you don’t need chocolate to make SEND US ... brownies; you do, however, need a Please send any interesting tale, good deal of liquid to handle that technical advice, individual or growing, warming glow. Fortunategroup accomplishments, and ly, there was a doctor in attendance. trail maintenance questions to Hoodlums don’t need no stinkin’ Catherine Kelleher at cckelleher@ Pepcid. earthlink.net. June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian Photo by Janis Stone. Trailhead – June 2009, from page 10 11 The Story of ‘Pogo’ and his Campsite N ear Black Rock Cliff along the Appalachian Trail in Maryland is “Pogo” Campsite. The question often asked by hikers is, “How did Pogo Campsite get its name?” The sign at the campsite says that it is a memorial to Walter Rheinheimer Jr. (1958-1974), who was nicknamed Pogo because of some semblance in manner to a comic strip hero well known in the 1960s and 70s. panion suffered a spinal injury and was hospitalized for several months. Further long-distance cycling was not permitted. A neighbor pal, feeling sorry about Pogo’s disappointment and wishing to provide him with a distraction, offered to take him on a canoe trip on the Potomac River starting at Harpers Ferry. Pogo was not a swimmer, nor was he experienced with canoes. Before his life-jacket was securely fastened, Pogo stepped off-center into the canoe and became suspended upside down in the water beneath the lifejacket beside the canoe. The swiftly running water carried him downstream to his death. Pogo had several brothers, and the whole family had been very active in the Mountain Club of Maryland. Pogo was an indefatigable young adventurer who went on hiking, caving, and rock-climbing trips with the Mountain Club. By age 16, he had hiked more than half of the Appalachian Trail. Pogo was daring, adventurous, sturdy, and inquisitive. A Fitting Tribute During the summer of 1974, he and a friend started out on bicycles from the Atlantic Coast to ride across the country to the Pacific Ocean. On their second day, their bikes were side-swiped by a truck; his com- The Mountain Club of Maryland wished to memorialize Pogo, so, for a year, it sought to purchase land for the Appalachian Trail somewhere in Maryland on which a memorial could be placed. The state of Mary- Photo by Ken May. Ken Lacey Retires Ken Lacey has retired as a trail overseer after 40 years of service ! K en Lacey, a longtime PATC member, has retired from being a tra il overseer. Ken joined the club in 1963 and in 1969 became an overseer of a section of the Appalachian 12 Trail in Pennsylvania. The southern end of Ken’s section of the AT started at Rattlesnake Run Road near the Old Forge picnic area in the Michaux State Forest. It continued past the Tumbling Run trail shelters steeply up Buzzard Peak to the Chimney Rocks view and then on to where it ended at a pipeline crossing of the AT. He also maintained the high water bypass of Antietam Creek near the Antietam trail shelter. Ken could always be counted on to keep his section in good condition and bring attention to problems that needed trail crew help. Best wishes go to Ken for his trail overseer “retirement.” Thank you, Ken, for 40 years of service for a job well done. Few people have been overseers at age 90. n land was collaterally purchasing land for protection of the trail, and it discouraged private acquisitions because they might not prove to be permanent. PATC President Ruth Blackburn then suggested that the old Black Rock Hotel site should be designated Pogo Campsite as a memorial to the young adventurer. The Black Rock Hotel site was owned by the state of Maryland and had a suitable water supply. As a primitive campsite, a pitprivy became the sole amenity that it offered to hikers. Thirty-five years have passed. We can only speculate what great things Walter Pogo Rheinheimer Jr. would have accomplished if he had survived his accident in the Potomac. Certainly, Pogo would want us to appreciate our own potential and our own adventures on this Earth we cherish. n —Thurston Griggs, Paul Ives, and Rick Canter contributed to this article Tired of Mountain Rescue? Sick of being drug to cabins? Disgusted with bugs on the trails? Historian Researchers Wanted For Mutton Hollow & Vining Cabin Contact Thomas Jorgensen [email protected] June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian Forecast Chapters Charlottesville Chapter Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter The Charlottesville Chapter hikes every Saturday; summer, winter, and in between. Hikes are usually 8 to 10 miles with some shorter hikes. We usually maintain trails on the last Saturday of the month. Meet at Albemarle High School in Charlottesville at 9:00 AM with food and water for the day. The majority of hikes are in the South and Central Districts of SNP, with some in the North District and in George Washington National Forest. Our Chapter hikes are posted at www.avenue.org/patc/future_ hikes.htm. INFO: Jere Bidwell 434/295-2143 or John Shannon 434/293-2953. See www.ssvc.org or the link on the PATC Web site for descriptions of hikes and work trips. We usually hike in the southern and central districts of the SNP and in the GWNF. Contact the listed hike leader for information about a specific event, or contact Mark Gatewood at 540/248-0442. instruction for those wanting to learn the basics we’re not a school, but we can get you started. We go climbing, either locally or further a field, nearly every weekend. In the winter we organize trips for beginning and advanced ice climbers. Please visit our Web site at www.potomacmountainclub.org/. Contact Bob Graver ([email protected]). West Chapter PATC Hikes North Chapter The North Chapter conducts monthly trail work trips on the Maryland and Pennsylvania sections of the AT and Tuscarora Trail. We also lead hikes on these and other trails. Maryland AT work trips are generally held on the first and third Saturdays - contact Leonard Keifer ([email protected]). Pennsylvania work trips are generally held on the AT on the first Saturday and on the Tuscarora on the third Saturday - contact Pete Brown (peter.brown4@ worldnet.att.net) 410/343-1140. Pennsylvania AT work trips also include an optional Saturday dinner at the Gypsy Spring Cabin. For information on upcoming hikes, contact Chris Firme (bncfirme@ innernet.net) 717/765-4833. North Chapter home page (www.north.patc.net). Northern Shenandoah Valley Chapter Bounded by geography and the principles of the “Mother Club,” the NSVC is much like the early PATC, a group of friends joining together to hike and have fun. The Chapter usually holds at least one hike per month. Members organize hikes of easy-to-moderate length and difficulty in SNP, on the Massanutten Mountain, and elsewhere. Quarterly post-hike, potluck dinner meetings are normally held at one of the club’s cabins with an opportunity to stay overnight in the cabin. Events may be found in the “Forecast” section of the newsletter, or at www.PATC.net. All are invited. INFO: Jack Reeder (BRIMS9672@ mypacks.net). Key to Forecast Activities The West Chapter meets twice a year in March and September at various locations within the Chapter’s coverage area. The Chapter maintains the Black Locust Trail and the southernmost section of the Catoctin Trail in Gambrill State Park (MD). Trailwork trips and hikes are scheduled from March through December. Day hikes, overnight weekend hiking trips, and backpacking trips are occasionally scheduled. All activities are listed on the PATC Web site calendar and on the Chapter’s Yahoo group (http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/PATCWest) to communicate to Chapter members and to post activities. This is open to anyone who is interested, however only current PATC members may post messages. Contact Dave Jordahl (west[email protected]) 240/777-7741. Ski Touring Section (STS) Since 1974 the STS has served to provide crosscountry skiing experiences for beginner through expert. The Section sponsors winter weekend ski trips to the mountains in Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania; there are also more extensive trips that travel west, north, and across the ocean. Social events are scheduled throughout the year. If you share a respect for nature, enjoy outdoor exercise, peaceful scenic trails, and cheerful, good-hearted companions - join STS. Contact: Peggy Alpert, ([email protected]) 301/946-4497. Mountaineering Section We’re a diverse group of local DC-area climbers. We also share common interests in promoting safe climbing, conserving the outdoors, developing new climbers’ skills, representing the Washington-area climbing community, and having fun! We provide Other Clubs’ Hikes Capital (www.capitalhikingclub.org) and Wanderbirds (www.wanderbirds.org) hike on Saturdays and Sundays, traveling by bus and leaving from downtown, with suburban stops as well. Center Club, Northern Virginia Hiking Club and Sierra Club hike on both Saturdays and Sundays using carpools. Schedules are available at PATC Headquarters and are published in area newspapers on Fridays. West Virginia Highland Conservancy outings information at www.wvhighlands.org. Meetings Meetings at PATC HQ, 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, VA unless otherwise noted. All events are marked for easy identification. Late changes or cancellations are listed on the weekly information tape (703/242-0965), which is updated on Sunday evening for the following seven days. The Forecast can also be found on PATC’s Web site at PATC.net, and then select the calendar. Hiking Trips Backpacking Trips Trail Work Trips Cabin/Shelter Work Trips Special Events Meetings Classes K9 Trail Blazers (dogs permitted) XC Ski Events New Members – First Wednesday of each Month Note to all hike leaders: Please ask nonmembers on your hike if they would like to join PATC, then get names and addresses so a club volunteer can send them information packets. Thanks! Business meeting – Last Tuesday of each month, 7:30 PM INFO: Doug Sigman ([email protected]), 703/255-5034 or www.smrg.org June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian PATC offers diverse organized hikes. There are K-9 Hikes, which invite you to bring your favorite dog; Family Hikes tailored to kids; Natural History Hikes stalking the fascinating but often elusive flora and fauna of the region; hikes featuring varying levels of difficulty with the Easy Hikers, In-Between Hikers, and Vigorous Hikers; Birding Hikes with experts to help sight and identify our avian neighbors; Historical Hikes tracking little-known structures in SNP; Series Hikes tracing the entire length of the Tuscarora Trail or the trails of Pennsylvania, section by section; Backpacking Hikes traversing the tracts of West Virginia and Southern Virginia; hikes scheduled for weekends; ones scheduled for weekdays; Geology Hikes led by experts from the Smithsonian focused on the unique stratigraphy of our area; Mushroom Hikes with mycologists; Waterfall Hikes to beat the summer heat; and Outreach Hikes to get together with the members of area groups like the Sierra Club or the Congressional Hikers. Check out the Forecast calendar and hear updates on the weekly tape (703/242-0965). Check Forecast schedule. Curious about the club? Want to learn more? The best way is to attend a New Members Meeting (both current and nonmembers are welcome!) Attend the meeting and find the mysteries of PATC revealed in full. INFO: Alan Day ([email protected]) 703/860-0181. Mountaineering – Second Wednesday 8:00 PM – We meet every month on the second Wednesday except for August, unless noted in the Forecast. INFO: Bob Graver (rgraver9106@ hotmail.com) or our web site: www.potomacmountainclub.org. Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group (SMRG) – Last Tuesday PATC Council – Second Tuesday The council meets at 7:00 PM sharp. The PATC Council meets every month, except January and July, to conduct business of the club and in November for a dinner meeting. All members are always welcome. Come see how we make decisions about your club. INFO: Wilson Riley (wriley@ patc.net) 703/242-0693 X105. Trail Patrol – First Tuesday 7:30 PM except January. Trail Patrol volunteers are PATC’s goodwill trail ambassadors to the hiking public. They provide a visible, reassuring presence on the trails, and strive to educate the public on good hiking practices, minimum impact hiking, and camping ethics. Patrol members are trained in land navigation, emergency procedures, radio communications, and personal equipment. INFO: Katrina Hedlesky ([email protected]) 703/5333652, or see our Web site: www.patc.us/volunteer/trailpatrol/ 13 Forecast June 1 (Monday) DEADLINE – July Potomac Appalachian Send all articles and other submissions, except Forecast events, to pa@ patc.net by 5:00p.m. Add all Forecast events to the on line Calendar (www. patc.net). Contact PA-Forecast@patc. net if you have questions about the Forecast. NOTE: Do not send photos or articles to headquarters. 2 (Tuesday) HIKE – Vigorous Hikers Central District, Shenandoah National Park, VA PATC Map 10 (Vigorous, fast H rated hike) From the upper Old Rag parking lot we take the early morning hike up Robertson Mt. and on up to the Skyland Horse Trail and back down White Oak Canyon, up the back side of Old Rag and back down to the parking lot (Several short-cut options available.). Approximately 16 miles and 3800 feet elevation change. INFO: Gene Whitaker ([email protected]) 540/661-0150. 2 (Tuesday) MEETING - Trail Patrol, 7:30 p.m. INFO: Katrina Hedlesky (trailpatrol@ patc.net) 703/533-3652. 3 (Wednesday) HIKE – Easy Hikers College Park, MD Meet at the east side of College Park Metro station on the green line. Bring lunch, water, and extra money for the best ice cream from the campus creamery. We’ll hike over to Lake Artemesia and also onto the campus of the Univ. of Md., covering 5 or 6 miles, before returning to the Metro station. INFO: Margaret Chapman 301/9778988. 3 (Wednesday) HIKE - Midweek Hikers Location to be determined The PATC Midweek Hikers carpool each Wednesday from the Washington, DC area to various trailheads. 14 Hikes are at a moderate pace and about 8 to 12 miles in length with varied elevations. Current information, including meeting place, time, leader’s name and phone number, and a detailed description of the hike are available on the PATC calendar at http://potomacappalachian.org. 3 (Wednesday) MEETING – New Members Vienna, VA Meet other new members, ask questions, & get information about PATC. At 118 Park Street, SE Vienna, VA 22180 INFO: Alan Day (membersup@ patc.net). 3 (Wednesday) SPECIAL EVENT – Hike the Whites (BRMS) Warrenton, VA Hike Hut to Hut Above the tree line in the White Mountains. Join backpacker John Spencer at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports in Warrenton, Va., as he describes his experiences in the White Mountain range of New Hampshire. John has hiked in the White Mountains three times. The portion of the AT through Presidential Peaks is all above the tree line and can be quite dangerous if not done with caution and preparation as the weather can be extreme (winds up to 234 mph on Mt. Washington). The views are spectacular and the network of historic trails can be quite challenging over the peaks, or made easier by walking around. There are AMC huts that provide overnight comfort and two meals so the carried loads can be light enough to navigate the unusually steep and rocky trails. They also provide centers for great fellowship in the evenings after a day of adventure. Come see great pictures and hear about this unique high adventure that can be shared by all ages from teens to grandparents. If you want to know more about the Whites, John can help you. INFO: Josh Warner (jwarner@ brms.com) 540/428-3136. Join us at a National Trails Day event! 6 (Saturday) SPECIAL EVENT – National Trails Day Central District, Shenandoah National Park, VA 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. In partnership with Shenandoah National Park, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club’s Trail Patrol is sponsoring “Beyond the Trailhead”, an opportunity to leave your car behind and experience the outdoors through hiking. Join us for guided hikes and informational displays to learn more about safe and responsible enjoyment of the natural world. Events will be held throughout the day at Byrd Visitor Center (milepost 51). Hands-on demonstrations of the use of traditional tools such as two-man crosscut saws will be offered. Admission to the event is free and open to the public. Hikers will need to sign in at the registration table at Byrd Visitor Center 15 minutes before the hike time. Please be sure to bring water, food, clothing, and footwear as appropriate for the hike. Pre-registration is encouraged but you may also register on June 6 at Byrd Visitor Center. To pre-register, send an email to [email protected] by June 4. Please include your name and which hike you wish to join. Normal Shenandoah National Park entrance fees apply. INFO: Cindy Kelly (tpntd@patc. net) 410/939-5029. June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian Forecast 6 (Saturday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – DC Crew Washington, DC Join us for National Trails Day in Rock Creek Park! All are welcome. All tools and instruction are provided by PATC and NPS. Please wear appropriate clothing, gloves and footwear. We will meet at the Nature Center (just south of Military Rd.) at 8:20 a.m. or so and carpool over the site. INFO: Alex Sanders ([email protected]) 703/465-8140. 6 (Saturday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – South Mountaineers Appalachian Trail, MD National Trails Day event. This event meets in Washington Monument State Park at 9:00 a.m. Come out to celebrate this special day. Detailed information closer to the event date. We hike 1-5 miles depending on the specific agenda, usually battling the weeds at this time of year. INFO: Leonard Keifer ([email protected]) 301/330-3388. 6 (Saturday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – Spooky Beavers Triangle, VA Spooky Beaver work trip in Prince William Forest Park for Trails Day. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Visitor Center parking lot. Wear boots and bring gloves, water, and a snack. Expect to finish by 2:00 p.m. INFO: Liles Creighton, 410/573-0067 or Mark Ellis, 540/658-0502. 6 (Saturday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – Stonewall Brigade Columbia Furnace, VA Join us for an enjoyable day of trail work in the Great North Mountain district. Meet at the parking area of Wolf Gap Recreation Area, on Wolf Gap Road (VA 675) west of Columbia Furnace, Va. For directions and a map visit http://www.patc.us/volunteer/ trails/stonewall/map_wolf_gap.html. INFO: Lee Manning (lee.manning@ cox.net) 703/560-0960. 6 (Saturday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – Yankee Clippers Appalachian Trail, PA Set a good example and join the Yankee Clippers trail crew for a National Trails Day weekend work trip. INFO: Pete Brown (peter.brown4@worldnet. att.net). 9 (Tuesday) HIKE – Vigorous Hikers Central District, Shenandoah National Park, VA We’ll top three big peaks in the Central District, all with great views. From White Oak Canyon Parking up Cedar Run to Hawksbill Summit, on to Stony Man via AT, down Old Rag Fire Road to Robertson Mt. Trail, up and over Robertson to complete loop via Weakley and Berry Hollow Fire Roads. 17 mi. with 5500 ft. elev. gain. INFO: Bob Livezey ([email protected]) 301/320-4679. 9 (Tuesday) MEETING - PATC Council, 7:00 p.m. 10 (Wednesday) HIKE – Easy Hikers Arlington, VA Come join us for a 4-5 mile hike on the W&OD Trail. From Capital Beltway take Rt. 50 or Arlington Blvd. Go east towards Falls Church. Turn right on George Mason Drive. Right on Columbia Pike. Left on S. Four Mile Run Drive. Right into 2nd parking lot belonging to Carlton Condominiums at 4600 S. Four Mile Run. Park near tennis courts. Meet at 10:15 a.m. Bring lunch and water. INFO: MaryMargaret McGrail 703/751-8126. 10 (Wednesday) HIKE - Midweek Hikers Location to be determined See June 3 event for more information. 10 (Wednesday) MEETING - Mountaineering Section, 8:00 p.m. 10 (Wednesday) SPECIAL EVENT - Exploring Zion and Bryce (REI) June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian Bailey’s Crossroads, VA 7:30 p.m. Enjoy an evening’s tour of Zion and Bryce, including Angel’s Landing and Fairyland Trails, as well as remote trails through southern Utah’s fantastic geology. Get a close look at canyons, hoodoos, arches and slickrock through the eye of photographer and REI Outdoor School Instructor, Vickie Fruehauf, and information and tips on planning your own adventure in southern Utah. INFO: Mark Nelson ([email protected]) 703/379-9400. 13 (Saturday) HIKE – Long Distance Wardensville, WV An 18-mile circuit hike in George Washington National Forest that will ascend the German Wilson Trail to Halfmoon Mountain and proceed to Trout Run Road via the Bucktail Trail. The return will be via a bushwack on the old Crackwhip Furnace Trail to the Capon Trail with a final stop at the historic Capon Furnace. Elevation Gain 3500 feet. Moderate pace with stops at flora and fungi (perhaps chanterelles, Cantharellus cibarius). Inexperienced hikers call leader for details. INFO: William Needham ([email protected]) 410/884-9127. 13 (Saturday) HIKE – North Chapter Rainsburg, PA Mid-State Trail. Overniter at Dawson cabin, Friday/Saturday nights. Rainsburg, Pa., 13.1 miles, Map 213 Pa. Mid State Trail: Mid State Trail at Prosperity Church to Pa. Rt. 326 Hiking in the Martin Hill Wildlife area of the Buchanan State Forest. INFO: Christopher Firme ([email protected]) 717/794-2855. 13 (Saturday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – Roaring Tuskers Martinsburg, WV The Central District’s Roaring Tuskers Trail Crew will be constructing part of the Tuscarora Trail relocation in Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area near Meadow Branch. Bring water, lunch, and gloves for a rewarding day. INFO; Steve and Kathy Sharp (stevenlsharp@ comcast.net) 240/338-3655. 15 Forecast 13 (Saturday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – Spooky Beavers Triangle, VA Spooky Beaver work trip in Prince William Forest Park. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Visitor Center parking lot. Wear boots and bring gloves, water, and a snack. INFO: Liles Creighton, 410/573-0067 or Mark Ellis, 540/658-0502. 14 (Sunday) HIKE – North Chapter Flintstone, MD Overnite on the 13th at Dawson cabin Flintstone, Md., 5.6 miles, Map 213 Pa. Mid-State Trail: Green Ridge State Forest hiking trail at Pa./Md. line to Prosperity Church Road walking on the Covered Bridge Road. INFO: Christopher Firme ([email protected]) 717/794-2855. 13 – 14 (Saturday – Sunday) CABIN WORK TRIP Rosser Lamb Cabin Stanardsville, VA Have you ever rented a wonderful PATC rental cabin? And been wondering how you can pay back for that outstanding experience? Did you ever wonder where all of those great cabins come from? We have all of the answers at Rosser Lamb Cabin. Join us for an educational experience in cabin building. We may even have some fun and camaraderie and enjoy some delicious food. INFO: Charlie Graf ([email protected]) 410/757-6053. 14 – 19 (Sunday – Friday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – Massarock Week-Long Crew Front Royal, VA The Massarock (PATC/USFS) Trail Crew working for the week in the Lee Ranger District. Volunteers report at 5:00 p.m. in the evening of Sunday, June 14, 2009 for the workweek of June 14 through June 19, 2009. INFO: Heidi Forest (hforrest@patc. net). 13 – 14 (Saturday – Sunday) SPECIAL EVENT – Heritage Days 2009 Cumberland, MD Heritage Days is the largest street festival within Allegany County, attracting nearly 20,000 people each year. The festival is held on the streets and sidewalks of the Washington Street Historic District in downtown Cumberland, Md. Volunteers are still needed to act as Trail Talkers for this event. INFO: Randy Motz ([email protected]). 13 – 18 (Saturday – Thursday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – Massarock Crew GWNF, VA Building & repairing trail in the George Washington National Forest. INFO: Charles Hillon (charleshillon@comcast. net) 703/754-7388. 16 16 (Tuesday) CLASS – Backpacking 101 (REI) Fairfax, VA 7:30 p.m. Go beyond the campground and get ready for some backcountry adventure. Wild lands are special, even sacred places, illuminating our sense of wonder and joy, and the best way to see them is to get out there on your own, relying on your own skills, energy and knowledge. We’ll help you find that way with a review of what to take, how to choose a destination, when to go, and how to pick a partner. INFO: Rhonda Krafchin (rkrafch@rei. com) 571/522-6568. 16 (Tuesday) HIKE – Vigorous Hikers South District, Shenandoah National Park, VA PATC Map 11 (Vigorous, fast H-rated hike) Hikers will do a triangle from the western side of the SNP at Rt. 659. Major trails covered will be Austin Mountain, the AT, and Furnace Mountain Trails. Hike length will be about 19 miles with several options to shorten your hike. Total elevation will be around 3500 feet. INFO: David Saah (davidm. [email protected]) 703/352-4685. 17 (Wednesday) CLASS – Ultralight Backpacking (REI) Bailey’s Crossroads, VA Many thru-hikers believe in going light to cover more ground with less effort, and more fun. Join us for an evening’s exploration of, “What do I really need, and how can I carry less?” We’ll cover stoves, food, clothing, shelter and sleep systems, packs, hiking poles, weather, first aid, campsite selection and re-supply. INFO: Mark Nelson ([email protected]) 703/379-9400. 17 (Wednesday) HIKE – Easy Hikers Washington, DC Hike sections of the Western Ridge and Valley Trails in Rock Creek Park, totaling about 5 miles. Meet at the Rock Creek Nature Center. Bring lunch and water. Directions: From the Beltway take Connecticut Avenue south to Military Road. Turn left (east) on Military. Go 1.1 miles and turn right on Glover Road. Fork left and follow signs to Nature Center. INFO: Gary Abrecht ([email protected]) 202/546-6089. 17 (Wednesday) HIKE - Midweek Hikers Location to be determined See June 3 event for more information. 20 (Saturday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – DC Crew Washington, DC Join us for the first of our trips to upper Valley Trail in Rock Creek Park. We will be reopening a closed stretch of trail. All tools and instruction are provided by PATC and NPS. Please wear appropriate clothing, gloves and footwear. We will meet at the Nature Center (just south of Military Rd) at 8:20 a.m. or so and carpool over the site. All are welcome. INFO: Alex Sanders (wdctrails@ yahoo.com) 703/465-8140. 20 (Saturday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – North District Hoodlums North District, Shenandoah National Park, VA Pass the pasta! Join the Hoodlums in their annual Mediterranean work trip. The Hoodlums Trail Crew works on the June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian Forecast AT and blue-blazed trails in the North District (Front Royal Entrance Station to Thornton Gap) of SNP. After a day of hard work, we will enjoy the camaraderie of fellow trail workers with a Mediterranean theme meal at Indian Run maintenance hut. Come for the day, stay for dinner, and camp overnight if you wish. Or just come out and work with us for the day. Newcomers are always welcome! We will meet at Piney River Ranger Station, milepost 22 on Skyline Drive just across from Matthews Arm Campground at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. INFO: Wayne Limberg ([email protected]) 703/5338639. 20 (Saturday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – South Mountaineers Appalachian Trail, MD Join the South Mountaineers for a fun-filled event involving dirt, weeds, teamwork, and weeds. Newcomers always welcomed. We meet in Frederick County, Md. at 9:00 a.m. We hike 1-5 miles depending on the specific agenda. Please bring water, lunch, gloves and boots. Tools provided. INFO: Leonard Keifer (mdtrail@yahoo. com) 301/330-3388. 20 (Saturday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – Yankee Clippers Tuscarora Trail, PA INFO: Pete Brown (peter.brown4@ worldnet.att.net) 410/343-1140. 20 – 21 (Saturday – Sunday) TRAIL WORK TRIP Acme Treadway Company South District, Shenandoah National Park, VA The Acme Treadway Company will work with The Flying McLeods , the PATC trail crew in the South District of Shenandoah National Park, to rehabilitate the Calf Mountain Shelter access trail. The trail to the shelter from the AT crosses the boulder-strewn north face of Big Calf Mountain and has eroded since it was built. Fortunately, we can haul our tools and other equipment up to the nearby AT on the old Calf Mountain Road. (However, most crew will hike in approximately one mile to the trail junction.) Meeting Date & Time Saturday, June 20, 2009 @ 9:30 a.m. at Jarman Gap Parking Area at Skyline Drive Milepost 96.8 We will stay at the historic Ivy Creek Maintenance Hut by Loft Mountain Wayside. There is a very short hike to the Hut, which comfortably sleeps up to 12 persons. Bring your lunch and AT LEAST 3 quarts or liters of water for Saturday. The beloved crew leader promises a feast beyond all reason on Saturday evening and The best breakfast you’ll eat on Sunday morning. Food will be provided for you to make your lunch for Sunday. Costs - Your sweat and laughter. Hopefully, no blood will be spilt in the consummation of this project. INFO: Don White ([email protected]) www.acmetreadway.net/component/ option,com_attend_events/Itemid,/ task,view/id,18/. 21 – 26 (Sunday – Friday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – Massarock Week-Long Crew Front Royal, VA The Massarock (PATC/USFS) Trail Crew working for the week in the Lee Ranger District. Volunteers report at 5:00 p.m. in the evening of Sunday, June 21, 2009 for the workweek of June 21 through June 26, 2009. INFO: Heidi Forrest (hforrest@patc. net). 22 (Monday) CLASS – Leave No Trace Trainer’s Course Vienna, VA Pre-outing meeting for participants in the June 27-28 Leave No Trace Trainer Course. INFO: Cindy Kelly ([email protected]) 410/939-5029. 23 (Tuesday) HIKE – Vigorous Hike Frederick, MD Slice of HAM Hike? Do you regret missing the Hike Across Maryland (HAM) this year? Or did you partake and now want a second helping? This hike will carve out almost half of the HAM as we go from the I-70 AT parking lot south to the Weverton Rd. parking lot, a distance of 19 miles at a very June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian fast pace with about 2500 ft of climb. The hike will be preceded by a short positioning car shuttle to enable the end-to-end hike. INFO: Tom Kloster ([email protected]). 24 (Wednesday) HIKE – Easy Hikers Gaithersburg, MD About 5 varied miles over rolling terrain in Seneca Creek State Park. Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot at 10:15 a.m. Bring water. No dogs. Since this is our last hike until September, we will lunch at a restaurant after the hike. INFO: Sue King 703/356-6659. 24 (Wednesday) HIKE - Midweek Hikers Location to be determined See June 3 event for more information. 27 (Saturday) HIKE – Natural History Hike South District, Shenandoah National Park, VA Join Bob Pickett and Jane Thompson on this special 9.6-mile hike. We’ll start at the Sugar Hollow Reservoir on the east side of the park, hiking south on the South Fork Moorman’s River Trail to the AT at Jarman’s Gap. We’ll then hike north along the AT and turn east downhill on the Turk Branch Trail, before returning on the Moorman’s River Trail to our starting point. This will be a moderately difficult hike, with an ascent of 1500 ft., but we have a lot of sunlight to do the hike with no hurry. INFO: Bob Pickett, 301/3492496. 27 – 28 (Saturday – Sunday) CLASS – Leave No Trace Trainers Course Location TBD The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club’s Trail Patrol is offering this two-day, low-mileage backpacking format course with an additional pre-outing evening classroom session at PATC headquarters on Monday, June 22nd designed to enhance your understanding of Leave No Trace practices and ethics and to increase your level of expertise and confidence in teaching Leave No Trace skills. On comple- 17 Forecast tion of this course, participants will be registered as Leave No Trace Trainers with the national Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and will receive a certificate of course completion as well as their Leave No Trace Trainer lapel pin. Cost: $40.00 for PATC Members, $60.00 for NonPATC members (Join PATC at the time of registration and get the member price!). INFO: Cindy Kelly (TPLNT@ patc.net) 410/939-5029. 27 – 28 (Saturday – Sunday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – Cadillac Crew Martinsburg, WV Join us as we continue to build new tread for the Tuscarora Trail relocation in the Devil’s Nose area at the northern end of Sleepy Creek WMA. Bring lunch and water for Saturday. Community dinner on Saturday night. Overnight at John Spies’ house west of Sleepy Creek Mountain. INFO: Jon or Katherine Rindt (jkrindt@comcast. net) 540/635-6351. 30 (Tuesday) HIKE – Vigorous Hikers Front Royal, VA Great North Mt/Wilson Cove, W.Va., starting and ending at Waites Run. Circuit mostly follows Tuscarora Trail but also uses Vance’s Cove, Wilson Cove and Old Mail Path Trails. Highlight is side trip to White Rocks. About 18 miles and 4000 ft. ascent. Ref. PATC Map F. INFO: Bob Livezey (bobbilbo@ msn.com) 301/320-4679. 30 (Tuesday) MEETING - Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group (Business meeting), 7:30 p.m. July 1 (Wednesday) DEADLINE – August Potomac Appalachian Send all articles and other submissions, except Forecast events, to [email protected] by 5:00p.m. Add all Forecast events to the on line Calendar (www.patc.net). Contact [email protected] if you have questions about the Forecast. NOTE: Do not send photos or articles to headquarters. 1 (Wednesday) 18 HIKE - Midweek Hikers Location to be determined See June 3 event for more information. 4 (Saturday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – Yankee Clippers Appalachian Trail, PA INFO: Pete Brown (peter.brown4@worldnet. att.net) 410/343-1140. 7 (Tuesday) MEETING - Trail Patrol, 7:30 p.m. 8 (Wednesday) HIKE - Midweek Hikers Location to be determined See June 3 event for more information. 8 (Wednesday) MEETING - Mountaineering Section, 8:00 p.m. 11 (Saturday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – Spooky Beavers Triangle, VA Spooky Beaver work trip in Prince William Forest Park. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Visitor Center parking lot. Wear boots and bring gloves, water, and a snack. INFO: Liles Creighton, 410/573-0067 or Mark Ellis, 540/658-0502. 11 – 12 (Saturday – Sunday) CABIN WORK TRIP - Rosser Lamb Cabin Stanardsville, VA Have you ever rented a wonderful PATC rental cabin? And been wondering how you can pay back for that outstanding experience? Did you ever wonder where all of those great cabins come from? We have all of the answers at Rosser Lamb Cabin. Join us for an educational experience in cabin building. We may even have some fun and camaraderie and enjoy some delicious food. INFO: Charlie Graf ([email protected]) 410/757-6053. 11 – 12 (Saturday – Sunday) CLASS – Basic Wilderness First Aid Vienna, VA 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. This two-day class provides American Heart Association certification in Adult CPR, AED, and Basic First Aid. The second day the student will learn American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) Basic Wilderness First Aid. All certifications are valid for two years. Class will be held at the PATC headquarters. Cost of the class is $130. Pre-Registration is required by July 3. Go to http://www. trailpatrol.patc.net/ for more information and the registration form. INFO: Saleena DeVore ([email protected]) 410/456-6861. 12 (Sunday) SPECIAL EVENT – PATC Annual Picnic Carderock, MD Spend a fun afternoon at the Carderock picnic pavilion along the C&O Canal at PATC’s 2nd Annual Picnic. Play volleyball, take a hike, rock climb with the Mountaineering Section or simply sit around and relax with your friends. There will be plenty of food and good times! INFO: Randy Motz (Actvities@ patc.net). See page 8 for more information. 14 (Tuesday) MEETING - PATC Council, 7:00 p.m. 15 (Wednesday) HIKE - Midweek Hikers Location to be determined See June 3 event for more information. 18 (Saturday) CLASS – Hike Leader Training Vienna, VA This one-day course will be conducted at the PATC Headquarters building in Vienna and is designed to prepare you to lead hikes. The course uses classroom and outdoor instruction to prepare participants with skills to lead safe and enjoyable hikes while minimizing impact to the environment. Topics covered include medical emergencies, personal equipment, Leave No Trace, leadership, planning, standard procedures and navigation. Scenario exercises will also be used to emphasize hike leadership skills. Cost: $35; Preregistration is required. Send payments to PATC, HLT Course, 118 Park Street, SE, Vienna, VA 22180-4609. INFO: Eric VanNortwick ([email protected]) 202/548-0110. 18 (Saturday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – DC Crew Washington, DC Join us on a summer Saturday for our July work trip in Rock Creek Park. We will meet outside of the Nature Center at around 8:20 a.m. and carpool over to the work site. PATC and NPS will provide all tools and instruction. Bring gloves, and wear appropriate clothing and footwear for outdoor work. INFO: Alex Sanders ([email protected]) 703/4658140. 18 (Saturday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – North District Hoodlums North District, Shenandoah National Park, VA It’s all good! Join with the Hoodlums in their annual BBQ work trip. The Hoodlums Trail Crew works on the AT and blue-blazed trails in the North District (Front Royal Entrance Station to Thornton Gap) of SNP. After a day of hard work, we will enjoy the camaraderie of fellow trail workers with a BBQ theme meal at Indian Run maintenance hut. June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian Forecast ‘Summer Picnic in the Park’, from pg 8 Come for the day, stay for dinner, and camp overnight if you wish. Or just come out and work with us for the day. Newcomers are always welcome! We will meet at Piney River Ranger Station, milepost 22 on Skyline Drive just across from Matthews Arm Campground at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. INFO: Wayne Limberg ([email protected]) 703-533-8639. 18 – 19 (Saturday – Sunday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – Acme Treadway Company Hayfield, VA The Acme Treadway Company will continue to build the Biby Wilderness Trail to its planned junction with The Tuscarora Trail. Register now for this important project! Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Famous Hayfield Family Restaurant by Hayfield, Va. on Rt. 50. Overnight Accommodations - We will stay as the guests of Tyler Williamson and his family by Gore, Va. Food - We will eat supper on Saturday at the Hayfield Family Restaurant. INFO: Don White ([email protected]). 22 (Wednesday) HIKE - Midweek Hikers Location to be determined See June 3 event for more information. Photos by Jane Thompson. 18 (Saturday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – Yankee Clippers Tuscarora Trail, PA INFO: Pete Brown (peter.brown4@worldnet. att.net) 410/343-1140. A great occasion to play funny games! Why not take this opportunity to start rock climbing? Summer Picnic in the Park Registration Form Registrations and a check must be received by Randy Motz, supervisor of activities, no later than Thursday, July 2. Senior members who need a ride, please let Randy know when you register. We will find someone to pick you up and take you home. Volunteers are needed for all aspects: food, registration, setting up, taking down, etc. 25 – 26 (Saturday – Sunday) TRAIL WORK TRIP – Cadillac Crew Martinsburg, WV Join us as we continue to build new tread for the Tuscarora Trail relocation in the Devil’s Nose area at the northern end of Sleepy Creek WMA. Bring lunch and water for Saturday. Community dinner on Saturday night. Overnight at John Spies’ house west of Sleepy Creek Mountain. INFO: Jon or Katherine Rindt ([email protected]) 540/635-6351. If you are interested in volunteering or have questions about the picnic, contact: Randy Motz: 301/972-3523 or [email protected]. 28 (Tuesday) MEETING - Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group (Business meeting), 7:30 p.m. 13 years old to 18 years old, $7.00 __________ X 7.00 = __________ 29 (Wednesday) HIKE - Midweek Hikers Location to be determined See June 3 event for more information. n Name: ______________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________ Phone: (day) _______________ (evening) __________________________ E-mail: _ ____________________________________________________ Number of reservations: 4 years old to 12 years old, $5.00 __________ X 5.00 = __________ Over 18, $10.00 __________ X 10.00 = __________ Total $ enclosed: __________ I will also be bringing (# of children 4 and under at no charge) __________ PLEASE INDICATE IF YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS OR RESTRICTIONS (vegetarian, nut allergies, etc.) With this reservation form, include a check for the total amount made out to: PATC. Write “Summer Picnic in the Park” on the memo line. Mail to: Randy Motz, 18904 Ferry Landing Circle, Germantown, MD 20874 IMPORTANT: Registration and check must be received no later than Thursday, July 2. June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian 19 2009 Council Members 2009 Council Members and their Email addresses. To contact the members by phone, call PATC headquarters and leave a message: 703/242-0315. President Lee Sheaffer [email protected] Vice President-Operations Thomas R. Johnson [email protected] Vice President-Volunteerism Richard Canter [email protected] Supervisor of Trails John Hedrick [email protected] Supervisor of Lands James Peterson [email protected] Supervisor of Facilities Jack Adams [email protected] Supervisor of Membership W. Alan Day [email protected] Supervisor of Activities Randy Motz [email protected] Supervisor of Marketing Karen K. Brown [email protected] Treasurer Frederic B. Francke [email protected] Secretary Anne Shimko [email protected] General Counsel Charles W. Sloan [email protected] AT Corridor Management Thomas Lupp [email protected] ATC Mid-Atlantic Partnership Committee Pete Brown [email protected] Bears Den Trail Center Vernon W. Conaway [email protected] 20 Blackburn Trail Center Chris Brunton [email protected] Trail Land Acquisition Phil Paschall [email protected] Cabins Maintenance Mel Merritt [email protected] Trail Patrol Katrina Hedlesky [email protected] Cabins Construction & Major Repairs Charles A. Graf [email protected] Tuscarora Trail Fred (Hop) Long [email protected] Conservation Caroline Petti [email protected] Mountaineering Section Robert Graver [email protected] Endowment Joanne Duncan [email protected] Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group Charlie O’Connell [email protected] Grants and Donations Susan Nelson [email protected] Ski Touring Section Peggy Alpert [email protected] Hikes Chris Firme [email protected] Charlottesville Chapter James F Groves [email protected] Information Technology Jim Tomlin [email protected] North Chapter Pete Brown [email protected] Maps Thom Kaye [email protected] Northern Shenandoah Valley Chapter Jack Reeder [email protected] Maryland A.T. Management Thomas Lupp [email protected] Maryland A.T. Management Rick Canter [email protected] Naturalist Robert W. Pickett [email protected] Potomac Appalachian (Editor) Gwenola Rolland-Chatila [email protected] Public Affairs Lisa Keller [email protected] Publications Shirley Schulz [email protected] Shelters Henry Horn [email protected] Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter Mark Gatewood [email protected] West Chapter Dave Jordahl [email protected] [Archives & Library] April Miller [email protected] [Cabins Reservations] Sam Perdue [email protected] [Headquarters Facility] Eliza Beth Engle [email protected] [Information/Sales Desks] William Ryan [email protected] June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian Ads, Swaps, Volunteer Opportunities WANTED: IDEAS and CONTRIBUTORS sought for expanded edition of regional trail guide. If you know of routes that ought to be included in PATC’s booklet “Circuit Hikes in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania,” and especially if you are interested in writing up your favorite circuit(s), this is your chance. Score an invitation to the publication party and receive a free copy of the new guide if your write-up on a new route (or your update on two or more existing routes) is accepted for publication. The current edition focuses on the Massanuttens, Michaux State Forest in Pennsylvania, and routes in Maryland and Northern Virginia near and generally west of D.C. To enhance geographic coverage, the next edition will add circuits east of D.C. (such as those in Patapsco Valley State Park) and deeper into West Virginia (e.g., Dolly Sods). To offer suggestions or learn more, contact Larry Broadwell at [email protected] or 301/215-7135 before June 30th. Riverbend and Scotts Run Parks Need Help Fairfax County has asked PATC to help maintain its trails at Riverbend and Scotts Run parks along the Potomac River. PATC is looking for a passionate member to head such an effort before accepting any responsibilities. Any interest? Contact Northern Virginia Co-District Manager Bruce Glendening at [email protected]. WANTED: Lands Management Committee Chair PATC is revitalizing the Lands Management Committee and is looking for a new chair. The Lands Management Committee is essential to the effective management of PATC-owned properties. The committee consists of all tract managers for each of PATC’s 39 properties and is responsible for the day-to-day management of those properties. The chair will administer semi-annual committee meetings, ensure every property is maintained and inspected annually, and recommend policies and procedures related to club lands. If interested, please contact Jim Peterson, PATC’s supervisor of lands, at 410/775-7753 or [email protected]. Send Volunteer Opportunities and For Sale items to [email protected]. They will be kept in for 3 months, unless you request to have them deleted. PATC Student Trail Steward: Leave No Trace bandana I n January, students in the Steward program at Northwood High School were split into two teams to compete in the design of a Leave No Trace bandana to be used as a nondisposable educational tool to teach community hikers in Silver Spring how to reduce their impact on nature. Two great designs were created and voted on by Northwood staff and PATC members. The design below was chosen as the winner with more than 80 percent of the vote. This bandana can be purchased from the PATC Web store for five dollars. The money raised from the sale of the bandanas will go to support programming for the Student Trail Steward program. On April 18, the students led two Leave No Trace family hikes on the Rachel Carson Trail in Northwest Branch Park. Twenty-five adults and children hiked for two hours, participating in activities on the trail to learn about trash decomposition rates, durable surfaces, respecting wildlife, considerate and inconsiderate acts, and planning ahead to prepare for a hike. The students were joined on their second hike by Maryland State Sen. Jamie Raskin, who had learned about the great work the students were doing in when they wrote a letter to him, along with the other representatives in their district, advocating for plastic bag legislation. He was impressed enough with their letters to join them on the hike to learn how he and his family can reduce their impact on nature. Based on the solution students provided in their letters, Sen. Raskin has agreed to write legislation aimed at reducing the number of plastic bags in the environment. Students have met with his legislative aide, and a bill will be drafted in the coming months. n — By Jennifer Chambers Photo by Jennifer Chambers. WANTED: Volunteers to staff our display booths at community events. If you can spare 2 to 3 hours on a Saturday or Sunday to share your passion for our local trails and inform the public about the mission and vision of PATC, become a Trail Talker. To volunteer as a Trail Talker, “The Public Face of PATC,” contact Randy Motz, supervisor of activities, at [email protected]. . Students compete to design a Leave No Trace bandana. June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian 21 Ads, Swaps, Volunteer Opportunities, from page 21 HOUSE FOR SALE NEAR THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL KEYSTONE TRAILS ASSOCIATION’S Custom-built house on 10 wooded acres in Loudoun County adjoining the Appalachian Trail corridor just three miles south of the Blackburn Trail Center. This house is a three-level red cedar and fieldstone construction with redwood upper and lower porches and decks. Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, large eat-in country kitchen, living room with cathedral ceiling, and large balcony. In addition, the property has a two-car garage/workshop with finished room above. We would like to find a conservationist/friend of the trail buyer for this beautiful property. PROWL THE SPROUL For information contact: Chris Brunton, 540/554-8223, [email protected]. Day one of this two-day class covers Adult CPR, AED, and American Heart Association First Aid. Day two is American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) Basic Wilderness First Aid. You will learn how to do bleeding control, splinting, and other basic first aid skills in the wilderness setting. There is plenty of hands-on time and paramedics with years of backcountry experience teaching the classes. You will receive a textbook and a certification card good for two years. MILESBURN CABIN Updated: May 2009 M ilesburn cabin was built in 1930 in the Michaux State Forest, near the head of Milesburn Hollow, on the northwest side of South Mountain. It was a ranger cabin, then a lodge for a hunting club, and was first used by PATC in 1934. Since 1937, the year the AT was completed, it has been used exclusively in the PATC cabins system under lease from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources. Living and cooking facilities are on the first floor, and the bunks are on the second floor. There is a small seasonal stream and foot bridge at the front of the cabin, and spring water is not far away. Milesburn Cabin is recommended for those with small children, because of the short walk-in and absence of steep drops. The 2nd floor is a “cold bunk” as there is no heat source. In winter, come prepared for very cold nights. Break the chill by feeding the stove overnight and leaving the stairs door open. Many have commented that the cabin is cozy and dark, especially when the weather is overcast. Bringing an extra lantern or two is suggested. n 22 KTA will host the Prowl the Sproul Hiking Weekend on July 17-19, 2009 in western Clinton County. Join us for a guided hiking experience in the Pennsylvania Wilds. Contact Becky Schreiber, Program Administrator at 717/238-7017 or [email protected] for additional information, or visit www.kta-hike.org. Emergency Response Training and Trail Patrol presents Basic Wilderness First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) July 11-12, 2009 Cost of the class is $130. Pre-Registration is required no later than Friday, July 3, 2009. For more information or to download the registration form, go to http://patc.us/volunteer/trailpatrol/Forms/1stAidRegForm.pdf or contact Saleena DeVore at [email protected] or 540/972-2059. NEW BOOTS Volunteers Appointed in April Trails Larry Linebrink ................... AT - South River Fire Road to South River Hut Brent Bradshaw.................. Jeremys Run Trail (upper) Jerry J. King......................... Jeremys Run Trail (lower) Preston Stempler................. Tuscarora Trail - Sherman Gap to Veach Gap Dave Proffitt........................ AT - Spout Run to Sam Moore Shelter Janice Cessna..................... AT - Mount Marshall Saddle to Gravel Springs Gap Earle Drake ........................ Ford Mine Trail Matt (Mathew) Massoth....... Leading Ridge Trail-Skyline Drive to west SNP boundary Noel Sweeney..................... Leading Ridge Trail-Skyline Drive to west SNP boundary June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian Appalachian Trail Festival 2009 Trail Maintainers Workshop Sept. 19-20, 2009 ATC’s 37th Biennial Conference July 17-24 Vermont’s Green Mountain Club, this year’s host club, invites you to join other ATC clubs and members at Castleton State College, a small liberal arts college located off U.S. Route 4 west of Rutland. Enjoy the quaint New England landscape while participating in hikes, workshops, and other activities. More information is available at http://www.vermont2009.org Volunteers are needed to lead hikes and excursions; register and greet guests; sell T-shirts; staff workshop information centers; manage logistics including signs, parking and camping; and much more. Please contact Jean Anderson at [email protected] or Shawn Flanigan 802/2447037 ext. 24 for more information on volunteering. PATC Trail Patrol Presents: Hike Leader Training Course, July 18, 2009 This one-day course will be conducted at the PATC Headquarters building in Vienna and is designed to prepare you to lead hikes. The course uses classroom and outdoor instruction to prepare participants with skills to lead safe and enjoyable hikes while minimizing impact to the environment. Topics covered include medical emergencies, personal equipment, Leave No Trace, leadership, planning, standard procedures, and navigation. Scenario exercises will also be used to emphasize hike leadership skills. Cost: $35 Registration: Send payments to PATC, HLT Course, 118 Park St. SE, Vienna, VA 22180-4609. Pre-registration is required. Information: Eric VanNortwick ([email protected]) Day: 202/756-3828; Evening: 703/878-7025; Cell: 571/264-9513 Mathews Arm Campground Shenandoah National Park This annual workshop, conducted by the North District Hoodlums and SNP and held in the north district of the park, is designed to teach new and prospective trail maintainers the basic skills as well as provide more advanced training in trail design, construction, and maintenance. Instruction will be provided by SNP trail professionals and PATC crew leaders. The group camping site at Mathews Arm Campground has been reserved for exclusive use by PATC for this event. Participants will have free entry to the park and campground. The workshop will begin Saturday morning and end Sunday at 1:00 p.m. There is a $25 registration fee. Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast, and a Sunday buffet lunch will be provided. Participants will need to provide their own trail lunch for Saturday afternoon. Please make your reservations early. The workshop is limited to 25 participants and in past years has filled up early. INFO & Reservations: Peter Harris, (peter.harris@lmco. com) or H 540/349-2595 or W 301/640-2101 Help Wanted: Trail, Shelter, and Corridor Overseers/Monitors PATC maintains over 1,000 miles of hiking trails and 44 shelters, and monitors several parcels of land, through the efforts of its many members. Below is a list of assignments that are in immediate need of dedicated volunteers, along with the location and the PATC map they are on (in the case of trails). Please contact the district manager or officer for the positions below that interest you. The following assignments are in immediate need of dedicated volunteers. Please contact the district manager or officer for the position that interest you below. Shelters Volunteers needed for the SHELTER CONSTRUCTION CREW - Henry Horn - 301/498-8254, [email protected] POGO Campground - MD Map5-6 “Marty” William Griffith, H 703/5863920, [email protected] June 2009 • Potomac Appalachian The Basore’s Ridge Shelter Project near Siler, VA is looking for help in completing it. We have dug and poured the foundation and have the floor in place. We could use a few more carpenters to frame out the shelter. Always need untrained hands to help. Come join our team and finish this shelter. We will be back at it in June and July. Call Mike at 443/791-9196 for details. (continued on p. 24) 23 PERIODICAL US POSTAGE PAID 118 Park Street, S.E. AT VIENNA VA Vienna, VA 22180-4609 & ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES Telephone: 703/242-0315 Mon. - Thur. 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Thurs. & Fri. noon - 2 p.m. Help Wanted, from page 23 Corridor Monitors Tom Lupp – 301/271-7340, tlupp@ verizon.net Big Flats - PA Caledonia/Deer Lick – PA Trails Pennsylvania Maps 2-3, 4, J, & K Pete Brown - 410/343-1140, peter. [email protected] Opportunity to work long hours with no pay or benefits. Generous allowance of blisters, stinging/biting insects, and poisonous plants. Special provision for rain and mud. Little or no supervision. Work hours optional. Location somewhere on the Tuscarora Trail in Pennsylvania. No certification from your doctor or hospital required. PA Tuscarora Trail [J] - Co-Overseer - Cowans Gap State Park to Lincoln Trail (4.3 miles) PA Tuscarora Trail [J] - Mountain Rd. to Jct. PA 641 (6.2 miles) PA Tuscarora Trail [J] - McClures Gap to Warner Trail (3.7 miles) PA Tuscarora Trail [J] - [additional sections after a proposed relo] PA Tuscarora Trail [J] - PA 16 to Alice Trail PA Tuscarora Trail [J] - Yellow Trail to PA 456 SNP North District Blue Blazed – Map 9 Wayne Limberg - 703/533-8639, [email protected] Upper Piney Branch Trail - AT to Power line (2.2 miles) Big Devils Stairs - Bluff Trail to Harris Hollow Trail (1.6 miles) Lower Piney Ridge Trail – Co-Overseer - Fork Mountain Trail to Piney Branch Trail (1.3 miles) SNP Central Blue-Blazed [north end]—Map 10, Melvin Ellis, [email protected], 703/860-1253 or 540/987-9797 Corbin Hollow Trail—Old Rag Road to Weakley Hollow Road (2 miles) Tulip Tree Cabin Trail—Tulip Tree Cabin driveway to Crusher Ridge Trail (0.3 mile) Sign up now to get your name on the list for upcoming trail-overseer positions. SNP Central Blue-Blazed [south end] – Map 10, Melanie Perl, [email protected], 540-717-2821 Upper Hawksbill Trail — Upper Hawksbill Parking Area to Hawksbill Mt. (.6 miles) SNP South AT - Map 11 Don White, [email protected], 804/795-2914 Appalachian Trail - Ivy Creek Hut Trail to Frazier Discovery Trail (1.0 miles) Tuscarora South - Map F, G, 9 Rick Rhoades, Rrhoades@shentel. net, 540/477-3247 Tuscarora Trail - Fetzer Gap to Maurertown (5.7 miles) Tuscarora Trail - Sherman Gap to Veach Gap (3.1 mile) Massanutten Mt. South - Map H Tate Heuer, [email protected], 202/255-6055 Bird Knob Trail (2.1 mile) Prince William Forest Park Liles Creighton, KB3JMF@verizon. net, 410/573-0067 Laurel Loop -[co-overseer] - Picnic Area to Picnic Area (1.4 miles) South Valley Trail- [co-overseer] High Meadows Trail to 1st Intersection with Scenic Dr (1.7 miles) Manassas National Battlefield Park- John “Bud” Cunnally, [email protected], 703/393-9808 New opportunity to work long hours with no pay or benefits. Keys to the “Trailmobiles”!! Drive to the work site!!! No walking with tools!!! This new district with 22 miles of hiking & horse trails will be maintained with a crew of PATC volunteers in conjunction with other volunteer groups. Join the “Manassas BullRunners” Spotsylvania Battlefield Park Frank Haas, [email protected], 540/898-2213 Spotsylvania History Loop Trail History Loop to History Loop (5.1 miles) Lee Drive North Trail - Howison Hill to Lansdowne Valley Road (3.0 miles) Suburban Maryland - Map D Catherine Kelleher, cckelleher@ earthlink.net, 301/493-6956 [vacancies opening soon] Bull Run Occoquan Trail. Dave Fellers, [email protected], 703/560-2171 BROT - Bull Run Park to Ordway (1.5mile) n