Potomac Appalachian January 2015

Transcription

The Newsletter of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
January 2015 ‑ Volume 44, Number 1
Hawksbill Award winners gather.
Photo by Stanley Turk
Record Attendance at the 87th Annual
PATC Meeting and Awards Banquet
Volunteer of
the Month
9
A record 169 members met at the Meadowlark Gardens Atrium in Vienna, Va., for the 87th
Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet on Nov. 18. In addition to recognizing the successful
efforts of our volunteers, 12 officers were elected to lead the club for the next two years.
The evening was packed with a full agenda. This year’s “Wall of Acclaim,” photos depicting
volunteers at work on the trails during 2014, was projected on a screen while members socialized
and remembered the hard work combined with comradery in service to the PATC mission.
John Hedrick opened the meeting by welcoming members and guests; he then introduced
Joe Lombardo, treasurer, who reported that PATC’s finances were in good standing.
Hike of the
Month
17
YOUTH SECTION
23
118 Park Street, S.E.,
Vienna, VA 22180‑4609
www.patc.net
ISSN 098‑8l54
PATC Vice President- Volunteerism, Dick Hostelley, introduced the staff, including
Anne Corwith who assumed the role of Cabins Coordinator after the retirement of Pat
Fankhauser in June, and Mona Filchock, former Sales Coordinator who was promoted
to Finance Coordinator earlier this month. Dick also introduced and thanked staff
and volunteers responsible for organizing the meeting and awards banquet.
Lee Sheaffer, PATC vice president-operations, expressed the need for volunteer help at the ATC
Biennial Conference, “Hiking through History” in July 2015. PATC is hosting the event for
ATC along with the Mountain Club of Maryland and is expecting a large number of attendees.
This year’s guest speaker was Eric Campbell, chief interpreter at Cedar Creek and
Belle Grove National Historical Park. Eric made a riveting presentation on the
Shenandoah Valley’s involvement during the Civil War, keeping the audience in awe of
his knowledge as well as his ability to cover four years of history in thirty minutes!
Dick Hostelley returned to the podium to present well deserved awards to a
number of volunteers. A list of Service Award recipients appears on page 7.
Other awards presented at the awards banquet were:
The Hawksbill Award, named for the highest elevation in PATC territory, was conceived
by Jim Tomlin in 2011. This award allows each chapter, crew, section, committee, district
and formally recognized PATC group to honor one of its members who has made a
(continued on p.2)
PATC Meeting and Awards Banquet
(continued from P.1)
significant contribution above and beyond the Service
Award. A list of Hawksbill awardees appears on page 6.
The Myron Avery Award is presented to one club member who
has provided great service to PATC within the last year. The
Myron Avery Award, the highest honor PATC bestows, was
presented by President John Hedrick to Pete Brown for 2014.
An Honorary Five Year Membership Award
was presented to Kendall Whyte.
Appreciation Awards were presented to:
K e y no t e
Spe aker
Eric
and Bell
e Grove Na Cambpell of Ced
ar Creek
tional His
discusse
s the Civil
torical P
ark
War in th
e Shenan
doah Val
ley.
• Tom Barber for his work at John’s
Rest and Old Rag Cabins
• Jim Corwith, editor of the
PATC Online Calendar
• Michael Dennis, GPS Ranger
equipment consultant
• Paul Alderman, Wade Aylor, Ken Frohnert, and
Det Wilkins, for their work with the Wilderness
Work Force in the wilderness area of Spotsylvania
• Bill Schumacker and Zoe Sollenberger for use of
their mules to transport materials up the mountain
during the Kennedy Peak Tower construction project
• Stoneybrook Farms for their outstanding support of the
hikers and crew members at Blackburn Trail Center
gue
c ol l e a i l
d
e
r
o
Hon
Tra
achian E xecutive
Appal
y
rvanc ip ton.
C on s e
T
o r R on
Direct
Details on these awardees appear on p. 3.
In addition, 50 year member acknowledgements
went to William H. Oscanyan, III; Allan B.
Tanner; Barry and Zenia Bielsker; Peter P. Lord;
Laurence and Ruth Liston; and John Shores.
Finally, Dan Dueweke, chair of the Elections
Committee announced the 2014 Election results:
• President: Dick Hostelley
• Vice President-Volunteerism: Steve O’Connor
• Vice President-Operations: John Hedrick
• Treasurer: Joe Lombardo
• Secretary: Tom Avey
• Supervisor of Marketing: Emeline Otey
• Supervisor of Membership: Rick Canter
• Supervisor of Communications: Alan Day
• Supervisor of Trails: Wayne Limberg
• Supervisor of Lands: Bill Downes
• Supervisor of Activities: Rush Williamson
• Supervisor of Facilities: Mel Merritt
Outgoing PATC President John Hedrick
was awarded a plaque of appreciation for
his four years of service as president.
All Annual Meeting photos by Stanley Turk
2
—Edna Baden
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Host
January 2015 • Potomac Appalachian
PATC Honors Our Best, Brightest
and Most Dedicated
PATC recognizes outstanding achievement made on
behalf of the club by both members and non-members.
In addition to the Hawksbill and Service awards,
which are presented by committees, crews, chapters
or sections, the following awards were presented by
club officers during the Nov. 18 annual meeting.
Note: Nomination write-ups may have been edited for
grammar, style and in some cases brevity. –Editor
Appreciation Awards
Primarily for non-members, this award
is given to individuals or groups who
have made some special contribution to
the club and our objectives. Recipients
could include government officials
(federal, state, local) who have assisted
the club in our activities; individuals who
have donated land or facilities; retired
PATC employees; or anyone else who
has helped the club in a significant way.
The individual or group is nominated
by a PATC member or employee and
approved by PATC council. Awardees
receive a plaque recognizing the
award with the name of the person or
group and the name of the award.
Tom Barber
Nomination by John Corwith
(previously awarded)
Tom Barber, Steve Barber's son, has a
terminal brain tumor and I'd like to
recognize his contributions to the club
before it is too late. Tom has helped
Steve on numerous occasions doing
maintenance on John's Rest. On one
occasion, he helped remove a difficult
dead tree that was in a position to
Dick Hostelly presents Zoe Sollenberger with an Appreciation Award
for leading a team of mules on the Kennedy Peak restoration.
do damage to
John's Rest if it fell the wrong way.
For Old Rag Cabin, he helped cut and
haul donated logs from his property
that we used to replace rotten logs
at the cabin. He has been on several
ORC work trips and most recently
ran the trencher for the power line.
Jim Corwith
Nomination by John Corwith
My father, Jim Corwith has been editor
of the PATC online calendar for over
two years. He took on this role with
only a little arm twisting even though
he lives a day's drive away and has
never participated in any other PATC
events/activities. He is dedicated to
the task and works hard to update
the calendar on a daily basis and even
does so while traveling/on vacation.
He raised three Eagle Scouts and had
we grown up in the area, I'm sure we
would all have been members of PATC.
Michael Dennis
Nomination by Jim Tomlin
A professional land surveyor working
pro bono for PATC, Michael has been
instrumental
in the selection
of surveying
equipment and
the establishment
of surveying
procedures for
the PATC GPS
Rangers. Michael
worked closely with
PATC volunteers
and surveying
equipment
companies to
identify the
“Map N Angels:” Jennifer Azzariti, Todd Kutyla and their two
most appropriate
children were largely responsible for the update of PATC Map N.
surveying equipment for the club at the
lowest possible cost. He then worked
closely over a significant period of time
with PATC volunteers to help establish
surveying protocols and procedures for
a variety of tasks. Without his efforts,
the GPS Rangers would have had a
much more difficult launch and would
not have been able to get up to speed
as quickly. Michael continues as an
adviser to the group and quickly and
fully answers all land surveying-related
questions we pose to him. The GPS
Rangers volunteers would like to show
their appreciation of all of his expert,
valuable, and freely-donated help.
Paul Alderman, Wade Aylor, Ken Frohnert
and Det Wilkins
Nomination by Frank Haas
Several non-PATC members work
with the Wilderness Work Force. They
contribute their efforts in the wilderness
area of Spotsylvania County, Va.
They have been working with regular
members for eight or ten years or so. The
shelter at the Gordon Flank Attach was
repainted. The road to the work barn was
confronted with much erosion; water bars
were installed to direct water to the east
and down to VA 20. The fitness trail at
Germanna College was restored for use.
At the same location, the remnants of
Governor Spotswood house and castle
were cleared of debris. This is part of what
they have been doing these past few years.
Bill Schumacker and Zoe Sollenberger
Nomination by Alan Day
PATC appreciates the support that
Bill and Zoe provided to the Kennedy
Peak Tower reconstruction project
by using their mules to transport
equipment needed to complete this
difficult effort. It would have been
3
available to provide shelter overseers
with “how-to” advice to repair shelters
and had replaced numerous shelter
roofs throughout our region.
PATC President Dick Hostelly (right) recognizes 50-year member Allan Tanner.
impossible to restore the tower for safe
use by hikers without this equipment.
Stoneybrook Farm
Nominated by Chris Brunton
Stoneybrook Farm has been a great
supporter of the Blackburn Trail Center
this season. On numerous occasions
they drove to Blackburn to bring
hikers food and give hikers shuttles
at no charge. They cook meals for the
Blackburn crews using their home
grown produce. In early spring they
cut a hazardous tree at a very reduced
price and last month several of their
members spend a very long day helping
to install the new Hiker Cabin roof.
Honorary Life
Membership Awards
Nominees are typically long-time
members who have contributed to
many areas of the club and shown
outstanding performance over a long
period of time. Honorary Life Members
are treated as Life Members of the club;
no further dues payment is required of
that individual. Awardees also receive
a plaque identifying the award and
an appropriate memento emblazoned
with their name and the name of the
award. Nominees are nominated by
a member of the club and awards are
approved by the PATC council.
Henry Horn
Nomination by John Hedrick
Henry has been a member of PATC
for 14 years and is presently the Shelter
Construction lead, a position he has held
4
for 11 years. This is a very important
position and Henry is responsible for
planning and supervising all shelter
construction and arranging for significant
maintenance work trips. He works
closely with the supervisor of facilities
to plan for new shelters and prepares
and submits the shelter budget. He
approves all shelter expense vouchers.
During his tenure, he has personally
constructed, with his shelter crew, some
seven shelters throughout PATC and has
coordinated the construction on many
others. These shelters are sometimes in
remote areas and Henry must compile
the bill of materials, arrange for the
delivery of construction material, perform
the site preparation and then obtain
the necessary approval documentation.
This coordination involves significant
personal time and travel, which Henry
has always been willing to accomplish.
Constructing a shelter for our hikers
is a technical challenge and requires
skills not normally available in
our volunteer base. Henry excels
in designing and completing these
shelters, which sometimes takes two
to four months. He always emphasizes
safety on the job and despite the heavy
construction material, there have been
no major accidents on his work trips.
He has constructed 10 privies (some
composting) at many locations and
has worked with the Deaf School to
construct other privies. He recently
replaced a number of rotted logs at the
Hightop and Old Rag shelter huts,
thereby saving Shenandoah National
Park considerable dollars. He is always
Henry is currently assisting with inside
repairs at the Appalachian Trail Museum
and works closely with Boy Scout
troops to provide volunteer projects. He
has been active in assisting numerous
scouts to achieve Eagle Scout status
by providing appropriate projects. In
his spare time he is the project lead for
constructing a new shelter at Dicks
Dome in Northern Virginia. The
Ed Garvey shelter in Maryland was
constructed under Henry’s supervision
and he remains the shelter overseer.
The fact that our shelters are recognized
by hikers as some of the best maintained
shelters along the AT and on other
trails is a positive testimony to Henry’s
professional expertise, dedication, and
commitment to excellence. Each year
he dedicates hundreds of hours working
with crews and shelter overseers to insure
our shelters are maintained to the highest
possible standards. Henry is clearly
deserving of the Life Membership award.
John Shannon
Nomination by Iva Gillet, Dan
Ralston, and Andy Willgruber
John Shannon has worked tirelessly
on PATC trails for 28 years, clearing
fallen trees, removing encroaching
brush, cleaning and building waterbars,
regrading trails, and removing invasive
plants. An original member of the
Charlottesville Chapter, formed in 1986,
John regularly heads up trail work along
the club’s section of the Appalachian
Trail between Rockfish and McCormick
Gaps, and he is likewise available to
help others with their trails. He is an
active member of the Flying McLeods,
formed by Mark Gatewood in 2007
to control trail erosion in the South
District of Shenandoah National Park.
John previously served as overseer of
the Furnace Mountain Trail for some
14 years. He served as president of the
Charlottesville Chapter for a dozen
years, followed by several years as
newsletter editor. As for paperwork,
John has spent countless hours over
the years keeping chapter records.
John has participated in many special
PATC projects, including the Dunlodge
Cabin and property restoration, the AT
trail relocation near Calf Mountain,
ice-storm cleanup in 2006 and 1998,
and Hurricane Isabel cleanup in 2003.
More recently, he has devoted many
hours to removing invasive plants. John
will undoubtedly continue to direct time
and energy toward keeping the AT and
surrounding trails in top shape for the
many people who use and enjoy them.
Honorary Membership
Awards
Presented to a non-member for a fixed
amount of time, up to a life membership,
for a significant contribution to the club.
The awardee will have full membership
privileges for that amount of time
designated in the award. The awardee
will receive a plaque with their name
and the name of the award. Nominees
are nominated by a PATC member or
employee and approved by PATC council.
Kendall Whyte
Nomination by Jim Peterson
Kendall Whyte, a licensed electrician in
Martinsburg W.V., is nominated for an
honorary five-year membership for his
continuous volunteer service to PATC
for the past five years in the restoration
and reconstruction of the Little Cove
cabin. During that period Kendall has
made 12-15 trips to the cabin and has
worked an estimated 100 hours on site.
In addition, he probably spent another 50
hours planning and researching solutions,
acquiring materials and traveling to the
site. Using a conservative hourly rate, the
value of this service is estimated to exceed
$10,000. But the value of Kendall’s work
goes far beyond its monetary value.
including a new pole, underground
cable, and replacement of an aging
and corroding panel box. He also
arranged for the code inspection.
This project required four site visits,
and many hours of planning and
negotiating on PATC’s behalf.
Other projects Kendall has carried out
include moving heaters and light switches
and rewiring to allow for the new
double French doors in the living room
and dining room, installing three new
exterior porch lights and a floodlight,
installing a new circuit and four outside
outlets, and installing additional
kitchen circuits and outlets, including a
microwave outlet over the kitchen range.
As this nomination is being written
Kendall is finishing the installation
of a new heater and thermostat for
the kitchen, and reconfiguring the
other heat circuits so renters cannot
run up the club’s electric bill.
A bonus has been Kendall’s promptness
in responding to our needs, patience
with our changing requirements, and the
overall quality and neatness of his work.
Myron Avery Award
The highest honor presented by the club,
it is awarded to a single individual for
outstanding volunteer activity over the
past year. The activity can be in any area
and must be of a clearly extraordinary
nature. The nominee must be a PATC
member and nominated by a PATC
member. The Executive Committee
will choose the candidate from the
nominees and the nominee cannot
be a current member of the PATC
executive committee. The awardee
will have their name engraved on a
bronze nameplate with the year of
the award and the nameplate will be
attached to a plaque located at PATC
headquarters. The recipient will also
receive an appropriate memento with
their name and the name of the award
emblazoned on the item. The award can
only be awarded to an individual once.
Pete Brown
Nomination by Mary and Dewey Clark
Pete Brown is district manager for the
North Chapter and has long been looked
up to as the leader of this group of trail
volunteers. He has created a culture
of collaboration and camaraderie that
enables this small group to accomplish
an extraordinary amount of work. In the
last year, this has included four major
“construction” projects: remodeling Little
Cove cabin, building the Charlie Irvin
shelter, replacing the Silberman bridge,
and developing a state-of-the-art North
Chapter website. Under Pete’s leadership,
the North Chapter Yankee Clippers
worked on these projects simultaneously!
Last August, PATC leaders, forest
service staff and other guests joined the
Yankee Clippers to celebrate the official
dedication of Little Cove cabin. While
work on Little Cove began several
years ago, this past year Pete organized
10 weekend work trips to complete
major renovations to this once decrepit
hunting lodge. This beautifully rebuilt
On his first visit Kendall corrected
many unsafe situations, some of
which were code violations, and he
did the rewiring necessary for the
installation of a new cabin roof.
The construction of the new porch
required the relocation of the electrical
service entry. Kendall negotiated a
solution with an uncooperative electric
utility, obtained assurances that the
solution would pass electrical code
inspection, obtained materials, and
planned or carried out all installation,
Can you hear me now? John Hedrick presents Pete Brown (on the phone) with his Myron
Avery Volunteer of the Year award. Robert Wise stood in to pick up the award.
5
2014 Hawksbill Award Winners
This award is presented by each crew, district,
committee, chapter, section, Trail Patrol, and SMRG
to a PATC member who has shown outstanding
volunteer performance over the last year.
The award, named for the highest vertical elevation (4,050 ft.)
in PATC’s territory, was developed to fill the niche between the
PATC Service Award (which many of our worthy volunteers
receive on a regular basis) and the Myron Avery Award,
our highest honor, presented to one volunteer annually.
(Left to right) Dick Hostelley, Barry Bielsker, Edna Baden,
Zenia Bielsker. The Bielskers are 50-year members.
cabin features a three-sided wraparound porch, gourmet
kitchen, custom stone work, finely crafted interior wood work,
and many other features. Pete carefully coordinated this
complex cabin reconstruction, all of which (except for some
electrical work) was performed by Yankee Clippers primarily
using materials found on the 160-acre Little Cove property.
Thanks to Pete’s leadership and coordination, working with
construction guru Al Black and cabin overseer Gene Leese,
the Yankee Clippers transformed this property into one of
the most sought-after cabins in the PATC rental system.
Work on constructing the Charlie Irvin shelter also occurred
during this past year. The major challenge was transporting
two tons of materials across a newly created half-mile stretch
of decomposing granite ridge trail atop the Tuscarora. When
hopes of a National Guard helicopter drop vanished, Pete
led the effort to carry to the shelter site 65 6”x12’ logs, 20
80-pound bags of concrete, 900 feet of framing lumber, 32
pieces of standing seam metal roofing, floor boards, posts,
roof decking, and other materials and tools, as well as the
generator. On the day the crew gathered at the material
staging area, amid the expected grousing, Pete simply picked
up a load and everyone else followed. Actual construction
of the shelter then began in earnest, with the metal roofing
slated for carry-in and installation in late September.
The third project involved rebuilding the access bridge
to Silberman cabin. Not merely a pedestrian bridge, the
Silberman bridge had to be engineered to handle vehicle
traffic, including the 40-ton dump trucks that carry stone
for the cabin access road. Amidst the other construction
work trips, Pete coordinated multiple Saturday work events
where the Yankee Clippers stained the timbers, removed the
existing deck, and installed the new timbers along with side
rails on the 45-foot bridge spanning Aughwick Creek.
Another major “construction” project on Pete’s schedule
was redesigning the North Chapter website, which is now
informative, creative, and should prove to be an effective
recruiting tool. Pete identified a retired IT professional to
volunteer to build this state-of-the-art website. Pete then
encouraged contributions to the website and along with the web
PATC leadership recognized that many individuals go
above and beyond to help their PATC group. We have given
each PATC group the ability to acknowledge this high
level of service by one special individual for the year.
AwardeeNominated By
Gregory J. Bayens
Potomac Heritage Trail
Glen BreiningBears Den
Gary P. Bruner
Yankee Clippers
Beverley Carver
AT SNP South
Margaret Chapman
Hikes
Dorsey Counts
Spotsylvania
Anstruther Davidson Cabins Reservations
Carey Dueweke
Potomac Appalachian
Joanne Fenninger
Greater Manassas
Doug FordMutton Hollow
Marit Anderson Gay Charlottesville Chapter
Roger B. Hanson
GPS Rangers
Charles HillonManassas National Battlefield Park
David A. House
AT Maryland
John Huennekens
Acme Treadway
David Randy Jackson Cabins Maintenance
Richard J. Kafka
Activities
Cindy L. Kelly
Trail Patrol
Mike Leo
Flying MacLeods
Christopher E. LooneyBlackburn Trail Center
Jayne Mayne
2015 Biennial
Jeff MonroeMaps Committee
Michael J. Moran
Wolf Trap
Jessica Murphy
Communications
Russell MuterManassas National Battlefield Park
David Nebhut
SNP North
James H. PetersonLands
Rick PurvisManassas Bullrunners
Richard Rooney
Staff Director Selection
George M. Ruben
Headquarters
Kathleen E Seiler
North Chapter
John Stacy
Spooky Beavers
Pete Taylor
Tuscarora South
Jeffrey L. Testerman Facilities
James ThompsonMaryland Metro
Richard Weyrick
AT Mosby District
Patrick A. Wilson
SNP Central
Michael D. Wingeart President's Selection
David Ziobro
Pennsylvania
(continued on p. 22)
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Service Awards
T
These awards are presented to members who have outstanding
volunteer service over the current year. Nominees are
selected by the crew leader, district manager, committee
chairman or president of the chapter/section. Awardees
receive a certificate with their name and the award title and
at their option a rocker bar with the name of the award.
Peter Aagaard
Bruce Agnew
John Allen
Mark Allen
Michael Allen
Terry Allen
Mark Anderson
Ken Andrews
Luke Arbogast
William Archer
Cynthia Ardecki
Janet Arici
Bob Athey
Todd Athey
Jonathan Atkins
Esther Aulthouse
Tom Avey
Jennifer Azzariti
Edna Baden
Steve Bair
Christy Barber
Stephen Barber
Dick Batiste
Gregory Bayens
Alvin Black
Paul Blackman
Gordon Bradford
John Bridges
Ed Brimberg
Bob Brown
Karen Brown
Lindsay Brown
Peter Brown
Kathleen Brumberger
Gary Bruner
Chris Brunton
Casey Buboltz
Ron Bungay
Frank Burke
Heather Callahan
Lynn Cameron
Malcolm Cameron
Laura Campbell
Richard Canter
Beverley Carver
Scott Cates
Margaret Chapman
Dewey Clark
Mary Clark
Robert Clark
James Clary
Mike Cohn
Nick Colombo
Trish Colombo
Doug Connell
John Conover
Larry Corcoran
Anne Corwith
Jim Corwith
John Corwith
Kevin Costello
Dorsey Counts
Steph Danahy
Steve Dannenfeldt
Anstr Davidson
Don Davis
Howard Davis
Alan Day
Saleena DeVore
Bill Downes
Daniel Dueweke
Richard Dugan
Marilyn Duncan
Scott Duncan
Michael Dyas
Bette Dzamba
Dick Eagan
Brandon Easley
Larry Eavey
Mark Ellis
Melvin Ellis
Kirsten Elowsky
Robert England
Eliza Beth Engle
David Erdman
Audrey Ewin
David Fellers
Joanne Fenninger
Victor Fickes
Michael Filchock
Peter Fink
Curtis Finney
George Finney
Tawnya Finney
Jim Finucane
Christopher Firme
Ben FitzGerald
Randall Flynn
William Ford
Noel Freeman
Robert Freeman
Ralph Frink
Lynn Gallagher
Ray Galles
David Garman
Betty Gatewood
Mark Gatewood
Peter Gatje
Marit Gay
Alan Gerber
Patricia Getty
Iva Gillet
Ellen Glynn
Jean Golightly
Fritz Gottschalk
Maston Gray
Charlie Gutberlet
Charlie Gutridge
Frank Haas
Hal Hallett
Ceresa Haney
Roger Hanson
Georgia Harris
Peter Harris
Michael Heckman
Peter Hedrich
John Hedrick
Adam Henderson
Tex Herbel
Clyde Hicks
Harry Hicock
Ellen Hill
Charles Hillon
John Hobler
John Holman
Mark Holsteen
Dick Hostelley
Greg Houchens
John Huennekens
Charles Hughes
Douglas Humphrey
Timothy Hupp
Tom Hutchings
Jim Hutzler
Dan Innamorato
Robert Jennings
Mike Johnson
Robert Johnson
Thomas Johnson
Dave Jordahl
Thomas Jorgensen
Lou Juliana
Jay Jupiter
Richard Kafka
Leonard Keifer
Cynthia Kelly
Mills Kelly
Eric Keltz
J. J. King
Susan King
Gregg Kneipp
Robert Lake
Alexandra Lampros
Jeffrey Landis
Joann Langston
Robin Laskowski
Rob Lauchner
Robert Laughlin
Joseph Laws
Michael Leahy
Peter LeComte
H
A
Gene Leese
Richard Leslie
Rachel Levin
Denny Libby
Wayne Limberg
Lawrence Linebrink
Charles Little
James Little
Robert Livezey
Eugene Locke
Robert Look
Don Looney
John Lord
Jack Luksik
Dennis Lykins
Kathy Lykins
Ian MacKay
Charlie Macleod
Doug Madej
Justin Maimone
Chris Mangold
Lee Manning
Rick Marsalek
David Martin
Kenneth May
John McCrea
Bob Mccullough
Elizabeth McGowan
Tom McIntosh
Matthew Mcleod
Jeanne McSorley
George Meek
Ann Melle
Scott Miller
Peter Minderman
Charlie Miracle
Jeff Monroe
Francis Moran
Chip Morgan
Stef Morris
Randy Motz
Edwin Murawski
Matthew Murray
Peter Muschamp
Russell Muter
Jerry Naeve
Barbara Nash
David Nebhut
Mark Nelson
Robert Nelson
Heather Niemela
Kate Nolan
Lynn Olson
Rhett Orndorff
Kelly O'Rourke
Stephen Osbrach
Emeline Otey
N
K
Y
Jeff Paccione
Wendy Pacek
Glenn Palatini
Sean Palmer
Dick Peacock
Melanie Perl
James Peterson
Robert Pickett
Catherine Pipan
Laurie Potteiger
Richard Potteiger
David Proffitt
Andrew Protigal
Dan Pulskamp
Rick Purvis
Ted Rabkin
Dan Ralston
Ash Rao
Joseph Raynor
Michael Reese
Marie Restrepo
Richard Rhoades
James Rice
Russell Riggs
Jon Rindt
Katherine Rindt
Richard Rooney
Thomas Rostek
George Ruben
Thomas Ryan
David Saah
Keith Salley
Alex Sanders
Randy Sanders
Catherine Savel
John Schell
Bob Scott
Eric Seaborg
Jeffrey Seal
Kathleen Seiler
David Sellers
Michael Seth
Philip Shanholtzer
John Shannon
Lee Sheaffer
Kit Sheffield
Karen Shull
Rima Silenas
Zoe Sollenberger
Thomas Sowers
James Speicher
John Spies
John Stacy
Patrick Stark
James Stauch
George Stepanovich
Richard Stickley
O
U
Joseph Stielper
Janis Stone
Russ Strosnider
James Surdukowski
Leigh Surdukowski
David Sylvester
Jim Tabor
Hardcharger Taylor
Harry Thie
Kathleen Thie
Pat Thomas
James Thompson
Carole Tomhave
Roger Tomhave
Keith Tondrick
Robert Torla
David Trone
Glen Tsaparas
J Tucker
Jen Tullman
Stanley Turk
Dee Utz
Dan Varela
Mike Wagner
Diana Wahl
George Walters
Heather Warren
John Watson-Jones
George Weissbach
Dale Welter
William Wentz
Allen Wheeler
Gene Whitaker
Bea White
Bruce White
Donald White
Ken White
David Wilcox
Karl Wilkerson
Andrew Willgruber
Ken Williams
Pam Williams
Rush Williamson
Melanie Wilson
Patrick Wilson
Robert Wise
Douglas Wolf
Jackie Wolf
Tom Wolf
Joe Wood
Constance Wright
David Wurst
John Zampino
David Ziobro
7
Dick’s Musings
For the past two years I have been
PATC’s vice president—volunteerism,
during which time I have had an
opportunity to see the many facets of this
club. I have been very impressed with
the work done by our many volunteers
and their dedication in maintaining
trails, huts, shelters and cabins. I am
excited about this opportunity to be
a voice for PATC as your president.
My predecessor John Hedrick has
laid a strong foundation for the new
EXCOM to build upon. The club
is in a strong financial position for
growth and sustainability due to
his leadership. Thank you, John!
The first challenge facing EXCOM
will be to develop a strategic plan
that outlines a disciplined approach
to producing fundamental decisions
and actions that shape and guide what
PATC is, what it does, and why it
does it, with a focus on the future.
PATC is financially strong. Now let us
work on being strong with diversity in
membership. The club must recruit,
engage and retain a younger and more
diverse demographic. I encourage
EXCOM, when developing the PATC
strategic plan, to follow the Appalachian
Trail Conservancy (ATC), which
addressed diversity in its strategic Plan
as “Broader Relevancy,” which states, in
part: “Engage with and connect…to a
younger and a more diverse audience…”
PATC President Dick Hostelley met this fellow in Fort William, Scotland. “I introduced
myself, but he held his lips as tight as a steel trap, and said not a thing,” Hostelley says
Photo courtesy of Dick Hostelley
things planned and in order. The big
hiccup at present is software. Computers
are wonderful, except when they do
not do what you want them to do.
I look forward to serving you, PATC’s
membership, as president, and I pledge
that I will perform my duties as your
president in a professional, ethical, and
thoughtful manner. The presidents
who have served before have laid a
8
Like to comment? Send your thoughts
to: [email protected].
-DICK
The measure of who we are is what we do
with what we have.—Vince Lombardi
Volunteer of the Month
Rob Lauchner
Rob has been working on trails for
many years. Back in the 1990s, he was a
PATC overseer in Shenandoah National
Park, working alongside the likes of
Phil Fosterman and Anneliese Ring,
who was supervisor of trails at the time.
Rob, Phil and Anneliese were regulars
of the Blue and White Crew in SNP.
Another area EXCOM will be looking to
address is how the present website reflects
PATC’s character and personality. We
will encourage those who have left our
membership to come back into the fold.
Additionally, the club must look at ways
to garner funding through donations,
grants, planned giving, monthly giving
and other means to ensure long-term
financial success. As well, we must update
our outdated Land Management Plan.
In the new year, PATC’s primary
challenge is the 2015 Biennial
Conference, for which Lee Shaeffer,
Rush Williamson and their steering
committee are hard at work getting
foundation on which the club will
continue to grow and sustain itself.
Rob moved to Colorado—home of the
Rocky Mountains—in 1999 and became
a volunteer maintainer of the Colorado
Trail. His section in the Collegiate Range
of Chaffee County was a long drive from
home and very difficult to hike to.
Volunteer of the Month Rob Lauchner.
Photo by Sharon Lauchner
Rob returned from Colorado to
Maryland in 2011, and decided to get
back to PATC trail stewardship. He
met up with the South Mountaineers
and has become the overseer of the
Thurston Griggs Trail and nearby
sections of the Appalachian Trail
either side of Pogo Campsite. He
officially became the overseer in the
summer of 2013. The tread repairs on
the Griggs Trail are his handiwork.
Rob has also helped by weeding trails
on crew workdays, starting at 6 or
7 a.m., in the muggy air of summertime.
Along with his wife Sharon, he mows
the Appalachian Trail's open areas in
Weverton, Fox Gap and Turners Gap.
Rob's professional expertise is in GIS,
and he has the maps on the walls of
his home to prove it. Not just any
old maps, but a rather unique and
eclectic assortment. Rob is currently
between jobs; he has spent that free
time working for PATC and getting
his fixer-upper house in great shape.
Rob is an avid hiker; he has thruhiked the Pacific Crest Trail and
section-hiked most of the AT. He
also enjoys biking rail-trails and
canoeing. Sharon and Rob live near
the Appalachian Trail in Maryland.
PATC thanks Rob Lauchner for
all of his dedication and good
deeds he performs for the club.
—Sharon Lauchner and Rick Canter
Know a PATC volunteer who goes “above
and beyond”? Nominate him or her for
Volunteer of the Month! Send nominations
to Rick Canter at [email protected].
John Hedrick and Antietam Superintendent Susan Trail.
Photo by Jane Custer/NPS
PATC Adds New Maryland National
Battlefield Parks Trail District
Let the cannons virtually roar again!
On Nov. 3, 2014, PATC President John Hedrick and Antietam National Battlefield
Park Superintendent Susan Trail signed a Memorandum of Understanding for trail
maintenance at the park. Also in attendance were PATC’s Supervisor of Trails Jon
Rindt; Jane Custer, chief of the Resource Management Division at Antietam; and
PATC District Manager Jim Tomlin.
PATC has now officially added its 25th trail district and 13th formal collaboration
with a national park.
Located in Sharpsburg, Md., Antietam National Battlefield was the scene of the
highest number of casualties (23,000) in one day of battle in all of U.S. history, on
Sept. 17, 1862. Through this agreement, PATC will maintain a majestically scenic
and historically fascinating trail network at Antietam, comprising 12 trails and 13.4
miles, as part of the new PATC Maryland National Battlefield Parks District.
From the grassy paths around the Cornfield and the memorials along Bloody Lane
to a quiet streamside walk along Antietam Creek, Antietam battlefield has many
delightful trails in store for any hiker, especially history buffs. See http://www.nps.
gov/anti/planyourvisit/upload/Hiking-2011.pdf for more information about the trails.
PATC is proud to assist Antietam National Battlefield Park staff with the upkeep and
improvement of these trails. Many thanks to all of the PATC volunteers who have
stepped forward to volunteer to oversee a section of trail at Antietam. This duty is quite
an honor for PATC.
Keep an eye out on the “Help Wanted” section of the PA for available
opportunities to oversee a trail or be part of an ad hoc trail crew at Antietam.
For more information, contact [email protected].
—Submitted by Perry O. Bear
9
Forecast
CHAPTERS
Charlottesville 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 a.m. 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. Chapter hikes are posted
at www.patc‑charlottesville.blogspot.com/
(select Hike Schedule from the menu)
INFO: Iva Gillet ([email protected]) or
Dan Ralston ([email protected])
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 ([email protected])
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 at
717/794‑2855 or [email protected].
Chapter home page is www.north.patc.net.
Northern Shenandoah Valley Chapter
The NSVC Chapter is now in the process of
reorganizing to build a chapter that has a focus
in line with that of the club and provides each
member the opportunity to help build and direct
the club in its activities. For more information
on becoming a member of the Chapter or
how to get involved in the reorganization
process contact the interim Chapter President
Brian Heflin at [email protected].
Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter
For descriptions of hikes and work trips, go to
www.ssvc.org or www.patc.net. 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 Malcolm Cameron,
[email protected] or 750/234-6273.
West Chapter
The West Chapter is meant to serve those
residents who live in the area bounded
by Frederick, Md., to Leesburg, Va., west
to Hancock, Md. and to Berkeley Springs,
10
W. Va. However, anyone, regardless of
where they reside, may request to join
the chapter’s Yahoo group (www. groups.
yahoo.com/group/ PATCWest). The group
is open to anyone interested in chapter
events but only current PATC members may
post messages to the group. Hikes, trail
work trips and other activities are generally
scheduled from March through December.
INFO: Dave Jordahl [email protected].
SPECIAL INTEREST SECTIONS
Ski Touring Section (STS)
Since 1974, the STS has served to provide
cross‑country 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 and enjoy
outdoor exercise, peaceful scenic trails, and
cheerful, goodhearted companions, join STS.
INFO: Rob Swennes
[email protected].
Mountaineering Section
We’re a diverse group of local D.C.‑area
climbers who share a common interest in
promoting safe climbing, conserving the
outdoors, developing new climbers’ skills,
representing the Washington‑area climbing
community and having fun! We provide
instruction for those wanting to learn the
basics—we are not a school, but we can
get you started. Our climbs are local or
further afield, nearly every weekend. In
the winter, we organize trips for beginning
and advanced ice climbers. Please visit our
website at www.potomacmountainclub.org/.
INFO: Andrew Weinmann at 540/550-6522
or [email protected].
PATC Hikes
PATC offers diverse organized hikes. On
weekends and weekdays, there are 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,
Midweek 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 on
a long trail or in a specific area; backpacking
trips; geology hikes focused on the unique
stratigraphy of our area; waterfall hikes to
beat the summer heat; and, outreach hikes to
get together with the members of area groups.
Check out the Forecast calendar on the PATC
website www.patc.net for information.
Trail Patrol
Trail Patrol volunteers are PATC’s goodwill
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 and personal equipment.
INFO: Murry Moskowitz (trailpatrol@patc.
net) or www.patc.net/trailpatrol.
Other Clubs’ Hikes
We include these hikes to give members
more chances to hike. Please note that
there is no charge to go on a PATC hike,
unless specifically stated. For many of
these clubs there is a charge if you are
not a member of their organization.
Capital Hiking Club
(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 Hiking Club
(www.centerhikingclub.org) and Sierra Club
(www.dc.sierraclub.org) hike on Saturdays
and Sundays using carpools. Schedules
are available at PATC Headquarters.
Northern Virginia Hiking Club
(www.nvhc.com/) offers an amazing
number and variety of outdoor activities.
West Virginia Highland Conservancy
(www.wvhighlands.org) Outings
are mostly in W. Va.
MEETINGS
New Members
Third Wednesday of each Month (verify
in the Forecast). Curious about the club?
Current, new and non‑members are
welcome to come and learn about PATC.
INFO: Supervisor of Membership,
[email protected]
Mountaineering ‑ Second Wednesday
7:30 p.m. except for August, or
unless noted in the Forecast.
INFO: Andrew Weinmann
(540/550-6522 or [email protected])
Shenandoah Mountain Rescue
Group (SMRG) ‑ Tuesday
Group Business Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
INFO and next meeting date:
[email protected] or www.smrg.org
PATC Council—Second Tuesday
The council meets at 7 p.m. sharp, except
January and July, to conduct business of
the club. In November, we have a dinner
meeting. All members are welcome. Come
see how we make decisions about your club.
INFO: Edna Baden at 703/242‑0693
x105 or [email protected].
Trail Patrol—First Tuesday
7:30 p.m. except January.
INFO: Murry Moskowitz ([email protected])
or www.patc.net/trailpatrol.
January
3 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Yankee Clippers: AT in
Pennsylvania, 8:45 a.m.
We’ll meet at Caledonia State Park and
get together for supper at Gypsy Spring
Cottage for those who volunteer by Dec. 31.
INFO: Dewey Clark
([email protected])
4 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: Signal Knob,
Massanutten Mountain, Va., 8 a.m.
All hikers ascend the Signal Knob Trail from
the parking area. At the intersection with
Meneka Peak Trail moderate hikers turn
left on Meneka Peak Trail and traverse the
ridge to the intersection with Tuscarora
Trail. There they turn left again and descend
Green Mountain to the Tuscarora Spur
Trail, where they bear left to the Signal
Knob parking area and the bus. Long
hikers continue on Signal Knob Trail to
Signal Knob with excellent views. They
then descend to the intersection with
Tuscarora Trail and follow the path of the
moderate hikers to the bus. Est. miles: 10.5
(strenuous) and 8.5 (intermediate). PATC
Map G. Bus fare: $20/25. Departs from
17th and K Streets and the Vienna Metro.
INFO: Josh Silverman 703/591-2822
([email protected]) or Laura Heaton
571/212-2592 ([email protected])
6 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: Great Falls, Va., 8
a.m.
We’ll hike about 15-16 miles, exploring
most of the Great Falls trails, up Difficult
Run a bit and then over to Riverbend
Park. Rocks, cliffs, streams, the Potomac
and some short bushwhacks.
INFO: Duncan Thompson 703/527-2349
([email protected])
7 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Seneca, Md., 10:15 a.m.
An out-and-back hike on a section of trail in
Montgomery County completed last summer.
It features three beautiful, small bridges
and a Potomac River destination. The trail
follows Seneca Creek a short distance
to the west. There are porta-johns at the
Potomac. Dogs on leash are welcome. Bring
water. We will hike 2.5 miles and then return
on the same route. Hikers are encouraged
to purchase lunch at the Woodside Deli
in Germantown at the completion of the
hike. Meet at the Montevideo parking lot,
which is on the right, 0.8 miles from River
Road. From the Capital Beltway, take exit
39 and go west on River Road/Rte. 190. In
about 13 miles, turn right on Montevideo
and go 0.8 miles to the parking lot. As you
are driving west on River Road., at 11.9
miles Seneca Road/Rte. 112 comes in on the
right. You turn left to stay on River Road. At
12.5 miles you pass the road to Riley's Lock
on the left and immediately cross Seneca
Creek. Hike is canceled if Montgomery
County Public Schools are closed or open
late due to inclement weather. Lunch
directions: Woodside Deli is located at
13048 Middlebrook Road, Germantown, MD,
301/972-6812. From the parking lot, turn right
on Montevideo, right on Sugarland, right
on Rte. 107, right on Rte. 28 for about 2.75
miles, left on Rte. 118 for about 6 miles, left
on Middlebrook to the top of the rise, left
into the mini-mall and look for Woodside Deli
next to the Giant at the far end of the mall.
INFO: Jim Russ 301/208-0373
10 (Saturday)
HIKE—Butterwood Natural History
Hike, SNP, 8 a.m.
Join Bob Pickett for an unusual trail/
bushwhacking adventure to former home
sites in SNP. We'll hike about 6 miles,
including about 3 miles bushwhacking from
site to site. Consider this a moderately
difficult hike. If we're lucky, a little snow will
offer animal tracks. As always, we'll talk
about what we see and what's happening
in the natural world at this time of the year.
We'll meet at the north side of the Vienna
Metro station and carpool from there. Dinner
at the Corner Cafe in Washington, Va., for
those interested. If you want to meet at
the trailhead, call or email Bob Pickett.
INFO: Bob Pickett 240/457-0352
([email protected])
11 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds:
Patapsco State Park, Md., 8 a.m.
This trail takes us down the Patapsco
River, with its many pools and cascades,
and through mature beech-oak forest. The
hike starts and ends at the Orange Grove
area of Patapsco State Park on River Road
near Elkridge, Md. Moderate hikers make
a counter-clockwise loop by taking the
Cascade Falls, Morning Choice, Rockburn,
Valley View and Ridge trails. Long hikers
start at the same place, but cross the
Patapsco at the Swinging Bridge into the
Hilton Area, which has a 4.5-mile loop that
uses a variety of trails and passes by the
historic Bloede’s Dam. Long hikers then
re-cross the Swinging Bridge and follow the
moderate loop through the Orange Grove and
Avalon areas. Est. miles: 11 (intermediate)
and 6.5 (intermediate). Patapsco State Park
Map. Bus fare: $20/25. Departs from 17th
and K Streets and the Grosvenor Metro.
INFO: Long leader Lindsay Dudbridge
703/731-2070 (lindsay.dudbridge@
gmail.com); moderate leader Jaime
Iranzo ([email protected])
13 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: Thompson Hollow
to Elkwallow loop, Northern District SNP,
8:30 a.m.
We will climb Overall Run Trail and take
the AT to Elkwallow Gap, then return
by connecting to the Beecher Ridge
Trail. Approximately 18 miles with
4,000 feet of ascent. PATC Map 9.
INFO: Steve Brown ([email protected])
14 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers:
Greenbelt Park, Md., 10:15 a.m.
A hike of 4-5 miles in Greenbelt Park, 6565
Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt. Meet at the
Dogwood Trail parking lot. Bring water.
Lunch will be at a restaurant after the hike.
11
Forecast
Directions: Leave the Beltway at exit 23
for Rte. 201 South/Kenilworth Ave., then
exit almost immediately for Rte. 193 East/
Greenbelt Road. After turning left onto Rte.
193, follow it 0.3 miles, then turn right at a
traffic signal into Greenbelt Park. Follow the
curving entrance road 0.1 miles to a stop
sign. Turn right and go 0.5 miles to parking
area on right. There are no restrooms at
the trailhead. Stop at Sweetgum picnic
area on the way to trailhead if necessary.
Hike is canceled if Montgomery or Prince
George’s County Public Schools are closed
or open late due to inclement weather.
INFO: Jennifer Newton 202/543-3039
([email protected])
17-18 (Saturday-Sunday)
CLASS—Basic Wilderness First Aid,
Vienna, Va., 9 a.m.
Day one of this two-day class, sponsored
by the Trail Patrol, covers Adult CPR and
AED and American Heart Association
First Aid. You will receive a textbook and a
certification card good for two years. Day
two is American Safety and Health Institute
Basic Wilderness First Aid. You will learn
how to control bleeding, splinting and other
basic first aid skills in the wilderness setting,
and there will be hands-on time. Paramedics
with years of backcountry experience
will teach the classes, which run from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. at PATC headquarters. The
cost is $130. Preregistration is required no
later than the Friday one week prior to the
class. For more information or to download
the registration form, or contact Saleena
DeVore at [email protected].
INFO: Saleena DeVore 410/456-6861
([email protected])
18 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: Browns Hollow and
Massanutten Mountain, Va., 8 a.m.
Starting at Rte. 211, long hikers explore
the southern Massanutten Mountains
by taking the Massanutten South Trail
to its intersection with Browns Hollow
Trail. Heading south, they’ll complete a
clockwise loop by following Roaring Run,
Massanutten Road and Bird Knob before
returning to the Massanutten Trail and the
visitor center. Moderate hikers will do a
circuit starting at the visitor center. They
head south on the Massanutten Trail and
12
follow the path of the long hikers from Bird
Knob back to the visitor center. Dramatic
overlook on the way back. Est. miles: 11
(strenuous) and 8 (intermediate). PATC
Map H. Bus fare: $20/25. Departs from
INFO: Long leader Annetta DePompa
410/535-5171 (hikerfool@yahoo.
com); moderate leader Marsha
Johnston 619/855-0669 (marsha.
[email protected])
20 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: Little Devils Stairs
Loop, Northern District SNP, 8:30 a.m.
Parking at the base of Little Devils Stairs
Trail (near the end of SR614), we’ll climb
Little Devils Stairs Trail to the AT via the
Pole Bridge and Sugarloaf trails. We’ll
then head south on the AT to the Neighbor
Mountain Trail and back to the start via
Byrds Nest 4, the Hull School Trail and the
Keyser Run Fire Road for a total of about 18
miles, with 4,200 ft. of ascent. PATC Map 9.
INFO: Tom Kloster ([email protected])
21 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Anacostia, DC, 10:15
a.m.
Meet at the top of the escalator at the
M and Half Street SE exit from the Navy
Yard-Ballpark Metro station (Green
Line). We’ll walk along the Anacostia
River to the 11th Street Bridge, cross the
bridge into Anacostia, walk up hill to the
Frederick Douglass home and then to the
Smithsonian's Anacostia Museum. We’ll
return the same way. The round trip is
about 5 miles. Bring a snack and water. It is
possible to have lunch at the waterfront at
the end before returning to the Metro. Hike
is canceled if DC Public Schools are closed
or open late due to inclement weather.
INFO: Kathryn Powers 202/544-7777
25 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: AT, Linden, Va., 8 a.m.
This hike, with vistas of the Virginia
Piedmont, incorporates woods and scenic
meadows and skirts High Knob Mountain
and the National Zoo’s Conservation and
Research Center. Moderate hikers start
at the AT junction with Rte. 55 and hike
south 8 miles to VA 522 (Chester Gap). Long
hikers start at the Ted Lake parking lot on
Rte. 688, ascend the Ted Lewis Trail to the
AT and follow the AT south to Rte. 522. Est.
miles: 12.5 (strenuous) and 8 (intermediate).
PATC Map 8. Bus fare: $20/25. Departs from
INFO: Long leader Austin Doyle
301/793-4936 ([email protected]);
moderate leader Beatriz Prieto-Oramas
27 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: Dickey Ridge and
AT to Compton Peak and Chester Gap,
Northern District SNP, 8:30 a.m.
Beginning in Front Royal, we'll take the
Dickey Ridge Trail and AT to both Compton
Peak spurs, then return on the AT to US 522.
Requires a short car shuttle. About 17 miles
and 3,400 feet of ascent. PATC Map 9.
INFO: Bob Livezey ([email protected])
27 (Tuesday)
MEETING—PATC Executive Committee,
Vienna, Va., 7 p.m.
Monthly meeting of the PATC
Executive Committee. To participate
by phone (by invitation only), dial
1-877/746-4263 and when prompted
enter participant code 0203572#
INFO: Edna Baden 703/242-0315
x105 ([email protected])
30-1 (Friday-Sunday)
CROSS COUNTRY SKI TRIP— CrossCountry Skiing, Laurel Highlands, Pa., 2 p.m.
Join fellow cross-country skiers at
usual favorites in the Laurel Highlands
of southwest Pennsylvania (e.g., Laurel
Mountain, Laurel Ridge, Roaring Run, North
Woods) with more trails than you’ll ever ski
in a weekend, plus options of Friday night
skiing near our lodge and telemarking at a
defunct alpine slope at Laurel Mountain.
Lodging at Econolodge in Somerset. Cost of
$75 includes double-occupancy lodging only.
Trip cancels if snow is likely to be unskiable.
For details and application, contact Greg.
INFO: Greg Westernik 703/7633633 ([email protected])
February
1 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: Sky Meadows State
Park, Va., 8 a.m.
Long hikers will hike up the North Ridge trail
to the AT, where they will do an out-andback to Dicks Dome. They will then hike the
old AT, new AT, Ambassador Whitehouse,
North Ridge, South Ridge and back to the
bus. Moderate hikers will hike up the North
Ridge trail to the AT, turning north on the
AT. They will then hike the old AT, new AT,
Ambassador Whitehouse, North Ridge,
South Ridge and back to the bus. Est. miles:
13 (strenuous) and 8.2 (intermediate). PATC
Map 8. Bus fare: $20/25. Departs from 17th
and K Streets and the Vienna Metro.
INFO: Long leader Bob Malkowski
moderate leader Jeannie Fauntleroy
3 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: Knob/Neighbor
Mountains, Northern District SNP, 8:45 a.m.
Starting at Jeremys Run, hikers will do
a clockwise circuit of Knob, the AT and
Neighbor Mountain trails. Approximately 18
miles with 4,500 feet of ascent. PATC Map 9.
INFO: David Saah ([email protected])
4 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Shady Grove
wanderings, 10:15 a.m.
A 5-mile one-way walk from the Shady
Grove Metro station to the Rockville
Metro station via King Farm, Montgomery
College, the Rockville Aquatic Center
and the Rockville Memorial Library. The
outing includes a restaurant lunch stop
in Rockville town center before we board
the Metro at the Rockville station. Bring
water, money for lunch and your Metro
farecard. If Metro ceases above-ground
operations, the hike is canceled. Directions:
Use Metro red line all the way to Shady
Grove. Turn right after you go through the
exit turnstiles in the Shady Grove station.
We'll huddle in a quiet spot in the tunnel.
INFO: Margaret Chapman 301/977-8988
([email protected])
7 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Yankee Clippers: AT in
Pennsylvania, 8:30 a.m.
We’ll meet at Caledonia State Park and leave
by 9 a.m. Dinner will be at Gypsy Spring
Cabin for those who respond via email.
INFO: Dewey Clark
([email protected])
8 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: Torrey Brown Trail
(NCR Trail), Md., 8 a.m.
This hiker-biker trail along the old North
Central Railroad was established in 1984.
We’ll hike from Cockeysville, Md., to New
Freedom, Pa. (the ultimate destination
for hundreds of escaping slaves using
the Underground Railroad). Long hikers
start their hike northwards at Monkton
while moderate hikers start at White Hall
Road. Est. miles: 13 (intermediate) and 10
(intermediate) with opportunities to hike
more. Map: MD DNR’s Torrey C. Brown Trail
Guide. Bus fare: $20/25. Departs from 17th
INFO: Long leader Chris Bublitz
240/687-3390 (cbublitz4@comcast.
net); moderate leader George Saxton
10 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: Blue Ridge Center
for Environmental Stewardship, Va., and
Harpers Ferry, 8:30 a.m.
Beginning at the Blue Ridge Center
(www.blueridgecenter.org), we’ll
explore this nonprofit’s western trails
that are to become part of a new state
park and then connect with the AT to
Harpers Ferry. On the way back, we’ll
explore the center’s eastern trails. Up
to 18 miles with 3,000 feet of ascent.
INFO: Dave Green 703/536-5189
([email protected])
10 (Tuesday)
MEETING—PATC Council Meeting, Vienna,
Va., 7 p.m.
The PATC Council meets every month
except for January, July and November
to conduct the business of the club. All
members are welcome. Come see how we
make decisions about your club. Meetings
generally end around 9 p.m. To participate
by phone, dial 1-877/746-4263, and when
prompted enter participant code 0247170#
13-16 (Friday-Monday)
CROSS COUNTRY SKI TRIP—Ski-Dance
Weekend, Laurel Highlands, Pa., 5 p.m.
Cross-country ski during the day and
contra dance to live music at night, at a
new location at the foot of Laurel Mountain
State Park at Camp Sequanota. There
are both motel-style rooms and cabins.
Prices range from $95 to $239 depending
on your accommodations and age. Trip
begins on Friday evening with an informal
potluck supper and dance, and it ends
Monday with breakfast. Seven meals
included. Camp Sequanota has more than
300 acres available for cross-country
skiing, slopes for sledding and several
types of habitat. Laurel Ridge, Laurel
Mountain and Forbes State Forest areas
are nearby. Check www.skidance.com for
more information and registration form.
INFO: Eliot Applestein (eliotapplestein@
verizon.net) or Bob Mathis
([email protected])
15 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: Gunpowder Falls State
Park, Hereford, Md., 8 a.m.
Enjoy the winter scenery along a
picturesque stream. All hikers will start
and finish at the parking lot on Bunker Hill
Road. They will take the Gunpowder South
Trail, ascend on Panther Branch Trail and
descend back. Then they will cross the
river via Big Falls Road bridge and follow
Gunpowder North Trail, Gunpowder Fall
South Trail and Highland Trail to the parking
lot. Moderate hikers will follow the path of
the long hikers, but will shortcut the hike
by crossing the river on Masemore Road.
Est. miles: 12.3 (intermediate) and 9.6
(intermediate). Shorter option available.
Park map. Bus fare: $20/25. Departs from
17th and K Streets and the Grosvenor Metro.
INFO: TBD
17 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: Doubletop, Camp
Hoover, Big Meadows, Central District SNP,
8:30 a.m.
Parking at the end of Rte. 645, we’ll take the
Doubletop Mountain trail over Doubletop,
visit Camp Hoover and Big Meadows,
and return to the cars using Dark Hollow
and other trails. About 17.5 miles and
4,200 feet of ascent. PATC Map 10.
INFO: Gene Whitaker
([email protected])
21 (Saturday)
HIKE—SNP Hazel Mountain Natural History
hike, Central District SNP, 8 a.m.
13
Forecast
Join Bob Pickett for a discovery hike.
We’ll traverse along the Hazel Mountain
and White Rocks trails for the first 3 miles,
and then bushwhack down the original
Hazel Mountain Road down to Rte. 211
near Sperryville for another 2 miles. We'll
visit known ruins of former mountain
residences along the way. This hike
should be considered moderately difficult,
especially if snow is on the ground, since
substantial off-trail hiking will be involved.
As always, we'll stop frequently to examine
signs of winter life. Dinner is planned
at the Corner Cafe in Washington, Va.
We'll meet at the north side of the Vienna
Metro station. For details or directions
to the trailhead, contact Bob Pickett
INFO: Bob Pickett 240/457-0352
([email protected])
22 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: South Mountain/AT,
Gathland, Md., 8 a.m.
This hike passes several sites of Civil War
skirmishes that led to the climatic Battle of
Antietam. It also traverses Lamb’s Knoll,
Maryland’s second highest mountain.
Moderate hikers start at Gathland State
Park and hike north on the AT to Turners
Gap (Rte. 40). Long hikers start at Weverton
Cliffs, follow the AT north past Gathland
First of
the Month
to Turners Gap (Rte. 40). Est. miles: 14
(strenuous) and 7.5 (intermediate). PATC
Map 5-6. Bus fare: $20/25. Departs from 17th
INFO: Long leader Robert Holley
moderate leader Michael Roehm
24 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: George Washington
National Forest, Va., 8:30 a.m.
Fast-paced circuit hike of about 18
miles with approximately 3,000 feet of
ascent in GWNF/Camp Roosevelt.
INFO: Mina Goodrich 304/876-2159
([email protected])
24 (Tuesday)
MEETING—PATC Executive Committee,
Vienna, Va., 7 p.m.
Monthly meeting of the PATC
Executive Committee. To participate
by phone (by invitation only), dial
1-877/746-4263 and when prompted
enter participant code 0203572#
This 20-hour class, sponsored by the Trail
Patrol, will teach you how to get help, move
and transport patients, conduct patient
assessments, document incidents, handle
medical and environmental emergencies,
prevent and care for injuries and more.
There will be hands-on practice as well
as scenarios. The class will be conducted
inside and outside on the trail. Each
student will receive a certification card
good for two years through ECSI and a
waterproof field guide. The class meets BSA
requirements. No experience required. Cost
is $180. Registrations are taken on a first
come-first served basis. Pre-registration
required. Contact Saleena DeVore for
more information or registration forms.
INFO: Saleena DeVore 410/456-6861
([email protected])
28-March 1 (Saturday-Sunday)
CLASS—Wilderness First Aid,
Frederick, Md., 8:30 a.m.
DEADLINE FOR POTOMAC APPALACHIAN ARTICLES AND FORECAST
Articles to be considered for publication in PA should be submitted to [email protected]. Digital photos
are welcome if they meet the requirements for a print publication, good contrast and at least 5x7
inches assuming a print resolution of 300 dots per inch. Please supply information for photo caption
and name of photographer. Photographs need not be connected with a story.
Forecast items to be included should be posted to the PATC calendar at patc.net by the deadline.
HOW TO CONTACT US Headquarters, Sales, Cabin Reservations, and Membership Information
Address: 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, Va. 22180
Phone #: 703/242‑0315
Fax #: 703/242‑0968
Club E‑mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.patc.net
Club President (leave a message),
Dick Hostelley: 703/242‑0315
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Club Officers and Chairs Contact Info
Contact list is online at www.patc.net/contacts
Change of Address? Log on to www.patc.net
and update your address online, or contact
[email protected]
14
Staff, During regular business hours
PositionStaffExtE‑mail
Staff Director Edna Baden 105 [email protected]
Trails Management Coordinator Heidi Forrest 107 [email protected]
Sales Coordinator Mona Filchock 103 [email protected]
Cabin Coordinator
Anne Corwith 108 [email protected]
IT Coordinator Kit Sheffield 109 [email protected]
Potomac Appalachian
Editor Rachel F. Levin [email protected]
Co‑Editor Dan Pulskamp
Forecast Editor
Jack Bowie
PA‑[email protected]
Co-Forecast Editor
Dan Varela
Layout Designer
Carey Dueweke
Co-Layout Designer
Tara Jones-Oxenrider
trailhead
Boy Scout Eagle Project Improves Trail
Early this summer, the Old Scouters Crew was contacted
by Nipun Kottage, a Boy Scout seeking a possible Eagle
project. Eagle projects are organized and managed by the
scout, so this was an opportunity to get some needed trail
work completed without doing everything ourselves.
Dick Kafka met with Nipun and his parents to review a
couple of sites on the Catoctin Trail that would provide the
right level of effort to warrant an Eagle project. Nipun chose
to install turnpike on a frequently inundated section of the
trail north of Fishing Creek Road in Frederick County, Md.
members showed up the following day, Nipun might not
need his second planned weekend to complete his 50 feet.
Another good sized crew showed up the second day, and
by the end of the day (and with the prior day’s experience),
Nipun had met his own goal of 60 feet of turnpike. The
Old Scouters inspected the site after recent heavy rains and
believe the trail has been so improved that we should see no
more side trails being created to avoid wet, muddy areas.
What a great way to build relationships
and trails!
The Old Scouters agreed to provide the logs and some
tools, and Nipun said he would arrange crews and
funding to construct at least 50 feet of turnpike. The
Old Scouters had already built over 100 feet of turnpike
here and had some experience to share as well.
The appointed weekend arrived (July 12-13) and Dick
met Nipun and his crew at the trailhead. Nipun
handled all the logistics and crew management, and
consulted with Dick on some technical issues.
At the end of the first day, 29 feet of new turnpike
were in place. Depending on how many crew
Nipun’s selected section
of the Catoctin Trail before
work began.
Photo by Dick Kafka
Nipun (front left) and his happy crew.
Photo by Dick Kafka
15
Lime Kiln in Monocacy Natural Resources Area.
Photo by Larry Broadwell
Hikers Notebook
Lime Kilns: In the
Limelight
The burgeoning commercial enterprise
of colonial North America was
enabled by the natural resources of
its forests, iron ore, and limestone.
Sawmills, iron furnaces and lime kilns
were the transformational technologies
that produced the timber, steel and
cement with which our nation was built.
Their vestiges remain along the forest
trails; silent reminders of the past.
quicklime to produce hydrated lime
or calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH)2).
temperature required to generate this
amount of heat is about 1,700°F (900°C).
The word lime is of antiquated
provenance, surviving as lim in Old
English from its original Proto IndoEuropean root slei, which meant sticky
or slimy (slime was originally moist
earth; its homonymous association
with lime is not coincidental). The
original meaning then, was something
that had a sticky property—this suits
one of lime’s primary applications as
the glue that holds cement together.
Calcium carbonate is one of the most
abundant compounds on earth. It is the
primary constituent of limestone—a
portmanteau word that conveys the
association of being a lime-bearing stone.
While the sawmill and iron furnace
are familiar to most, the lime kiln is
something of an enigma. What it was
for and how it worked are legitimate
questions for a Hiker’s Notebook.
It is also the reason for the use of
the term birdlime for a very sticky
substance made from a variety of
constituents applied to tree branches
in order to capture birds. Birdlime
contains no lime; it means bird-stick
according to the etymological root.
“Lime” is a generic term that can
colloquially refer to any of a variety
of compounds that have calcium
as their primary constituent. More
properly, lime is calcium oxide (CaO),
also known as quicklime, burnt lime,
lump lime and unslaked lime. The
latter term is to distinguish it from
slaked lime—the addition of water to
Lime kilns were (and still are) used to
convert anything that contains calcium
carbonate (CaCO3) into quicklime by
adding energy in the form of heat to
separate the carbon dioxide (CO2). The
chemical equation is CaCO3 + heat ->
CaO + CO2, where heat is on the order of
3 mega joules or about one kilowatt-hour
for every kilogram of lime produced. The
16
Limestone is formed in ocean basins
by the buildup of the calcareous
remains of sea creatures, notably shellproducing mollusks, in the sediments.
Over many millennia, the sedimentary
layers form sedimentary rocks due to
the compression of overlying deposits.
Limestone constitutes between ten
and twenty percent of the earth’s
sedimentary rock; there are major
deposits on every continent.
The etiology of lime production using
refractory materials is generally attributed
to the Romans, whose monuments,
buildings and roadways were the fons et
origio for the magnificent constructions
of Western Europe (the Egyptians,
Greeks and Asians used stone). Stated
simply, the Roman Empire was built with
Roman cement, consisting of a mixture
of hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide)
(continued on p. 22)
HIKE OF THE MONTH
OUT OF TOWN EDITION
1,000 STEPS, PENNSYLVANIA
Author’s Note: For the last five years, I have
described hikes in the PATC area. This
year, with a few exceptions, I will describe
hikes outside the PATC maintenance area.
Most hikes will be within a day’s drive,
but some are further and require either an
overnight stay or a backpacking trip. I will
try to mention interesting places to stay
and eat when I am aware of these places. If
something significant changes with a hike
in the PATC area, such as a major trail
reroute, I will try to describe the new hike.
Otherwise, enjoy some of the outstanding
hikes further away from our home base.
Imagine that a substance critical
to a product you are making
exists on top of a mountain. You
would have to go up and get it.
Pennsylvania acquired the tract and
created a great hiking opportunity.
The trailhead for the 1,000 steps trail
is located in Jack’s Narrows, on busy
Highway 22 between Mount Union
and Mapleton, Pa. The parking lot
is little more than a large pull-off on
the highway and traffic is heavy and
fast. Since you need to walk a short
distance on the side of the highway,
take caution with children and pets.
A blue-blazed trail begins just past a
guard rail with a sign saying 1,000 Steps.
This trail very quickly becomes steep and
turns from a footpath into a steep series
of natural stone steps. After a short steep
climb, you reach a railroad grade with a
large kiosk describing the hike and the
history of the mountain. This point is
actually the beginning of the 1,000 steps
as the steep climb looms in front of you.
On an industrial scale, this would mean
a railroad and a long switchback route
for the trains to make it to the top. You
would also need men to get to the top
of the mountain to mine the material
you needed; they could follow the long
trail route or make a more direct way.
The steps are made of the same stone
that is everywhere along the steep side
of the mountain. This makes the steps
uneven and all different sizes, with
heights varying from very small to
what would be considered a large step.
Carefully begin to climb the steps, noting
the variation in the size and distance.
This is what happened with Jack’s
Mountain in central Pennsylvania. The
stone at the very top of the mountain was
critical for the sand needed to make heat
resistant silica bricks for stoves, hearths
and heat sources. From 1900 to 1950,
the Harbison Walker Company quarried
this stone from Jack’s Mountain.
Luckily, the steps do not climb the
mountain in one continuous climb,
but go from railroad grade to railroad
grade, giving you a landing and a
place to rest. At the top of each tier,
the trail follows the flat railroad grade
a short distance, letting you stretch
your muscles before the next climb.
In 1936, after a major flood took out
a bridge to a factory in Mount Union,
Pa., idled factory workers were put to
work making a more direct way for
miners to get to Harbison Walker’s
mountaintop quarries. They did this by
using abundant rocks in the scree piles to
make steps to the top of the mountain.
Notice two things as you climb. One
is that many of the rocks are textured
with what look like veins. These are
trace fossils from many millennia
ago when this mountain was the sea
bed. The other thing to notice is that
someone has numbered the steps. Every
hundred steps have that number on
it. At step 200, this is an annoyance;
at step 800 it is an encouragement.
After this was completed, someone had
the idea to count all the steps and found
there were more than 1,000 steps from
top to bottom. Every work day workers
would ascend the 1,000 steps to the
top of the mountain and then descend
the steps after the work day was over.
After the mining was complete, the
steps and mines were abandoned and
left to decay. In 1997, the state of
Finally, you reach step 1,000 with
“nice job” written below the number.
Unfortunately, this is not the last
step. There are actually more than
1,000 steps, so your climb continues,
though only for about 50 more steps.
The steps end at another railroad grade
and the trail follows this grade in both
The steps
The Dinkey House
All photos by Lee Sheaffer
directions. To the right of the steps
is a short (3/10 mile) trail to a mostly
continuous view as the valley opens
up in both directions. To the west is
Mapleton, seen through Jack’s Narrows.
Around a short bend, at the end of the
hike, is an outstanding view to the
east and the town of Mount Union.
Returning to the top of the steps,
continue on what is known as the
Standing Stone Trail. The Standing
Stone Trail was originally the Link
Trail, named because it linked the
17
View from Mill Creek Quarry
Tuscarora Trail to the Mid-State
Trail. These three trails are now
part of the Great Eastern Trail.
switchbacks. The trail then continues
on the railroad grade, finally coming
to an opening at Mill Creek Quarry.
Follow the railroad grade slightly uphill
to the ruins of the Dinkey House, a
maintenance shed for the smaller of
the two locomotives in the mining
operation. A larger locomotive climbed
the mountain bringing material up and
ore down, while a smaller locomotive ran
along the top of the mountain collecting
ore to transport down the mountain.
This is the best view of all, as you are
high enough to look over all the other
ridges to the west. The Juniata River
aggressively slices through ridge after
ridge as the river descends from its
headwaters. The line of ridges continues
as far as the eye can see with only the
river, road and railroad interrupting the
mountain chains. Many towns cling to
the narrow flat lands created by the river.
After exploring the Dinkey House, climb
yet another set of steep natural steps.
This adds about 200 more steps to your
climb, which will seem trivial after the
big climb you just completed. These
steps also end at an old railroad grade;
the hike then continues around the
quarried shoulder of Jack’s Mountain.
After a small climb, you come to an
open area with a view to the west.
While the view is narrow because of
vegetation, you do get a nice glimpse
of Mapleton, the Juniata River and
the train tracks that negotiate Jack’s
Narrows alongside the river.
After taking in this view, continue
along the railroad grade, using the
switchbacks that allowed the trains to
ascend the mountain. At one point,
the trail leaves the railroad grade
and steeply climbs up the side of
the mountain, avoiding several long
18
After taking in the view, return
the way you came. This is a pretty
routine return until you get to the
steps and realize that you must now
descend. While ascending the steps
is a fight against gravity, descending
the steps is a fight with gravity.
Descending the steps also reinforces
just how uneven the steps actually are.
Some steps are wide and your whole foot
and more will fit comfortably on them.
Other steps are so narrow that only a
small portion of your foot will fit. There
is no pattern to step width, as steps were
made from what was available, be it wide
or narrow. There are also no numbers to
tell you how close to the bottom you are
unless you turn around and happen to
see one of the numbers visible going up.
Luckily, on the descent you will find
the same railroad landings to give you
spots to rest. Finally, you see the final
set of steps and the railroad grade and
the kiosk below you. Just one very steep
set of steps to the bottom. As much
relief as you might feel, don’t forget that
you still have the short approach trail
with its own small set of steep steps
down to the road and the trailhead.
Like today, industries at the beginning
of the twentieth century would go to
great lengths to obtain the material
needed to build their products. Even if
the material was on top of a mountain,
they would find a way to get there.
At Jack’s Mountain, this meant building
a railroad and a stone path made of
steps to the top. After the quarry was
no longer in use, this path still exists
as part of major trail from Florida to
New York and one of the most unique
and beautiful hikes anywhere.
—Lee Sheaffer
THE FACTS:
MAP: A free map is available
from the Standing Stone Trail
website: www.hike-sst.org
LENGTH: The hike as described is 6.6 miles
ALTITUDE GAIN: 1,695 feet
DIFFICULTY FACTOR: 149.6
NEARBY LODGING AND FOOD: This
hike is about 30 miles from the PATC
Silberman Trail Center. Food and
drink options are in Mount Union.
What is that Flower
Ex-Figwort Families
Lopseed’s
flowers stick out
at 90 degrees
from the stem
and the fruit folds
down to ripen.
Photo by Richard
Stromberg
This is the fourth
and last month
of my discussion
of the Figwort
(Scrophulariaceae)
and related families.
Genetic studies have
caused taxonomists to
move several genera
from the Figwort
family to other
families. This month
covers the Lopseed
(Phrymaceae),
Verbena (Verbenaceae)
and Princess Tree
(Paulowniaceae)
families.
For a long time,
lopseed (Phryma
leptostachya—slender
spiked) was the
only member of
Phrymaceae. The
source of the name
Phryma is unknown. For a while, lopseed
was put in the Verbena family, but
taxonomists have reinstated the lopseed
family. Lopseed’s stemless, white/pink
flowers are less than a centimeter long and
spread along narrow spikes atop the plant,
sticking out at 90 degrees from the spike.
After pollination, the flowers drop off
and the green fruit folds down to ripen
in rows along both sides of the stem.
Genetic studies have caused
monkeyflower (Mimulus) to be moved
from the Figwort family to the Lopseed
family. Though the flowers of some
species resemble a monkey face, the
scientific name means clown, probably
because the flowers seem to be grinning.
The flowers are about an inch across
and colorful. Two erect upper lobes and
three cleft lower lobes flare from the
ends of tubes. They grow from axils.
We have two species of monkeyflower
in our area. The flowers range
from pink to purple to blue with
a yellow spot in the middle.
Winged monkeyflower (M. alatus—
winged) stems have slight wings. The
flowers have no stalk, but the leaves do.
Allegheny monkeyflower (M. ringens—
gaping) stems have no wings. The flowers
are on inch-long stalks, but the leaves
clasp the plant stem. Both like wet places.
Allegheny monkeyflower is more
common and blooms in the summer.
I have seen it in Wilson Cove in Great
North Mountain, in the swampy entrance
to Buck Hollow Trail off of U.S. 211 and
by the creek in Weakly Hollow on the
way to Old Rag/Robertson Mountain.
“Finding Wildflowers in the WashingtonBaltimore Area,” by Cristol Fleming,
Marion Blois Lobstein and Barbara
Tufty, suggests you’ll find Allegheny
monkeyflower on the Billy Goat trail and
Rock Creek Regional Park in Maryland
and Great Falls Park in Virginia.
I have seen winged monkeyflower,
which bloom all summer, into late fall,
at the seep at the lowest point of the
Old AT in Sky Meadows State Park and
near the Potomac along the AT near
Harpers Ferry. “Finding Wildflowers
in the Washington-Baltimore Area”
suggests looking along the banks of
the Potomac in Turkey Run Park.
Princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa) has
belonged to the Figwort family, but
now is in its own family, Paulowniaceae.
All members of this family are native
to China. Named for Anna Paulowna,
daughter of Tsar Paul I and queen
consort of the Netherlands, princess
tree was brought to the United States as
an ornamental because of its decorative
spike of purple flowers in the spring.
It has escaped and is an invasive
species in the southeastern states.
are lined with many one-eighth inch
white flowers. It grows everywhere.
Blue vervain (V. hastata—halberd
shaped leaves, having lobes at the base)
grows to five feet and has branching
spikes lined with quarter-inch, blue
flowers. It grows only in very wet
places; I have seen it along the Potomac
near the AT near Harpers Ferry.
Narrow-leaved vervain (V. simplex—
simple) has long, narrow leaves and can
grow to six feet. It has fewer flower spikes
than the other two vervain species, and
its purple flowers are a little larger.
I have seen narrow-leaved vervain—
which likes dry places—on Overall
Run Trail below Thompson Hollow.
The other Verbena family species in
our area is fogfruit (Phyla lanceolata—
lance-shaped leaves). Phyla is Greek
for tribe, referring to the compound
flower heads, which are round and
purple and are ringed by small, white or
pinkish, irregular flowers. I cannot find
a derivation for the common name.
Fogfruit, which bloom all summer and
into fall, grow in very wet places. I have
seen it by the Potomac along the AT near
Harpers Ferry. “Finding Wildflowers in
the Washington-Baltimore Area” suggests
you might see it along the C&O Canal
near Violette’s Lock and the banks of
the Potomac in Turkey Run Park.
—Richard Stromberg
Tomentosa refers to matted, wooly
hairs on the underside of princess
tree’s leaves, which are heart shaped
and up to a foot long at maturity, but
on young trees the be 2½ feet long.
The Verbena genus is the namesake
of its family, Verbenaceae. Verbena
is the Latin name for a sacred herb.
The common name is Vervain.
Vervain bloom all summer and into fall.
The most common is white vervain (V.
urticifolia—leaves shaped like nettle
leaves), a gangly plant that grows up
to eight feet tall. Extending from the
top and axils, slender flower spikes
White vervain has
tiny flowers atop
8-foot plants
Photo by Richard
Stromberg
19
Awards Ceremony
(continued from p. 6)
designer, prompted crew members to
submit articles and photos documenting
the many North Chapter activities.
More important than these projects—
and difficult to quantify—is the culture
Pete Brown has built among the Yankee
Clippers. The norms Pete has established
promote a true appreciation of the vast
diversity represented by the volunteers
he oversees. Members see clearly past
the opinions and values that can be
divisive, and respect and care for each
other. The work gets done because no
one wants to let the “other guy” down.
Under Pete’s leadership, the North
Chapter is clearly creating impacts
for PATC far out of proportion to
its size. In addition to the projects
mentioned above, Pete started the
chapter’s interest in working with
land unit managers to tackle invasive
plants by bringing Marian Orlousky
to the spring trail overseers’ meeting.
He actively encouraged the expansion
of this interest to the point that it is
now becoming a focus of the entire
club. And of course this is in addition
to Pete’s “regular” duties as district
manager, including two work trips per
month to perform trail maintenance on
the numerous AT, TT, and side trails
Emergency Response
Training and Trail
Patrol Presents:
Basic Wilderness
First Aid and
Wilderness First Aid
Upcoming classes
20
Basic Wilderness
First Aid, Vienna
Wilderness First
Aid, Fredrick
April 11-12
July 25-26
Oct. 17-18
Feb. 28-March 1
March 28-29
May 2-3
Sept. 26-27
Nov. 7-8
Outgoing President John Hedrick receives special
recognition from Jim Tomlin, chair of the GPS Rangers.
the North Chapter maintains. These
trails include some of the roughest
terrain in all of PATC’s territory.
Pete accomplished all of this while
maintaining his own trail sections,
attending meetings, and going out
during the week to check and perform
maintenance on other trails.
The guidelines for nominations for
this award indicate that the activities
of the nominee be completed in one
year. But this year’s accomplishments
could not have been achieved by acts in
this year alone. They are the result of
Pete’s outstanding leadership and efforts
during his 20 years of service to PATC.
This nomination is supported by
all the members of the Yankee
Clippers Trail Crew.
Basic Wilderness First Aid (BWFA)
Day one of this two-day class covers Adult CPR and AED and American Heart Association
First Aid. You will receive a textbook and a certification card good for two years. 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
teach the classes.
Cost of the class is $130, and it is held at the PATC headquarters. Pre-registration is required
no later than the Friday one week prior to the class. 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 410/456-6861.
Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
Join us for a 20-hour Wilderness First Aid Class! In this class, you will learn how to get help,
move and transport patients, conduct patient assessments, documentation, how to handle
medical and environmental emergencies, injury prevention and care, and much more. There
is plenty of hands-on practice time as well as scenarios. This class is conducted inside and
outside on the trail. Each student will receive a certification card good for two years through
ECSI and a waterproof field guide. Cost of this class is $180, and pre-registration is required.
This class is held in Frederick, Md. Please contact Saleena DeVore (see above) for more
information or the registration forms. No experience is required.
Help Wanted
Trail District Managers Needed
SNP Central District Blue blazed [south
end]–Map 10
Contact–Heidi Forrest—703/242‑0315 x
107, or [email protected]
Corridor Monitors
Tom Lupp–301/663‑6644,
[email protected]
•Whiskey Hollow ~ Northern
VA, Map 8 [south of Rte.50]
Shelter Construction Crew ~
Henry Horn ~ 301/498-8254,
[email protected]
Weekday crew members needed to
rebuild Dicks Dome Shelter. Call or email
for details.
Shelters
Gravel Spring Hut – SNP North – map 9
•Wayne Limberg ~ H 703/5338639, [email protected]
Trails
Pennsylvania AT, Blue blazed and
Tuscarora~ Maps [2‑3, 4, J and K]
Pete Brown~ 410/343‑1140,
[email protected]
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~
Long Gap to PA Rte. 74
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ PA Rte.
74 to McClure’s Gap (3.3 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ McClure’s
Gap to Warner Trail (3.7 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ PA 233
to Bill Miller Trail (3.9 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ Bill Miller
Trail to Cowpens Road (4.7 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ Hemlock
Road to Mountain Road (4.9 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ Mountain
Road to PA Rte. 641 (6.2 mi)
•PA Tuscarora [K] ~ co-overseer ~ Alice
Trail to Yellow Blazed Trail (4.2 mi)
•Alice Trail [K] ~ co-overseer ~
Tuscarora Trail to PA 456 (1.4 mi)
•Hell`s Hill Trail [K] ~ co-overseer ~
Tuscarora Trail to PA 456 (1. mi)
•Yellow Trail [K] ~ co-overseer ~
Tuscarora Trail to PA 456 (1. mi)
•Blue Trail [K] ~ Yellow Trail
to PA 456 (1. mi)
•Hunter Trail ~ Tuscarora
Trail to PA 16 (.8 mi)
SNP North District Blue blazed ~ Map 9
Noel Freeman ~ 540/850-1397, noel.
[email protected]
•Jeremys Run Trail (upper) ~ co-overseer
~ AT to 8th Ford of Jeremys Run (2.7mi)
•Little Devils Stairs Trail ~ co-overseer
~ Keyser Run Fire Road to East
Park Boundary (VA 614) (2mi)
SNP Central District Appalachian Trail ~
Map 10 - Dan Dueweke ~ 703/266-3248,
[email protected]
•[Orphaned trail sections in Central
District in need of a good home]
•AT ~ Stony Man Overlook to
Passamaquoddy Trail (.7mi)
•AT ~ Dean Mt. Road to South
River Fire Road (.9mi)
SNP Central District Blue blazed [north]
~ Map 10 - Melvin Ellis ~ H 703/860-1253
or 540/987-9797, freestatehollow@
hotmail.com
•Leading Ridge Trail ~ Skyline Drive
to West Park Boundary (1.3 mi)
SNP Central District Blue blazed [south]
~ Map 10 - Sean Dunn ~ 540/478-7953,
[email protected]
•Cedar Run/White Oak Link ~ White Oak
Canyon Trail to Cedar Run Trail (.8 mi)
•Laurel Prong Trail ~ AT to Fork
Mountain Trail (2.8 mi)
•Saddleback Mountain Trail
[loop] ~ AT to AT (1.4 mi)
•White Oak Canyon Trail ~ Skyline
Drive to Waterfall viewpoint (2.3 mi)
Tuscarora Central ~ Map L
John Spies ~ [email protected]
•Tuscarora Trail ~ Northern Rockfield
to Southern Rockfield (1.5 mi)
•Tuscarora Trail ~ Larrick Overlook
to Lucas Woods (2.3 mi)
•Tuscarora Trail ~ Lucas Woods
to Loman Branch (1.9 mi)
•Tuscarora Trail ~ Loman Branch
to Yellow Spring Road (3.7 mi)
•Tuscarora Trail ~ Farmer-Lockhart
to Capon Springs (6 mi)
•Frye Path Trail ~ Tuscarora Trail
to Laurel Run Trail (.4 mi)
•Laurel Run Trail ~ Tuscarora
Trail to Frye Path Trail (.5 mi)
•Rock Cave & Overlook Trail ~ Pinnacle
Overlook to Pinnacle Campground (.1 mi)
•Devils Nose Connector ~ Devils Nose
Parking Area to Tuscarora Trail (.5 mi)
Tuscarora South ~ Map F, G, 9
Rick Rhoades ~ 540/477-3247,
[email protected]
•Tuscarora Trail ~ US 340 to
SNP Boundary (1.1 mi)
Massanutten North ~ Map G
Ed Brimberg ~ 703/430-6481,
[email protected]
•Massanutten Trail ~ Camp Roosevelt
to Gap Creek Trail (3 mi)
•Massanutten Trail ~ Gap Creek Trail
to Scothorn Gap Trail (2.4 mi)
Great North Mountain ~ Map F
Lee Manning ~ acting district manager
703/560-0960, [email protected]
•Tibbet Knob ~ Wolf Gap Recreation
Area to VA 691 (2.1 mi)
DC Metro District ~ Map N
Alex Sanders ~ c 703/465-8140,
[email protected]
•Wesley Heights Trail Glover Archbold
Trail to Battery Kemble Park (0.8 mi)
•Melvin Hazen Trail co-overseer- Rock
Creek to Connecticut Ave (0.5 mi)
•Whitehaven Trail co-overseer- Glover
Archbold Trail to Wisconsin Ave (1.1 mi)
•Glover Archbold Trail ~ co-overseer ~
C&O Canal to Van Ness Street (3 mi)
Maryland National Battlefield Parks
Jim Tomlin ~ [email protected],
301/774-1228
•Mumma-Roulette Trail ~ Roulette
Farm to Roulette Farm (.61 mi)
Maryland Metro ~ Map D
Lynn Gallagher ~ 301/320-4862, or
[email protected]
Zoe Sollenberger ~ 703/447-8636, or
[email protected]
•Cabin John Trail ~ Bradley Boulevard
to Democracy Boulevard (2. mi)
•Overlook Spur Trail ~ co-overseer
~ Berma Road (S of Stop Gate)
to Overlook Trail (.1 mi)
Potomac Heritage & Great Falls Trail
~ Map D - Toby Torla ~ 703/241-8792,
[email protected]
•Potomac Heritage Trail ~ Gulf
Branch to Pimmit Run (1 mi)
Prince William Forest Park
Mark Ellis ~ 703/376-4150, Mark.
[email protected]
•Mary Bird Branch ~ Scenic Drive
to Old Black Top Road (.5 mi)
•Chopawamsic Trail ~ entrance
to entrance (2.2 mi)
Mutton Hollow ~ Map 11 - Bill Holman ~
[email protected]
Boundary Trail East ~ CCC Road [inside
gate] to Mutton Top Trail (.5 mi)
21
Hiker's Notebook
(Continued from P. 16)
and volcanic ash readily available on the
tectonically active Italian peninsula.
Lime kilns used to convert limestone
to quicklime were located according
to necessary proximity to the raw
materials of calcium carbonate limestone
and wood or coal for the generation
of heat. The discovery that heated
limestone produced quicklime was
certainly accidental, the likely result
of a very hot campfire on a bed of
limestone to which water was added as
an extinguishment—to form cement.
The simplest type of lime kiln,
known as a clamp kiln, emulates this
arrangement. It consists of a pile of
limestone interlaminated with layers
of either wood or coal and covered
with clay earth to encourage a slow,
high heat generation. At the end of
the burn, which could easily take a
week, the pile was exhumed and the
powdery quicklime removed, albeit
comingled with ash and other detritus.
The Romans improved on this
rudimentary arrangement with the
progenitor of the lime kilns of Roman
Britain (43-410 CE) and subsequently,
due to the British diaspora (of 16071776), to colonial North America.
The lime kilns of Great Britain were
introduced by the Romans; there
is no evidence of their use by the
preceding Celtic population. Their
use was primarily for the manufacture
of lime materials for the construction
of forts and villa-type edifices as
evidenced by the location of kilns
near to the ruins of these sites.
Due to the economics of raw material
procurement and transport, lime
kilns were necessarily located close to
limestone quarries and either coal mines
or forests. The use of kilns fell off with
the departure of the Romans, only to be
revived in medieval Norman England
(1066-1485) for the castles and churches
of that era. The concomitant and
subsequent use of lime for agricultural
purposes may stem from this period.
The lime kiln of England that became the
lime kiln of New England was a simple
affair. Called a flare kiln, it consisted
of an open-top enclosure of refractory,
granitic stone perforated with several
openings at the bottom with an internal
ledge. The limestone was stacked on top
of the ledge and wood or coal was placed
in the bottom. The openings, known as
flues or stoke-holes, allowed the air of
combustion to enter the hearth region.
After about a week, the limestone now
calcified, the quicklime and ash were
raked out of the hearth region for
processing into construction materials.
Due to the physics of the heat transfer
needed to convert limestone rock into
quicklime powder, the flare kilns were
about the same size—producing 25 tons
of lime with 50 tons of coal every week.
Modern kilns are continuous process
with a constant flow of crushed limestone
and an output of up to 500 tons per day.
Quicklime is labile, preferring the lower
energy state of greater stability. The
natural carbon dioxide in the air suffices
to restore calcium oxide to its calcium
carbonate limestone natural state over
time. The time frame for this reaction is
slow enough to allow storage and use of
the material without hermetic measures.
However, water is a problem. The
spontaneous exothermic reaction of one
liter of water with an equal volume of
quicklime according to CaO + H2O
-> Ca(OH)2 or calcium hydroxide
results in about 4 mega joules of heat.
The material safety data sheet for
quicklime offers the cautionary
note that “addition of water to
quicklime has generated temperatures
as high as 800 °C. Some reports
describe the reaction as violent.”
To alleviate this problem, quicklime is
frequently hydrated to produce slaked
lime, or calcium hydroxide. In either
case, quicklime and slaked lime are
the primary constituents for a variety
of fundamental construction materials
including cement, mortar and plaster.
Next issue: Into the Limelight:
the many uses of quicklime.
—William Needham
Announcing New Editions of Two Hiking Guides!
The 2014 Fourth Edition of “Hikes in Western Maryland,” the first since
2010, contains updated descriptions of many of the hiking trails found
in earlier editions including day hikes and multi- day backpacking trips,
level strolls and demanding climbs, linear hikes and circuits. Historic sites,
opportunities for a dip in a stream or lake along the way, or options for
camping along the trails or nearby are highlighted. GPS coordinates (NAD83)
for the parking lots at trailheads have been added to this edition.
Swallow Falls in Swallow Falls State Park.
Photo by Eric Savage
22
The 2014 Fifth Edition of “Hikes in the Washington Region, Part B: Northern
Virginia,” the first since 2007, is part of a trilogy on Washington, D.C., area
hiking. The Part A companion book covers counties in Maryland that lie to the
northwest of the capital. Part C covers the capital itself, as well as Maryland
counties on and near the western shore of Chesapeake Bay. Part B offers a variety
of hiking experiences in Northern Virginia; it describes more routes, with more
options for longer and shorter variations than previous editions, and extends
beyond the immediate Capital Beltway to the Shenandoah River and close to
Harpers Ferry. GPS trailhead coordinates (NAD83) have also been added.
YOUTH
SECTION
In December 2014, Potomac Appalachian Trail
Club volunteers began rehabilitating a national
recreational trail designed for the blind.
The Lions Tale Trail is located in the George
Washington National Forest, a 1.1 millionacre park west of Luray, Va. The half-mile
Lions Tale Trail, designated as Easy, is
constructed to emphasize senses other
than sight, such as sounds from a babbling
creek, or the sweet smell of a native plant.
Vision impartment doesn’t mean an individual
has to be limited in the great outdoors. In 1990
Bill Irwin (1940-2014), with his guide dog Orient,
became the first blind individual to hike the entire
Appalachian Trail. Like many, Irwin hiked north
from Georgia to Maine but he hiked without a
map, a compass or a GPS. Irwin was 36 years
old when he lost his vision and 50 years old
when he began his hike. The hike took him over
eight months to complete, proving he stuck to
his motto “never lose faith and never give up.”
In 2008, blind hiker Trevor Thomas completed
a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail without the
assistance of a guide dog. Thomas recalls that he
fell more than 3,000 times and sustained several
injuries while hiking the Appalachian Trail.
Since then, Thomas has gone on to hike the
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Tahoe Rim Trail, and
the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). Neither
Thomas nor Irwin had the help of a map,
because at the time, maps of the AT, PTC
and CDT were not available in Braille.
Braille is a form of written language in
which letters are represented by patterns
of raised dots. The American Foundation
for the Blind (AFB) developed a website
called http://www.BrailleBug.afb.org to
teach sighted children about Braille.
If you visit the website and complete the
form (with your parents’ permission of
course!), AFB will mail you a free Braille
Alphabet card that includes letters, numbers,
and common grammatical characters.
Next month is February and National Black
History Month. In honor of Black History
Month, we’ll learn about adventurous
black Americans in history.
Youth Section Editor: La Benn
Contact the Youth Section at [email protected]
Friendly Reminder:
You may have heard of a pest called the emerald
ash borer. It nests in ash trees and can spread when
individuals transport ash tree wood for campfires.
The emerald ash borer has been found in
Shenandoah National Park (SNP)
In June, 2014, SNP staff confirmed the existence of
additional emerald ash borer beetles in the park.
Emerald ash borers kill ash trees. Since their detection in
2002, it is estimated that emerald ash borers are responsible
for the deaths of at least 50 million ash trees across 14
states and parts of Canada. In the United States it is
considered the most destructive non-native forest pest.
You can help prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer
by not transporting firewood or fallen trees from one area to
another. During the winter, emerald ash borers nest in the
trunks of ash Trees.
In spring the borer,
now equipped with
wings, leaves the
tree in search of
other ash trees.
Keeping firewood
local prevents ash
borers from ruining
trees in other regions.
You can learn more
about, and see
pictures of, the
emerald ash borer
on the Northeastern
Area page of the U.S.
Forest Service web
site: http://na.fs.
fed.us/fhp/eab/.
23
PERIODICAL
118 Park Street, S.E.
Vienna, VA 22180‑4609
US POSTAGE PAID
AT VIENNA VA
Telephone: 703/242‑0315
Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
NEW BOOTS
Volunteers Appointed in November
Shelters
Larry Linebrink
Rock Spring Hut ~ SNP Central District
Trails DMs
Fritz Gottschall
Co-district Manager, DC
Sean Dunn
District manager of SNP Central BB South
Jim Tomlin
District manager of Maryland National Battlefield Parks
Trails
Terry Shaw
Tuscarora /Overall Run ~ Thompson Hollow/Overall Run to Mathews Arm Trail
George Clissold
Broad Hollow Trail
Scott Kelly
Buck Ridge Trail
Charles Webster
Sleepy Creek Mountain Connector Trail
Arthur Duran
Cabin John Trail ~ Bradley Boulevard [parking] to Democracy Boulevard
Potomac Appalachian
Printed on 100% Post
Consumer Waste Paper
(UPS‑440‑280) ©2015, 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 annually; $.75 single copies.

Potomac Appalachian January 2015

Transcription

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