THE NEWSLETTER OF THE POTOMAC APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUBpatc20.yourassociation.org/docs/PATC/Newsletters/2017/PA... · 2017-08-08 · Snickers Gap AT Trailhead Skyland Resort and its

BATTLING THE ELEMENTSPhotos by Kirsten Elowsky

A backpacker carries a lighter version of home when travelling the trails. As trail maintainers, the Cadillac Crew carries a lighter version of a construction company when working a trail project. Being prepared to battle the earth and Mother Nature, we tackle the trails with picks, shovels, buckets, a sense of humor and sometime surprises.

In February, our crew moved rocks capable of crushing toes on a single bounce. With a light and sturdy rock carrier designed by Robert Fina, crewmembers maneuvered six boulders into a safer and hardier step sequence on the Rachel Carson Trail in Silver Springs, MD without incident.

By March, the crew was already contending with snakes making their way across our work zone. But that didn’t slow the work of cleaning waterbars with picks on the Nicolson Hollow and Corbin Mountain trails with enthusiasm on two trips.

In May, the drenching spring showers were defeated with temporary tarp covering. As wet Memorial Day weekend rains fell, our spirits were lifted by the engagement announcement of Ryan

John Corwith, Alan Day, Janet Arici and Anne Corwith move a boulder out of a wheelbarrow whileKeith Tondrick waits to place it in the trail

Michael Johnson covered with mud while removing debris from a waterbar

SEPTEMBER 2017 ‑ VOLUME 4, NUMBER 9

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE POTOMAC APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUB

118 PARK STREET, S.E., VIENNA, VA 22180‑4609WWW.PATC.NETISSN 098‑8L54

HEAVEN IS A PORCH SWING

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WHAT'S THAT FLOWER?

HIKER"S NOTEBOOK

PATC’S 90TH ANNIVERSARY HIKE #4: SKYLAND – CORBIN CABIN AREA

This 9.3-mile route consists of two loops connected by an out-and-back segment in Shenandoah National Park (SNP). Ascents along the way total 1800 feet. The hike follows the current path of the Appalachian Trail (AT) from Skyland, passes Stony Man Mountain, visits Corbin Cabin, and returns on a historic part of the AT now called the Passamaquoddy Trail. The hike touches or passes near sites where pivotal events in AT development occurred in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Even as work continued on the AT between Harpers Ferry and Front Royal, PATC’s early members camped at Thornton Gap in April of 1928 to plan the route south into what is now SNP’s Central District. Despite roads approaching Sperryville that were “barely passable at times,” and despite having to pack their equipment up and along the Blue Ridge from there, the trail builders worked quickly. On October 6 of that year, club bulletin #5 declared the trail from Thornton Gap to Skyland open.

Suter and Brian Collins who worked in the poison ivy covered AT trailhead parking lot at Snickers Gap with loppers and gas powered grass trimmers.

As summer approached, the buckets of rain morphed into earth moving and rock crushing buckets on the High Rocks trail in Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area. Buckets and buckets of joy, eh, gravel, were maneuvered into low areas of this new trail relocation. The tools of choice for this trip were the sledgehammer and shovel. The dog days of summer were upon us by the July Antietam National Battlefield Park trail work trip. Our main tailgate safety-briefing topic was heat safety. Even Gracie, our dog friendly member, joined the crew during the heat of the day on the Snavely Ford trail. Double duty wheelbarrows were repurposed for lunch in the shade. Through a generous donor, the crew refreshed at the Shepard’s Spring Retreat bringing back the great smiles that end all our trips in the battle to maintain great trails in the PATC region.

~ Kirsten Elowsky

Happy Ryan Suter and Brian Collins showing the two new parking spaces at Snickers Gap AT Trailhead

Skyland Resort and its owner were significant factors in the trail’s progress. Skyland predates both the AT and SNP. Its founder, George F. Pollock, played a role in developing both. An early ally of PATC’s founders and an energetic advocate, he helped to convince various agencies that the AT should follow the Blue Ridge past Skyland rather than taking a ridge farther west. When the National Park Service was considering creation of a park in the Blue Ridge Mountains during the 1929-1933 presidency of Herbert Hoover, Pollock joined PATC in promoting the idea. Skyland cabins and campgrounds served

NPS workers taking a break from Corbin Cabin week-long upkeep maintenancePhoto by Wm Needham

Signs of trail maintenance on the AT near its junction with Nicholson Hollow TrailPhoto by Larry Broadwell

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More photos can be found on page 20

as a base for PATC’s trail builders and, a few years later, for construction of the first stage of Skyline Drive. The Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) also worked in this area, relocating AT segments to make room for the Drive. Among sites within hiking distance are Hoover’s retreat at Rapidan Camp; the site

On hot summer days, clouds above 3000 feet around Skyland and Stony Man Mountain may cool hikersPhoto by Larry Broadwell

of PATC’s first cabin; Corbin and Lambert cabins (the core of Lambert being among the oldest of the club’s facilities, dating from before the Civil War); the ruins of the mountaineer community in Nicholson Hollow; and Stony Man Mountain.

FOR MORE: Directions to the trailhead and along the route are now available at www.patc.net. Articles on other hikes in this series are also found there.

OTHER REFERENCES: PATC’s “Appalachian Trail Guide to Shenandoah National Park;” PATC Map #10; “Breaking Trail in the Central Appalachians,” by David Bates (PATC, 1987); “A Footpath in the Wilderness,” edited by Carol Niedzaliek (PATC, 2003); ”Origin of the Skyline Drive through the Shenandoah National Park . . .” by Walter W. Mallonee (1995 monograph); and George F. Pollock’s “Skyland, the Heart of Shenandoah National Park” (Virginia Book Co., 1960); “Shenandoah Secrets” by Carolyn and Jack Reeder.

ABOUT THIS SERIES. . .

Between 1927 and today, PATC’s founders and their successors built a 240-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, created the Tuscarora Trail, made dozens of cabins and shelters available to hikers, and took on maintenance responsibility for over 1000 miles of paths in the club’s 4-state service area. The hikes described in this series pass landmarks in PATC’s history and celebrate nine decades of remarkable evolution in our national trail network.

Larry Broadwell and William Needham co-write the series, and Brian Goudreau provides maps. Tom Johnson contributed to this entry.

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JIM’S JOURNAL – SEPTEMBER 2017 POTOMAC APPALACHIAN

There are three people who were instrumental for me becoming a PATC member. One is a close relative, one is a close friend and one I never had the opportunity to meet.

On a sunny, perfect spring day in April 1968, my next-older brother George invited me to hike Old Rag with him. I was a pre-teen and had never really hiked before, although I had been outdoors for picnics and on rare occasions, my family accompanied George’s scout troop for weekend events. But this hike was just George, one of his friends and me. I absolutely loved it. George is the one I need to thank for introducing me to hiking.

The Old Rag hike was such a watershed that I knew right then that hiking was for me. I wanted to know more about it. Somehow I found a 1965 edition of PATC Map 10, created by Maps Chair and PATC cartographer Egbert Walker. That map went everywhere with me – at every free moment, I would study the trails, fire roads, and all other features, imagining myself being at each. I have to thank Mr. Walker – who I never met – for fueling my interest in trails by producing such an eye-catching map, by which I found out about PATC.

I was deflated to learn that one needed to be sponsored by a current member in order to join PATC in those days. As I continued hiking and acquiring more PATC maps as a teenager, I kept hoping to meet someone who could sponsor me.

When I started a student summer job with the National Geodetic Survey in 1976, my wish was granted. Down the hall from me worked Bob Moose, a PATC volunteer who was the Trail Overseer for both Corbin Hollow Trail and Robertson Mountain Trail in SNP (Bob oversaw those two trails for 20 years.). Bob had been sponsored by Ed Garvey, the famous AT author and PATC member. Not only did Bob sponsor me into the Club, but he also began asking me to help him with large, difficult blowdowns and other complex maintenance work.

JIM’S JOURNAL – AUGUST 2017 POTOMAC APPALACHIAN

JIM TOMLIN

Due to an unforeseen error, part of Jim Tomlin’s journal was left off for August. His August and September columns are included in their entirety.

I am very grateful and honored to have been selected to serve the remainder of this term as your President. I will be doing the best I possibly can to serve the Club by putting the Club’s best interest first and foremost. This is a Club that has been organized to run by consensus so I will be striving to find the best ideas and build Club-wide support for them. I will need every PATC volunteer to pitch in and help me with this.

My goals are:

• Building enhanced PATC support for our volunteers. We are in an era of diminishing agency partners’ support and increasing agency partners’ bureaucracy. They want us to do more and more, and they are supporting us less and less. We also need to be ready for a generational change of volunteers who have more of a desire for social interaction and who have fewer options for transportation. We need to provide our volunteers with: • Better tools to do their job • Better facilities • Better training • Better safety • Better transportation • Better coordination with our supporting organizations

• Financial and operational transparency, ethics and wise spending. We need a good business plan that provides us with all the information we need in order to make sound business decisions. We need to make decisions carefully, wisely and in the open. We need to realize that PATC money is finite and must be managed carefully. • Growing PATC awareness and membership. We need to attract new members of all ages, but I would like to focus primarily on two groups: (1) college-age and very young professionals (so that the world can benefit from their enhanced awareness of nature and volunteerism); and (2) the newly-retired (in order to fill a variety of PATC volunteer and leadership positions that require significant time demands, and to provide a richer and deeper purpose in life for retirees). • Alignment of PATC ExCom, Council, and paid staff with the new business environment. PATC has grown tremendously since the 1970s and now has a gigantic budget, slews of cabins, more trail mileage, more partners, has to deal with more bureaucracy, and is involved in many issues in many places. Gone are the days when we could operate with only a smile and handshake. It is imperative that we review and reorganize in order to be able to efficiently and effectively meet our current needs. • Modern online organization of Club documents, policies, procedures. We need a better system for referencing and reviewing what has been done previously. We have had a good start on this but much more remains to be done. Future officers will thank us.

I will provide details about my long background with the Club, and go into more detail on each of these goals, in future columns. Please stay tuned.

Thank you for your support in furthering the mission of PATC for another 90 years.

~ Jim Tomlin


HIKER'S NOTEBOOK: AMERICAN CHESTNUT TREE

APOCALYPSE APPALACHIA

PART ONE

Photos by Wm Needham

The American chestnut tree was a key indicator species of the Appalachian uplands from Maine to Georgia for 2,000 years as it migrated north with arboreal steadfastness at the end of the last ice age of glaciation. Its heritage extends to the first glimmers of the Holocene

Epoch; pollen in New York confirms its presence there about 40,000 years ago. At the turn of the 20th century, and perhaps marking the beginning of the Anthropocene Epoch, the trees slowly but inexorably succumbed to an Asian fungus in what is considered by many to be the most devastating environmental onslaught by an invasive species in recorded history (discounting the literal decimation of North American natives by European invaders – mostly by diseases - that preceded it by four centuries).

The mighty chestnuts once ranged in dense ranks along mountain ridges and comprised about one-quarter of all trees in the 200 million acres of woodlands.Shortly after his Walden Pond sojourn, Henry David Thoreau wrote “Now is the time for chestnuts. A stone cast against the trees shakes them down in showers upon one’s head and shoulders.”

I quickly found out that maintaining a trail was – gasp – even more fun than hiking. The extremely rewarding feeling of tackling and solving a difficult task to clear or improve the trail, often learning about new tools in the process, is incomparably enriching. Bob’s enthusiastic optimism and total enjoyment of the work was contagious. Without Bob, I may never have joined PATC or discovered how gratifying trail volunteering is. I was hooked for life. Thank you, Bob.

I went on to be a Trail Overseer on my own, later becoming a District Manager, helping with shelter construction, Trail Patrol and trail crews. I led many hikes for two casual (but more or less in line) hiking groups. Later still I began volunteering at PATC HQ for a variety of Committee Chair and Elected Officer positions, but never losing my ties to hiking or trail volunteering. Before my retirement from the National Geodetic Survey in 2016 and being elected Supervisor of Trails, I had the delight of using my 40 years of surveying knowledge from NGS to organize the PATC GPS Rangers, a very fine group of volunteers who are still avidly collecting superb data for all trails and fire roads on all PATC maps.

Every PATC member should ask themselves “what can I do to introduce more people to PATC?” Can you take a young relative on their first hike? Can you show one of our outstanding maps or guidebooks to a hiker new to the area? Can you introduce a hiker to the soul-enriching benefits of helping to maintain a hiking trail (or any one of our other many important volunteer jobs) for others? PATC needs as many Georges, Egberts, and Bobs as we can find to spread the good news.

~ Jim Tomlin

All that changed in 1876 when a New York horticulturalist named Samuel Parsons received a shipment of Japanese chestnut seeds which he planted in order to sell the exotic Asian trees to his orchard customers in several states. Unbeknownst to him, the Japanese seeds were a horticultural Trojan horse; a fungal pathogen lurked in their midst. Unlike its related Chinese and Japanese chestnut trees, the American chestnut lacked immunity to the Asian invader and antibiosis ensued. The devastation began with little fanfare; blight was first discovered almost thirty years later on chestnut trees growing in the New York Zoological Garden by Herman Merkel, the chief forester. Working with the noted mycologist of the New York Botanical Garden, William Murrill, the fungal culprit was identified and named Endothia parasitica. By 1906, almost all the chestnut trees in the Bronx were infected, a harbinger of the disaster to follow. With a touch of irony, Parsons became the landscape architect of New York City in 1895 and served in that capacity until 1911.

The fungus, having been renamed Cryphonectria parasitica by Murrill, is commonly known as either Chestnut blight fungus or Chestnut bark disease. It is one of a family of pathogens in the Division Ascomycota that includes Ophiostoma ulmi which causes Dutch elm disease, and Ceratocystis fagacearum responsible for oak wilt. They occupy a niche of the Kingdom Fungi whose parasitism stands in stark contrast to the beneficent mycorrhizal fungi without which many trees could not survive; both groups of

The characteristic toothed leaves of the American chestnut give it the species name dentate

The mission house in Pocosin Hollow is testimony to the resilience of chestnut wood used in construction


fungi are subject to the same trophic needs they share with animals as only plants make food directly. Chestnut blight begins with spores that land in a crack that bypasses the tree’s protective bark armor. The spores germinate to form the growing hyphal filament of fungal physiology that ultimately evolves to a rust-colored canker, or visible tree wound. The canker can grow outward, in which case it is called swollen, or inward which is called sunken; the latter gradually kills the tree by girdling.

Trees are the vascular masters of all botany in the movement of water and dissolved minerals upward in the xylem at the center of the bole to feed the photosynthetic engine of individual leaves. Their product sugars are returned to the roots through the annular phloem that surrounds the xylem just beneath the bark. In disrupting this flow circumferentially, which is called girdling, the canker kills the epigeal tree in a matter of years – but it does not entirely kill the tree below the encircling canker. American chestnut tree relicts resprout from their immortal roots, surviving for several years before the process of canker and demise repeats. Like the chained Prometheus whose liver is consumed by an eagle only to grow back so that the agony can be prolonged indefinitely, the Greek version of eternal damnation is played out in the truncated chestnut life cycle with its revenant stunted trees. Recrudescent chestnut trees are encountered with some regularity on the trails of the Appalachians, their rebirth an inspiration for those who seek to restore their former grandeur.

The epic struggle to contain the chestnut pandemic blight began as soon as the devastation became manifest; federal funding for chestnut blight investigation was appropriated by Congress in 1911. A USDA study concluded in 1913 that the canker disease was also found in both Chinese and Japanese chestnut trees in mostly mountainous areas, which ultimately resolved the provenance of the fungus. However, due to the immature state of knowledge concerning fungal propagation (fungi were considered to be plants), remediation measures were limited to the standard tree disease methods employed by arborists. Chemical sprays, tree surgery - which amounted to selected removal of infected trees and branches - and the application of primitive fungicides did nothing to stop

the die-off. When the cankers appeared in Pennsylvania’s vast forests, even quarantine was attempted by cutting a swath across the Appalachian Mountains as a physical barrier to the advance; ignis fatuus is evident in the lack of adequate scientific knowledge of the long-range transport of nearly weightless spores. When it was discovered that chestnut blight had extended to the southern terminus of the Appalachian chestnut forests in Georgia the government- unded effort was deemed futile and curtailed. The American chestnut began its slow but inexorable decline; by 1940, the dystopia of acres of dead trees became reality.

The American chestnut tree was the linchpin of the economy of the southern Appalachian Mountains – the nuts, bark and wood provided food, clothing money and shelter to its denizens. The decay-resistant wood was strong, easy to split, and ideally suited to construction of houses, fences and furniture. The tannin-rich bark was stripped from the trees to sell to tanneries for the treatment of leather. According to Reeder’s Shenandoah Secrets, “Generations of mountain men, sometimes aided by wives and children, cut bark ….peeling it all off with a metal tool called a spudder. The bark was stacked to dry … and delivered to the tannery.” American chestnut bark comprised more than half of the tannin for the 21 tanneries in the southern Appalachian region, which were so successful that they operated complementary lumber companies to maintain the chestnut bark resource.

WHAT'S THAT FLOWER: PEA FAMILY Photos by Richard Stromberg As summer blends into autumn, some Pea Family species are still flowering.

Hog Peanut (Amphiocarpaea bracteata) is a twining vine. It stays low and often just lays across other plants rather than wrapping around them. The leaves alternate along the stem and have three leaflets. The leaflets can be almost three inches. They have a round base from which each side

The nuts of the American chestnut were prodigious – a large tree produced about 10 bushels of nuts that fell in prickly piles that blanketed the ground so thickly that they could be shoveled into collecting buckets. And, unlike the other nut-bearing oak and hickory trees that produce nuts every 3 to 5 years (a phenomenon known as masting), chestnuts produced an annual crop. Beyond the practicalities of food, clothing and shelter, chestnut leaves were steeped in water to make a tisane tea as a palliative for coughs and an ointment to quell the maddening itch of insect bites and poison ivy, practices adopted from the local Native American Cherokee. The American chestnut “essence,” called somewhat whimsically extractum castanea fluidum was in the U. S. Pharmacopoeia from 1873 to 1905.

~ Wm Needham

The nuts of the American chestnut were prodigious – a large tree produced about 10 bushels of nuts that fell in prickly piles

Partridge Pea flowers occur in groups of 1‑5 along the stem


to six feet tall. The leaves have 5-10 pairs of leaflets. It is not common. The word senna derives from an Arabic word meaning brightness. I have seen it on the AT near Harpers Ferry along the Canal towpath.

Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata—in bunches) flowers occur in groups of 1-5 along the stem. The flowers are similar in size to Wild Senna, but the leaves have 10-15 pairs of leaflets that are smaller than Wild Senna. Chamaecrista means “crests on the ground”--I’m not sure why. And I suppose the fruit are at eye-level of a partridge. It is common in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont and infrequent at low elevations in the mountains. Finding Wildflowers in the Washington-Baltimore Area by Cristol Fleming, Marion Blois Lobstein and Barbara Tufty says it can be found in Huntley Meadows Park and Prince William Forest Park in Virginia, and Sandy Point State Park on Chesapeake Bay. I have seen it on the Sherman Gap Trail on the east side of Massanutten, near Chesapeake Bay and along the road at my house.

Wild Sensitive Plant (Chamaecrista nicititans) flowers appear singly or in pairs tight against the stem. The flowers are half the size of Partridge Pea. The leaves have 7-20 pairs of leaflets that are smaller than Partridge Pea. The leaves

fold up when touched, hence the name “sensitive." The species name nicititans means “winking” from the movement of the leaves. It is common throughout the area, but I have not seen it along a trail.

Last and, hopefully, least is Kudzu (Pueria montana). You have no doubt heard of this non-native vine that can overwhelm everything in its path in the southeastern part of the U.S. In our part of the country, it dies back every winter, but gets going again every spring. Its leaves have three leaflets, each one up to eight inches. They are round, coming to a point at the tip. Its purple flowers have the typical pea form and grow in a dense spike up to ten inches long but they are insignificant in comparison to the massive vines, and are not an important factor in its invasiveness. Fortunately it does not grow in shade, so it does not penetrate to our woodland trails. You can see it on a hillside on the east side of US-340 between Front Royal and Luray and next to the parking lot at the bottom of Staunton River Trail just outside Shenandoah National Park.

~ Richard Stromberg

Kudzu at Staunton River parking

extends straight for two-thirds of the leaflet to a point. They have been teasing us all summer and only put out flowers at the last moment before cooler weather. The half-inch purple-pink flowers are arranged in a raceme. They hardly seem to open, the banner petal peeling back from the other four petals, and the wing petals barely unwrapping from the two petals that are fused into a keel. These flowers produce small, scimitar-shaped pods. Hog Peanut also has cleistogamous flowers, flowers that self-pollinate and do not open.

The cleistogamous pods are usually underground, hence the name Hog Peanut. The genus name means “fruit of two kinds." Each flower is subtended by a small bract, hence the species name. It is common in forests but is found mostly on base-rich forests, so it appears mostly on the basalt based sections of Shenandoah National Park rather than the poorer, acid sandstone-

dominated mountains to the west.

We have three Pea Family members that do not have the typical pea flower. They have five petals, one much larger than the others. This large petal equates to the banner petal of the typical pea flower. The two lower petals that are fused into a keel in other Pea Family flowers are separate in these species. Their leaves and fruits are typical of the Pea Family: pinnate (like a feather) leaves with entire leaflets and seeds in pods. The flowers are yellow.

Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa—hairy fruited) has panicles at the top of the plant with many half-inch flowers. It can grow

Partridge Pea flowers occur in groups of 1‑5 along the stem


HEAVEN IS A PORCH WITH A SWING

There is a popular saying that goes, “The best kind of friend you can have is the kind you can sit on a porch swing with, never say a word, then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation that you ever had.”

I started working as the Blackburn caretaker in mid-May and one of my favorite places is our porch. (I know that I’m not the only one who feels this way either.) Most of the time when I hear people outside I turn the corner to see them sitting on the wooden swing, or already rocking themselves to sleep after their ride on the infamous “rollercoaster” of the AT!

The porch seems to literally be the key to this cabin. Some days it’s like a magnet that draws people down the mountain. One hiker recently told me, “I stopped here in 2004 and I just wanted to sit on this porch swing again and look at the view.”

Weary hikers stream in and out of this porch throughout the day to get water or have lunch. We pour glasses of lemonade and sweet tea on sultry summer days. We offer refuge from thunderstorms. And we share stories. I feel a strong sense of connection in this space. It’s almost like a wraparound hug from my mom. I sometimes wonder who has been here in years past. Who else sat on the porch swing reading a book? Then I wonder who may come walking down those stone steps next.

After I do my work I often retreat to the porch with a cup of coffee and I pause. There is something magical about the gentle rocking of the porch swing that brings me peaceful serenity. I can feel the cool breeze whip up from the valley below, listen to the songbirds and watch the deer crossing through the woods. For those few minutes I am in my own “screened-in” Heaven.

One of the most memorable conversations I’ve had was a farewell to a father and son in late May. They were thru-hikers from

South Africa. The boy said “I thought this place was just some old shack in the woods, but when we got here it was like……it was almost like magic.”

I smiled quietly, nodded and said, “I know.”

How fortunate we are to have the Blackburn Trail Center.

~ Cheryl Hadrych Blackburn Center Caretaker Summer 2017

VOLUNTEER WITH THE POTOMAC APPALACHIAN!

We are looking for volunteers to serve on the Potomac Appalachian staff! Volunteers can assist in 3 different ways:

ProofreaderProofread and edit articles for the monthly publication

Content editor Organize photos for monthly publication. Assist proofreaders with their tasks. Follow up on articles and photos

Layout editor Layout articles and photos for publication

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3No experience is necessary. All volunteer work can be done from the comforts of home!

Contact Dan Pulskamp at [email protected] if interested.


PATC’S FIRST PAID EMPLOYEE

Norma Hoffman, PATC’s first paid employee, passed away on June 11, just shy of what would have been her 92nd birthday. From 1970 to 1982, Norma worked, often alone or with her dog Creech, at the PATC headquarters in downtown Washington, DC.

Norma went on from PATC to an extraordinary life in conservation and volunteerism. Perhaps her greatest triumph was helping to save Huntley Meadows Park in Fairfax County - the last and largest wetland in the county - from development. Over a period of more than a decade, she organized opposition to a proposed highway that would have gone straight through the middle of the park. After a long fight, approval of the road was rescinded and the park was saved. In 1992, the Sierra Club named her one of their 100 Environmental Heroes for her efforts.

In an article in the January 2000 PA, Norma credited her time with PATC and what she learned about protection and preservation of natural resources for helping her to her later successes.

Those who remember Norma will remember her as always upbeat and ever cheerful. The PATC President when Norma was hired, Jack Reeder, said that “a more helpful person there never was before.” Norma will be interned in Arlington National Cemetery on a date to be determined. Her family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Friends of Huntley Meadows Park, to Hassadah, or to a charity of your choice.

~ Kit Sheffield

CHARLIE IRVIN

PATC NORTH CHAPTER – DISTRICT TRAILS MANAGER

Goatskin gloves.

Roasted corn.

No wasted time.

Charlie Irvin epitomized a man of action. From a farming background, he gave his time generously to his community and to the A.T. He joined PATC in 1971 after completing the entire Trail over 17 years of section hiking. As one of the founding members of PATC’s North Chapter in 1984, Charlie served for many years as Pennsylvania district trails manager along with Jack Danner. He got things done!

No stranger to hard work, he led the First Saturdays work trips meeting at Caledonia, and ending with group suppers at The Hermitage. Access to this primitive cabin is ½ mile downhill! The tired volunteers came for an evening of fellowship and some of Esther Aulthouse’s filling repasts. Charlie took 3 days to make sure everything was ship-shape, including stocking up firewood, getting everything organized, and then cleaning up. By 1998, Ray Fadner’s Gypsy Spring cabin with electricity and plumbing became available with easier access. This location provided more space for Charlie to set up his famous August Corn Roast (still continuing today)!

Charlie took great pride in the years-long effort to successfully reopen the Tuscarora Trail by 1995. My hiking mentor, Elizabeth Johnston, accompanied him with Jack, Peter Muschamp, Ethel Nelson and others, and she proudly recalled how many times they would emerge at the end of a long day, tired, scratched and bloodied. He was responsible for relocating the AT Hemlock Hill shelter from Maryland to the Wagon Wheel site along the Tuscarora Trail in Pennsylvania. South of Cowan’s Gap, he arranged to have switchbacks

put in rather than the original straight shot uphill. For their extraordinary efforts, Charlie and Jack received the American Hiking Society Volunteer of the Year award for Pennsylvania in 1994. The next year, he received PATC’s Honorary Life Membership.

As well as coordinating monthly work trips, in the spring of 1997 Charlie directed the building of a bridge over Birch Run near the shelters of the same name. A new bridge over Falls Creek after a section relocation was done in the ‘90’s as well as other Trail relocations, tread improvements and shelter work. Just keeping up with all the Trail overseers and reminding them to send in their hours kept Charlie on his toes.

Charlie instigated spring overseers meetings bringing together representatives from ATC, local foresters and park rangers as well as PATC supervisors and chairs to meet with North Chapter volunteers. Shared information with an opportunity to meet face to face and interact through discussions and questions always proved invaluable. Charlie’s leadership over a long span of years strengthened the foundation of our group, with the hallmark of willing workers unafraid of hard tasks and new challenges, mixed together with pride in teamwork.

Charlie received a plaque and a letter of congratulations from President Bush in 2004 as a recipient of the “President’s Call to Service” award, one of only 644 in the entire country.

One wet, miserable, rainy Saturday, I worked alongside Charlie while he wrestled with a downed hemlock across Red Run Creek near Beartown. As he was sawing away a blockage, he suddenly stopped and stood up for a moment. “Goatskin gloves!” he gestured to me. “These’ll stay soft even once they dry out! Better than the other leather ones!” he affirmed.

He was right! Thanks for the advice, Charlie! I think of you every time I slip mine on.

~ Kathy Seiler PATC North Chapter

MEMORIAM


ND HOODLUMS' WEEDY SATURDAY

According to the old song, April showers bring May flowers. That may be true but in Shenandoah National Park, the North District Hoodlums found they also bring June and July weeds: black cohosh, Virginia creeper, mile-a-minute, Japanese stilt grass, you name it-- OR all the usual suspects and then some. If anything 2017 was getting to look like a record year so the Hoodlums decided to give the ND overseers a hand and declared their July 15 work trip a "weedathon." The good news is that the weather was near perfect: blue skies and low temps and humidity, especially compared with the preceding week

With nearly 20 in attendance including some new recruits, the Hoodlums divided into four crews. DM Noel Freeman took one down Piney Ridge to deal with

what one crew member called a "jungle" and large blowdown while DM Wayne Limberg took another to Compton Gap where encroaching weeds had turned the fire road the AT runs on for a mile or so to a path. Meanwhile, Dave Nebhut, Jim Fetig and James Farley went with new co-overseer Paul Wambach to weed his

AT section on Neighbor Mountain. As the weeds filled the air, Head Hoodlum Janice Cessna's crew returned for the third time this summer to North Marshall to do some more waterbar and checkdam rehabbing and win the thanks of new co-overseer Tom Troutman.

End of the day, the Hoodlums gathered at Elkwallow Picnic Area for their usual potluck. But as with this year's other potlucks, this one was far from "usual" as the theme was "breakfast for dinner." Needless to say (but we'll say it anyway) there was a raft of Entenmann’s boxes. Julie Johnson's rugelachs and bagels from New York's fabled Kossar's bakery, however, stood out and top marks went to Claire Connor's fresh fried cauliflower fritters. Recipe upon request. Now if the Hoodlums could only find something to do with all those cut weeds....

Claire Connor tends her cauliflower fritters at Hoodlums' July potluck.Photo by Julie Johnson

Hoodlums Ed Clautice and Terry Shaw rehab a waterbar on North MarshallPhoto by Janice Cessna

HELP WANTED

Cabin overseers wanted for the following cabins:

• Lambert Cabin

• Meadows Cabin

• Rock Spring Cabin

• Mel Merritt

For more information:

[email protected]

410-703-6372


TRAILHEAD

Dan and Patrick used a dynamometer to show the amount of tension in the line. Throughout the hands-on activities, Dan and Patrick emphasized site safety, proper use of rigging equipment, importance of personal protective equipment (PPE), working as a team and other safety issues.

OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKING WITH MD STATE WILDLIFE HERITAGE STAFF FOR PATC VOLUNTEERS

We are pleased to bring another opportunity to PATC members who want to help protect the Mid-Atlantic Forest. This is a new opportunity to receive training and work with Maryland DNR staff from MD Wildlife Heritage Services. These folks are the greatest. We need people to patrol PATC trails (and other trails if the mood strikes) in State Forests and Parks to report invasive plants. This is exactly the same program that has been successful in Shenandoah National Park.

The activity uses a free smartphone app (MAEDN) that allows you to identify invasive plants, photograph them and report their geolocation with little training. These data are then reported to a central database (EDDMapS) used by our partner agencies in the Mid-Atlantic region so they can then track and respond to emerging threats. This work is extremely important in the efforts to control the general spread and specifically to protect important areas that are not yet infested.

This work is perfect for those who desire to work in Maryland. If any one of these fit YOU, WE NEED YOU! Your knowledge and experience do not matter; we will train you.

Patrick Wilson and Dan Dueweke explain the proper use of the griphoist.Photo credit: Mary Clark

NORTH CHAPTER RIGGING WORKSHOP

Ten PATC North Chapter members participated in a rigging workshop conducted by PATC’s expert rigging instructors, Dan Dueweke and Patrick Wilson. Supervisor of Trails, John Hedrick, and PATC Intern, Bobby Stanley, also attended the July 8th training.

The workshop was held at Silberman Trail Center and featured a half-day presentation on rigging equipment, techniques, safety and other topics. After lunch the group participated in several hands-on activities. Dan and Patrick demonstrated moving large rocks with chains, various ways to secure slings, and proper tension on the highline. A second hands-on demonstration used AmSteel (high strength, light-weight synthetic rope) for the highline, correct location of anchor trees, and the roles of the load master, griphoist operator, and other crew responsibilities. In this scenario,

Training the North Chapter trail crew as a team ensures each member has the knowledge to perform in any rigging role. We will be rotating the roles among each attendee with the awareness that mistakes in setup will be discovered using the checklist procedure developed by Patrick and Dan. We also will use the dynamometer rather than guesswork to ensure the lines are not over-tensioned. Training as a crew also seemed to benefit group cohesion. It breaks down the perception that some crewmembers have special knowledge or are just being “picky.” Everyone knows what is safe, what is not safe, and most importantly, why.

The North Chapter greatly appreciates Dan and Patrick taking time to conduct this workshop. Many of the crew’s rigging practices are now changed and we realize we can have fun meeting the challenges while ensuring everyone is safe. The North Chapter plans to use their rigging skills in the Antietam Shelter relocation and building rock steps on the Tuscarora Trail.


September

9/2/2017 (Saturday)

TRAIL WORK‑‑ Yankee Clippers AT Work Trip, 8:45 AM

AT work trip in Pennsylvania. No experience needed! Dress for being out until late afternoon and bring lunch and water. Meet at Caledonia State Park but be sure to contact Pete for more information and to be notified in the event plans change.INFO: Pete Brown ([email protected])

9/2/2017 (Saturday)

HIKE‑‑ West Chapter AT Hike in southern PA, 10:00 AM

Point to point hikes that will require setting up a shuttle. The summer hikes will begin or end near Caledonia State Park or Pine Grove Furnace State Park to cool off at the pool (Caledonia) or lakes (Pine Grove) after the hike. Thus, this hike series (sections) will not be geographically aligned chronologically from south to north. The posted time is when to arrive at the trailhead of each hike. Carpooling from Prospect Plaza in Frederick, meeting time 8:45am. Old Forge to Caledonia (Section 2) 17.1 km (10.6 miles).Views: Chimney RocksShelters: umbling Run, Rocky MountainAmenities: Long Pine Reservoir, Caledonia SP (pool)INFO: Dave Jordahl ([email protected])

9/3/2017 (Sunday)

HIKE‑‑ Wanderbirds: Lake Anna State Park, VA, 8:00 AM

Fare: $20/25. Swimming fee extra. Departs from 17th & K Sts. and the Vienna Metro. We will take state park trails through woods, meadows and past abandoned gold mines. Moderate hikers will start at the Sawtooth Parking Lot and take the following trails: Sawtooth, Pigeon Run, Mill Pond, Turkey Run, Big Woods, Glenora and Old Pond to the Lake Anna Beach area. Long hikers will add Gold Hill, Cedar Run and Railroad Ford loops to the moderate hike. Est. miles: 13.5 (level 16 – challenging) and 10.5 (level 13 – intermediate). VAINFO: Bill Cathey, [email protected], 202‑237‑1351

or Antonina Nikolova, [email protected], 240‑838‑9389

9/5/2017 (Tuesday)

HIKE‑‑ Vigorous Hikers ‑ Pennsylvania’s Pine Grove Furnace and Kings Gap State Parks and Michaux State Forest, 8:45 AM

Starting at Pine Gove Furnace’s Laurel Lake, we will explore some of the trails in the area including Pole Steeple, the AT, Buck Ridge, Hammonds Rocks, and Kings Gap. Added features may include a cabin stay at PATC’s Michener Cabin and a splash down in Laurel Lake; about 18 miles with 3000 feet of ascent with shortcut options.INFO: Dave Green ([email protected])

9/6/2017 (Wednesday)

HIKE‑‑ Easy Hikers‑‑Rock Creek Park, DC, 10:15 AM

Hike sections of the Western Ridge and Valley Trails, totaling about 5 miles. Meet at 10:15 a.m. at the Rock Creek Nature Center (5200 Glover Rd. NW, Washington DC). Bring lunch and water. Restrooms available at the Nature Center and at lunchtime. Directions: From the Beltway take Connecticut Avenue south to Military Road. Turn left (east) on Military. Go 1.1 miles and turn right on Glover Road. Fork left and follow signs to Nature Center. From VA take Rock Creek Parkway to Cathedral Avenue. From Cathedral Avenue turn right on Connecticut Avenue to a right turn on Military Road and follow above directions.INFO: Gary Abrecht, 202‑546‑6089 Cell on day of hike: 202/365‑2921 ([email protected])


MEETING‑‑ New Members Meeting, 7:00 PM

New to PATC? Or just have questions about the club? Come join us for our New Member's meetings ‑ held on the first Wednesday of each month. Meetings are held at our Vienna, VA headquarters building. Our store will also be open starting at 6:00 if you want to stop by early and pick up a map or book.INFO: Steve McLaughlin ([email protected])

9/9/2017 (Saturday)

TRAIL WORK‑‑ DC Crew Work Trip‑ Rock Creek Park, 8:15 AM

Join the DC Crew on a late summer Saturday in Rock Creek Park! We will be working on the Valley Trail as we continue our efforts to improve access within the park. Meet first at the Nature Center at 8:20AM at 5200 Glover Road, NW; Washington DC 20015. We will carpool to the worksite and expect to finish by noon. No experience necessary; all are welcome. Please bring gloves and wear appropriate footwear and clothing for a few hours of manual labor. Rain or shine.INFO: Alex Sanders ([email protected])

9/9/2017 (Saturday)

TRAIL WORK‑‑ Stonewall Brigade Work Trip, 9:00 AM

Looking for an excuse to get outdoors? Join the Stonewall Brigade as we spend the day maintaining trails on Great North Mountain in George Washington National Forest. Your reward will be the healthful benefits of linear landscaping, and the heartfelt thanks of passing trail users. We meet at 9am at the Wolf Gap Recreation Area. Bring a lunch, plenty of water, and sturdy gloves. Tools, instruction, and camaraderie will be provided. Joins us for the day, or stay over and camp at Wolf Gap.INFO: Mike Allen ([email protected])

9/9/2017 (Saturday)

SPECIAL EVENT‑‑ Lambert Cabin Weekend, 10:00 AM

Let's spend a weekend cleaning up the grounds around Lambert Cabin. Located alongside the SNP near Luray, we'll stay in this wonderful cabin, which has both electricity and plumbing and full kitchen ‑ air conditioning as well, if you open the windows. Lots of things to do, including mucking about in the stream and pond, reworking stone walls, weeding around the cabin and flower beds, and general grounds maintenance. Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast will be provided. Bring your own lunches and evening beverage of choice.tINFO: Bob Pickett ([email protected]), 240‑457‑0352.


FORECAST

9/10/2017 (Sunday)

HIKE‑‑ Wanderbirds: Trout Pond, Hardy Country, VA, 8:00 AM

PATC Map F. Fare: $20/$25. Departs from 17th & K Sts. and the Vienna Metro. Trout Pond, created by massive limestone sink holes, is West Virginia's only natural lake, nestled in a little‑visited area of mountains, streams and more sink holes. Hikers start at Trout Run Valley Road and ascend west onto the Long Mountain Trail to the junction with Trout Pond Trail. Moderate hikers turn onto the Trout Pond Trail and continue on Chimney Rock Trail to skirt around Rockcliff Lake in the Trout Pond Recreation Area (TPRA), terminating at the lake shore near the camping area. Long hikers continue on the Long Mountain Trail, making rights onto Trout Pond Road and Trout Pond Trail, and descend to enter the TPRA from the south. There is swimming at Rockcliff Lake near the end of the hike. Est. miles: 12 (level 19 – difficult) and 8.5 (level 13 – intermediate). VAINFO: Robert Holley, [email protected], 571‑247‑2172 or Laura Heaton, [email protected], 571‑212‑2592

9/12/2017 (Tuesday)

HIKE‑‑ Vigorous Hikers ‑ Around Hazel Mountain, 8:30 AM

Around Hazel Mountain. We'll circle Hazel Mt., starting at Rt. 600 and ascending to the AT via Hazel River, White Rocks, Hazel Mt., and Meadow Spring Trails. We will then follow the AT to the Leading Ridge Trail (or shortcut) and return to the start via the Skyline Drive and Hanna Run, Catlett Mt., Hazel Mt. and Sam’s Ridge Trails. About 16 miles with a total of 3600' of ascent.INFO: Philip Ayliff ([email protected])

9/12/2017 (Tuesday)

CLASS‑‑ Trekking in Patagonia, 7:00 PM

With an area of 800,000 square kilometers and the second largest extrapolar ice field in the world, the region known as Patagonia encompasses large swaths of Chile and Argentina. Bob Melchior's presentation will take you through Argentina's Los Glaciares National Park and El Chalten, in the shadows of the Fitz Roy formation,

then travel to Chile to hike among the towering granite peaks of Torres del Paine National Park. This one‑hour event at the Tysons REI store in Virginia is free, but space is limited and advance registration is required at www.rei.com/tysons.INFO: Larry Broadwell ([email protected])

9/12/2017 (Tuesday)

MEETING‑‑ PATC Council Meeting, 7:00 PM

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 start promptly at 7:00pm and generally end around 9:00pm. To participate by phone, dial 1‑877/746‑4263 and when prompted, enter participant code 024 7170#INFO: Brewster Thackeray 703/242‑0315 x105 ([email protected])


HIKE‑‑ Easy Hikers‑‑Mount Vernon, VA, 10:15 AM

A 6 mile hike along the Potomac River to Mount Vernon and back. Meet at 10:15 in the Fort Hunt Park parking lot (8900 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, VA). Directions: From I‑495 go south 6 miles on the GW Parkway to the Fort Hunt Park exit and park entrance. Restrooms available at the park, and at Mt. Vernon. Bring water and bring your lunch or buy it at the Mount Vernon food court.INFO: Lois Herrmann, 202=333‑4678, cell 202=257‑1792, or Carolyn Donnelly, 202‑244‑4704. cell 202/412 6754. ([email protected] or [email protected])

9/15/2017 (Friday)

TRAIL WORK‑‑ Yankee Clippers Tuscarora Trail Work Trip, 8:30 AM

Tuscarora Trail work trip in Pennsylvania. No experience needed! Dress for being out until late afternoon and bring lunch and water.INFO: Pete Brown ([email protected])

9/15/2017 (Friday)

CLASS‑‑ Trail maintenance workshop, 9:00 AM

Trail maintenance workshop. C and O Canal, Great Falls Tavern. Join our workshop to help new and seasoned overseers learn or hone the skills needed to be effective trail maintainers. Clipping, blazing, water bars, and trail safety will be covered. To help us move away from using water bars, the construction of rolling grade dips (a more sustainable, and less intrusive, water control feature than water bars), will also be taught. This is on the job training. We will walk a trail section with tools and practice the tasks necessary for routine trail maintenance. Pre‑registration required by no later than the Friday one week prior to the class. Class size will be limited to ten. Registrants will receive an email with location and other details.INFO: Robert Fina (Robert@Fina‑co.com)

9/16/2017 (Saturday)

CLASS‑‑ Leave No Trace Trainer Course, 8:00 AM

The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club’s Trail Patrol is offering this two‑day, cabin format course designed to enhance your understanding of Leave No Trace practices and ethics and to increase your level of expertise and confidence in teaching Leave No Trace skills. Through focused activities, hands‑on field experience and both formal and informal discussions, you will be introduced to concepts and methods that will advance your knowledge of Leave No Trace issues, expand your repertoire of low‑impact skills and increase your effectiveness in teaching these important skills to others. This is a fun course where all participants have a part in demonstrating the choices that can be made to minimize our impact on the land and our resources. On completion of this course, participants will be registered as Leave No Trace Trainers with the national Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and will receive a certificate of course completion as well as their Leave No Trace Trainer lapel pin. Participants will sleep in bunks/cots inside the cabin. The cabin has electricity and a modern bathroom. Location: Shenandoah National Park. Cost: $45.00 for PATC Members, $65.00 for Non‑member. Join PATC at the time of registration and get the member price! The cost covers course materials


and some meals. Course Size: Limited to 8 participants. Register early! Visit www.patc.net and follow the Classes and Training link to register on‑line or contact Cindy Kelly at [email protected] to request more information. Participants must be 18 or older.INFO: Cindy Kelly ([email protected])


TRAINING‑‑ SNP ND Trail Maintenance Workshop, 8:00 AM

This annual two day workshop is run by the ND Hoodlums with the help of the SNP rangers and is designed to teach basic skills to new and prospective trail maintainers as well as provide more advanced training in trail design, construction, and maintenance for more experienced trail workers. Participants camp at Mathews Arm Campground in the North District and have free entry to the park and campground. The workshop will begin Saturday at 9 a.m. and end Sunday at 1 p.m. There is a $30 fee to cover Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast and a Sunday lunch prepared by a professional chef. You don't want to miss this. Participants provide their own trail lunch for Saturday. The workshop has a limit of 30 participants and fills up early. Registration deadline is Friday, Aug. 23. For more information, or to register, contact Peter Harris.INFO: Peter Harris ([email protected])




9/16/2017 (Saturday)TRAINING‑‑ DC Metro Trail Maintenance Workshop, 9:00 AMIn partnership with the National Park Service, PATC is offering a new trail overseer workshop in the DC Metro region. Our goal is to teach new and prospective overseers basic maintenance techniques as well as provide advanced training for more experienced trail workers. This will be an all day, one day workshop with a substantial field component. This workshop will begin at

9 AM and end at 3 PM. Participants will meet first at the Maintenance Yard in Rock Creek Park in Washington D.C. The Yard is near the Rock Creek Park Nature Center complex on Glover Road. Please bring your own lunch. We will spend most of the day in the field so prepare accordingly. The workshop has a limit of 25 participants. Registration deadline is Friday, September 8. For more information, or to register, please contact Alex Sanders.INFO: Alex Sanders ([email protected])

9/17/2017 (Sunday)

HIKE‑‑ Wanderbirds: Tucquan Glen – Conestoga Trail, Lancaster Co, PA, 8:00 AM

Fare: $20/25. Departs from 17th & K Sts. and the Grosvenor Metro. Moderate hikers start at the Tucquan Glen Trail junction at River Road (PA 3017). Following the Glen downstream for 2 miles, they turn left on the Conestoga Trail and ascend The Pinnacles with its panoramic view of the Susquehanna River. Descending the Conestoga to Kelly’s Run, they follow Kelly’s Run Trail to the Holtwood Arboretum. Long hikers start at the Pequea Campground and follow the Conestoga Trail down Pequea Creek to the Susquehanna, where they turn south (downstream) past the famous Pequea Wind Caves to Tucquan Glen. They then follow the moderate route on the Conestoga to The Pinnacles and up Kelly’s Run. Est. miles: 9.5 (level 18 – challenging) and 7.5 (level 16 – challenging). MDINFO: Rennie Peddie, [email protected], 786/457‑3793 or George Saxton, [email protected], 703/855‑0876

9/17/2017 (Sunday)


Tuscarora Trail work trip in Pennsylvania. No experience needed! Dress for being out until noon and bring lunch and water.INFO: Pete Brown ([email protected])

9/17/2017 (Sunday)

TRAIL WORK‑‑ Trail work at Bull Run Occoquan Trail. Bridge building at mile one Bull Run end of the trail, 9:00 AM

We will be building a wooden bridge over a small creek. Email me to sign up, I will provide meeting location, directions and more information.INFO: ([email protected])

9/19/2017 (Tuesday)

HIKE‑‑ Vigorous Hikers ‑ Thorton Gap to Elkwallow, 8:30 AM

17 miles on the A T from Thorton Gap to Elkwallow Wayside and returnINFO: Lou Hurwitz 703‑623‑9619 ([email protected])

9/19/2017 (Tuesday)

CLASS‑‑ Trekking in Patagonia, 7:00 PM

With an area of 800,000 square kilometers and the second largest extrapolar ice field in the world, the region known as Patagonia encompasses large swaths of Chile and Argentina. Bob Melchior's presentation will take you through Argentina's Los Glaciares National Park and El Chalten, in the shadows of the Fitz Roy formation, then travel to Chile to hike among the towering granite peaks of Torres del Paine National Park. This one‑hour event at the Fairfax REI store in Virginia is free, but space is limited and advance registration is required at www.rei.com/fairfax.INFO: Larry Broadwell ([email protected])

9/19/2017 (Tuesday)

CLASS‑‑ Backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail, 7:00 PM

Longer than the Appalachian Trail and crossing terrain that varies from desert to coastal rainforest to rugged mountains, the West Coast's Pacific Crest Trail is a monumental challenge. Barbara Nash has met that challenge by backpacking its sections, each several hundred miles long. Her photos and planning tips show the awesome majesty of the trail and what it takes to enjoy it fully. This one‑hour event at the Rockville REI store in Maryland is free, but space is limited and advance registration is required at www.rei.com/rockville.INFO: Larry Broadwell ([email protected])


FORECAST


HIKE‑‑ Easy‑Hikers Rock Creek Park and 16th street, 10:15 AM

This will be a 4.8 mile hike, as shown in two descriptions (with elevation) connected by walk up slight hill. Hike route at: http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=578983 andhttp://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=578988Walk along a trail parallel to Beach Drive, some gradual hills, and then flat, cross to Valley Trail and up to Fitzgerald Tennis Center (bathrooms) and then to 16th street; along 16th, one of Washington’s more beautiful avenues and home to several religious centers. Re‑enter park, and return to parking lot for lunch at tables. Meet at Tilden Avenue parking lot across from Pierce Mill in Rock Creek Park. If taking 495, exit at Connecticut Ave to DC, 5.4 miles to Tilden, left on Tilden, 0.6 mile to parking lot on right. If gone past bridge, then have gone too far. If coming from DC, use Connecticut Ave to Tilden and right on Tilden. Pets warmly welcome. Contact Dan at 240‑506‑6043INFO: Dan Lieberman ([email protected])

9/21/2017 (Thursday)

MEETING‑‑ Trails Managers Meeting, 6:00 PM

The PATC Trail District Mangers & Crew Leaders meeting. Food is served at 6PM. The meeting starts at 6:30PM. RSVP by Sept. 8th to the PATC Trails Coordinator.INFO: Heidi Forrest ([email protected])


TRAIL WORK‑‑ National Public Lands Day Worktrip ‑ PWFP, 8:00 AM

Come join the Spooky Beaver Trail Crew as we celebrate National Public Lands Day in Prince William Forest Park, Triangle, VA. This historic National Park is close to the metro area off I‑95, exit 150. Registration starts at 8:00 am. Meet in the Turkey Run Education Center parking lot. We will work until mid‑afternoon. Wear boots and dress for the weather; bring water, trail lunch, and leather work gloves.INFO: Mark Ellis, 703/376‑4150 ([email protected])


TRAIL WORK‑‑ Work Trip, MD AT, 9:00 AM

Please bring water, lunch and gloves. Expect to hike 2‑5 miles. Tools and training provided. Enjoy comradeship of fellow volunteers and the peace of the woods. We meet near Frederick, MD at 9 am and go home happy and tired in the afternoon.INFO: Leonard Keifer ([email protected])


TRAINING‑‑ Rigging and Griphoist Workshop, 9:00 AM

PATC Griphoist and Rigging Workshop. 23‑24 September. Shepard’s Spring Camp, Sharpsburg MD.Here’s your chance to play with power and learn the way of the Griphoist! This workshop is intended for trail maintainers and other PATC members who occasionally have the need to move a large boulder, stump, or root ball from a trail. We will cover safe rigging practices including proper use of slings, chain baskets, wire rope, and shackles; mechanical advantage using a Griphoist wire rope puller, snatch blocks, and rockbars; selection of spar trees and anchor points for a highline; and how to assemble the proper gear combinations to keep line tension within safe working load limits. The workshop will begin promptly at 9:00AM Saturday and finish at 12:00 noon on Sunday. Cost: 25.00 to cover all meals and includes overnight accommodations for Friday and Saturday nights.INFO: Dan Dueweke ([email protected])


TRAIL WORK‑‑ Cadillac Crew: Trail / Rigging work on the Fridley Gap Trail near Trailhead Parking Lot, near Keezletown, VA., 9:30 AM

The Crew will be continuing the ongoing Club project to improve the trailhead access along the creek on the Fridley Gap Trail in the southern Massanutten Mountain Range on the west side of the Fourth Mountain. This trip will include rock rigging to create steps through the rock boulder field. Bring work gloves, lunch and water (also tent gear if you plan on staying the night). Tools

will be provided. We will be tent camping. Potluck happy hour, supper and breakfasts. Pre‑registration required by September 20.INFO: Kirsten Elowsky 703/554‑4979 ([email protected])

9/24/2017 (Sunday)

HIKE‑‑ Wanderbirds: Prince William Forest, VA (Jamboree), 8:00 AM

Map: Prince William Forest Park web site. Departs from 17th & K Sts. and the Vienna Metro. Jamboree hike. All hikers start near the Visitor Center. Moderate hikers make a loop following the Laurel trail, North Valley, Lake One Rd, Mary Bird Branch, Old Black Top Rd, Taylor Farm Rd, South Valley and Laurel trail. Long hikers follow a loop consisting of the following trails: North Valley, Burma Rd, Taylor Farm Rd, High Meadows, South Valley, and Laurel trail. Est. miles: 12.5 (level 15 – challenging) and 8.5 (level 11 – intermediate). VAINFO: Bob Malkowski, [email protected], 703/731‑9983 or Jeannie Fauntleroy, [email protected], 703‑851‑6592

9/24/2017 (Sunday)

TRAINING‑‑ Rigging and Griphoist Workshop, 9:00 AM

PATC Griphoist and Rigging Workshop. 23‑24 September. Shepard’s Spring Camp, Sharpsburg MD. Here’s your chance to play with power and learn the way of the Griphoist! This workshop is intended for trail maintainers and other PATC members who occasionally have the need to move a large boulder, stump, or root ball from a trail. We will cover safe rigging practices including proper use of slings, chain baskets, wire rope, and shackles; mechanical advantage using a Griphoist wire rope puller, snatch blocks, and rockbars; selection of spar trees and anchor points for a highline; and how to assemble the proper gear combinations to keep line tension within safe working load limits. The workshop will begin promptly at 9:00AM Saturday and finish at 12:00 noon on Sunday. Cost: 25.00 to cover all meals and includes overnight accommodations for Friday and Saturday nights.INFO: Daniel Dueweke ([email protected])


9/24/2017 (Sunday)

TRAIL WORK‑‑ Cadillac Crew: Trail / Rigging work on the Fridley Gap Trail near Trailhead Parking Lot, near Keezletown, VA., 9:30 AM

The Crew will be continuing the ongoing Club project to improve the trailhead access along the creek on the Fridley Gap Trail in the southern Massanutten Mountain Range on the west side of the Fourth Mountain. This trip will include rock rigging to create steps through the rock boulder field. Bring work gloves, lunch and water (also tent gear if you plan on staying the night). Tools will be provided. We will be tent camping. Potluck happy hour, supper and breakfasts. Pre‑registration required by September 20.INFO: Kirsten Elowsky 703/554‑4979 ([email protected])

9/26/2017 (Tuesday)

HIKE‑‑ Vigorous Hikers‑Buzzard Rock/North Massanutten, 8:00 AM

Starting at the Buzzard Rock Trailhead on Route 613, we will take the Buzzard Rock Trail to Shawl Gap, where we will make a loop including the Shawl Gap Trail, Route 613, Sherman Gap Trail, and the Massanutten Trail, and then return on the Buzzard Rock Trail. About 16 miles. (PATC Map G)INFO: Joan DAlonzo 302‑530‑4202 ([email protected])


HIKE‑‑ Easy Hikers‑‑Great Falls Maryland, 10:15 AM

The Easy Hikers will hike the Ford Mine Trail (~3 miles) and River Trail (~2 miles, optional) inside the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Historical Park (11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854). Bring your park pass or pay entry fee. Ford Mine Trail is over some hills and several stream crossings. River Trail is out and back along the Potomac River. We will meet at 10:15 a.m. at the picnic area adjacent to the snack kiosk. Bathrooms are by the Tavern Visitors' Center near our meeting place. Bring food, water, and your pass. Lunch will be after hiking the Ford Mine Trail. Directions: From the Beltway in Maryland take exit 41

onto MacArthur Blvd. Follow MacArthur approximately 3.5 miles into the park.INFO: Margaret Wu home: 301/299‑7454, cell on day of hike: 301‑256‑8677. ([email protected])


HIKE‑‑ Easy Hikers‑‑Lake Accotink, Annandale VA, 10:15 AM

Meet at 10:15 a.m. at the Wakefield Park parking lot near playground/bathrooms (8100 Braddock Rd, Annandale, VA 22003). Easy hike of 5.5 miles from Wakefield Park, looping around Lake Accotink on gravel and paved trail with some slight elevation (distance is subject to weather/trail conditions). Bring lunch and water. Directions: From 495S, take Exit 54‑A Braddock Rd West (620) and stay right. Immediately at first light, turn right onto Wakefield Park Rd. Soon after, turn left into far end of large parking area.INFO: Carol Costello. Cell on day of hike: 571‑499‑8037 ([email protected])

10/3/2017 (Tuesday)

HIKE‑‑ Vigorous Hikers ‑ New Market Gap North, 8:30 AM

Come out for a beautiful fall hike. Beginning at New Market Gap we’ll take the Massanutten Connector Trail to the Massanutten Trail. We will then go north visiting the summits of both Strickler and Duncan Knobs. Then return to parking via the Scothorn Gap and Massanutten Trails. Approximately 15 miles with 3,800’ of elevation gain.INFO: Steve Brown ([email protected])


HIKE‑‑ Easy Hikers: Conway Robinson State Forest, 10:15 AM

Description: On the Blue, Orange, & Purple blazed trails about 5 miles on mostly level ground. The forest is adjacent to Manassas National Battlefield and Route 29. Directions: Roue 66 Westbound, Exit 43B; right at Rt 29 for about 1/2 mile; left at traffic light into parking lot. No toilet facilities at location.INFO: Alan Day 571‑888‑4952 ([email protected])


HIKE‑‑ Easy Hikers‑‑Schaeffer Rd. Bike Trails, Germantown, MD, 10:15 AM

The hike will be about 5 miles on tree‑lined rolling trails. No major stream crossing. Lunch will be at the Button Farm porch. Bring lunch and water. Remember it can still be hot in October. There is a port‑a‑john at trail head and one at lunch. Directions: Take I‑270 north to Germantown exit 15B. This brings you onto route 118‑Germantown‑Darnestown Road. Travel 2.3 miles to Clopper Road (main intersection) and turn right onto Clopper. Get in left lane to make a left turn on Schaeffer Rd 0.1 mi .Travel 1.9 miles to Schaeffer Trails on left. The mailbox on the right closest to trail is 14934 Schaeffer Road. After making the left turn into the driveway for the Bike Trail take the left fork (do not go into Wounded Warriors drive on the right fork). Follow road to parking lot.INFO: Jean Phillips 301‑785‑8621 ([email protected])


MEETING‑‑ New Members Meeting, 7:00 PM

New to PATC? Or just have questions about the club? Come join us for our New Member's meetings ‑ held on the first Wednesday of each month. Meetings are held at our Vienna, VA headquarters building. Our store will also be open starting at 6:00 if you want to stop by early and pick up a map or book.INFO: Steve McLaughlin ([email protected])


TRAIL WORK‑‑ Yankee Clippers AT Work Trip, 8:45 AM

AT work trip in Pennsylvania. No experience needed! Dress for being out until late afternoon and bring lunch and water. Meet at Caledonia State Park but be sure to contact Pete for more information and to be notified in the event plans change.INFO: Pete Brown ([email protected])


FORECAST


CLASS‑‑ Trail maintenance workshop, 9:00 AM

Trail maintenance workshop. On the AT near Linden Va. Join our workshop to help new and seasoned overseers learn or hone the skills needed to be effective trail maintainers. Clipping, blazing, water bars, and trail safety will be covered. To help us move away from using water bars, the construction of rolling grade dips (a more sustainable, and less intrusive, water control feature than water bars), will also be taught. This is on the job training. We will walk a trail section with tools and practice the tasks necessary for routine trail maintenance. Pre‑registration required by no later than the Friday one week prior to the class. Class size will be limited to ten. Registrants will receive an email with location and other details.INFO: Robert Fina (Robert@Fina‑co.com)

10/10/2017 (Tuesday)

MEETING‑‑ PATC Council Meeting, 7:00 PM

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 start promptly at 7:00pm and generally end around 9:00pm. To participate by phone, dial 1‑877/746‑4263 and when prompted, enter participant code 024 7170#INFO: Brewster Thackeray 703/242‑0315 x105 ([email protected])

10/10/2017 (Tuesday)

HIKE‑‑ Vigorous Hikers ‑ Rocky Mtn. Fire Hike, 8:45 PM

Rocky Mtn. Fire Hike. (PACT Map 11) From the Brown Mtn. Overlook (mile 77 on the Skyline Drive) we will take the Brown Mountain Trail over Rocky Mountain to Big Run seeing the effects of the 2016 fire. We will then go up the Rockytop trail through an area burned in 2002, 1986 and down the Big Run Portal trail and up Rocky Mountain Run trail and back to the parking area. About 19 miles and 4,000 elevation.INFO: Gene Whitaker ([email protected])


HIKE‑‑ Easy Hikers‑‑Burke Lake, Fairfax Station VA, 10:15 AM

Five level miles around Burke Lake, which is in Burke Lake Park, just south of 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station, VA. GPS coordinates for the trailhead are: N 38° 5.627', W 077°18.158'. Bring lunch and water. From the Beltway, exit West onto Braddock Rd. At your leisure, move into the left‑hand lane (excluding left turn lanes) and stay in this lane. In 1.9 mi. from the Beltway, the lane you are in becomes one of a pair of left‑turn lanes onto Burke Lake Rd (Rt. 645).Stay with it and make the turn. (Don't worry about the misleading sign before the preceding left.) Go 4.7 mi., then turn left onto Ox Rd. (Rt.123). In 0.5 mi. (after passing the Golf Center), turn left into Burke Lake Park. Follow signs to the marina.INFO: Sue King 703‑356‑6659

10/14/2017 (Saturday)

HIKE‑‑ Natural History Hike, 8:00 AM

Join Bob Pickett and friends for a difficult 10.2 mile hike along the Staunton River Trail in the central district of the Shenandoah National Park. We'll ascend 2400 feet upstream to the 'Sag' at 5.1 miles and return back along the same route. The Sag is known for its primitive nature and old growth trees. The Staunton River was decimated by flooding when on June 27, 1995, in a fifty mile area of Madison county, 30 inches of rain fell in a 16‑hour period, with as much as 25 inches falling in a five‑hour period in some areas. Come see how the area was affected and how it has recovered over the past 22 years. Being Bob's natural history hike, plan on stopping and observing nature as we hike. Dinner afterwards for those wishing to attend. Meet at the Vienna metro, north side, at 8 am.INFO: Bob Pickett ([email protected]

10/14/2017 (Saturday)


Join the DC Crew on an autumn Saturday in Rock Creek Park! We will be working on a yet‑to‑be‑determined trail as we continue our efforts to improve access within the park. Meet first at the Nature Center at 8:20AM at 5200 Glover Road,

NW; Washington DC 20015. We will carpool to the worksite and expect to finish by noon. No experience necessary; all are welcome. Please bring gloves and wear appropriate footwear and clothing for a few hours of manual labor. Rain or shine.INFO: Alex Sanders ([email protected])

10/14/2017 (Saturday)

TRAIL WORK‑‑ Work Trip, MD AT, 9:00 AM

Join us for a fun‑filled event involving dirt and teamwork. Newcomers always welcomed. We meet in Frederick County, MD at 9 am. We hike 1‑5 miles depending on the specific agenda. Please bring water, lunch, gloves and boots.INFO: Leonard Keifer ([email protected])

10/14/2017 (Saturday)

TRAIL WORK‑‑ Stonewall Brigade Work Trip, 9:00 AM

Join the Stonewall Brigade as we spend the day maintaining trails on Great North Mountain in George Washington National Forest. Your reward will be the healthful benefits of linear landscaping, and the heartfelt thanks of passing trail users. We meet at 9am at the Wolf Gap Recreation Area. Bring a lunch, plenty of water, and sturdy gloves. Tools, instruction, and camaraderie will be provided. Then linger awhile and help us celebrate the Third Annual North Mountain Muster, a gathering of the folks who work to keep North Mountain recreation alive and well. We'll be enjoying a potluck dinner and the company of good friends. For more information about the Work Trip, Muster, or both, contact Mike Allen.INFO: Mike Allen ([email protected])


10/14/2017 (Saturday)

TRAIL WORK‑‑ Spooky Beaver Crew Worktrip ‑ PWFP, 9:00 AM

Join the Spooky Beaver Trail Crew to maintain the 37 miles of hiking paths in historic Prince William Forest Park, Triangle, VA . Take Exit 150 (Quantico / Triangle) off I‑95 and head west on Route 619 (Joplin Rd) for less than a mile. Park entrance is on the right. Meet at the Turkey Run Education Center parking lot by 9 a.m. Wear boots and dress for the weather; bring water, a trail lunch, and leather work gloves. We typically work until 2:30 pm, but you can leave as you like. Please let Mark Ellis know if you are coming.INFO: Mark Ellis, 703‑376‑4150 ([email protected])

10/14/2017 (Saturday)

SPECIAL EVENT‑‑ North Mountain Muster, 3:00 PM

Join the Stonewall Brigade as we celebrate the Third Annual North Mountain Muster, a gathering of all who work to keep North Mountain recreation alive and well. We'll be enjoying a potluck dinner and the company of good friends. Festivities begin around 3pm. Come early and spend the day working with the Stonewall Brigade maintaining trails on Great North Mountain in George Washington National Forest. See our posting for the October Stonewall Brigade Work Trip. For more information about the Muster, Work Trip, or both, contact Mike Allen.INFO: Mike Allen ([email protected])

10/17/2017 (Tuesday)

HIKE‑‑ Vigorous Hikers ‑‑ Browns Hollow, 8:30 AM

Browns Hollow‑Starting at the commuter lot on rt. 211 near New Market we will do a partial loop of the Massanutten trail before continuing on to Roaring Run and a fire road to do a clockwise loop ending at Browns Hollow. We take Browns Hollow back to the Massanutten Trail and the cars. 19 miles, 3500' of elevation. PATC Map H.INFO: David Saah ([email protected])


HIKE‑‑ Easy Hikers, Little Bennett Regional Park, Clarksburg MD, 10:15 AM

About 5 miles using almost a dozen of the trails south of Little Bennett Creek out of Kingsley parking area. Some moderate elevation change in order to ascend and descend ridges. Bring lunch (mid‑hike) and water. Directions: From I‑295 (whether north‑ or south‑bound), take exit 18. From the exit ramp if north‑bound, turn right onto Route 121. If south‑bound, turn left onto 121. Go about 0.3 mile to second light and turn left onto Route 355/Frederick Rd. Go 0.2 mile to next light and turn right onto Clarksburg Rd. Go 2.0 miles to Kingsley parking area on right. (Coordinates for your GPS: 39.26604° N, 77.28069° W). For overflow parking, turn left exiting the Kingsley lot, go about 100 yds., and turn right into Wilson Mill parking area. No pets. No restrooms.INFO: Dick Kerr 301‑512‑9173 ([email protected])


HIKE‑‑ Easy Hikers‑‑Lubber Run, Arlington VA, 10:15 AM

The Easy Hikers will do a circuit hike of about five miles along Lubber Run, Long Branch, Four Mile Run, and suburban streets. Some elevation change. Possible muddy areas. Meet at the Lubber Run Community Center (300 Park Drive, Arlington, VA) parking lot. Bring lunch and water. Restrooms available. Directions: From I‑495 southbound, take exit 45B on the left (but avoid the toll lanes, also on the left) to VA‑267 E towards Washington. In 3.2 miles merge onto I‑66 E. In 3.6 miles, take exit 71 toward Glebe Road. Stay straight on N Fairfax Drive and turn right onto N Glebe Road. In 0.4 mile, turn right onto N Carlin Springs Road. Take the 2nd left onto Park Drive. Cross George Mason Drive to the parking lot on the right.INFO: Angela and Chris Ehemann, 703/893‑3578 or 571/239‑3111 (day of hike only).

10/21/2017 (Saturday)



10/21/2017 (Saturday)

TRAIL WORK‑‑ ND Hoodlums Work Trip, 9:00 AM

Nothing beats brats and kraut! Join with the Hoodlums in their annual Oktoberfest work trip. The Hoodlums Trail Crew works on the AT and blue‑blazed trails in the North District (Front Royal Entrance Station to Thornton Gap) of SNP. After a day of hard work, we will enjoy the camaraderie of fellow trail workers with an Oktoberfest theme meal at Elkwallow Picnic Area. Come for the day, stay for dinner, and camp overnight if you wish. Or just come out and work with us for the day. Newcomers are always welcome! We will meet at Piney River Ranger Station, milepost 22 on Skyline Drive just across from Matthews Arm Campground at 9:00 am on Saturday.INFO: Janice Cessna ([email protected])

10/24/2017 (Tuesday)

HIKE‑‑ Vigorous Hikers ‑ Thornton Gap to Little Stoney Man and Back, 8:30 AM

South on the AT from Thornton Gap to Little Stoney Man Cliffs and back, with a short side trip to Mary's Rock ‑ 17 miles and about 4000 feet of ascent.INFO: Tom Kloster ([email protected])


HIKE‑‑ Easy Hikers‑‑Louise Cosca Regional Park, Clinton, MD, 10:15 AM

Visit an off‑the‑beaten‑track nature preserve in PG County. Hike will be 5 miles, some uneven terrain and small stream crossings, mostly under cover of trees. Bring lunch and water. Meet at the Clearwater Nature Center (restrooms available) at 10:15. Directions: From the Beltway in Maryland, take Exit 7 and go south on Branch Avenue (MD 5) toward


FORECAST

Waldorf. After 3.5 miles, take exit ramp for Woodyard Road (MD 223) and turn right (south). In 0.8 miles, turn left on Brandywine Road. Go 0.9 miles and turn right on Thrift Road. Go 2 miles, passing three different entrances to Cosca Park, until you see sign for Clearwater Nature Center (GPS address for the park HQ, 1/2 mile from nature center turn‑off, is 11000 Thrift Road). Turn right and follow signs to Nature Center parking.INFO: Jennifer Newton, 202/543‑3039 (mobile) ([email protected])


HIKE‑‑ Easy Hikers‑‑AT in Myersville MD, 10:15 AM

We'll hike out and back along a relatively easy‑going section of the AT (other than the final hill). Six miles round trip to Washington Monument State Park for a history, lunch, and restroom stop. Bring lunch and water. Directions: I‑270 north towards Frederick. I‑70 west, take exit # 42. Go right at the end of the exit ramp onto Rte. 17 North. Take advantage of the restroom/gas/fast food stops here. Continue on 17 N, turning right per signs to remain on 17. At a traffic light, turn left onto US 40 west. About a half mile beyond where Pleasant Walk Road crosses US 40, turn left off US 40 into the AT parking lot.INFO: Margaret Chapman 301/977‑8988 between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., no phone messages can be left. ([email protected])

10/27/2017 (Friday)

CLASS‑‑ ATC Chainsaw Class [for recerts or new sawyers], 8:00 AM

This will be either a recert class or for new AT volunteers. Dates could be from 10/27 to 10/29. Place TBD. Call Bob at 717/258‑5771x203.INFO: Bob Sickley ([email protected])

10/28/2017 (Saturday)


Join the DC Crew on a summer Saturday in Rock Creek Park! We will be working on the Whittier Trail as we continue our efforts to improve access within the park. Meet first at the Nature Center at 8:20AM at 5200 Glover Road, NW; Washington DC 20015. We will carpool to the worksite and expect to finish by noon. No experience necessary; all are welcome. Please bring gloves and wear appropriate footwear and clothing for a few hours of manual labor. Rain or shine.INFO: Alex Sanders ([email protected])

10/28/2017 (Saturday)

TRAIL WORK‑‑ Cadillac Crew: New Trail work on the Loudoun Heights Relocation near Harpers Ferry, WV, 9:30 AM

Our second trip of this year to work on the Loudoun Heights Trail Relocation near Harpers Ferry, WV. We will continue where we left off in May with digging tread, side hilling, and clearing rock. Bring work gloves, lunch and water. Tools will be provided. We will stay at the Blackburn Trail Center (bunk rooms and tent camping) near Round Hill, VA starting on Friday afternoon, October 27. There will be some workers needed at the Trail Center to assist with cabin maintenance items. Potluck happy hour, supper and breakfasts. Optional evening activity: Pumpkin carving. Pre‑registration required by October 25.INFO: Kirsten Elowsky 703‑554‑4979 ([email protected])

10/29/2017 (Sunday)

TRAIL WORK‑‑ Cadillac Crew: New Trail work on the Loudoun Heights Relocation near Harpers Ferry, WV, 9:30 AM

Our second trip of this year to work on the Loudoun Heights Trail Relocation near Harpers Ferry, WV. We will continue where we left off in May with digging tread, side hilling, and clearing rock. Bring work gloves, lunch and water. Tools will be provided. We will stay at the Blackburn Trail Center (bunk rooms and tent camping) near Round Hill, VA starting on Friday afternoon, October 27. There will be some workers needed at the Trail Center to assist with cabin maintenance items. Potluck happy hour, supper and breakfasts. Optional evening activity: Pumpkin carving. Pre‑registration required by October 25.INFO: Kirsten Elowsky 703‑554‑4979 ([email protected])

10/31/2017 (Tuesday)

HIKE‑‑ Vigorous Hikers ‑ Rock Creek Park and D.C. Trails, 8:00 AM

Tuesday October 31 ‑ Fast tour of Rock Creek Park and D.C. Trails. ‑ (PATC Map N). This is the 9th annual DC grand circuit. We will travel around 19 miles and ascend over 2000’, yet only need to use a handful of city blocks to do it. The rest of the way will be through Washington’s beautiful and historic parks, with half of the trip near and along Rock Creek.INFO: Bob Livezy ([email protected])


Gracie, Tysha Robinson and Ellen Loszynski take a break while working on the Snavely Ford trail

Snake crossing

Martha Becton, John Spies, Janet Arici and Karen Shull‑Archer wait out a short downpour

MORE PHOTOS FROM BATTLING THE ELEMENTS



SAVE THE DATE! Wednesday, November 29, 2017

PATC’s 90th Anniversary Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet, November 29

We will begin the festivities at 6 p.m. with a social gathering,followed by a buffet‑style dinner.

The cost is $45 per person and the RSVP deadline is November 20.Register early; last year’s dinner sold out.

Please consider saluting PATC’s 90 years of service on the trails by upgrading to a Banquet Brigade Ticket for $90. Banquet Brigade Members will be listed in the event program and will

receive special tokens of appreciation at registration.

Registration and payment online is easy and secure by going to www.patc net/2017meeting. You can also mail your payment and names of attendees to

PATC, 118 Park Street, SE, Vienna, VA 22180.

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens9750 Meadowlark Gardens CourtVienna, VA

Please join our partners and friends for this special event. For more information, contact Staff Director Brewster Thackeray, [email protected] or 703-242-0315, Ext. 105

The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club will celebrate its 90th anniversary at our Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet on the evening of Wednesday, November 29, 2017. Members and Club leaders shall once again be gathering and dining

in the lovely Atrium at Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna, Virginia.


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 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 www.patc.net/firstaid or contact Saleena DeVore at [email protected]

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 with hypothetical scenarios. This class is conducted inside and outdoors on a trail. Each student will receive a certification card good for two years through ECSI and a waterproof field guide. Cost is $180, and pre‑registration is required. The class is held in Frederick, Md. Please contact Saleena DeVore (see above) for more information or registration forms. No experience is required.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING AND TRAIL PATROL PRESENTS: BASIC WILDERNESS FIRST AID AND WILDERNESS FIRST AID

2017 Classes:

Sept. 30‑Oct. 1 WFA, Frederick

Oct. 21‑22 WFA, Frederick

Dec. 2‑3 WFA, Frederick

Dec. 10‑11 WFA Frederick

Join our workshop to help new and seasoned overseers learn or hone the skills needed to be effective trail maintainers. Clipping, blazing, water bars, and trail safety will be covered. To help us move away from using water bars, the construction of rolling grade dips (a more

sustainable, and less intrusive, water control feature than water bars), will also be taught. This is on the job training. We will walk a trail section with tools and practice the tasks necessary for routine trail maintenance. Pre registration required by no later than the Friday one week prior to the class. Class size will be limited to ten.

Email your name and cell phone, and the date you wish to take the class to Robert@Fina‑co.com

TRAIL MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP

Registrants will receive an email with location and other details. 2017 Classes • September 16. C and O Canal

October 7. AT near Linden Va.


Potomac Appalachian(UPS‑440‑280) ©2017, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Inc.Published monthly by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, Va. 22180. Periodical class postage paid at Vienna, Va. Postmaster: send address changes to: PATC, 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, Va. 22180 Subscription: (Free with membership) $9.00 annually; $ .75 single copies.

Printed on 100% Post Consumer Waste Paper

118 Park Street, S.E.Vienna, VA 22180-4609

Telephone: 703/242-0315

Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

DEADLINE FOR POTOMAC APPALACHIAN ARTICLES AND FORECASTArticles 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.

FIRST OFTHE MONTH

Address: 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, VA 22180Phone #: 703‑242‑0315Fax #: 703‑242‑0968Club E‑mail: [email protected]: www.patc.netClub President: Jim TomlinDon White: 703‑242‑0315Hours: Monday‑Friday, 11:30 a.m.‑1:30 p.m.Club Officers and Chairs Contact InfoContact list is online at www.patc.net/contactsChange of Address? Log on to www.patc.net and update your address online, or contact [email protected]

Staff, During regular business hours

Position Staff Ext E‑mailStaff Director Brewster Thackeray 105 [email protected] Management Coord. Heidi Forrest 107 [email protected] Coordinator Diane Yang 103 [email protected] Coordinator Nicolas Haynor 106 [email protected] Coordinator Martha Reynolds 108 [email protected]/IT Coordinator Kit Sheffield 109 [email protected]

Potomac AppalachianEditor Dan Pulskamp [email protected] Designer Donna Childs

HOW TO CONTACT US Headquarters, Sales, Cabin Reservations, and Membership Information

PERIODICAL

US POSTAGE PAID

AT VIENNA VA

Documents

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE POTOMAC APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUBpatc20.yourassociation.org/docs/PATC/Newsletters/2017/PA... · 2017-08-08 · Snickers Gap AT Trailhead Skyland Resort and its