issn 098—8154 in our 75th year! · 2009. 9. 1. · the 17th edition of the dogwood half hundred,...

The 17th edition of the Dogwood HalfHundred, held on April 20, was charac-

terized by a combination of challenge,tragedy, and valor previously unknown tothis event.

The multitiered challenge began on Friday,April 19, when a forest fire begun by a light-ning strike closed several of the trails on theDogwood route and nearly closed theDogwood itself. During that afternoon dis-cussions between Dogwood officials and theU.S. Forest Service resulted in a major relo-cation of the Dogwood course, addingapproximately three miles but preserving aroute consistent with the traditions of theevent. That decision was followed by amajor campaign lasting well into theevening to relocate two checkpoints, alertthe affected volunteers, change the sweepassignments, relocate some of the medicalemergency teams, change the directionalsigns on the trails, and print up new coursedescriptions and maps for the participants.

Potomac Appalachian 1

The Newsletter of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, VA 22180-4609http://www.patc.net

Volume 31, Number 5June 2002

ISSN 098—8154

In This Issue . . .Council Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Walt’s Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Potomac Watershed Clean-Up . . . . . .6PATC Activities at Rock Creek . . . . . .6Working at the Pinnacles . . . . . . . . . . .7Bob Pickett’s Appalachian Nature . . . .7Maryland AT Relocation Completed . .8Annual Blackburn BBQ Registration . .8Schairer Work Trip Not the Same . . . .9Morey Wedding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Mike Karpie’s Photo Tips . . . . . . . . .10Tiptoeing Through Tulips/Wildflowers . .10Bears Den, Alive and Well . . . . . . . . .11SNP’s Field Seminar: Peregrine Falcons . .11Forecast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Massanutten Trail Dedication . . . . . .18Hike Leadership Training . . . . . . . . .18“Socializing” With Wasps . . . . . . . . .19Volunteers Appointed . . . . . . . . . . . .20Keystone Trail Crew’s Summer Splash . . . .20Annual SNP Overseers Workshop . . .20Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Trailhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22Help Wanted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Dogwood Half Hundred: Challenge, Tragedy, and Valor

See Dogwood, page 4

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In our 75th Year!

The first-place female hiker and sixth finisher overall, Carol Wesolowski, approachesthe scenic end of the course.

For those who live near the Beltway, you should try the Potomac Heritage Trail,maintained by PATC. It starts at the Beltway and travels along the Potomac

River 10 miles to the Teddy Roosevelt Island parking lot. (The northern, orupstream, end can be reached by taking the Georgetown Pike exit (Rt. 193) east,toward D.C., and take the first left onto Balls Hill Road, and then Live Oak Road,over the Beltway and follow it all the way to the end of the road, parking on theright side.) This area is very wild and quite beautiful, easy to get to, and inside theBeltway! Enjoy spring! ❏

—Bob Pickett

June 20SPECIAL EVENT

Summer Solstice at Great Falls - Great Falls Park Auditorium, VA6 p.m. Optional summer solstice (okay-it’s the day before) hike beginning atGreat Falls (Virginia side) Visitors’ Center along its River Trail to see Great Falls

and Mather Gorge. Bring water.

7:30 p.m. To promote the Potomac Heritage Trail, come listen to The NatureConservancy’s Stephanie Flack as she summarizes its year-long study, in coop-eration with the National Park Service, of the entire Potomac Gorge area fromGreat Falls to D.C.! The recently published “Potomac Gorge Site Conservation

Plan” proposes certain actions be taken to protect this valuable resource.INFO: Bruce Glendening ([email protected]) 703/532-9093.

Don’t Miss Spring on the PHT!

Council Fire

At its regular monthly meeting atHeadquarters on April 9, the PATC

Council allocated $2,500 to be added to theproject line for construction of an Overseercabin on the Club’s Vining Tract, locatednext to the southern section of ShenandoahNational Park. The project was initiallyapproved by the Council in December 2000at a cost of $1,500. The additional fundingwas needed to complete it because somewood recovered from abandoned structuresproved to be unsuitable for re-use, and it wasdecided to make improvements that wouldmake the cabin more useful to work crews.

Forty-five cabin Overseers attended theMarch 16 meeting at Blackburn TrailCenter. The Cabins Committee has had itsfirst meeting and will meet quarterly. Thefirst enforcement letter has been sent outunder the new policy for dealing with cabinrenters who destroy PATC property.

New caretakers have been named forBlackburn. They are 2001 AT Thru-HikersCyndy Olmstead and Sarah Rector.

Futures GroupThe group has made some further revisionsin the 2027 vision statement, includinggraphics, and will present it to the Councilin May, thus concluding its work. Memberswere asked to think of objectives that leadtoward the concepts in the vision andextrapolate into the future. There could be aone-page synopsis of the vision.

President’s ReportPresident Walter M. Smith reported thattwo of the eight participants in a PATC-sponsored excursion to Patagonia inSouthern Chile had died in their tentbecause of a defective heater. Investigation iscentering on possible negligence by the localtour operator.

Walt said a proposal has been submitted tothe Board on Geographic Names of theU.S. Geological Survey to change the

2 Potomac Appalachian

Council Members, Chairs and PA Staff

OfficersPresident: Walt Smith, 703/242-0693

Ext. 40, [email protected] Operations: VacantVP Volunteerism: Mickey McDermottSupervisor of Trails: Kerry SnowSupervisor of Corridor Management:

Tom LuppGeneral Secretary (Facilities): Jon RindtGeneral Counsel: Charles SloanMembership Secretary: Liles CreightonTreasurer: Gerhard SalingerRecording Secretary: George Meek

Sections/ChaptersMountaineering Section: Mack MuirSMRG: Peter PenningtonSki Touring Section: Steve BrickelNorth Chapter: Pete BrownN. Shenandoah Valley Chapter: Gerry BoydS. Shenandoah Valley Chapter: John HeldCharlottesville Chapter: John ShannonWest Virginia Chapter: Judy Smoot

Standing Committee Chairs(Council Members)Blackburn Trail Center: Chris BruntonBudget: Paul DeryCabins Operations: Mel MerrittCabin Construction: Charlie GrafConservation: Mary Margaret SloanGrants & Donations: Susan NelsonEndowment: Don PriceFinance: Gerhard SalingerHikes: Karen Brown & Tom JohnsonInternet Services: Stephen RaiaLand Management: Tom JohnsonLegal: Charles SloanMaps: Dave PierceMaryland Appalachian Trail Management

Committee: Charlie GrafPotomac Appalachian: Linda Shannon-BeaverPublic Affairs: Larry RockwellPublications: Aaron WatkinsSales: Paul DeryShelters: Frank TurkTrail Lands Acquisition: Phil PaschallTrail Patrol: Kumait JawdatTuscarora Trail Land Management:

Lloyd MacAskill

Special Committees/Ongoing ActivitiesArchives & Library: Carol NiedzialekCabin Reservations: Darlene WallCommunications Team: Mike SutherlandDeputy Supervisor of Trails: Hop LongHeadquarters Facility: Orron KeeInformation/Sales Desks: Marguerite SchneebergerMedical: VacantShelters, Cabins, & Cabins Land Fund: Jon RindtSNP Boundary Trailheads Study Group:

Mark HollandTuscarora Trail Shenandoah Valley Project:

Phoebe Kilby & Larry Bradford

Potomac AppalachianChief Editor: Linda Shannon-Beaver

[email protected] Editor: Joanne EricksonForecast Editor: Joan Hollen

[email protected]

HEADQUARTERSHOW TO CONTACT US FOR CABIN RESERVATIONS,

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION, AND SALES

Address: 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, VA 22180Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

and Thursday and Friday 12 noon to 2 p.m.Phone #: 703/242-0315 24-hr. Activities Tape #: 703/242-0965To receive an information packet: Extension 10To leave a message for the Club President Walt Smith: Extension 40Club e-mail: [email protected] Facsimile #: 703/242-0968World Wide Web URL: http://www.patc.net

STAFFDURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS

Director of Administration: Wilson Riley (Ext. 11) e-mail: [email protected] Management Coordinator: Heidi Forrest (Ext. 12) e-mail: [email protected] Manager: Monica ClarkMembership/Cabin Coordinator: Pat Fankhauser (Ext. 17) e-mail: [email protected] Coordinator: Maureen Estes (Ext. 19) e-mail: [email protected]

Bus/Metro Directions to Headquarters: When taking Metro Orange line, get off at DunnLoring station (not Vienna, the last stop). Outside the station, find the stop for Metrobus2C westbound in the direction of Tyson’s Corner. When the bus starts down MapleAvenue in Vienna, exit at the library just past Center St. Walk half a block in the samedirection the bus travels, and turn right at Park St. PATC will be on the left only a few yardsdown from the corner. The fare is $1.10, but you can ride for $.25 if you remember to geta transfer ticket at your originating station.

See Council Fire, page 18

Death in PatagoniaA PATC hiking trip to the Patagoniaregion of Southern Chile ended in atragedy when two members of thegroup died of carbon monoxide poison-ing while sleeping in their geodesic-dome during their stay in the Torres delPaine National Park. Ursula Harperand her 18-year-old son Matthew werediscovered in their tent on the morningof March 24. A criminal investigation ofCascada Expediciones, the owner of theEcoCamp where the domes were locat-ed, is under-way. The leadership andmembership of the PATC wish toexpress their sincerest condolences tothe Harper family.

Surviving family members include Mr.Ed Harper, and son Nicholas, and step-son and daughter Sean Harper andErin Harper Hill.

Walt’s NotesSeeking Volunteers for the ExecutiveCommitteeThe following have been selected as 2002 Nominating Committeemembers: Maureen Harris, 540/987-8217Stephen Koeppen, 410/756-2916, [email protected] Long, 301/942-6177, [email protected] Brunton, 703/560-8070, [email protected] Canter, 301/924-4942, [email protected]

The committee will nominate volunteers for the 2003-2005Executive Committee, which will be elected at the annual meeting inNovember. The Executive Committee, as revised at the last annualmembership meeting, consists of President; Vice President-Operations; Vice President-Volunteerism; Treasurer; Secretary;Supervisor of Trails; Supervisor of Lands; Supervisor of Facilities;Supervisor of Membership; and Supervisor of Information,Education, and Activities.

Please contact members of the committee with your recommenda-tions for potential candidates.

Making Spectacular Treks HappenI had wanted to backpack the 25-mile Trout Run Valley circuit hikein George Washington National Forest ever since I had read about itin Wil Kohlbrenner’s first edition of the “Guide to Great NorthMountain Trails,” published by the Club last year. From April 28-30I had my chance as I left the car at the Bucktail Trailhead1, in the rain,and trudged upward toward Halfmoon Mountain via the BucktailCutoff Trail. After two days, I had completed clock-wise the loop cre-ated by the Bucktail Cutoff, Halfmoon, Tuscarora, Mill Mountain,Tibbet Knob, SR691, and Long Mountain trails (as shown on PATCMap F, Great North Mountain-North Half, revised April 2001).

It was a spectacular trek! Over the course of 42 hours, I experiencedthe most unusual variations of weather and natural environments andsaw many spring flowers; one human being (a man from Californiawith a cane negotiating the trail to the Big Schloss); many birds, deer,and squirrel; and one deer mouse. Wil’s new guide describes 37 dif-ferent trails in the area, all associated with “trail groups” that sur-round this circuit. There is enough to keep a backpacker busy fordays in this wilderness environment just on the other side of theShenandoah Valley.

This is a great area for climbing to vistas. There are plenty of them.My favorite peaks with outstanding views for miles around wereTibbet Knob, in the southern portion of the loop (with a fun rockclimb on the north side), the well-known Big Schloss, and theHalfmoon Lookout in the northern end. There were some otherlovely views on the Long Mountain Trail in the relocated northernsection, especially overlooking Halfmoon Mountain and the gorgecreated by Trout Run between Halfmoon and Long Mountains.

A Variety of ConditionsThe most exciting aspect of the journey for me was the experience ofmeeting the unexpected, especially the different environments, as Ihiked between 1,500- and 3,200-foot elevations. The bloomingshrubs and plants indicated varying conditions, such as on MillMountain where the early blooming serviceberry was still present,while along the Long Mountain Trail, in a protected hollow, I mar-veled at dogwood, redbud, and azaleas, all in full bloom within ashort distance of each other.

The weather varied from a cold, cloudy, very windy day on MillMountain (not unlike Dolly Sods), where I observed full sun beam-ing down on the Shenandoah Valley and Shenandoah National Parkto the east (I was a bit jealous), to a lovely, warm sunny day in thebeautiful valley along the Long Mountain Trail to the east of BensRidge. I realized that the cold weather I was experiencing on theridge on Monday was not necessarily the prevailing weather sincethe blooming bellworts, dwarf iris, and berry bushes were indicativeof previous warmth. The ridges to the east of Trout Run provideda rugged, wild environment whereas the Long Mountain Trail hada pastoral quality to it with many wildlife clearings, wildflowers,and babbling brooks. The stretch to the east of Bens Ridge had ahigher concentration of flowering dogwoods then I have seen any-where. I continued to be surprised to see so many blooming plants.I awakened Tuesday morning to the sun streaming down on mycampsite, revealing a beautiful flower that I had missed the night


The Big Schloss, Mill Mountain, and Halfmoon Mountain asseen from Tibbet Knob

One of many wildlife clearings along the Long Mountain Trail

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See Walt, page 171 The Bucktail Trailhead is adjacent to Trout Run Road and near the LongMountain Trail crossing of Trout Run. As noted in the guidebook, theNational Forest Service has not yet constructed the bridge across Trout Run.I waded safely across the fast-flowing stream with water up to my knees as aresult of recent spring rains. However, by hiking the circuit clockwise from thistrailhead, I saved the crossing until last in case I fell in.


A further disruption caused by the fire, and the fire-fighting opera-tion, consisted of the field used for parking being reserved for ForestService helicopter operations, creating a major traffic jam on theaccess road to Powells Fort Camp on Saturday morning.Compounding the difficulties that morning were a record number ofwalk-up registrations replacing no-shows. Despite a rather dubiousweather forecast promising rain showers at some point during theday, the 17th Dogwood Half Hundred started promptly at 6:30 a.m.with a field of 233, the largest in a number of years.

As the morning unfolded, temperature and humidity both rose touncomfortable levels which, combined with the ascent and descent ofthe Sherman Gap Trail, posed a formidable physical challenge to thehikers. Additional cases of water were delivered to Checkpoint 3 asthe bulk of the field passed through; simultaneously, the rain began,not in torrents but in a steady sprinkle that resulted in a welcomedrop in the discomfort index.

Beginning at approximately 2:00 p.m., the tragic component of thisyear’s Dogwood began to unfold, together with the valorous. As shewas descending from the Massanutten east ridge to Shawl Gap, BonnieDay, an experienced veteran of three previous Dogwoods, slipped,tripped, or in some manner fell a significant distance downslope fromthe trail and incurred serious injury to her head. As word of the acci-dent was radioed to the rescue teams at Elizabeth Furnace, the hikersfollowing Bonnie waited with her until help arrived.

A major rescue force composed of the Shenadoah Mountain RescueGroup, the PATC Trail Patrol, the Strasburg Volunteer FireDepartment, the U.S. Forest Service, and paramedics from thePegasus Helicopter unit climbed with their gear some three miles upfrom Elizabeth Furnace to the accident site via both the TuscaroraTrail and the old wagon road. Upon reaching Bonnie, their task con-sisted of providing medical attention, raising Bonnie from where she

had fallen some 40 feet uphill to the trail, and then evacuating herthree miles downhill to a helicopter waiting at Elizabeth Furnace.Because of the extreme physical difficulty of the lifting and evacua-tion processes, a large number of Dogwood hikers who had beenstanding by now were called upon to assist the rescue teams in mov-ing both Bonnie and all the rescue equipment down the mountain.Although the rescue effort was successful in delivering Bonnie to thehelicopter, which in turn flew her to a hospital in Charlottesville, Va.,in the end Bonnie Day succumbed to her injuries and passed awaythe next day. All those involved in the Dogwood are deeply saddenedby her death.

Nevertheless, it is important to recognize the heroic exertions per-formed on Bonnie’s behalf by the rescue team. We also honor the 46Dogwood participants who willingly gave up their chance to finishthe event in order to assist in the evacuation effort. These individu-als have been identified and been declared “honorary finishers” ofDogwood 2002; in addition they have been granted free entry toDogwood 2003. It is our hope that this recognition of their compas-sion and physical efforts will constitute a fitting human memorial toBonnie Day.

Of the field of 233 starters, 126 stalwart individuals were successfulin overcoming heat and rain over 34.8 miles to become official fin-ishers. They are joined by the 46 honorary finishers.

On this day of challenge, tragedy, and valor, it is also appropriate torecognize the unsung heroics of the multitude of Dogwood volun-teers, who cleared the trails, operated the registration and finishtables, manned checkpoints, served as trail monitors, operated theham radio communications network, cooked breakfast and the tradi-tional Dogwood chili, placed (and then re-placed) the trail signs,served on sweep teams, provided medical care, and mounted anextremely demanding rescue effort. Their collective contributionsrepresent an extraordinary display of volunteerism, consistent withthe proud traditions of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club as it cel-ebrates its 75th anniversary. ❏

—Ric Francke

The Dogwood Half HundredDogwood, from page 1

Check-in begins around 5:30 a.m., in the dark! Pat Fankhauser andJim Thornton gather drivers’ licenses and distribute

participant numbers.

Bonnie Day... We’re sure gonna miss you

On April 20, 2002, Bonnie Day, RidgeRunner and CharterMember of “Team Lunatic,” ran the Dogwood Half

Hundred (50K) in the Massanutten Mountains of the GeorgeWashington National Forest. Sadly this would be Bonnie’s lastrace on the mountain trails she so loved. Approximately 27miles into her run near Veach Gap, Bonnie was found approxi-mately 40 ft. below a narrow rocky portion of the trail. Since noone saw her fall, it is speculated that she either slipped, tripped,or lost her balance. Her condition was reported to the race offi-cials who then contacted emergency personnel. Over 30+mountain rescue, EMS, and Strasburg Volunteer FireDepartment personnel responded to the incident. Due to herlocation and the terrain it took approximately five hours toextract Bonnie and bring her down to the Elizabeth Furnacecamping area to a waiting helicopter. She was then evacuated tothe University of Virginia hospital. Bonnie suffered a subduralhematoma that proved fatal late the following day. Bonnie’shusband Ron and her sister were at her side.

from RidgeRunners Running Club’s home page, at http://lakeridgerunners.tripod.com/

It’s still dark at 5:30 a.m. during the monthof April. That was the time on the clock as

my two friends and I pulled into Powell’s FortCamp on the 20th. We had dragged ourselvesout of bed at 4:00, and proceeded to trade inall the warmth and comfort of our hotelrooms in Woodstock for the cool, damp dark-ness of this place. It was only the beginning ofa long and fulfilling day for all three of us.

Even though we had come to the same event,we were here for different reasons. Johnnyand Marty, my two friends, had come here tohike the Dogwood Half-Hundred. I was hereto work as one of the many volunteers whosecollective efforts make this event a reality. Asmy friends checked in and went aboutpreparing for the arduous trek that lay beforethem, I circulated among the crowd trying tofind the folks in charge so that I could get tomy appointed post on the top of Signal Knob.My job was going to be there, at checkpointNo. 1, to do the check-ins for some 230-oddhikers that would soon be coming that way. Ihad also volunteered to do some photos forthis newsletter, so before leaving the basecamp, I shot off some images of the unfoldingevents.

After meeting Ric Francke and some of theother folks in charge, it was off for a bumpy,rocky ride courtesy of a guy named Kirk up toSignal Knob. By the time we made it there,Joe and the other volunteers were alreadywell on their way to setting up the check-point. Kirk, in addition to providing ridesover the rough terrain in his four-wheeler,helped out at the checkpoint by being theham radio operator for that post. All daylong, the radio operator at base camp wouldcommunicate with the various ham operatorsat the four checkpoints. Without the impor-

tant communication that these folks provid-ed, an event like this would not be possible.

As the sun came up over the mountains, sodid the hikers to Signal Knob. What began asa trickle quickly turned into an uphill streamof already trail-worn bodies, all happy to seethe relief offered them at the checkpoint.There were energy-rich snacks of all kinds, aswell as fresh water and Gatorade to quenchtheir thirsts. Many of the hikers throughoutthe day would comment on how nice andfriendly the people staffing the checkpointswere, but I have to say, the hikers themselveswere just as friendly and nice to us. Even thefew who were having problems such as blis-ters or sore legs, and even those who decidedat this first checkpoint to drop out of thismore-than-a-marathon hike, were nothingbut pleasant to us. When the crowds thinnedout and the checkpoint came to a close, we allfelt satisfied that we had done a good service,

not only to the participants in the Dogwood,but to PATC as well. It was most certainlytime well spent.

As the day turned into evening and myexhausted friends made their way back tobase camp, I had to reflect on things I’d seenthis day. The level of volunteerism in thisorganization is well-known both to thoseinside and out of PATC, but a day workingwith the incredibly dedicated people who runthe Dogwood brings that fact home in a mostpositive way. Everyone from the organizers,to the chili cooks, to the trail sweeps, and onthis day of unexpected tragedy, to the finepeople of the Shenandoah Mountain RescueGroup, should be highly commended fortheir efforts. Being a small part of this hugegroup effort was a very gratifying experience.I’ll be back to do it again. ❏

—Vincent G. Ferrari


My Experience of Volunteering at the Dogwood

A fire sparked by lightening on Thursday night was responsible for not only a changedcourse, but also the loss of the “camping spot” for many Dogwood participants, as it

served as the landing spot for the firefighter’s aerial support.

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At Checkpoint #1 participants were greatful for volunteers pro-viding refreshments, first aid, and (for some) transportation.

Although finishing the race is everyone’s goal, only 126 officialfinishers crossed the line this year.

Potomac Watershed Clean-Up at Turkey Run

What a great group! K9Trailblazers proudly turned out 12 peo-ple and seven dogs to do the unglamorous job of picking up

trash along the Potomac River as well as in parking lots, picnic areas,and along the road in Turkey Run Park.

Pat and Mickey thank their team—Lisa, Chuck, and Jester—whohave been active and loyal members of the Club since the beginning;and Jennifer, who had to leave Angel home but came anyway and didthe least enjoyable task, walking alone along the road picking up anentire trash bag full of cigarette butts. Jeff thanks his team: Nancyand Tester, Paul and Lucky, Ray and Wiley, Mark and Hannah withWinnie and Flash, and Jeanne for hauling bag after bag of trash upfrom the river on steep switchbacks. An extra big pat on the back toPaul for lugging four tires up from the river (all at once), and Ray fornot only his photography work, but also for carrying a tire WITHRIM all the way up the VERY steep and long switchback from theriver. We noticed that the laws of physics seemed to change as the daywent on. The trail was much longer when the bags of trash were full,and the bag actually got heavier even if no additional trash was added!

And we all want to give a big round of applause to Cindy, who spenthours alone in Parking Lot C-1 picking up trash and being our com-munications contact throughout this event. She didn’t even haveBelle to keep her company! Nice job everyone—we couldn’t havedone it without you!

Now for the news you have all been waiting for: We picked up 550pounds of trash! And five old tires; and a big sheet of Styrofoam (funfor Mark and Jeff); and several bags of brown beer bottles, which areheavy and hard to carry; and several bags of cigarette butts, which arevery light but required a whole lot of bending over to fill up each bag.

Chuck had a brilliant idea for a slogan to put on signs: “Get yourBUTTS outa here!” There is a precedent: “Don’t mess withTexas” has dramatically reduced public expenditures for trashremoval along highways in that state. Chuck also came with thebest tool: a long stick with a hook on the end so he could reachinto woods and water to spear trash without damaging vegetationor getting his feet wet. At our post-event team conference, wedecided next year we will make the job much easier and faster bybringing brooms and a dustpan for the parking areas instead ofpicking up cigarette butts one at a time!

K9Trailblazers wanted to help the environment and give some-thing back to Turkey Run Park as a way of showing our apprecia-

tion for ranger-led hikes there two years in a row. We did both!Thanks to all the good sports who helped and to all the dogs whothought they were going for a “hike” and discovered it was threeto four miles a few steps at a time over four hours. ❏

—Pat Fuhrer

Ameeting in the Rock Creek Park NatureCenter on April 16, chaired by President

Walt Smith and attended by some 25 EasyHikers and their friends, identified the Clubmember who first stimulated PATC’sinvolvement there, and later in other parts ofthe Washington metropolitan area.

Jeff Norman, also a member of the SierraClub, approached PATC in late 1976 forhelp in maintaining the park’s hiking trails,and was referred to Supervisor of Trails TomFloyd. Discussions between Tom and Bob

Ford of Rock Creek Park (then and still nowresponsible for resources management inthe park) led to the first PATC work trip,which took place on Melvin Hazen Creek inFebruary 1977. Initially PATC activitiescentered on the Valley and Western Ridgetrails, but then extended westward on stripsof parkland across the city to Glover-Archbold and Battery Kemble Parks.During this activity, Trail crew member BobLaughlin constructed 28 log steps in one daydown a long and very steep embankment atFoxhall Road, which are still there.

In addition to trail construction and mainte-nance, our work involved signposting.

Because of a Carter administration initiativefor shifting to metric, these signs includeddistances in kilometers, which was not pop-ular with some of the public. After one signwas recovered floating in the Potomac, weanchored new ones in concrete foundations!

Our work in Rock Creek Park finished in1981, and we devoted the next three years to


Part of the clean-up team show off their haul.

Pat Fuhrer gives the workers a briefing.

PATC Activities at Rock Creek and Other Metro Area Parks

See Rock Creek, page 10

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Working at the Pinnacles

Here is some proof that Les Bate’s Pinnacle Crew does get up thereto check out the shelter and Les’ portion of the Tuscarora Trail,

and the Laurel Run and Fry trails. Les is 77 and his vision has deterio-rated to the point where he cannot drive. One of us always takes himup there. On this hike he was joined by many of his neighbors.

In addition to the shelter and trail work recently, we also created anew trail, the Rock and Overlook Trail, that leads to a neat cave thatI discovered. I will return soon to blaze it (probably yellow) and sendin a new map of the Pinnacle area. The end of the cave was so darkthat we couldn’t follow it to the end. I’ll return with my miner’s lampto see how far it goes.

We created a new loop trail off the Tuscarora Trail, the Rock Caveand Overlook Trail, that includes a rock scramble up to the entranceto the cave. I will return and blaze it soon and make a new map forthe Pinnacle area, including the new trail and the Laurel Run and Frytrails, not currently on Map L but all side trails from the TuscaroraTrail where Les is Overseer. ❏

—Walt Smith

By the end of May, all of our neotropical migratory birds havefinally reached their breeding grounds here in our Appalachian

Mountains. Of the more than 75 species that migrate to our region,33 are wood warblers. The males have arrived a week or so before thefemales in an effort to stake out their territories. With the hazardoussix-week commute from their wintering grounds complete, it’s timefor the males to get serious about soliciting a mate and keeping theother males from squeezing in on her.

Migratory males return to reclaim the same territory used the previ-ous year. This “site fidelity” enables the returning males to avoidannual squabbles and fights. Warblers remember the distinctive callsof their returning neighbors. Instead of constantly battling, two indi-viduals appear to call a truce. The birds become what evolutionarybiologists have termed “dear enemies.” If even half of its neighborsreturn, the time and energy thus saved can be used to deal with theother neighbors and to attract and court a female. Even if the quali-ty of the territory is poor, and a better site might be found, the malewill benefit by accepting the same territory and expending its energysoliciting a mate.

Birds have both call notes and songs. While call notes are normallyshort and nondistinct, the songs are what we use to identify the birds.Warblers have two distinct groups of songs. The first grouping ofsongs, called accent-ending, or primary songs, function primarily inattracting a mate. The second grouping, called unaccented-ending,or secondary songs, are for defending territory or a mate. Everyspring, as soon as the males have arrived, they start singing their pri-mary songs throughout the day, as often as three hundred per hour,to attract a female mate. The early days of the breeding season arealso the time to establish territories, however, and whenever squab-bles arise over borders, males bombard each other with their second-ary songs.

Almost immediately after pairing, a male’s singing strategy changesdramatically. For the first hour or so of every day, he delivers a non-stop barrage of secondary songs. With a mate in hand, his primaryconcern now turns to protecting her from invading males. Duringincubation, when the female is no longer fertile, the male sings moreprimary songs, and sometimes attracts a second mate.

Warblers can have more than one primary and secondary song.Chestnut-sided warblers have at least three variants of the familiarplease-please—pleased-to-MEET-cha, and prairie warblers also havethree variations of buzzy rising notes. And the hooded warbler andchestnut-sided warbler have up to 10 secondary songs.

The secondary songs of warblers will vary geographically, but in anyone location they appear to be consistent and shared by most of theresident males of the same species. Two other spring warblers withmultiple songs are the American redstart, with about five, and theyellow warbler, with about 12. In these species, each male reservesone song as his primary song and relegates the others to the secondcategory. However, there is no widespread agreement among maleswithin the same region as to which is which. For these species, mes-sages may be encoded not in the song types themselves but in howeach male presents his songs: The single primary song is typicallyrepeated over and over, while the secondary songs are presented oneafter another in rapid-fire sequences. ❏

—Bob Pickett


(L to r) Roger Henderberg, Dave McCreary, Les Bates, Walt Smith with Leslie Lemeshewsky’s dog, and Agnes Bouton.

Leslie Lemeshewsky at the entrance to a cave that we discovered on Great North Mountain near the Pinnacle Shelter.

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Bob Pickett’s AppalachianNature: Songs are Important


Blackburn Summer BBQ Registration — Saturday and Sunday, July 6-7, 2002Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: (day) ________________________________________(evening) ______________________________________________________

DESSERT CONTEST ITEM: ______________________________________ (Please indicate what item you will be entering in the contest!)Number of adults/children 13 and older: ____________ (@ $20.00 each) $__________

Number of children ages 5-12: ____________ (@ $7each) $__________

Total enclosed: $__________

Please mail reservation form and check to: Lisa Still at 5812 Cove Landing Rd., Unit #302, Burke, VA 22015.Registration forms must be received no later than June 21

IMPORTANT: Please be sure to make your check payable to Lisa Still.

Annual Blackburn Summer BBQ is Approaching!

To Those Who Love the Mountains, Great Friends, andFabulous Food:

The annual summer “Texas BBQ” at Blackburn Trail Center,located a click off the AT—just outside of Round Hill, Va.—is get-ting into gear! This year the event is scheduled for July 6-7, 2002.If you have never experienced one of these delightful gatherings,we urge you to put it on your list of must dos! Come join us for aday of hiking, arts and craft activities for the kids, relaxing on theporch, and the best BBQ, some say, outside of Texas! (TheBarbeque as always, features the famous Texan Chef DeanCaraway as well as his West Virginia sidekick Blaine Robinson.Can you imagine a better cultural combo to turn out some meanbrisket, ribs, and chicken?) Besides bringing good people togetherto enjoy great food, hiking, and the wonderful views fromBlackburn, this event seeks to find new members as well as to raisefunds for the Club. Last year, the event provided funding for theConservation Committee to support the purchase of property sur-rounding Blackburn and the AT. We raise funds at the eventthrough registration fees and a raffle.

The Blackburn Trail Center can accommodate approximately 30people in bunkrooms, which are available on a first-come first-served basis. In addition, the nearby campground has ample space

for tents. Bring your lunch on Saturday; dinner Saturday eveningand breakfast on Sunday are included. The cost of the BBQ is $20for adults and children 13 and older, $7 for children 5-12, underfive years old free. Please mail the attached registration form alongwith the appropriate fee to Lisa Still at 5812 Cove Landing Rd.,Unit #302, Burke, VA 22015.

• CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE OUT TO LISA STILLAND SENT WITH THE ENCLOSED REGISTRATIONFORM NO LATER THAN JUNE 21, 2002.

• AS MUCH AS WE LOVE THEM, PLEASE LEAVE YOURDOGS AT HOME OR AT THE PET HOTEL!

• THIS YEAR WE ARE INTRODUCING THE FIRST-EVERDESSERT CONTEST. BRING YOUR BEST COOKIES,CAKES, PIES, OR OTHERWISE GRANDMA’S FAVORITERECIPE. PRIZES AWARDED TO FIRST, SECOND, ANDTHIRD PLACE WINNERS.

Volunteers are welcome and needed for several activities. If youwould like to assist with this event or have any questions, pleasecall Caren Rothstein-Robinson at 703/560-1361 before 9:00 p.m.or e-mail her at: [email protected]. ❏

On April 20, the South Mountaineersblazed the new Appalachain Trail rout-

ing just south of Wolfsville Rd. This cappedan 18-event wintertime project that involved771 labor hours.

The new routing extends from 0.3 to 0.9miles south of Wolfsville Rd. and adds 0.11miles to the Trail. This route takes advan-tage of a woods road on the west side of theridge with better winter viewing and a nicevista from the ridgeline.

The new route was technically challeng-ing to install and required a lot of digging

and rock tossing. Thanks to the loyal crewmembers who kept coming out on thisproject: the Rainey Family, ChuckHuenefeldt, Bob Pragani, Redge Bessmer,Ralph Heimlich, and John Notsch just toname a few. Special thanks to Bob Rainey,who gave it his all every weekend, andDan Dueweke, the Shenandoah DistrictManager who volunteered on April 14with the grip hoist to do some crucial rockmoving.

This route was flagged by the MarylandAppalachian Trail Management

Committee in an effort to find a perma-nent and preferable routing south ofWolfsville Road. The committee had allnecessary agency signatures by Dec. 14,2001, which put the South Mountaineersin action. The committee had scouted andflagged the routing earlier in 2001 overmultiple forays.

Some rock moving will continue in the com-ing months as backpackers pound the newroute. It is hoped that the hiking public willwarmly embrace this relocation. ❏

—Rick Canter/District Manager, MD AT

Maryland AT Relocation Completed by South Mountaineers


In retrospect, we might have made morefuss about dinner. I’d brought plenty of

good food: my chickpea, onion, tomato, androsemary combo; rice; salad; a cherry pie;and two rotisserie chickens because Ithought we’d be seven sitting down. We hadthe second for lunch on Sunday. Instead ofcandles and paper towel napkins foldedneatly, I handed silverware around the tableand pushed the chips and hummus to oneside. We were well into the wine. As I gotthe hot food from the oven I rememberedthe salad. While Pat carved the chicken I cutup onions, avocado, and tomatoes. With atoast to our absent hostess, we dug in.

No one could doubt who was in charge ofthe cabin where we were staying. Notes inShirley’s clear steady handwriting directusers to put antifreeze in the sink drainbefore leaving and not to use the fireplacebecause the damper is closed in winter, tosave heat. Next to the cookstove we readthat propane travels slowly; patience isadvised after turning on the oven. The eld-erly black naugahyde couch and chair, heavywith duck tape patches, elude retirement. Aswath of turquoise paint on one door framesignals work in progress. But there won’t beany painting at Schairer Cabin this chillyApril weekend.

We all pick tasks from the spring work list.Jim, who had to stop and replace his pickup’salternator on the trip up, unloads a newlawn mower and sets out to repair the elec-tric generator that runs the pump and waterheater. No grass to mow yet.

Robert excavates trash from the tool shed,puzzles over the lazy water heater, and tack-les the main complaint from cabin users: theback door has no door knob. As its mainfunction had been to open and close thedoor, which is no longer a rectangle, its col-lapse was not unexpected. Robert createstwo hefty handles, inside and out, from atwo-by-four and an old axe handle.Trimming the door’s lower corner can waitfor a warm day.

Vesta, instead of painting, polishes the win-dows inside and out, sweeps and mops thefloor, scrubs the privy, and replenishes thelime barrel. Her flax-seed bread is the star ofthe breakfast table.

Before she serves us porridge with hot milk,coffee cake, and bananas, Pat dresses ourtable with blooming cherry branches. Afterreorganizing kitchen gear, the medicine kit,and the blanket chest, she scrubs the refrig-erator with baking soda and culls chippedchina and rickety pots.

I screw a turnbuckle on the back screen doorand adjust it so the door swings freely andinstall restored cushions on the outsiderocking chair. The chore I pick is to liberatethe right-hand door of the tool shed, whichswings out only a foot or two. Either thebuilding has sunk, the sill is rotten, or thesod level has risen. Given the rocks pokingout of the soil, the first seems unlikely. Inany event, I am only prepared to deal withsod. I peel it up and excavate rocks and richblack soil until the door swings clear andreplace the sod. Then I create a job not on

the list, to liberate the cherry saplings nearthe privy, their scarce blooms nearly hiddenby vines and dead branches. I saw off thebranch crushing the little tree that producedour bouquet and slash down the prickly,grasping intruders. The dead wood willmake fine kindling.

Shirley would love to see this tangle goaway. And the gleaming surfaces and uniquedoor hardware. After her recent hospitalstay we knew she wouldn’t be doing muchwork this trip. Still, I’d envisioned her com-ing up in Robert’s truck to sit on the deck,on the fresh cushions, and keep us company,and on track, while we all bustled about. Butshe won’t be inspecting our work anytimesoon. On the Thursday just before ourscheduled maintenance trip, she heard froma neuro-ophthalmologist that her opticnerve was damaged by the infection thattook her to the hospital. He doesn’t expecther impaired vision will return to normal.

In the middle of the night I discover I haveforgotten my flashlight. No matter.Slipping into my faithful sandals, I setforth into the dark. My leg tells me when Ipass the couch along the wall and I locatethe front door. Breathing and slight snoresprovide additional orientation. I open andclose it soundlessly.

Back in the cabin my shuffling wakesRobert. “Is that you, Mary Helen? How is itout there?” I tell him my only problem waswhen I started back and had to find the trailby starlight. He gets out his flashlight. ❏

—Mary Helen Shortridge

Kent and Raimi joined PATC in thespring of 2001. They worked on the

Meadows restoration last summer, and havehelped with Gypsy Springs. It turns outKent Morey is a Professional Engineer, reg-istered in a couple of states and presentlyworking for a structural building firm. Hewas quickly recruited by the SouthernRegion Cabins Supervisor and theNorthern Region Cabin Supervisor to assistin drawing and providing professional opin-ions on Gypsy Spring decks, Weaver gableends and bridges (to be put up during thissummer’s Weaver renovation), and review-ing the Eaton Cabin restoration. It turns outthat Kent and Raimi became Mr. and Mrs.Morey on Feb. 22, 2002 (makes you wonderif 02-22-02 is easy to remember). For their

honeymoon weekend they came to Weaverand Schairer cabins on a worktrip. Thecabin idea is romantic; the worktrip idea isreal dedication. Kent and Raimi helped BoyScout Troop 17 clear the road to Sam EatonCabin, took measurements for a futurebridge to the privy at Weaver, and stackedsome rough-sawn wood to be used on gableends this summer. Dinner was served atCliff’s House, cooked by Mary Smith,served by Jim Denham and Bob Mroczek(Cliff’s House Overseers). Thomas (theSouthern Supervisor) went all out by pro-viding a bottle of wine with a cork in it.After-dinner festivities included cards andconversation. Sunday brought another com-munity meal and wood gathering before theafternoon departure.

Whether it’s romantic or dedication, asSouthern Cabin’s Supervisor, I can’t imaginea better honeymoon weekend than being ona PATC worktrip having community mealsand a group sleep over.

Kent and Raimi will be joining in theWeaver Cabin restoration, scheduled forthe first weekend in June (1-2), and everyother weekend throughout June and July.Check your calendars and come out, havesome fun, and say “Hi” to the newlyweds.

Congratulations to Kent and Raimi Morey! ❏

—Thomas C. JorgensenSouthern Cabins Supervisor

Schairer Work Trip, Not the Same Without Shirley

Dedicated Members: Morey Wedding

Although not carrying a ukulele, TinyTim would have been proud of PATC’s

resident botanist, Bob Pickett, who playedthe pied-piper leading a pack of wildflowerenthusiasts down the entire 10-mile lengthof the Potomac Heritage Trail (PHT) on anearly spring day.

Bob was sorely tested early when theGeorge Washington Parkway Park Policefailed to timely open one parking gate, andwhile seeking alternative parking, washarassed by a nearby Saudi embassy official’ssecurity staff – at 8 a.m. on a Sunday morn-ing. But Bob persevered. All were rewardedas the mild winter weather brought earlywildflowers in abundance.

“There is incredible variety along thePotomac,” Bob says. Most wildflowers havea blooming season of only a couple of weeks,so the best viewing goes to those who knowwhen to get outdoors. It was fortuitous luckthat such a long-planned event could hap-pen so close to the peak wildflower season.

Virginia bluebells were the stars on this tripas dozens lined the PHT from its crossing ofDead Run to Turkey Run. But the rarer flow-ers interest Bob most. The group saw suchrarities as a white trout lily (found in only two

Virginia counties) and harbinger of spring(found in only three Virginia counties).

For those in the know, the list of spottedwildflowers became long: yellow trout lily;bloodroot; cut-leaf toothwort; early sax-ifrage; toad trillium; wild ginger, blue phlox;star chickweed – with the spice bush andleather leaf shrubs also in bloom. Beyondjust wildflowers, Bob especially liked seeinga number of large old-growth sycamoresthat someone saved from destructionthrough the years – possibly related to thenearby ruins of a cabin.

As the day grew longer, the tough gotgoing. Twenty-six starters were reducedafter lunch to 13, who decided to continuealong the bottom half of the PHT down-stream of Chain Bridge. It was surprisingto see the variety even in this more urbanenvironment.

Most were exhausted with the full day’s hike,but everyone knew much more about thewildflowers right around the corner fromour homes in metropolitan D.C. BobPickett played a very fine tune that day, andall cannot wait until next year when themagic starts again. ❏

—Bruce Glendening


Mike Karpie’s Photo Tips: Camera Care

Tiptoeing Through the Tulips–Er, Wildflowers

Essential items for any camera bag include a lens-cleaning brush,lens tissue, and lens fluid. The brush is great for removing sand,

grit, or dust from your camera, particularly from the lens. Lensbrushes are often combined with “blowers,” bulbous rubber contrap-tions that you squeeze quickly to blow dust and debris from yourcamera. I usually pull the “blowers” off and throw them away becausethey are rarely worth the space they occupy in your bag or pack.However, I consider the brush essential. Soft camel’s hair works bestbut when you are obtaining it be very careful you don’t tick off thecamel.

Next, you can remove smudges and fingerprints from your lenses andviewfinder by applying a drop or two of lens fluid to the lens tissueand rubbing gently. Never ever EVER use eyeglass tissues! They aretreated with silicone and may damage the coating on your lens. It isalso not wise to use your shirttail or any abrasive material on yourlenses because of this coating.

If you are using a digital camera with an LCD panel, you can “lift”fingerprints from the panel with cellophane tape. Works like magic!

Never attempt to oil or lubricate your camera. Leave this to a pro-fessional. Also, if you own a single-lens-reflex camera, never attemptto clean the internal mirror. Unlike your bathroom mirror, the deli-cate reflective coating is on the surface of the glass rather than behindit and can be damaged very easily.

Is there a topic you would like to see covered in this column? E-mailme at [email protected]. I will try to respond to as many requests aspossible.

Next month: Available Light Photography

—Michael Karpie

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rehabilitating the Potomac Heritage Trail,which had been largely destroyed byHurricane Agnes in 1972. We then shiftedbriefly to the Cabin John Creek Trail, andfinally to the Bull Run-Occoquan Trail,where REI once provided 28 volunteers fora single work trip.

At this year’s meeting, Gail Spilsbury of theSmithsonian presented an overview of thepioneering work of the Olmstead family inestablishing Rock Creek Park, based on herforthcoming picture book history, soon tobe published. Bob Ford identified the greatextent of national park land in the Districtof Columbia, which now comprises 99 sep-arate segments.

Owing to a medical condition, Tom Floydcould not leave Arkansas to attend thismeeting. Other participants included BobLaughlin and Marie Grenan, each of whomhas served as trail Overseer in Rock CreekPark, the PHT, or the AT for more thantwo decades. Bob is particularly well-knownas one who can’t resist improving a waterbaror check dam made by others; his master-piece on the AT near Linden is known asthe aircraft carrier! The long service ofthese two Club members epitomizes thesatisfaction of building and maintaininghiking trails, which is essentially communi-ty service in the outdoors. ❏

—Phil Barringer

Rock Creek, from page 6

Bears Den, Alive and Well and Up and Running

SNP Announces First 2002 Field Seminar: Peregrine Flacons

Bears Den has new managers! After pastmanager Melody Blaney and her

coworker Patti Landovek gave notice ofleaving at the end of last year, ATC hadthoughts of closing Bears Den Lodge.When word of that got out, Bears DenVolunteers stepped in to offer support for ayear during which permanent arrangementsfor the future could be worked out. Whenthe decision was made to continue the hos-tel this year, it was no job at all to chooseLoretta and Ray Johnson as the prospectivenew managers. They hiked the trail last yearletting everyone along the way know thattheir goal was to operate a lodge for hikerssomewhere along the trail. They had alsoexpressed their interest in Bears Den.Loretta quickly accepted an offer as officialmanager with Ray as her exceptionally valu-able co-worker. Both Ray and Loretta haverun their own businesses, Loretta as anaccountant and Ray a contractor. Both comewell-equipped to run Bears Den withknowledge and tools. They will make thehostel a very sociable place for hikers andguests. Ray and Loretta have plenty ofempathy for hikers, derived from their ownhike last year. They are highly motivated toprovide things for all ages. For example, thestore now has stuffed bears for sale. AsLoretta says, “Bears Den has to have Bears.”

All manager have their particular ways ofcontributing. When you visit Bears Dennow, it will be apparent that Loretta and Rayhave spruced up of the facilities and expand-ed the store to better accommodate hikerneeds and to offer visitors a greater varietyof things related to the trail. One helpfulchange is that the Lodge is now open all day,

every day, except when the managers have togo to town to buy supplies on Mondays. Ifyou happen to see their green van go by, youcannot miss the Bears Den sign on each sidereading, “A little castle in the woods.”Glance at the back of the van and you willsee the new Bear logo, which soon will beavailable as a patch at the store.

Bears Den has learned from PATC just howvaluable volunteers can be in a place likeBears Den, so if you are looking for anopportunity to take part, give us a call at540/554-8708 or e-mail us [email protected]. We need help in allareas: office work, reception, hand-letteringsigns, minor electrical work, light painting,and future campsite layout. You are welcometo come join us.

Beginning this year, the brick cottage, whichmany from PATC helped restore, is availablefor rent. It is a fifth-of-a-mile hike deep into

woods to this 600-square-foot building. Itoffers a private bedroom with innerspringdouble bed, wide sleeping bench for two(bring your own sleeping pads), and a loft forthree that is especially attractive to childrenor a good sleeping spot for cold nights. Youthgroups often just spread out on the mainroom floor. When it turns warm and clear,the 10- by 30-foot second-floor deck is theideal place to roll out your sleeping bag andwatch the stars through the limbs of largeaaks and tulip trees. Rent starts at $50 for acouple per night with special rates for youthgroups. Facilities included are a two-burnercamp stove, essential kitchen utensils, cookpots, silverware, and dishes. Drinking water isavailable at a faucet just outside the cottage,and there is a new unique privy. Privileges atthe hostel are included. Call early if you wantto make reservations. Youth groups are espe-cially welcome. ❏

—Dave AppelVolunteer Coordinator Bears Den Hostel


Shenandoah National Park will kick off its2002 Field Seminar series on Saturday,

June 8, with the seminar Learning to Fly.During this daylong seminar, participantswill meet the people who have been involvedin the effort to reintroduce peregrine falconsinto the mountains of the East. The seminarwill discuss the peregrine falcon’s historyover the past century and give participants achance to discover the role this elusive birdof prey plays in the area’s ecosystem.

Once listed as an endangered species, theperegrine falcon is now making a comeback.Over the past decade, SNP has partneredwith dedicated organizations to help return

peregrine falcons to the mountain of theEast. The establishment of a multi-partnerstudy has helped biologists understand moreof the behavior and migration patterns ofthis bird of prey.

Seminar participants will have the opportu-nity to learn from raptor experts and Parkstaff about the project that is helping falconsre-establish populations in this area. Thepeaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains providegood habitat for peregrines. Participants willvisit a site in SNP where young falcon chicksare being raised and released and will havethe opportunity to view this amazing bird ofprey in its natural setting.

SNP’s Field Seminars offer an exciting,hands-on way to learn about Park and com-munity resource issues. Advanced registra-tion for seminars is required. To register, orfor more information, contact SNP’sEducation Office at 540/999-3489. The costfor the Learning to Fly seminar is $25.Shenandoah National Park Associationmembers receive a 20 percent discount.

SNP Field Seminars will continue through-out the summer with the following pro-grams - Nature Photography, July 13;Shenandoah at Night, Aug. 10; and AWilderness Way, Aug. 24-25. ❏

“Skipper” and “Dusty” (trail names) in front of the Georgia and Maine mileagemarker in the yard at Bears Den Hostel, July 12, 2001.

FORECAST


Charlottesville ChapterThe Charlottesville Chapter hikes everySaturday, summer, winter and in between. Hikesare usually 8 to 10 miles. We usually maintaintrails on the last Saturday of the month. Meet atSprint parking lot, 2307 Hydraulic Road at 9 a.m.with food and water for the day. The majority ofhikes are in the southern and central districts ofShenandoah National Park, with some in thenorth district and in George WashingtonNational Forest. Our Chapter hikes are postedat www.patc.net/chapters/char/hikes.html.INFO: Jere Bidwell 434/295-2143 or JohnShannon 434/293-2953.

North ChapterThe North Chapter of PATC conducts monthly trailwork trips on the Maryland and Pennsylvania sec-tions of the Appalachian Trail (AT) and on thePennsylvania sections of the Tuscarora Trail. Wealso lead hikes on these and other trails. MarylandAT work trips are generally held on the first andthird Saturdays - contact Mark Mitchell([email protected]) 301/461-7048 for informa-tion. Pennsylvania work trips are generally held onthe AT on the first Saturday and on the Tuscaroraon the third Saturday - contact Charlie Irvin301/447-2848 or Pete Brown([email protected]) 410/343-1140.Pennsylvania AT work trips also include an option-al Saturday night stay at the Gypsy Spring cabin.Dinner, breakfast, and camaraderie available. Forinformation on upcoming hikes, contact ChrisFirme ([email protected]) 717/765-4833. Forgeneral chapter information, contact chapterpresident Pete Brown or visit the North Chapterhome page (www.patc.net/chapters/north/).

Northern Shenandoah Valley ChapterThe Northern Shenandoah Valley Chapter spon-sors hikes in national and state parks and forests inthe Shenandoah Valley vicinity, open to the pub-lic, on a monthly basis except during the winter.Hikes are posted in the Forecast. Other activitiesare in the NSV Chapter Newsletter. Forfurther information contact Gerry Boyd ([email protected]) 703/281-7216.

Southern Shenandoah Valley ChapterSee Forecast (or our link from PATC website) forwork trips and hiking events sponsored by theSouthern Shenandoah Valley Chapter. Hikers fromthe DC area should allow about 3 hours to get toour region. INFO: in Harrisonburg, call Alvin540/434-6244 or Lynn 540/234-6273; inWaynesboro, call Michael 540/943-8695; inStaunton, call Doris 540/885-4526.

West Virginia ChapterChapter meeting at Highacre are on the secondWednesday of Feb., Apr., Jun., Aug., Oct., andDec. See Forecast for upcoming activities. Forinformation abou the chapter or to receive thenewsletter, contact Judy Smoot 540/667-2036 ore-mail [email protected].

Ski Touring SectionThe Ski Touring Section has served since 1974 tointroduce Washington area residents to cross-country skiing and to provide cross-country skiingopportunities to experienced skiers. The Sectionsponsors winter weekend ski trips for all levels ofskiers to nearby mountains in Maryland, WestVirginia and Pennsylvania, as well as periodicsocial events year round. INFO: Steve Brickel301/946-2520 or [email protected].

Mountaineering SectionWe’re a diverse group of local Washington, DCarea climbers. Young and old, male and female,crag rat, sport climber, and alpinist, active andarmchair types – we all enjoy climbing in its manyvarieties. We also share common interest in pro-moting safe climbing, conserving the outdoors,developing new climbers’ skills, representing theWashington area climbing community, and hav-ing fun! We provide instruction for those wantingto learn the basics – we’re not a school, but wecan get you started. We go climbing, either local-ly or further afield, nearly every weekend. In thewinter we organize trips to the Ice Festivals in theAdirondacks and the White Mountains for begin-ning and advanced ice climbers. For further infor-mation contact Mack Muir 703/768-5724(MackMuir@ edisaurus.com) .

PATC Midweek HikesPATC’s Vigorous Group hikes 8-10 miles at afast pace; and the Easy Hikers hike 5-8 mileson trails with little elevation change. Seebelow for scheduled trips; check the weeklytape (703/242-0965) on Thursday or Friday forany changes or additions.

Other Clubs’ HikesCapital and Wanderbirds hike on Sundays, travel-ing by bus and leaving from downtown, with sub-urban stops as well. Center Club, NorthernVirginia Hiking Club and Sierra Clubs hike on bothSaturdays and Sundays using carpools, whichoften leave from a suburban Metro stop.Schedules are available at PATC Headquartersand are published in area newspapers on Fridays.The schedule of West Virginia HighlandConservancy outings in the MonongahelaNational Forest and surrounding areas is on theirweb site at www.wvhighlands.org.

Chapters

KEY to Forecast Activities

All events are marked for easy identifi-cation. Late changes or cancellationsare listed on the weekly informationtape (703/242-0965), which is updatedon Sunday evening for the followingseven days. The Forecast can also befound on PATC’s web site atwww.patc.net.

` Hiking Trips

~ Backpacking Trips

. Trail Work Trips

i Cabin/Shelter Work Trips

s Special Events

\ Meetings

Note to all hike leaders: Please asknonmembers on your hike if theywould like to join PATC, then getnames and addresses so a Club vol-unteer can send them informationpackets. Thanks!

MeetingsMeetings are held at PATC HQ, 118 Park Street,S.E., Vienna, VA unless otherwise noted.

New Members (PATC) – First Wednesday7:30 p.m. Curious about the Club? Want tolearn more? The best way is to attend a newMembers meeting (but you don’t have to benew to qualify). Attend the meeting and findthe mysteries of PATC revealed in full.Refreshments will be served. Directions toPATC: Take Rt. 23 into Vienna, Va. and turn easton Park St. (Rt.675) to 118 Park St. on your left.INFO: Liles Creighton 410/573-0067.

Mountaineering Section – Second Wednesday8:00 p.m. Second Wednesday of everym o n t h . I N F O : Mack Muir at 703/768-5724 or ([email protected]) orPATC’s website:(www.patc.net/chapters/mtn_sect).

PATC Council – Second Tuesday7:00 p.m. sharp. The PATC Council meetsthe second Tuesday of every month to con-duct business of the Club. All members arewelcome. INFO: Wilson Riley ([email protected])703/242-0693 x11.

Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group(New Members meeting) – SecondMonday, 7:30 p.m. New members meeting.INFO: Martin Juenge ([email protected])703/255-5034, then press #5.

Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group(Business meeting) – Last Tuesday,7:30 p.m.INFO: Martin Juenge ([email protected])703/255-5034, then press #5.

Trail Patrol – First Tuesday7:30 p.m. Trail Patrol volunteers are PATC’sgoodwill trail ambassadors to the hikingpublic. They provide a visible, reassuringpresence on the trails, educating the pub-lic on good hiking practices, minimumimpact hiking and camping ethics. Patrolmembers are trained in land navigation,emergency procedures, radio communi-cations and personal equipment. All patrolvolunteers are also expected to becomecertified in a recognized basic first aidcourse. Some equipment and uniformitems are provided upon completion oftraining. INFO: Kumait Jawdat 202/328-8137or see PATC’s website: (www.patc.net/volunteer/trailpatrol).

Meetings

FORECAST

June1 (Saturday)DEADLINE - July Potomac AppalachianHeadquarters, Vienna, VA5:00 p.m. All items for the next issue of the newslet-ter must be submitted electronically, if possible, toheadquarters, or by e-mail to [email protected]. Allowone week for postal service delivery. Please e-mail Forecast events to [email protected].

1 (Saturday)` HIKE - Family HikeManassas Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA

We will be leading two kid-friendly circuit hikes in cel-ebration of National Trails Day. There will be a short1.5 mile hike over a boardwalk, through an openmeadow, and along a stream for the young walk-ers. We will also have a 5 mile hike for people withchildren in back or front carriers and strong kid walk-ers. This hike will go along Bull Run, past the visitor’scenter and the old Stone House, and up MatthewsHill. We will meet at 10:00 a.m. Both hikes will beginand end at the Stone Bridge parking lot. From thebeltway: Take 66 West to Exit 52 (Route 29), at theend of the ramp, turn right onto RT 29. Go 2-3 miles(road will become one lane in each direction), seerock quarry on the left, look for the parking lot on theright. Designed for families with young children,older children welcome. INFO: Long Hike: KarenBrenner ([email protected]) 703/421-6250(prefer e-mail). Short Hike: Lauren Lang([email protected]) 703/631-9278 (prefer e-mail).

1 (Saturday)` HIKE - Natural History HikeNorth District, Shenandoah National Park, VAThornton River/Piney Branch Hike. Join Bob Pickettand friends for about a ten-mile hike along thesetwo shaded ravines on the east side of the BlueRidge. This will be a moderately difficult hike withtotal descents of 1500 feet and ascents of 1,000feet (a car shuttle takes care of the difference).Mountain laurel should be peaking, and numer-ous wildflowers and songbirds will highlight thetrip. Last time we did this trip, we found a copper-head, an old jalopy, a former school site and abeaver den. Call for reservations. INFO: BobPickett 301/681-1511.

1 (Saturday)` HIKE - Ultimate Cross-County Hike,Leg 3Oak Marr to Colvin Run, VA

9:00 a.m., 12 miles. Fairfax Trails and Streams, incoordination with local Park Authorities, will spon-sor a 4-day hike. This is the fourth Fairfax Cross-County Hike, but the first to literally cross the coun-ty. Join us on National Trails Day weekend forthree-fourths of the hike, then in the fall (after theprison becomes parkland and our volunteersbuild a trail!) we’ll do the remaining leg. Terrain ismostly level, occasional hills less than 200 feet.FTAS/CCT/Ultimate CCH information atwww.fairfaxTrails.org. INFO: Bill Niedringhaus([email protected]) 703/821-0975 or MikeGingerich 703/590-3188.

1 (Saturday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - Maryland MetrolitesSugarloaf Mountain, MDJoin the Maryland Metrolites as we work toimprove the trail. We will meet at 9:00 a.m. at thecircle at the base of the mountain. Bring gloves,water and lunch. INFO: Liles Creighton([email protected]) 410/573-0067.

1 (Saturday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - Rock Creek ParkWashington, D.C.

8:15 a.m. to noon. This is the National Trails Daywork trip in Rock Creek Park. Always crowded, this10th anniversary trip promises to be even bigger.Get there early to ensure you get a shovel. Meetat the Rock Creek Nature Center. INFO: MarkAnderson ([email protected]) 202/462-7718or Ranger Ken Ferebee 202/426-6834 ext. 31.

1 (Saturday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - SouthMountaineersAppalachian Trail, MD

The Trail House in Frederick is proudly sponsoringthis Trails Day event. Come out and celebrate thisspecial day and enjoy a complimentarymeal afterwards. INFO: Mark Mitchel([email protected]) 301/461-7048.

1 (Saturday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - WV ChapterGambrill State Park, Frederick, MD

National Trails Day. Assist WV Chapter and otherlocal outdoor groups that maintain the five circuittrails, plus the Catoctin through trail located with-in the park. Meet 9:00 a.m. at Nature Center.INFO: Dave Jordahl ([email protected])301/834-7729.

1 (Saturday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - Yankee ClippersTrail CrewAppalachian Trail, PA

Set a good example and join the Yankee Clippersfor a National Trails Day weekend work trip. Meetat US 30 and PA 233 at the parking lot ofCaledonia State Park. Departure 9:00 a.m. sharp.INFO: Charlie Irvin 301/447-2848 or Pete Brown([email protected]) 410/343-1140.

1 - 2 (Saturday - Sunday)i CABIN WORK TRIP - Tulip Tree CabinShaver Hollow, VAThe major focus for our work trip this weekend willbe landscaping. We have an outstanding land-scaping plan involving lots of wildflowers and hid-den surprises. We plan to feature the massivestone walls that pioneer residents of the hollowconstructed. There is lots of hard work involvedbut plenty of satisfaction to go along with it. Wewill probably also be working on cleaning theinterior walls of the cabin in preparation for seal-ing them with a thin coat of clear varnish. Thereare numerous other tasks remaining to finish thecabin so there is plenty to keep as many as showup busy. We always have a delicious communaldinner on Saturday and there are evening hikepossibilities. INFO: Charlie Graf ([email protected])410/757-6053.

1 - 2 (Saturday - Sunday)i CABIN WORK TRIP - Weaver CabinElkton, VASo many tasks, so little time. ANY level of experi-ence valuable. We’ll be setting the bridge foun-dation, putting up gable windows, mixing cement(chinking), caulking. Want to use a trowel, tapemeasure or hammer? INFO: Thomas Jorgensen([email protected]) 540/248-7009 (work),540/456-4760 (home).

1 - 2 (Saturday - Sunday)CLASS - Land Navigation Class (REI)REI Bailey’s Crossroads, VA11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. This comprehensive two-daycourse teaches all skills necessary to use map andcompass in an integrated land navigation system.The first day is spent in intensive classroom exercis-es concentrating on map reading and interpreta-tion, position plotting, compass fundamentals,declination and azimuth. The second day is spentin Prince William Forest Park, primarily off-trail,engaging in practical navigation exercises ofincreasing complexity. Course fee $85, includesworkbook text, course materials, compass, map,grid reader, and lunch on Saturday. INFO: REI703/379-9400.

1 - 2 (Saturday - Sunday)CLASS - Wilderness First Aid (WSC)Alexandria, VAA program of the Wilderness Safety Council, thiseighteen-hour class includes classroom study,hands-on practice, and results in a two-year certifi-cation. The cost is $140. Registration is limited to 25people. More information and registration at:http://wfa.net. INFO: Christopher Tate 703/836-8905.

1 - 2 (Saturday - Sunday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - Blue and White CrewCentral District, Shenandoah National Park, VAThe Blue and White Crew hosts the 4th Annual SNPCentral District Overseers Workshop. New andprospective overseers are welcome to join thecrew on projects on the trails of the CentralDistrict. All meals will be provided by theAulthouse Family Chuckwagon. Instruction will beprovided by the SNP Trails professionals (includingC.T. Campbell, Roger Dovel and Don Harvey).Overnight accommodations at the PinnaclesResearch Station. INFO: Kerry Snow([email protected]) 301/570-0596.

2 (Sunday)` HIKE - Ultimate Cross-County Hike Leg 4Colvin Run Mill Park to Seneca/Algonkian Park, VA9:00 a.m., 12 to 15 miles. Fairfax Trails and Streams,in coordination with local Park Authorities, will spon-sor a 4-day hike. This is the fourth Fairfax Cross-County Hike, but the first to literally cross the coun-ty. Join us on National Trails Day weekend for three-fourths of the hike, then in the fall (after the prisonbecomes parkland and our volunteers build a trail!)we’ll do the remaining leg. Terrain is mostly level,occasional hills less than 200 feet. Visit our web siteat www.fairfaxTrails.org. INFO: Bill Niedringhaus([email protected]) 703/821-0975.

3 (Monday)` HIKE- Family HikeLake Royal, Fairfax, VAJoin us for a 2-mile kid-friendly hike around LakeRoyal. We will stop at a playground halfway throughthe hike, and picnic along the way. The trail is jog-ging-stroller-friendly, with a few log stairs to goup and down. INFO: Lauren Lang([email protected]) 703/631-9278 (prefer e-mail).

4 (Tuesday)` HIKE - Vigorous Hikers Shenandoah National Park, VAJoin us for this familiar trek up Neighbor Mountain.Hike north on the AT to Elkwallow descendingJeremys Run to the Knob Mountain Cutoff, KnobMountain Trail for a total of 16 miles and 4100 feet.INFO: Chris Nolen ([email protected])301/469-8931 or Dave Kennamer([email protected]) 301/299-9563.


FORECAST4 (Tuesday)\ MEETING - Trail Patrol, 7:30 p.m.

5 (Wednesday)\ MEETING - New Members (PATC), 7:30 p.m.

8 (Saturday),CLASS - Backpacking 101 (REI)REI Bailey’s Crossroads, VA1:00 p.m. REI will take the mystery out of back-packing as we share our knowledge in this showand tell session. We will cover backpacking essen-tials: choosing an internal or external-frame pack;selecting proper clothing, the right footwear andunderstanding the basic gear you need to reachyour destination. We’ll also include some greatregional backpacking destinations, for greatviews, sparkling streams and solitude. INFO: REI703/379-9400.

8 (Saturday)` HIKE - Northern Shenandoah Valley ChapterShockey’s Knob, WV7-mile circuit hike NW of Winchester beginning onthe new Tuscarora Trail to Shockey’s Knob andview of Cacapon Mountains; north to High Rockand view of Blue Ridge (for those interested, wewill also traverse the mini “Knife Edge” for betterview); east on connecting trail to old TuscaroraTrail, south past several wildlife areas, and thenwest on Packhorse Trail, crossing Little Brush Creekat the rhododendron thicket. 1300 foot elevationgain at a slow pace. Meeting at Siler. INFO: WaltSmith ([email protected]) 540/678-0423.

8 (Saturday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - Massanutten CrewMassanutten, VAWork with us, and know that you will leave onepiece of trail better than when you found it. Helpus rebuild tread and waterbars on MassanuttenMountain. Take pride in the support you give tothe trail community! INFO: Mike Sutherland([email protected]) 703/591-8330.

8 (Saturday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - South MountaineersAppalachian Trail, MDThe weather is so nice this time of year, the woodsbeckon. Have fun working with a jovial group oftrail stewards known as the South Mountaineers.Close to home yet away-from-it-all. INFO: MarkMitchel ([email protected]) 301/461-7048.

8 - 9 (Saturday - Sunday)i CABIN WORK TRIP - Vining Tract CrewLydia, VAThe Vining Tract crew meets once a month to workon cabin and land management projects on thebeautiful Vining property. We are now building asmall cabin using logs from an old barn, as well asprojects at Conley and Wineberry cabins andaround the property to keep everything in topshape. Come join us and raise a hammer, a paint-brush, or a log in the cause. Overnight at Conleyand Wineberry. INFO: Larry Lang 703/631-9278 orHugh Robinson 703/525-8726.

8 - 9 (Saturday - Sunday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - Acme Treadway CompanyShenandoah National Park, VAAcme Treadway Board Meeting! The Company isresponding to a need to clear a significant dis-tance of the Tuscarora Trail on Great NorthMountain. Overnight accommodations at theGlass House in Fort Valley, VA. All who participatereceive a crew T-shirt to commemorate their firsttrip! INFO: Don White ([email protected])804/795-2914.

8 - 9 (Saturday - Sunday. TRAIL WORK TRIP - Cadillac CrewPer-Lee Tract, Madison, VAThe crew will continue the trail building project onthe Per-Lee Tract with the ultimate goal to connectwith the SNP trail system. The easy part is done sonow we have some trail building challenges. Bringwater and a lunch for Saturday noon. Communitydinner on Saturday night. Overnight at PATC’sRosser Lamb Cabin. INFO: Fran Keenan ([email protected]) 703/938-3973 or Jon Rindt([email protected]) 540/635-6351.

8 - 9 (Saturday - Sunday). TRAIL WORK TRIP- North District Fire SquadPass Mountain, Shenandoah National Park, VABack by popular demand! Come join us in thisannual rite of passage as we attack the briars inthe wilderness and non-wilderness areas of the ATon Pass Mountain. Anyone who has hiked throughhere in shorts knows why we’re here. We will beusing loppers, clippers, saws, and weed whackersof various sorts. If you want on-the-job trainingwith a power brush cutter this is the place to be.We hope to accomplish some tread rehab nearthe summit if all goes well. The chef has the usualfeast planned for those who make it through theday, and he may need help with some side dish-es. Overnight at Range View Cabin (sleeps 8 andplenty of camping area). We will work on thecabin area and access trail on Sunday morning.Bring lunch, water, and meet at Thornton gap at9:30 a.m. Saturday. Bring a friend! INFO: JohnMcCrea ([email protected]) 610/352-9287.

10 (Monday)` HIKE - Family HikeManassas, VAManassas Battlefield - Stone Bridge. Toddler-friendly1.5 mile hike. This hike has lots of variation includinga long boardwalk, an open meadow, then throughthe woods and along a stream. This hike is jogging-stroller passable, but barely. There are some steeplog stairs to go up and down. After the hike we’ll goto the nearby Bull Run Regional Park to picnic andenjoy their sand-filled playground. INFO: Lauren Lang([email protected]) 703/631-9278 (prefer e-mail).

10 (Monday)\ MEETING - New Members (ShenandoahMountain Rescue Group), 7:30 p.m.

11 (Tuesday)\ MEETING - PATC Council, 7:00 p.m.

12 (Wednesday)CLASS - Oh Shenandoah! (REI)REI Bailey’s Crossroads, VA7:30 p.m. Whether you’re gazing out at theautumn colors from Bear Fence Rocks, standing inthe cool mist of Dark Hollow Falls or exploring atrailless hollow in a foot of snow in mid-January,Shenandoah National Park is a jewel in any sea-son. Veteran long-distance backpacker, naturephotographer and trails advocate, Nick Williams,will take us on an evening’s tour of the trails,wildlife, plants, and weather of Virginia’s BlueRidge. INFO: REI 703/379-9400.

12 (Wednesday)` HIKE - Easy HikersCarderock, MDA 6-mile hike along picturesque section of C&OCanal to Great Falls. Meet at 10:15 a.m. Take Exit 41off Beltway (I-495) and follow signs to Carderock.Go to third parking lot. One short rocky stretch.Lunch will be at the halfway point. Group will returnto starting point after lunch. INFO: Jim Flanigan([email protected]) 202/554-3775.

12 (Wednesday)` HIKE - Easy HikersMason Neck, VAMeet at 10:15 a.m. at Woodmarsh Trail. Hikeabout 4 easy miles in Mason Neck Wildlife Refugeand Mason Neck State Park. From the Beltwaytake RT 611 Telegraph Road south. At 9.6 miles,stay in middle lane, marked by straight-aheadarrow, to cross RT 1 and continue on RT 611, nowcalled Colchester Road. After 1.8 more miles, turnleft on Gunston Road. Go 3.7 miles to right turn atsign for Mason Neck State Park. Go 0.6 miles toparking for Woodmarsh Trail on left. Bring lunch. Ifyou wish bring binoculars, we may see eagles.INFO: John and Suzanne Kominski 703/751-3026.

12 (Wednesday)\ MEETING - Mountaineering Section, 8:00 p.m.

12 (Wednesday)\ MEETING - West Virginia Chapter MeetingHarpers Ferry, WV7:00 p.m. Tom Johnson will present a slide showabout hiking in the Mid-Atlantic States. Intendedto generate enthusiasm for hiking mostly amongnon-members. You will see some familiar scenes,and some of you will be in the show! Come andwatch for your face in the photo. INFO: JudySmoot ([email protected]) 540/667-2036.

15 (Saturday)CLASS - Camping With Kids (REI)REI Bailey’s Crossroads, VA1:00 p.m. It’s a question every outdoor-loving par-ent asks: “When can I take my kids outdoors withme?” Come to REI for our special clinic on camp-ing with kids. We’ll offer you lots of ideas for mak-ing family camping easy and enjoyable. An REIstaff member will provide checklists, gear sugges-tions and tips for keeping your children enter-tained and happy. Family camping createsmemories for a lifetime. INFO: REI 703/379-9400.

15 (Saturday)` HIKE - Massanutten Mountain SeriesLuray, VAThe fourth hike of the series will be 17 miles fromCrisman Hollow Road on the Scothorn Gap Trailand Massanutten East Trail to New Market Gapand returning on Crisman Hollow Road. Totalelevation gain is 1800 feet. PATC Map G. Shouldhydrographic and weather conditions be favor-able another hike of the series may be substi-tuted. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the OaktonShopping Center parking lot. Contact leadersfor requirements and details. INFO: Jack Thorsen([email protected]) 703/339-6716 or WilliamNeedham 410/884-9127.

15 (Saturday)` HIKE - North ChapterHassock Run, Appalachian Trail, PAFigure 8 circuit hike, easy to moderate, 8 to 10miles in length. Hopefully the rhododendronswill be in bloom along Hassock Run and theAppalachian Trail at Quarry Gap shelters aswe hike this figure 8 hike. INFO: ChristopherFirme ([email protected]) 717/794-2855 after 6:00 p.m.

15 (Saturday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - Stonewall BrigadeShenandoah County, VAGreat North Mountain on the VA/WV state line.Join the Stonewall Brigade at Wolf GapRecreation Area at 9:00 am to get tools then workon a trail in the nearby area. This popular venueoffers fine panoramic views of Trout Run Valley


FORECASTfrom the mountain crest. We will decide thatmorning just what the worksite will be; either con-tinue the relocation on Tibbet Knob Trail or cleanwaterbars near the campground. RSVP byWednesday prior to work trip. Bring lunch, workgloves, water, seasonal clothing, and hiking shoes.INFO: Hop Long ([email protected])301/942-6177.

15 (Saturday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - Yankee Clippers Trail CrewTuscarora Trail, PA.Call for meeting place and other details. INFO:Charlie Irvin 301/447-2848.

15 - 16 (Saturday - Sunday)i CABIN WORK TRIP - HighacreHarpers Ferry, MDJoin us as we continue to spruce up this beautiful oldVictorian house in Harpers Ferry. There’s a lot of workto be done including painting, cleaning, carpentry,and yard work. INFO: Ben Mayock ([email protected]) 410/461-1327 or Pat Fankhauser([email protected]) 703/242-0693, Ext. 17.

15 - 16 (Saturday - Sunday)i CABIN WORK TRIP - Tulip Tree CabinShaver Hollow, VAIf you haven’t been to Tulip Tree Cabin yetbecause you are feeling just a little unsure of yourcarpentry skills, but you would still like to help withthe project, now is the right time to volunteer. Wehave a massive landscaping job to complete bythis Fall. There is lots of brush cutting, digging, rockmoving, and raking to be done. We have to getthe site prepared for planting of lots of wildflowers.We also have work for you budding trail-builderstoo. Our trail to the spring needs to be improvedas well as a new trail built to connect the cabinsite with Shenandoah National Park’s CrusherRidge Trail. All of you carpenters and primitivebuilders don’t be discouraged because there isplenty of work left for you to do too. INFO: CharlieGraf ([email protected]) 410/757-6053.

15 - 16 (Saturday - Sunday)i CABIN WORK TRIP - Weaver CabinElkton, VAWork had better be progressing! More bridgehammering, and time to cut the walkway.Caulking the old cabin, and we’ll be settingchinking like 8-year-olds in past days. Even childlabor is beneficial. Spend a day in the great out-doors. If time permits, we’ll even sweep the roof.INFO: Thomas Jorgensen ([email protected])540/248-7009 (work), 540/456-4760 (home).

15 -16 (Saturday - Sunday)CLASS - Trail Patrol Hike Leadership TrainingPrince William Forest Park, VAThe two-day course uses classroom and hands-oninstruction to teach participants the essential skillsfor leading safe, enjoyable hikes with minimalenvironmental impact. The topics to be coveredinclude: medical emergencies, planning, person-al equipment, Leave No Trace, leadership skills,standard procedures, emergency proceduresand navigation and map reading. Additionalinformation at www.trailpatrol.patc.net. INFO:Ben Fernandez 703/327-9788.

17 (Monday)` HIKE - Family HikeGreat Falls Park, VARiver and Matildaville Trails (Virginia side of Park), 2-mile hike along the scenic Mather Gorge. This is abeautiful rugged hike, with great views of thePotomac River. Toddlers will need to be watched

carefully for about a half mile as we go across manyrocks and close to the rim of Mather Gorge. We willpicnic halfway through at an open meadow. Wewill meet at the kids touch table inside the visitor’scenter. INFO: Lauren Lang ([email protected])703/631-9278 (prefer e-mail).

18 (Tuesday)` HIKE - Vigorous Hikers Shenandoah National Park, VABegin with the scenic ascent up the stairs, con-necting to the Sugarloaf Trail to inspect the Laurelin season joining the AT to the Tuscarora to theTraces Interpretive Trail, into Mathew’s Arm.Continuing on the Elkwallow Trail to the AT, thenreturn descending the Piney Branch Trail and theHull School Trail for 4000 feet and 17 miles. INFO:Chris Nolen ([email protected]) 301/469-8931or Dave Kennamer ([email protected])301/299-9563.

19 (Wednesday)` HIKE - Easy HikersRock Creek Park, Washington, DCAn easy to moderate, approx. 4.5 mile, variableterrain loop hike in the Northern Section of RockCreek Park in DC. Meet at 10:15 a.m. at theNature Center parking lot off Glover Road in RockCreek Park. Bring lunch and water. Hiking bootsrecommended. No pets. INFO: Alec McRae([email protected]) 202/686-1788.

19 (Wednesday)CLASS - Virginia Wilderness (REI)REI Bailey’s Crossroads, VA7:30 p.m. Yes! Virginia has preserved some excel-lent examples of Appalachian ecosystems. Someof these areas offer stunning views from highpeaks and ridges. Others offer streams and standsof old growth timber. Some are just plain hard toget to, and hard to get around in. All of them offersolitude and a treasure of plants and wildlife. JoinREI’s Ed Neville for an evening’s escape to VirginiaWilderness. INFO: REI 703/379-9400.

20 (Thursday)s SPECIAL EVENT - Summer Solstice, Great FallsGreat Falls Park Auditorium, VA6 p.m. Optional summer solstice (okay-it’s the daybefore) hike beginning at Great Falls (VA side)Visitors Center along its River Trail to see Great Fallsand Mather Gorge. Bring water.7:30 p.m. To promote the Potomac Heritage Trail,come listen to The Nature Conservancy’sStephanie Flack as she summarizes its year-longstudy, in cooperation with the National ParkService, of the entire Potomac Gorge area fromGreat Falls to D.C.! The recently published“Potomac Gorge Site Conservation Plan” pro-poses certain actions be taken to protect thisvaluable resource. INFO: Bruce Glendening([email protected]) 703/532-9093.

21 - 23 (Friday - Sunday)~ BACKPACKING TRIP - Dolly Sods WildernessMonongahela National Forest, WVThe mountain laurel should be in bloom for thisweekend. We will do about a 20-mile circuit hikeon one of the most scenic trails in theMonongahela National Forest. We will leaveFriday evening and sleep near the cars. Saturdaywe will backpack to our campsite on BigStonecoal Run. Hike back to the cars (with a stopfor a swim in Red Creek) on Sunday. Limit 10. INFO:Dave Wilcox ([email protected])703/212-099.

21 - 23 (Friday - Sunday)CAMPING TRIP - Family Camping WeekendCamp Highroad, Aldie, VAOne hour from Washington D.C. We will be tentcamping on Friday and Saturday night atCamp Highroad. Each family will be responsiblefor bringing and cooking their own meals. Thereare outhouses and drinking water, no cookingfacilities provided. We will have use of theirswimming pool and hiking trails. There will be a3-4 mile hike on Saturday with lots of short upsand downs. Designed for families with childrenunder age 5, older children welcome. Sign upearly, space is very limited. INFO: Lauren Lang ([email protected]) 703/631-9278 (prefer e-mail).

22 (Saturday]` HIKE - Massanutten Trail DedicationMassanutten, VA8:00 a.m. Meet at Camp Roosevelt for approxi-mately 6-mile hike from Mooreland Gap toWaterfall Mountain Trail. At 2:00 p.m. dedicationbegins at wildlife clearing near WaterfallMountain Trailhead. More details athttp://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/gwj/lee/Massanutten_trail_dedication.htm\ INFO: CharlesHillion ([email protected]) 703/754-7388or Stephanie Bushong, Lee Ranger District,([email protected]) 540/984-4101.

22 (Saturday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - Potomac River Work CrewPotomac Heritage Trail, Washington, DC9:00 a.m.- noon. Try to beat the heat by the waterof the Potomac River. Members of the newlyformed Potomac Heritage Work Crew invite all tojoin them improving the PHT. Meet at theTheodore Roosevelt Island parking lot and we willdrive to the appropriate access point. Bringwater, gloves, and sturdy footwear, but I providethe donuts, tools and instruction. Raindate: June 23. No registration necessary. INFO: Bruce Glendening ([email protected])703/532-9093.

22 (Saturday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - South MountaineersAppalachian Trail, MDEnjoy gardening? This isn’t as pretty, but on amuch grander scale along the fabled AT. Enjoythe camaraderie of other volunteers in thewoods, making a difference and gettingaway from the city. INFO: Mark Mitchel([email protected]) 301/461-7048.

22 - 23 (Saturday - Sunday)i CABIN WORK TRIP - Rosser Lamb CrewPer-Lee/West Tract, Stanardsville, VACome out and discover what the Per-Lee/Westproperties have to offer. New trails, campingsites, cooking facilities, picnic tables, a beautifulstream, the Rosser Lamb Farm house, and more,all nestled conveniently along the East side ofthe SNP. Our monthly work parties provide theopportunity to help renovate the old farmhouse,to landscape and clear the grounds, work ontrails, and/or just kickback and enjoy this devel-oping facility. Both overnighters and day trippersare welcome, just let us know your plans so wecan properly prepare for your stay. Communitydinner and breakfast will be provided for thosegiving us advanced notice. Bring your owndrinks and lunches. INFO: Peg Manuel([email protected]) 540/972-7093or Park Anderson ([email protected]) 540/972-1184.



FORECAST22 - 23 (Saturday - Sunday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - Cadillac CrewGore, VA Saturday the Crew hopes to complete a reloca-tion of the Tuscarora Trail begun last year west ofWinchester near Gore, VA. Sunday we will workon trail projects near Shockeys Knob. Bring alunch and water for Saturday noon. Communitydinner on Saturday night. Overnight at Brill Cabinnear Shockeys Knob. INFO: Fran Keenan ([email protected]) 703/938-3973 or JonRindt ([email protected]) 540/635-6351.

22 - 23 (Saturday - Sunday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - North District HoodlumsNorth District, Shenandoah National Park, VAMEDITERRANEAN WORK TRIP! Buon giorno! Comejoin the Hoodlums Crew. Trail sweat rewardedwith an evening sampling of the culinary delightsof all the Mediterranean regions this worktrip! TheHoodlums Trail Crew works on the AppalachianTrail in the North District of SNP, focusing on tread-work and major trail projects. We build rock stepsand log waterbars, and other similar activities byday, but after a good day’s work, the crew enjoysthe fruits of their labor afterwards via the thememeal and festivities at a facility within the park. Notrail work experience is necessary and newcom-ers are welcome. Visit our website athttp://www.patc.net/volunteer/trails/hoodlums/hoodlums.html for more information. Come forthe day, stay for the evening meal, camp outovernight in SNP - lots of options! We generallymeet at the worksite or at Piney River RangerStation, MP 22 on Skyline Drive, at 10:00 a.m. onSaturday morning. RSVP by mid-week prior. INFO: George Walters ([email protected])410/426-2724.

24 (Monday)` HIKE - Family HikeCentreville, VABull Run - Occoquan Trail, off RT 28 in Centreville,VA. A 2-3 mile out-and-back hike along the scenicBull Run. There are many short ups and downs,rocks and roots along the trail. Walkers and kids inbackpacks only, not jogging-stroller passable. Wewill wade in the stream along the way. Bring watershoes or a spare pair of shoes, if you want your littleone(s) to get in. Bring lunch and plenty of water.INFO: Lauren Lang ([email protected]) 703/631-9278 (prefer e-mail).

25 (Tuesday)HIKE- Vigorous Hikers Shenandoah National Park, VA Another opportunity to view Laurel in Season, byascending the Jones Mountain Trail continuing toCat Knob, then returning on the Fork Mountain,Staunton River Trail with options up to 18 miles and4300 feet of elevation gain. INFO: Chris Nolen([email protected]) 301/469-8931 or DaveKennamer ([email protected]) 301/299-9563.

25 (Tuesday)\ MEETING - Shenandoah Mountain RescueGroup (Business meeting), 7:30 p.m.

26 (Wednesday)CLASS - Adventure on the Great Divide (REI)REI Bailey’s Crossroads, VA7:30 p.m. From Antelope Wells to Piegan Pass, theContinental Divide Trail Runs high along the spineof America, through some of the wildest terrain onthe continent. Nick Williams has walked everystep from Mexico to Canada, as well as the ATand PCT. Join Nick for a fascinating photo tour ofAmerica’s high route: the Continental Divide Trail.INFO: REI 703/379-9400.

26 (Wednesday)` HIKE - Easy HikersSeneca Creek State Park, Gaithersburg, MDAbout 5 varied miles over rolling terrain. Bringdrinking water. Meet in the Visitor Center parkinglot at 10:15 a.m. From the Beltway, exit to I-270North. After about 7 miles (at the exit for RT 370),move into the local lanes. Stay in the center of the3 lanes. After the right-hand lane has disap-peared and re-appeared, move into the right-hand lane. Take the next exit (for RT 124 West andRT 117 West); this is about 3 miles after the moveinto the local lanes. Follow the signs for RT 117,which becomes Clopper Road. (and is still RT 117).After 2.1 miles turn left into the inconspicuous parkentrance. After 0.1 miles, turn right toward theVisitor Center. In 0.1 miles, park at the end of theroad. Since this is our last walk until September, wewill lunch at Roy’s Place in Gaithersburg after thehike. INFO: Sue King 703/356-6659.

29 (Saturday)CLASS - Wildlife Photography (REI)REI Bailey’s Crossroad, VA6:30 p.m. A Natural Light Photography Seminar byaward-winning photographer Jack Mills. Jack willdiscuss field techniques for wildlife photography,what it takes to create a great wildlife image:exposure techniques, image sharpness, anddepth of focus. Jack will also cover macro-pho-tography, where and when to find wildlife, andhow to approach and set up the shot.Participants receive eight hours of instruction, film,class materials and text, and one-day field/photoshoot on the following day with Jack. Class fee$75, registration limited. INFO: REI 703/379-9400.

29 (Saturday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - South MountaineersAppalachian Trail, MDThe tenth of 19 South Mountaineers work eventsthis year. Join our volunteer crew, enjoy thepeace of the woods and go home happy, if tired. INFO: Mark Mitchel ([email protected])301/461-7048.

29 - 30 (Saturday - Sunday)i CABIN WORK TRIP - Tulip Tree CabinShaver Hollow, VAYour opportunities for contributing to the comple-tion of this work of art are becoming fewer andfewer. Some day in the not-too-distant future TulipTree Cabin will be finished. There are still multipletasks to complete to finish the cabin and groundsbut there is light at the end of the tunnel. Join ouroutstanding congenial crew for a weekend ofsatisfying work on the cabin or landscape andenjoy our company at a delicious communal din-ner on Saturday evening and an equally deliciouscommunity breakfast on Sunday morning. Get apreview of the beauty, ambiance and tranquilityto be experienced by future Tulip Tree Cabinrenters, and all without paying a rental fee. INFO:Charlie Graf ([email protected]) 410/757-6053.

29 - 30 (Saturday - Sunday)i CABIN WORK TRIP - Weaver CabinElkton, VAWe need help; we’ll be behind schedule. Time toset the windows in the gable end. The rock chim-ney will be complete, and we’ll put up roughsawn gable wood. Little projects from privy ventsto porch board replacement will be everywhereINFO: Thomas Jorgensen ([email protected])540/248-7009 (work), 540/456-4760 (home).

July1 (Monday)DEADLINE - August Potomac AppalachianHeadquarters, Vienna, VA5:00 p.m. All items for the next issue of the newslet-ter must be submitted electronically, if possible, toheadquarters, or by e-mail to [email protected]. Allowone week for postal service delivery. Please e-mail Forecast events to [email protected].

2 (Tuesday)\ MEETING - Trail Patrol, 7:30 p.m.

3 (Wednesday)\ MEETING - New Members (PATC), 7:30 p.m.

6 (Saturday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - South MountaineersAppalachian Trail, MDIf you like it hot, come out on this event and bringplenty of water. Some of our best work is donewith sweat on our brows, moving rocks or weed-ing. INFO: Mark Mitchel ([email protected])301/461-7048.

6 (Saturday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - Yankee Clippers Trial CrewAppalachian Trail, PAMeet at US 30 and PA 233 at the parking lot ofCaledonia State Park. Departure 9:00 a.m. sharp.INFO: Charlie Irvin 301/447-2848 or Pete Brown([email protected]) 410/343-1140.

8 (Monday)\ MEETING - New Members (ShenandoahMountain Rescue Group), 7:30 p.m.

9 (Tuesday)\ MEETING - PATC Council, 7:00 p.m.

10 (Wednesday)\ MEETING - Mountaineering Section, 8:00 p.m.

13 (Saturday)` HIKE - North ChapterTuscarora State Forest, PAIron Horse Trail, easy 10 miles. A historical hike of theTuscarora State Forest with part being in the BigSpring State Park with its tunnel. Come out to enjoyan early summer hike. INFO: Christopher Firme([email protected]) 717/794-2855 after 6:00 p.m.

13 (Saturday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - Massanutten CrewMassanutten, VAWalk in the footsteps of George Washington whofirst surveyed the Fort Valley area (and planned toretreat there if the revolution failed.) Join us as werebuild tread and waterbars on MassanuttenMountain. Appreciate our history and take pridein the support you give to the trail community!INFO: Mike Sutherland ([email protected])703/591-8330.

13 - 14 (Saturday - Sunday)i CABIN WORK TRIP - Tulip Tree CabinShaver Hollow, VAThe main structure may be completed but thereare a myriad of little details that need to be fin-ished to make the cabin complete. The land-scape has endless opportunities for artistic contri-butions. We are scrambling now to put the finish-ing touches on this beautiful labor of love that hasoccupied hundreds of people over the pastseven-and-a-half years. Join our ranks and experi-ence the satisfaction that comes of creating abeautiful work of art. INFO: Charlie Graf([email protected]) 410/757-6053.

before. It had a low-lying, purple bloom of the orchid variety. Therewere many more of them along the trail, but I have still not beenable to identify it.

This part of our hiking area has so much to share, including 19thCentury iron ore pits (presumably a result of the demands of theCrack Whip Furnace), limestone sinkholes, and a good swimmingbeach (which I visited last June) just off the trail at Rockcliff Lake.The guidebook and map will provide other ideas that will liven upyour visit to the area.

Why do we do it?As I neared the end of my hike, Ibecame quite reflective as I paused for abreak at the 2,000-foot gap betweenCherry Ridge and Long Mountain. Itwas like a spiritual experience as I satunder a blooming apple tree in a grass-covered wildlife clearing on a beautiful,sunny spring day, and looked atHalfmoon Mountain through the dog-wood blossoms. I was most grateful forthe opportunity to have had such aspectacular trek. I thought of all thepeople, such as our partners, in thiscase the National Forest Service, ourstaff holding down the fort so that oth-ers may enjoy the trails, and the manyvolunteers who make these adventurespossible. So, why do we do it? Do wenot pay our dues; donate cabins, land, and easements; help out at thesales, info, and cabin desks; research for and prepare publications;provide for Club administration and communications; construct andmaintain trails, shelters, and cabins; and take other volunteer actionsthat my fallible mind has failed to mention, in order that spectaculartreks happen?

Thank you! May you all have a spectacular trek this 75th year.

See you on the trail,


FORECAST13 - 14 (Saturday - Sunday)i CABIN WORK TRIP - Vining Tract CrewLydia, VirginiaThe Vining Tract crew meets once a month to workon cabin and land management projects on thebeautiful Vining property. We are now building asmall cabin using logs from an old barn, as well asprojects at Conley and Wineberry cabins andaround the property to keep everything in topshape. Come join us and raise a hammer, a paint-brush, or a log in the cause. Overnight at Conleyand Wineberry. INFO: Larry Lang 703/631-9278 orHugh Robinson 703/525-8726.

13 - 14 (Saturday - Sunday)i CABIN WORK TRIP - Weaver Work CrewElkton, VAHELP. We need anyone to hold a paintbrush orwork a hammer. Paint the roof, paint the cement,and paint the chinking. Hammer the gable ends,hammer the bridge flooring, and hammer the windowsills. INFO: Thomas Jorgensen([email protected]) 540/248-7009 (work),540/456-4760 (home).

13 -14 (Saturday - Sunday)CLASS - Wilderness First Aid (WSC)Alexandria, VAA program of the Wilderness Safety Council, thiseighteen-hour class includes classroom study,hands-on practice, and results in a two-year certifi-cation. The cost is $140. Registration is limited to 25people. More information and registration at:http://wfa.net. INFO: Christopher Tate 703/836-8905.

13 - 14 (Saturday - Sunday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - Cadillac CrewBlackburn Trail Center, Round Hill, VAThe Crew is nearing completion of the trailrehab project started last year on the side trailto the AT. Chris Brunton may have additionalprojects for the Crew at Blackburn so join us foran interesting Summer weekend and try thesolar shower. Bring a lunch Saturday noon.Community dinner on Saturday night. Overnightat Blackburn Trail Center. INFO: Fran Keenan([email protected]) 703/938-3973 or JonRindt ([email protected]) 540/635-6351.

20 (Saturday). TRAIL WORK TRIP - Stonewall BrigadeShenandoah County, VAGreat North Mountain on the VA/WV state line.Join the Stonewall Brigade at Wolf GapRecreation Area at 9:00 a.m. to get tools thenwork on a trail in the nearby area. This popularvenue offers fine panoramic views of Trout RunValley from the mountain crest. We will decidethat morning just what the worksite will be; eithercontinue the relocation on Tibbet Knob Trail orclean waterbars near the campground. RSVP byWednesday evening if you plan to attend. Bring lunch, work gloves, water, seasonal clothing, and hiking shoes. INFO: Hop Long([email protected]) 301/942-6177.

27 - 28 (Saturday - Sunday)i CABIN WORK TRIP - Tulip Tree CabinShaver Hollow, VAIf you hate the heat, humidity, noise and traffic ofthe city come into the cool and beautiful ShaverHollow of the Blue Ridge Mountains to help us fin-ish Tulip Tree Cabin. This is a unique project, a logcabin which has been built from the ground upwith native materials harvested on the site usingprimitive hand tools. We are putting the finishingtouches on the cabin and the landscape in anattempt to culminate what is now a seven-and-a-half-year project. We can use diverse skills and allskill levels. INFO: Charlie Graf([email protected])410/757-6053.

27 - 28 (Saturday - Sunday)i CABIN WORK TRIP - Weaver Work CrewElkton, VAFinale! Finish the old windows, complete thebridges, terminate gable woodwork, and end-of-roof painting. People will be begging for Weaverto re-open, come help it be the best. INFO:Thomas Jorgensen ([email protected])540/248-7009 (work), 540/456-4760 (home).

29 (Tuesday)\ MEETING - Shenandoah Mountain RescueGroup (Business meeting), 7:30 p.m. ❏

Tails from the Woods by George Walters

Walt, from page 3

The Long Mountain Trailwith a profusion of

Dogwood


source of Entry Run in Greene County,Va., so that it goes into the valley where theRosser-Lamb Cabin is located, and torename the present headwaters, fromEntry Run to Collects Run.

Four people have been named to the PATCNominating Committee (Maureen Harris,Steve Koeppen, Rick Canter, and HopLong), and a fifth was to be designatedshortly.

Corridor ManagementBecause of the lack of snow, the potentialproblem of snowmobile use in the Big Flatsarea of Pennsylvania did not materialize.Volunteers are needed to plant more trees inthe area. Spraying for Gypsy moths isscheduled for the AT corridor. Bob Pickettis working on a program to monitor global-ly rare or state-rare plant species at ninesites where they have been identified alongthe Appalachian Trail.

MembershipThe April membership report showed atotal of 6,748 (up from 6,659 the previousmonth), but it is not clear whether life mem-bers are included in the figure. Since the lastreport, 173 new members were entered intothe database. The cards sent as follow-up on

dues renewal are receiving a good response,and the pattern will be analyzed. The twolists of officers provided to new memberswill be combined into a single list. There isa need for more precise explanation on theWeb site on the areas of interest memberscan select and a clarification that pre-regis-tration is required for Club activities,including Trail Patrol courses.

A weekend of Trail Patrol training has pre-pared six new members of the group, bring-ing added strength in the Charlottesvillearea. There were 28 persons enrolled in theTrail Patrol’s current backpacking course.Trail Patrol taught outdoor safety skills at aBoy Scout Camporee for 3,000 Scouts atChickahominy Park near Williamsburg.

Chapters and SectionsThe North Chapter reported that a site isbeing sought for a possible shelter locationalong the Tuscarora Trail between Routes16 and 30 in Pennsylvania. Water sourceshave been found in the area.

The West Virginia Chapter said it ismeeting every other month and has sever-al good hike leaders. It is working on theCatoctin Trail.

The Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Groupreported it has not been called out forsearches recently but had completed prepa-rations for the Dogwood Half Hundred onApril 20, in cooperation with Trail Patrol.

The Ski Section said it had conducted sev-eral ski trips, including some out of the area,and had updated information for skiers onthe Web site (www.patc.net/chapters/ski).One hundred people enjoyed a ski-danceweekend in February at Camp Soules nearSeven Springs in Pennsylvania.

FinanceDonations to the Club through the UnitedWay in 2001 totaled $22,000, an increase of28 percent over the preceding year.Expenses year-to-date at the end of the firstquarter appear to be at 20.8 percent ofbudget. The audit was still under way. TheExecutive Committee will consider sugges-tions for mailings to solicit donations frommembers for specific purposes.

The April Council meeting was attended bysix Club officers, eight committee chairs,three chapter representatives, three sectionrepresentatives, one staff person, and oneother Club member. ❏

—George Meek, Recording Secretary

Council Fire, from page 2

PATC Trail Patrol Presents

Hike LeadershipTraining

June 15 and 16, 2002The Trail Patrol is hosting a Hike Leadership Trainingcourse on June 15 and 16 at Prince William ForestPark. The two-day course uses classroom and hands-oninstruction to teach participants the essential skills forleading safe, enjoyable hikes with minimal environmen-tal impact.

The topics to be covered include: MedicalEmergencies, Planning, Personal Equipment, LeaveNo Trace, Leadership Skills, Standard Procedures,Emergency Procedures, and Navigation and MapReading.

For more information, contact Ben Fernandez at703/327-9788 or go to our Web site: trailpatrol.patc.net ❏

Massanutten Trail Dedication

The dedication of the Massanutten Trail is scheduled for June22, 2002. A special invitation is issued to everyone who has

worked on the Massarock Crew, as well as PATC members andothers interested in this trail. The trail dedication will recognizethe long-term commitment and support of PATC and theMassarock crew in completing this trail (now a 70-mile loop onMassanutten Mountain) and also recognize the ElizabethFurnace Cabin project, which would not have been possiblewithout the help of the dedicated Massarock folks.

8:00 a.m. – Meet at Camp Roosevelt for approx. 6-mile hikefrom Mooreland Gap to Waterfall Mountain Trail

2:00 p.m. - Dedication begins at Wildlife Clearing nearWaterfall Mountain Trailhead

5:00 p.m. - Dinner for Massarock Crew members. Others mayattend but need to turn in their reservation ($8.50 each) by June 1. A reservation form may be obtained at www.southern-region.fs.fed.us/gwj/lee/Massanutten_trail_dedication.htm.

6:00 (ish) p.m. – til..? Campfire reminiscing at Camp Roosevelt ❏—Charles T. Hillon

Lear What You Are Doing Before “Socializing” With Wasps

This is about the wasps that we know ashornets, yellow jackets, and “paper

wasps.” Hornets build those big paper foot-balls that hang in trees overhead (andsometimes in the bushes just off the trail).Yellow jackets also build paper houses, butthey are usually in the ground – in oldrodent holes that are harder to detect. Thepaper wasps build “honeycombs” that hangfrom ceilings in trail shelters, privies, car-ports, and so on.

Social Versus SolitaryYellow jackets and hornets are vespids; theslim brown wasps in the shelter are polistes.These wasps are called social wasps becausethey cooperate to build and defend a nestand cooperate in raising their young. Thereare many solitary wasps; for example, theparallel tubes of a mud-dauber wasp mightappear on the side of a shelter.

Any wasp will sting when trapped, but it’sthe social wasps that will attack in numberswhen their nest is threatened. These attackscan be life-threatening, so it is good to getacquainted with the social wasps – if only toavoid them.

The life cycle of the social wasps determineswhen we can expect to encounter them ontrails and what we can expect of them duringthe encounter. Let’s consider first the queenwasp.

Queenly WorkEach nest (colony) has one queen whomated the previous fall and lived throughthe winter, usually under some tree bark.When she emerges in the spring, she stillhas the sperm from that mating and can useit each time she is about to lay an egg. If shefertilizes the egg, it develops into a female; ifshe lays an unfertilized egg, it develops intoa male.

She begins a brand new colony and worksin isolation. She chews up old wood tomake the tough paper from which the nestis constructed. She hangs a flat disc from anoverhead support and builds a comb ofopen cells that hang from it, cementing anegg in the dome of each cell. A hornetqueen surrounds the comb with a toughpaper ball, not much bigger than a golf ball,leaving a hole in the bottom as an entrance.A yellow jacket queen builds her comb in arodent hole and also builds a shell of sur-rounding paper. The paper wasp in the trailshelter relies on the shelter’s roof to keepher comb dry.

The eggs hatch into larvae (grubs), and a six-sided cell houses each grub until it is readyto become a pupa. The queen feeds thegrubs in their cells (on a diet of chewed upinsects) and caps their cells when they aregrown. The grub becomes a pupa, and thepupa transforms into an adult wasp.

In the spring and summer the queen laysonly fertilized eggs, and the females thatemerge cooperate to form the colony,expanding the comb, defending it, feedinggrubs, capping cells, cleaning out cells forreuse, feeding the queen, etc. These femaleshave not mated, and are thus unable to takeover for the queen if she should meet anuntimely end.

Bees store honey in a wax honeycomb, butwasps do not make honey. They use theirpaper comb solely to raise their young fromegg to adult. Even without honey, the combfull of grubs makes a tasty meal for variousforest animals, and many are tough enoughto endure the wasp stings. Bears will dig upa yellow jacket nest or climb a tree to knockdown a hornet nest.

Can Queens Cooperate?Polistes varies from the vespid behavior inan interesting way. A polistes queen may bejoined by another queen, that is, anothermated female that made it through the win-

ter. The originator of the comb remains thesole egg-layer, but any that arrive later canassume the role of queen if the originalqueen meets an untimely end. In the mean-time, the queens-in-waiting perform theusual female role of workers. Why thesejoining females did not construct their owncombs, and how they decide which of themwill assume the queen’s role if she is lost, isnot well understood – at least not byhumans. Polistes queens seem to have itworked out.

Since polistes does her work out in the open,you can observe her every move. The nextrainy day at a shelter, you can watch thecoming and going of paper wasps – whodoes what – and perhaps determine whichwasp is laying eggs. Paper wasps are prettymild-mannered. I watched a nest that wasonly a foot above my face last summer. Itwas in a wind chime in the carport. Whenarriving at a trail shelter, you might inspectfor polistes nests and then be careful not toprovoke them. But I wouldn’t worry aboutremoving them.

Near the end of the summer, hornets and yel-low jackets construct some larger cells. Thequeen lays fertilized eggs in these cells. Thegrubs in these cells grow to a larger size andare destined to be next year’s queens. Thequeen also begins to lay unfertilized eggs,which become males. The males can’t sting,and they don’t do “female work.” Their onlypurpose is to mate with a female. The newlymated females put on as much fat as possibleand look for a place to spend the winter.

All the other wasps die. Their intricate papernest is abandoned and never used again.

Boom and BustHornet and yellow jacket nests can get quitelarge. There is a population expansion insummer, limited only by food supply, mor-tality due to hard work, and depredation byenemies. Near the end of the summer, thecolony focuses on raising new queens, andthe worker population sharply declines.With the emergence of larger females thatare ready to mate and males that are ready tooblige them, the colony’s purpose is fulfilled.The colony’s queen is worn out, and there isa general slacking off. The workers mayeven devour the remaining grubs.

The wasps hang around through the fallmonths, mooching jelly or a sip of sweeteneddrink from hikers. This is a good time to


Wasp DataThe data on wasps is taken from “WaspFarm,” by Howard Ensign Evans, CornellUniversity Press, 1963. The author makeswasps into fascinating creatures – as inter-esting as any you’ll meet on a forest trail. Apaperback reprint can be ordered throughyour favorite bookseller. You might try: ALikely Story, in Alexandria, 703/836-2498,or www.alikelystorybooks.com. See Wasps, page 20


evening/night at home overlooking theShenandoah River and the Blue Ridge. Aftera day in the mud, shower facilities wereappreciated. The dinner menu will remainundisclosed in an attempt to prevent toolarge a crew in the future.

Please send any interesting tale, technicaladvice, individual or group accomplish-ments, and trail maintenance questions toTrailhead, c/o Jon Rindt, 621 Skyline ForestDrive, Front Royal, VA 22630 or [email protected]. ❏

Trailhead, from page 23

Cleaned up after a muddy Saturday, the Cadillac Crew pauses before heading back to work on the Dickey Ridge Trail.

Trail Overseers – Appointed in MayTrail Overseers

Bill Pepelko Corbin Mountain Trail

Jud Knecht Fridley Gap Trail

Richard & Karen Mosteller Appalachian Trail –Beahms Gap to Pass Mt. Hut Trail

Barbara Austin Appalachian Trail - Waterline to Power line

Melissa Amory Appalachian Trail - Marshall Mountain Saddle to Gravel Springs Gap

David C Holton Glover-Archbold Trail - Massachusetts Avenue to Van Ness Street

Kathy Patrick Massanutten Trail - VA 678 to Ft. Valley Overlook

Karen Linkins Massanutten Trail - VA 678 to Ft. Valley Overlook

examine one up close. They are no longerdefending the nest, so they will sting only ifyou trap them in your hand or mouth.

What Does This Meanfor Hikers?In spring and early summer, the colonies aresmall, so there are few wasps available fordefense. In the fall, the colony is in decline,but in summer...Watch out!

Hornet and yellow jacket colonies willfiercely defend the nest against a threat.The period of peak danger from a waspattack is early summer to early fall – whenyou stand close to the nest. Picking blue-berries in July can put you next to a yellow-jacket hole in the ground or a hornet nest inshrubbery. Going off trail for a little privacyin the laurel bushes warrants care.

Each attacking wasp will sting many times,unlike the honeybee that stings once. Thewasp venom contains histamine, the sameenzyme that your body produces in reactionto irritants, such as dust and pollen.Histamine swells mucous membranes, andwe take antihistamines to reduce theswelling in our throat and sinuses. A mas-sive injection of histamine from multiplewasp stings can swell nose and throat mem-branes, shut down your airway, and kill you.Some hikers have had very close calls.

Wasp venom is as dangerous as rattlesnakevenom. Quickly taking an antihistamine,such as Benadryl, may help to preventsevere swelling in your airway. Some hikerswho have already had a run-in with waspscarry a prescription injector of epinephrineas emergency medicine to provide time toget to a hospital. ❏

—Wil Kohlbrenner

Wasps, from page 194th Annual SNP Central District

Overseers WorkshopPinnacles Research Station

June 1-2

PATC and the Trails Staff of SNP will hold the Annual Overseer Workshop againthis year at the Pinnacles Research Station in the Central District of the Park (near

Thornton Gap) on June 1 and 2.

The workshop is designed to teach new Overseers the basic skills of trail repairand maintenance, and to help experienced volunteers learn a few more tricks.Please contact Kerry Snow at 301/570-0596 or [email protected] for regis-tration materials.

Keystone Trail Crew’sSummer Splash

Keystone Trail Crew, sponsored byKTA, will again have three weeks

of volunteer hiking trail maintenanceJune 5 through June 9, QuehannaTrail; June 12 through June 16, ChuckKeiper Trail; June 19 through June 23,Mid-State Trail. Meals andlodging/campsites will be provided. E-mail Joe Healey, [email protected],or feel free to call at 570/655-4979.


NOTICESNEW NOTICES

MEDICAL CHAIR VACANCY: The MedicalChair is the Principal Advisor to the Club’sPresident on medical risk management. TheChair is also expected to have access to var-ious medical community resources that canassist Trail Patrol, Shenandoah MountainRescue Group, and other volunteers inobtaining qualified medical training andadvice. We need volunteers for this positionand for committee members. If interestedplease contact Mickey McDermott [email protected].

NEEDED FOR SCHAIRER CABIN: Large, durable,comfortable arm chair covered with nauga-hyde or equivalent. No recliners or fabricupholstery please. Call Shirley Strong at301/229-6905.

LOST AND FOUND

LEFT AT FIRST BIRCH RUN SHELTER (South toNorth) to dry on rafters, NEW Smartwool socksand liners. Please mail to J. Foster, Rt. 1, Box761, Roseland, VA 22967.

HIKING OPPORTUNITIES

APPALACHIAN TRAIL SECTION HIKE Opportunity:AT Section Hiker (200 mile sections) seeks fellowhikers as companion/s for adventure on the ATin Fall 2002. The first section starting fromGeorgia will be in the Fall of 2002. Be preparedto hike an average of 20 miles per day carryinga 35-40 lb pack, over the course of 10-12 days,with 1 travel day on either end of the trip. If youare reasonably fit and eager to get involved insuch an undertaking please contact me [email protected].

DONATIONS WANTED

LAPTOP AND COMPUTER PROJECTOR NEEDED:The PATC Officers, Staff and CommitteeChairpersons need a laptop computer andcomputer projector which can be used tomake presentations at conferences, meet-ings, and community presentations.Projection at 1024 X 768 desired. If you workfor a corporation which might make such adonation, contact Mike Sutherland [email protected] or 703/591-8330.

FOR SALE

STAMP COLLECTORS - New Zealand first daystamp covers, 1988 Scenic issue, and a dozenspecial issue US stamps from 1960 - 1985 peri-od. Reasonably priced. Call Paula Strain at301/215-4569.

SHARES FOR SALE in 81 mostly wooded acresadjacent to Shenandoah National Park –convenient to Old Rag and White OakCanyon trails. 3 houses, water, heat & goodtimes. Cooperatively owned by 12 folks (look-ing for more company!) Opportunity forcountry living, conservation, friendship & easyweekend get-aways. Call Larry Martin @202/829.7112 [email protected];http://dreamwater.org/ghllc2001

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

CABIN MONITORS NEEDED: If you are a Clubmember who would like to contribute yourtime toward a good cause (and be able toget the annual advance cabin reservationprivilege), then we need you. We are lookingfor members who live within 1/2 hour of any of

our various cabins. These individuals wouldneed to be willing to give a couple of hours afew times per year to spot check a cabin. Ifinterested please contact Pat Fankhauser atPATC headquarters at 703/242-0693, Ext. 17 [email protected] as soon as possible.

WANTED TO HIRE COOKS. Duration from one(1) day to six (6) weekends. Paying $0.00/hr,transportation and personal food costs notincluded. Weaver Cabin is being renovatedover June & July, 2002. Work crews needsomeone to serve soup. If you plan, prepare,cook, and clean there is no need to work onthe cabin. If you are interested in fresh air, aweekend out, meeting a group of volunteers,and having a good time, we could use theassistance. Earn the same wage as trainees,carpenters, painters and engineers on site atWeaver Work Trips, Elkton, VA. ContactThomas Jorgensen at [email protected] or540/248-7009 (w) (h) 540/456-4760.

DAYTIME SALES DESK VOLUNTEERS BADLYNEEDED every Thursday and/or Friday at thePATC Headquarters between 12 Noon and 2p.m. We will train you. Once or twice permonth. If interested call Pat Fankhauser at703/242-0693, Ext. 17 or e-mail [email protected] or Maureen Estes at Ext. 19or at [email protected].

WANTED-VOLUNTEER to assume Budget Chairresponsibilities. Exposure to all areas of the Clubprovides greater understanding of the breadthof services offered. Do your part to help PATCgrow & prosper. Financial background pre-ferred. Please contact either Gerhard Salingeror Paul Dery @ 703/208-5818.

PROJECT LEADERS/CONSTRUCTION Foremenneeded to plan, organize and supervise sev-eral restoration projects. The Club owns 2 old(historic?) log cabins that need to be restoredso that they can be placed in the Club’scabin rental system. There is also the possibili-ty of the Club obtaining permission from theNational Park Service to restore a stone lockhouse on the C&O Canal to be used for arental cabin. You don’t need to be a con-struction professional but good building skillsand knowledge are desirable. Good man-agement skills are also desirable. What we arelooking for is the will and the courage to try.Some help is available in all aspects of thejobs. For info call Charlie Graf at: 410/757-6053or e-mail [email protected].

PUBLICATIONS CHAIR NEEDS HELP on a bookcelebrating the 75th anniversary of PATC.One, two or three people are needed tointerview a handful of members whojoined the club in the 30s and 40s. Please contact Aaron Watkins at410/740-7082 or [email protected].

HELP PATC CELEBRATE ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY.Larry Rockwell, Public Affairs, is in charge ofplanning. INFO: [email protected].

NEEDED: PEOPLE TO HELP PLAN and conductour Club events. We are planning a numberof events, such as a picnic in SNP summer2002. We receive many invitations to providea Club display at other people’s activities.Often we just don’t have members to attend.If you are willing, please contact LilesCreighton, Membership Secretary at 410/573-0067, [email protected] or PatFankhauser at Club headquarters.

DO YOU WANT TO BE A LANDOWNER along theAT? And have a home in the woods! Are youin a position to become a Conservation Buyerthrough the Appalachian Trail ConferenceLand Trust? Our program matches conserva-tion buyers – people like you – with peoplewho are selling land along the AT. You locateyour home or cabin out of sight from the Trail.All we ask is that you donate a conservationeasement on the rest of the property. A con-servation easement “runs with the land;” thatis, no present or future owner can develop it!AND, because an easement is an irrevocablegift of a property right, you get a nice incometax deduction equal to the value of the ease-ment. Contact Bob Williams, Director of LandTrust Programs, at [email protected], or at 304/535-6331, or write to P.O.Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425.

THE SALES OFFICE is looking for volunteersinterested in working as little or as long asyou can manage it – Monday throughFriday between 9 and 5 p.m. If interested,please contact the Sales Coordinator,Maureen Estes, by either calling headquar-ters at 703/242-0693, ext. 19 or bye-mail at [email protected].

PATC OVERSEERS get big discounts from thefollowing merchants who support our volun-teer programs: Blue Ridge Mountain Sports(Charlottesville, Tidewater) – 20%, HudsonTrail Outfitters (Metro DC) – 15%, TheTrailhouse (Frederick, Md.) – 15%, CasualAdventures (Arlington, Va.) – 10%,Campmor (mail order via PATC HQ) – 10%.Check the back page of the PA for the lat-est trail, cabin, and shelter overseer oppor-tunities. All PATC members receive a 10%discount from Blue Ridge Mountain Sports.Be sure to have your membership ID oroverseer ID ready when you shop.

SHENANDOAH MOUNTAIN RESCUE GROUP(SMRG) is seeking people interested inwilderness search and rescue. New mem-ber orientation meetings are held everymonth at PATC headquarters. No experi-ence is necessary. INFO: SMRG Operations703/255-5034, then press #5.

NOT INTERESTED IN WORKING IN THE GREATOUTDOORS? PATC has a continuous needfor Headquarters Volunteers willing to helpout with a variety of tasks – from manningthe sales desk in the evening, to providingtyping or office support. It takes a lot morethan trail workers to keep the Club going!INFO: Wilson Riley, [email protected] or703/242-0693, ext.11.

Notices are published free of charge for PATCmembers only. PATC cannot vouch for any ofthe advertised items. No commercial adver-tisement or personal notices unrelated to hik-ing will be accepted. Deadline for inclusion isthe first day of the month preceding issuanceof the newsletter. Notices will be run for 3months unless we are otherwise advised. ❏

Trailhead

April always brings a lot of trail activity ascrews and Overseers get serious about

the new season. This April was wetter thanusual with a mix of warm (several days in the90s) and cool days. A wet spring also meansthe weeds and trailside vegetation will begrowing strong and healthy, if you haven’talready noticed. You need to attack theseweeds in early June while they are youngand tender and easier to cut. Check withyour District Manager if you need to use aPATC brush cutter.

As summer approaches, trail Overseersmight want to take the opportunity to checkin with their District Managers either by e-mail or a telephone call. If you’ve found thattrail work has become too time consumingor if your schedule looks a little tight thisyear, don’t hesitate to ask for help or to takea break from your Overseer position. Thereare always trail vacancies, and enthusiasticvolunteers are always welcome to take a newsection (after their vacation). Remember,trail work reports can be submitted via thePATC Web page athttp://patc.net/forms/overseer/wtr.html.

By the way, only six slots are left for the SNPSummer Trail Crew weeks. Contact BernieStalmann at 301/725-8876 or Heidi Forrestat PATC Headquarters, 703/242-0315 whileyou still have the opportunity.

Chainsaw WorkshopThe annual SNP/PATC-sponsored chain-saw workshop was conducted on the week-end of April 20-21 at SNP Headquarters.More than 20 sawyers participated, withabout an equal mix of new sawyers and thosebeing recertified. SNP District TrailSupervisors CT Campbell, Roger Dovel,and Don Harvey and PATC’s BernieStalmann led the instruction with emphasison safe operation of the chainsaw (drop-starta chainsaw and forget about certification)and proper use of protective equipment.The Saturday morning classroom instruc-tion was followed by demonstrations of cut-ting techniques and hands-on experience ina nearby section of the Park. Most of theclass retired to the Pinnacles ResearchStation for the evening for a feast preparedby Ester “Come and Get It” and EdAulthouse.

Sunday was supposed to be the opportuni-ty for new sawyers to gain practical experi-ence and complete the certificationprocess, but a continuous rain prohibitedthe exercise. So the class focused on chain-

saw maintenance and was exposed to videosof the Swedish super-sawyer, demonstrat-ing safe cutting techniques and making itlook easy. Because the class was unable tocomplete the practical training, newsawyers will have to arrange to work withcertified sawyers to demonstrate their pro-ficiency before being certified.

George Walters noted that even though theSNP chainsaw workshop was marred byrainy weather, the expertise and instructionthat was brought to the table by CTCampbell and all the instructors reallystood out and made an impression andhelped return our focus to what mattersmost – safety!

Tuscarora Planning SessionA planning meeting was held on April 20 inWoodstock, Va., for the southern part ofthe Tuscarora Trail. This followed a similarmeeting that was held for the northern partof the trail on Dec. 8 last year. Attendanceat the April meeting was light due to sched-ule conflicts with the Dogwood HalfHundred, a chainsaw certification work-shop, and other activities. However, someprogress was made on the issues that werediscussed, particularly for the part of thetrail that crosses the Shenandoah Valley.

Rock Workshop at MichauxThere will be a rock workshop on June 8and 9 in the Michaux State Forest inPennsylvania. The ATC will provide theinstructor for this workshop. The trainingwill be done on a section of the AT near

Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Thoseattending can stay at Gypsy Spring Cabin.Supper will be provided on June 8 alongwith breakfast and lunch on June 9.Attendance will be limited to the first 15persons to sign up. The fee will be $15payable in advance. Those interested inlearning or in improving their skills for thiscraft should contact Pete Brown by phoneat 410/343-1140 or by e-mail [email protected].

Massanutten TrailThe May issue of the PA announced a dedi-cation ceremony to be held on June 22 forthe recently designated Massanutten Trail.The creation of this 70-mile loop trailinvolved renaming several other trails. TheMassanutten Mountain East & West Trailsare just the Massanutten Trail. The SignalKnob Trail is now part of the MassanuttenTrail, and the Buzzards Rock Trail is back inexistence, no longer part of the MassanuttenMountain East Trail.

Anstr Davidson and Chris Scott of theVirginia Happy Trails Running Club areclaiming to be the first to complete a run ofthe entire Massanutten Trail loop in oneshot. They left Signal Knob trailhead park-ing at 9:40 a.m. on Sunday, April 7, andreturned at 1:31 p.m. on Monday for a 28-hour circuit. Anstr’s comment: “Other thanneeding another pair of feet to replace mytrashed ones, I am none the worse for wear.”They consider the trail a wonderful resourceand extend thanks to all who have worked tomake it a reality.


See Trailhead, page 23

The North District Hoodlums Trail Crew and several Park Rangers gather at Range ViewCabin in April for their “Southwestern” worktrip and C.T. Campbell’s famous chili!

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Entry Run TrailThe Blue and White Crew returned to thePer Lee/West tract in April to continuebuilding the Entry Run Trail. Saturdayfound the crew, joined by new Entry RunTrail Overseers Mike, Mike, and Marcus)“roughing in” the trail from the propertyboundary near the John’s Rest Cabin to theLamb cemetery. The crew retired to thecozy confines of the Rosser Lamb CabinSaturday night for the typical Blue andWhite banquet, complemented by winessupplies by renowned B&W wine steward,Pious Choi. A chilly evening was heated bya roaring campfire, tall tales, and descrip-tions of camel anatomy.

Boulders Flying Down theHillsideReturning to the Potomac Heritage Trail,the Blue and White Crew finished thereroute down a steep embankment to avoida major road crossing near the Chain Bridgecrossing of the Potomac River. The 35stone steps were boulders hand-placedusing the “highline” system of winches,cables, pulleys and sweat. The crew slowedfor a moment when a Washington Postreporter showed up in a suede jacket andpatent leather boots, but completed theproject well ahead of schedule to haverefreshments on site and accept congratula-tions from grateful passing hikers (no—wedid not share refreshments with them).Although the crew will no longer be thereto help you, like they helped the Postreporter, to cross the storm water gully tra-

versing the trail, these very visible stone stairswill be a “signature” site along the PHT.

He’s BackPete Gatje, previous Supervisor of Trails,says he is recovering amazingly well fromhip replacement surgery. The only toughpart is rebuilding the muscles he lost whilelimping around before surgery. He remindsus of the saying, “ If you are over 50 and youwake up and nothing hurts, you are dead.”

As the District Manager for blue blaze trailsin the South District of SNP, most of Pete’strails are in designated wilderness areas.Roger Dovel and Charles Rudicelle, whosupervise the trails for the Park in the dis-trict, recently presented Pete with a newlysharpened and reconditioned PATC cross-cut saw. Knowing what is in store for him,Pete is trying to form a crew of innocentlocal volunteers from Wintergreen (wherehe now resides) to go out in the wildernessand attack the many reported blowdownswith a crosscut. He remarked that if youhike trails in the South district and see acrosscut clamped in a blowdown across thetrail, you will know we were there.

And There was CT ChiliGeorge Walters reported that the NorthDistrict Hoodlums Trail Crew’s“Southwestern” worktrip in April was agreat success and a special event for thecrew. Don Harvey of the North Districtpark staff joined the workcrew to lend hisexpertise and always-good company. Fifteenhearty souls braved the questionable weath-er forecast and, with mattocks and McLeodsswinging away, cut a thousand feet of newsidehill trail reconstruction on the AT, southof Jenkins Gap, where the slope wassidewinding and slipping off the steep faceof an”unnamed mountain.” (The late JimmyDenton once told George that this sectionof trail traversed one of the few unnamedmountains in the park.)

Afterwards, our old friend and mentor, CTCampbell of the Park staff, whipped up akettle of his famous chili for the feast thatfollowed at Range View Cabin, and what afeast it was! More salsas, beans, cornbreads,and Southwestern vittles than you can shakea rattlesnake at! CT cooks his chili over aslow heat, using his own special blend ofpowders and spices, and it is some kind ofgood! All sorts of outlaws and cowpokeswandered into the ranch this evening! EvenSteve Bair showed up for a bowl of CT’sTexas Red. An ample supply of CervezaMejicana and Wayne Limburg’s “HoodlumsOwn” handcrafted beverage helped washdown the hearty meal, all set against a back-

drop of Tex-Mex music and a glowing camp-fire. A pair of American woodcocks wereeven on hand to perform their mating aerialacrobatics for the crew in the meadow thatevening. A good day of work and a greatfeast. As Stephanie Bill would say, “YippeKiYay!”

On a side note, Captain Walters, of the infa-mous Boston Whaler fishing incident, wish-es to apologize for any rockfish smell thatmay remain in the club’s Big Bertha bluecooler.

Thanks for 20-Plus YearsGeorge Robbins, an Overseer on the ATbetween Rattlesnake Point and LittleHogback Overlook in the North District ofSNP, has hung up his pick mattock andMcLeod after tending to that section since1980. An avid hiker, George was a hikeleader at the biennial AT meeting hosted byPATC in 1995. At 91 years of age, heremains active with the Wanderbirds and wewish him well in his “retirement.” Hope tosee you on the trail, George!

Culvert OperationA continuous light rain didn’t deter theCadillac Crew’s April appointment with theDickey Ridge Trail near the north entranceto SNP. The efforts were concentrated onimproving and repairing drainage on thetrail. With the arrival of Kurt Fisher fromCalgary and the enthusiastic participation ofSteve Pebley, the crew had two veteran mud-hole excavators to replace a culvert and builda stone-lined water channel. Kurt and Stevehad collaborated a couple of years earlier tobuild a shallow well near the Shockeys Knobcampsite. It would be difficult to say whichproject provided them with the most mud totake home at the end of the day! Meanwhilethe rest of the crew hardened more than adozen dirt waterbars with locust logs.

The crew thanks Richard and SybilleStromberg for inviting the crew to spend the

Trailhead, from page 22

POTOMAC APPALACHIAN(UPS-440-280) ©2002, 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: Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, 118 Park Street, S.E.,Vienna, VA 22180Subscription: [Free with PATC membership]$6.00 annually; $.50 single copies.

The North District Hoodlums Trail Crewdoing sidehill trail reconstruction on the

AT near Jenkins Gap in SNP.

See Trailhead, page 20

TRAIL, SHELTER and CORRIDOR OVERSEERS/MONITORS WANTEDSHELTER OVERSEERS WANTED

CONTACT FRANK TURK, 301/249-8243E-mail: [email protected]

Dicks Dome ShelterRock Springs Hut

DISTRICT MANAGERCONTACT KERRY SNOW, 301/295-5084

E-mail: [email protected] Manager Massanutten South

Trail Overseer Openings. Contact theDistrict Manager for the section that

interests you.

ASHBY GAP/ SNP AT & BB – MAP 8 (RTE. 50 TO RTE. 638)

CALL ED MCKNEW, 540/622-6004E-mail: [email protected]

Appalachian Trail

2nd Logging Road to Pipeline (1.2miles)Appalachian Trail

Pipeline to Davenport Meadow (1.2 mile)Dicks Dome Shelter TrailAT to shelter (0.20 miles)

SNP NORTH BLUE-BLAZED – MAP 9CALL BERNIE STALMANN, 301/725-8876

E-mail: [email protected] Branch Trail (lower)

Powerline to Hull School Trail (2.2miles)Pass Mountain Trail (upper)

Pass Mountain Hut to breakpoint ( 1.5 miles)

SNP SOUTH AT – M AP 11CALL MIKE KARPIE, 540/785-9553

E-mail: [email protected] Trail

Powell Gap to Flattop Mt. Summit (1.7 miles)Appalachian Trail

Riprap Trail Parking to Hairpin Switchback(1.5miles)

SNP SOUTH BLUE-BLAZED – MAP 11CALL PETE GATJE, 434/361-1309

E-mail: [email protected] Mount Trail

Skyline Drive to Gap Run (2.2miles)

One-Mile Run TrailTwo Mile Run Overlook to

west Park boundary (3.7 miles)

Furnace Mountain TrailTrayfoot Mt. Trail to Madison Run FR

(3.4 miles)Furnace Mountain Summit Trail

Furnace Mountain Trail to Furnace Mountain Summit

(.5 mile)

TUSCARORA SOUTH – MAP F, G, 9CALL RICK RHOADES, 540/477-3247


Mill Mountain Trail to White Rocks Trail(2.90 miles)

Tuscarora TrailWhite Rocks Trail to Cedar Creek

( 2.7 miles)Tuscarora Trail

Rock marker to Massanutten Trail (1.5 miles)

MASSANUTTEN NORTH – MAP GCALL MIKE SUTHERLAND, 703/591-8330


Rte. 758 to 7-Bar-None Trail (3.3 miles)

Massanutten Trail 7-Bar-None Trail to Bear Trap Trail

(2.7 miles)

Massanutten Trail Bear Trap Trail to Peters Mill Run Trail

(1.6 miles)Massanutten Trail

Moerlan Gap Road to Jawbone Gap Trail (1.6 miles)

Massanutten Trail Jawbone Gap Trail Crisman Hollow Road

(4.8 miles)

MASSANUTTEN SOUTH – MAP HCALL BILL SCHMIDT, 301/585-2477

E-mail: [email protected] Mt. South Trail

TV Tower to Pitt Spring (3.40 miles)Massanutten Mt. South Trail

Pitt Spring to Morgan Run Trail (3.3 miles)Second Mountain Trail

Boone Run trail to Kaylor Knob (1.1 miles)Morgan Run Trail

Cub Run Road to Massanutten Mt. South Trail (2.6 miles)

GREAT NORTH MOUNTAIN – MAP FCALL HOP LONG, 301/942-6177E-mail: [email protected]

Mill Mountain TrailBig Schloss Cutoff Trail to the

Tuscarora Trail (3.3 miles)Great North Mountain Trail

Stack Rock to FR 720 (4.2 miles)Gerhard Shelter Trail

Tuscarora Trail to Vances Cove Trail (1.5 miles)

SUBURBAN MARYLAND – MAP DCALL LILES CREIGHTON, 410/573-0067

E-mail: [email protected] Mine Trail

Maintenance area to Mine (.5 mile)

PeriodicalPostage

PAIDVienna, VA

118 Park StreetVienna, VA 22180-4609

Telephone: 703/242-0315Mon.-Thurs. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.Thurs. & Fri. 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m.

issn 098—8154 in our 75th year! · 2009. 9. 1. · the 17th edition of the dogwood half hundred,...

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