the newsletteR of the PotoMAc APPAlAchiAn tRAil cluB JAnuARy 2015 ‑ Volume 44, Number 1 hAwksBill AwARd winneRs gAtheR. Photo by Stanley turk RecoRd AttendAnce At the 87th AnnuAl PAtc Meeting And AwARds BAnquet VolunteeR of A record 169 members met at the Meadowlark Gardens Atrium in Vienna, Va., for the 87th the Month Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet on Nov. 18. In addition to recognizing the successful efforts of our volunteers, 12 officers were elected to lead the club for the next two years. 9 The evening was packed with a full agenda. This year’s “Wall of Acclaim,” photos depicting volunteers at work on the trails during 2014, was projected on a screen while members socialized and remembered the hard work combined with comradery in service to the PATC mission. John Hedrick opened the meeting by welcoming members and guests; he then introduced Joe Lombardo, treasurer, who reported that PATC’s finances were in good standing. hike of the PATC Vice President- Volunteerism, Dick Hostelley, introduced the staff, including Month Anne Corwith who assumed the role of Cabins Coordinator after the retirement of Pat Fankhauser in June, and Mona Filchock, former Sales Coordinator who was promoted 17 to Finance Coordinator earlier this month. Dick also introduced and thanked staff and volunteers responsible for organizing the meeting and awards banquet. Lee Sheaffer, PATC vice president-operations, expressed the need for volunteer help at the ATC Biennial Conference, “Hiking through History” in July 2015. PATC is hosting the event for ATC along with the Mountain Club of Maryland and is expecting a large number of attendees. This year’s guest speaker was Eric Campbell, chief interpreter at Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park. Eric made a riveting presentation on the youth section Shenandoah Valley’s involvement during the Civil War, keeping the audience in awe of his knowledge as well as his ability to cover four years of history in thirty minutes! 23 Dick Hostelley returned to the podium to present well deserved awards to a number of volunteers. A list of Service Award recipients appears on page 7. Other awards presented at the awards banquet were: The Hawksbill Award, named for the highest elevation in PATC territory, was conceived 118 PARk stReet, s.e., by Jim Tomlin in 2011. This award allows each chapter, crew, section, committee, district ViennA, VA 22180‑4609 www.PAtc.net and formally recognized PATC group to honor one of its members who has made a issn 098‑8l54 (continued on p.2) PAtc Meeting And AwARds BAnquet (continued from P.1) significant contribution above and beyond the Service Award. A list of Hawksbill awardees appears on page 6. The Myron Avery Award is presented to one club member who has provided great service to PATC within the last year. The Myron Avery Award, the highest honor PATC bestows, was pAwArpnaesp s Heprnerotecnesidoean rtbaitoyerynd P FtAroeiwv sKiead erYendnedsta arJwlo lMe hWrnee mphHrybeetesdeer.rnsihctekidp t otAo Pw:eatred B rown for 2014. dAkinesydcnu Bsoestleels es gtPhReAeo kVceeiV Rni leA RwtiicAo Rcn AAinMl thBhiPseet lsolhR oeincf AAclen dPdAAoRRA kch R VeAelkl ey. • Tom Barber for his work at John’s Rest and Old Rag Cabins • Jim Corwith, editor of the PATC Online Calendar • Michael Dennis, GPS Ranger equipment consultant • Paul Alderman, Wade Aylor, Ken Frohnert, and Det Wilkins, for their work with the Wilderness • WBtdhuielorliir rSnk mcg Fh utouhlrmeecs eK a tcioenk n tetnrrha eaendn swydp iP olZdretaoe rkmen STaeotsoeslw lraeieanrrelb sac e ouornpgf es Sttrhrp fueoo ctrmts iuyoolsnuvea n pontrfai oaijne ct hAcodPoniPRnoAesRlceeAtRdcoV hRcAi onRAlocnlny et AetRxgiAPeuitlceo u nt.iVe • Stoneybrook Farms for their outstanding support of the hikers and crew members at Blackburn Trail Center Details on these awardees appear on p. 3. In addition, 50 year member acknowledgements went to William H. Oscanyan, III; Allan B. Tanner; Barry and Zenia Bielsker; Peter P. Lord; Laurence and Ruth Liston; and John Shores. FC•ion mPalrmleys,ii tdDteeanen ta: DnDnuioceukwn eHckeoed,s tctehhlleae iy2r 0o1f4 t hEel eEctleiocnti ornessu lts: edleuelceetwcitoeinoken R sAe nscunhlAotiusRn. dcAens the • Vice President-Volunteerism: Steve O’Connor • Vice President-Operations: John Hedrick • Treasurer: Joe Lombardo • Secretary: Tom Avey • Supervisor of Marketing: Emeline Otey • Supervisor of Membership: Rick Canter • Supervisor of Communications: Alan Day • Supervisor of Trails: Wayne Limberg • Supervisor of Lands: Bill Downes • Supervisor of Activities: Rush Williamson • Supervisor of Facilities: Mel Merritt Owhiasus tf goawouiran rygde ePadrAs Ta o Cpf ls aPeqrruveeisci doe efa nastp ppJrorehescindi aeHtnioet.dnr fiockr —Edna Baden PshAyosMssBitneoglll itcehAye lA ltnyo—dR colhue ftotgf toloien ARgdig PehRRtse,s hPiiRdPee—snitd eJnoht‑ne lheecdtR dicickk. All Annual Meeting photos by Stanley Turk 2 January 2015 • Potomac aPPalachian PAtc honoRs ouR Best, BRightest And Most dedicAted PATC recognizes outstanding achievement made on behalf of the club by both members and non-members. In addition to the Hawksbill and Service awards, which are presented by committees, crews, chapters or sections, the following awards were presented by club officers during the Nov. 18 annual meeting. Note: Nomination write-ups may have been edited for Dick Hostelly presents Zoe Sollenberger with an Appreciation Award grammar, style and in some cases brevity. –Editor for leading a team of mules on the Kennedy Peak restoration. surveying equipment for the club at the AppreciAtion AwArds do damage to lowest possible cost. He then worked John's Rest if it fell the wrong way. Primarily for non-members, this award For Old Rag Cabin, he helped cut and closely over a significant period of time is given to individuals or groups who haul donated logs from his property with PATC volunteers to help establish have made some special contribution to that we used to replace rotten logs surveying protocols and procedures for the club and our objectives. Recipients at the cabin. He has been on several a variety of tasks. Without his efforts, could include government officials ORC work trips and most recently the GPS Rangers would have had a (federal, state, local) who have assisted ran the trencher for the power line. much more difficult launch and would the club in our activities; individuals who not have been able to get up to speed have donated land or facilities; retired Jim corwith as quickly. Michael continues as an PATC employees; or anyone else who Nomination by John Corwith adviser to the group and quickly and has helped the club in a significant way. fully answers all land surveying-related The individual or group is nominated My father, Jim Corwith has been editor questions we pose to him. The GPS by a PATC member or employee and of the PATC online calendar for over Rangers volunteers would like to show approved by PATC council. Awardees two years. He took on this role with their appreciation of all of his expert, receive a plaque recognizing the only a little arm twisting even though valuable, and freely-donated help. award with the name of the person or he lives a day's drive away and has Paul Alderman, wade Aylor, ken frohnert group and the name of the award. never participated in any other PATC and det wilkins events/activities. He is dedicated to tom Barber the task and works hard to update Nomination by Frank Haas Nomination by John Corwith the calendar on a daily basis and even Several non-PATC members work (previously awarded) does so while traveling/on vacation. with the Wilderness Work Force. They He raised three Eagle Scouts and had Tom Barber, Steve Barber's son, has a we grown up in the area, I'm sure we contribute their efforts in the wilderness terminal brain tumor and I'd like to would all have been members of PATC. area of Spotsylvania County, Va. recognize his contributions to the club They have been working with regular before it is too late. Tom has helped Michael dennis members for eight or ten years or so. The Steve on numerous occasions doing Nomination by Jim Tomlin shelter at the Gordon Flank Attach was maintenance on John's Rest. On one repainted. The road to the work barn was occasion, he helped remove a difficult A professional land surveyor working confronted with much erosion; water bars dead tree that was in a position to pro bono for PATC, Michael has been were installed to direct water to the east instrumental and down to VA 20. The fitness trail at in the selection Germanna College was restored for use. of surveying At the same location, the remnants of equipment and Governor Spotswood house and castle the establishment were cleared of debris. This is part of what of surveying they have been doing these past few years. procedures for Bill schumacker and Zoe sollenberger the PATC GPS Rangers. Michael Nomination by Alan Day worked closely with PATC appreciates the support that PATC volunteers Bill and Zoe provided to the Kennedy and surveying Peak Tower reconstruction project equipment by using their mules to transport companies to equipment needed to complete this identify the “map N Angels:” Jennifer Azzariti, Todd Kutyla and their two difficult effort. It would have been most appropriate children were largely responsible for the update of PATC map N. January 2015 • Potomac aPPalachian 3 available to provide shelter overseers with “how-to” advice to repair shelters and had replaced numerous shelter roofs throughout our region. Henry is currently assisting with inside repairs at the Appalachian Trail Museum and works closely with Boy Scout troops to provide volunteer projects. He has been active in assisting numerous scouts to achieve Eagle Scout status by providing appropriate projects. In his spare time he is the project lead for constructing a new shelter at Dicks Dome in Northern Virginia. The PATC President Dick Hostelly (right) recognizes 50‑year member Allan Tanner. Ed Garvey shelter in Maryland was constructed under Henry’s supervision and he remains the shelter overseer. impossible to restore the tower for safe for 11 years. This is a very important use by hikers without this equipment. position and Henry is responsible for The fact that our shelters are recognized planning and supervising all shelter by hikers as some of the best maintained stoneybrook farm construction and arranging for significant shelters along the AT and on other Nominated by Chris Brunton maintenance work trips. He works trails is a positive testimony to Henry’s closely with the supervisor of facilities professional expertise, dedication, and Stoneybrook Farm has been a great to plan for new shelters and prepares commitment to excellence. Each year supporter of the Blackburn Trail Center and submits the shelter budget. He he dedicates hundreds of hours working this season. On numerous occasions approves all shelter expense vouchers. with crews and shelter overseers to insure they drove to Blackburn to bring our shelters are maintained to the highest hikers food and give hikers shuttles During his tenure, he has personally possible standards. Henry is clearly at no charge. They cook meals for the constructed, with his shelter crew, some deserving of the Life Membership award. Blackburn crews using their home seven shelters throughout PATC and has grown produce. In early spring they coordinated the construction on many John shannon cut a hazardous tree at a very reduced others. These shelters are sometimes in Nomination by Iva Gillet, Dan price and last month several of their remote areas and Henry must compile Ralston, and Andy Willgruber members spend a very long day helping the bill of materials, arrange for the to install the new Hiker Cabin roof. delivery of construction material, perform John Shannon has worked tirelessly the site preparation and then obtain on PATC trails for 28 years, clearing HonorArY LiFe the necessary approval documentation. fallen trees, removing encroaching MeMbersHip AwArds This coordination involves significant brush, cleaning and building waterbars, personal time and travel, which Henry regrading trails, and removing invasive Nominees are typically long-time has always been willing to accomplish. plants. An original member of the members who have contributed to Charlottesville Chapter, formed in 1986, many areas of the club and shown Constructing a shelter for our hikers John regularly heads up trail work along outstanding performance over a long is a technical challenge and requires the club’s section of the Appalachian period of time. Honorary Life Members skills not normally available in Trail between Rockfish and McCormick are treated as Life Members of the club; our volunteer base. Henry excels Gaps, and he is likewise available to no further dues payment is required of in designing and completing these help others with their trails. He is an that individual. Awardees also receive shelters, which sometimes takes two active member of the Flying McLeods, a plaque identifying the award and to four months. He always emphasizes formed by Mark Gatewood in 2007 an appropriate memento emblazoned safety on the job and despite the heavy to control trail erosion in the South with their name and the name of the construction material, there have been District of Shenandoah National Park. award. Nominees are nominated by no major accidents on his work trips. a member of the club and awards are John previously served as overseer of He has constructed 10 privies (some approved by the PATC council. the Furnace Mountain Trail for some composting) at many locations and 14 years. He served as president of the henry horn has worked with the Deaf School to Charlottesville Chapter for a dozen construct other privies. He recently Nomination by John Hedrick years, followed by several years as replaced a number of rotted logs at the newsletter editor. As for paperwork, Henry has been a member of PATC Hightop and Old Rag shelter huts, John has spent countless hours over for 14 years and is presently the Shelter thereby saving Shenandoah National the years keeping chapter records. Construction lead, a position he has held Park considerable dollars. He is always 4 January 2015 • Potomac aPPalachian John has participated in many special including a new pole, underground nominees and the nominee cannot PATC projects, including the Dunlodge cable, and replacement of an aging be a current member of the PATC Cabin and property restoration, the AT and corroding panel box. He also executive committee. The awardee trail relocation near Calf Mountain, arranged for the code inspection. will have their name engraved on a ice-storm cleanup in 2006 and 1998, This project required four site visits, bronze nameplate with the year of and Hurricane Isabel cleanup in 2003. and many hours of planning and the award and the nameplate will be More recently, he has devoted many negotiating on PATC’s behalf. attached to a plaque located at PATC hours to removing invasive plants. John headquarters. The recipient will also will undoubtedly continue to direct time Other projects Kendall has carried out receive an appropriate memento with and energy toward keeping the AT and include moving heaters and light switches their name and the name of the award surrounding trails in top shape for the and rewiring to allow for the new emblazoned on the item. The award can many people who use and enjoy them. double French doors in the living room only be awarded to an individual once. and dining room, installing three new Pete Brown HonorArY MeMbersHip exterior porch lights and a floodlight, AwArds installing a new circuit and four outside Nomination by Mary and Dewey Clark outlets, and installing additional Presented to a non-member for a fixed kitchen circuits and outlets, including a Pete Brown is district manager for the amount of time, up to a life membership, microwave outlet over the kitchen range. North Chapter and has long been looked for a significant contribution to the club. up to as the leader of this group of trail The awardee will have full membership As this nomination is being written volunteers. He has created a culture privileges for that amount of time Kendall is finishing the installation of collaboration and camaraderie that designated in the award. The awardee of a new heater and thermostat for enables this small group to accomplish will receive a plaque with their name the kitchen, and reconfiguring the an extraordinary amount of work. In the and the name of the award. Nominees other heat circuits so renters cannot last year, this has included four major are nominated by a PATC member or run up the club’s electric bill. “construction” projects: remodeling Little employee and approved by PATC council. Cove cabin, building the Charlie Irvin A bonus has been Kendall’s promptness shelter, replacing the Silberman bridge, kendall whyte in responding to our needs, patience and developing a state-of-the-art North with our changing requirements, and the Nomination by Jim Peterson Chapter website. Under Pete’s leadership, overall quality and neatness of his work. the North Chapter Yankee Clippers Kendall Whyte, a licensed electrician in worked on these projects simultaneously! MYron AverY AwArd Martinsburg W.V., is nominated for an honorary five-year membership for his Last August, PATC leaders, forest The highest honor presented by the club, continuous volunteer service to PATC service staff and other guests joined the it is awarded to a single individual for for the past five years in the restoration Yankee Clippers to celebrate the official outstanding volunteer activity over the and reconstruction of the Little Cove dedication of Little Cove cabin. While past year. The activity can be in any area cabin. During that period Kendall has work on Little Cove began several and must be of a clearly extraordinary made 12-15 trips to the cabin and has years ago, this past year Pete organized nature. The nominee must be a PATC worked an estimated 100 hours on site. 10 weekend work trips to complete member and nominated by a PATC In addition, he probably spent another 50 major renovations to this once decrepit member. The Executive Committee hours planning and researching solutions, hunting lodge. This beautifully rebuilt will choose the candidate from the acquiring materials and traveling to the site. Using a conservative hourly rate, the value of this service is estimated to exceed $10,000. But the value of Kendall’s work goes far beyond its monetary value. On his first visit Kendall corrected many unsafe situations, some of which were code violations, and he did the rewiring necessary for the installation of a new cabin roof. The construction of the new porch required the relocation of the electrical service entry. Kendall negotiated a solution with an uncooperative electric utility, obtained assurances that the solution would pass electrical code inspection, obtained materials, and Can you hear me now? John Hedrick presents Pete brown (on the phone) with his myron planned or carried out all installation, Avery Volunteer of the Year award. robert Wise stood in to pick up the award. January 2015 • Potomac aPPalachian 5 2014 hAwksBill AwARd winneRs This award is presented by each crew, district, committee, chapter, section, Trail Patrol, and SMRG to a PATC member who has shown outstanding volunteer performance over the last year. The award, named for the highest vertical elevation (4,050 ft.) in PATC’s territory, was developed to fill the niche between the PATC Service Award (which many of our worthy volunteers receive on a regular basis) and the Myron Avery Award, our highest honor, presented to one volunteer annually. PATC leadership recognized that many individuals go (left to right) Dick Hostelley, barry bielsker, edna baden, above and beyond to help their PATC group. We have given Zenia bielsker. The bielskers are 50‑year members. each PATC group the ability to acknowledge this high level of service by one special individual for the year. cabin features a three-sided wraparound porch, gourmet awardee nominated by kitchen, custom stone work, finely crafted interior wood work, and many other features. Pete carefully coordinated this Gregory J. bayens Potomac Heritage Trail complex cabin reconstruction, all of which (except for some Glen breining bears Den electrical work) was performed by Yankee Clippers primarily Gary P. bruner Yankee Clippers using materials found on the 160-acre Little Cove property. beverley Carver AT SNP South Thanks to Pete’s leadership and coordination, working with margaret Chapman Hikes construction guru Al Black and cabin overseer Gene Leese, Dorsey Counts Spotsylvania the Yankee Clippers transformed this property into one of Anstruther Davidson Cabins reservations the most sought-after cabins in the PATC rental system. Carey Dueweke Potomac Appalachian Joanne Fenninger Greater manassas Work on constructing the Charlie Irvin shelter also occurred Doug Ford mutton Hollow during this past year. The major challenge was transporting marit Anderson Gay Charlottesville Chapter two tons of materials across a newly created half-mile stretch roger b. Hanson GPS rangers of decomposing granite ridge trail atop the Tuscarora. When Charles Hillon manassas National battlefield Park hopes of a National Guard helicopter drop vanished, Pete David A. House AT maryland led the effort to carry to the shelter site 65 6”x12’ logs, 20 John Huennekens Acme Treadway 80-pound bags of concrete, 900 feet of framing lumber, 32 David randy Jackson Cabins maintenance pieces of standing seam metal roofing, floor boards, posts, richard J. Kafka Activities roof decking, and other materials and tools, as well as the Cindy l. Kelly Trail Patrol generator. On the day the crew gathered at the material mike leo Flying macleods staging area, amid the expected grousing, Pete simply picked Christopher e. looney blackburn Trail Center up a load and everyone else followed. Actual construction Jayne mayne 2015 biennial of the shelter then began in earnest, with the metal roofing Jeff monroe maps Committee slated for carry-in and installation in late September. michael J. moran Wolf Trap Jessica murphy Communications The third project involved rebuilding the access bridge russell muter manassas National battlefield Park to Silberman cabin. Not merely a pedestrian bridge, the David Nebhut SNP North Silberman bridge had to be engineered to handle vehicle James H. Peterson lands traffic, including the 40-ton dump trucks that carry stone rick Purvis manassas bullrunners for the cabin access road. Amidst the other construction richard rooney Staff Director Selection work trips, Pete coordinated multiple Saturday work events George m. ruben Headquarters where the Yankee Clippers stained the timbers, removed the Kathleen e Seiler North Chapter existing deck, and installed the new timbers along with side John Stacy Spooky beavers rails on the 45-foot bridge spanning Aughwick Creek. Pete Taylor Tuscarora South Jeffrey l. Testerman Facilities Another major “construction” project on Pete’s schedule James Thompson maryland metro was redesigning the North Chapter website, which is now richard Weyrick AT mosby District informative, creative, and should prove to be an effective Patrick A. Wilson SNP Central recruiting tool. Pete identified a retired IT professional to michael D. Wingeart President's Selection volunteer to build this state-of-the-art website. Pete then David Ziobro Pennsylvania encouraged contributions to the website and along with the web (continued on p. 22) 6 January 2015 • Potomac aPPalachian t seRVice AwARds h A These awards are presented to members who have outstanding n volunteer service over the current year. Nominees are k y selected by the crew leader, district manager, committee o u chairman or president of the chapter/section. Awardees receive a certificate with their name and the award title and at their option a rocker bar with the name of the award. Peter Aagaard Anne Corwith Fritz Gottschalk Gene leese Jeff Paccione Joseph Stielper bruce Agnew Jim Corwith maston Gray richard leslie Wendy Pacek Janis Stone John Allen John Corwith Charlie Gutberlet rachel levin Glenn Palatini russ Strosnider mark Allen Kevin Costello Charlie Gutridge Denny libby Sean Palmer James Surdukowski michael Allen Dorsey Counts Frank Haas Wayne limberg Dick Peacock leigh Surdukowski Terry Allen Steph Danahy Hal Hallett lawrence linebrink melanie Perl David Sylvester mark Anderson Steve Dannenfeldt Ceresa Haney Charles little James Peterson Jim Tabor Ken Andrews Anstr Davidson roger Hanson James little robert Pickett Hardcharger Taylor luke Arbogast Don Davis Georgia Harris robert livezey Catherine Pipan Harry Thie William Archer Howard Davis Peter Harris eugene locke laurie Potteiger Kathleen Thie Cynthia Ardecki Alan Day michael Heckman robert look richard Potteiger Pat Thomas Janet Arici Saleena DeVore Peter Hedrich Don looney David Proffitt James Thompson bob Athey bill Downes John Hedrick John lord Andrew Protigal Carole Tomhave Todd Athey Daniel Dueweke Adam Henderson Jack luksik Dan Pulskamp roger Tomhave Jonathan Atkins richard Dugan Tex Herbel Dennis lykins rick Purvis Keith Tondrick esther Aulthouse marilyn Duncan Clyde Hicks Kathy lykins Ted rabkin robert Torla Tom Avey Scott Duncan Harry Hicock Ian macKay Dan ralston David Trone Jennifer Azzariti michael Dyas ellen Hill Charlie macleod Ash rao Glen Tsaparas edna baden bette Dzamba Charles Hillon Doug madej Joseph raynor J Tucker Steve bair Dick eagan John Hobler Justin maimone michael reese Jen Tullman Christy barber brandon easley John Holman Chris mangold marie restrepo Stanley Turk Stephen barber larry eavey mark Holsteen lee manning richard rhoades Dee utz Dick batiste mark ellis Dick Hostelley rick marsalek James rice Dan Varela Gregory bayens melvin ellis Greg Houchens David martin russell riggs mike Wagner Alvin black Kirsten elowsky John Huennekens Kenneth may Jon rindt Diana Wahl Paul blackman robert england Charles Hughes John mcCrea Katherine rindt George Walters Gordon bradford eliza beth engle Douglas Humphrey bob mccullough richard rooney Heather Warren John bridges David erdman Timothy Hupp elizabeth mcGowan Thomas rostek John Watson‑Jones ed brimberg Audrey ewin Tom Hutchings Tom mcIntosh George ruben George Weissbach bob brown David Fellers Jim Hutzler matthew mcleod Thomas ryan Dale Welter Karen brown Joanne Fenninger Dan Innamorato Jeanne mcSorley David Saah William Wentz lindsay brown Victor Fickes robert Jennings George meek Keith Salley Allen Wheeler Peter brown michael Filchock mike Johnson Ann melle Alex Sanders Gene Whitaker Kathleen brumberger Peter Fink robert Johnson Scott miller randy Sanders bea White Gary bruner Curtis Finney Thomas Johnson Peter minderman Catherine Savel bruce White Chris brunton George Finney Dave Jordahl Charlie miracle John Schell Donald White Casey buboltz Tawnya Finney Thomas Jorgensen Jeff monroe bob Scott Ken White ron bungay Jim Finucane lou Juliana Francis moran eric Seaborg David Wilcox Frank burke Christopher Firme Jay Jupiter Chip morgan Jeffrey Seal Karl Wilkerson Heather Callahan ben FitzGerald richard Kafka Stef morris Kathleen Seiler Andrew Willgruber lynn Cameron randall Flynn leonard Keifer randy motz David Sellers Ken Williams malcolm Cameron William Ford Cynthia Kelly edwin murawski michael Seth Pam Williams laura Campbell Noel Freeman mills Kelly matthew murray Philip Shanholtzer rush Williamson richard Canter robert Freeman eric Keltz Peter muschamp John Shannon melanie Wilson beverley Carver ralph Frink J. J. King russell muter lee Sheaffer Patrick Wilson Scott Cates lynn Gallagher Susan King Jerry Naeve Kit Sheffield robert Wise margaret Chapman ray Galles Gregg Kneipp barbara Nash Karen Shull Douglas Wolf Dewey Clark David Garman robert lake David Nebhut rima Silenas Jackie Wolf mary Clark betty Gatewood Alexandra lampros mark Nelson Zoe Sollenberger Tom Wolf robert Clark mark Gatewood Jeffrey landis robert Nelson Thomas Sowers Joe Wood James Clary Peter Gatje Joann langston Heather Niemela James Speicher Constance Wright mike Cohn marit Gay robin laskowski Kate Nolan John Spies David Wurst Nick Colombo Alan Gerber rob lauchner lynn olson John Stacy John Zampino Trish Colombo Patricia Getty robert laughlin rhett orndorff Patrick Stark David Ziobro Doug Connell Iva Gillet Joseph laws Kelly o'rourke James Stauch John Conover ellen Glynn michael leahy Stephen osbrach George Stepanovich larry Corcoran Jean Golightly Peter leComte emeline otey richard Stickley January 2015 • Potomac aPPalachian 7 dick’s Musings For the past two years I have been PATC’s vice president—volunteerism, during which time I have had an opportunity to see the many facets of this club. I have been very impressed with the work done by our many volunteers and their dedication in maintaining trails, huts, shelters and cabins. I am excited about this opportunity to be a voice for PATC as your president. My predecessor John Hedrick has laid a strong foundation for the new EXCOM to build upon. The club is in a strong financial position for PATC President Dick Hostelley met this fellow in Fort William, Scotland. “I introduced growth and sustainability due to myself, but he held his lips as tight as a steel trap, and said not a thing,” Hostelley says his leadership. Thank you, John! Photo courtesy of Dick Hostelley The first challenge facing EXCOM things planned and in order. The big foundation on which the club will will be to develop a strategic plan hiccup at present is software. Computers continue to grow and sustain itself. that outlines a disciplined approach are wonderful, except when they do to producing fundamental decisions not do what you want them to do. Like to comment? Send your thoughts and actions that shape and guide what to: [email protected]. PATC is, what it does, and why it I look forward to serving you, PATC’s does it, with a focus on the future. membership, as president, and I pledge -DICK that I will perform my duties as your The measure of who we are is what we do PATC is financially strong. Now let us president in a professional, ethical, and with what we have.—Vince Lombardi work on being strong with diversity in thoughtful manner. The presidents membership. The club must recruit, who have served before have laid a engage and retain a younger and more diverse demographic. I encourage EXCOM, when developing the PATC VolunteeR of the Month strategic plan, to follow the Appalachian RoB lAuchneR Trail Conservancy (ATC), which addressed diversity in its strategic Plan Rob has been working on trails for as “Broader Relevancy,” which states, in many years. Back in the 1990s, he was a part: “Engage with and connect…to a PATC overseer in Shenandoah National younger and a more diverse audience…” Park, working alongside the likes of Phil Fosterman and Anneliese Ring, Another area EXCOM will be looking to who was supervisor of trails at the time. address is how the present website reflects Rob, Phil and Anneliese were regulars PATC’s character and personality. We of the Blue and White Crew in SNP. will encourage those who have left our membership to come back into the fold. Rob moved to Colorado—home of the Additionally, the club must look at ways Rocky Mountains—in 1999 and became to garner funding through donations, a volunteer maintainer of the Colorado grants, planned giving, monthly giving Trail. His section in the Collegiate Range and other means to ensure long-term of Chaffee County was a long drive from financial success. As well, we must update home and very difficult to hike to. our outdated Land Management Plan. Rob returned from Colorado to In the new year, PATC’s primary Maryland in 2011, and decided to get challenge is the 2015 Biennial back to PATC trail stewardship. He Conference, for which Lee Shaeffer, met up with the South Mountaineers Rush Williamson and their steering Volunteer of the month rob lauchner. and has become the overseer of the committee are hard at work getting Photo by Sharon Lauchner Thurston Griggs Trail and nearby 8 January 2015 • Potomac aPPalachian sections of the Appalachian Trail either side of Pogo Campsite. He officially became the overseer in the summer of 2013. The tread repairs on the Griggs Trail are his handiwork. Rob has also helped by weeding trails on crew workdays, starting at 6 or 7 a.m., in the muggy air of summertime. Along with his wife Sharon, he mows the Appalachian Trail's open areas in Weverton, Fox Gap and Turners Gap. Rob's professional expertise is in GIS, and he has the maps on the walls of his home to prove it. Not just any old maps, but a rather unique and eclectic assortment. Rob is currently between jobs; he has spent that free time working for PATC and getting his fixer-upper house in great shape. Rob is an avid hiker; he has thru- hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and section-hiked most of the AT. He John Hedrick and Antietam Superintendent Susan Trail. Photo by Jane Custer/NPS also enjoys biking rail-trails and canoeing. Sharon and Rob live near the Appalachian Trail in Maryland. PAtc Adds new MARylAnd nAtionAl BAttlefield PARks tRAil distRict PATC thanks Rob Lauchner for all of his dedication and good Let the cannons virtually roar again! deeds he performs for the club. On Nov. 3, 2014, PATC President John Hedrick and Antietam National Battlefield —Sharon Lauchner and Rick Canter Park Superintendent Susan Trail signed a Memorandum of Understanding for trail maintenance at the park. Also in attendance were PATC’s Supervisor of Trails Jon Know a PATC volunteer who goes “above Rindt; Jane Custer, chief of the Resource Management Division at Antietam; and and beyond”? Nominate him or her for PATC District Manager Jim Tomlin. Volunteer of the Month! Send nominations to Rick Canter at [email protected]. PATC has now officially added its 25th trail district and 13th formal collaboration with a national park. Located in Sharpsburg, Md., Antietam National Battlefield was the scene of the highest number of casualties (23,000) in one day of battle in all of U.S. history, on Sept. 17, 1862. Through this agreement, PATC will maintain a majestically scenic and historically fascinating trail network at Antietam, comprising 12 trails and 13.4 miles, as part of the new PATC Maryland National Battlefield Parks District. From the grassy paths around the Cornfield and the memorials along Bloody Lane to a quiet streamside walk along Antietam Creek, Antietam battlefield has many delightful trails in store for any hiker, especially history buffs. See http://www.nps. gov/anti/planyourvisit/upload/Hiking-2011.pdf for more information about the trails. PATC is proud to assist Antietam National Battlefield Park staff with the upkeep and improvement of these trails. Many thanks to all of the PATC volunteers who have stepped forward to volunteer to oversee a section of trail at Antietam. This duty is quite an honor for PATC. Keep an eye out on the “Help Wanted” section of the PA for available opportunities to oversee a trail or be part of an ad hoc trail crew at Antietam. For more information, contact [email protected]. —Submitted by Perry O. Bear January 2015 • Potomac aPPalachian 9 foRecAst chAPteRs W. Va. However, anyone, regardless of get together with the members of area groups. where they reside, may request to join Check out the Forecast calendar on the PATC charlottesville chapter the chapter’s Yahoo group (www. groups. website www.patc.net for information. The Charlottesville Chapter hikes every yahoo.com/group/ PATCWest). The group trail Patrol Saturday; summer, winter and in between. is open to anyone interested in chapter Trail Patrol volunteers are PATC’s goodwill Hikes are usually 8 to 10 miles with some events but only current PATC members may ambassadors to the hiking public. They shorter hikes. We usually maintain trails post messages to the group. Hikes, trail provide a visible, reassuring presence on on the last Saturday of the month. meet at work trips and other activities are generally the trails, and strive to educate the public Albemarle High School in Charlottesville scheduled from march through December. on good hiking practices, minimum impact at 9 a.m. with food and water for the day. INFo: Dave Jordahl [email protected]. hiking and camping ethics. Patrol members The majority of hikes are in the South and are trained in land navigation, emergency Central Districts of SNP, with some in the sPeciAl inteRest sections procedures and personal equipment. North District and in George Washington INFo: murry moskowitz (trailpatrol@patc. National Forest. Chapter hikes are posted ski touring section (sts) net) or www.patc.net/trailpatrol. at www.patc‑charlottesville.blogspot.com/ Since 1974, the STS has served to provide (select Hike Schedule from the menu) cross‑country skiing experiences for beginner other clubs’ hikes INFo: Iva Gillet ([email protected]) or through expert. The section sponsors We include these hikes to give members Dan ralston ([email protected]) winter weekend ski trips to the mountains in more chances to hike. Please note that maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania; there is no charge to go on a PATC hike, north chapter there are also more extensive trips that travel unless specifically stated. For many of The North Chapter conducts monthly trail west, north and across the ocean. Social these clubs there is a charge if you are work trips on the maryland and Pennsylvania events are scheduled throughout the year. not a member of their organization. sections of the AT and Tuscarora Trail. We If you share a respect for nature and enjoy capital hiking club also lead hikes on these and other trails. maryland AT work trips are generally held outdoor exercise, peaceful scenic trails, and (www.capitalhikingclub.org) and wanderbirds on the first and third Saturdays; contact cheerful, goodhearted companions, join STS. (www.wanderbirds.org) hike on Saturdays leonard Keifer ([email protected]). INFo: rob Swennes and Sundays, traveling by bus and leaving Pennsylvania work trips are generally held [email protected]. from downtown, with suburban stops as well. on the AT on the first Saturday and on the Mountaineering section center hiking club Tuscarora on the third Saturday; contact We’re a diverse group of local D.C.‑area (www.centerhikingclub.org) and sierra club Pete brown ([email protected]) climbers who share a common interest in (www.dc.sierraclub.org) hike on Saturdays 410/343‑1140. Pennsylvania AT work trips promoting safe climbing, conserving the and Sundays using carpools. Schedules also include an optional Saturday dinner outdoors, developing new climbers’ skills, are available at PATC Headquarters. at the Gypsy Spring Cabin. For information representing the Washington‑area climbing northern Virginia hiking club on upcoming hikes, contact Chris Firme at community and having fun! We provide 717/794‑2855 or [email protected]. instruction for those wanting to learn the (www.nvhc.com/) offers an amazing Chapter home page is www.north.patc.net. basics—we are not a school, but we can number and variety of outdoor activities. get you started. our climbs are local or west Virginia highland conservancy northern shenandoah Valley chapter further afield, nearly every weekend. In (www.wvhighlands.org) outings The NSVC Chapter is now in the process of the winter, we organize trips for beginning are mostly in W. Va. reorganizing to build a chapter that has a focus and advanced ice climbers. Please visit our in line with that of the club and provides each website at www.potomacmountainclub.org/. Meetings member the opportunity to help build and direct INFo: Andrew Weinmann at 540/550‑6522 the club in its activities. For more information or [email protected]. new Members on becoming a member of the Chapter or how to get involved in the reorganization PAtc hikes Third Wednesday of each month (verify process contact the interim Chapter President PATC offers diverse organized hikes. on in the Forecast). Curious about the club? brian Heflin at [email protected]. weekends and weekdays, there are family Current, new and non‑members are hikes tailored to kids; natural history hikes welcome to come and learn about PATC. southern shenandoah Valley chapter stalking the fascinating but often elusive INFo: Supervisor of membership, For descriptions of hikes and work trips, go to flora and fauna of the region; hikes featuring [email protected] www.ssvc.org or www.patc.net. We usually varying levels of difficulty with the easy Hikers, Mountaineering ‑ second wednesday hike in the southern and central districts of the SNP and in the GWNF. Contact the midweek Hikers, and Vigorous Hikers; birding 7:30 p.m. except for August, or listed hike leader for information about a hikes with experts to help sight and identify unless noted in the Forecast. specific event, or contact malcolm Cameron, our avian neighbors; historical hikes tracking INFo: Andrew Weinmann [email protected] or 750/234‑6273. little known structures in SNP; series hikes on (540/550‑6522 or [email protected]) a long trail or in a specific area; backpacking west chapter trips; geology hikes focused on the unique shenandoah Mountain Rescue group (sMRg) ‑ tuesday The West Chapter is meant to serve those stratigraphy of our area; waterfall hikes to residents who live in the area bounded beat the summer heat; and, outreach hikes to Group business meeting, 7:30 p.m. by Frederick, md., to leesburg, Va., west INFo and next meeting date: to Hancock, md. and to berkeley Springs, [email protected] or www.smrg.org 10 January 2015 • Potomac aPPalachian