THE NEWSLETTER OF THE POTOMAC APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUB
SEPTEMBER 2016 ‑ VOLUME 45, NUMBER 9
CORBIN CABIN PROVIDED A PLACE FOR STUDENTS TO HANG OUT.
PHOTO COURTESY OF COAR
VOLUNTEER OF THE
MONTH
6
HIKER'S NOTEBOOK
11
WHAT'S THAT
FLOWER
12
118 PARK STREET, S.E.,
VIENNA, VA 22180‑4609
WWW.PATC.NET
ISSN 098‑8L54
UVA FRESHMEN ORIENTATION AT PATC CABINS
We would like to express our appreciation to PATC which has provided us, Cavalier Outdoor
Adventure Retreat (COAR) and the Outdoor Recreation program, both part of the Intramural
Rec Sports Department at the University of Virginia, the opportunity to host and provide
the COAR experience to the incoming first year class at the University of Virginia.
This is the first summer that COAR has provided its experience to new incoming first year
students at UVA. During the summer of 2015, we ran a pilot program of three experiences
and used the Doyles River Cabin and the surrounding trails in Shenandoah National Park.
Given the response and support that the participants in the pilot program, the UVA summer
orientation sessions, and our department gave us, the Director of the UVA Outdoor Recreation
Program, John McCall, decided to design and coordinate the summer 2016 experience.
For this summer, the COAR program was expanded to provide nine outdoor-oriented
experiences, each three-and-a-half days, three nights, which take place after the first
evening in Shenandoah National Park and make use of PATC’s Doyles River and
Corbin cabins. Different groups stay at each cabin and follow similar itineraries while
utilizing the unique trails and outdoor environments around their respective cabin.
Being at these locations and hiking the trails that we do, this also allows the COAR
program the opportunity to not just introduce but practice the appropriate Leave No
Trace principles that impress upon the participants the importance of being a good
steward of the national park and its resources. The groups take the opportunity to
come to understand some of the historical uniqueness of SNP and its trail systems,
the history of the cabins, and the extensive use of the AT and its thru hikers.
continued on P. 3
the chairman of the Appalachian Trail
Conference (now Conservancy).
Until Avery’s death in 1952, it
was questionable whether ATC or
PATC was running the Appalachian
Trail. But it was PATC.
DICK'S MUSINGS
Birthday celebrations can be meaningful
and memorable at any age, and
celebrating a milestone birthday like 90
certainly deserves a party! The details
of the celebration look different for
each occasion being celebrated, but
each should be a memory that lasts.
Of course, we all know the best birthday
parties focus on honoring the wisdom
that comes with age, celebrating a life
well lived and hoping for many happy
years to come. That is what PATC will be
celebrating in 2017, our 90th birthday.
Our Staff Director, Brewster Thackeray,
is beginning to look at ways to celebrate
the year and specifically the day. He no
doubt will have more to say about the
celebration in the months to come.
These gentlemen set out to scout a route
in Northern Virginia, from Harpers Ferry
south to the northern boundary of the
planned Shenandoah National Park, and
later continued on to Rockfish Gap, the
planned southern boundary of the park.
In a short time, Myron Avery, Frank
Schairer and their rapidly increasing
team of minions had scouted, selected
and cleared 260 miles to Duncannon,
Pa. At the same time he was president
of the PATC, Myron Avery was also
2
•
Blackburn Septic System
Fundraising – This fundraising
effort has proven to be a worthwhile
undertaking, thanks to the efforts
of Brewster Thackeray. I also want
to say a special thank you to all
those donors who have generously
given their support of this important
improvement in the septic system at
Blackburn. (See related story on p. 5)
•
Hunting Policy – As many of you
may be aware, PATC cabins are
mostly found in a “wilderness”
environment, which attracts hunters,
both legally and illegally. A motion
is being prepared and is moving
through the vetting process that
will grant permission to hunt on
any PATC property. The hunter
must carry on their person a signed
written copy of such permission at
all times while hunting on a specific
property and must display it to any
PATC overseer, district manager
or officer upon request. This
permission will be granted for a
specified time period, and must
be reauthorized on an annual
basis. All hunters must obey local
hunting rules and regulations,
and must carry appropriate valid
hunting licenses for the locale
in which they are hunting. It is
planned to have this in effect prior
to the 2016 hunting season. Please
watch the PA for an announcement
as well as the PATC website.
•
Accounting Position – Our auditing
firm made a strong suggestion that
we consider hiring an Accounting
Assistant. That is in process as I
prepare this “Musing.” EXCOM
has agreed that this position is a
necessity because the club’s financials
are becoming more involved as
time moves on. The position
announcement is being prepared
and will be forthcoming in the
next couple of weeks, with a start
date sometime in the early fall.
•
“Big Gulp” – Waste needs to be
removed from cabins and huts with
septic systems and vaulted privies.
I hope when Brewster calls for
volunteers, a number of you will
come forward and make the occasion
a great celebration of a great club.
There are presently a number of things
EXCOM and the staff are working on
that I would like to make you aware of:
•
Building Keying – For a number
of years, keys have been a problem.
It seems people who are entrusted
with a key for a specific purpose
want to hold onto the key after the
purpose no longer exists. There
is a desire to eliminate this use of
keys. So, research is under way for
a method of entry to Headquarters
and inter-offices by individuals
who are authorized such entry
for a specified period of time.
Once the time comes and goes,
entry is no longer permitted.
•
Air Conditioning Update – Air
conditioning continues to be a
problem. In spring and summer it
is hot, in fall and winter it is cold,
and there is no balance. Attempts
have been made to correct the
problem, with little success. Presently
a 10-ton unit and a 5-ton unit do
the air conditioning; this in itself is
not a balance, and we must correct
this problem. Several heating and
cooling companies have looked at the
problem and presented solutions, but
the solutions do not work. The 5-ton
unit is not doing the job, or maybe
the 10- and 5-ton units are not doing
the job. Plus the second floor is made
You are no doubt wondering what I
am talking about. Well, let me share
a brief bit of PATC history that Tom
Johnson shared with me sometime
ago. I must add this disclaimer: I may
paraphrase occasionally but most of
the following words are Tom’s.
On Nov. 22, 1927, “Six Immortals”
got together in the conference room
of a bank building in downtown
Washington, D.C., and formed the
organization that we know as the
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. Those
six were Andy Anderson, Myron Avery,
Homer Corson, P.L. Ricker, Frank
Schairer and Lawrence Schmeckebier.
up of a number of small nooks and
crannies, making air conditioning
and heating a problem. We must
correct this problem, but it is costly.
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
In most instances, the cabin or hut
is located in an area that is extremely
difficult for a septic truck to service.
Therefore, the purchase of “Big
Gulp,” a 350-gallon container and
motor mounted on a trailer for ease
of transport. With this acquisition
comes a bit of learning; the “Big
Gulp” team will visit club septic
systems in cabins and vaulted privies
at shelters and huts as needed.
•
Rabies – A recent incident with
two thru hikers who were bitten
and scratched by a rabid skunk on
the AT reminds us that rabies is
a problem that requires attention.
John Hedrick was notified and
made the necessary contact with
the hikers and medical personnel
along the trail. They have been
medicated and to the best of John’s
knowledge and are either moving
up the trail or staying in place and
getting the proper treatment.
The point I would like to make is this:
If a PATC volunteer becomes aware of
an affected animal, please notify the
crew leader, who will notify the proper
authorities to catch or remove the
animal. Under no circumstance should
any volunteer be put in a position to
either capture or cause death to the
animal. Park personnel are trained as
to the method of capture and handling
of the animal, regardless of size.
Here is what the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
has to say about rabies:
difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia
(fear of water). Death usually occurs within
days of the onset of these symptoms.”
Please exercise caution if you happen
to see a rabid animal; they are
dangerous. Please report their presence;
you will be performing a service.
One last thing; for those of you who
have placed your name as a nominee for
office, mark the date of Jan. 7, 2017 as
the off-site meeting of EXCOM. This
meeting will address the transition of new
members and their respective EXCOM
roles. The meeting will be held at Bears
Den Lodge and Hostel from 9 a.m. until
3:30 p.m. In the past we have found
this to be an excellent meeting, and it
helps set the stage for the coming year.
In addition, once an announcement
is made (Aug. 15) of office nominees,
I would like to invite all nominees
to attend EXCOM and Council to
get a flavor of the discussions and
how each body operates. The dates
for the respective meetings may
be found on the club website.
If you wish to comment, please
do so at [email protected].
—DICK
“Give me the splendid silent sun with all
his beams full-dazzling” Walt Whitman
COAR
CONTINUED FROM P.1
In all, the total number of users for
this summer’s program that benefitted
from the use of the cabins and the
park’s acreage totaled 91 people,
which includes 76 participants, 7 staff
members, and 8 faculty/staff volunteers.
Cavalier Outdoor Adventure Retreat is a
new UVA outdoor orientation program.
Its goal is to foster relationships between
first year students, create a strong support
network, increase awareness of the many
outdoor opportunities around UVA and
the Blue Ridge Mountains, and introduce
students to UVA faculty and staff in a
more relaxed and personal setting. The
program is organized by UVA Outdoor
Recreation and all food, equipment,
and transportation is included.
In closing, we would like to express our
appreciation of being able to be a user
of the resources within SNP and the
PATC cabins, which we feel provide a
unique venue for the COAR program to
take place. The program also appreciates
the level of maintenance and care that
the cabins receive. That being said, as a
possible service opportunity, we could
continue to develop this partnership
and create a service day at a cabin which
would be provided by COAR participants
as another way to say thank you.
—The University of Virginia Outdoor
Recreation Program, Cavalier Outdoor
Adventure Retreat (COAR)
“Rabies is a preventable viral disease of
mammals most often transmitted through
the bite of a rabid animal. The vast
majority of rabies cases reported to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) each year occur in wild animals
like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes.
The rabies virus infects the central nervous
system, ultimately causing disease in the
brain and death. The early symptoms of
rabies in people are similar to that of many
other illnesses, including fever, headache,
and general weakness or discomfort. As the
disease progresses, more specific symptoms
appear and may include insomnia, anxiety,
confusion, slight or partial paralysis,
excitation, hallucinations, agitation,
hypersalivation (increase in saliva),
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
Incoming UVa freshmen got a real
outdoors experience at PATC cabins.
Photo courtesy of COAR
3
PATC NEEDS YOUR VOTE!!!!
Staff Director (if you received it by mail,
return it in the envelope provided).
Next month is the biennial election
issue of the PA. It will include brief
statements from the candidates running
for office, describing what they have
to offer to the club and its members.
3. Absentee ballots must be returned
to the PATC Office in Vienna no later
than 5 p.m. on the day of the election/
Annual Dinner, Nov. 17, 2016.
SHENANDOAH’S JIM
NORTHRUP TO KEYNOTE
PATC’S 89TH ANNUAL
MEETING & AWARDS
BANQUET NOV. 17
4. Your absentee ballot will remain
sealed in its envelope until it is
opened and put straight into the
ballot box at the Annual Dinner.
Jim Northrup, superintendent of
Shenandoah National Park, will be the
keynote speaker at PATC’s 89th Annual
Meeting and Awards Banquet on Nov. 17.
You may vote if you have:
“I am delighted that Jim will be our
speaker,” said PATC President Dick
Hostelley, who extended the invitation.
“2016 is the 100th anniversary of the
National Park Service, and Jim has been
with the agency for more than a third
of that century. Given PATC’s long and
enduring relationship with Shenandoah,
this is a terrific opportunity for our
members to hear the latest from him.”
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ
THEIR STATEMENTS, and to call
or email them to learn more. But most
importantly, PLEASE VOTE; these are
the leadership and staff for YOUR club!
There are two ways for members to vote:
1. Attend the Annual PATC Dinner
in November and receive and submit
your ballot there (even if you’re not
participating in the dinner, you can
receive and submit your ballot at the
registration table on Nov. 17 at the
dinner site, Meadowlark Gardens. Bring
your membership card or a photo ID).
2. Request and return an absentee ballot.
For some time, less than 200 members
have participated in the elections,
with most of the ballots coming from
members attending the Annual Dinner.
This year, the Election Committee
would like to see more absentee
ballots than ballots cast at the dinner!
This is YOUR club – we need your
voice! Please help us reach this goal
by requesting and submitting an
absentee ballot. Here’s how to do it:
1. An individual, senior
individual, individual life, or
honorary life membership.
2. A student membership and
are 18-20 years of age.
3. A couple, senior couple, life couple,
or life-and-spouse membership – both
members of the couple may vote.
4. A family membership - only
two people over the age of 21 and
living at the same address may vote
(dependents under 18 cannot vote due
to their age; those 18 or older need
their own membership to vote).
Thank you!
PATC members will gather for
the Annual Meeting and Awards
Banquet once again in the Atrium
at Meadowlark Gardens, at 9750
Meadowlark Gardens Court in Vienna,
Virginia, on the evening of Thursday,
Nov. 17. We will begin the festivities
at 6 p.m. with a social gathering,
followed by a buffet‑style dinner.
1. Starting on Sept. 15 request your
absentee ballot from the PATC Staff
Director by e-mail, phone call, a letter,
or a visit to the PATC office in Vienna:
Brewster Thackeray ([email protected])
Staff Director
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
118 Park St, SE
Vienna, VA 22180
703/242-0315, x 105
Registration
The cost is $45 per person and the RSVP
deadline is Nov. 7. We encourage you to
register early as this event was at capacity
last year and may sell out. Registration
and payment online is easy and secure
by going to www.patc.net/2016meeting.
You can also mail your payment and
names of attendees to PATC, 118
Park Street, SE, Vienna, VA 22180.
When requesting a ballot, state
whether you are requesting
ballot(s) for an individual, student,
couple, or family membership.
2. After you receive your ballot, complete
your vote, put your name and signature
on the outside, and hand deliver it to
the PATC headquarters or mail it to the
4
Northrup was named superintendent
of Shenandoah National Park and
Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National
Historical Park in January 2013. He
previously served as superintendent of
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and as
chief ranger at Great Smoky Mountains
National Park. He began his Park
Service career as a seasonal ranger at
Shenandoah National Park in 1979.
Jim Northrup, superintendent of
Shenandoah National Park, will be the
keynote speaker at November's Annual
Meeting and Awards Banquet.
Banquet Brigade Upgrade
Please consider saluting PATC’s 89 years
of service on the trails by upgrading to a
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
Banquet Brigade Ticket for $89. Banquet
Brigade Members will be listed in the
event program and will receive special
tokens of appreciation at registration.
2016 Elections
PATC’s biennial elections will be held
at the 2016 Annual Meeting. Voting
may be conducted in person at the
meeting or by absentee ballot. You
must be a PATC member to vote.
Absentee ballots may be requested
from the club Staff Director by email
([email protected]), phone (703/2420315 x105), or by writing to PATC, 118
Park Street SE, Vienna, VA 22180.
Silent Auction
PATC Staff are organizing a small silent
auction at this year’s Annual Meeting
and Awards Banquet that will launch
fundraising for the organization’s
upcoming 90th anniversary year.
If you are in a position to make a
donation of an auctionable item
valued at $50 or more, please contact
Staff Director Brewster Thackeray.
Silent auction contribution ideas include:
•
Hotel nights
•
Backpacking and outdoors gear
•
Trail-inspired or related artwork
•
Services, e.g. massage, training
•
Restaurant and other gift certificates
•
Food basket
•
Theatre or concert tickets
•
Autographed memorabilia
THANKS TO GENEROUS DONORS, PATC IS ON ITS WAY TO REPLACING BLACKBURN
CABIN'S SEPTIC SYSTEM.
PHOTO COURTESY OF PATC
ASSESSMENT OF
BLACKBURN SEPTIC
BEGINS; MEMBERS PUSH
FUNDRAISING EFFORT PAST
$25,000
Member financial support for the
Blackburn Trail Center modernization
effort has held strong and will ensure
that the club will be able to soon dive
into getting the work done. Seventyfive donors contributed last month,
bringing the total to 184 who have
pitched in so far, with $25,000 now
raised to upgrade Blackburn’s sanitary
facilities to 21st century standards.
Thank you, donors, for your support!
An engineer and backhoe professional
recently headed to Blackburn Trail
Center to assess the septic system
options. As expected, they confirmed
that a conventional system will not
work. Meetings are continuing to
determine the best option to replace
the center’s aging sanitary facilities.
Tax-deductible gifts may be mailed to
PATC, and a special “Blackburn 21” fund
has been added at www.patc.net/donate.
Directions to Meadowlark Gardens
Take I‑495 to Northern Virginia to
Exit 47 (Leesburg Pike/Rte. 7) towards
Tyson’s Corner (westbound). Proceed 4.5
miles on Leesburg Pike and turn left on
Beulah Road (Rte. 702). Go 1.7 miles on
Beulah and turn right into Meadowlark
Gardens Court. Park at the Atrium (the
building on the right when you enter).
Please join our partners and friends for
this special event. For more information,
contact Staff Director Brewster
Thackeray (contact information above).
See registration form on back page.
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
Yes! I want to help bring Blackburn Trail Center into the 21st century
□ I am enclosing a check for □  $100 □  $50 □  $
“Blackburn 21” on the memo line
made out to PATC with
Send checks to:
PATC, 118 Park St., SE, Vienna, VA 22180.
□ Please charge $
Account #
Name on card:
Signature
to my Visa or Mastercard:
Exp.
/
□ I will contribute online at www.patc.net/donate (on the “select fund” menu, click
Blackburn 21)
5
CABIN RENTAL POLICY
REMINDER
MIKE MORAN WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN CREATING THE WOLF TRAP TRAIL.
PHOTO BY ALAN DAY
Hard to believe – but winter is coming!
Please remember that effective Jan.
1, 2016, the “no-fault winter policy”
for cabin rental was rescinded. That
rule was hard to administer and led
to inconsistent results. Cabin renters
should be aware of the current rule. The current rule is that within seven
days of the first day of a rental period,
no refund is available for a cancellation. Specifically, there is no weather-related
refund policy--with one exception. For
the seven cabins that are accessible from
Skyline Drive, there is a refund available
for any night that the park closes the
section of the drive leading to the cabin. The relevant cabins are Range View,
Rock Spring, Corbin, Pocosin,
Doyles River, Argow, and Schairer,
but not Jones Mountain.
For a full explanation of the
cancellation/refund policy for cabins,
consult the PATC website cabins
pages at www.patc.net/cabins.
SALES and CABINS DESKS
Hours EXPANDED!
Beginning Sept. 14, our
Headquarters Sales and Cabins
desks will be open WEDNESDAY EVENINGS,
6-8 p.m.
If you would like to volunteer for one
or more Wednesday evenings a month
at the sales desk, contact Emeline
Otey ([email protected]). For the
cabins desk, contact Steve McLaughlin
([email protected]).
First-hand knowledge of hiking trails
and/or PATC cabins in the mid-Atlantic
region is a plus.
6
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH:
MICHAEL MORAN
Mike Moran is the overseer for the
trail around Wolf Trap National Park
for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Va.
He played a major role in bringing this
trail into existence and establishing
a connecting trail between Wolf
Trap and the Fairfax Cross County
trail. As a result of this process, Mike
maintains an excellent relationship
with park staff and with members of
the communities around Wolf Trap.
Working with Shouse Village, Cinnamon
Creek, Wolf Trap Den and Wolf Trap
Woods, he has established connector
trails with the park. These communities
have approximately 600 families.
He was awarded the PATC
Hawksbill award in 2014.
Mike is an avid national and
international hiker/backpacker; in
2010 he hiked the 220-mile John
Muir Trail in 19 days and in 2014,
the Canadian Rockies. Having joined
PATC in 2002, he has led Vigorous
Hikers groups for more than 12 years.
Mike promotes nature, conservation,
youth involvement and public
participation at every opportunity.
He is a founding board member of
Friends of Wolf Trap that supports the
park’s native garden, biodiversity, and
youth programs such as the TRACK
Trails, Kids-in-the-Park, and First-time
Campers events. Mike has worked
with the Youth Conservation Corps,
Eagle Scouts, and Girl Scouts.
He has actively participated in creating
wildflower and woodland gardens, and
developing and leading interpretive walks
with the pre-Wolf Trap performance
events. He has also prepared an illustrated
guide for interpretive hike leaders
and the Kids-in-the-Park program.
Mike worked most of his life developing
sustainable agricultural development
programs abroad, particularly in
Latin America and the Caribbean,
and educational activities related
to environmental improvement.
He views Wolf Trap trails as a connector
link to all the unique and beautiful areas
of the park. It is a unique environment
situated where over a million people in
the Washington, D.C., area can enjoy
the park to enhance their spirit, have
fun and learn. Mike views partnership
of PATC with the National Park for the
Performing Arts as one important way
to promote and facilitate appreciation
of the park's natural resources.
—Alan Day
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
LETTERS TO THE
EDITOR
To the Editor:
FEELING THE BERN, SUPER-DELEGATES,
THE RIGGED SYSTEM AND NEPOTISM
Let me start by explaining my personal
experiences with volunteering at PATC.
After many years of membership and trail
work with another trail system I joined
PATC. I received the newsletters and saw
a request for help with GPS mapping. After
numerous email attempts I finally received a
call from the person in charge of the project.
I was asked if I had familiarity with a specific
computer program that was to be used. I
answered that I had no experience with it
but would like to learn something new. I was
told that I could not be of any help to them. I
should look elsewhere.
A newsletter informed that a cabin crew
needed help in Pennsylvania. I called the
leader to find out how to get there. After
determining that it was going to be a several
hour drive, I asked the gentleman if I could
go up the night before and camp at the site.
He dissuaded me from doing so because, in
a round-about way, he implied some of the
gang go up the night before but being a new
person I might not be welcome to intrude on
their party. Really.
Another newsletter announced that PATC
needed cabin overseers. I got the form and
filled it out, citing a multitude of experience,
and sent it in. I never heard another word
from PATC.
I have tried to make sense of “Dick’s
Musings” over the past few newsletters,
regarding the command structure of PATC.
If I had to explain my understanding of what
I read to someone with no knowledge of the
situation it would be thus: A bunch of old
white guys are in charge, they intend to stay
in charge, and they do not want anyone to
mess that up. Therefore, they have created
the rigged system, with super-delegates, and
keep themselves in power with a two-book
accounting system. If the old white guys
feel threatened they reject a volunteer for
nothing more than threatening the status
quo. And on top of that, if they feel the urge,
they remove a capable volunteer to be
replaced with a relative or spouse of one of
the old white guys. I would tell the uninitiated
that EXCOM stands for excommunicate the
outsiders. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz is
looking for work, I’m told.
In summary, you say “Change cannot be
simply done with a click of fingers.” Tell that
to the volunteers booted out or rejected
because the old white guys felt threatened.
Looks more like one finger doing the flicking.
I’m sure I will not be called now about the
new cabin overseer posting even though I
have been on the waiting list for 5 years.
Respectfully,
Jeff Tucker
So when you allege all the warm
welcomes to volunteers, the words
ring hollow with me, and that is before
I get to the point of this letter.
VOLUNTEER WITH
THE POTOMAC
APPALACHIAN!
0
$11.2ber)
(mem
The 15th edition (2016) of the
“Appalachian Trail Guide to
Shenandoah National Park and
Side Trails” has just been released.
This edition, with the familiar
black bear on the cover, contains
essential information about hiking
and resources in SNP as well as
current park regulations related
to hiking and camping. The edition
also includes extensive information
about first aid along the trail, and
the human history, geology, and
natural history of the park. There
have been no major changes to the
AT or to the side trails since the last
edition. New to this edition are GPS
coordinates, using North American
Datum 83, for parking lots and key
road crossings. The trails in this
guide are shown on PATC Maps 9,
10, and 11.
Prices are $11.20 for members, $14
for non-members.
Be a part of the team that produces the PA each month. We are looking to fill the
following position.
Layout designer: Responsibilities will be shared with current Graphic Designer
of the newsletter. Commitment to approximately 15 hours of design work every
other month is expected. Education in graphic design and experience with Adobe
InDesign (CS4 minimum) is required.
Email Rachel at [email protected] if you are interested.
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
7
PATC WORKS TOWARD
FOREST HEALTH
IN SHENANDOAH
NATIONAL PARK
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
volunteers are working with the staff of
Shenandoah National Park to combat
the spread of invasive plants within
the park. In the course of two oneday workshops, Jake Hughes (SNP
Invasive Plant Specialist) instructed 15
PATC volunteers on the issues related
to invasive plants in the mid-Atlantic
forest and the importance of their control
to the Shenandoah National Park.
The backgrounds of these 15 volunteers
ranged from current trail overseer to
Virginia Master Naturalist to having
done college coursework in ecology.
Some participants commented that
they like this work because they find
themselves aging out of trail work
but still want to help in the forest.
Jake taught people how to use a free
smart phone app, MAEDN, which is
available for Android and iOS. This
app is designed to be an integral first
line defense in early detection and
early response to invasive plants in the
United States. Information collected
by the app is reported directly to the
EDDmapS database used by professional
ecologists to locate and treat invasive
plants. The database can be viewed
by anyone and displays reports on
a map down to the county level.
Because of a recent incident in which
a suspect was found in possession of
300 plants poached from the park,
volunteers have signed an agreement
that includes removal of invasive weeds
in their scope of work. REMEMBER,
it is NOT our land and any control
work must be done under the
direction of land management staff.
The volunteers will freely walk trails
and use the app to record their
observations; potentially walking the
same trails several times a year since
plant cover changes during the year.
As of July 31, these volunteers have
donated over 80 hours to the park. Those
who have stepped forward are: Jen
Brown, Mary Perkins, Kenneth Hooker,
Andy White, Stuart Scott, Sandy and
Nancy Christmas and Bernie and Sue
Olmstead, Wayne Morris, Stef Morris,
Jim Surdowski, Leigh Surdowsky,
Richard Annan and Brenda Jones.
One of the next projects the PATC Forest
Health Squad will be assisting the SNP
with is the creation of invasive free shelter
and bivouac sites. The Hoodlums Trail
Crew has kindly spoken up to pitch in.
If you are interested in helping to
protect the health of the mid-Atlantic
forest on any land unit on which
PATC works, please contact the
chair of the Naturalist Committee at
[email protected]
—Dewey Clark
Jake identified 12 invasive species of
importance to the park and led a field
trip so the volunteers could learn firsthand how easy this reporting system
is. It has a plant ID guide stored on the
phone, takes the photo of the suspected
plant from within the app and appends
it to the report, and also appends the
location from the phone’s GPS receiver.
This information goes to a reviewer (in
this case, Jake Hughes) who verifies
the report and approves it for inclusion
in the database. Within the park, this
information will be used to find invasive
“hotspots” along the trail the park staff
may not have yet found, potentially
allowing for eradication before the
invasive plant becomes established.
8
KICK OFF FALL HIKING WITH
THE WANDERBIRDS’ 2ND
ANNUAL JAMBOREE!
For the second year, Wanderbirds
Hiking Club has reserved the
entire Camp 2 (Mawavi) at Prince
William Forest Park in Triangle,
Va., from Friday evening, Sept.
23 to Sunday morning, Sept. 25. We
are inviting hikers from Capital
Hiking Club and other regional clubs
to join us for two days to celebrate
hiking and hiker camaraderie with
games, dancing and good food! Camp 2 is one of several Civilian
Conservation Corps-built summer
camps that are now on the National
Registry of Historic Places! You can find
a map of Camp 2 at https://www.nps.
gov/prwi/planyourvisit/upload/CC2a.
pdf and photos at https://www.nps.gov/
media/photo/gallery.htm?id=2B850EC01DD8-B71C-0702C9CE5CF7AE17.
Our group gatherings will be held in
the main dining lodge, which has a
large fireplace. We may also use the
camp's campfire ring that is a short
distance from the dining lodge.
Camp 2 features 2-, 4- and 6-person
cabins. We urge you to combine a
group of friends to reserve a larger
cabin! All of the cabins are within a
few yards of bathroom and shower
facilities. You will need bedding, towels
and your personal items, including a
flashlight/headlamp. Be set for hiking!
Wanderbirds will provide
dinner Friday night, breakfast and dinner
Saturday, and breakfast Sunday morning.
The cost will be $25 per night, which
will include breakfast the following
morning for a weekend total of $50.
BRING YOUR OWN beverages (other
than coffee) and food for lunch/snacks. Jake Hughes instructs PATC volunteers
in how to spot and report invasive plants.
L-R: Jake Hughes, Wayne Morris, Stef
Morris, Jim Surdowski, Leigh Surdowsky,
Richard Annan, Brenda Jones.
Photo by Dewey Clark
On Saturday, there will be hiking
opportunities leaving directly from the
camp. Sunday will feature a regularly
scheduled Wanderbirds hike that
Jamboree-ers will pay $5 directly to
the hike leaders as a “carpool” fee. Reserve your spot online here: http://
wanderbirds.org/jamboree.html or
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
by sending the following registration
form with a check made payable
to Wanderbirds Hiking Club to:
Emil Friberg, 1121 Arlington Blvd.,
#821, Arlington, VA 22209. BLACK BEAR NEAR CORBIN CABIN.
PHOTO BY MILLS KELLY
The cut-off for making reservations
is Sept. 16, 2016. No refunds
will be provided after Sept. 9.
Email any questions to
[email protected].
FallHikingJamboreeRegistrationForm
September23–25,2016
PrinceWilliamNationalForest
CabinCamp#2(Mawavi)
LastName__________________________________FirstName_______________________________
Emailaddress______________________________PreferredPhone#_______________________
Pleasechecktheeventsforwhichyouplantobeinattendance:
_______Friday,9/23Dinner
_______Saturday,9/24Breakfast
_______Friday,9/23Cabin
_______Saturday,9/24Dinner
_______Saturday,9/24Cabin
_______Sunday,9/25Breakfast
_______Sunday,9/25WanderbirdsHike(Jamboreeattendeeswillpayafee
of$5directlytoWanderbirdhikeleaders,noadditionalsignupactionnecessary)
Camp2has8cabinswith2beds,24cabinswith4beds,and4cabinswith6beds.Youarewelcome
tonameagroupoffriendswithwhomtosharealargercabin.Eachcabinliesafewyardsfrom
bathroomandshowers.Reservationrequestswillbegiveneveryconsiderationbutcannotbe
guaranteed.
CabinCapacityPreference_________________CabinCapacityAlternate_______________Nopreference___
PleaseprovidetheName(s)ofyourCabinmates:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
OneNight:$25_________TwoNights:$50_________(Eachnightincludesdinner,cabinand
breakfastthenextmorning.)
Pleaserememberthatreservationprioritywillbegivetothosestaying2nightsandonafirstcome,
firstservedbasis.Reservationswillnotbeconsidereddefiniteuntilpaymenthasbeenreceived.
ThispaymentcanbemadecheckpayabletoWanderbirdsHikingClubmailedtoEmilFriberg,1121
ArlingtonBlvd.,#821,Arlington,VA22209.Youwillreceiveaconfirmationofyourreservation
thereafter.
THE FURRY - AND NOT SO
FURRY - CABIN GUESTS
There are things that PATC does
not promise about a cabin rental
experience – clean sheets, a chocolate
on the pillow, and no critters.
Many renters are very familiar with
cabin mice. And who can blame the
mice? Especially when renters leave
yummy leftovers behind or crumbs
on the floor. As many renters have
experienced, mice love paper towels
and toilet paper to use in their nests.
An empty cabin during the week is the
perfect time to explore, find these helpful
items, and live a life of luxury….until
the next renters arrive, or the snakes
get wind of a new dinner option.
What is better for a snake’s dinner than
a selection of mice? And a selection
of mice available in a nice dark cabin
in the woods is even better! Of course
renters are not too thrilled to find a
black ratsnake lounging on the table
when they arrive at a cabin. Luckily, the
ratsnakes are nonvenomous and rather
harmless. Yes, they can bite, but usually
shooing them out the door is enough.
Northern copperheads and timber
rattlesnake can be a bit more challenging.
If they are in the cabin when a renter
arrives, the best thing to do is to try to
shoo them into the garbage can (available
to store food), place the lid on and then
move them outside. Black racers are
known to kill copperheads and rattlers.
So, not only are they good to keep the
mice population down, but could help
keep the venomous snakes away.
PLEASEMAILTHISFORMNOLATERTHANSEPTEMBER16. Cabin renters should always be aware of
the area surrounding the cabin. In the
continued on p. 10
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
9
CRITTERS
TRAILRUNNING? TAKE
PRECAUTIONS.
CONTINUED FROM P.9
past, we have had reports of copperheads
guarding an ash pit, and others trying to
sneak onto porches trying to enter into
cabins. In one unfortunate case, a curious
family dog was bitten. After seeking
immediate medical attention, it was fine.
Some renters have commented on
hearing or getting a glimpse of a large
rodent. These larger “mice” are actually
wood rats, which, depending on the
state falls into “species of concern”
(Virginia) or “endangered” (Maryland)
and cannot be killed. Dealing with
these critters is when we contact the
Natural Resources staff at Shenandoah
National Park as to what to do.
Bears are another concern at cabins, and
another reason why there is a “leave no
trace” policy. Bears are attracted by trash
and food left in and around a cabin.
One does not want to have an urgent
need for the outhouse, only to find that a
bear has sniffed out some dinner items.
The cabins also attract smaller guests
such as lady bugs and those awful
stink bugs! These guests can play an
important role. For example, lady bugs
were introduced to the area around
Cliff’s House in order to eat the woolly
adelgid scale insets that are killing
the surrounding hemlock trees.
Moths and other flying creatures are
attracted to headlamps, lamps and
candles. There is nothing like having
a moth fly into your face while trying
to dramatically lay down your full
house while playing cards at night.
PATC’s cabins offer renters the
opportunity to enjoy nature….
including the critters. It’s all
part of the cabin experience.
—Anne Corwith
Mouse at Range View.
Courtesy http://gallery3.jwbasecamp.com/
RangeView-08/
10
Wikipedia tells us “The ranks of trail
runners are increasing annually. They
have grown from 4.5 million to more
than 6 million in the United States alone
between 2006 and 2012.” One can only
imagine what that number is today.
“Runners often cite less impact stress
compared to road running, as well as the
landscape and non-urban environment,
as primary reasons for preferring trail
running,” according to Wikipedia” For
nearly identical reasons, most PATC
members would rather hike or backpack
in the backcountry rather than pound
leather on the streets of San Francisco.
With this expansion of trail running
comes an increase in novices who are
ill prepared for woodland trails and
make you say to yourself, “What the
heck were they thinking?” Shenandoah
National Park has taken to positioning
rangers at trailheads, checking
“hikers” to make sure they have water
at a minimum, and some food and
other necessities for longer hikes.
So it wasn’t surprising when on one of
the hottest Saturdays of the year, the
Cadillac Crew encountered a hiker in
distress. The crew had spent the day
working on the new Old Rag parking
lot connector trail and had just polished
off dinner when a young female hiker
approached, covered in sweat and frantic.
The story has a happy ending and
several lessons learned. The crew
located the husband, who had made
progress down the mountain with the
assistance of other hikers who had
provided him water and salted peanuts.
The wife meanwhile cooled down in
the Rindt’s air-conditioned vehicle as
they sought a landline and called 911.
The park was notified and sent a
vehicle down the fire road from Skyline
Drive to collect the husband. The
crew members returned to the cabin
covered in sweat and needing their
second showers for the evening having
“booked it” half way up Old Rag.
While none of us are likely to be able to
stop runners (or inexperienced hikers)
from attempting a strenuous hike in
less than ideal weather conditions, as
stewards of the trails, we should try.
We can also do more to be prepared to
provide even the most basic assistance.
The first rule in any outdoor adventure
is to know your surroundings. Not one
person on the crew (even yours truly, who
has been working on the cabin monthly
since sometime in 2012), knew that there
was an emergency phone on the side of
the ranger’s hut at the SNP parking lot.
The young woman had run past the crew
at the cabin, down to the lot to seek help
from the (absent) rangers, stopped at
the (absent) neighbor’s house seeking a
She was fashionably dressed for
running and carrying no water. Her
husband was up on Old Rag, suffering
from cramps and running low on
water. She had left her husband her
water and run some 4 miles to find
him help in 90-100 degree heat.
For the second time this year, the crew
sprang into action. After giving the
woman water and calming her down,
crew member and volunteer EMT
Ann Melle gathered personal history
about the runner’s husband. Ann,
Wilderness First Aid certified Robert
Fina and Janet Arici gathered supplies
and headed up Old Rag to attend to the
husband while Jon Rindt drove the wife
to find a cell connection or landline.
Trailrunning gives you the best of both
worlds: vigorous exercise and the
outdoors. Photo courtesy pixabay.com
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
landline before coming back up the road
to the Old Rag cabin, adding 0.6 miles
to her trek for assistance and water.
Other hikers helped the husband with
water and food, reminding us that in
the heat we are currently experiencing,
it wouldn’t hurt to carry an extra
liter of water in a disposable bottle,
trail bar and bandana you are willing
to part with. Finally, don’t be shy
about offering help or asking for it.
Speaking of which, Cadillac Crew
will be back at Old Rag working on
the parking lot connector trail on
Aug. 27. If you interested in sweating
half to death, please join the fun.
—John Corwith
HIKER'S NOTEBOOK:
GYPSY MOTHS
Life and Death in an Oak Forest
The Canaan Valley region of West
Virginia is a mecca for many hikers;
the Dolly Sods Wilderness, North Fork
(of the South Branch of the Potomac
River) Trail and Seneca Rocks beckon
those seeking a measure of solitude.
But all is not well in these havens. The
gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) has
arrived and multiplied to the extent
that the chestnut oak canopy in some
places is only a shadow of its former self;
the sunlit forest floor is now a fertile
field for the pervasive invasive species
that have proliferated - the oriental
bittersweet competing with Japanese
stiltgrass in a battle for turf and control.
The dark and dank wooded expanse
of the upland forest has become a
greensward of vegetation gone awry.
It has happened in other places over
time and there is some hope that the
scourge will pass and the mighty oak
will retain its leadership role in the
ecosystem. But this will take some time.
The destructive and rapacious feeding
behavior of gypsy moth larvae is
reflected in the names chosen for its
genus; Lymantria is from the Greek
word lymnater which means "destroyer"
in reference to the consumptive feeding
habits of the larval stage of the moth.
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
The etymology of the common name
“gypsy” is not well established; it
likely characterizes the peripatetic
behavior of the species.
Since its introduction into North America
in the mid-19th century, the gypsy moth
has defoliated millions of trees. It came
here via Etienne Trouvelot, a French
émigré who settled in Medford, Mass.,
in 1855. Trouvelot’s primary avocation
was raising silkworms for the production
of their namesake fabric, which he
sought to promote with indigenous
North American species. When
this proved problematic, he traveled
to France in search of alternatives,
returning in 1869 with the eggs of the
gypsy moth, which he inadvertently
released into the local environment.
Trouvelot reportedly raised a hue and
cry for their extermination, to no avail.
By 1886, the local area was infested.
His avocation having failed, Trouvelot
turned to astronomy and gained some
notoriety for his chromolithographs of
celestial events, a portfolio published
by Scribner and Sons in 1881, sold
for $125. He returned to France in
1882 to study solar astronomy at
the Meudon Observatory, the gypsy
moth diaspora and the accompanying
arboreal destruction not yet manifest.
and southern Ontario due to a separate
introduction to that area in the 1960s.
The life cycle of the gypsy moth has the
prototypical stages of egg, larva, pupa
and adult. Overwintering in the egg
stage in buff-colored masses of about 400
individuals, the larvae (called caterpillars
from “hairy cats” in Old French for
reasons that will remain obscure)
emerge from early spring to mid-May.
The larvae grow by molting in a series
of growth stages called instars; males
have five, females six. They are rarely
encountered, as they nocturnally feed
on foliage in the top branches of trees,
hiding from predators during the daylight
hours. After the third instar, the larvae
descend the tree to rest during the day.
In mid-summer the larvae pupate,
predominantly in chrysalides, normally
employed by butterflies for the
metamorphic stage. It is ironic that
their introduction to North America
was predicated on their production
of silk for cocoons, a practice they
do not consistently follow.
continued on p. 12
The spread of the gypsy moth is
characterized as a stratified dispersal.
Long-distance travel is affected by
inadvertent human-caused means
such as camping and logging.
Short-distance travel is due to the
movement of larvae, particularly of
their nascent state, dangling from
silken threads to be transported up
to a mile by the wind. Over time,
the longer distance colonies coalesce
with the inexorable larval advance.
From its introduction near Boston, the
gypsy moth had spread throughout
Massachusetts by the mid-1890s. It is
estimated that the rate of spread was 9.5
kilometers per year from 1900 to 1915,
2.8 kilometers per year from 1916 to 1965
and 20.9 kilometers per year from 1966
to 1989. The current range of the gypsy
moth includes the entire Northeast and
an arc that extends from the Southern
Appalachians to the Ohio River Valley.
An isolated population exists in Michigan
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A flightless
female gypsy moth, emitting pheromones
on its host tree, the chestnut oak (just
above a blue trail marker); the larva or
caterpillar of the gypsy moth just prior ro
pupation; the chrysalis stage of the gypsy
moth life cycle; the depleted chestnut oak
canopy on the WV North Fork trail with
insurgent oriental bittersweet.
Photos by William Needham
11
GYPSY MOTHS
CONTINUED FROM P.11
After one to two weeks, the adult gypsy
moths emerge. The diurnal males (most
adult moths are nocturnal) fly erratically
in search of the flightless females, who
emit a pheromone to facilitate the union
in the absence of active locomotion.
The males are dark brown and the
females light tan – so that they stand
out against the darker bark of their
nesting habitat; the species name dispar
is Latin for dissimilar or unequal due
to the zigzag markings on the wings
of the adult insect. After mating, the
female lays her eggs and both adults
die to complete the cycle; and so it
goes, oak decimation ad nauseam.
Attempts to control the spread of the
gypsy moth include the use of natural
predators from their original habitat,
viral and fungal diseases, and silviculture.
Parasitoids that feed on gypsy moths
have been introduced from Europe and
Asia since the early 19th century with
results that remain unclear, though there
is some belief that they have assisted in
keeping the population density low.
A disease caused by a nucleopolyhedrosis
virus is instigated by spreading a
biological pesticide registered by the
EPA in 1978, called "Gypchek," on to
leaves that are consumed by the larvae;
the infected insects rupture due to its
effects on internal organs to further
distribute the viral occlusion bodies.
Silviculture forest management
methods seek to reduce the spread
rate of the gypsy moth; scientists
generally agree that stopping it is not
possible without massive applications
of strong pesticides, an option neither
environmentally nor economically sound.
The U.S. Forest Service's "Slow the
Spread" Program seeks a 50 percent
reduction by focusing on the transition
zones at the edge of infestation.
Suppression techniques include
employment of the predators and
pesticides above in addition to selective
thinning of its preferred host oak trees.
—William Needham
12
WHAT IS THAT FLOWER—
MINT FAMILY IN
SEPTEMBER
As the flowering season comes
to a close, some Mint Family
members are still blooming.
I have been watching the slender, stiff,
one foot high stems with stemless,
paired, one-inch, triangular leaves
of dittany (Cunila origanoides) for
a month, looking for the purple
flowers to appear in the leaf axils.
of Shenandoah National Park and
along the AT to the north. “Finding
Wildflowers in the WashingtonBaltimore Area,” by Cristol Fleming,
Marion Blois Lobstein, and Barbara
Tufty also says it grows in the open areas
of Turkey Run Park and the upland
woods of Leesylvania State Park.
Beefsteak Plant (Perilla frutescens)
gets its common name from the
reddish-purple underside of the leaves
reminiscent of aged beef. The sharply
Several flowers appear in each cluster.
The tubular, purple petals emerge from
the green sepal tube and similarlycolored stamens stick further out.
Cunila derives from an ancient
Latin name for some fragrant plant.
Origanoides means like oregano.
The name dittany has been applied to
several plants. Perhaps it derives from
Mount Dikte in Crete where the culinary
herb Dittany of Crete originated.
Dittany is one species that is noted for
producing ice flowers or ice ribbons in
winter. See William Needham’s article
at http://hikersnotebook.net/Needle+Ice
for a description of the process.
Dittany likes dry, rocky woodlands,
so look for it on the ridges of the
Massanutten and Great North Mountain
in George Washington National Forest,
on Neighbor and Knob Mountain and
the top of Overall Run in the Northern
Section of Shenandoah National Park and
the upper ridges of the Southern Section.
Horsebalm (Collinsonia Canadensis)
plants are three to four feet tall with
large (up to 9 inches), toothed leaves.
The inflorescence at the top may
have many branches. The flowers
grow in pairs opposite each other up
the branches. Only a few flowers are
open at a time. The half-inch, yellow
flowers have four insignificant lobes
on top and a large, fringed lobe on the
bottom. Two stamens and a forked
stigma stick out beyond the petals.
The genus is named after eighteenth
century, English botanist, Peter
Collinson. I have seen it in many places
in the Central and Northern Sections
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
toothed, ovate leaves can be ten inches
long and six inches wide. The shrubby,
branching plant can be a meter tall.
Several flowering racemes arise from
the top of the plant and lower axils.
Each raceme has many flowers. The
sepals are united into a 2-3 millimeter
tube from which 3-5 millimeter whitish
petals protrude. The petals fall away,
and the sepal tube grows to over a
centimeter to protect the seeds through
the winter after the leaves drop, so most
of the time you see it with a spike with
brown tubes sticking out the sides.
The leaves and flowers and oil extracted
from them are used extensively in
Eastern cuisines. It is known as shiso in
Japanese and similar names elsewhere
in Southeast Asia. Perilla is an East
Indian name, and the species name,
frutescens, means shrubby. The species
is classified in Virginia as having a low
level of invasiveness. I have not seen
it take over an area as species ranked
as more highly invasive do, but it
certainly appears all over the place.
—Richard Stromberg
OPPOSITE, FROM TOP: Beefsteak plant
has very small white flowers; horsebalm
has large, toothed leaves and fringed
yellow flowers; dittany has paired,
triangular leaves and purple flowers.
Photos by Richard Stromberg
PATC Rigging Workshop
Oct. 1-2
Pinnacles Research Station, SNP
PATC will host a rigging workshop to demonstrate the safe operation and
maintenance of a Griphoist winch. Use of nylon slings and chain baskets for moving
boulders, setup and working-load determination for highlines, and proper use and
care of wire rope will also be discussed. Classroom instruction and field exercises
will be followed by a trail project where rigging skills will be put into practice. Class
size is limited, thus priority will be given to trail maintainers.
Contact Dan Dueweke, PATC ([email protected])
Please join the newest PATC volunteer trail crew
THE “OLD LINE” CREW
for its inaugural event
National Public Lands Day
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Antietam National Battlefield Park • Sharpsburg, Md.
No experience or commitment is necessary. The Old Line Crew will be working on an as-needed basis to
improve the PATC-maintained trails at Antietam Battlefield. Join us for one day or attend as many trips
as you can each year to help out. There will be tasks for every level of fitness and interest. You will be
performing a great service to Antietam National Battlefield Park, PATC, and the scores of visitors who hike
the trails at Antietam.
A special celebration to inaugurate the new trail crew will take place after the trail work is completed on
Sept. 24
For more information, or to sign up for mailings for future crew events, or to RSVP for Sept. 24, please contact
Jim Tomlin, PATC District Manager, Maryland National Battlefield Parks District ([email protected]).
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
13
FORECAST
CHAPTERS
Charlottesville Chapter
The Charlottesville Chapter hikes every
Saturday; summer, winter and in between.
Hikes are usually 8 to 10 miles with some
shorter hikes. We usually maintain trails
on the last Saturday of the month. Meet at
Albemarle High School in Charlottesville
at 9 a.m. with food and water for the day.
The majority of hikes are in the South and
Central Districts of SNP, with some in the
North District and in George Washington
National Forest. Chapter hikes are posted
at www.patc‑charlottesville.blogspot.com/
(select Hike Schedule from the menu)
INFO: Iva Gillet ([email protected]) and
Dan Ralston ([email protected]).
North Chapter
The North Chapter conducts monthly
trail work trips on the Maryland and
Pennsylvania sections of the AT and
Tuscarora Trail. We also lead hikes on
these and other trails. Maryland AT work
trips are generally held on the first and
third Saturdays; contact Leonard Keifer
([email protected]). Pennsylvania work
trips are generally held on the AT on the
first Saturday and on the Tuscarora on
the third Saturday; contact Pete Brown
([email protected]) 410/343‑1140.
Pennsylvania AT work trips also include
an optional Saturday dinner at the Gypsy
Spring Cabin. For information on upcoming
hikes, contact Chris Firme at 717/794‑2855
or [email protected]. Chapter
home page is www.patcnorth.net.
Northern Shenandoah Valley Chapter
The NSVC Chapter is now in the
process of reorganizing to build a
chapter that has a focus in line with
that of the club and provides each
member the opportunity to help build
and direct the club in its activities.
For more information on becoming a
member of the Chapter or how to get
involved in the reorganization process
contact the interim Chapter President
Brian Heflin at [email protected].
Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter
For descriptions of hikes and work trips,
go to www.ssvc.org or www.patc.net.
We usually hike in the southern and
central districts of the SNP and in the
GWNF. Contact the listed hike leader for
information about a specific event, or
14
contact David Bennick, dbennick@verizon.
net or 540/337-5330.
West Chapter
The West Chapter is meant to serve those
residents who live in the area bounded
by Frederick, Md., to Leesburg, Va., west
to Hancock, Md. and to Berkeley Springs,
W. Va. However, anyone, regardless of
where they reside, may request to join
the chapter’s Yahoo group (www. groups.
yahoo.com/group/ PATCWest). The group
is open to anyone interested in chapter
events but only current PATC members may
post messages to the group. Hikes, trail
work trips and other activities are generally
scheduled from March through December.
INFO: Dave Jordahl
[email protected].
SPECIAL INTEREST SECTIONS
Ski Touring Section (STS)
Since 1974, the STS has served to provide
cross‑country skiing experiences for
beginner through expert. The section
sponsors winter weekend ski trips to the
mountains in Maryland, West Virginia and
Pennsylvania; there are also more extensive
trips that travel west, north and across
the ocean. Social events are scheduled
throughout the year. If you share a respect
for nature and enjoy outdoor exercise,
peaceful scenic trails, and cheerful,
goodhearted companions, join STS.
INFO: Rob Swennes
[email protected].
Please visit our website at http://www.
patc.us/chapters/ski/ to check on the kinds
of Nordic skiing trips we offer each winter.
Mountaineering Section
We’re a diverse group of local D.C.‑area
climbers who share a common interest in
promoting safe climbing, conserving the
outdoors, developing new climbers’ skills,
representing the Washington‑area climbing
community and having fun! We provide
instruction for those wanting to learn the
basics—we are not a school, but we can
get you started. Our climbs are local or
further afield, nearly every weekend. In
the winter, we organize trips for beginning
and advanced ice climbers. Please visit our
website at www.potomacmountainclub.org/.
INFO: Andrew Weinmann at 540/550-6522.
PATC Hikes
PATC offers diverse organized hikes.
On weekends and weekdays, there are
family hikes tailored to kids; natural
history hikes stalking the fascinating
but often elusive flora and fauna of the
region; hikes featuring varying levels of
difficulty with the Easy Hikers, Midweek
Hikers, and Vigorous Hikers; birding hikes
with experts to help sight and identify
our avian neighbors; historical hikes
tracking little known structures in SNP;
series hikes on a long trail or in a specific
area; backpacking trips; geology hikes
focused on the unique stratigraphy of our
area; waterfall hikes to beat the summer
heat; and, outreach hikes to get together
with the members of area groups. Check
out the Forecast calendar on the PATC
website www.patc.net for information.
Trail Patrol
Trail Patrol volunteers are PATC’s goodwill
ambassadors to the hiking public. They
provide a visible, reassuring presence on
the trails, and strive to educate the public
on good hiking practices, minimum impact
hiking and camping ethics. Patrol members
are trained in land navigation, emergency
procedures and personal equipment.
INFO: Murry Moskowitz (trailpatrol@patc.
net) or www.patc.net/trailpatrol.
Other Clubs’ Hikes
We include these hikes to give members
more chances to hike. Please note that
there is no charge to go on a PATC hike,
unless specifically stated. For many of
these clubs there is a charge if you are
not a member of their organization.
Capital Hiking Club
(www.capitalhikingclub.org) and
Wanderbirds (www.wanderbirds.
org) hike on Saturdays and Sundays,
traveling by bus and leaving from
downtown, with suburban stops as well.
Center Hiking Club
(www.centerhikingclub.org) and
Sierra Club (www.dc.sierraclub.
org) hike on Saturdays and Sundays
using carpools. Schedules are
available at PATC Headquarters.
Northern Virginia Hiking Club
(http://www.meetup.com/NVHCHiking/) offers an amazing number
and variety of outdoor activities.
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
West Virginia Highland Conservancy
(www.wvhighlands.org) Outings are mostly
in W. Va.
MEETINGS
Mountaineering ‑ Second Wednesday
7:30 p.m. except for August, or unless noted
in the Forecast.
INFO: Dave Giacomin ([email protected])
or www.potomacmountainclub.org.
Shenandoah Mountain Rescue
Group (SMRG) ‑ Tuesday
Group Business Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
INFO and next meeting date:
[email protected] or www.smrg.org
PATC Council—Second Tuesday
The council meets at 7 p.m. sharp, except
January and July, to conduct business of
the club. In November, we have a dinner
meeting. All members are welcome. Come
see how we make decisions about your club.
INFO: 703/242‑0693 x105
Trail Patrol—First Tuesday
7:30 p.m. except January.
INFO: Murry Moskowitz (trailpatrol@patc.
net) or www.patc.net/trailpatrol.
September
3 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Stonewall
Brigade: GWNF, 9 a.m.
Looking for an excuse to get outdoors?
Join the Stonewall Brigade as we maintain
trails on Great North Mountain in George
Washington National Forest. Join us for
the day or stay over and camp at Wolf
Gap Recreation Area. Bring lunch, water
and sturdy gloves. Tools, instruction and
camaraderie will be provided. Email with
questions or for more information.
INFO: Mike Allen 540/333-3994
([email protected])
4 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: Sherman Gap,
Massanutten-Tuscarora and Shawl
Gap Trails, GWNF, VA, 8 a.m.
All hikers go south on Rte. 613 and turn
right to ascend Sherman Gap Trail. At the
ridge, long hikers continue on Sherman
Gap Trail and descend to Botts Trail. At
Massanutten-Tuscarora Trail, they turn
right to return to the ridge and then descend
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
Shawl Gap Trail to the bus at Rte. 613. At
the ridge, moderate hikers turn right and
follow Massanutten-Tuscarora Trail north
to Shawl Gap Trail, which they descend
to the bus. Est. mi.: 11.5 miles (strenuous)
and 8.5 miles (intermediate). PATC Map
G. Bus fare: $20/$25. Bus departs from
17th & K Sts. and the Vienna Metro.
INFO: Josh Silverman 703/5912822 ([email protected]) and
Antonia Nikolova 240/838-9389
([email protected])
10 (Saturday)
CABIN WORK—Lincoln Loggers:
Old Rag Cabin Construction,
Syria, VA, 8:30 a.m.
6 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: Signal
Knob via Rhodes and Doll
ridges, GWNF, 8:15 a.m.
Bring water, lunch and gloves. Expect
to hike 2-5 miles. Tools and training
provided. Enjoy comradeship of fellow
volunteers and the peace of the woods.
We meet near Frederick, MD, and go
home happy and tired in the afternoon.
INFO: Leonard Keifer ([email protected])
Starting near Toms Brook on the Tuscarora
Trail, we will cross the North Fork of the
Shenandoah River, climb Rhodes and
Doll ridges to Three Top Mountain and
then on to Signal Knob. On the return,
we will climb Meneka Peak and visit the
Strasburg Reservoir and Powell’s Fort
Camp. Est. mi.: 15 with 3,500 ft of ascent.
INFO: Dave Green 703/536-5189
([email protected])
6 (Tuesday)
Meeting—Trail Patrol:
Vienna, VA, 7:30 p.m.
Come meet PATC Trail Patrol members and
learn about what we do out on the trails
within PATC's territory. Come to the back
door of the PATC headquarters building.
INFO: Christopher Firme
([email protected])
7 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Lake Accotink,
Springfield, VA, 10:15 a.m.
We will hike 4 miles, circling the lake.
Minor elevation changes, occasional lake
views. Pets must be on leash. Restrooms
available. From I-495, take exit 54 onto
Braddock Road east. At the second traffic
light (which comes quickly), turn right
onto Heming Avenue. After 1.3 miles,
turn right into the park entrance (5660
Heming Avenue, Springfield, VA). Meet in
the parking lot. Bring lunch and water.
INFO: Angela and Chris Ehemann
571/239-3111 (day of the hike)
Work TBD. See https://sites.google.
com/site/patclincolnloggers/
INFO: John Corwith
([email protected])
10 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—South Mountaineers:
Maryland AT, 9 a.m.
11 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: Catoctin
Trail to Cunningham Falls
State Park, MD, 8 a.m.
Long hikers will follow the Catoctin Trail
from its origin at Mount Zion Road to
Cunningham Falls to enjoy the view of the
waterfall. Then they will continue on the
Catoctin Trail to Manor Area Campground,
stopping at Bob’s Hill for a peek from
the top. Moderate hikers will start at
the Catoctin Mountain Visitor Center,
ascend to Thurmont Vista and continue
to Chimney Rock. From there they will
descend to Rte. 77, ascend to Cat Rock
and continue to the Catoctin Trail to the
end of the hike. Est. mi.: 11.5 (strenuous)
and 8.5 (intermediate). PATC Map 5-6.
Bus fare $20/$25. Bus departs from 17th
& K Sts. and the Grosvenor Metro.
INFO: Debbie Wallace 301/3181526 (deborahawallace@hotmail.
com) and Chris Bublitz 240/6873390 ([email protected])
13 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers:
Heiskell Hollow, Overall Run
Loop, SNP, 8:30 a.m.
Starting on the Thompson Hollow Trail
to the Beecher-Overall Connecting
Trail, we’ll ascend the Heiskell Hollow
Trail and return via the Elkwallow
Trail, AT and Overall Run Trail. Est. mi.:
16 with about 3,500 ft of ascent.
INFO: Tom Kloster ([email protected])
15
FORECAST
13 (Tuesday)
MEETING—PATC Council,
Vienna, VA, 7 p.m.
The council meets every month except for
January, July and November to conduct
the business of the club. All members
are welcome. Come see how we make
decisions about your club. Meetings
generally end around 9 p.m. To participate
by phone, dial 1-877-746-4263 and when
prompted, enter participant code 024 7170#
INFO: Brewster Thackeray 703/2420315 x105 ([email protected])
14 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Carderock
Recreation Area, MD, 10:15 a.m.
This is a 4-mile hike, much of it along the
Potomac River, on parts of Sections C
and B of the Billy Goat Trail and the C&O
Canal Towpath. The hike starts near the
east end of Section C, goes along the river,
and ascends to the top of the Carderock
Climbers Cliffs. In Section B, we hike along
the river, including a few rocky areas,
and the Marsden Tract area, where we
will have lunch at the picnic tables. We
return on the C&O Canal Towpath to the
cars. Note: This hike does not go through
the difficult scrambling areas of Section
A of the Billy Goat Trail but has some
moderately difficult rocky areas. Hiking
poles are helpful and recommended. Bring
water, lunch and poles, if you have them.
Directions: Take exit 41 off the Beltway (I495) and follow the Clara Barton Parkway/
Carderock signs. Go 1 mile west on the
parkway to the brown exit sign marked
for both the Carderock Recreation Area
and the Naval Surface Warfare Center.
At the top of the ramp, turn left to cross
over Clara Barton Parkway. Go right and
through the tunnel into the Carderock
Recreation Area. Turn left at the T to the
eastern most parking area, where we will
meet at the far end of the lot. For restrooms,
stop first at the parking lot just west
(upstream) of the one where we’re meeting.
It’s near the end of the tunnel exit where
the road comes to the T, slightly on your
right. There are also port-a-potties at the
Marsden area, where we will have lunch.
INFO: Pat and Mike Matheson 703/4735137 (PatriciaMatheson@verizon.
net) or Connie Church 703/343-0140
([email protected])
16
15 (Thursday)
MEETING—PATC District
Trails Managers and Crew
Leaders, Vienna, VA, 6 p.m.
Food is served at 6 p.m. The meeting
starts at 6:30 p.m. RSVP by Sept. 10
to the PATC Trails Coordinator.
INFO: Heidi Forrest, PATC Trails Coordinator
703/242-0315 x107 ([email protected])
17 (Saturday)
HIKE—LIttle Devils Stairs Natural
History Hike, SNP, 8 a.m.
Join Bob Pickett for an 8-mile hike in the
northern district of the SNP. We'll explore
the Little Devils Staircase, a steep, rocky
climb through a narrow, remote valley
2 miles to the top. The hike is another 6
miles of easy, mostly downhill hiking along
Piney Branch Trail, taking us through a
once heavily populated area of the park.
We’ll stop frequently to look for signs
of nature. We'll also look for relics of
the former residents and visit one of the
park's largest private cemeteries and
homesite of the Bolen sisters. Dinner
afterward for those who desire.
INFO: Bob Pickett 240/4570359 ([email protected])
17-18 (Saturday-Sunday)
TRAINING—SNP North District Trail
Maintenance Workshop, SNP, 9 a.m.
This annual workshop, conducted by
the ND Hoodlums Trail Crew, teaches
basic skills to new and prospective trail
maintainers and provides more advanced
training in trail design, construction and
maintenance. Instruction to current
overseers by SNP trail professionals
and experienced PATC crew leaders.
Workshop participants who wish to camp
during the weekend will stay at Mathews
Arm Campground in SNP's North District.
Participants will have free entry to the park
and campground. The workshop starts
on Saturday and ends Sunday at 1 p.m.
There is a $28 fee to cover some meals.
INFO: Peter Harris (pharris1030@
gmail.com)
17-18 (Saturday-Sunday)
CLASS—Leave No Trace
Trainer Course, SNP, 8 a.m.
PATC’s Trail Patrol is offering this twoday, cabin format course to enhance
your understanding of Leave No Trace
practices and ethics and increase you
expertise and confidence in teaching them.
Through focused activities, hands-on
field experience and formal and informal
discussions, you will be introduced to
concepts and methods that will advance
your knowledge of Leave No Trace issues,
expand your repertoire of low-impact
skills and increase your effectiveness in
teaching them to others. On completion,
participants will be registered as Leave No
Trace Trainers with the national Leave No
Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and receive
a certificate of course completion as
well as their Leave No Trace Trainer lapel
pin. Participants will sleep in bunks/cots
inside the cabin. The cabin has electricity
and a modern bathroom. Cost: $45 for
PATC members, $65 for non-members.
Join PATC at the time of registration and
get the member price. The cost covers
course materials and some meals. Course
is limited to 8. Visit www.patc.net and
follow the Classes and Training link to
register on-line or contact Cindy Kelly at
[email protected] to request a registration
form. Participants must be 18 or older.
INFO: Cindy Kelly ([email protected])
18 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: Little
Devils Stairs, SNP, 8 a.m.
Long hikers start at Little Hogback Overlook
and proceed along the AT and Piney Ridge,
Fork Mountain and Hull School trails to the
Keyser Run Fire Road and the bottom of
the stairs, crossing Piney River along the
way. After climbing the stairs, they return
to the bus at Little Hogback Overlook. Total
ascent about 2,000 feet. Moderate hikers
also begin at Little Hogback Overlook
and take the AT, Keyser Run Fire Road
and Pole Bridge Link Trail to the Piney
Branch Trail, which is followed down to
the Hull School Trail. They then take the
Hull School Trail and Keyser Run Fire Road
to the beginning of the Little Devils Stairs
Trail. Then comes the long, hard climb
up the stairs to Keyser Run Fire Road, on
which the climb is continued to the AT.
The AT is then taken to Little Hogback
Overlook. Est. mi.: 12 (strenuous) and 9
(strenuous). PATC Map 9. Bus fare: $20/$25
and park fee or pass. Bus departs from
17th & K Sts. and the Vienna Metro.
INFO: Rennie Peddie 786/457-3793
([email protected]) and J.B. Bourne
240/432-8840 ([email protected])
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
20 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: Conway River
Trail, Bearfence Rocks, SNP, 8:30 a.m.
We’ll ascend the Conway River Trail
to Bootens Gap and then travel south
on the AT to the Bearfence Rocks Trail
and then continue south on the AT and
descend the Pocosin Fire Road and
Pocosin Hollow Trail. Est. mi.: 16.4 with
3,000 ft of ascent. PATC Map 10.
INFO: Mike Christiani 703/955-0923
20-25 (Tuesday-Sunday)
TRAIL WORK—Massarock
Crew week: Lee Ranger District,
Edinburg, VA, 3 p.m.
This 5-day crew will meet at the Forest
Service Depot in Edinburg. Show up at the
Depot on Tuesday and then go set up camp.
The crew will work together under the
supervision of a Forest Service employee. If
you’d like to work on the crew but can’t stay
for the full week, contact Wade Bushong.
For more information, contact Charles
Hillon or see www.patc.net/WorkCrews.
INFO: Charles Hillon (charleshillon@
yahoo.com) and Wade Bushong
([email protected])
21 (Wednesday)
TRAIL WORK—Massarock
Crew week: Lee Ranger District,
Edinburg, VA, 8 a.m.
The crew will work together under the
supervision of a Forest Service employee.
If you’d like to work on the crew but can’t
stay for the full week, contact Wade
Bushong at [email protected]. For
more information, contact Charles Hillon
at [email protected]. If you’d like
to work just for a day, just let us know.
INFO: Heidi Forrest, PATC Trails
Coordinator, 703/242-0315
x107 ([email protected])
21 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Seneca
Creek State Park, Gaithersburg,
MD, 10:15 a.m.
A 5-mile hike around Clopper Lake. Carry
lunch and water. Restroom stops will be
available. Directions: Take exit 10 Clopper
Road/Diamond Ave/MD 117 from I-270
northbound, right hand access and exit
lanes. Turn right at the end of the exit ramp
and follow Clopper Road west just past
St. Rose of Lima Church. (The church will
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
appear on your right.) Turn left off Clopper
Road at the Seneca Creek State Park
entrance sign. Take the next right and park
as soon as you see the spaces that are in
view of the park administrative building. If
you pass the park kiosk, you’ve gone too far.
INFO: Margaret Chapman 301/9778988 between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
([email protected])
22 (Thursday)
TRAIL WORK—Massarock
Crew week: Lee Ranger District,
Edinburg, VA, 8 a.m.
The crew will work together under the
supervision of a Forest Service employee.
If you’d like to work on the crew but can’t
stay for the full week, contact Wade
Bushong at [email protected]. For
more information, contact Charles Hillon
at [email protected]. If you’d like
to work just for a day, just let us know.
INFO: Heidi Forrest, PATC Trails
Coordinator, 703/242-0315
x107 ([email protected])
23 (Friday)
TRAIL WORK—Massarock
Crew week: Lee Ranger District,
Edinburg, VA, 8 a.m.
The crew will work together under the
supervision of a Forest Service employee.
If you would like to work on the crew, but
can’t stay for the full week, contact Wade
Bushong at [email protected]. For
more information, contact Charles Hillon
at [email protected]. If you’d like
to work just for a day, just let us know.
INFO: Heidi Forrest, PATC Trails
Coordinator, 703/242-0315
x107 ([email protected])
24 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Massarock
Crew week: Lee Ranger District,
Edinburg, VA, 8 a.m.
The crew will work together under the
supervision of a Forest Service employee.
If you’d like to work on the crew but can’t
stay for the full week, contact Wade
Bushong at [email protected]. For
more information, contact Charles Hillon
at [email protected]. If you’d like
to work just for a day, just let us know.
INFO: Heidi Forrest, PATC Trails
Coordinator, 703/242-0315
x107 ([email protected])
24 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—DC Crew: Rock
Creek Park, 8:15 a.m.
On National Public Lands Day we’ll be
working on the lower section of the
Valley Trail as we continue our efforts to
improve access within the park. Meet at
the Nature Center at 5200 Glover Road,
NW, Washington, DC 20015. We will
carpool to the work site and expect to
finish by noon. No experience necessary.
All are welcome. Bring gloves and wear
appropriate footwear and clothing for a
few hours of manual labor. Rain or shine.
INFO: Alex Sanders ([email protected])
24 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Spooky Beavers:
Prince William Forest Park,
Triangle, VA, 9 a.m.
Join the Spooky Beaver Trail Crew as we
celebrate National Public Lands Day in
Prince William Forest Park. This historic
national park is close to the metro area
off I-95, exit 150. Registration starts
at 8:30 a.m. Meet at the Cabin Camp 2
parking lot off Rte. 619 (Joplin Road).
We will work until noon. Wear boots
and dress for the weather; bring water,
trail lunch and leather work gloves.
INFO: Mark Ellis (mark.
[email protected])
24 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Inaugural Old
Line Crew worktrip: Antietam
Battlefield, VA, 9 a.m.
Join the newest PATC trail crew, the Old
Line Crew, on National Public Lands Day
for work on PATC-maintained trails at
Antietam National Battlefield Park. We
will be improving existing trails as directed
by NPS staff. No experience necessary.
To RSVP or for more information, or
to be put on the Old Line Crew mailing
list for future trips, contact Jim Tomlin,
PATC District Manager of the Maryland
National Battlefield Parks District.
INFO: Jim Tomlin ([email protected])
24 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Cadillac Crew, 9:30 a.m.
Sprucing up various trails. Location TBD.
INFO: John Corwith
([email protected])
17
FORECAST
25 (Sunday)
TRAIL WORK—Massarock
Crew week: Lee Ranger District,
Edinburg, VA, 8 a.m.
The crew will work together under the
supervision of a Forest Service employee.
If you’d like to work on the crew but can’t
stay for the full week, contact Wade
Bushong at [email protected]. For
more information, contact Charles Hillon
at [email protected]. If you’d like
to work just for a day, just let us know.
INFO: Heidi Forrest, PATC Trails
Coordinator, 703/242-0315
x107 ([email protected])
25 (Sunday)
HIKE—Wanderbirds: Prince William
Forest Park, VA (Jamboree), 8 a.m.
This is our Jamboree hike. Moderate
hikers will start at Camp 2, go to the South
Valley Trail and take the Oak Ridge trail,
Old Blacktop Road, Taylor Farm Road, High
Meadow Trail back to the South Valley
Trail and the bridge into Camp 2. Long
hikers also will start at Camp 2, crossing
the bridge to South Valley Trail, Oak Ridge
Trail, Old Blacktop Road, Turkey Run Ridge
Trail to South Valley Trail and return to
Camp 2 by crossing the bridge. Est. mi.:
13 (easy) and 8 (easy). Prince William
Forest map. Bus fare: $20/$25. Check with
leader to see if there will be a bus pick
up. (Note that for persons attending the
Jamboree the bus fee is in addition to the
fee for the Jamboree meals and lodging.)
INFO: Jeannie Fauntleroy 703/8516592 (jeannie.fauntleroy@cox.
net) and Bob Malkowski 703/7319983 ([email protected])
25 (Sunday)
TRAIL WORK—West Chapter: Sugarloaf
Mountain, Dickerson, MD, 10:30 a.m.
Our first fall work trip after the summer
break will focus on the Northern Peaks
Trail of Sugarloaf Mountain on the west
side of the mountain. Installation of new
and maintenance of existing erosion
control structures. Meet on Mount Ephraim
Road on the west side of the mountain.
Carpooling is strongly encouraged due to
limited parking. Refer to the Sugarloaf trail
map for meeting and project location. Bring
work gloves, eye protection, water, lunch
or trail snacks. Dress in clothes you don't
mind getting dirty and appropriate for the
18
weather. Shorts are NOT recommended.
We generally work until around 3:30
p.m., but you can leave when you need
to. Tools and training provided. Please
RSVP so I know how many tools to bring.
INFO: Dave Jordahl ([email protected])
27 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers:
Brown's Hollow and Catherine
Furnace, VA, 8:45 a.m.
Starting at the commuter lot on VA
211 near New Market, hikers will head
south on the Massanutten and do a
figure 8 going to Catherine Furnace
and the old visitor center. Est. mi.: 19
with 4,100 ft of ascent. PATC Map H.
INFO: David Saah ([email protected])
27 (Tuesday)
MEETING—PATC Executive
Committee, Vienna, VA, 7 p.m.
Monthly meeting of the committee. To
participate by phone (by invitation only),
dial 1-877/746-4263 and when prompted
enter participant code 020 3572#
INFO: Brewster Thackeray 703/2420315 x105 ([email protected])
28 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Rock
Creek Park, DC, 10:15 a.m.
Hike sections of the Western Ridge and
Valley trails, totaling about 5 miles. Meet at
the Rock Creek Nature Center (5200 Glover
Road, Washington, DC). Bring lunch and
water. Restrooms available at the nature
center and at lunchtime. Directions: From
the Beltway take Connecticut Avenue
south to Military Road. Turn left (east) on
Military Road. Go 1.1 miles and turn right
on Glover Road. Fork left and follow signs
to nature center. From Virginia, take Rock
Creek Parkway and Beach Drive to a left
turn on Broad Branch Road followed by
an immediate right on Glover Road.
INFO: Gary Abrecht 202/546-6089,
cell on day of hike 202/365-2921
([email protected])
28 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers:
Chantilly, VA, 10:15 a.m.
Easy hike in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (5040
Walney Rd., Chantilly, VA) and on Big Rocky
Run Trail. About 5 miles on mostly natural/
paved trail that loops through woodlands
along streams, passes some historic ruins,
crosses pond on boardwalk and enters
part of Big Rocky Run Trail. Bring water
and lunch. Meet at parking lot (Cabell’s
Mill) across from Walney Pond on right (for
early arrivals, bathrooms are available at
Walney Visitor Center about a mile farther
up Walney Road on left). Directions: From
Beltway, exit 49 onto I-66 West, drive
about 11 miles to right-side exit 53B onto
Rte. 28 North/Dulles Airport. Stay right
and take immediate right at signal onto
Walney Road. Drive 0.25 miles to pond and
park in Cabell’s Mill lot across street from
pond. (When exiting park from Walney
Road onto Rte. 28N, move into far left lane
on Rte. 28N. At first traffic signal, make a
left U-turn onto Rte. 28S, moving into far
left lane for left exit onto Rte. 66 East.)
INFO: Carol Costello, cell on
day of hike 571/499-8037
October
1 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—South Mountaineers:
Maryland AT, 9 a.m.
The air is getting crisp – come out and
get dirty like when you were a kid.
We meet in Frederick County, MD.
Bring lunch, water, gloves and boots.
You can expect to hike 2-4 miles.
INFO: Leonard Keifer ([email protected])
1-2 (Saturday-Sunday)
TRAINING—Rigging Workshop,
Pinnacles Research Station, SNP, 9 a.m.
The workshop will cover the setup and use
of a Griphoist for moving large boulders
and tensioning a wire rope highline, and
the application of mechanical advantage
using snatch blocks and offset anchor
points. Classroom discussion will focus
on safe sling angles, working load limits of
equipment and chain baskets for no-slip
rock dragging. Workshop will include both
indoor lectures on safety and outside
exercises.Typical uses for the Griphoist
include stabilizing and removing rootballs
from trails, clearing rockfalls, building
boulder step stream crossings, and
moving cut stone and bridge stringers
along a high line. Limited bunk space is
available. Manicured grounds next to
the building can be used for camping
INFO: Dan Dueweke
([email protected])
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
4 (Tuesday)
MEETING—Trail Patrol:
Vienna, VA, 7:30 p.m.
Meet PATC Trail Patrol members and
learn about what we do out on the trails
within PATC's territory. Come to the back
door of the PATC headquarters building.
INFO: Christopher Firme
([email protected])
8 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—DC Crew: Rock
Creek Park, 8:15 a.m.
We’ll work on the lower section of the
Valley Trail as we continue our efforts to
improve access within the park. Meet at
the Nature Center at 5200 Glover Road,
NW, Washington DC 20015. We will
carpool to the work site and expect to
finish by noon. No experience necessary.
All are welcome. Bring gloves and wear
appropriate footwear and clothing for a
few hours of manual labor. Rain or shine.
INFO: Alex Sanders ([email protected])
8 (Saturday)
CABIN WORK—Lincoln Loggers:
Old Rag Cabin Construction,
Syria, VA, 8:30 a.m.
Work TBD. See https://sites.google.
com/site/patclincolnloggers/
INFO: John Corwith
([email protected])
8 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Spooky Beavers:
Prince William Forest Park, 9 a.m.
Join us as we maintain the 37 miles of
hiking paths in historic Prince William
Forest Park, Triangle, VA . Take exit 150
(Quantico/Triangle) off I-95 and head
west on Rte. 619 (Joplin Road) for less
than a mile. Park entrance is on the right.
Meet at the Turkey Run Education Center
parking lot. Wear boots and dress for the
weather; bring water, a trail lunch and
leather work gloves. We typically work
until 2:30 p.m., but you can leave when you
like. Let Mark Ellis know if you’re coming.
INFO: Mark Ellis ([email protected])
8 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Stonewall
Brigade: GWNF, 9 a.m.
Join the Stonewall Brigade as we spend the
day maintaining some part of over 35 miles
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
of trails on Great North Mountain in George
Washington National Forest. Then linger
awhile and help us celebrate the 2nd Annual
North Mountain Muster, a gathering of the
folks who work to keep North Mountain
recreation alive and well. We'll enjoy a
potluck dinner and the company of friends.
Joins us for the day or stay over and camp
at Wolf Gap Recreation Area. Email for
details about the work trip and the muster.
INFO: Mike Allen 540/333-3994
([email protected])
8 (Saturday)
SPECIAL EVENT—2nd Annual North
Mountain Muster, Edinburg, VA, 3 p.m.
The Stonewall Brigade invites all overseers,
maintainers, partners and friends of
Great North Mountain to a celebration of
the mountain as the season draws to a
close. Bring a side dish to share and your
favorite beverage as Lee Manning plans
to go in large with burgers and dogs. This
follows the Stonewall Brigade work trip
earlier in the day. Can’t make the work
trip? No problem. Join us starting around
3 p.m. Location: Manning Cabins, 14821494 Millertown Road, Edinburg, VA.
INFO: Mike Allen 540/333-3994
([email protected])
11 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: New
Market Gap North, VA, 8:30 a.m.
Beginning at New Market Gap we’ll take
the Massanutten Connector Trail to the
Massanutten Trail. We will then go north
visiting the summits of both Strickler and
Duncan knobs. Then we return to parking
via the Scothorn Gap and Massanutten
trails. Est. mi.: 15 with 3,800 ft of ascent.
INFO: Steve Brown ([email protected])
11 (Tuesday)
MEETING—PATC Council,
Vienna, VA, 7 p.m.
The council meets every month except for
January, July and November to conduct
the business of the club. All members
are always welcome. Come see how we
make decisions about your club. Meetings
generally end around 9 p.m. To participate
by phone, dial 1-877-746-4263 and when
prompted, enter participant code 024 7170#
INFO: Brewster Thackeray 703/2420315 x105 ([email protected])
15 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—ND Hoodlums:
Oktoberfest, SNP, 9 a.m.
Nothing beats brats and kraut! Join the
Hoodlums in their annual Oktoberfest work
trip. The Hoodlums Trail Crew works on
the AT and blue-blazed trails in the North
District (Front Royal Entrance Station
to Thornton Gap) of SNP. After a day of
hard work, we’ll enjoy the camaraderie of
fellow trail workers with an Oktoberfest
theme meal at Elkwallow Picnic Area.
Come for the day, stay for dinner and
camp overnight if you wish. Newcomers
welcome. We meet at Piney River Ranger
Station, milepost 22 on Skyline Drive just
across from Matthews Arm Campground.
INFO: Janice Cessna
([email protected])
15 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—South Mountaineers:
Maryland AT, 9 a.m.
Join us for a fun-filled event involving dirt
and teamwork. Newcomers welcome.
We meet in Frederick County, MD, and
hike 1-5 miles depending on the agenda.
Bring water, lunch, gloves and boots.
INFO: Leonard Keifer ([email protected])
18 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers: Old Rag
parking lot, Passamaquoddy,
Skyland, SNP, 8:30 a.m.
From the Old Rag parking lot we’ll go up
Nicholson Hollow Trail, the AT and the
Passamaquoddy Trail to Skyland's back
door for a relaxing lunch in the restaurant
or on the lawn. We will return via the Horse
Trail, Old Rag Fire Road and the Corbin
Mountain and Nicholson Hollow trails.
Est. mi.: 18 with 3,300 ft of ascent. Short
cut alternatives available. PATC Map 10.
INFO: Gene Whitaker
([email protected])
19 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers:
Kensington, MD, 10:15 a.m.
This 6-mile hike will take advantage of trails
in small parks, the biker/hiker Beach Drive
and neighborhood streets, and it’ll pass
the Mormon temple. The terrain includes
streets, walking trails on asphalt, hiking
trails, one long moderate hill and grassy
service roads. Much of the terrain is hilly
but not steep. Behaved dogs on leash
19
FORECAST
welcomed. Directions: I-495 from Nothern
Virginia and Maryland west of Kensington:
exit at Connecticut Avenue and go north to
Kensington. After 0.8 miles turn right and go
straight onto Plyers Mill Road for approx 0.4
miles. Turn right onto Drumm Avenue, turn
left on Edgewood (fifth block on your left)
to parking lot of Homewood Capital View
Park (2929 Edgewood Road Kensington,
MD 20895). From Prince Georges County
I-495 and Maryland east of Kensington: exit
at Georgia Avenue, after approx 0.8 miles
turn left onto Plyers Mill Road for approx
0.8 miles, turn left onto Drumm Avenue, turn
left on Edgewood (fifth block on your left)
to parking lot of Homewood Capital View
Park. From DC go north on Connecticut
or Georgia avenues and follow directions
above that apply to you. There will be a rest
stop a half mile into the hike. Bring water.
Either bring your lunch, or sandwiches
can be purchased at Old Town Market.
INFO: Steve Brickel, 202/297-1570
19 (Wednesday)
HIKE—Easy Hikers: Fairfax
Station, VA, 10:15 a.m.
Five level miles around Burke Lake (Burke
Lake Park, just south of 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax
Station, VA). Bring lunch and water. From
the Beltway, exit west onto Braddock Road.
Move into the left-hand lane (excluding
FIRST OF
THE MONTH
left turn lanes) and stay in this lane. In 1.9
mi. from the Beltway, the lane you are in
becomes one of a pair of left-turn lanes
onto Burke Lake Road (Rte. 645). Stay with
it and make the turn. (Don't worry about
the misleading sign before the preceding
left.) Go 4.7 miles, then turn left onto Ox
Road (Rte. 123). In 0.5 mi. (after passing
the golf center), turn left into Burke
Lake Park. Follow signs to the marina.
INFO: Sue King 703/356-6659
22 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—DC Crew: Rock
Creek Park, 8:15 a.m.
We’ll work on the lower section of the
Valley Trail, continuing our efforts to
improve access within the park. Meet at
the Nature Center at 5200 Glover Road,
NW, Washington, DC 20015. We will
carpool to the work site and expect to
finish by noon. No experience necessary.
All are welcome. Bring gloves and wear
appropriate footwear and clothing for a
few hours of manual labor. Rain or shine.
INFO: Alex Sanders ([email protected])
22 (Saturday)
TRAIL WORK—Cadillac Crew, 9:30 a.m.
25 (Tuesday)
HIKE—Vigorous Hikers:
Sugarloaf Mountain TripleLoop, Dickerson, MD, 8 a.m.
We'll complete 6 of 7 colored trails along
with part of the 7th, the Yellow Trail.
Est. mi.: 15 with 3,000 ft of ascent.
INFO: Bob Livezey ([email protected])
25 (Tuesday)
MEETING—PATC Executive
Committee, Vienna, VA, 7 p.m.
Monthly meeting of the committee. To
participate by phone (by invitation only),
dial 1-877/746-4263 and when prompted
enter participant code 020 3572#
INFO: Brewster Thackeray 703/2420315 x105 ([email protected])
30 (Sunday)
MISCELLANEOUS—South
Mountaineers: Maryland AT, 9 a.m.
Everyone goes home happy and a bit tired
from South Mountaineers events. We start
in Frederick County. Expect to hike 2-4
miles. Bring water, lunch, boots and gloves.
INFO: Leonard Keifer ([email protected])
Sprucing up various trails. Location TBD.
INFO: John Corwith
([email protected])
DEADLINE FOR POTOMAC APPALACHIAN ARTICLES AND FORECAST
Articles to be considered for publication in PA should be submitted to [email protected]. Digital photos
are welcome if they meet the requirements for a print publication, good contrast and at least 5x7
inches assuming a print resolution of 300 dots per inch. Please supply information for photo caption
and name of photographer. Photographs need not be connected with a story.
Forecast items to be included should be posted to the PATC calendar at patc.net by the deadline.
HOW TO CONTACT US Headquarters, Sales, Cabin Reservations, and Membership Information
Address: 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, Va. 22180
Phone #: 703/242‑0315
Fax #: 703/242‑0968
Club E‑mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.patc.net
Club President (leave a message),
Dick Hostelley: 703/242‑0315
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Club Officers and Chairs Contact Info
Contact list is online at www.patc.net/contacts
Change of Address? Log on to www.patc.net
and update your address online, or contact
[email protected]
20
Staff, During regular business hours
Position
Staff
Staff Director Brewster Thackeray Trails Management Coord. Heidi Forrest Sales Coordinator Diane Yang
Finance Coordinator
Mona Filchock
Cabin Coordinator
Anne Corwith
Membership/IT Coordinator Kit Sheffield Potomac Appalachian
Editor Co‑Editor Forecast Editor
Co-Forecast Editor
Layout Designer
Co-Layout Designer
ExtE‑mail
105 [email protected]
107 [email protected]
103 [email protected]
106 [email protected]
108 [email protected]
109 [email protected]
Rachel F. Levin Dan Pulskamp
Jack Bowie
Dan Varela
Tara Jones-Oxenrider
Vacant
[email protected]
PA‑[email protected]
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
TRAILHEAD
For the first time in their history, the
North District Hoodlums took their act
on the road. On July 16, they joined up
with Chris Brunton, district manager of
the Virginia North AT, to help with the
AT relocation project near Harper’s Ferry.
A handful of Hoodlums happily took
up Chris’s offer to bunk at Blackburn
Trail Center the night before, then
joined ranks with additional Hoodlums
that arrived Saturday morning.
Battling plentiful rocks, heat and
humidity, the Hoodlums set to extending
the rough trail base that other crews
had established in work trips earlier
this year. Meanwhile, Chris and
first-timer Jack McGuire removed a
blowdown that had settled across the
new trail lower down the mountain.
Another first-timer, Eric Christian,
jumped right in and helped blaze the
new trail. By lunchtime, the Hoodlums
had added 150 feet to the rough
alignment, and after a short break to
hydrate and rest, better established
the new rough cut by removing
roots, duff, and even more rocks.
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
The group felt good about the progress
made and decided to halt work for the
day just as thunder started to roll into
the area. Most of the group then headed
back to Blackburn Trail Center and
feasted on a fantastic meal generously
prepared by Sandi Marra Brunton,
while watching the much-needed rain
fall. It was a hard day of work in the
heat, but the Hoodlums were happy to
take a road trip and help another PATC
district on a much-needed project.
ABOVE, FROM LEFT: Hoodlums blaze a
new trail - literally; a hard-working road
trip crew. Photos by Janice Cessna
Want to join the Hoodlums? They work
the third Saturday of every month, March
through October. For more information and
to get on their new e-vite list, contact Janice
Cessna. ([email protected]).
Send your “on-the trail” tales to
[email protected]
21
HELP WANTED
Cabin Overseer
Anne Corwith ~
[email protected]
•Bear Spring Cabin ~ Map
5-6 Maryland AT
Corridor Monitors
Tom Lupp ~ 301/663-6644,
[email protected]
•Whiskey Hollow ~ Northern
VA, Map 8 [south of Rte.50]
•Bear Hollow ~ Northern VA,
Map 8 [north of Rte.522]
Shelter Overseer
•Rod Hollow Shelter- Northern
VA, Map 8 [north of Rte.50]
SNP Central District blue blazed [north]
~ Map 10
Melvin Ellis ~ H 703/860-1253 or 540/9879797, [email protected]
•Leading Ridge Trail ~ Skyline Drive
to West Park Boundary (1.3 mi)
SNP Central District blue blazed [south]
~ Map 10
Sean Dunn ~ 540/478-7953,
[email protected]
•Cedar Run (upper) [W1/2] ~ Second
stream crossing from the bottom
to Hawksbill Gap (2.5 mi)
•Lewis Mtn. Trail ~ Lewis Mtn.
Campground to Old Farm Site (1 mi)
SNP South District Appalachian Trail ~
Map 11
Don White ~ 804/728-3976,
[email protected]
•Appalachian Trail ~ McCormick
Gap to Beagle Gap (3.7 mi)
Chris Brunton ~ 703/967-2226,
[email protected]
•Appalachian Trail ~ Co-overseer
~ Hairpin Switchback to Crimora
Lake Overlook (1.5 mi)
Trails
•Appalachian Trail ~ Co-overseer ~ Ivy
Creek Hut Trail to Frazier Discovery Trail
Pennsylvania AT, blue blazed and
Tuscarora ~ Maps [2-3, 4, J, and K]
Pete Brown ~ 410/343-1140,
[email protected]
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ Sterretts
Gap to Cranes Gap (3.6 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ Cranes
Gap to Longs Gap (2.5 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ Longs
Gap to PA Rte.74 (3.3 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ McClure’s
Gap to Warner Trail (3.7 mi)
•PA Tuscarora Trail [J] ~ Mountain
Road to PA Rte.641 (6.2 mi)
•PA Tuscarora [K] ~ Co-overseer ~ Alice
Trail to Yellow Blazed Trail (4.2 mi)
•PA Tuscarora [K] ~ Co-overseer
~ Yellow Trail to PA 456
•Hunter Trail ~ Tuscarora
Trail to PA 16 (.8 mi)
SNP North District blue blazed ~ Map 9
Noel Freeman ~ 540/850-1397,
[email protected]
•Dickey Ridge Trail ~ US Rte.
340 to milepost 2.1(1.9 mi)
SNP South District blue blazed ~ Map 11
Steve Bair ~ [email protected]
•Upper Rockytop Trail ~ Big Run Loop
Trail to Lewis Peak Trail (2.2 mi)
Massanutten North ~ Map G
Anstruther Davidson ~ 703/534-8171,
[email protected]
•Massanutten Mtn. Trail ~ Gap Creek
Trail to Scothorn Gap Trail (2.4 mi)
Bull Run Occoquan Trail
Dave Fellers ~ 703/560-2171,
[email protected]
•Bull Run Occoquan Trail ~ Ordway
to Route 28 Parking Lot (1. mi)
Prince William Forest Park
Mark Ellis ~ 703/376-4150,
[email protected]
•North Valley/South Valley Trail ~
Co-overseer ~ Cabin Branch Mine
Trail to South Orenda Road (1.5 mi)
•South Valley Trail ~ First intersection
with Scenic Dr. to third Intersection
with Scenic Dr. (1.65 mi)
Manassas National Battlefield Park
John Price ~ 703/407-4334,
[email protected]
•Battery Heights/Brawner
Farm Connector ~ P2 to
Brawner Farm Loop (.5 mi)
•Brawner Farm Loop/Deep Cut
Loop Connector ~ Brawner Farm
Loop to Deep Cut Loop (.5 mi)
•Lower Rockytop Trail ~ Lewis Peak Trail
junction to Big Run Portal Trail (3.5 mi)
•Lewis Peak Trail ~ Rockytop Trail
to west SNP boundary (2.6 mi)
•Lewis Peak Summit Trail ~ Lewis Peak
Trail to Lewis Peak Summit (0.3 mi)
•Austin Mtn Trail ~ Rockytop Trail to
Madison Run Fire Road (3.2 mi)
•Onemile Run Trail ~ Twomile Run
Overlook to first stream crossing (1.9 mi)
Tuscarora Central ~ Map L
John Spies ~ [email protected]
•Rock Cave and Overlook Trail ~ Pinnacle
Overlook to Pinnacle Campground (.1 mi)
•Devils Nose Connector ~ Devils Nose
Parking Area to Tuscarora Trail (.5 mi)
Tuscarora South ~ Map F, G, 9
John Stacy ~ 339/223-0416,
[email protected]
•Tuscarora Trail ~ White Rocks
Trail to Cedar Creek (2.7 mi)
•Tuscarora Trail ~ Cedar Creek
to Ridge Crest (2.8 mi)
•Tuscarora Trail ~ Ridge Crest
to Fetzer Gap (3.1 mi)
22
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
YOUTH
N
O
I
T
C
E
S
FIRE SAFETY
It’s September, summer is winding down, and many of
you are headed back to school after summer break.
Sept. 22 is the first full day of autumn in the Northern
Hemisphere. During this time of year, it is especially
important to be mindful of outdoor fires. Poorly maintained
fires may spark forest or wildland fires. Wildland fires
may be small and easy to contain, but some can span
miles, destroying wildlife and man-made structures.
In this issue, we’ll learn more about wild fires, how to
prevent them and the people who fight wildland fires.
3. USE a fire ring or fire pit. If you are
in a campground, chances are there
is an existing area to safely light fires.
If there is not a pit or a ring, you can
make one but be at least fifteen feet
away from tents, trees or shrubs.
Fire requires three ingredients to survive: heat, fuel and
oxygen, a relationship often referred to as the fire triangle.
Take one of these ingredients away and fire cannot occur.
Heat is the initial ignition of a fire and is necessary for
the fire to continue and spread. Fuel is the material that
fire burns. In wildland fires, fallen branches and dead
trees provide natural kindling for an out-of-control fire.
The heat from wildfires dries up surrounding trees
and vegetation, turning them into additional fuel
for the fire. When fuel burns it reacts with the
oxygen in the air, releasing more heat and causing
smoke and embers to occur. As long as a fire has
these three ingredients it will continue to burn.
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, there
have been 33,852 wildland fires between Jan. 1, 2016
and Aug. 1, 2016, destroying over 3.4 million acres in
North America. On average, 10 percent of fires occur
naturally, when lightning strikes a dry area. That means
90 percent of wildland fires are caused by humans.
Something as simple as a spark from a firework
or an ember from a fire pit can cause an
uncontrollable fire. When building a campfire,
follow these tips to stay fire safe.
1. NEVER start or manage a fire
alone. Make sure you have an adult
around when you are near fire.
2. DO NOT build a fire on a Code Red
Day or if fires are prohibited in the area.
Code Red days are those when local fire
departments determine that it is unsafe to
set a fire. You can check with a local park
ranger or stop by your local fire house to
find out if it is safe to burn a fire outdoors.
 
4. ALWAYS keep your fire at a
manageable size. Use large dry
pieces of wood to keep your fire
burning steadily and never cut
down or use live branches.
5. DROWN your fire in water to make
sure it is completely out. Make sure
every ember is out. You should not
feel any heat from the pit, even if your
hand is just a few inches above the
drenched fire. If you run out of water
you can stir dirt in with the embers
but be careful not to bury the fire.
Wildland fires are fought by brave individuals called
Wildland Fire Fighters (WFF). WFF are different from
firefighters because they are not trained to enter
a building or structure. Instead WFF are skilled in
monitoring natural elements such as wind changes
and terrain to help battle a blaze. WFFs use ground
and air tactics to control and suppress fires. Some
individuals work at WFF year round, while others are
trained but may only be called to help fight large fires.
You can learn more about the different
types of Wildland Fire Fighters at http://
www.smokeybear.com/front-line.asp
Next time you go camping, have a great
time! Remember to pay careful attention to
your campfire; wildlife depends on it.
Youth Section Editor: La Benn
Contact the Youth Section at [email protected]
september 2016 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
23
PERIODICAL
118 Park Street, S.E.
Vienna, VA 22180‑4609
US POSTAGE PAID
AT VIENNA VA
Telephone: 703/242‑0315
Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Registration for PATC’s 89th Award Banquet and Annual Meeting
Thursday, Nov. 17, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Atrium at Meadowlark Gardens
Name(s):
Phone number and/or email:
$45 X
for standard tickets
$89 X
for Banquet Brigade ticket(s)
$
Donation to PATC
For 89 years PATC has led hikes, constructed and renovated shelters and cabins, mapped the trails, taught trail construction, safety,
and conservation, and built and cleared the trails in rain, snow, and sunshine. Your support enhances those activities as we prepare to
launch our 90th year!
Checks should be made out to PATC and marked “Awards Banquet,” or provide charge card information:
Expiration Date:
VISA/MasterCard Number:
/
Please charge my credit card $
Signature:
Mail to: PATC, 118 Park Street, SE, Vienna, VA 22180
Because PATC has to order dinners in advance, we cannot provide refunds.
If you have any questions, or wish to attend the meeting but not have dinner, please contact Brewster Thackeray to make arrangements
NEW BOOTS
Volunteers Appointed in July
Trails
Wayne Chambers
AT ~ Rte. 605 to Old Woods Road
Lynne Larabec
AT ~ Rte. 605 to Old Woods Road
Bret Hart
AT ~ Pocosin Fire Road to Dean Mtn. Road
Eugene Locke
AT ~ Hairpin Switchback to Crimora Lake Overlook
Barry Brubaker
Tuscarora Trail ~ PA 233 to Bill Miller Trail
Roy Unger
Dickey Ridge Trail ~ US 340 to milepost 2.1
John Lord (Ian)
Eaton Hollow Trail
Potomac Appalachian
Printed on 100% Post
Consumer Waste Paper
(UPS‑440‑280) ©2016, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Inc.
Published monthly by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, Va.
22180. Periodical class postage paid at Vienna, Va. Postmaster:
send address changes to: PATC, 118 Park Street, S.E., Vienna, Va. 22180
Subscription: (Free with membership) $9.00 annually; $.75 single copies.