GEORGIA
THE
MOUNTAINEER
Vol. 87, No. 12
The Bulletin of the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club
December 2013
Business Meeting
October 12, 2013
Recipients of the National Park Service Silver Service Awards left to right: Martha Miller, Jud Germon,
John Odell (presenter), Darleen Jarman, Bruce Northrop, and Shelley Rose. Not pictured: Dick Hurd.
The 2013 Annual Business Meeting was held on Saturday, October 12, at The
Lumpkin County Y.M.C.A. / Parks & Recreation Center in Dahlonega. Here
are some highlights.
John Odell presented a report from the ATC Southern Regional Office (SORO)
and presented six GATC members with the National Park Service Silver Service
Awards, recognizing them for 25 years of volunteer service to the A.T. Jud Germon,
Dick Hurd, Darleen Jarman, Martha Miller, Bruce Northrup and Shelley Rose
received the award. Eric Graves, executive director of the Hike Inn, presented
an update on the Hike Inn and the Hillrie Quin Scholarship Award.
State Representative John Carson, one of the sponsors of the bill to allow
revenue sharing for the A.T. tag, joined us and was recognized for his role in
getting this legislation passed in the Georgia General Assembly. He and State
Representative Mike Dudgeon received a copy of Friendships of the Trail in
appreciation for being the champions for this legislation.
Don Hicks presented Roy Stalling with the
Trailworker of the Year award.
State Representative John Carson.
The Board of Directors presented reports on behalf of the President, Treasurer,
Membership, Activities, Trails, Information and Education and Outreach. Frank
Wright presented the nomination slate of incoming directors for 2014 who will
be installed at the Holiday Party in December. In addition, Don Hicks presented
the Trail Maintainers’ Awards. Roy Stallings received the Trail Worker of the
Year Award. Tee shirts and hats were presented to those maintainers who
were qualified.
After the presentations were made, we had lunch. The main course was
barbeque (pork and chicken) with a vegetable alternative. The meal was prepared
and served by the Meetings Committee who did an excellent job.
After the Business Meeting concluded there were two workshops conducted,
one for Hike Leader Training and another for Invasive Plants. Both workshops
were well attended and were very informative sessions.
Chinnabee Silent Trail Dayhike
October 13
Reported by: Pat Johnston
It was a lovely day to hike in the Talladega National Forest. We met at Post Road on I-20 West and headed to Cheaha State
Park in Alabama. After visiting the park office, we drove three miles to the Turnipseed parking lot and got on the trail at 10:00
a.m. There were a lot of backpackers coming out of the Chinnabee Trail -- 30 in the first group from Alabama and about 15
in the second group from Georgia; seemed to be Boy Scouts. Pat got the great news from them that the creek crossing at the
top of the first falls was doable. Only two weeks before, the water was too high and rocks too slippery to cross there.
A major flood in April caused the closing of Chinnabee Lake and the road to it. People had to be rescued by boats, and
one man lost his car when he tried to drive out. The Chinnabee Silent Trail is closed below the falls and below the Skyway
Trail intersection. Rangers have no idea when this area will be reopened.
The beginning of the hike is well traveled and winds easily through the woods.
Once across the creek, some of the trail is overgrown and blazes are worn. Our co-leader, Sue, got us back on the correct
track after our rest stop at the Chinnabee shelter. Once we got close to the creek again, we saw some of the damage from
the April flood. One landslide sent several trees down the hill. There were piles of fallen trees on both sides of the creek,
but we got through OK and made our way to Devil's Den Falls where we took the Alan challenge to bushwack down to
some rocks by the creek. Pesky yellow jackets told us when it was time to get back on the trail.
Thank you, Sue, for coleading.
Our very convivial group consisted of:
Members: Susan Basch, Pat Johnston, Melanie Spamer, and Leah Taylor.
Guests: Alan Shorr and Joan Shorr.
Left to right: Leah Taylor,
Susan Basch, Melanie Spamer,
Joan Shorr, and Alan Shorr.
The Georgia Mountaineer/
GATC Receives TrueBlue Community Award
By Tom Ottinger
GATC was recently honored by Georgia Natural Gas with a TrueBlue
Community Award in recognition for the outstanding work of our Outreach
Program. Prior to the awards ceremony in Atlanta on October 23, we knew
only that GATC was one of thirteen nonprofit organizations selected for
awards. We knew there would be eight Natural Leader Awards, each of which
would receive $2500, four Blue Flame Awards to receive $5,000 each, and one
TrueBlue Community Award winner, which would receive $10,000.
At the ceremony, the $2,500 awards were given first, and GATC wasn’t
called. We knew then that we would get at least $5,000. Then three of the four
$5,000 winners were announced, and we still weren’t called. That meant we
were in the top two! They then showed a short video describing the work
of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which had helped over 100,000 people
with utility bills last year. And they received the last $5,000 award!
A panel of judges made up of corporate and community leaders, including
the former president of Atlanta Gas Light, a representative from the Atlanta
mayor’s office, and the head of Community Relations for WXIA-TV, selected
GATC Outreach for the top award and a $10,000 grant from Georgia Natural
Gas!
The judges recognized the value of connecting young people with nature.
GATC’s Outreach typically gets about 1500 children and youth out on day
hikes, backpacking trips, and overnights at the Len Foote Hike Inn each
year. Separated from their cell phones, video games, and other electronics,
they learn about the natural world and conservation. More importantly,
they experience nature, become comfortable in it, and appreciate the value
of preserving it for future generations.
If you agree with the judges that connecting young people with nature
is important, then become an outreach volunteer. The award will allow us
to expand our program, but only if we get additional volunteers. To find
out more, email Community Outreach Director Tom Ottinger at ottinger@
ellijay.com.
GATC Merchandise
Note of Appreciation
Show your support for GATC with a new T-shirt, ball cap or vest! Check
out our web store featuring a wide-range of high-quality tees including 100
percent cotton, moisture-wicking, dry blend materials, and more. Don’t
forget the holidays are coming… what better way to remember your hiking
friends and family than with a gift from the GATC store!
Your purchase of these items not only brings awareness to our club, but
raises funds used to support GATC-sponsored trail projects. Please visit the
GATC web store, powered by Acorn Trail Guide, at http://acorntrailguide.
com/trail-store/gatc-store. And please like us on Facebook at www.facebook.
com/acorntrailguide to get updates on new merchandise and trail fests!
I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all the trail managers and
volunteers in your organization. My husband, myself and a good friend
hiked Springer to Woody Gap the last week of September. This has been a
long time dream for us "old folks" to hike the trail in sections. I stayed in
awe of the mountains beauty and more so in seeing all of the hard work
that had been done to keep this trail well marked and accessible. I have
told everyone about the obvious hard work that has been put in on the
trail. Please send our heartfelt thanks to everyone. Also this website was
so helpful in planning our journey. We look forward to our next venture
on the next section!
Deb Duvall, St. Augustine, FL
Founding Fathers: Charlie Elliott
By: Ron Hamlin
You may have read about the induction of
Eddie Stone into the AT Hall of Fame (Georgia
Mountaineer, August 2013) in recognition of his
efforts to locate and build the Georgia section of the
Appalachian Trail. Nothing is known about Eddie
outside his role with the AT, but Eddie’s assistant
in the AT story, Charlie Elliott, led a higher profile
and more colorful life after his work establishing
the Georgia route. Much of what we do know about
Eddie is told by Charlie.
Much of the early history of the AT in Georgia that
is described in Friendships of the Trail is related by
Charlie in the later years of his life. You may recall
that his story tells of the establishment of a route
that didn’t align with the route that had been agreed
upon at the first Appalachian Trail Conference in
1925. He and Eddie, instead of building a route that
would tie in with the Smoky Mountains Hiking
Club’s route, which would have crossed into Georgia
near Chattanooga, followed a more eastern route
which originally traveled from Mount Oglethorpe
to Bly Gap, leaving it to the ATC to straighten out
the discrepancy. This was possible because Eddie
and Charlie actually cut their trail before the folks
in Knoxville built any of theirs.
In the early years, after Benton MacKaye had
proposed the idea of an Appalachian Trail, there
was slow movement in the creation of the trail,
/December 2013
concentrated mostly in the northeast. Roy Ozmer
was asked by Arthur Perkins, the chairman of the
Appalachian Trail Conference, to identify a path
for a trail in the southern states, which generally
lacked any sort of trail movement outside of the
Knoxville area. Ozmer, at the time, was an editor
with a Washington newspaper and took time off to
survey the trail for Perkins. Ozmer, who also led a
colorful life after his AT experience as “chief hermit
of Pelican Key” until his death in 1969, hired Charlie
and Eddie in 1927.
Continuing his work as a forester after his
experience locating the AT, Charlie is attributed
with helping to create the Joyce Kilmer Memorial
Forest up in the Nantahala National Forest. When
the Georgia General Assembly created the Division
of State Parks, Historic Sites and Monuments as a
unit of the Department of Natural Resources in 1937,
Charlie Elliott became its first director, beginning
a career within the state’s natural resources
bureaucracy. He served in this position until 1939
when he became a commissioner of the Natural
Resources Department.
In 1943, Charlie was named the first director of
the Georgia Fish and Game Commission where he
ruffled political feathers. He altered the role of what
were game wardens, which at the time were positions
of political patronage, to that of professionally
trained wildlife rangers with a focus on wildlife
management based on science and research. With
the support of the Governor, Ellis Arnall, Charlie
had the political backing he needed to maintain the
renewed focus of the rangers within the Fish and
Game Commission. In the next election, Arnall lost
his Governorship to Herman Talmadge, leading
to Charlie’s resignation and focusing his efforts
on writing.
Charlie wrote many books in his time, as well as
writing for a number of magazines and newspapers.
He was a colleague of Coca-Cola executive Robert
W. Woodruff, with whom he fished and hunted. He
traveled up and down the western hemisphere in
search of stories of hunting, fishing and conservation,
many of which ended up on the pages of “Outdoor
Life.” His writing led him to become the southern
field director for the magazine, a position he retired
from in 1972.
Born in Oxford, GA in 1906, Charlie passed away
in 2000. He is commemorated with the Charlie
Elliott Wildlife Center near Social Circle, GA as well
as our knowledge of the role he played in making
the Appalachian Trail a reality here in Georgia.
Much of his life is portrayed in colorful detail in
his autobiography An Outdoor Life, published in
1994 by Flat Rock Press. The book is currently out
of print but used copies can be found.
Presidential Ponderings
This will be my last column as GATC president.
I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to
serve as president for the past 3 years. I remember
how nervous I was before taking the position and
I could not have anticipated how rewarding and
meaningful the job turned out to be.
I want to thank the GATC board members and
other volunteers who show such dedication and
commitment to our organization. It is amazing to
me the amount of work we are able to accomplish,
led and carried out completely by volunteers.
People were always ready to say “yes” anytime
I asked.
I am very proud of the work we accomplished
together over the past 3 years. The Blood
Mountain Shelter reroof was a highlight, including
partnering with the Back Country Horseman
Association (and others); and getting the shelter
listed on the National Register of Historic
Places this year was the icing on the cake. We
also undertook a restructuring of the board and
implementing changes to the by-laws, something
that had not been done in over 25 years. GATC
served as one of the local club sponsors for the
biennial this year. It was a successful endeavor
with each of the local maintaining clubs receiving
$8600 in revenue from the venture. And of course,
our success in getting the A.T. license tag produced
and revenue sharing passed will provide the
A.T. in Georgia with a steady source of income
for many years.
In addition, we signed a new five-year
volunteer service agreement with the Forest
Service which provides better protection for
GATC volunteers as we carry out our work. We
continue to play a crucial role with CoTrails, the
Forest Service initiative to bring all users of the
national forest together to create and maintain
sustainable trails.
We welcomed 5 new AT communities in Georgia
over the past 3 years, including Dahlonega;
Blairsville/Union County; Hiawassee/ Young
Harris/ Towns County in 2011; . Ellijay/Gilmer
County and Helen/White County were added
in 2012.
Finally, congratulations to the Outreach
Committee and to all of us! On October 23, GATC
received the highest award from the Georgia
Natural Gas TrueBlue Awards program – a $10,000
grant for our outreach program. This award is
concrete recognition of the important work that
GATC is doing with young people to introduce
them to the A.T., to help them appreciate the
natural world, and to instill in them a love of the
outdoors and conservation ethics-- and now we
can do so much more.
I am so honored to have had the opportunity
to serve as president over the past 3 years. GATC
is in great hands with Beth Rothermel, incoming
president, and the 2014 board of directors. I look
forward to continuing to volunteer and work with
each of you in the future. Now I will finally have
time to actually …
See you on the trail,
Shelley Rose, GATC 2013 President
GATC Donors
Third Quarter 2013
Prospective
Member
Applications
GATC wants to thank all donors.
We appreciate your support.
Ali Ansari (McKesson Foundation)
Jennette Gayer
Rony Koshy
Shelley Rose
Thomas Schwab
Arline Slack
Michael Wall
GATC Welcomes
New Members
Ronald Grimm
61 Arrow Ct, Lavonia, GA 30553
Cell: 404-304-8581
Email: [email protected]
Jacqueline Boling
311 7th Street, Columbus, GA 31901
Home: 706-566-9634
Email: [email protected]
Orval Porter
4211 Misty Morning Way, Apt. 2329
Gainesville, GA 30506
Home: 678-971-1032
Email: [email protected]
Charles Duke
105 Heard Drive, Elberton, GA 30635
Home: 706-283-0020 Work: 706-283-4500
Cell: 706-988-0109
Email: [email protected]
The following have applied as GATC
prospective members: Jim Agnew, Steve
Bloomingdale, Karen Hill, Lee Ann Robins, Todd
Ruff, Steven Tomlinson, and Brian Zirbes. Any
comments or issues regarding a prospective
member should be communicated to the
Membership Director, Babette Broussard. If no
comments are received and it has been 15 days
since the applicant’s name has been published,
the prospective member will be converted to
active membership status upon completion of
all requirements, submission of an application
for membership, payment of any required
pro-rated dues and review by the Membership
Committee.
Want that New
Member feeling?
Calling all GATC Members
Remember when you became a new member
receiving a warm welcoming letter, a pat on
the back, etc.? If you would like to experience
that feeling again and become more involved
in the club, there is a simple solution. Email
[email protected] for the member
questionnaire or pick one up at the Holiday
Party.
The Georgia Mountaineer
publisher/The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club
Editorial Staff
EDITOR
Rick Hartline
Bulletin Staff
Beverly Batchelor
Van Hill
Sandi Still
Chip Whiteman
PHOTOGRAPHER
Olin Batchelor
Officers & Board
President
Shelley Rose
404-728-9703
[email protected]
Secretary/Historian
Johann Artigas
770-529-8596
[email protected]
Treasurer
Mark Rottmann
770-823-0438
[email protected]
Activities Director
Richard Eidson
404-245-6969
[email protected]
Communications Director
Ron Hamlin
706-548-0099
[email protected]
Community Outreach
Director Tom Ottinger 706-276-2375
[email protected]
Conservation Director David Stelts 706-232-5816
[email protected]
Information and
Education Director Jay Dement
404-731-1901
[email protected]
Membership Director Babette Broussard 404-231-4866
[email protected]
Trails Supervisor
Don Hicks
678-217-4421
[email protected]
Directors at Large Beverly Batchelor 770-271-3325
[email protected]
Sherry Bryant 770-339-2919
[email protected]
Voice Mailbox
404-494-0968
Website
http://www.georgia-atclub.org
Bulletin Address:
Rick Hartline, Bulletin Editor
391 Johannah Place SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
Phone: 678-665-9765
E-mail: [email protected]
Change of Mailing or Email Address:
Please send your mailing or
email address changes to:
Sandi Still, GATC Data Base Manager
2850 Faraday Court, Decatur, GA 30033
E-mail: [email protected]
Changes received by the 1st of the month
ensure that the next month’s bulletin will be
sent to your new address.
Deadline for Publication:
The first day of the month
prior to the month of publication.
The Georgia Mountaineer
is published monthly by the
Georgia Appalachian Trail Club, Inc.,
P.O. Box 654, Atlanta, Georgia 30301.
One year subscription rate $20.00.
Free to members.
Entire contents copyright© 2013.
All rights reserved.
Printed in Atlanta, Georgia by
Robert Tennent of
Eagle-Empire Printing.
The Georgia Mountaineer/
Previews
December
December 1 (Sun)
Arabia Mountain
Rating: B3C
Leader: Jane Trentin
Co-Leader: Susan Cowan
Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve near
Lithonia will be beautiful in December. On the
granite monadnock there will be pools of newly
sprouted red diamorpha contrasted with aquacolored lichen and green moss. The Preserve has
acquired much green space in recent years and a
number of new trails have been developed. We
will explore two new ones, one that circles the lake
that lies just below the highest peak providing
a lovely view of the east side of the mountain,
and the other to Wilburn Farm with a view of the
mountain’s west side. To sign up please contact
Jane Trentin at 770 978-1839 or janetrentin@yahoo
or Susan Cowan at 770 313-0145 or s_cowan@
yahoo.com. Thanks to Susan for knowing about
these two new areas and doing the write up.
Here is the definition she gives for a monadnock:
a monadnock is a mountain or rocky mass that
has resisted erosion and stands isolated in an
essentially level area. Also called inselberg, which
means island mountain in German.
December 7 (Sat)
Holiday Party
Rating: Fun & good food
Leader: Meetings Committee
The annual Holiday Party is enjoyed by all. There
will be lots of good food prepared by your fellow
club members, and lots of time to socialize with
old friends and meet new ones. All prospective
members, former members, and friends are
invited to join in. Don’t miss the incredible
member photography display, the installation
of new officers, and the presentation of awards
for our volunteer workers. Potluck lunch will
follow these events. Please bring a covered
dish. To register, please contact Dawn Collinge
at [email protected].
December 8 (Sun)
Woody Gap to Dockery Lake Dayhike
Rating: B3B
Leader: Lawson Herron
Co-Leader: Tom Cross
This 8 mile walk will begin at Miller Gap because
it is likely that the gate to Dockery Lake will be
closed for the winter, thus no car access to the
Lake. The hike will be an in and out – no shuttle
required. The trail meanders through a pretty
hardwood forest that changes to a pine/hemlock
forest as we follow a picturesque creek. There
are several water crossings that can be negotiated
without getting one’s feet wet. As we approach
the Lake, views of the surrounding mountains
are abundant. Lunch will be at Dockery Lake,
one of the most beautiful in North Georgia. After
lunch, we’ll retrace our steps to Miller Gap. Since
this hike will be in wilderness, the number of
participants will be limited to 12 total. To register,
email Lawson at [email protected], or phone
770-993-5231, although email is preferred.
/December 2013
December 14 (Sat)
Blood Mountain Dayhike
Rating: B3B
Leader: Rick Hartline
Come join us for this loop hike that includes a stop
at the top of Blood Mountain, where, with just a
little luck, we will be able to see forever. We will
start at Lake Winfield Scott, take the Slaughter
Creek Trail to the AT, climb to the top of Blood
to enjoy the view while eating some lunch. We
will then come down the mountain the way we
went up, but instead of the Slaughter Creek Trail,
we’ll take the AT southbound to Jarrard Gap, then
back to Lake Winfield Scott. It is a hike of about
8 miles total with some moderate climbs from
Lake Winfield Scott to the top of Blood Mountain.
In addition to the view from Blood Mountain,
we will treated to several natural communities
including a wide diversity of tree species. To
register, contact Rick at rhartline52@comcast.
net or 678-665-9765. We will be in wilderness so
group size is limited to 12 total.
December 15 (Sun)
Stone Mountain Dayhike
Rating: B2C
Leader: Dawn Collinge
Co-Leader: Melanie Spamer
Take a break from the frantic pace of the Holiday
season for an in-town hike around Stone
Mountain. We’ll warm up with the climb to the
top, enjoy the view for a few minutes, and then
head back down to take the Cherokee Trail around
the base of the Mountain. A really enjoyable walk
– and the only tough part is the climb to the top!
Contact Dawn at [email protected] or Melanie
at [email protected].
December 21 (Sat)
District 8 Trail Maintenance
Rating: Opportunity to burn calories for the
Holidays
Leader: Don Converse
Co-Leader: Wes Bartlett
We will be working in District 8.13, just a short
walk from the parking area at Unicoi Gap. After
sign in and a short safety talk at 9:00, we’ll get
started. Our plan is to construct steps out of
locust logs at the first switch back. We should
have all the materials assembled beforehand. No
experience is required. We’ll find useful tasks for
all skill levels. Contact: Don Converse at
770-394-7558, or 678-480-8998 on the morning of
the 21st, or [email protected] to sign
up: or Wes Bartlett at 706-878-9040, or jw1949@
windsream.net
Hike Rating Codes
Distance
AA
over 13 miles
A
9-13 miles
B
5-9 miles
C
under 5 miles
Pace
1
very fast (over 2.5 mph)
2
fast (2 - 2.5 mph)
3
moderate (1.5 - 2 mph)
4
leisurely (under 1.5 mph)
Terrain
A
very strenuous
B
strenuous
C
average
D
easy
December 22 (Sun)
In-Town Series: Fort Yargo Trail Dayhike
Rating: B3D
Leader: Milt Kochenash
Co-Leader: Jane Trentin
Take a break from the Holiday hustle and bustle,
and enjoy a late season treat at one of our local
gems – a loop hike around Fort Yargo State park.
The mostly flat terrain and the scenic lake will
be in full view this time of the year. The hike
features an authentic, historic fort, built around
1792 which provided protection to the early
settlers of this area from the native Creek Indians
at the time. In 1810, George Humphrey, one of
the builders of this fort, sold Ft. Yargo and 121
acres to John Hill for $167 – quite a bargain. To
register, contact Milt Kochenash milt.koch@gmail.
com (770) 791-0117 or Jane Trentin janetrentin@
yahoo.com (770) 978-1839.
December 28 (Sat)
AT Series: Jack’s Gap to Unicoi Gap Dayhike
Rating: B3C
Leader: Max Corner
Co-Leader: Melanie Spamer
The hike starts at Jack’s Gap with a 950 foot climb in
the first 2.5 miles and meets the Appalachian Trail
at Chattahochee Gap. The next 3 miles involves a
series of bumps with a slight increase in altitude
and then steep down hill for the last part of the
hike to Unicoi Gap. The total distance is about
6.6 miles. Due to holiday travel, etc. please let
Max know by December 19 if you will join this
hike. We will meet at Unicoi Gap at 9:00 AM to
start the short shuttle. To register, contact Max
Corner, [email protected], H-770-967-9063,
C- 678-315-1165, or Melanie Spamer, mspamer@
comcast.net, C-678-640-5903.
January
January 4 (Sat)
Pine Mountain/Cooper Furnace
(Cartersville) Dayhike
Rating: B3C
Leader: Linda Meyer
Co-Leader: Barbara McCollum
This hike has been changed a little, so it will be
closer to 9 miles. We will use one side of the west
loop to summit Pine Mountain to see views of
Allatoona Lake. Then we’ll use one side of the
east loop to reach the east loop parking area,
where we will gain access to the Cooper Furnace
connector trail. Once we reach and are on the
Cooper Furnace Trail, a short ways on the left,
we will use the Laurel Ridge trail to climb up to
the Allatoona Dam, with great views of the dam.
Then using the gravel road, we will reconnect
with the Cooper Furnace Trail. Before arriving at
the Furnace we will take the new addition onto
the Cooper Furnace trail which will take us up
behind the furnace, hiking through woods that
parallel the Etowah River, crossing the road and
hiking back along the river. Nearing the furnace
area, we will cross the road once again back up
behind the furnace, using the small side trail
to gain access to the front of the furnace which
dates back to before the Civil War. Here there
is a picnic area where we will have some lunch
before heading back on the Cooper Furnace trail,
the connector, and the opposite sides of the east
and west loop to return to the west loop parking.
Most of the hike is moderate with some strenuous.
Previews
To register, contact Linda Meyer, 770-445-0493,
[email protected] or Barbara McCollum, 706-2350782, [email protected].
January 4-5 (Sat-Sun)
Great Smoky Mountains National
Park Winter Backpack
Rating: (Sat) A3B (Sun) C3C
Leader: Bill Cawthorne
Co-Leader: Jeffrey Wynia
Join us in the Smokies on this winter backpack.
You may need snowshoes or you may need short
pants -- only Mother Nature knows. We will have
wonderful winter views from the Jump Off and
Charlies Bunion. After a steep descent from the
AT, we will camp for the night in a back- country
camp site. On Sunday we will have about half a
day of hiking to complete our winter backpack
journey. Trail conditions and weather conditions
will dictate specific gear requirements for this
backpack. This is not a beginner’s backpack and
only experienced backpackers should register.
Also there is a $4 nonrefundable fee per person,
for backcountry reservations. The deadline to
register with Jeffery or myself is December 2nd.
Limit 8 hikers. To register for this backpack
contact Bill Cawthorne at bcawthornejr@yahoo.
com, 770-328-5289, or Jeffery Wynia at Jeffrey.
[email protected].
January 5 (Sun)
John’s Mountains Dayhike
Rating: B3B
Leader: Tony Cook
Co-Leader: Janet Rose
A fitting name for this hike would be “the little
hike that could,” because it has all the features
of a big time hiking experience, even though
it’s only 5 miles long. There is a 1,420 ft bluff
where you can walk under a 60 foot water fall, a
picturesque overlook at 1,883 ft where you can see
Lookout Mountain, a boulder field, some big trees,
a peaceful mountain stream to rockhop, and a
landing spot for UFOs. It’s located in a designated
scenic area in the Armuchee (pronounced Aremur-chee) Ranger District of the western most
section of the Chattahoochee National Forest.
After the hike we will enjoy lunch in the quiet
picnic area and listen to some Elvis music since
it will be his birthday weekend. Hike leader is
Tony Cook, email [email protected] or call
706-673-9706.
January 5 (Sun)
Cold Weather Backpacking Workshop
Leader: Pat Decker
Join a lively discussion in a warm location on
a Sunday afternoon to learn more about Cold
Weather Backpacking. This workshop will
prepare you to take on winter backpacking.
You will be able to practice what you learn on
the backpack in February. To register please
contact Pat Decker, [email protected] or
404-252-6504.
January 11 (Sat)
Mullens Cove Loop Trail Dayhike
Rating: A3B
Leader: Melanie Spamer
Co-Leader: Donna McDonald
Join us on this 10-mile moderate hike in
the Prentice Cooper State Forest area near
Chattanooga, TN. We will have great views of
the Tennessee River throughout the hike, with
the most spectacular view coming from one of
our rest areas, Snoopers Rock. After a full day of
hiking, we’ll reward ourselves with dinner (and
probably one of their great beers!) at the Big River
Grille & Brew Works in downtown Chattanooga.
To register, contact Melanie Spamer at mspamer@
comcast.net or (678) 640-5903.
January 11-12 (Sat-Sun)
Pine Mountain/FDR Park Backpack
Rating: B3C
Leader: Pete Buak
Co-Leader: Sue Buak
It will be winter in North Georgia. Let’s head
south and maybe the weather will be warmer. We
will hike a portion of this great trail in southwest
Georgia. We will be in the eastern portion of the
park which has a number of waterfalls, streams
and campsites. Due to the reservation system at
the park, we will cut off registration on December
31. The limit is 8 hikers. To register, contact Pete or
Sue at [email protected] or 706-754-7230.
January 12 (Sun)
In-Town Series: Laurel Ridge Dayhike
Rating: C4C
Leader: Nancy Lovingood
Co-Leader: Tom Lovingood
Join Nancy & Tom Lovingood for an afternoon
hike on the Laurel Ridge Trail around Lake Lanier
dam. Chili dinner to follow at Lovingood café.
Contact Nancy at [email protected]
to sign up.
January 14 (Tues)
GATC Board Meeting
Leader: Beth Rothermel
The board of directors meets the second Tuesday
of the month. GATC members are welcome to
attend. Contact Beth Rothermel at 770-601-7180
or email [email protected] if you
would like to attend.
January 18 (Sat)
District 3 Trail Maintenance
Rating: C3B
Leader: David Stelts
Co-Leader: Don Hicks
District three in January should be an adventure.
The leaves will be gone and the views from
Springer Mountain and Hawk Mountain should
be spectacular. Join us in rock work, building
water bars and building steps or check steps. As
always we will have fun, fellowship and food.
To register, contact David Stelts,706-232-5816 or
[email protected], or contact Don Hicks,
770-856-6498 or [email protected].
January 19 (Sun)
Len Foote Hike Inn Dayhike
Rating: A2B
Leader: Dawn Collinge
Co-Leader: Jane Trentin
A wonderful winter hike! We’ll take the AT
Approach Trail on the walk in and then return
on the Hike Inn Trail to make a nice loop of about
11 miles. We can eat our PB&J sandwiches in the
dining hall of the Hike Inn and spend a little time
there enjoying the views. To register, contact Dawn
Collinge at [email protected] or Jane Trentin
at [email protected].
January 23 (Thu)
Prospective Member Orientation
Leader: Babette Broussard
Co-Leader: Membership Committee
This seminar is designed to acquaint the
prospective member with the workings of the
GATC, its organization and mission. This meeting
is required for membership. Please contact Babette
Broussard at [email protected] or 404231-4866 for details and to register to attend.
January 25 (Sat)
Coosa Bald Trail Dayhike
Rating: A2A
Leader: Doug Haas
Co-Leader: Dawn Collinge
Please join Dawn and myself on the club’s annual
winter hike near Vogel State Park as we will hike
the circular 13 plus mile Coosa Bald Trail. We
will start and finish at the trail crossing off Forest
Service Road 107 inside the wilderness. It will be
mostly uphill before lunch, hopefully, somewhere
near the summit of Slaughter Mountain. As in
prior years, there’s probably a good chance for
snow, ice, and a cold wind blowing for this long,
all day extremely strenuous hike. Please sign up
early since this hike will be limited to 12 people.
To register for this hike, contact
Doug Haas, (770) 410 1738 or [email protected], or
contact Dawn Collinge, (404) 725 8426.
January 26 (Sun)
AT Series: Tray Gap to Unicoi Gap Dayhike
Rating: B4B
Leader: Laurie Corbin
Co-Leader: Sue Buak
Join us for the first AT Series hike of the New
Year. You can expect great winter views from
Rocky Mountain. We will hike southbound from
Tray Gap. The first 1.7 miles is gently downhill
to Indian Grave Gap where we can visit the site
of the Cheese Factory. The next 0.7 miles is a 900
foot elevation change to reach the top of Rocky
Mountain. Unless you have been on this section
in the last year, you will see all of the hard work
accomplished by GATC work crews. The last 1.4
miles is a descent into Unicoi Gap. To sign up,
contact Laurie Corbin at lauriecorbin.com or Sue
Buak at [email protected].
Hike Cancellations
BMT Series:
Three Forks to Little Skeenah Creek
October 5
This hike was cancelled by the trip leader due to
the government shutdown.
Stone Mountain Moonlight Hike
October 17
This hike was cancelled by the trip leader due
to rain.
District 7 Trail Maintenance
October 19
This hike was cancelled by the trip leader due to
the government shutdown.
The Georgia Mountaineer/
AT Series - Woody Gap to Neels Gap
September 22
Reported by: Jason Bone
Beautiful view looking south from the summit of Blood Mountain.
A very wet and dreary Saturday gave way to a beautiful Sunday for early fall hiking. The eight of us
met at Dahlonega Middle School to consolidate vehicles for the shuttle to Neels Gap. After dropping
a couple of cars at the Byron Reece trailhead, we headed up to Woody Gap.
We hit the trail just after nine o’clock. The morning weather was cool, and many of us had to shed
layers not even 15 minutes into the hike. We stopped for a break at Preacher’s Rock to catch our breath,
snap some photos and take in the awesome views. We continued up and down the ridge line until
we stopped for lunch at Jarrard Gap.
After lunch, we began the climb to the top of Blood Mountain. On the way up, we stopped to help
a couple of lost hikers trying to find their way back over to the Coosa Backcountry trail. When we
got to the summit of Blood Mountain, we had some of the best views one could hope for. The storms
from the previous day had made the air so clear, we could see the Atlanta skyline from the summit.
After stopping to take some photos and check out the rebuilt shelter, we started our decent. Not far
off of the summit, we had to stop to allow a Copperhead to cross the trail. Once it was safely to the
other side we were on our way again.
At the junction of the Byron Reece trail, those that were driving turned off to pick up the cars,
while the rest of us made our way down to Neels Gap on the AT hoping to grab a snack at Mountain
Crossings.
It was a terrific end to a fabulous hike with a great group.
Members: Jason Bone, Leslie Brass, Bobby Goldstein, Rick Hartline, Curt Whitman, and Jeff
Wynia.
Prospective Members: Bridget Melton.
Guest: Janet Schatten.
New Member Orientation
October 12
Reported by: Shelley Rose
Eleven prospective members gathered early Saturday morning before the
annual business meeting for this quarter’s new member orientation. Board
members and other GATC members were there to share their experience
and expertise with these eager hikers. Several of the prospective members
stayed to attend the business meeting too. Thanks to all for attending.
Members: Beverly Batchelor, Babette Broussard, Jay Dement, Don Hicks,
Bob Layson, Tom Ottinger, Pete Parsonson, and Shelley Rose.
Prospective Members: Jordan Bloomingdale, Steve Bloomingdale, Matt
Bush, Kathy Chastain, Paul Duetemeyer, Charles Duke, Ron Grimm, Ellen
Miller, Todd Ruff, Robert Smith, and Christina Szarko.
/December 2013
Left to right: Bridget Melton, Jeff Wynia,
Curt Whitman, Leslie Brass, Jason Bone,
Bobby Goldstein, Rick Hartline, and Janet Schatten.
Cloudland Canyon Rim
Day hike
September 28
Reported by: Richard Eidson
We could not have picked a more perfect day for this trip. We had a group
of six. We started at the viewing area next to the parking lot and descended
the steps down to Hemlock Falls. There was plenty of water in the falls.
Then it was back up the steps and on to the connector trail which took us
to the beginning of the loop portion of the hike. We went clockwise (the
easier walk) with several stops and viewing areas along the way, including
a point overlooking the town of Trenton, Ga. We were able to do the trip at
a moderate pace and stop for views and still finish long before dark. The
hike was well worth the long drive from and back to Atlanta.
Members: Richard Eidson, Ingo Hentschel, and Mary Ann Pawlowski .
Prospective Members: Claire Danielson.
Guests: George Pawlowski and John Pless.
ATC Southern Regional Office
(SORO) Regional Partnership Meeting
By Mark Rottmann and Shelley Rose
The fall SORO Regional Partnership Meeting was held in Asheville, NC on October 26. It was well
attended by the GATC: Mark Rottmann (Alternate RPC representative), Shelley Rose, Tom Ottinger and
Jay Dement were there. Each of the other four Deep South Regional Maintaining Clubs was represented.
Kristin Bail from the USFS and Laura Belleville, Director of Conservation for the ATC, also attended.
Bill Van Horn from the Nantahala Hiking Club presided over the meeting as RPC Chair. Julie Judkins
and John Odell from SORO hosted the event.
The day offered a full agenda and lively discussion on many issues that impact the Appalachian
Trail.
Here are some of the items discussed:
• Proposed ATC Policy on Recreation User Fees for the AT – ATC’s view is that they should be
minimized and only used when alternatives to providing user services are inadequate. AT management
should be consulted by agency partners before the fee is established. ATC was asking for feedback on
the proposed policy.
• Proposed ATC Policy for Special Uses on the AT. This includes Fundraising Events, Military
Training Exercises, Races or Competitive Events and Outfitting/Guides for a fee. ATC was asking for
feedback on the proposed policy. Basically the ATC is opposed to any special use on the AT if it results
in unacceptable degradation of the Trail’s resources or Trail hikers’ experience. Permits may be required
of special use groups provided they meet certain requirements.
• Accessibility of the AT was discussed as the US Access Board recently issued new accessibility
guidelines for national parks and other outdoor areas developed by the federal government . The
U.S. Access Board is a federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities through
leadership in accessible design and the development of accessibility guidelines and standards for the
built environment, transportation, communication, medical diagnostic equipment, and information
technology. How this impacts the AT is still to be determined.
• Sharon Van Horn , SORO Club Rep to the TTEC Council, presented an update on The “Trail to
Every Classroom” program. Over 300 teachers have been trained since the program’s launch in 2006.
She asked for the Clubs to make sure they are supporting their local alumni teachers by sharing club
activities with teachers, offering to lead hikes on the AT, offering to give a short overview of the AT to
classes, and inviting teachers to come to a club meeting and share what they are doing with their TTEC
curriculum, for example.
• ATC and the USFS are finalizing policy on limits-of-stay at shelters along the A.T. The new policy
would set a limit of three nights in a 30-day period.
• The Wilderness Skills Institute provides extensive training at no cost. The training runs for two
weeks at the end of May. It is highly recommended for those wanting to improve their trail maintenance
skills. World-class instructors lead the courses. To sign up for 2014 visit their website: www.trailcrews.
org.
• The Wilderness Act’s 50th Anniversary is next year. Maintaining Clubs are being encouraged
to plan events. There is a toolbox available on-line at www.wilderness50th.org. GATC is part of a
committee with the Forest Service planning events to take place in Georgia.
• Lenny Bernstein was presented with an award for his role in chairing the successful 2013 Biennial
in North Carolina.
• The 2014 Budget for the ATC and SORO was reviewed.
• In August 2014 The ATC Leadership Conference will again be held in Shepherdstown, WV at the
National Conservation Training Center. GATC plans on sending representatives.
As you can see, there was a lot discussed and there is a lot going on, but it was a productive meeting
and a full day. The RPC meets again in April 2014 at the Southern Partnership Meeting at Mountain
Lake Lodge in Pembroke, VA.
Ten Complete Great Fall Color
Scenic Hike
October 26
Reported by: George Owen
Another wonderful autumnal color hike falls
into the GATC record book with ten completing
the 10.5-mile trek between Wayah Bald and
Winding Stair Gap (includes Siler Bald side hike),
which again featured great and clear views all
around early afternoon atop Siler Bald.
Originally some 18 registered for the hike, but
six canceled before the date, then that morning
two others did not show up. One overslept or her
alarm didn’t go off – I’ve forgotten which from
when she called me.
The only really unfortunate thing about the
hike was the poor fall color this year – according
to a climatologist friend of mine, this is primarily
due to the significant and rather late rain amount
over the summer which greatly affects fall color
when it is in surplus.
Anyway, the hike went well and the ten
attending seemed happy enough with it. As
always, my special thanks goes out to my best
hiking buddy Chuck Logan for serving as coleader and leading us out during the afternoon
downhill portion.
Members: Tom Cross, Raleigh Hussmann, Mike
Johnson, Chuck Logan, George Owen, Michael
Robinson, Janet Rose, and Judy Williams.
Guests: Rex Hussmann and Peter Ramsey.
ATC Membership
Information
The GATC, as a trail maintaining organization,
operates as a member club of the Appalachian
Trail Conservancy (ATC), a non-profit
educational organization representing the
citizen interest in the Appalachian Trail and
dedicated to the preservation, maintenance,
and enjoyment of the Appalachian Trailway.
If you are not already a member of ATC,
please consider joining. Visit the ATC
website http://www.appalachiantrail.org
for information on the ATC and how to
join.
The E: Mountaineer Subscribe to pdf version
of this newsletter by sending an email to Sandi
Still at: [email protected].
The Georgia Mountaineer:
The best way to keep up with what’s going on
in the GATC. Free to members, $20.00 to nonmembers.
The GATC Yahoo Group:
To subscribe: From your email address to which
you wish to receive GATC broadcast messages
initiate a message to:
[email protected]
It is not necessary to include any message in the
body of this email. You will receive a confirmation
indicating that you have joined the group.
To send a broadcast message:
Compose your message and send it to:
[email protected]
The following GATC information
can be found on the web site
www.georgia-atclub.org
1. Georgia AT Thru-Hiker Patch
2. GATC Decal
3. GATC T-shirts
4. GATC Shoulder Patch
5. Membership Information.
Membership Categories
Junior (Ages 14-17) . . . . . . . . . . $11.00
Single . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00
Joint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $30.00
Lifetime Single . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500.00
Lifetime Joint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $750.00
Deadlines for Dues
[According to GATC Rules & Regulations]
Dues not paid by February 28 will result in
name being removed from the bulletin's mailing
list and membership being cancelled.
GATC’s Contribution policy
Donations $100 or greater can have donorimposed restrictions.
Donations under $100 will go into our
unrestricted general fund.
The Georgia Mountaineer/
2014 Membership Renewal
Due January 1
Your dues for 2014 can be paid now. Please use the renewal form below. Please
note that if your dues are not received by February 28, 2014, the Mountaineer will
be stopped and you will be dropped from the membership roll. Pay now - before
you forget it! Thanks!
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM
Are there any changes?
❏ yes ❏ no
Name(s):
Street Address:
City, State, Zip:
Home Phone:
Office Phone:
Cell Phone:
E-Mail:
Type of Membership:
❏ Junior: $11.00
❏ Single: $25.00
❏ Joint: $30.00
❏ Lifetime Single: $500.00
❏ Lifetime Joint: $750.00
Contribution:
General Fund $ ____________________________
Ridgerunner Fund* $ ____________ Tool Fund* $ ____________
Other* $ ____________
* Must be over $100
Please mail form with check to:
Georgia Appalachian Trail Club, c/o Doug Haas
225 Weatherwood Circle, Alpharetta, Georgia 30004
Total Enclosed: $
8/December 2013
The Georgia Mountaineer