Annual Meeting Recap
We had a good turnout for our 2022 Annual Meeting in Bridgewater. Lots of good food and updates on our chapter and our trails were part of the night. Pamela Gray gave a fantastic talk on bears and her volunteer work as a “Wildlife Tech” in Shenandoah National Park. Some other highlights of the meeting were:
We hope to see all of you back for next year's meeting, as well as joining in on our hiking and trail maintaining opportunities throughout the year.
Work Weekend at Schairer Trail Center in SNP
PATC's Cadillac Crew will be holding a work weekend at the Schairer Trail Center in SNP south of Swift Run Gap on December 10 and 11. The crew will be removing 21 hazardous trees around the cabin and will need help removing the debris from the area. There will also be opportunities for assisting with the removal of Oriental Bittersweet from many of the trees around the meadow in front of the cabin and on the trail leading to it. If you are interested in helping on either of the days, please contact Jean Stephens at [email protected] and she will give you further information as it becomes available.
We had a good turnout for our 2022 Annual Meeting in Bridgewater. Lots of good food and updates on our chapter and our trails were part of the night. Pamela Gray gave a fantastic talk on bears and her volunteer work as a “Wildlife Tech” in Shenandoah National Park. Some other highlights of the meeting were:
- In 2022 we led 72 hikes, 5 work trips, 1 bike ride and attended/presented at 7 outreach events.
- The challenge for completing 90 miles or 90 hours (or combination of both) is underway. Patches have already been earned by Lavern Beachy, John Burkhardt, Lynn and Malcolm Cameron, Jim Fye, Barbara Martin and Jean Stephens.
- Lynn Cameron gave an update on the North River Ranger District and the Shenandoah National Scenic Area proposal.
- Jeff Bolander gave an update on the status of the Chapter's AT trail section (Ivy Creek Overlook to Pinefield Gap) and plans to assign tasks to all who sign up to help on the trail ahead of the workday in the future so everyone feels they have a job and knows what they will be doing.
- Dave Bowen gave an update on trail maintenance in the southern district of Shenandoah National Park and some goals of the new administration in PATC for the upcoming year.
- The Chapter voted to take over maintenance on the Shenandoah Mountain Trail from Confederate Breastworks to Jerry's Run Trail.
- To everyone who maintains a trail or leads a hike we thank you! In addition, awards were given this year to:
- Hawksbill Award – Jeff Bolander
- Service Awards – Pam Heinrich, Jim Todd, Russell Fitzgerald, Heather Denny, and John Kolp
We hope to see all of you back for next year's meeting, as well as joining in on our hiking and trail maintaining opportunities throughout the year.
Work Weekend at Schairer Trail Center in SNP
PATC's Cadillac Crew will be holding a work weekend at the Schairer Trail Center in SNP south of Swift Run Gap on December 10 and 11. The crew will be removing 21 hazardous trees around the cabin and will need help removing the debris from the area. There will also be opportunities for assisting with the removal of Oriental Bittersweet from many of the trees around the meadow in front of the cabin and on the trail leading to it. If you are interested in helping on either of the days, please contact Jean Stephens at [email protected] and she will give you further information as it becomes available.
North River Ranger District 90 Challenge
Congratulations to Barbara Martin and Lynn and Malcolm Cameron who received their patches for completing the 90 miles and/or hours of hiking or trail maintenance in the North River Ranger District last month. Check out the requirements at: http://www.ssvc.org/north-river-district-challenge.html
If you have completed your 90 miles or hours, contact Jean Stephens at [email protected] to get your patch.
Congratulations to Barbara Martin and Lynn and Malcolm Cameron who received their patches for completing the 90 miles and/or hours of hiking or trail maintenance in the North River Ranger District last month. Check out the requirements at: http://www.ssvc.org/north-river-district-challenge.html
If you have completed your 90 miles or hours, contact Jean Stephens at [email protected] to get your patch.
Save the Date!
The 2023 Wilderness First Aid class will be held the weekend of February 4 and 5. Hikers and trail maintainers are encouraged to take this course. PATC will reimburse for the cost once the class has been completed successfully. Hike leaders are reminded that they should have current First Aid certification, either the Basic Red Cross First Aid or the Wilderness First Aid.
Trail Maintenance Classes
A big THANK YOU to Gary Flynn who has been leading trail maintenance classes on Trimble Mountain in the North River Ranger District over the past year. Gary plans to continue the classes this year and may hold a special class focusing on water bars in the near future. Please watch our Facebook page for more information on future class dates. We will also try to include class dates in our monthly schedule. If you have thought about becoming a trail maintainer, or just thought about helping out, this class would be a great place to find out what you need to know to get started.
Have a suggestion?
Have a hike you would like to try. Email us the suggestion at
[email protected]. We will try to find a hike leader willing to lead the hike you would like to do. If there is an event or get-together you think the club would enjoy, email us with the suggestion and we will try to put it together. We appreciate getting your input on what hikes and events you would like the club to participate in.
The 2023 Wilderness First Aid class will be held the weekend of February 4 and 5. Hikers and trail maintainers are encouraged to take this course. PATC will reimburse for the cost once the class has been completed successfully. Hike leaders are reminded that they should have current First Aid certification, either the Basic Red Cross First Aid or the Wilderness First Aid.
Trail Maintenance Classes
A big THANK YOU to Gary Flynn who has been leading trail maintenance classes on Trimble Mountain in the North River Ranger District over the past year. Gary plans to continue the classes this year and may hold a special class focusing on water bars in the near future. Please watch our Facebook page for more information on future class dates. We will also try to include class dates in our monthly schedule. If you have thought about becoming a trail maintainer, or just thought about helping out, this class would be a great place to find out what you need to know to get started.
Have a suggestion?
Have a hike you would like to try. Email us the suggestion at
[email protected]. We will try to find a hike leader willing to lead the hike you would like to do. If there is an event or get-together you think the club would enjoy, email us with the suggestion and we will try to put it together. We appreciate getting your input on what hikes and events you would like the club to participate in.
Happy Holidays to all!