Save The Date
Our SSVC Annual Meeting and potluck dinner will be held on Friday, November 17 at 6:00 p.m. This is an election year for chapter officers, so we encourage everyone to attend to vote.
Everyone will be asked to bring a dish to share. We are still working out the details so stay tuned for more information
soon.
PATC’s Annual Meeting will be virtual again this year. It will be held on Tuesday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m. Details will be shared as we get closer to the date.
Our SSVC Annual Meeting and potluck dinner will be held on Friday, November 17 at 6:00 p.m. This is an election year for chapter officers, so we encourage everyone to attend to vote.
Everyone will be asked to bring a dish to share. We are still working out the details so stay tuned for more information
soon.
PATC’s Annual Meeting will be virtual again this year. It will be held on Tuesday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m. Details will be shared as we get closer to the date.
Updates From PATC
PATC has been working hard this year to update their website. They will soon be in the testing phases for many areas. Trail maintainers and hike leaders should soon see an updated reporting form in the testing phase. Please do not submit any further reports until we are given the okay. The new website should save the club money and be more efficient for all of us to use.
Another exciting update will be a Train the Trainer Trail Maintainers Certification Workshop. PATC is working with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to create a trail maintainer workshop that teaches consistent trail maintenance practices over the Appalachian Trail. They will be giving workshops soon to those who would like to be trainers to other trail maintainers. They have promised to come to our area for the training, so if you are interested in becoming a trainer, watch for announcements of training the trainer events.
PATC has been working hard this year to update their website. They will soon be in the testing phases for many areas. Trail maintainers and hike leaders should soon see an updated reporting form in the testing phase. Please do not submit any further reports until we are given the okay. The new website should save the club money and be more efficient for all of us to use.
Another exciting update will be a Train the Trainer Trail Maintainers Certification Workshop. PATC is working with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to create a trail maintainer workshop that teaches consistent trail maintenance practices over the Appalachian Trail. They will be giving workshops soon to those who would like to be trainers to other trail maintainers. They have promised to come to our area for the training, so if you are interested in becoming a trainer, watch for announcements of training the trainer events.
Reflections on Grayson Highlands
By Heather Denny
What do wild ponies, a sunrise, a dulcimer, and fungus all have in common? Answer: They were all part of a magical trip to Grayson Highlands State Park led by Howard Davis in September. Sixteen people from all over the state joined in this four-night tent camping adventure. Grayson Highlands State Park is located in the southwestern corner of Virginia. The park contains Virginia's highest peak (Mt. Rogers)
and part of the Appalachian Trail.
Each day multiple hiking options were available to accommodate varying interests and abilities. In the evenings, there were opportunities to share snacks, stories from the day, and games surrounded by the warmth of a campfire. Several participants shared their musical talents, including Sue Davis, who gave a dulcimer demonstration.
For me the trip was a wonderful way to incorporate travel, hiking, being in nature, meeting new people, and developing friendships. Many thanks to Howard Davis for his exceptional planning, communication, and leadership. I plan to join him on other trips in the future and hope to see some of you there as well!
By Heather Denny
What do wild ponies, a sunrise, a dulcimer, and fungus all have in common? Answer: They were all part of a magical trip to Grayson Highlands State Park led by Howard Davis in September. Sixteen people from all over the state joined in this four-night tent camping adventure. Grayson Highlands State Park is located in the southwestern corner of Virginia. The park contains Virginia's highest peak (Mt. Rogers)
and part of the Appalachian Trail.
Each day multiple hiking options were available to accommodate varying interests and abilities. In the evenings, there were opportunities to share snacks, stories from the day, and games surrounded by the warmth of a campfire. Several participants shared their musical talents, including Sue Davis, who gave a dulcimer demonstration.
For me the trip was a wonderful way to incorporate travel, hiking, being in nature, meeting new people, and developing friendships. Many thanks to Howard Davis for his exceptional planning, communication, and leadership. I plan to join him on other trips in the future and hope to see some of you there as well!
Friends and Family Day at Sherando Lake
By Pam Heinrich
Our Family and Friends Day was held on Saturday, September 16 at Sherando Lake. This was our third year of hosting a day of hiking, food and fellowship for friends and family members to join us. We also hope that this more relaxed day may be a way to welcome new members and
for trail maintainers to meet each other. Sherando Lake is an excellent location for this event. There is a great picnic shelter, many hikes nearby, and a beautiful lake for fun in the water.
We rented the Williams Branch Picnic Shelter and the Glenwood-Pedlar rangers graciously arranged free entrance for our members. The day began with a hike to White Rock Falls led by John Kolp. Hike participants met a White Rock Gap parking and completed the loop to the falls using the Slacks and White Rock Falls Trails. The water level was very low, but the group marveled at the geology of the rocks as they descended the trail near the falls. Hikes continued as Millie Davis, along with her husband James met hikers at the picnic area to complete the Blue Loop trail, which led them to Torrey Ridge for part of their hike. The final hike was led by James Arnold and Pam Heinrich. Many new hikers joined the group on a tour around Sherando Lake.
All the hikes ended just in time to begin our picnic together. SSCV provided the hot dogs, hamburgers and veggie burgers. Our chefs were president, Jean Stephens and vice president,
Pam Heinrich. Everyone brought a side dish or dessert to share and we had lots of yummy food. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to socialize and we decided that we should have more events just like this one.
By Pam Heinrich
Our Family and Friends Day was held on Saturday, September 16 at Sherando Lake. This was our third year of hosting a day of hiking, food and fellowship for friends and family members to join us. We also hope that this more relaxed day may be a way to welcome new members and
for trail maintainers to meet each other. Sherando Lake is an excellent location for this event. There is a great picnic shelter, many hikes nearby, and a beautiful lake for fun in the water.
We rented the Williams Branch Picnic Shelter and the Glenwood-Pedlar rangers graciously arranged free entrance for our members. The day began with a hike to White Rock Falls led by John Kolp. Hike participants met a White Rock Gap parking and completed the loop to the falls using the Slacks and White Rock Falls Trails. The water level was very low, but the group marveled at the geology of the rocks as they descended the trail near the falls. Hikes continued as Millie Davis, along with her husband James met hikers at the picnic area to complete the Blue Loop trail, which led them to Torrey Ridge for part of their hike. The final hike was led by James Arnold and Pam Heinrich. Many new hikers joined the group on a tour around Sherando Lake.
All the hikes ended just in time to begin our picnic together. SSCV provided the hot dogs, hamburgers and veggie burgers. Our chefs were president, Jean Stephens and vice president,
Pam Heinrich. Everyone brought a side dish or dessert to share and we had lots of yummy food. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to socialize and we decided that we should have more events just like this one.
North River Ranger District 90 Challenge
We are still holding our NRRD 90 Challenge – hike 90 miles or work 90 hours in the North River Ranger District and get a patch. A couple of our hikes this month will help you with this challenge. Details are on our website at:
http://www.ssvc.org/north-river-district-challenge.html
We are still holding our NRRD 90 Challenge – hike 90 miles or work 90 hours in the North River Ranger District and get a patch. A couple of our hikes this month will help you with this challenge. Details are on our website at:
http://www.ssvc.org/north-river-district-challenge.html
One final note
A cooler and lid for a bowl were left at the picnic. If one
these belongs to you, please contact Jean Stephens at
[email protected] to make arrangements to
get them returned.
A cooler and lid for a bowl were left at the picnic. If one
these belongs to you, please contact Jean Stephens at
[email protected] to make arrangements to
get them returned.
