Hikers Raising Funds for Clean Water

The Chillicothe (OH) Gazette ran an article titled "Couple attempts to raise clean-water awareness" on 21 January 2010. The article, by staff writer Ashley Phillips, that starts:

A former southern Ohio couple with ties to Chillicothe is preparing to part with many of their possessions and take a 2,200-mile journey on foot to raise awareness of natural resources problems in other parts of the world.

Justin Meeker, of Lucasville, and his wife, Jessica, will be departing their home in Lexington in April.

They're actually selling their home and most of their possessions in order to attempt their money-raising thru-hike.

These self-described "outdoors people" who "love to go camping" hope to raise $10,000 to help two communities in developing countries provide safe drinking water to their citizens.

A.T. Inspired English Trail

According to Shelton A. Gunaratne writing "On touring nothern [sic] England" in the 22 January 2010 Sri Lanka Guardian, England's Pennine Way "national trail was the brainchild of journalist Tom Stephenson, who was inspired by his experience with the Appalachian Trail in the United States." Stephenson wrote about his dream for an English trail in 1935.

Just Like the A.T.

The Bluefield (WV) Daily Telegraph for 22 January 2010 carries an article by Greg Jordan titled "Great Eastern Trail needs volunteers to build Mercer section".

In it, Jordan quotes Steve Clark, an extension agent with West Virginia State University in Pineville. The 1,800 mile trail from Alabama to New York

is like the Appalachian Trail, he said.

"It's the newest, greatest addition to the national trail system. We're excited to have it run through this area," Clark said. "It will have economic and health and recreation benefits."

So pitch in and help build the West Virginia section. Okay?

Trail Talk on Sunday in Cleveland Area

The 22 January 2010 News-Herald from Cleveland lists the following Appalachian Trail event: on Sunday 24 January 2010, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at The West Woods, 9465 Kinsman Road, Russell Township, Joe Cluts will present a talk on the early years of hiking the trail from Kent, CT to the northern terminus at Mt. Katadhin, ME. He's calling it "The Good Old Days on the Appalachian Trail." For more information, call the Geauga Park District at 440-286-9516.

How to Hike

The Pittsburgh (PA) Post-Gazette of 2 November 2008 carries an article by Cristina Rouvalis titled "Checklist for long-haulers on the Appalachian Trail."

The article gives a couple really quick and basic pointers about how to prepare. It also mentions that Peter Greninger, outreach specialist at REI in South Side Works, will be giving "a talk on backpacking essentials at 10 a.m. Nov. 15 at Jennings Environmental Education Center at Slippery Rock University." Also quoted is John Fletcher, information assistant for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Rocky Run Shelter Restoration

Susan Guynn writes in the Frederick (MD) News-Post under the headline "Trail 'magic' at Rocky Run; New and restored shelters await hikers on Appalachian Trail" on 2 November 2008. She describes the reaction of some of the first hikers to use the newly restored Rocky Run Shelter.

The bulk of the article, though, gives a nice history of the shelter and the site. Very interesting.

Tennessee A.T. License Plate Progress

The Maryville (TN) Daily News of 2 November 2008 tells us that there are "Applicants needed for Appalachian Trail license plate." Joel Davis reports the need to have 1,000 applicants for the plates before any can be distributed. There are only about 300 names on the list now, most from east Tennessee.

Derek Andrews Finishes Thru-Hike in October

"Hampton Bays hiker conquers Appalachian Trail" is the headline over the article by Vera Chinese in the 31 October 2008 Southampton (NY) News. The article records the completed thru-hike this summer by University of Vermont student Derek Andrews. He summited on 10 October.

His father, Stuart Andrews, thru-hiked in 2006.

"After soliciting the advice of his father, Mr. Andrews said he made only minimal preparations prior to the start of his journey. ... Protein shakes and bars, freeze-dried foods, ramen noodles and Pop-Tarts were the staples of his diet. 'I went extremely minimalist,' he said. ... In terms of expense, Mr. Andrews said that some people can spend thousands of dollars hiking the trail while others can do it for virtually nothing. He estimated that he spent about $5,000 on equipment, lodging, food and—his largest expense of all—local bars. 'That's the big expense,' he said, smiling. 'You go to town and you just want to relax.'"

Thru-Hiker Karen Lund on Her Feet

Runner, and thru-hiker, Karen Lund writes under the headline "Footloose and Fancy Free" in the 31 October 2008 Kansas City (MO) Tribune about her feet. As a runner, she says, she obsesses about her feet. And looking back to her thru-hiking days,

"Yeah, I know, it’s hard to imagine a 37-year old woman’s feet could still be growing, but in the world of long distance hiking and running, this phenomenon isn’t uncommon.

"Before I hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1997, veteran hikers warned me that I could end up needing a new pair of boots a few months into my journey - not because they were worn out, but because of my feet spreading in every direction from day-after-day, continuous pounding. And they were right, I had to buy new hikers mid-trip because my feet expanded one size. It might seem wild, but it’s true."

Yup!

Hot Springs, NC and Trail Mentioned

There's a passing mention of the Appalachian Trail in a 31 October 2008 piece by Stacy Smith Segovia's "Four-day whirlwind exhausting and exhilarating" on the web site of the Clarksville (TN) Leaf Chronicle. She meets family at Hot Springs, NC for a family wedding, and says this of the famous trail town:

"I'll tell you about some other attractions of the tiny mountain town, ones you can check out yourself. We had heard that Hot Springs was on the Appalachian Trail, and that is more true than we suspected. Stylized "A" symbols are stamped on the sidewalk running through the town's thoroughfare, Bridge Street. And that IS the Appalachian trail.

"A cool al fresco bar sits on the street, serving a wide selection of specialty beers to appeal to through-hikers' granola sensibilities. Across the street is an adventure gear shop. Walk a mile and a half along the trail and you can scramble up a hillside to scenic Lovers' Leap."

Let's hear it for them 'granola sensibilities'!

Rails to Trails to the Appalachian Trail

Christopher Baxter of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call reports that Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has granted $200,000 to Palmer Township in order to convert about 1 mile of railroad to trail. This adds to "a very extensive bike path system" in the township. Eventually, "local officials plan to extend the path in the future to connect to the Appalachian Trail." The article's 31 October 2008 headline is "Palmer gets $200,000 to extend rail-to-trail bicycle path; State grant will pay for a one-mile addition to system."

The same news appeared in the Allentown Morning Call on 30 October under the headline "Bushkill Creek bike path will be finished."

The report on this appearing on something called the SYS-CON web site reports "from the wires" under the headline "Pennsylvania DCNR Awards $283,000 for Outdoor Recreation, Open Space in Northampton County" in more detail. For example, there we read that the Keystone Fund grant is to

"Palmer Township, $200,000, to include the construction and installation of a paved trail, new decking on three bridges, signage and landscaping. This a part of a much larger system of greenways trails planned in Northampton County stretching from the Appalachian Trail to the Delaware River Trail".

Paved?

A related editorial in the 30 October 2008Reading (PA) Eagle opines that trails are good, but have to be done right. And they offer an example of one that apparently was done poorly. Under the headline "Critical connection is people, not trails" they say

"The recent case of the ill-fated Hay Creek Trail shows what can happen even to a laudable idea when poorly executed. The proposed 9.7-mile trail would have wound southward from the Thun Trail near Birdsboro, through Union, Robeson and Caernarvon townships and New Morgan, following an abandoned railroad bed. It would have connected to the 140-mile Horseshoe Trail, which runs from Valley Forge to the Appalachian Trail in Dauphin County."

BUT the planning process took so long that when the work was finally to start "it had likely slipped the minds of the property owners." And pretty much died.

Maryland A.T. Shelter Work

Erin Cunningham's article in the 27 October 2008 issue of the Hagerstown (MD) Morning Herald-Mail describes the restoration of the Appalachian Trail's Rocky Run Shelter "about one mile off Reno Monument Road in the Boonsboro area." The article is titled "Rocky Run Shelter on Appalachian Trail restored." Maryland Park Service Ranger Tammy McCorkle is quoted several times explaining the historic nature of the 6 person shelter.

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club volunteers did that work as well as building a 16-person shelter nearby "from a 'log kit'."

Maintainer Dave Jordahl Profiled

Trail maintainer Dave Jordahl from the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club is profiled in the 27 October 2008 article "Volunteer keeps trails clear and footworthy" by Stephanie Miot in the Frederick (MD) News-Post.

The article describes his work clearing blow-downs, building water bars, and all the rest. While he usually has 2 or 3 volunteers with him, the day of the reporter's visit, he was working alone.

Good story!

Maintainers / Volunteers Repair Bridge

Heather Stauffer reports in the 27 October 2008 Carlisle (PA) Sentinel that "Mt. Holly bridge project shows Appalachian spirit." That is, she describes the volunteer crew effort to replace a bridge in Mt. Holly Springs, PA.

ATC staffer Ted Martello is quoted extensively through the article. He explains that the team used two gypsy moth infested white oak trees to form the base of the bridge. They used 27 foot sections that were about 15 inches in diameter. The planking was hauled in form the road. Thanks, folks!

(This story is also reported, with different quotes and details shared, under the headline "Group replaces Appalachian Trail bridge in Mt. Holly," also in the Carlisle Sentinel, also by Holly Stauffer, also on 27 October. Go figure.)

Hike the Trail - See the Colors

A portion of the Appalachian Trail's Pennsylvania footpath and its vistas are highlighted in the 25 October 2008 issue of the Reading (PA) Eagle. See the "Peak performance for fall foliage in Berks County" article by Elizabeth Giorgi.

Martyann Gutierrez, president of the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club, specifically recommends the A.T. in Berks County, PA, along about "Pulpit Rock and the Pinnacle located just off the trail" for views of fine fall colors.

Trees in New Orleans Tied to Trail

The Associated Press is reporting on WXVT-TV Delta News - on 28 October 2008 - under the headline "Group to hit tree planting goal in N.O." that

"Hike for KaTREEna is the not-for-profit started by Monique Pilie. After Katrina, she hiked the Appalachian Trail and pledged to plant one tree in the city for each of the 2,175 miles she hiked.

"That last tree is set to be planted Thursday afternoon."

We reported on this earlier on, back when Pilie was hiking.

Lost and Found

WFMZ-TV has a story titled "Search Ends Successfully on Blue Mountain" on its web site from 26 October 2008 that recounts the discovery of "a 42-year-old woman and her dog were [who] rescued around midnight after being lost on Blue Mountain for about 10 hours." The searchers used thermal imaging to locate her, spotting her when she flicked a lighter. [An earlier version of the story included the line: "Officials say the woman called emergency officials on her cell phone and said she and her daughter were lost on the Appalachian Trail."]

The same story appears in the Pottsville (PA) Republican & Herald newspaper on 27 October in an unsigned article headlined "Rescuers find woman who became lost hiking." It adds that the woman had phoned for help when she realized she was lost, but her phone later lost its signal. About 60 rescuers aided in the 4 hour search.