When Bill Bryson's bestselling book "A Walk In The Woods" came out in 1998, a number of so-called "Appalachian Trail Purists" didn't like it.  I'm hearing the same thing about the movie, just released by producer and star Robert Redford.  As an A.T. thru-hiker and maintainer, I guess I might qualify as an A.T. purist.  But, I found the movie, like the book, to be an enjoyable story about two old friends who reconnect on a barely planned A.T. hike.

Redford, as Bill Bryson, is a family man, successful author and aging baby boomer longing for one last challenge before he is too old.  Nick Nolte is Stephen Katz, Bryson's friend from 40 years ago who invites himself to come along.  Katz has led a dissolute and hedonistic life and suffers from ailments ranging from seizures to diabetes to a bad knee.  Together they set off from north Georgia on a 2,000 mile quest to Katahdin.

To be fair, the purists have a lot of fodder to chew on.  Our heroes have hiking poles strapped to their packs which they never use, in contrast to the hikers around them.  Their packs look substantial, but these oldsters fling them around like they are filled with helium rather than clothing, water and food.  The movie has the geography of the A.T. all fouled up.  They start at the southern terminus in Georgia, but the famous plaque there doesn't appear until about midway.  McAfee Knob, the famous rock outcropping near Roanoke, VA, appears after the Smokies and Shenandoah, rather than before.  It is backpacking 101 to either hang your food in a tree or put it in a bear canister.  When bears come into camp, they munch on the vittles Bryson and Katz left lying around.

But, I think these nits all miss the point.  This is an engaging buddy movie starring two old pros who alternately get on each others' nerves and reminisce about the good old days.  It is not a documentary about how to thru-hike the A.T.  But, who would watch that, other than some of us purists?  This movie does show the A.T. in a very positive light.  There is even a scene of folks maintaining the trail, which did my heart good. 

Amidst the F-bombs and other swearing, there are some positive life lessons in this movie.  Katz reflects on his life long battle with alcohol.  He keeps a small bottle with him to remind himself that the temptation to relapse is always there.  Bryson is tempted to have a fling with an apparently willing hostel owner, but in the end remembers the love of his life waiting back home in New Hampshire.  This is not a movie for children, though.  It is rated "R", due to quite a bit of cursing and some implied sexual activity.

So, go see "A Walk In The Woods".  You'll see some of the most breathtaking scenery on the eastern seaboard.  Maybe, like me, you'll identify with two old farts who are tired of friends and family telling them to take the safer course and not challenge themselves.  It may even inspire you to follow the 2,190 mile string of white blazes from Georgia to Maine.  If you do, start out a little better prepared than Bryson and Katz.

Photo by Dan Innamorato

2015 Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame representatives. Clockwise, from top left, Bill O'Brien, representing Ned Anderson; Bill Torrey, representing Raymond Torrey; Judy Murray, representing Stan Murray; and Bob Almand, representing Margaret Drummond.

The highlight of the gala was the induction of the 2015 class of the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame.  The honorees were: Nestell K. "Ned" Anderson of Sherman, Connecticut; Margaret C. Drummond of Atlanta, Georgia, Stanley A. Murray of Kingsport, Tennessee and Raymond H. Torrey of New York City, New York.  Complete details on the 2015 class are available at the Museum's website:  www.atmuseum.org

The Museum gave two additional awards. Nan Reisinger a/k/a "Drag'n Fly" was honored for her record breaking A.T. thru-hike, as the oldest woman to complete the trail in one year. 

Photo by BJ Small

Nan Reisinger a/k/a Drag'n' Fly (left) with hiking partner Carolyn Banjak

Chuck Wood a/k/a "Woodchuck" was honored for his many years of service to the Museum and other trail organizations.

The emcee of the Banquet was Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR).  Randy "Windtalker" Motz entertained during the reception,  performing his unique contemporary style of Native American flute music described as "Native Soundscapes", accompanied by beautiful photos of the Appalachian Trail.  Ronald J. Tipton, Executive Director and CEO of Appalachian Trail Conservancy, delivered remarks prior to the induction.  The Hall of Fame weekend continued with a festival on Saturday, June 6, National Trails Day at the Museum's home in Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

Photo by Dan Innamorato

2015 Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame representatives. Clockwise, from top left, Bill O'Brien, representing Ned Anderson; Bill Torrey, representing Raymond Torrey; Judy Murray, representing Stan Murray; and Bob Almand, representing Margaret Drummond.

The highlight of the gala was the induction of the 2015 class of the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame.  The honorees were: Nestell K. "Ned" Anderson of Sherman, Connecticut; Margaret C. Drummond of Atlanta, Georgia, Stanley A. Murray of Kingsport, Tennessee and Raymond H. Torrey of New York City, New York.  Complete details on the 2015 class are available at the Museum's website:  www.atmuseum.org

The Museum gave two additional awards. Nan Reisinger a/k/a "Drag'n Fly" was honored for her record breaking A.T. thru-hike, as the oldest woman to complete the trail in one year. 

Photo by BJ Small

Nan Reisinger a/k/a Drag'n' Fly (left) with hiking partner Carolyn Banjak

Chuck Wood a/k/a "Woodchuck" was honored for his many years of service to the Museum and other trail organizations.

The emcee of the Banquet was Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR).  Randy "Windtalker" Motz entertained during the reception,  performing his unique contemporary style of Native American flute music described as "Native Soundscapes", accompanied by beautiful photos of the Appalachian Trail.  Ronald J. Tipton, Executive Director and CEO of Appalachian Trail Conservancy, delivered remarks prior to the induction.  The Hall of Fame weekend continued with a festival on Saturday, June 6, National Trails Day at the Museum's home in Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

Photo by www.michigan.gov

The man was my wonderful Dad, who bagged at least thirty deer in his lifetime.  The half-scared boy was me, on my first deer hunt.  I remember those days in the woods with Dad so very clearly.  I also remember running to the mailbox for the latest edition of the Pennsylvania Game News.  I especially enjoyed the art of Ned Smith, and his wonderful journal:  "Gone For The Day".  These experiences are indeed what gave me my lifelong love of the outdoors.  This love drove me to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 2007, and later to do the John Muir Trail, the Long Trail, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and some other notable treks.  I haven't hunted in many years, but hunting began for me the path that led directly to hiking and maintaining trails.  Things came full circle in 2006, when I led my 98 year old Dad on a hike on the section of the Appalachian Trail that I personally maintain in Cumberland County.

For some reason, hunters and hikers are often cast as adversaries.  Why is this?  It may be because some of us let generalizations overcome what should be natural alliances.  Hunters are sometimes called insensitive rednecks who blast indiscriminately at everything that moves.  Hikers are sometimes cast as ultraliberal flower children who want to take away everyone's guns.  Both characterizations are, for the most part, ridiculous and patently false.  The fact is that we share much more in common than our differences.  We need to work together to preserve our precious wild spaces.

Here are some things hikers may not know about hunters.  The vast majority of hunters are fanatical about safety in the woods.  By law, all first-time hunters, regardless of age, must successfully complete Hunter Education training before they can buy a Pennsylvania hunting license.  Hunting license fees provide much of the support for the PA Game Commission and the State Game Lands (SGLs).  Other support comes from Pittman-Robertson funds, which are an excise tax on guns, ammunition and related hunting equipment.  SGLs are not the same as State Parks and State Forest lands.  SGLs are administered by the Game Commission, primarily for the purposes of managing wild birds and mammals and to promote recreational hunting and furtaking.  The Game Commission receives nothing from the state's general funds to carry out these efforts.

Here are some things hunters may not know about hikers.  The vast majority of hikers have no problem with hunting.  Most hikers do their best to respect the rights of hunters, and to stay safe by wearing blaze orange on lands where hunting is allowed.  Hikers appreciate being able to hike on SGLs.  Hunters actually benefit from hiking, because hikers maintain countless miles of trails within State Game Lands.  In doing this, hikers receive no funding from the Game Commission or other funding streams relating to hunting.  Some of the better known trails within SGLs are the Appalachian Trail, Tuscarora Trail, Laurel Highlands Trail and Horse Shoe Trail.  Sportsmen use these very trails while hunting on SGLs.  Hikers realize that most SGLs were acquired from sportsman related revenues like license fees and Pittman Robertson excise taxes.  But, it's also true that tens of thousands of acres of SGLs came from other sources, including conservation and hiking groups. 

Photo by www.njhiking.com

I think our two groups are similar in another respect.  There is a very small group of hikers and hunters who don't follow the rules and make things miserable for the vast majority of us.  A few hikers don't respect the rights of hunters and don't wear blaze orange when they should.  A few hunters don't always hunt safely and sometimes tell hikers they shouldn't be out on "their" game lands.  We all know there are a few jerks out there.  What can we do about it?  Hikers - if you hear other hikers say that most hunters don't hunt safely, correct them.  If you see hikers on a SGL not wearing blaze orange during hunting season, correct them.  Point them to the Game Commission regulations on wearing blaze orange.  Hunters- if you see other hunters who aren't following safe hunting practices, correct them.  If you hear hunters say that most hikers want to take away your guns, correct them.  Let's police our own ranks and make things better for everyone.

Oh, by the way, to my hunter friends - if you have any venison steak or sausage that you don't need, feel free to send it my way.  Good luck out there and be safe.

We were then surprised when the PGC's latest proposal was introduced in early January.  Out of the blue, the PGC proposed an outright ban on all hiking and other secondary activity during two extended periods, late September to late January, and from mid-April to Memorial Day.  A permit would be required to use SGLs during all other times.  The January proposal did have exceptions to the permit requirements for some heavily used trails, including the Appalachian Trail and rails to trails.  But, the hiking ban and permit requirement would still apply to hundreds of the best trails in the Keystone State. 

Photo by Jim Foster

Fall scene on the Appalachian Trail in Perry County, within a State Game Land

Hikers were heartened when the PGC withdrew its proposal just before it was scheduled to be considered at its meeting in late January.  The Commission said it was withdrawn to allow for further investigation, in part due to the hundreds of negative comments it had received.  But, the PGC indicated that its proposal may come up again at some point.

Before the proposal was withdrawn, we asked why the PGC wanted to restrict secondary users on SGLs.  The response we get can be boiled down to the following:  SGLs are purchased and maintained exclusively through hunting license fees and similar sources, like the Pittman-Robertson excise tax on firearms and ammunition.  Unlike state park and forest lands, SGLs are intended primarily for hunting activity, and not for secondary uses.  Also, some hikers on SGLs do not respect the rights of hunters and do not take adequate precautions like wearing blaze orange.

This rationale might make sense, IF it was actually true.  It is true that much of the PGC's funding and the SGLs come from hunting license fees and Pittman-Robertson money.  But, there is MUCH more to the story.  For starters, much of the land that makes up the SGLs comes from other sources.  These other sources include hiking groups like KTA and conservation groups like Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, Wildlands Conservancy, ClearWater Conservancy and many, many others.  Just ONE conservation group, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, has acquired and donated more than 45,000 acres of land to the PGC.  These comprise 121 separate parcels and make up all or part of 29 SGLs. 

One of my favorite hikes in the state is the Thousand Steps, near Mount Union in Huntingdon County.  At the base of this trail is a sign that tells a great story about how KTA, the Central PA Conservancy, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and others worked together to acquire the property and rebuild the trail.  Then, we turned it over to our friends at the Game Commission for preservation.

In addition, many of KTA's trail maintaining groups regularly build and maintain trails and shelters within the Game Lands.  These efforts benefit both the PGC and Pennsylvania's sportsmen.  Here's just one example.  The Darlington Trail is just a couple of miles from where I live in Cumberland County.  When we go hiking on the Darlington Trail in the fall, I see lots of hunters up there on Blue Mountain.  They are hunting on a trail that is NOT maintained by the Game Commission.  Who keeps it clear for hunters as well as hikers?  The Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club, one of our affiliate members.

Photo by KTA

KTA thinks the proposed hiking ban and required permit is the wrong approach, for several reasons.  First, this will require the Game Commission to use its scarce resources to set up a mechanism and bureaucracy to administer the permit process and to enforce this new rule.  Second, we do agree that a small number of hikers may not take reasonable steps to protect themselves in State Game Lands, such as not wearing blaze orange.  We think it is equally true that a small number of hunters do not always take proper precautions.  Unfortunately, they give the vast majority of responsible hunters a bad name.  KTA thinks neither hikers nor hunters should be judged by the actions of a small number of miscreants.

We non-sportsmen have a long history of cooperation with the Game Commission.  We hope it will continue.  Many hikers, like me, grew up in hunting families or have friends in the sportsman community.  But the Game Commission's current proposal does not seem to recognize our past relationship or indicate an interest in continuing it.  To us, it seems like they want to throw our great relationship away.  It doesn't make sense to ban hikers from state game lands.  Both hikers and hunters have a lot to lose if this happens.

Courtesy KTA

Keystone Trails Association (KTA) today announced its second annual KTA Membership Celebration & Film Festival.  The event will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2015, starting at 6:30 pm at the Wesley Center of Camp Hill United Methodist Church, 417 South 22^nd Street, Camp Hill, PA. 

"Last year, we began our tradition of the KTA Membership Celebration and Film Festival," said Wanda Shirk, President of KTA.  "We will continue it this year, with an emphasis on Pennsylvania's hiking trails.  KTA will celebrate its work, the state's precious trails, and the backbone of KTA - its membership."

 "Our 2015 event will feature several films, all about trails in Pennsylvania," Shirk said.  "Last year, we focused solely on the Appalachian Trail.  This year, we will feature other equally beautiful trails that may not be as well-known.  It will be a great opportunity to learn about new places to hike."  Attendees will be given an opportunity to cast a vote for their favorite film, and the film with the most votes will receive the coveted KTA "Film of the Year" Award.

"In addition to some great films, the event will also spotlight KTA's advocacy efforts on trails and wild spaces, feature other hiking, trails and environmental organizations, and celebrate KTA's membership base," she said.  "It is a unique opportunity for new and experienced trail enthusiasts to learn more about KTA and the footpaths we help protect throughout the state."

Photo by KTA

KTA Executive Director Curt Ashenfelter & Program Administrator Shanna Klucar at 2014 Membership Celebration

"Last year, eighteen partner organizations, member clubs, non-profit and commercial businesses had displays at our Membership Celebration," Jim Foster, Chair of the event, said.  "Please contact us if your organization or business would like to set up an informational or retail table during the event."

Tickets for the KTA Membership Celebration and Film Festival are just $15.00.  Non-members will, in addition to admission to the event, also receive a one-year introductory membership to KTA.  Tickets can be purchased in advance at http://tinyurl.com/nk8wqm3 or at the door.  Additional information about KTA and this event is available at www.kta-hike.org.   

KTA is a federation of membership organizations and individuals dedicated to providing, preserving, protecting and promoting recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania.  KTA also represents and advocates for the interests and concerns of the Pennsylvania hiking community. 

Courtesy Appalachian Trail Museum

Nominees for the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Class of 2015 will be accepted through Saturday, February 28, 2015, to recognize those who have made a significant contribution toward establishing and maintaining the approximately 2,186 mile footpath that passes through 14 states from Maine to Georgia.
"The fifth class to the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame will be inducted in 2015, and nominations are open for Hall of Fame nominees," said Larry Luxenberg, president of the Appalachian Trail Museum Society - the organization that oversees the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame. "Nominees should be people who have made a significant positive contribution to the Appalachian Trail and who have unselfishly devoted their time, energy and resources toward making the Appalachian Trail a national treasure."

The 20 Hall of Fame inductees named in the first four years include Myron Avery, Gene Espy, Ed Garvey, Benton MacKaye, Arthur Perkins, Earl Shaffer, Emma "Grandma" Gatewood, David A Richie, J. Frank Schairer, Jean Stephenson, William Adams Welch, Ruth Blackburn, David Field, David Sherman, David Startzell, Everett (Eddie) Stone, A. Rufus Morgan, Charles R. Rinaldi, Clarence S. Stein and Pamela Underhill. These pioneers played critical roles in building, maintaining and publicizing the Appalachian Trail, Luxenberg said.

Photo by Dan Innamorato

2014 Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame honorees and representatives. From left, Ronald J. Tipton, representing Clarence S. Stein; Larry and Doris Jelley, representing A. Rufus Morgan; Pamela Underhill; and Donald Owen, representing Charles R. Rinaldi.

Nomination criteria and the nominating and selection processes for the 2015 Hall of Fame are:
Criteria - Those eligible for inclusion include anyone who has made an exceptional and positive contribution to the Appalachian Trail or Appalachian Trail community. This could be by leadership, inspiration, service, achievement or innovation. This includes, without limitation, pioneers who conceived of and developed the trail; those who organized or directed major trail organizations like the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Appalachian Trail clubs; maintaining clubs; longtime trail maintainers; leaders who promoted and protected the A.T.; hikers who have made significant accomplishments, and other persons who have enriched the culture or community of the Appalachian Trail by their association with it. Eligible persons can be living or deceased. The emphasis will be on persons who have made their contribution to the A.T. over a long period, whether or not they are still active. Six individuals were elected in the first year. The sizes of the succeeding classes will be gradually reduced to create the maximum degree of honor and exclusivity. The first few classes will be comprised primarily of important historical figures (living or deceased) rather than contemporary figures. Eligibility and selection will be determined without regard to race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.

Nominations - Nominations will be solicited from throughout the hiking and trails community. The easiest way to submit a nomination is by using the online site https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BXNSFS3 Nominations also may be submitted using the paper nomination form. Copies of the form can be obtained at http://tinyurl.com/ouxqnzd or by requesting one from the museum. A nominator need not be a member of any hiking organization to submit a nomination. A nominator may only make one nomination per election cycle. Nominators will be asked to justify their nomination in a brief statement not exceeding 200 words that describes the nominee and why he or she fits the criteria.

Deadline for nominations - Saturday, February 28, 2015.

Hall of Fame Committee; Election - An Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Committee has been selected by the Appalachian Trail Museum Society Board of Directors to supervise the election process and to submit the finalists to the board. That committee is chaired by Jim Foster, a museum volunteer and 2007 thru-hiker of the Appalachian Trail. Other members of the committee are Noel DeCavalcante, Tom Johnson, Brian King, Gwen Loose, Larry Luxenberg, Bill O'Brien and David Sherman (a 2013 Hall of Fame inductee). The Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Committee will deliver the slate of finalists to the museum board by March 15, 2015, for subsequent review and elections. The Appalachian Trail Museum Society Board elected six people to the 2011 Charter Class, five to the 2012 Class, five to the 2013 Class, and four to the 2014 Class. Up to four inductees may be elected to the 2015 Class.

Announcement and recognition of inductees - Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame inductees will be announced in early May and the induction ceremony will be on Friday, June 5, 2015, at the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Banquet at the Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. The inductees will be enshrined on an Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Wall of Honor at the Appalachian Trail Museum. Located in Pine Grove Furnace State Park and at the midway point of the Appalachian Trail, the museum is across from the Pine Grove General Store on Pennsylvania Route 233.

Photo by ATC, PennDOT

After 8 long years, the Pennsylvania ATC Specialty license plate is now available with a portion of the proceeds dedicated to help manage and protect the Appalachian Trail!  That means you can both show your love for the Appalachian Trail and benefit the trail that you love.  Pennsylvania joins Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia in offering a specialty plate to honor the A.T.

There is a one-time plate fee of $50.  As a revenue sharing plate, $21 of the $50 fee is transferred to Appalachian Trail Conservancy to help support its mission.  You can also choose to personalize your plate, using five letters or numbers in combination.  There is an additional fee to personalize your plate.  A disabled symbol is also available.

Registration is easy!  Follow THIS LINK for the form to order your plate today.

After you complete the form, MAIL IT TO:

Att: Accounting Department, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, PO Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807  

PLEASE DO NOT MAIL THE FORM DIRECTLY TO PENNDOT, AS THAT WILL DELAY PROCESSING.

All fees should be made payable to the "Appalachian Trail Conservancy"

The highlight of the gala was the induction of the 2014 class of the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame.  The honorees were: A. Rufus Morgan of Franklin, North Carolina; Charles R. Rinaldi of Boca Raton, Florida; Clarence S. Stein of New York City, New York; and Pamela Underhill of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. For more details on the 2014 class members, follow THIS LINK to an earlier blog entry.

Photo by Dan Innamorato

2014 Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame honorees and representatives. From left, Ronald J. Tipton, representing Clarence S. Stein; Larry and Doris Jelley, representing A. Rufus Morgan; Pamela Underhill; and Donald Owen, representing Charles R. Rinaldi.

The Museum gave two additional awards, which were not announced prior to the event.  Robert Croyle of Savannah, GA, known as “Red Wolf”, was honored for his many years of support to the Museum.  Red Wolf serves as Membership Secretary of the Museum and is a board member.  Larry Luxenberg, Museum founder and President, said:  “Red Wolf was involved from the beginning with the movement to start the Museum.  He plays an important role in keeping track of our members, sending out communications and getting donations.

Master carver John “Bodacious” Beaudet was also honored.  Beaudet, of Flag Pond, TN, has carved the custom made hiking stick awarded to every person inducted into the A.T. Hall of Fame since it began in 2011.  As Chair of the Hall of Fame Committee, I’ve been trying to get Bodacious to come up to the Banquet since we started the Hall of Fame.  All of us involved with the Hall of Fame and Banquet are thrilled to finally give him the recognition he deserves.

During the Banquet reception, author Richard Judy signed copies of his book “Thru: An Appalachian Trail Love Story”.  Judy’s book is the first one to be published by the Appalachian Trail Museum. All profits from the book will go to the Museum. 

The emcee of the Banquet was Cindy Adams Dunn, President & CEO of PennFuture, one of Pennsylvania’s leading environmental organizations.  Randy “Windtalker” Motz entertained during the reception.  Windtalker performed his unique contemporary style of Native American flute music described as “Native Soundscapes”, accompanied by beautiful photos of the Appalachian Trail.  Ronald J. Tipton, Executive Director and CEO of Appalachian Trail Conservancy, delivered remarks prior to the induction.  Mr. Tipton also accepted induction into the Hall of Fame on behalf of the late Clarence S. Stein.

Photo by Dan Innamorato

Karen Lutz, Ron Tipton & Cindy Dunn at 2014 AT Museum Banquet

Follow THIS LINK for additional pictures from the 2014 Banquet.

The Hall of Fame weekend continued with a festival on Saturday, June 7, National Trails Day, at the Museum's home in Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The Museum hosted a 40th reunion of thru-hikers from 1974. They each spoke about their trail experiences and what it has meant in their lives. In addition, the speakers included David Sherman, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year. John Beaudet gave a demonstration of his carving techniques. During the weekend more than 500 people attended the events sponsored by the Museum, making it one of the biggest National Trails Day events.

Plans are already underway for the selection of the 2015 Hall of Fame class.  The Museum will open an internet site in January, 2015 to accept nomination from the public.  The Hall of Fame committee will review the nominations and propose a class of inductees during March and April.  The Museum board will make the final decision.  The 2015 class will be announced in May, and honored at the 2015 Banquet, to be held in early June.

Photo by Allenberry Resort

Allenberry Resort, Boiling Springs, PA

The Banquet is conducted each year by the Appalachian Trail Museum.

The highlight of the Banquet will be the induction of the 2014 class of the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame.  Larry Luxenberg, President and founder of the A.T. Museum, said:  “The 2014 class continues our tradition of honoring pioneers who helped to start the trail, as well as their successors who preserved and protected it.”  The 2014 class is A. Rufus Morgan of Franklin, North Carolina;

Photo by family of A. Rufus Morgan

A. Rufus Morgan

Charles R. Rinaldi of Boca Raton, Florida;

Photo by David M. Sherman

Chuck Rinaldi on Saddleback Mountain

Clarence S. Stein of New York City;

Photo by Dartmouth College Library

Clarence Stein (l) & Benton MacKaye

and Pamela Underhill of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

Photo by Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Pamela Underhill

  Each honoree will receive a one of a kind hand carved hiking stick made by John “Bodacious” Beaudet, a two time A.T. thru-hiker.

“We’ll have two more special events during our reception, which will begin at 6 pm, Luxenberg said.  Musical entertainment will again be provided by Randy “Windtalker” Motz, who plays ‘Native SoundScapes’ on his Native American flute. 

Photo by Randy Motz

Randy "Windtalker" Motz

Also, Richard Judy will be present to sign his book ‘Thru: An Appalachian Trail Love Story’.”  Judy’s book is the first one published by the Appalachian Trail Museum.  Emcee for the evening will be Cindy Dunn, president and CEO of PennFuture, one of Pennsylvania’s leading environmental advocacy groups. Ron Tipton, executive director and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, also will speak.

Three classes were previously elected to the A.T. Hall of Fame.  The Charter Class, elected in 2011, was comprised of Myron Avery, Gene Espy, Ed Garvey, Benton MacKaye, Arthur Perkins and Earl Shaffer.  Members of the 2012 class were Emma “Grandma” Gatewood, David A Richie, J. Frank Schairer, Dr. Jean Stephenson and Major William Adams Welch.  The 2013 Class was Ruth Blackburn, David Field, David Sherman, David Startzell and Everett (Eddie) Stone.

Jim Foster, chair of the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame selection committee, said a 6 p.m. reception will precede the dinner, which begins at 7 p.m. The cost of the reception and dinner is $30 for museum members and $40 for others.  Complete information on the Hall of Fame Banquet is available at http://atmbanquet2014.eventbrite.com/  Tickets may be purchased either at that website, or directly from the Appalachian Trail Museum by sending a check to:   
                                                    Appalachian Trail Museum
                                                    Banquet Tickets                                     
                                                    1120 Pine Grove Road
                                                    Gardners, PA  17324

Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame inductees are honored in the Appalachian Trail Museum, which has had approximately 29,800 visitors from throughout the United States and 18 other countries since it opened in Pine Grove Furnace State Park in June 2010.  Located near the midway point of the 2,185-mile-long Appalachian Trail, the museum is across from the Pine Grove General Store on Pennsylvania Route 233. 

Photo by A.T. Museum, Joe Harold

Appalachian Trail Museum

                                                                                                 
The Appalachian Trail Museum, Inc., a 501-C-3 not-for-profit organization, organizes programs, exhibits, volunteers and fundraising nationwide for the Appalachian Trail Museum.  Located in the Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Gardners, Pennsylvania, the museum is conveniently near Carlisle, Gettysburg and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.  Additional information is available at www.atmuseum.org.

Photo by KTA

Why is a hiking and trails organization leading a rally against gas drilling? The reason is not drilling per se, but the current Administration's strategy on drilling. “Hiking trails and hikers have been significantly impacted by gas drilling in Pennsylvania,” says KTA Executive Director Curt Ashenfelter. “We support the moratorium on gas leasing of state forests and state parks.” “Hiker/gas driller conflicts are many and they are significant,” Ashenfelter said. “Keystone Trails Association is concerned that with over 500 wells drilled and 5,000 more on the way, conflicts will significantly increase and hikers will no longer be able to hike the over 2,000 miles of long distance hiking trails in the shale gas region of Pennsylvania.” Visit KTA's website, www.kta-hike.org for more information on KTA's views.

Photo by archive.4plebs.org

I'm an active hiker and trail maintainer. Earlier in my life, I owned land in northwestern PA which I leased to an oil and gas driller. I had a gas well and an oil well on my land, and received some fairly modest royalties. I am not opposed to oil and gas drilling. But, I am opposed to the strategy employed by the current Governor. He has opened up our state parks and forests to drilling, apparently without any restrictions. In choosing the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, he chose someone with no background in environmental regulation. The Secretary demonstrated in his confirmation hearing testimony that he is ignorant of the current science on climate change. See more about that issue HERE.

There is another path that our Governor could have chosen. He could have allowed gas drilling on private land and even some public land, as long as important resources like parks, forests and trails are not threatened. And, he could have agreed to a reasonable extraction tax on shale gas. Are you aware that every other state with significant shale gas resources has an extraction tax except for Pennsylvania? This includes deeply red states like Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. But, our Governor says he will veto any attempt to impose an extraction tax. This should not be surprising, given the amount of political contributions ha has received from gas and oil interests.

For those reasons, you will see me in Harrisburg on May 6 demonstrating with others from KTA and groups with similar views. I'm not opposed to drilling. I am opposed to the no-holds-barred exploitation of our precious state parks and state forests. I also feel that the shale drillers ought to pay their own way through a reasonable extraction tax. Where do you stand on this important issue?

Honorees in the 2014 Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame class are A. Rufus Morgan of Franklin, North Carolina; Charles R. Rinaldi of Boca Raton, Florida; Clarence S. Stein of New York City, New York; and Pamela A. Underhill of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

Photo by family of A. Rufus Morgan

A. Rufus Morgan

A. Rufus Morgan, an A.T. pioneer and legend, spent 43 years constructing and maintaining the Trail and inspiring others to do so. Starting in 1940, he began developing and maintaining 55 miles of the AT in North Carolina from Bly Gap on the Georgia border to Wesser Bald. He continued as trail manager for 38 years, recruiting family, friends and Boy Scouts to help.  He founded the Nantahala Hiking Club in 1968. Before then, he was known as a one-man hiking club, clearing and tending his portion of the AT and supporting the Appalachian Trail Conference (now Conservancy).  In 1964 he was named an honorary life member of the ATC.  In 1981, he received a recognition award for his 29 years of service on the ATC Board of Managers.  The A. Rufus Morgan Shelter on the A.T. in North Carolina was completed in his honor.

Photo by David M. Sherman

Charles R. "Chuck" Rinaldi

Charles R. “Chuck” Rinaldi played a critical role in preserving the A.T. by acquiring land for its corridor.  He served as chief of the Appalachian Trail Land Acquisition Office of the National Park Service, beginning with the establishment of this program in 1978 and continuing until 1987.  He led that office during a time described as the most complex land acquisition program ever undertaken by the federal government.  Mr. Rinaldi often had the very thankless task of attempting to balance the competing interests of landowners and Trail advocates.  By the time he retired in 1989, he had set the long held dream of a protected Appalachian Trail footpath well on its way to a permanent reality. In 1983, Mr. Rinaldi was named an honorary life member of the ATC.

Photo by Dartmouth College Library

Clarence Stein (l) & Benton MacKaye

Clarence S. Stein is not well known today in A.T. circles, but he played an important role in helping Benton MacKaye turn his dream of an Appalachian Trail into reality.  Stein first encouraged MacKaye to develop his ideas further, into an article suitable for publication.  He then encouraged Charles Harris Whitaker to publish MacKaye’s seminal article in the Journal of the American Institute of Architects.  This article was, of course, the spark that started the whole movement leading directly to the Appalachian Trail.  After the article was published, Mr. Stein wrote a stirring cover letter, which was essentially an executive summary of MacKaye’s more meandering prose.  Stein continued to push the A.T. concept among conservationists in the Northeast, getting other pioneers like Major William Welch involved.

Photo by Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Pamela A. Underhill

Pamela A. Underhill has preserved and protected the Trail in a variety of capacities with the National Park Service since 1979. After serving in various positions with NPS, she was selected to serve as park manager (a.k.a. superintendent)—a position that she held until 2013.  Throughout her career, but especially in her capacity as park manager, Ms. Underhill has displayed an unswerving devotion to the Appalachian Trail, to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, to volunteer-based stewardship, and to the A.T. cooperative management system. She has been a strong and articulate advocate for land conservation along the A.T., often under challenging and politically charged circumstances, even at some risk to her own professional career.

 Three classes were previously elected to the A.T. Hall of Fame.  The Charter Class, elected in 2011, was comprised of Myron Avery, Gene Espy, Ed Garvey, Benton MacKaye, Arthur Perkins and Earl Shaffer.  Members of the 2012 class were Emma “Grandma” Gatewood, David A Richie, J. Frank Schairer, Dr. Jean Stephenson and Major William Adams Welch.  The 2013 Class was Ruth Blackburn, David Sherman, David Startzell and Everett (Eddie) Stone.

Jim Foster, chair of the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame selection committee, said a 6 p.m. reception will precede the dinner, which begins at 7 p.m. The cost of the reception and dinner is $30 for museum members and $40 for others. 

Complete information on the Hall of Fame Banquet is available at http://atmbanquet2014.eventbrite.com/  Tickets may be purchased either at that website, or directly from the Appalachian Trail Museum by sending a check to:   
                                                    Appalachian Trail Museum
                                                   1120 Pine Grove Road
                                                   Gardners, PA  17324

Questions about the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Banquet may be sent to atmbanquet@gmail.com.

Allenberry has reserved a block of rooms for banquet attendees.  For more information on Allenberry and to reserve a room, call 1-800-430-5468 or (717) 258-3211, or go to http://www.allenberry.com/ 

Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame inductees are honored in the Appalachian Trail Museum, which has had approximately 29,800 visitors from throughout the United States and 18 other countries since it opened in Pine Grove Furnace State Park in June 2010.  Located at the midway point of the 2,184-mile-long Appalachian Trail, the museum is across from the Pine Grove General Store on Pennsylvania Route 233.

Photo by KTA

Keystone Trails Association’s first-ever Membership Celebration & Film Festival will feature three outstanding films focusing on the world famous Appalachian Trail. The event will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2014, starting at 6:30 pm at the Wesley Center of Camp Hill United Methodist Church, 417 South 22^nd Street, Camp Hill, PA. 

Photo by AT Park Office

KTA’s Film Festival will include three hiking-related films.  Come Walk with Me is KTA Member Lorrie Preston's travelogue of hiking the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania.  It includes songs by the late hiker, singer and songwriter “Walkin’ Jim” Stoltz.  Faces of the Appalachian Trail is Danny Ruthenberg-Marshall‘s documentary describing what life along the trail is like, everything that goes into making it possible, and the different personalities that are drawn to the trail.  To make Green Tunnel, filmmaker Kevin Gallagher walked the entire A.T. over six months.  Each day he took shots of a single section of the trail. At the end of the journey he had over 4,000 clips, which were then strung together to offer a five minute view of what an accelerated hike along the Appalachian mountain range would look like.  Wanda Shirk, President of KTA, said “Attendees will vote for their favorite film, which will win our unique KTA Film of the Year Award”.

KTA Executive Director Curt Ashenfelter said:  “We will also describe KTA’s advocacy efforts on trails and wild spaces, feature other hiking, trails and environmental organizations, and celebrate KTA’s membership base.  We’ll show why KTA plays a unique role as the statewide voice of hikers and trail enthusiasts.”

Event organizer Jim Foster added:  "We're pleased to also have nineteen exhibitors at our event.  These include trails organization like Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club, Susquehanna ATC and the Appalachian Trail Museum.  Commercial vendors will be there, including Treks & Trails International and PA Hikes.  Several environmental groups are coming also, including PennFuture, Central Pennsylvania Conservancy and the Sierra Club.  KTA and our exhibitors have provided some nice trail-related items that we'll give away in five drawings."

Tickets for the KTA Membership Celebration are just $15.00, and include a one-year individual membership in KTA for new members.   Tickets can be purchased online at http://tinyurl.com/kn3wray or at the door.  Additional information about this event is available at www.kta-hike.org.