JOURNEYS THE MAGAZINE OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY November – December 2014 A Strategic Plan is More Than Words Successful Partnership ❙ Savvy A.T. Communities ❘ JOURNEYS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE MAGAZINE OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY Volume 10, Number 6 OUR FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN, WHICH WAS AppROVED BY THE AppALACHIAN TRAIL November – December 2014 Conservancy (ATC) Board in August, has as one of its five stated goals that “ATC advocates for broader protection of the natural and cultural resources within the A.T. corridor and adjacent landscapes.” This goal is titled “Proactive Protection” and includes two outcomes, one of which is that “high priority threats to the Mission natural and cultural resources along the A.T. and within the A.T. corridor and adjacent landscapes.” are The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail — ensuring effectively mitigated or prevented.” that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, This is not a new agenda for the TCA . Since the Trail was designated a National Scenic Trail in the 1968 and for centuries to come. National Trails System Act, and especially after Congress gave the federal government a clear mandate to permanently protect the A.T. corridor in 1978, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, Trail states and the ATC have confronted many different threats to the Trail’s integrity and enjoyment. Board of Directors A.T. Journeys When I thru-hiked the A.T. in 1978, adjacent land development was the big threat to the A.T. in places Sandra Marra ❘ Chair Wendy K. Probst ❘ Managing Editor like central and northern Virginia, the Cumberland Valley in Pennsylvania, and around ski developments Clark Wright Jr. ❘ Vice Chair Traci Anfuso-Young ❘ Graphic Designer in northern New England. Long sections of the Trail were on public roads and the A.T. corridor was Elizabeth (Betsy) Pierce Thompson ❘ Secretary extremely narrow in much of the Mid-Atlantic region. Today we have almost the entire Trail in public A.T. — December, Sunrise Mountain, Arthur Foley ❘ Treasurer Contributors ownership with a permanently protected corridor. New Jersey — Civilian Conservation Beth Critton Laurie Potteiger ❘ Information Services Manager Yet we face many major threats to our Trail, which we are dealing with every day. The list is a familiar Corps shelter (built in the 1930s) Richard Daileader Brittany Jennings ❘ Proofreader one: communications towers, high voltage transmission lines, wind turbines, wider highways, new Marcia Fairweather petroleum pipelines, and commercial development. However, what is different today is the size and the Edward R. Guyot The staff of A.T. Journeys welcomes number of these threats. Here are several current examples: On the Cover: Mary Higley editorial inquiries, suggestions, and comments. “I’d only planned on hiking 27 miles in Robert Hutchinson E-mail: [email protected] ❚ A proposed $1.5 billion casino resort development less than one-and-a-half miles from the A.T. near the Sterling Forest State three days, from Delaware Water Gap to Terry Lierman Park in southern New York is proposed for approval by the state Gaming Commission and would include at least 1,000 rooms Culver Gap,” says cover photographer and Carrie Rodriguez-Tweeten Observations, conclusions, opinions, and product and more than 7,000 parking spaces. 2013 thru-hiker Garrett “Shepherd” Samuel J. Sarofeen endorsements expressed in A.T. Journeys are those ❚ There are as many as 10 natural gas pipelines under consideration by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that would Fondoules. “But I discovered I was enjoying Nathaniel Stoddard of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those cross the Trail between Pennsylvania and southern Virginia that would require rights-of-way up to 500 feet wide. the hike too much, not minding the cold, Greg Winchester of members of the board or staff of the Appalachian ❚ The Department of Defense Missile Defense Agency is studying four potential sites for a massive new missile defense system. and walked until midnight to reach High Trail Conservancy. One of these is located near Rangeley, Maine on a Naval training base that includes a remote section of the A.T. visible from Point after only one day and two nights of ATC Senior Staff Saddleback Mountain and other prominent high elevation areas of the Trail. hiking. The last stretch from Sunrise Ronald J. Tipton ❘ Executive Director/CEO Advertising Mountain to High Point was very icy.” Stacey J. Marshall ❘ Director of Finance A.T. Journeys is published six times per year. The TCA , our volunteer clubs, and conservation partners are prepared to address these and other threats (Worth the Weight, page 30) & Administration Advertising revenues directly support the to the integrity and the enjoyment of the Appalachian Trail. We need your help. Through this magazine, Royce W. Gibson ❘ Director of Membership publication and production of the magazine, our regional newsletters, and our mailings and electronic communications, we will keep you informed & Development and help meet Appalachian Trail Conservancy about these issues, and let you know what you can do to help us protect our Trail. We are fortunate that Laura Belleville ❘ Director of Conservation objectives. For more information and advertising decision makers understand the importance of preserving the A.T. experience for future generations. Brian B. King ❘ Publisher rates, visit: appalachiantrail.org/advertising. Javier Folgar ❘ Director of Marketing Ronald J. Tipton ❘ Executive Director/CEO & Communications A.T. Journeys is published on Sterling Matte paper that Follow Ron on Twitter at: twitter.com/Ron_Tipton is manufactured by NewPage Corporation, responsibly sourced, using allocated chain-of-custody certified fiber. Night hike of the A.T. − Hump Mountain and the Milky Way, North Carolina/Tennessee border − by Garrett Fondoules It is printed with SoySeal certified ink in the U.S.A. by Dartmouth Printing Company, Hanover, New Hamphshire. A.T. Journeys ( ISSN 1556-2751) is published bimonthly for $15 a year by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 799 Washington Street, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, (304) 535-6331. Bulk-rate postage paid at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and other offices. Membership Postmaster: Send change-of-address Form 3575 to For membership questions or to become a member, call (304) 535-6331, ext. 119, A.T. Journeys, P.O. Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. or e-mail [email protected]. © 2014 Appalachian Trail Conservancy. All rights reserved. Get Social With Us november – december 2014 ❘ A.T. JOURNEYS ❘ 03 CONTENts ❘ November – December 2014 features 18 Stand by Me The long-standing agreement between the ATC and the National Park Service A.T. ❘ 38 ❘ Park Office is one of the most successful partnerships of its kind in the nation. 22 Millennial Zeal A recent group of ATC interns channeled their youthful enthusiasm, intellect, and energy into a summer of hard work — and came out with a new sense of value. 26 Brick by Brick The Community Pathway project enables people to purchase engraved bricks that will repave the sidewalks along the Trail’s route ❘ ❘ through downtown Damascus, Virginia. 40 photo by Ashley Bradford 28 Virtual Inspiration departments A program that gets people outside and logging miles walking is a win-win for the 16 ❘ TRAILHEAD 40 ❘ TRAIL naTIVES A.T., its future hikers, and the communities ATC Voted into Top 100 Best Places to The resilient double-crested cormorant that protect it. Work; Record Number of Alternative is more distinctive and stunning than it Thru-Hikers; ATC Board Nominations may first appear. 30 36 ❘ ATC PROFILES 47 ❘ AS I SEE IT Worth the Weight Bill Farkas hopes that his story will A proud mom marvels — and of Garrett Fondoules carried heavy camera inspire others to protect the A.T. course worries — during her daughter’s gear in his backpack, often hiking well into A.T. adventure. ❘ ❘ ❘ the night, which resulted in some unusual 38 TRAIL STORIES 10 and enchanting images. How the A.T. became part of one family’s lives and made them all a little MORE THAN WORDS more adventurous. Behind the well-thought-out words of the ATC’s new Strategic Plan are the individual people who care deeply for the A.T. and its future. 03 ❘ FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 06 ❘ LETTERS 08 ❘ OVERLOOK ❘ Ice-covered woods in December surround Catfish 44 TRAIL GIVING Fire Tower in New Jersey – by Garrett Fondoules 46 ❘ PUblIC NOTICES november – december 2014 ❘ A.T. JOURNEYS ❘ 05 ❘ LETTERS HEATHER LANEY’S ARTICLE, until April. After the service, I returned Response from the ATC: “My Beautiful Distraction” (September/ to Waynesboro and made a short hike in While we agree with our reader that it is not REHAB October) was just absolutely superb — his honor from Old Forge Park to Chim- feasible to prevent any new development such a heartwarming and surprisingly ney Rocks where I scattered part of his near the Trail that affects the A.T. viewshed, personal story. First, I sincerely thank ashes. He loved every moment he spent the ATC and its Trail maintaining clubs have your gear. Tom for his service to our country (four hiking on the A.T. and now he will rest a strong interest in preventing incompatible deployments, no less!). And I thank forever on the mountain he loved. development such as the proposed casino Heather just as enthusiastically for her Michele (McFerren) Hancock complex in the Sterling Forest in southern support of her husband under what has OKinawa, Japan New York, which would degrade natural and to be difficult circumstances (four deploy- cultural resources and the Trail experience. BEFORE AFTER ments!). And I also thank Heather for DUE TO THE VOLUNTEER We will focus our attention on the most Dirt and soaked Clean and waterproofed sharing her writing talents with us.