JOURNEYS THE MAGAZINE OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY January – February 2013 INSIDE: Safe Haven in Rocky Fork ❙ Hiawassee, Georgia ❙ Creative Collaboration ❘ JOURNEYS From thE EDitor THE MAGAZINE OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY Volume 9, Number 1 PRACTICAL MAGIC. WHEN I HEAR THE woRDs “MAGIC,” aNd “ENCHANTMENT” January – February 2013 to describe the Appalachian Trail, I think of another kind of magic that happens behind the scenes. Consider how closely the Trail skirts a densely-populated portion of the country; then consider any A.T. trailhead from Georgia to Maine a doorway to a peaceful, wooded path, strewn Mission with pristine waterways, grassy balds, and high ridge lines, and it does indeed sound like illusion The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail — ensuring — but the magic is real. that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, A recent letter sent to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) headquarters especially and for centuries to come. punctuates this message. “In a way, it was like going back in time — leaving the modern and finding a much less complicated way of life alive in our country,” wrote ATC member Mary Holmes after completing her hike of the Trail. She continued with these Board of Directors A.T. Journeys poignant words: “The Trail is a miracle — first that it exists intact and J. Robert (Bob) Almand ❘ Chair Wendy K. Probst ❘ Managing Editor that it weaves through the most developed part of the country. It William L. (Bill) Plouffe ❘ Vice Chair Traci Anfuso-Young ❘ Graphic Designer should be an example in years to come of the value of conservation On the Cover: Kara Ball ❘ Secretary and inspire ever-greater conservation efforts.” The Trail is a model for “As winter scenes go, very few top the Arthur Foley ❘ Treasurer Contributors success, due to the serious and pragmatic work of the ATC staff beauty of fresh snow and ice clinging Lenny Bernstein Laurie Potteiger ❘ Information Services Manager members, A.T. maintaining clubs, partner organizations, and to trees at sunrise,” says cover photog- Richard Daileader Ben Jordan ❘ Proofreader thousands of passionate ATC members and volunteers who lend a hand rapher Scott Hotaling. “In many ways, Marcia Fairweather to keep the Trail available for the gentle flow of foot traffic. The staff of A.T. Journeys welcomes I had been searching for this image for Brian T. Fitzgerald Often, it is a common denominator that inspires the collaborative editorial inquiries and comments. years; I could see it in my mind’s eye Mary Higley teamwork, tenacity, and dedication required to preserve the A.T.’s E-mail: [email protected] but was yet to find it naturally. On this Terry Lierman remarkable character. This has been the case in the multi-decade particular January morning, I was Sandra (Sandi) Marra Observations, conclusions, opinions, and product effort, and final success, to permanently protect a 10,000-acre tract hiking through knee-deep snow along Charles Maynard endorsements expressed in A.T. Journeys are those of land surrounding the A.T. on the North Carolina/Tennessee border the Roan Highlands. Despite the Elizabeth (Betsy) Pierce Thompson of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those called Rocky Fork (page 10). “Ultimately, we built a partnership of pre-dawn hour, I could tell that Clark Wright Jr. of members of the board or staff of the Appalachian nearly 40 local, regional, and national organizations … It will conditions were perfect. The trees Trail Conservancy. significantly improve the A.T. experience, allowing hikers to merge were white, the air calm, and there ATC Executive Staff with, explore, and harmonize with the A.T. environment,” the ATC’s wasn’t a cloud in the sky, just a low, Mark J. Wenger ❘ Executive Director Advertising deep south regional director, Morgan Sommerville, explains. pillowy fog separating me from the Stephen J. Paradis ❘ Chief Operating Officer A.T. Journeys is published six times per year. The ATC’s distinctive management of its precious natural resource world below. By headlamp, I hiked off Stacey J. Marshall ❘ Director of Finance Advertising revenues directly support the has even set an example on a global scale. In years past, representatives of the A.T. and into a dense hardwood & Administration publication and production of the magazine, of the ATC have traveled abroad to explain the important balance of nature and community. Last From inset: ATC staff forest below. As is so often the case, Royce W. Gibson ❘ Director of Membership and help meet Appalachian Trail Conservancy year, the ATC’s community program manager, Julie Judkins, was summoned to the mountains members on Katahdin what I found was better than anything & Development objectives. For more information and advertising of Tajikistan in this capacity (page 20). “To most hikers and A.T. lovers, the Trail isn’t thought of in 2012, from left: New I had previously imagined. On that day, Laura Belleville ❘ Director of Conservation rates, visit: appalachiantrail.org/advertising. as an economic driver and tourist attraction, but its iconic appeal, cultural lure, and the fact that England regional director, as well as so many others, I was Brian B. King ❘ Publisher it is a backyard asset to its Trailside communities makes the A.T. an important part of these rural Hawk Metheny, education reminded how amazing the natural Javier Folgar ❘ Marketing & A.T. Journeys is published on Sterling Matte paper that towns’ livelihoods,” explains Julie. “There is a delicate balance between protecting the A.T. and outreach coordinator, world can be.” Communications Manager is manufactured by NewPage Corporation, responsibly experience and spreading awareness to assure it is appreciated and protected for future Angie Sheldon, and “Raw Radiance” (page 32) sourced, using allocated chain-of-custody certified fiber. generations to love and cherish.” Julie’s message was one that, if resonated and followed community program It is printed with SoySeal certified ink in the U.S.A. by internationally, would perfectly exemplify the Trail’s overall impact on its grateful visitors, hikers, manager, Julie Judkins www.lightofthewild.com Dartmouth Printing Company, Hanover, New Hamphshire. and surrounding communities. “I spoke of the power of partnerships and networking needed to – photo by chair of the accomplish a model for success — it could not have been done by one organization, one local Trail to Every Classroom community, one group of volunteers, one state or even the government itself,” she says. “The Advisory Council, Sharon Trail’s success lies in the hands of many working together to assure that the spirit of the experience VanHorn; The protected remains true to its roots, and that the resource itself remains an asset for all — creating a good waters of Higgins Creek A.T. Journeys ( ISSN 1556-2751) is published bimonthly quality of life for all our communities.” run through the Rocky for $15 a year by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Fork tract in Cherokee 799 Washington Street, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, Wendy K. Probst ❘ Managing Editor National Forest. (304) 535-6331. Bulk-rate postage paid at Harpers Ferry, Membership Photo by Jerry Greer West Virginia, and other offices. For membership questions or to become a member, call (304) 535-6331, ext. 119, A.T. Journeys welcomes your comments, story suggestions, and photographs. Queries may be submitted via e-mail to Postmaster: Send change-of-address Form 3575 to or e-mail [email protected]. [email protected]. A.T. Journeys, P.O. Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. © 2013 Appalachian Trail Conservancy. All rights reserved. Get Social With Us january – february 2013 ❘ A.T. JOURNEYS ❘ 03 CONTENTS ❘ January – February 2013 features Tajikistan image 20 Bridging the Global Landscape Through the success of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s A.T. Community program, outreach and the Trail’s recognition are growing, and new partnerships are blooming, even internationally. 26 ❘ ❘ Creative Collaboration 20 A unique partnership with a Pennsylvania high school gets young people involved in essential Trail corridor maintenance. 30 departments An Awesome Conservation Story For more than three decades, Pam Underhill has been a fearless voice 16 ❘ TrailhEAD 43 ❘ BooK REVIEW for the preservation of the A.T.’s natural and cultural resources. Great Girl Scout Hike Success; Hurricane The Appalachian Trail: Celebrating Sandy Impacts; Backcountry Permit Fees America’s Hiking Trail, is a in the Smokies “photographic candy store,” an 32 entertaining history, and a call 38 ❘ trail toWns to action to protect the Trail. Raw Radiance Hiawassee, Georgia is a destination Scott Hotaling is particularly drawn to photographing the harsh ❘ but spectacular winter conditions that grace the Trail each year. for recreation-bound visitors to hike, 47 AS I SEE IT fish, kayak, and drink in the majesty A single, repeated Trail journal ❘ 16 ❘ of its views. entry gains new meaning for a poetry-loving hiker. 41 ❘ Trail StoriES ❘ ❘ A botched attempt at a thru-hike 10 becomes a character-strengthening and slowly-savored section hike. 03 ❘ From thE EDitor SAFE HAVEN ❘ 42 Trail NatiVES 06 ❘ LEttErs The safety of a vast 10,000-acre Appalachian Mountain haven known as Rocky Fork An easily overlooked lichen plays a is a win for the environment, local Trail communities, and A.T. hikers. beneficial role in old growth forests 08 ❘ OVErlooK along the Trail. 44 ❘ Trail GIVING Rocky Fork, named after the cool waters 46 ❘ PUBlic noticES of the creek that runs down its center, lies within Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee and abuts Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina. – photo by Jerry Greer ❘ 41 ❘ january – february 2013 ❘ A.T. JOURNEYS ❘ 05 ❘ LETTErs NEW 2013 S DEAR EDITOR: JERRY GREER’S along the way. In a way, it was like going N lovely photo on the cover of the Novem- back in time — leaving the modern and EDITIO ber-December issue on which he com- JOURNEYS finding a much less complicated way of ments “you can hear the snowflakes as THE MAGAZINE OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY November – December 2012 life alive in our country.