July 2013 
The Keystone Hiker
Preserving Pennsylvania's Footpaths since 1956
neversink mountain
IN THIS ISSUE
Your Hiking Advocate
Last Chance to PTS
Petition to Gov. Corbett
Slackpack the CKT
DCNR Public Meeting
Romantic Getaway
Bob Fromme Challenge
Super Hiker Spotlight
Maintainer's Corner
100 Mile Profile
DCNR Sec. Allen Resigns
Gearbox
Trail Magic
Quote of the Month
Trail Alerts
Upcoming Events
  
EVENTS
 

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YOUR HIKING ADVOCATE
by Curt Ashenfelter, Executive Director     
 
June has been a very busy month for KTA, with regards to advocacy efforts to stop gas drilling on the Old Loggers Path in the Loyalsock State Forest.  On June 3, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) caved in to public pressure and finally held a public hearing on gas drilling in the Loyalsock S.F. After standing in line for an hour, I expressed KTA's concerns during the public comment period. On June 6, I participated in a coalition meeting in Lewisburg to develop short- and long-range action plans, and committed to petition Governor Corbett for additional public hearings (see below). On June 13, DCNR Secretary Allan resigned at the Governor's request (see below).  Most recently, KTA and the Audubon Society sent a letter to the new DCNR Acting Secretary on behalf of a large coalition of organizations working to protect the Clarence Moore lands in the Loyalsock S.F. from natural gas development.  Learn more.
 
LAST CHANCE TO PROWL THE SPROUL WITH KTA

  

pts logo The Sproul State Forest contains some of the most rugged and remote forestland in PA.  At KTA's 10th Annual Prowl the Sproul hiking weekend, hikers will spend their days on the trail with experienced and informed DCNR personnel, then join together around the evening campfire to share their stories and photos from the day.  BYOB for the Friday evening Wine & Cheese Party, bring a swimsuit and cool off at the pool in nearby Hyner State Park (or in one of the many creeks, waterfalls and natural 'pools' in the Sproul!), bring an instrument (or your singing voice) for the evening campfire, and set up camp with other friendly and interesting hikers from across Pennsylvania and surrounding states on the Western Clinton Sporsmen Association's sprawling property!  The hike schedule is available here -- pre-register for your favorite hikes. The registration deadline is July 1!  Click here for more info.
 
PETITION TO STOP DRILLING THE OLD LOGGERS PATH
     
The Clarence Moore lands include the Old Loggers Path (an acclaimed 27-mile OLP hiking trail that follows former logging trails and opens onto stunning vistas), most of the watershed of Rock Run, a stream widely hailed as the most beautiful stream in PA.  The Clarence Moore lands have become controversial because Anadarko wants to drill gas wells on them (and build compressor stations, water impoundments, pipelines, and new roads). Learn more.
 
SLACKPACK THE CHUCK KEIPER TRAIL

Leave those heavy packs behind and join 19 other experienced and fit hikers on KTA's Chuck Keiper Slackpack, from July 19-21, 2013!  Click here to learn more.
 
DCNR HELD PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 3

After facing months of public pressure over the possibility of expanding natural gas drilling in the Loyalsock State Forest, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) held a public meeting on the issue on June 3 at Lycoming College in Williamsport.  DCNR estimates between 400 to 500 people attended the meeting, which ran an hour over its scheduled time slot. Learn more.

ROMANTIC GETAWAY FOR TRAIL MAINTAINERS
  
  David and Alyson DavisHave you and/or your significant other wanted to get more involved in trail maintenance, but prefer more comfortable accommodations than a tent?  Do you love trail care, but your spouse would prefer to read a book? Have you and your partner always wanted to tour Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Writght's iconic vision of a cabin in the woods, but just haven't found the time? Would you like to help fund KTA's trail care program? If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider joining KTA this fall for a unique  Trail Care Fundraising Weekend.
 
BOB FROMME DOUBLE-YOUR-DONATION CHALLENGE

Between now and August 31, Robert L. Fromme, Jr. will match your contribution to KTA, dollar for dollar, until a total of $3,000 has been matched.  This is a terrific opportunity to support KTA financially and have it count twice!  
 
To take the Bob Fromme Double-Your-Donation Challenge, please click here.  
 
SUPER HIKER SPOTLIGHT: SCOTT LIPPY, HANOVER, PA
 
Scott Lippy, 60, says the biggest reason he has been enjoying hiking and trail running for the past seven years is because it is an opportunity to meet people from all different walks of life, and it provides chance to reconnect with some once a year at different events.  Read more. 

ALLEGHENY FRONT - AND CENTER

by Ed Lawrence, Trail Care Chair     

 
With a week of excellent weather, and Jim Catozzi whipping up some of the best food this side of a Dutch oven (think: strawberry pie), the Allegheny Front Trail (AFT) Crew was able to hit the ground running. Read more.
 
100 MILE CHALLENGE PROFILE:  SUSAN KERLIN

Kerlin Susan, from Lanse, PA, has been a hiker for the past four years, beginning first when a friend invited her to go on a hike for the American Cancer Society. Hiking provided both stress relief and grounding while she acted as sole caretaker of her critically-ill husband during his final years.  Read more.
 
DCNR SECRETARY RESIGNS

DCNR Secretary Richard Allan resigned on June 13, at the Governor's request (click here for the full story).  Public pressure to stop drilling in the Loyalsock State Forest is gaining momentum. Thank you to everyone that was able to make it to the June 3 public meeting in the Loyalsock State Forest. Please keep writing letters/ emails to your representatives, to your Governor, and to DCNR. 

 

GEAR BOX

 

Do you use trekking poles? Watch this video from Backcountry Edge to see why trekking poles are a great idea!
 
IF YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC
by Kaira Loving, KTA Intern
 
bob fromme
I decided to accompany KTA Executive Director Curt Ashenfelter on Wednesday, June 19, on a "field trip," to see what was brewing in a parking lot crossover of the Appalachian Trail and Route 325, just below the Clark's Valley Dam.  
 
As we pulled up, about ten thru-hikers of the AT were relaxing in the shade, enjoying sitting in an actual chair after hiking in the hot Pennsylvania sun all day. Many hikers had been anticipating visiting Bob's "Trail Magic," having heard about it through the grapevine. To others, it was a complete and blissful surprise.  Read more.
 
QUOTE OF THE MONTH

 by Cheryl Strayed, in Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

 

"It had nothing to do with gear or footwear or the backpacking fads or philosophies of any particular era or even with getting from point A to point B. It had to do with how it felt to be in the wild. With what it was like to walk for miles with no reason other than to witness the accumulation of trees and meadows, mountains and deserts, streams and rocks, rivers and grasses, sunrises and sunsets. The experience was powerful and fundamental. It seemed to me that it had always felt like this to be a human in the wild, and as long as the wild existed it would always feel this way."
 
TRAIL ALERT: OLD LOGGERS PATH

  

On June 17, construction started on the bridge in Masten (Loyalsock State Forest, Old Loggers Path). Due to the construction there will be very limited parking.  No one is permitted to cross the ford in the creek above Masten and anyone caught doing so will be cited.  Read more.  

 

SAVE THE DATE
CLICK HERE for the complete 2013 Trail Care and Trail Crew schedule!   
 
KTA Smoky Mountain Hiking Trip: June 30-July 6, 2013, Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  Registration closed. 
 
10th Annual Prowl the Sproul Camping and Hiking Weekend and Chuck Keiper Slackpack:  July 19-21, 2013, Western Clinton Sportsmen's Association, Renovo, Clinton County, PA. Registration now open!
 
NCT Annual Conference & Trail-Fest: August 12-17, 2013, Slippery Rock, PA.
 
5th Annual Susquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Trail Run: September 7, 2013, Lancaster/York Counties, PA.  Registration now open!
 
KTA Fall Meeting & Hiking Weekend:  October 11-13, 2013, Doubling Gap Center, Newville, Cumberland County, PA.  Registration opens August 1. 
 
KTA Fundraising Trail Care Weekend for Couples:  October 25-27, 2013, Bear Run Nature Preserve, Fayette County, PA.  Registration now open!
 
Oaxaca, Mexico Hiking Vacation:  October 31-November 10, 2013. Registration now open!
Newsletter Submissions 
This newsletter is published monthly by Keystone Trails Association.  Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. Opinions expressed are those of the listed authors.  The Editor encourages submissions reflecting all viewpoints, but reserves the right to edit material.  You are encouraged to submit your material to Program Administrator, Shanna Klucar, at [email protected].   Want to advertise in The Keystone Hiker?  E-mail Curt Ashenfelter, Executive Director, at [email protected] for advertisement benefits and rates.