September 2013
The Keystone Hiker
Preserving Pennsylvania's Footpaths since 1956
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EVENTS
HOW TO HELP
QUICK CLICKS
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SUPER HIKE REGISTRATION CLOSES SEPT. 3
On September 7, KTA will sponsor the fifth annual Susquehanna Super Hike & Ultra Trail Run, a 29.6-mile trail challenge event for adventurous trail runners and hikers on the wild river hills of the lower Susquehanna Gorge. If not maxed out before then, registration will close on September 3. Click here to join us!
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YOUR HIKING ADVOCATE
by Curt Ashenfelter, Executive Director
Anadarko Petroleum and Southwestern Energy Co. own the subsurface rights in a portion of the Loyalsock State Forest that is commonly called the Clarence Moore lands, and have requested access to extract natural gas. They claim that on some 7,000 of the 25,000 acres, the state cannot prohibit surface access.
On August 22, the Keystone Trails Association, as part of a coalition of conservation and outdoor recreation groups, along with state Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Havertown, held a news conference in the Capitol Rotunda and hand-delivered over 10,000 petitions to Governor Corbett. Representative Vitali and the group called on Governor Corbett to hold public hearings across Pennsylvania, about proposed natural gas development in Loyalsock State Forest.
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KTA FALL WEEKEND: DOUBLING GAP
Hike. Kayak. Rock-climb. Roast marshmallows. Relax in rocking chairs on a wrap-around porch. Play board games. Imagine a weekend where you can do all this (and more) with 100 other hikers of all ages and levels of experience. Commute, camp, or stay in a private room -- it's up to you, but we do hope you'll join us! Weekend pricing (lodging & meals) starts at $100 pp. Click here to learn more!
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SUPER HIKE SPOTLIGHT: JOE MARANO
Click here to meet Joe Marano, age 47, from Oreland, Pennsylvania. He will be joining almost 500 other hikers on September 7, in KTA's 5th annual Susquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Trail Run!
Note: Super Hike registration closes on September 3, unless we max out before then. Click here to register!
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FUNDAMENTALS OF FRACKING WORKSHOP
KTA is holding a free "Fundamentals of Fracking" workshop from 9 AM to 1 PM on Saturday, October 12, at Doubling Gap Center in Cumberland County. The workshop will cover the basics of what fracking is; related policy/ regulations; the social, environmental, and recreational impacts, and tools for advocacy. Learn more.
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MEET THE KTA BOARD: INTRODUCING PAUL SHAW
KTA Life Member Paul Shaw has been a KTA board member for only five years, but his involvement in KTA goes all the way back to the 1970's. "I was sharing an office with former KTA President Maurice Forrester, and Maurice convinced me that, as a hiker, I should join KTA and support its efforts to promote and protect hiking trails in Pennsylvania."
Paul began attending KTA fall and spring meetings about that time, and fondly recalls the camaraderie of late-night trail tales with the likes of Maurice, Tom Thwaites, Dave Raphael, and Ed Garvey. Disaster was narrowly averted at one spring meeting in the late 70's, when Ed Garvey fired up his backpacking stove in his camper (jammed with people beyond capacity) with promises of popcorn and liquid refreshments. Read more.
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SAVE THE LOYALSOCK
Imagine clearcuts, impoundments, bright lights, big noise. Envision compressor stations, gaping pipelines, traffic jams, spills, leaks, accidents, and dirty emissions. Get the picture? Drilling has no business here.
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NOMINATIONS
The KTA Nominating Committee has submitted a slate of candidates for election to the Board of Directors. The election will be held at the Annual Meeting of the Council on October 12, at Doubling Gap Center, in Newville, Cumberland County, PA.
Current Board members Molly O'Brien-Foelsch and Ernest Werstler are seeking re-election for the 2013-2016 term.
Seeking election for a first term are James Foster and Katie Barker for the term ending October, 2016.
The slate of Officers proposed for the 2013-2014 term include Wanda Shirk, President; Paul Shaw, Vice-President; Jim Foster, Secretary; and Ernest Werstler, Treasurer. Officers are elected by Council and serve one-year terms.
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MAINTAINER'S CORNER: MST (WOOLRICH REGION)
by Joe Healey, Crew Leader
From August 9-11, 2013, KTA volunteers had a great weekend of camping and trail work in Little Pine State Park, for KTA's Mid State Trail (Woolrich Region) Trail Care Weekend. Sidehill work was the main project of the weekend. Working in advance with DCNR, Forester Ben Sands flagged and brush-cut the small reroute prior to our arrival. The reroute was cut right below a gas well pad where, last year, there was an 8,000-gallon fracking spill, compliments of the gas drilling industry. The relocation was completed on Saturday, thanks to the crew joyfully swinging their pulaskis all day long (see photo to left). Read more.
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BOB FROMME DOUBLE-YOUR-DONATION CHALLENGE
Many thanks to the individuals and families that contributed to KTA during the 2013 Bob Fromme Double-Your-Donation Challenge! Thanks to the generosity and support of Bob Fromme (see photo to left, of Bob presenting Thyra Sperry, Board President, with a check for $3,000), KTA received a total of $6,000 to help fund our advocacy and trail care efforts throughout the state of Pennsylvania.
If you would like your dollar to count twice, and would like KTA to run a matching contribution campaign in your name, please contact Curt Ashenfelter, Executive Director, at 717-238.7017.
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TRAIL CARE GET-AWAY
Do you and/or your significant other like to get their hands dirty on the trails, while sleeping in a comfortable bed at night? Looking for a fun "volunteer vacation" with your partner -- full of romance and the satisfaction of giving back to the footpaths you love to hike? Want to help raise funds for KTA's 2013-2014 Trail Care Program, while having a great time? Check out KTA's Trail Care Fundraising Weekend!
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KTA FALL PHOTO CONTEST
Congratulations to James Kohan, from Harrisburg, PA, winner of the Fall Photo Contest. See the top of this newsletter for his scenic photo of Standing Stone Trail/ Thousand Steps in Mt. Union, PA. Read more.
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KTA TRIP TO OAXACA, MEXICO
Registration is almost full for KTA's upcoming trip to Mexico! Join KTA and Treks & Trails International for a hiking adventure of a lifetime. This amazing trip combines the color and spectacle of the renowned D�a de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival in Oaxaca city, with the exhilaration of hiking in the beautiful Sierra Norte mountains. Click here to join us!
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JEFF'S JAUNTS: SALT SPRINGS STATE PARK
by Jeffrey Mitchell, KTA Board Member
Salt Springs is one of the best-kept secrets in Pennsylvania. Well, it used to be. I've been coming to this park for over ten years and it is amazing how much it has changed, and how popular it has become. It is hard not to love Salt Springs, with its gorge, waterfalls, old growth trees, and miles of trails that explore streams, boulders, meadows, cemeteries, and woodlands. Read more.
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STUDENT INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Are you looking to start your career in non-profit fundraising, event planning, or advocacy? Gain experience, boost your resume, network, and earn college credit (where applicable) as a KTA Intern! Join the KTA team this fall, winter, and/ or spring! You will learn about the ins-and-outs of a typical small non-profit organization, gain practical experience with event coordination, member development, promotions, publications, advocacy, program development, and more, depending on your interest and goals. Interested? Email KTA a letter of interest and resume.
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ALLEGHENY FOREST BACKPACK TRIP
The NCTA is pleased to offer its membership a guided backpacking trip, led by KTA Board Member Paul Shaw, on the North Country Trail through Pennsylvania's gorgeous Allegheny National Forest, from October 18-23, 2013. Learn more.
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CLICK HERE for the complete 2013 Trail Care and Trail Crew schedule!
KTA Fall Meeting & Hiking Weekend: October 11-13, 2013, Doubling Gap Center, Newville, Cumberland County, PA. Registration now open!
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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.
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