the newsletter of the potomac appalachian trail club

24 Pages·2017·2.19 MB·English

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE POTOMAC APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUB
AUGUST 2017 - VOLUME 4, NUMBER 8
90TH ANNIVERSARY HIKE #3:
ASHBY GAP TO WHISKEY HOLLOW
HIKER"S NOTEBOOK
4
Whiskey Hollow Bridge - Bridge in Whiskey Hollow, downhill from the Appalachian Trail, between the
north and south sections of Thompson Wildlife Management Area. Photo-Larry Broadwell
The Route is an 11.4-mile out-and-back on the current path of the Appalachian Trail south of Ashby
Gap in Virginia. It follows a 1.9-mile segment of an earlier AT alignment on the return leg.
Significance: This is the third and last commemorative hike in the area where PATC’s earliest members
WHAT'S THAT proved that a few volunteers could build substantial sections of the AT in the region. After the trouble
they encountered reaching the area and cutting trail between Harpers Ferry and Ashby Gap (Hikes #1
FLOWER?
& 2), they were able to take advantage of better access via VA 50, skills gained during earlier work, and a
5
growing though modest number of volunteers.

The AT here has been relocated several times. Unlike the reroute north of Ashby, the current trail stays
close to the ridgeline. Passing through the Ovoka Tract and Sky Meadows State Park, it touches fine views
from the ridge eastward over the Virginia piedmont. After crossing a section of G. Richard Thompson
Wildlife Management Area, it reaches its turnaround point in Whiskey Hollow, near PATC’s newest
shelter.

Distance: 11.4 miles
NEW STAFF MEMBERS Total ascents: 1500 feet
10
Getting there: From I-495 (the Capital Beltway), go west on Route 66 to exit 23, and head north on
Route 17 to its junction with VA 50 at Paris. Go left (west) 1 mile on VA 50/17, then go right (north) onto
VA 601 in Ashby Gap. In 0.2 miles, park on left in the 10-car lot. Follow the blue-blazed access trail from
the back of the lot 85 yards to the AT.

118 PARK STREET, S.E., Fees: None; wandering off the AT within Thompson WMA, however, requires an access permit ($4/day;
VIENNA, VA 22180‑4609 $23/annual) available by phone during business hours at 1-866-721-6911.
WWW.PATC.NET
ISSN 098‑8L54
clearing, pass the south end of the “Old
Trail” loop, which leads west (right). In
another tenth of a mile, pass the junction
with the blue-blazed North Ridge Trail,
which leads east (left) to a campground
and other trails in Sky Meadows.
3.1 Cross into the north section
of Thompson WMA.
3.9 Pass a spur trail that leads 0.1 mile
west to 10-car lot on Signal Knob.
(The knob was used by Confederates
as a signal station during the Civil
War. Some old war trails in this area
were likely still discernible in 1928.)
4.1 Pass a spring on the east side of the trail
and follow an old roadbed into forest.
Whiskey Hollow Shelter - Though not entirely finished, backpackers were using Whiskey 4.6 Leaving the north section of
Hollow Shelter, the club's newest, in early June. Photo-Larry Broadwell Thompson WMA, begin a steep
descent into Whiskey Hollow.

References: PATC’s “Appalachian Trail 1.3 Go straight at the junction with the
5.1 Turn around at the creek in Whiskey
Guide to Maryland and Northern Virginia” purple-blazed “Old” AT, which loops west.
Hollow, or turn left for a short downhill
(2015 ed., pp. 158-167 and p. 249); (Wherever possible, the 1928 trail builders
on an old forest road to PATC’s newest
PATC Map #8 (Snickers Gap to Chester used old forest roads built much earlier by
shelter. (The south section of Thompson
Gap); “Breaking Trail in the Central loggers and charcoal makers. In some cases,
WMA begins beyond the old road.
Appalachians,” by David Bates (PATC, private landowners later blocked access on
Dick’s Dome, the original PATC
1987); and “A Footpath in the Wilderness,” PATC-built trails, forcing relocations to
shelter in Whiskey Hollow, was built by
edited by Carol Niedzaliek (PATC, 2003) active roads and other alternatives.) Ahead,
Dick George in 1987 on his land and
cross the north boundary of the Ovoka
transferred to NPS ownership. Its dome
The Trail Miles 0.0 Tract. (Acquired by the National Park
architecture – unlike the usual lean-to
At the junction of the blue-blazed access Service in 1983, Ovoka includes 100 acres
design – makes it stand out from other
trail with the AT, turn left and go south of open ground around the crest of the Blue
stops along the AT. As Whiskey Hollow
on the white-blazed AT. (North and Ridge, offering fine vistas. The current AT
Shelter, now in the final stages of work,
south of Ashby Gap, builders cut the alignment here was opened in 2003, after
replaces Dick’s Dome, the latter will likely
original path east or west of the current some particularly harsh local resistance.)
move to a distant site.) Retrace steps
route. As private homes sprang up along
back north on the AT to the junction
the original route and some of the federal 2.0 Pass the junction with Ambassador
at the south end of the “Old Trail.”
land was placed off limits during World Whitehouse Trail, which goes left
War II, the trail had to be relocated. (southeast) toward Sky Meadows State
8.2
See accompanying map for details.) Park. (The trail is named for Charles
Back at the 2.7-mile point, go left at the
Whitehouse, a native of nearby Paris, VA,
junction onto the purple-blazed “Old”
0.2 Cross US 50/17 in Ashby Gap. (Here, who served as US ambassador in Southeast
AT. (Shortly, cross the Fire Road that
the 1928 and current trail alignments Asia during the 1970s and later helped
hosted the AT from 1928 to 1941 and
nearly converge. To the south, they soon relocate the AT to its current setting.)
again from 1955 to 1986. The “Old”
diverge again. The gap was named for Col.
AT served from 1986 to 2003.)
John Ashby, a leader in colonial battles 2.7 Cross a gas pipeline clearing at
with Indians. Historic Ashby Tavern was the south boundary of the Ovoka
10.1 At the junction, turn left
just west of the crest, according to “A Tract and the north boundary of Sky
onto the white-blazed AT and
Footpath in the Wilderness,” but it had Meadows. (Acquisition of the Ovoka
retrace the route to the start.
disappeared by the time PATC’s volunteers Tract and creation of Sky Meadows SP
scouted and cut trail here.) Bear slightly and Thompson WMA helped PATC
west, follow the white-blazed path into overcome long-running problems with 11.4 Turn right onto the blue-blazed
woods, cross a stone wall, and turn right landowners who closed off sections of connector trail to end the hike at VA 601.
onto an old roadbed to begin a long ascent. the trail in this area.) Just beyond the
2 AUGUST 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
After completing work on the AT from
Harpers Ferry through Ashby Gap to
Linden at what is now I-66, the founders
invited hiking groups to try the new trail.
A celebratory trek led to recruitment of
more volunteers, and the work moved
south into what is now Shenandoah
National Park, where the next entry
in this series takes up the story.
About this series. . .
Between 1927 and today, PATC’s founders
and their successors built a 240-mile
section of the Appalachian Trail, created
the Tuscarora Trail, made dozens of cabins
and shelters available to hikers, and took
on maintenance responsibility for over
1000 miles of paths in the club’s 4-state
service area. The hikes described in this
series pass landmarks in PATC’s history
and celebrate nine decades of remarkable
evolution in our national trail network.
Larry Broadwell and William Needham
co-write the series, and Brian Goudreau
provides the maps. Tom Johnson and Jon
Rindt contributed to this entry.
Ashby Gap to Whiskey Hollow Historical Map. Photo-Brian Goudreau
AUGUST 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN 3
HIKER'S NOTEBOOK: The generally toxic nature of the red
BANEBERRY baneberry berries was well known to the
Native Americans; the juice was applied
DEADLY DOLL’S EYES?
to the tips of arrows to impart to them a
secondary and more insidious lethality for
more effective venery. As there is sometimes
The degree of toxicity of the baneberry
a fine line between a poison and a medicine
is open to some legitimate disputation,
(toxicity to humans vis-à-vis toxicity to
as there is little documentation beyond
the microbe or parasite targeted), the
hearsay evidence of the occasionally
red baneberry was used on occasion as
purported fatal result of ingestion. The
an emetic to induce vomiting and as a
etiology of the belief that the plant is
purgative to induce diarrhea - which
so poisonous as to earn the epithet of
generally occur in concert as the body seeks
murderer (bane) is not known, though
to rid itself of the deleterious substance. It
syllogism would suggest that a death
was also used in the treatment of snakebite,
occurred at some point in the relatively
When the English colonists came to North whence the names Snakeberry and Poison
recent past. The name baneberry is of
America and found a shrubby plant with de couleuvre (French for serpent poison)
English provenance and refers to the species
lobed leaves and bright red instead of derive. There is some question as to the
A. spicata, one of the approximately ten
black berries, they quite naturally gave it
extent of this practice, since the effects
baneberry plants of the Northern temperate
the name Red Baneberry.
of the treatment would likely be as bad
regions of the world; it is native to Europe Photo by: Wm Needham
or even worse than the symptoms being
and East Asia and is distinguished by
treated, the bite of a timber rattlesnake is
the fact that it has black berries. The
problems . Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum rarely fatal to a healthy adult.
English baneberry was also known as
thalictroides) has a similar etymology.
Herb Christopher, which is thought to
The root of the red baneberry was also The toxicity of the baneberry is due to the
have derived from the hagiologic practice
used by various Indian tribes, notably the chemical ranunculin, which is commonly
of assigning specific dates to a saint. The
Ojibwa and the Potawatomi, as a treatment found in plants of the Ranunculaceae or
flowers of a plant that first bloomed on or
associated with a variety of female gender Buttercup Family. Ranunculin releases
near Saint Christopher's Day would then
specific conditions, including menstrual the toxic chemical protoanemonin
be called Herb Christopher as a mnemonic
cramps, postpartum pain and menopausal enzymatically whenever the plant is
device with religious implications. A
anomalies. The Ojibwa differentiated damaged, such as by chewing or pulping.
pungent smell is also attributed to the
treatments by gender according to a now Protoanemonin is a skin irritant, causing
English baneberry, which supposedly
obscure method that prescribed the plant erythema (redness) and blistering of the
attracted toads (Toadroot) but repelled
for female treatments for part of the year skin. On ingestion, it has a similar effect on
insects and other vermin (Bugbane).
and to male treatments for other parts of the mucous membranes of the esophagus,
Since it is not generally true that toads are
the year. stomach and intestines. The first symptoms
attracted to a smell and that arthropods are
repelled by it (in fact, the opposite is more
likely), the common names are a tribute to
the creativity of native peoples and a good TRAIL MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP
example of the complexities of etymology.
When the English colonists came to North
Join our workshop to help new and seasoned overseers
America and found a shrubby plant with
learn or hone the skills needed to be effective trail
lobed leaves and bright red instead of black
maintainers. Clipping, blazing, water bars, and trail
berries, they quite naturally gave it the
name Red Baneberry. safety will be covered. To help us move away from using
water bars, the construction of rolling grade dips (a more
The Native Americans had a different view sustainable, and less intrusive, water control feature than water bars), will also be
of the baneberry. They used it primarily taught. This is on the job training. We will walk a trail section with tools and practice
as a medicinal, though it had a number of t he tasks necessary for routine trail maintenance.
other uses. It was known as Red Cohosh.
Pre registration required by no later than the Friday one week prior to the class.
The word Cohosh is from the Algonquian
Class size will be limited to ten.
Indian language family; in the Massachuset
language, koshki means "it is rough." The Email your name and cell phone, and the date you wish to take the class to
term originally referred to the gnarled Robert@Fina‑co.com
root of the Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga
racemosa) and likely came to be used for Registrants will receive an email with location and other details.
a number of other plants whose roots 2017 Classes • September 16. C and O Canal
were used medicinally, particularly in the October 7. AT near Linden Va.
treatment of a variety of parturition related
4 AUGUST 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
the same species. The USDA lists only WHAT'S THAT FLOWER:
A. rubra with a distribution that extends
from coast to coast. In some texts, A. Photos by Richard Stromberg
rubra and A. arguta are considered to
be variations of the European baneberry If you have hiked PATC trails in August
and are accordingly listed as A. spicata var and September, you have encountered
rubra and A. spicata var arguta. The third Tick Trefoils. The panicles of quarter-
species, however is distinctly different, inch purple flowers are eye-catching
having white berries and a much thicker and may lean over the trail so you
pedicel - the name for the stalk that have to brush by them, and those
holds the berry. The White Baneberry is green triangles you pick off your socks
indigenous only to eastern North America. in autumn are Tick Trefoil seeds.
It has traditionally been known as A.
pachypoda from the Latin words for 'thick'
(pachy) and 'foot' (poda) to distinguish
its larger pedicels but is also known as A.
Doll's eyes is the most common alba from the Latin word for 'white' in
assignation, a metaphor for the singular
recognition of its signature white berries. It
appearance of the berries, asserting their
also has a number of common names that
resemblance to the lifelike glass eyes of
derive from its appearance. Doll's eyes is
antique china dolls.
the most common assignation, a metaphor
Photo by: Richard Stromberg
for the singular appearance of the berries,
asserting their resemblance to the lifelike
of baneberry poisoning are accordingly glass eyes of antique china dolls. Since A.
blistering and burning of the mouth and alba was also used by Native Americans

throat which gradates to nausea, stomach for medicinal purposes, it was also called Pink-violet Tick Trefoil flowers have dark
cramps, intestinal distress and diarrhea as White Cohosh. The names Necklace Weed splotches at the bottom middle of the
the toxicity proceeds by peristalsis down and White Beads have also been applied upper peter and white spaces underneath
the digestive track. Larger doses (the with obvious reference to the articles of the splotches.
cutoff is generally considered to be six or attire they imply. The flowers of the White Photo by: Richard Stromberg
more berries) can have a more profound Baneberry are quite striking, though they
effect, including respiratory distress, are generally dismissed as diminutive.
“Trefoil” describes the leaves, three
ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest. Closer examination reveals that the esthetic
leaflets. The shape of the leaflets is often
There have been no reports of fatalities explosion of pistils and stamens without
the key to distinguishing the species.
in the adult population though there are the concealing petals affords a striking
vague references to deaths of children in astral appearance that calls to mind the
“Tick” refers to the “tickseeds”, which
Europe, probably the ultimate source of 'fairy candles' of the black cohosh.
are seeds that attach to passing animals/
the pejorative baneberry name. The berries
~ Wm Needham humans to be distributed. Like many
are quite bitter, so it is not likely that an
seeds or burrs, Tick Trefoil seeds have
individual would continue to eat them
Velcro-like hooks. Tick Trefoil fruit are
after tasting one; bitterness is the telltale
typical of the Pea Family—pods. However,
taste of toxicity - an evolutionary trait that
the bottom edge of Tick Trefoil pods
protected the survivors from poisoning.
is serrated. They look like a saw blade.
Baneberry plants are occasionally
Each pointed segment contains one seed,
consumed without apparent harm by a
and the pod breaks apart, so you wind
variety of animals including white-tailed
up with single-seeded triangles on your
deer, horses and sheep. The berries are eaten
socks. A pod that is constricted between
by birds including the robin, wood thrush
the seeds like this is called a loment.
and grouse and by small mammals such as
mice, squirrels and chipmunks. Some birds The genus name is Desmodium, derived
eat the pulp and leave the seeds and some from Greek “desmos”, which means
mammals eat the seeds and leave the pulp. “chain”, from the appearance of the loment.
They are of poor nutritional value. In 2000 two of the species in our area
were split off into the genus Hylodesmum.
There are nominally three species of The flowers of the White Baneberry are They grow in shade while the species
baneberry in North America, though there quite striking --- the esthetic explosion of remaining in Desmodium grow in more
pistils and stamens without the concealing
it is widely contended that the eastern open situations. Hylo is derived from the
petals calls to mind the 'fairy candles' of
and western variants of the red baneberry, Greek work “hyle”, which means “a wood”.
the black cohosh.
A. rubra and A. arguta, respectively, are Photo by: Richard Stromberg Also, the sections of Hylodesmum loments
AUGUST 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN 5
inches, and the terminal leaflet is larger Narrow-leaf Tick Trefoil (Desmodium
than the side leaflets. I have not seen it paniculatum—branched with flowers
very often, but, again, along shady trails. maturing from the bottom upwards), as
the name implies, has narrow leaflets, four
The scientific name of a plant often
times longer than wide. It is common in
includes the name of a person, while the
dry, open places. I have seen it growing
common name includes some descriptive
side-by-side with Dillenius’ Tick Trefoil
feature of the plant, but Dillenius’ Tick
near the Bear Wallow parking lot in
Trefoil (Desmodium glabellum) is the
Fort Valley in the Massanuttens.
other way around. Dillenius was an
eighteenth century botanist and glabellum Prostrate Tick Trefoil (Desmodium
means smooth, though the stem and leaves rotundifolium) trails along the ground,
have very short hairs that have a hook at while the other species are upright, and it
the tip. The leaflets also have a fringe of has round leaflets, hence the species name.
hairs along the edges. The leaflets are one I have seen it in several dry, open places.
to two inches and 1.5 to 3 times longer
Pointed leaflet tips identify Pointed-leaf
than wide. It has a lot of flower stems with ~ Richard Stromberg
Tick-trefoils
many flowers on each stem. It is common
in dry, open areas, even growing in the
ditch at the bottom of my driveway.
are joined only at the top, while the sides
JIM’S JOURNAL –
of each Desmodium section connect Perplexing Tick Trefoil (Desmodium
AUGUST 2017 POTOMAC
to the neighboring section. Genetic perplexum) is similar to Dillenius’ Tick
studies have verified the separation. Trefoil, but has longer hairs on the stem APPALACHIAN
and likes wetter areas. The leaves do not
Individual flowers are less than a half
have the hairy fringes. I do not know JIM TOMLIN
inch, but each inflorescence has several of
what is perplexing about it other than,
them. The flowers have the typical pea
maybe it is hard tell from other species.
structure: the upright banner is pink- I am very grateful and honored to have
violet with dark splotches at the bottom Hoary Tick Trefoil (Desmodium been selected
middle of the base and white spaces canescens) is shaped like the previous to serve the
underneath the splotches, like eyebrows two but has very hairy stems and leaves, remainder of
over iris-less cartoon character eyes; two which gives it its common and scientific this term as your
wing petals are the same pink-violet; the names. The two-to-five foot plants have President. I will
keel is often elongated and paler or even many branches and persistent, pointed, be doing the
white, though the wing petals may hide it. quarter-inch stipules (leaf-like growths) best I possibly
at the base of branches. I have seen can in order to
Naked-Flowered Tick-trefoil (Hylodesmum
it along the AT on the tow path near serve the Club
nudiflorum) is everywhere along our
Harpers Ferry, and a couple places at selflessly and
shaded trails. This is one case where the
lower elevation in Shenandoah NP. always putting the Club’s best interest
common name and the species name
first and foremost. This is a Club that
mean exactly the same, i.e., the flower
has been organized to run by consensus,
stem has no leaves on it. The stem may
so I will be striving to find the best
reach over three feet, often leaning into
ideas and build Club-wide support for
the trail, with a panicle of flowers at the
them. I will need every PATC volunteer
end which later become pods, ready to
to pitch in and help me with this.
grab you. The stem comes straight out of
the ground. The leaves arise from ground Thank you for your support in furthering
completely divorced from the flower stem the mission of PATC for another 90 years.
above ground and are much shorter Jim Tomlin
Pointed-leaf Tick-trefoil (H. glutinosum—
glutinous, referring to the short hairs on
the flower stem) has leaves whorled around
the stem with the flower panicle at the top.
The stem above the leaves is longer than the
part below the leaves. The distinguishing
feature is the long point at the end of Butterfly Pea
the leaflets. The leaflets are larger than
other Tick Trefoils, sometimes over four
6 AUGUST 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
NEW BRIDGE AT ANTIETAM
CREEK
PATC partnered with George Mason
University’s (GMU) School of Engineering
to design and construct a new bridge
on the AT near Antietam Shelter in
southern Pennsylvania. In 2016 GMU
contacted PATC leadership about having
engineering students design the bridge.
GMU offered to pay for the design
and materials, and their engineering
students would be involved in on-site
New Antietam Creek bridge after completion.
Photo by Mary Clark, Mary Crovo
and on-site in the Michaux State Forest were on hand to assist in removing the
during the course of the project. The old bridge and constructing the new one.
existing bridge, nearly 34 feet in length, North Chapter construction supervisor,
had two 16-inch poplar stringers, which Al Black provided practical instruction
were beginning to deteriorate. GMU’s to the students on tool use and various
replacement bridge design incorporated aspects of on-site bridge assembly. A
four laminated beams of 2x10 pressure particular challenge was drilling 150
treated lumber with steel gusset plates. holes through three 2x10’s; the holes
Fortunately, the existing stone and had to line up precisely with pre-drilled
concrete footings were still in great shape, gusset plates (10 holes per plate) on either
along with stone steps on either end of side of the beams. This was necessary
the bridge. GMU’s design specifications to splice the 12-foot stringer sections
GMU and North Chapter volunteers work were completed in April and submitted to together to complete the 34-foot span.
on new bridge stringers. Michaux State Forest for approval. The Fortunately the weather cooperated and
drawings included stress calculations and by Sunday, June 4, the new bridge was
Photo by: Pete Brown provided handrails on both sides of the completed and ready for AT hikers.
bridge, which is a Michaux requirement.
~ Mary Crovo
construction. This would provide the Early on Friday, June 2, about 15 students
students with an opportunity to design from GMU’s Engineers for International
as well as install a pedestrian bridge. Development (EfID) organization, along
with a GMU engineering professor, arrived
John Hedrick, Jim Tomlin, and Pete Brown with a truckload of materials and their
welcomed the GMU offer and attended camping equipment. Members of the
several meetings at the GMU campus PATC North Chapter Yankee Clippers
AUGUST 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN 7
“NEW” OLD RAG CABIN JULY VOLUNTEER
OF THE MONTH
Photos by Ian MacKay
Photos by Steve McLaughlin
TOM CARROLL celebrates 30 years of
continuous volunteer work with PATC.
Upon moving to
Northern Virginia
in 1987, Tom
immediately started
working with
various trail crews
(they didn’t have
names back then)
at the same time
that he maintained
a section of the AT
in the Northern
District of the Park for 5 years. He then
joined the Shelter Crew and helped
build Denton, Lesser, Pinnacles and Sam
Moore shelters. He also worked on Argo,
Huntley, Rosser-Lamb and Tulip Tree
Cabins. Along the way, he helped replace
Old Rag Cabin
roofs, privies, the bridge over Goose
Creek, as well as countless other cabins
The PATC’s newest log cabin at the foot and heating, a modern kitchen, large and shelters. Currently he volunteers with
of Old Rag Mountain near Nethers, bathroom, woodstove and woodshed, the Stonewall Brigade Trail Crew in the
Virginia was officially dedicated at a June with 3 sleeping areas for 8. ORC was also Great North Mountain. Quietly doing
24 ceremony attended by volunteers who dedicated to the memory of Tom Barber whatever is needed, Tom continues to
helped construct the cabin. From the who volunteered from 2012 until he passed happily serve as a volunteer for PATC in
time the project was envisioned by John away in 2015.  The leadership thanks all the mountains, woods, and trails he loves,
Corwith in 2011, the project took 5 1/2 the volunteers who participated in building making life-long friends along the way.
years to design, acquire land, recycled this remarkable cabin. The cabin is sure to
logs and materials, and construct. The be popular with members who want to hike ~ Steve McLaughlin
project was completed by the Lincoln Old Rag or just experience a log cabin with
Loggers overseen by John Corwith and amenities.
Steve Barber. Old Rag Cabin (ORC) is an
ADA-compliant handicapped accessible
~ Ian Mackey
two-story cabin with electricity, plumbing
Old Rag Cabin Dining Area
Old Rag Cabin Woodstove
8 AUGUST 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN
MEET PATC’S TWO NEW
STAFF MEMBERS
PATC recently welcomed two new
members to our staff: Finance
Coordinator Nicolas Haynor and
Cabin Coordinator Martha Reynolds.
Please stop by next time you are at
Headquarters to meet these enthusiastic
new additions to our staff, both of whom
look forward to working with you.
Nicolas grew up outside Philadelphia
before moving to Vienna, Va. PATC’s
headquarters building was a familiar sight
when he lived in this town and attended
Madison high school. He then enrolled
at William and Mary, graduating in 2010
with a degree in finance. He subsequently
worked for Educational Connections and
for Electric Power Systems, International.
Nicolas says he applied for the Finance
Martha and Nicholas.
Coordinator job because “the role
Photo by Brewster Thackery
appealed to me; this is exactly the type
of responsibility I was looking for, and I
appreciate that PATC is a socially conscious
Public Administration degree with a Members and volunteers can reach
organization.” He enjoys hiking at Old
specialization in nonprofit management. Nicolas at [email protected] or 703/242-
Rag, Great Falls, and other parks in our
Martha also has extensive experience 0315, extension 106; and Martha
region. His other interests include tennis
working with volunteers, including through at [email protected] or 703/242-
and acrylic painting, especially landscapes.
Circle K and Service Fellows while in 0315, extension 108. Nicolas’s regular
He recently purchased a house in
college, and appreciates the volunteer hours are 8:30 to 4:30, while Martha’s are
Centreville, and has jumped into a number
ethos that drives PATC’s success. 9:00 to 2:00, Monday through Friday.
of projects, including the type familiar to
PATC’s cabin crews. He brings a decade of
“Recently, I began searching for a career A number of members commented that the
progressively more responsible experience
in this area, and was thrilled to discover transitions of our staff felt seamless. Credit
in budgeting, financial planning, and
that the PATC was seeking a cabin must be given where due! In the Finance
operational planning. He looks forward
coordinator. As a lover of Virginia State department, Tom Driggers worked hard
to transitioning into the nonprofit
Parks, I have frequented their cabins to complete work on the audit and get all
sector, an arena he previously dabbled
for many years, with special affection books in order before he moved to Texas to
in but that was not his primary focus.
for those constructed by the Civilian tend to family matters. Then our previous
Conservation Corps. I thoroughly enjoy Finance Coordinator, Mona Filchock, tag-
In an organization noted for low
visiting state parks because they illustrate teamed with consulting controller Cheryl
turnover and long tenures, Nicolas
Virginia’s diverse topography, flora, and Topping to get Nicolas up to speed. Prior
held the distinction of being PATC’s
fauna and offer a range of hiking trails. I Cabin Coordinator Anne Corwith likewise
newest employee – but only for three
am looking forward to experiencing these came by to spend time with Martha and
weeks before Martha came on board.
elements at the PATC cabins. I can’t wait show her the ropes of that department,
to explore PATC’s cabins and surrounding in coordination with Anstr Davidson.
Martha grew up in a small town in the
hiking opportunities,” Martha says. Art Anstr, who had filled in for Anne when
northern part of Culpeper County, nestled
is another of her core interests, and she she took an academic sabbatical last fall,
between Rappahannock and Fauquier.
enjoys traveling to galleries, museums, assumed the Cabin duties again as a
After graduating from Fauquier High
and new exhibitions in the area. She also volunteer for the two months the position
School she earned an undergraduate degree
enjoys non- fiction books—especially those was vacant – an exceptional contribution
at Randolph-Macon College, where she
pertaining to colonial history—film, and of time and energy that ensured all
studied political science and art history.
animals. “My dog, who loves to accompany went smoothly until Martha arrived
“These fields developed my interest in the
me on hiking adventures, and cats are a
nonprofit sector, and influenced the path
significant element in my life,” she says. ~ Brewster Thackeray
of my graduate education,” says Martha,
who is currently pursuing a Master of
AUGUST 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN 9
TRAILHEAD
ND HOODLUMS: quickly divided into three crews to tackle end of the day.  For years, June meant
SOMETHING NEW the day's projects.  Head Hoodlum Janice pasta, couscous and other Mediterranean
Cessna set off with one crew, returning to themed food but this year the Hoodlums
Photos by Jennifer Farley the AT on North Marshall for some serious decided to try a different theme: pies.
waterbar and checkdam work.  DM Noel Yes, pies--quiche, meat, zucchini,
Freeman took another crew down Piney fruit, and cream pies. Let's just say the
Ridge to do some weeding and clipping bakery at Wegmans took a hit and no
while Wayne Limberg, Stu Scott, Mike one went hungry and leave it at that.
Gergely and James Farley hiked up Pass
Mountain to take out a blowdown that ~Mary Crovo
had been blocking the AT for some time. 
WORKING SAFELY WITH THE
That blowdown proved to be the most
"interesting" job of the day. It was flat CADILLAC CREW
on the ground and over 24 inches in
diameter. No way to cut it all the way Photos by Kirsten Elosky
Butterfly approves of Hoodlums' pie The Cadillac Crew’s good safety record
choices.
over the years, even though each trip
has several new attendees, is one that
we wish to continue. So to keep the
June 17 dawned wet and gray with
trips incident free, the Crew employs
predictions of showers and afternoon
several safety methods: tailgate briefings
thunderstorms, but the North District
(Thanks to Robert Fina, our work
Hoodlums decided to press on and met
weekend project leader), work trip emails
at Piney River ranger station at 9:00 am.
(Thanks to Kirsten Elowsky, our leader
That turned out to be the right decision;
with tailored safety tips for each trip),
the fog and clouds lifted mid-morning and
and specific trail work briefings (Thanks
the predicted rain never came, but high
humidity meant no one stayed entirely dry.
through without fouling the chain on the
The weather reports led some who had
signed up for the day to think better of it
Newest Hoodlum India Farley tries out
but the Hoodlums still had 18 show up and
new step on AT on Pass Mtn. as Wayne
Limberg, Mike Gergely, Stu Scott, and
James Farley (with adze) catch their
breaths.
saw.  Fortunately, Wayne had remembered
to bring along the adze that had been
hiding in his shed for years, a "new" tool
for everyone but James who had used an
Patrick Wilson explaining the waterbar
adze before.  First came a dozen or so cleaning process to the Cadillac Crew on
cuts through the log, which were then Nicholson Hollow Trail.
chopped out with the adze. The log was
seasoned red oak and hard.  After two
hours, they had a more than acceptable to Martha Becton on rigging safety).
step, a dull chain, and bragging rights. But, with safety, more is always better.
The Hoodlums also tried something So with our June Trip on the High Rocks
Hoodlum Peter Harris does some serious
recruiting for the North District trail new when they gathered for their usual side trail to the Tuscarora Trail, we
maintenance workshop. potluck at Elkwallow Picnic Area at the initiated a brief Saturday evening dinner
10 AUGUST 2017 • POTOMAC APPALACHIAN