Contributed by Gary Bruner, Overseer for Reese Hollow Trail & Shelter

Now is the time of year when PATC overseers come out of hibernation and start, well, overseeing. That means trail and shelter projects, and when I said ³Spring Work" I was being quite literal.

The Reese Hollow Trail is a feeder trail to to the Tuscarora Trail just west of Mercersburg, PA. The rece...

Contributed by PATC Blogger

“Give me a lever long enough, and I can move the world” (Archimedes)  or even more appropriate......"Better to slide it than roll it; better to roll it than carry it; and don’t carry it alone.   

As a relative 'newbie' to AT trail work in Pennsylvania, I...

Contributed by Pete Brown, PATC North District Manager

Known as a wild corridor, the Tuscarora Trail requires significant maintenance to keep it open for hikers, including dealing with large blowdowns.   Sometime you just make the trail move 'through' the downed tree.......

as shown by the skills of Patrick Willson making this bore cut step-through with his new Stihl 661.   Lug...

Contributed by Andy Wolfe, PATC North Overseer of Rocky Knob Trail

Ever tend to take a bite of life that is more than you can handle......

...much like this Banded Water Snake that has a 'grasp' on a much larger BullFrog.   The bullfrog is fresh out of hibernation based on the dark color from algae.    The snake wasn't letting go and the frog appeared to be a bit more than he could chew. &...

Contributed by Andy Wolfe, Overseer of Rocky Knob Trail

The trails of Pennsylvania are well-known to be filled with 'toe bangers'....very rocky & with exposed roots.  So this rare photo.....

is a collectors item, being considered for a wall at the ATC museum in Pine Grove.  This section is a favorite of Helen Keller and Stevie Wonder since it can be traversed with your eyes closed or...

....then the Tuscaroara Trail is for you......and needs your help.  A 250-mile loop trail started in 1963 & primarily maintained by PATC North Chapter.   Eventually it is planned to be part of the Great Eastern Trail which will extend from Alabama to the Finger Lakes in New York state.

The trail traverses a significant amount of private property so please respect the privilege h...

Provided by Pete Brown, PATC North District Manager & Marion Orlousky, ATC - Mid Atlantic Region

Yes, we can 'Weed 'Em & Reap' .....in fact, many invasive plants/weeds were introduced by European settlers for use as food, medicinal purposes and/or to prevent erosion.    Garlic mustard is one of these.....

.....1st recorded in Long Island around 1868.   It was us...

Contributed by Mary Clark, PATC North Overseer

The weekend of February 21-22 found six members of PATC’s North Chapter Yankee Clippers taking a wildland firefighting class in Mt. Holly Springs, PA. Sponsored by PA-DCNR, the class was organized by Michele Miller of ATC-MARO.  Instructors included Philip M. Bietsch, District #1/ Michaux State Fire Forester, as well as other DCNR staff.

Contributed by  Dewey Clark, PATCNorth Overseer & PATC Invasive Plant Committee Chair

NEEDED:    Volunteers to hike trails, identify & map invasive plants

WHERE:        AT; Shenandoah; National Parks in/around DC; PA - Michaux & Caledonia; MD - State Trails

Contributed by Ken May, PATC North AT Overseer

ISSUE: Do you have to relocate the trail when human traffic is the source of consistent, significant water damage ??   ANSWER:  Build A Turnpike !!!

In May 2009, the PA Work Trip was a major undertaking.....building a turnpike on a section of the AT between Old ...

Contributed by Daniel Smith, PATC North Overseer

A snowy day hike at Mont AltoState Park can be a challenge & also a fabulous experience of the pure beauty of the forest in winter.

Jane Axman & Daniel Smith didn't let the cancelled February worktrip for the Yankee Clippers stop them.....not just because of a little snow & ice.   They did a dayhike from Mont Alto State Park up through Tarbur...

Contributed by Rick Canter, MD District Manager

On Valentine’s Day, the South Mountaineers cleared their biggest tree in the 22-year history of the crew's history. 

Overseer Mike Trettel first reported a monster oak tree across the Cat Rock Trail near the junction with the Old Misery Trail in Cunningham Falls State Park o...

Greetings! This is a "voice from the past:" Dave Startzell. I ho...

Yup.....the web now allows us to hike the AT without ever leaving the comfort of home.   You will particularly like this video since it depicts the AT from PenMar just past Pine Grove Furnace.......a view of the PA District that we maintain.   Daniel Hooven, an avid hiker from PA, created this tribute, which is a fabulous perspective of the trail, the shelters, the cabins & the beauty of the AT.  So if it is too cold for you to venture it this winter.... 

Borrowed from our sister Chapter website, South Shenandoah 

Now this is Trail Work.......sit back & do some virtual hiking with these videos of building the AT in the 1930s.   

They were created for the opening of the ATC museum in Pine Grove Furnace & are narrated by past President, Tom Johnson.

Contributed by the Rocky Knob Trail Overseers

Come and hike Rocky Knob Trail this winter. It's a great 4 mile State "loop trail" off the AT at Ridge Road and Birch Run Road in the Michaux State Forest.   The trail offers the winter hiker great views, vistas, and ascents and descents that will keep you warm and challenge your boots.  

Pictured are Overseers Jim Jengeleski and Gai...

Please follow these instructions: 

• Lift your right arm straight up
• Bend your elbow & drop your hand behind your head
• Vigorously clap yourself on the back

CONGRATULATIONS!!! 

Over 6,756 hours of sweat equity was given to the trails, shelters & cabins of the PA District by the Yankee Clippers.

This labor of love covered the 168 miles of trails of Appalachi...

UPDATE:  Since Pete received his award from his hospital bed after knew surgery (and likely remembered little due to the painkillers), members of PATCNorth took the party to Pete's home on Nov. 23rd.   Read his official award nomination  or see photos of Pete's Avery Award Celebration.

By the way, Pete is recovering exceptionally well due to his dedication to the therapy, which he takes as seriously as his role as PA District Manager.
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The Pennsylvania ATC Specialty license plate is now available !!  Get Yours Today !!!

Personalization of the license plate is available with five letters or numbers in combination.   There is a one-time plate fee of $50, with an additional plate fee for any personalization.   A disabled symbol is also available. 

As a revenue sharing plate, $21 of t...