North Star Vol. 27, No. 3 (2008) by NCTA Staff

July-September, 2008

The Magazine of the NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION

Volume 27, No. 3

Bill Menke Wins Lifetime Achievement Award! Cazenovia Highlights Page 4 The Art of Ultralight Page 10 Favorite Places Page 20 2008 NCTA Awards Page 22

New Beginnings TRAIL

f you wish to judge the progress and momentum of any organization, all you have to do is DAVE CORNELL President attend its annual conference. The North Country Trail recently held its annual conference in Cazenovia, New York, where those in attendance heard of the achievements of the NCTA during the past year. More importantly, they learned of plans the organization is formulating to fulfill its objectives for the upcoming year(s). Here are a few:

HEAD

Membership, Giving & Morale

Your organization is led by our staff: Bruce Matthews, Executive Director, is a dynamic leader who has assembled a very competent and motivated staff. Bruce operates on the team concept; the team cooperates to set goals and formulate plans to achieve these goals. Bruce calls the goals his “executive dashboard” and gives Board members regular updates as to the progress the organization is making to achieve those goals. As a result, membership is up, giving is up, and most importantly, morale is up. Expect more of the same next year.

Partnerships

On the opening night of our conference we recognized our volunteers and partners by way of the calling of the roll. Each Chapter and Affiliate was recognized and a brief recitation of its achievements during the past year was given. During this review of the trail, you could not help but be impressed by the number of partners we have and by their achievements during the past year. We are fortunate to have such great partners and we know it. During the upcoming year we hope to strengthen our agreements with

our affiliates so as to enhance these partnerships. Our partnership with the National Park Service continues to be a great source of strength for the NCTA Not only does the majority of our funding come through the NPS, but the Challenge Cost Share Program, administered by the NPS, funds numerous projects along the length of our trail.

Sea to Sea

An idea born years ago is moving forward. For the first time your Board of Directors has authorized the formation of a Committee to study and report back to the Board as to the feasibility of extending the Trail westward. The Board and the Committee heard a report prepared by Tom Gilbert, the NPS Superintendent of the North Country National Scenic Trail, setting out numerous possible alternatives for extending the Trail. The Committee hopes to prepare its recommendations in time for the 2009 annual conference to be held in Valley City, N.D. starting on July 30. While the route of the Trail through NY’s Adirondacks is being finalized, plans are also underway to extend the Trail eastward into Vermont.

Founders Circle

John Leinen, our immediate past President, formulated the idea of recognizing donors who committed to give a substantial amount annually to the NCTA. The first reception for these donors was held this year and it was a huge success. Bobby Koepplin and Sarah Julien, members of the Board, chair the Founders Circle. The money raised by this effort is substantial and ongoing.

Next year in Valley City

Come to Valley City, North Dakota, on July 30, 2009 to participate in our next annual conference. I guarantee you will leave proud to be a member of the North Country Trail Association.

North Country Trail Association The North Country Trail Association develops, maintains, preserves and promotes the North Country National Scenic Trail through a trail-wide coalition of volunteers and partners. Our vision for the North Country National Scenic Trail is that of a premier footpath of national significance, offering a superb experience for hikers in a permanently protected corridor, traversing and interpreting the richly diverse environmental, cultural, and historic features of the northern United States.

Come Visit Us!

The Lowell office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331 Phone (866) HikeNCT • 616-897-5987 • Fax (616) 897-6605 www.northcountrytrail.org

The North Star

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A Glance Inside Mick Hawkins

Staff Andrew Bashaw, Regional Trail Coordinator Ohio/Pennsylvania andrewbashaw@northcountrytrail.org

Jill DeCator, Administrative Assistant jdecator@northcountrytrail.org

Matt Davis, Regional Trail Coordinator Minnesota/North Dakota davis@northcountrytrail.org

Laura Lindstrom, Office Manager/Financial Administrator llindstrom@northcountrytrail.org

Bruce Matthews, Executive Director bmatthews@northcountrytrail.org

Mary Meehan, Communications Director mmeehan@northcountrytrail.org

Bill Menke, Regional Trail Coordinator Great Lakes bill_menke@partner.nps.gov Matt Rowbotham, GIS/IT Specialist mattrowbotham@northcountrytrail.org

National Board of Directors Terms Expiring 2009 Sarah Julien, Secretary, At Large Rep.,

Hike through history on NY’s Onondaga Trail through Morgan Hill State Forest, past the Hodgson family cemetery with huge white pines tipping over the gravestones. More Conference Highlights can be found on page 4!

(616)676-0172 · sajulien@comcast.net

Christopher Klein, VP West, Minnesota Rep., (320)766-9635 · klein11@midwestinfo.com

Al Larmann, At Large Rep.,

(315)697-3387 · AFLarmann@msn.com

Terms Expiring 2010 Joyce Appel, Pennsylvania Rep.,

(724)526-5407 · joyceappel@windstream.net

Lyle Bialk, Lower Michigan Rep.,

(810)679-2401 · lylebialk@sbcglobal.net

Carl Boesel Ohio Rep.,

(740)385-0074 · gboesel@hocking.net

Jack Cohen, At Large Rep.,

(724)234-5398 · JCohen@zoominternet.net

Dave Cornell, President, At Large Rep., (239)561-6512 · onestep@mei.net

Larry Hawkins, At Large Rep.,

(269)945-5398 · hawkeyemd@cablespeed.com

Lorena Jinkerson, At Large Rep.,

Articles

Columns

Conference Highlights..................4 Chainsaw Workshop.....................8 New Communications Director, Mary Meehan................9 The Art of Ultralight..................10 Blue Moon, Ricky Raccoon, and UNO.........12 NCTA Membership Survey Results.............................14 Favorite Places.............................20 NCTA Awards............................22

Trailhead.......................................2 Going for the Gold.....................13 Hiking Shorts.............................17 Matthews’ Meanders...................19

Departments Conference Donors.....................18 Founders’ Circle and Trail Supporters..........................21

(906)226-6210 · ljinkers@nmu.com

Bobby Koepplin, VP Finance, At Large Rep., (701)845-2935 · bkoepplin@kwh.com

Gaylord Yost Great Lakes Rep., (414)354-8987 · gaylyost@aol.com

Terms Expiring 2011 Mary Coffin, VP East, New York Rep., (315)687-3589 · mcoffin1@twcny.rr.com

Garry Dill, At Large Rep.,

(614)451-0223 · then321elm@yahoo.com

Alicia Hoffarth, North Dakota Rep., (701)490-3889 · cahoffarth@hotmail.com

About the Cover Bill Menke, Lifetime Achievement Award. Read more about this year’s award winners on Page 22. North Star Staff

Irene Szabo, Editor (585)658-4321 or treeweenie@aol.com Aaron Phipps, Art Director The North Star, Summer Issue, Vol. 27, Issue 3, is published by the North Country Trail Association, a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, 229 East Main Street, Lowell, MI 49331. The North Star is published quarterly for promotional and educational purposes and as a benefit of membership in the Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the North Country Trail Association.

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The North Star

Mick Hawkins

e c n e r e f n o C k r 200 8 o Y w e N , a i v o n e Ca z

Some of the many waterfalls at Robert Treman State Park, south of Ithaca, during Friday’s waterfalls tour. The FLT/NCT follows the south rim of this gorge. Mick Hawkins

The traditional President’s photo.

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2008 Annual Conference

Cazenovia, New York Mick Hawkins

Mick Hawkins

The rest of the singers with "A Band." Bruce Matthews, Andrew Bashaw, Matt Rowbotham, Flo Hedeen, Jerry Trout, Carter Hedeen, Bill Menke, Tom Gilbert. Beth Trout on piano is off the picture to the left. Mick Hawkins

Matt Rowbotham on the banjo.

he Band...well, A Band...kicked off the first evening’s program during the 2008 NCTA Conference with a reprise of the North Country Ballad that premiered at last year’s event in Bemidji. Andrew Bashaw on the washboard, Bruce Matthews on guitar, Matt Rowbotham on banjo, and Beth Trout of Minnesota on piano kept singers Bruce, Bill Menke, Jerry Trout, Tom Gilbert, Flo and Carter Hedeen in tune while they unveiled a few new verses of varying social or entertainment value. Previously on Thursday registrants had hiked, taken a driving tour, or attended workshops, including a delightful craft session called Twigs and Found Treasures, offered with free materials as a huge gift by Stacey Nagel, local proprietor of AdirondackExpressions.com. One hundred ninety-two attendees, including members from all seven trail states AND Arizona, Florida, Virginia, Massachusetts and Vermont, ate grandly in the college cafeteria, decked out in their new chocolate brown 2008 T-shirts. After dinner and the ballad, NCTA staff presented the “State of the Trail” by sharing highlights from every chapter and affiliate, west to east, with pictures illustrating some projects, then our National Park Service partners honored volunteers with water

During concert, we do what Dan and Peggy tell us to do. Backs of Howard Beye and Pat Monahan of the Finger Lakes Trail in foreground.

bottles, embroidered shirts, and even fleece vests or shirts for a few who have given the most volunteer hours. It pays to report your hours! Thursday’s program ended with a slide show by Irene Szabo on the history of the Erie Canal through its three major versions, ending with the multitude of trails that have evolved from many of the branch canals and railroads which have passed into history while the Erie carries on. A lot of the history was news to out-of-state visitors, and judging from comments afterwards, to many New Yorkers, too. Friday also offered multiple hikes or tours, but the hikers had to endure nearly steady rain, while canoes filled with water. Dorm rooms were draped with wet clothing, yet everybody

remained unaccountably cheerful; in any event, the rain was better than the vile high temperatures here in 2001. Two demonstrators from the DR Mower manufacturer gave a workshop on care and maintenance, where a handful of eager mower fans had a great time comparing notes and weed warrior stories. A reception for Founders Circle donors opened Friday evening, then after our banquet, Bruce pulled off a fast live auction, convincing people to part with cash for prized objects of... well, interesting value. Included in the parade of treasures, however, were some great hiking equipment values, and a stained glass lamp made by Eileen Fairbrother of the local CNY Chapter brought on the most

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The North Star

2008 Annual Conference Kathy Woodruff

Mick Hawkins

During Thursday’s Pond Hopper hike, considerate trail features like stepping stones and bog planks make a wet crossing easier, and recent heavy maintenance was obvious, like the mowed strip hikers are just leaving. Mick Hawkins

Jo Taylor talking to Fred Szarka of the National Park Service during lunch break at “Cotton’s Crossing” along CNY railbed trail, with Minnesota’s Beth and Jerry Trout seated below. Deb Keopplin of North Dakota is on the right. Irene Szabo

Friday evening auction action, with Bruce as auctioneer and Bobby Koepplin as helper, during vivid bidding war over stained glass lamp made by CNY Chapter member Eileen Fairbrother. Jay Zitter

Mapping tools hike during annual conference, led by Bill Coffin, with Stan Kujawa of Michigan and Joe Dabes, seventime FLT end-to-ender, listening.

The North Star

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Mick Hawkins of Michigan, valiant photographer of “The President’s Picture” at Cazenovia, trying to herd cats.

Cazenovia, New York Mick Hawkins

spirited bidding. Once we were all out of money, Mr. Matthews let our entertainment begin: Dan Berggren and Peggy Lynn sang beautifully of New York’s North Country, the Adirondacks. Saturday’s weather was everything Friday’s wasn’t, so a multitude of hikes, tours, and even a bike ride along the Old Erie Canal State Park towpath were enjoyed in sunshine. During one hike regional trail staffer Matt Davis topped a hill to catch a view across DeRuyter Lake. Seeing fewer than a half-dozen boats on the sun-dappled water, he commented that he sure wasn’t in Minnesota, where apparently hordes of boaters would have crowded the lake. This perfect day ended with an invitation to the conference in North Dakota next year, the eagerly awaited annual NCTA Awards (see article), and a picture program by John Morris showing the natural world through four seasons across the trail in New York. John’s nature column in the Finger Lakes Trail News is invariably funny, as was his program, with just a soupçon of smut throughout. After all, what do most creatures spend their lives aiming for, besides eating? He kept us laughing, while teaching each of us a few new things. Literally dozens of local volunteers from the Central NY Chapter and the Onondaga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club tidied their many

During a Saturday hike billed as Cedar Swamp and Savannah, Bettina Frisse shares her passion for wildflowers with hikers, south of Cazenovia. She keeps up a rotating display of wildflower pictures on two trailhead kiosks from each of the following trail segments. Mick Hawkins

miles of trail for the menu of hikes, led those hikes and tours, provided van drivers and shuttles to the airport and train station, or did duty as the orange-vested Information Mommas. The Finger Lakes Trail Conference created the program booklet for registrants, and provided volunteers who handled the organizing chores and provided programs and workshops. Yes, it’s a lot of work every seven years to host this event, but we welcomed the chance to show off our state and her trails. Thanks for visiting!

Right: John A.-X. Morris, sharing his pictures of the four seasons along the Finger Lakes Trail, the Saturday program. Mick Hawkins

Mick Hawkins

Ohio’s Sidney & Garry Dill, he wearing the spoils of his victorious auction bidding frenzy.

Thursday’s “Pond Hopper” hike, nice light through hemlocks, in state forest along Onondaga Trail of the Finger Lakes Trail system. July–September 8

The North Star

A moment along Friday’s waterfall tour.

ne thing that was brought home to me on my Saturday hike on the Link Trail was that this was a trail builders’ conference. The hike was on one of the newer sections of the CNY Chapter’s route on what had been a long-abandoned and badly overgrown railbed. It was ably led by Kathy Woodruff, current President of the CNY Chapter and the steward of much of this piece of trail, and, unexpectedly, someone young enough that she had to call in her mother-in-law to babysit so she could attend the conference. My fellow hikers included Kathy Disque, maintainer of another section we hiked on, Fred Szarka of the National Park Service, and key trail builders from several states along the NCT. I was surrounded by a happy buzz of “shop talk” from people who could be properly appreciative of the enormous amount of effort required to clear this section. For me, it was an interesting peek into the world of “weed wrenches” and Pulaskis. Oh, and by the way, the trail that the CNY Chapter created here is a treat for hikers and includes a lovely scenic ravine along Canastota Creek.

— Jo Taylor

hike I led was quite educational. I can’t help it; I’m a retired teacher! The hike featured trail in several stages of completion, first on certified trail with benched, 10% gradual switchbacks to ascend a ridge, then on an adjacent section that was cleared, blazed and mostly benched. Next we hiked an area just cut through that week: logs were chainsawed and brush and branches cut back but no tread work or water bars were completed. This was followed by a one mile bushwhack through the saplings and brush on 10% grade flagged future route. We finally completed the trip on certified completed trail with several great views of Cazenovia Lake and New Woodstock steeples and on down a very steep hill on 10% switches. It was almost a workshop overview prompted by participant questions and my eagerness to share construction techniques. — Mary Coffin Spies tell me that several hikers and trail stewards from the other side of the state were so impressed by this before-and-after demonstration that they have vowed to go back and improve the tread on their own trail sections. —Editor

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Right: Robert Wetherell, US Forest Service. Left: Brendan Kelly, Assistant Professor at Morrisville State College, host for the course. Al Larman

lthough the legendary Paul Bunyan achievement levels were not quite matched, a very successful, intensive sawyer course was completed by eleven attendees. Major contributions to this good effort include the extensive classroom and field instruction by Robert Wetherell and his two associates from the U.S. Forest Service at Allegheny National Forest, Sheldon Winters and Jerry Dixon, and the fine host support provided by Assistant Professor Brendan Kelly of the Morrisville State College (MSC). The latter included a well equipped classroom/laboratory with computer based gear, transportation to the woodlots owned by MSC, and optional food service. The woodlot included a number of mature Scotch pine trees that served all training needs well. Each attendee was provided with protective leg chaps and a sawyer’s hard-hat helmet with hearing and eye protection features. Per requirements outlined by Robert Wetherell earlier, sturdy leather gloves, long sleeved shirts and leather footgear were included in the “uniform of the day.” Professional safety practices were strongly and repetitively emphasized for good reason. It was noted by Wetherell that a chainsaw is ranked as the most potentially dangerous tool that is sold on a mass market basis! Geographically, we had a bit of diversity. The US Forest Service team is based in northwestern Pennsylvania. Attendees Jim Switzer and Bill Smith are from the Butler, Pennsylvania area; Patrick Monahan is based at Alfred University in southwestern New York, with Bruce Krizan listing Chenango Forks NY as his home base. The remaining stalwarts, Peter Cann,

Al Larman

on Cazenovia

Mick Hawkins

Reflections

Chainsaw Workshop

Steve Kinne, David Harper, John Scott, Bruce Revette, Mike Lynch, and Brendan Kelly, all reside in central New York. Each looks forward to using his skills to meet the needs “along the NCT.” Their investment in this important training effort and commitment to the ongoing trail work it supports are highly valued. Each attendee will receive a card from Robert Wetherell listing their qualification level as a sawyer. In addition, those not already qualified per Red Cross or equivalent first aid and CPR training (required periodically) must complete the eight hour training to be fully certified. Records summarizing all of the training will be maintained by NCTA to validate the important insurance coverage provided through the National Park Service.

azenovia conference attendees had an advance preview of new communications manager Mary Meehan who did not officially start until September 2. Mary will manage all facets of a comprehensive communications program including North Star and Blue Blazes Bulletin, news releases, brochures and other media. Mary will be working extensively with our volunteers and chapters, supporting, managing and developing skills in creating and implementing communications efforts. Her responsibilities will include elements of public relations, development and fundraising, advocacy, outreach and marketing. Mary wrote in her application: “…my husband and I (along with our two dogs) are avid hikers and we’ve hiked on numerous sections of the North Country Trail. I’ve also hiked enough other trails to breathe a sigh of relief when I see the familiar blue blazes that I’ve come to associate with the North Country Trail. I’ve found the trails to be well-marked and maintained, plus navigating the trail is easy, which allows for a greater experience of the natural beauty that can be found in the North Central United States. (I’ll) bring a genuine passion to this particular job.” Mary comes to us with great experience in both private and non-profit sectors. She’s worked as both media relations and marketing manager for Zondervan Publishing in Grand Rapids.

Mary Meehan

Al Larman

Pat Monahan learning how to cut a spring-loaded sapling safely.

New Communications Director, Mary Meehan

Mary says, “This was taken near the trail in Duluth. We traveled around Lake Superior and hiked a number of places, including the Superior Trail, Porcupine Mountains and Lake Superior Provincial Park in Canada.”

Her writing skills are outstanding and her strategic command of what makes an effective, broad-based communications effort using all the tools available—public relations, media, outreach, education, marketing, events, etc—will make her a tremendous asset. Her enthusiasm, team mentality and joy in outdoor recreation pursuits as well as environmental concerns make her a great fit, as she demonstrated at the Conference.

The Founders Circle Is Growing! Bobby Koepplin

Board Development Chairman

he Board of Directors has accepted the challenge of leading fund raising efforts in order to improve the quality and services of the trail. The Founders Circle has been created to help further the NCTA Board’s vision of completing the mission to strategically market, plan, build and maintain the longest National Scenic Trail in America. Membership includes a two tier, annual financial commitment as Trail Blazer ($1,000 or more per year) or Trail Builder ($500 up to $999 per year). Members of The Founders Circle will be recognized at the annual conference, in NCTA publications and other ways as appropriate.

Those parties whose contributions were received by August 1, 2008, are considered as The Founders Circle “Charter Members.” The Founders Circle members will be invited to serve in a volunteer Advisory capacity to the NCTA Board of Directors to guide and assist the Board in the mission to grow and enhance the longest National Scenic Trail in America. If you have any questions or would like to join The Founders Circle to advance the North Country Trail, contact Bobby Koepplin, Development Chairman, at (701)845-2251 work, (701)840-0250 cell or e-mail bkoepplin@kwh.com.

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The North Star

BackpackingLight.com is the world’s leading voice of authority on lightweight backcountry gear and technique. Its online and print magazine offer encyclopedic archives on everything from lightweight backpacking for neophytes to the science of gear design and performance. Some recognize BackpackingLight.com as the starting point on their journey to “go light.” Others see it as graduate school, helping them go farther, faster, smarter, and lighter. The LA Times calls BackpackingLight.com home to “the most fanatic pound-shedders on the planet”– a staff of twelve apostles with an evangelical mission to help people “see the light” and offer a rational basis for lightweight backpacking based on safety, product education, technical knowledge, and a whole lotta fun. BackpackingLight.com’s chief apostle and publisher is Ryan Jordan, an expatriate university scientist with a Ph.D. in engineering systems, a passion for exposing the naked truth about backpacking gear performance, and a pack weight of 4.7 pounds (1.9 kg).—Ryan Jordan Ryan Jordan Ultralight backpacking, contrary to proclamations by Those That Carry Heavy Packs, is not practiced by that crazy fringe segment of wilderness society that derives their calories from obscure edible roots and their shelter from two twigs and a waterproof handkerchief. Well, at least, it’s not practiced only by that crazy fringe. Rather, it’s a way of backcountry travel that has permeated virtually every outdoor sport: day hiking, trail running, horse packing, packrafting, backcountry hunting and fishing, mountaineering, mountain biking, and adventure racing. The Ultralight Ethic no longer stands in the shadow of conventional backcountry theology that proclaims “more is better.” An increasing number of people, including elite Alaskan alpinists, Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, parents with children, and even aging baby boomers are

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entering the wilderness with an astounding level of self-awareness rooted in a simple ethic: Less is better. Lighter is better. Ultralight backpacking is not hard, nor does it discriminate against those with physical challenges. Anyone with a mind to change, and a desire to cultivate their own ultralight ethic, can do it. Here’s how. Seven Steps to Enlightenment 1. Reality check: weigh your stuff. Don’t have a digital scale yet? Get one. Once you weigh your old gear and add up the pounds and ounces, you’ll either be checking into the cardiac ward or making a beeline to your local outdoor shop for some lighter gear. And, yes, the cliché holds true: ounces add up to pounds, and pounds add up to discomfort on the trail.

Ryan Jordan

Ryan’s Trail Journal Date: September 23 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Mountains, WY Weather: – 9°C, snowing It’s day four of what is supposed to be a leisurely and warm backpacking vacation in Wyoming’s Wind River Range. Instead, we are pinned by a storm that surely signals the beginning of winter, as evidenced by snow piling up into a wall around the perimeter of my poncho tarp. Cocooned and motionless, I’m meditating in a state of dormancy, trying to conserve heat because I had this crazy idea that it would be really neat to hike the length of the Winds with a few pounds of gear and a bag of gorp. Through the spindrift swirling around the head of my bivy sack, I can hear my companions, Alan Dixon and Glen Van Peski, muttering their own mantras only yards away. Alan breaks volume above the baseline: “This kinda sucks,” a chant that can only be translated as “Maybe we didn’t bring enough gear.” Five days ago, as we planned our gear list from the comfort of a hot tub in a Pinedale motel (note to self: bad idea), snow and winter temperatures didn’t exactly cross our minds. We hit the trailhead, seventy long mountain miles ago, with 42 pounds of gear and food among the three of us. We encountered several other hikers earlier in our trip, but no one was carrying a single pack less than 42 pounds. Maybe they knew something we didn’t? Regardless, we use our ultralight down jackets, summer-weight sleeping bags, and titanium cooking cups to maximum advantage, and we stay remarkably warm, enjoying a restful night. We awaken to clear skies and morning alpenglow on Pingora coated in the season’s first snow, a priceless reward shared only by the three of us in what is normally the busiest backcountry campsite in the Northern Rockies.

2. Trim the fat: leave the kitchen sink at home. Camp chairs, GPS units, espresso makers, the latest Clancy novel, cellular phones – do you really need all this stuff? Whatever happened to sitting on a stump, navigating with a compass, drinking cowboy coffee, reading the fine print on a map, and enjoying a ring-free wilderness experience? You’re going into the backcountry to get away from it all, so don’t bring it all with you! At the very least, exercise some discipline when choosing your luxuries, and only allow yourself one. For me, it’s often a field guide (my favorite: Lightweight Backpacking 101, ISBN 0-9748188-0-1, 3.7 oz) and a laminated photo of my family (0.2 oz.) that I can hang off my tarp in camp. 3. Plan your trip: limit your contingencies. We have been fed a steady of diet of conservative backcountry theology that has created generations of hikers that prepare for winter but only hike between July Fourth and Labor Day. Do your homework: assess your destination’s terrain, climate, weather patterns, and natural hazards. Then, plan (and pack) accordingly. Do you really need a winter parka and a four-season tent for a three-day summer walk on the Georgia A.T.? How light you should go will depend in part on your experience and skill – and you’re better safe than sorry, so don’t cut it too close. But at least grab a last minute weather report and adjust your equipment list appropriately. And practice! Backyard camping in inclement weather is a great way to fine tune your ultralight gear systems and take risks you normally wouldn’t take in the backcountry.

7. Get back to the basics: learn to be an outdoorsman. In a definitive treatise on the ills of modern day society, Waylon Jennings laments, “Maybe it’s time we got back…to the basics of love.” Decades of technological advances in outdoor gear design (including the abilities to withstand worse storms, shoulder heavier loads, and resist more abrasion) has now created generations of outdoorsmen that are more dependent on their gear than their own wilderness savvy. Most of these folks are carrying far too much weight on their back because they have placed their backcountry security in gear that is over-designed, overbuilt, and overweight. Develop a solid foundation in backcountry skills and you will lighten your load. Dealing with inclement weather, injuries, route finding challenges, and natural hazards depends as much on your backcountry skills and ability to improvise, as it does on any assembly of gear you bring with you. The Ultralight Way of Life Ultralight backpacking is not just about lightening your load of physical baggage – it is a way of life on the trail embodied by simplicity of action, harmony with the natural world, and the selfrealization borne of leaving the mental, emotional, and spiritual baggage of modern civilization at the trailhead. To that end, ultralight backcountry travel is a means (ethic) to an end (refreshment) that is as valuable to a professional Alaskan mountain guide as it is to the weekend warrior. Ryan Jordan

4. Consider function first: take the lightest possible item to do the job. Ultralight backpacking requires that you rethink your equipment list. Most backpackers think they need more than they really do. Example #1: “I need a stove.” Reality: you may only need a cup of hot water for a morning drink and evening bowl of soup. Result: a one-ounce titanium alcohol stove and an aluminum foil windscreen can save a half pound or more on a canister or white gas stove kit. Example #2: “I need a tent.” Reality: you may only need an overhead shelter for the remote possibility of a brief rain shower on a summer hike in the desert. Result: an eight ounce silnylon tarp serves this function as well as even the very lightest double-wall tents on the market, and saves you pounds to boot.

true when planning your clothing, sleep, and shelter system. For example, ultralight hikers that wear their sleeping bags around camp as insulating wear (or those that opt for a lighter sleeping bag and combine it with an insulating jacket at night), are able to reap significant weight savings over backpackers that bring a warm jacket for camp and simply use it as a pillow with their too-heavy sleeping bag at night. Combining a torso-length sleeping pad with the padded backpad from your backpack, instead of bringing a full-length mattress, is another great way to cut weight without sacrificing comfort.

5. Simplify: take items that serve multiple functions. Ultralight backpackers are characterized by their ability to define multiple uses from individual items in their equipment kit. One emotionally robust UK hillwalker I know uses a titanium spoon as an eating utensil, tent stake, signal device (he polished the spoon bowl), and, with the aid of a small bit of duct tape and a strip of Velcro®, a toothbrush. Fortunately, there are less extreme and more practical manifestations of multi-use philosophy. Some more classic examples: using a poncho-tarp as both raingear and shelter, spare socks as emergency mittens, and a small pot for boiling, eating, and drinking. Taking multi-use gear reduces the number of items in your equipment kit and can dramatically simplify your life on the trail. 6. Don’t just take a bunch of stuff: build a system. Experienced ultralighters consider a systems approach to developing their equipment kit: exploiting the synergistic relationships between items to achieve maximum performance. This is especially July–September 8

The North Star

Blue Moon, Ricky Raccoon, and UNO St. Croix Summer Adventures Thomas W. King

t was June, 1981. Son Adam was about 2 years old. He and I needed an adventure together. Younger son, Seth, was not quite a year old, and needed time alone with Mom. So Adam and I packed his booster seat in the car, put in our hiking boots, camping gear, and some food, and headed for Lake St. Croix in Solon Springs, WI. It was just father and son—our first overnight camping adventure together, and Adam’s first time away from Debbi, home, and little brother for more than a few hours. We older King guys were heading out! We drove south from Superior to our camping spot near Lake St. Croix to pitch our tent, hike the ancient portage trails, swim, build a campfire, and just have fun. By the way, camping or trail hiking or lake swimming or having a forest campfire with a not-quite-two-year-old may not involve the standard definitions we usually hold for these activities. Nonetheless, we were off to have our first “just guys” adventure together, and were enjoying each other’s company in the car. As we drove south on Highway 53, I tuned the radio to an oldies station. The doo-wop song “Blue Moon” was playing. Adam and I bounced on down the road to it. I sang along, and he listened. After the song ended, I continued to sing “Blue Blue Blue Moon, dip di-dip di-dip…” I was lost in my doo-wop world when Adam cut in. Using his most severe two-year old voice, he chirped “Stop that Music!” He jolted me back to semi reality, and we drove on to Solon Springs, only listening to the radio. As we neared our camping spot on a village back road, we saw a large raccoon cross in front of us. I slowed the car as we watched him amble into the woods where we would camp. I believe that was the first larger wild animal Adam had ever seen. The two-year-old voice asked, “Who is that?” Interesting how Adam said “Who,” not “What.” That is how we have always thought of other critters. Picking up on his cue, I responded, “That’s Ricky Raccoon.” “Where’s he going?” came the little voice again. “He’s going into the woods trails to visit his friend Malcolm Mole.” I posed. That seemed to cover the matter. When we set up our campsite, Adam became interested in the tall red farm pump we used to get our water. It was too big and took too much strength for him to use at that time. But he was fascinated by the motion and sound of the pump, and the flood of

clear, cold, deep Solon Springs water it delivered each time I filled our buckets for cooking and washing. Our campout was great! We hiked to near exhaustion, and packed up the next afternoon to go home. As we drove back to Superior the next day, I again started singing “Blue Blue Blue Moon…” Adam quickly gave me a sharp sideways glance, and in a playful way, said “Stop that music!” I got the point. Then Adam asked me to tell him a story. I made up this one as we drove home. It became a favorite of our young sons, and was retold by Mom and Dad at hundreds of bed times—and for years on every camping trip to Solon Springs: Ricky Raccoon and Malcolm Mole were playing in the woods where we camp. They got really thirsty, and tried to work our pump to get a drink. Ricky, the bigger animal, hopped up on the pump handle. He went down-and-up, down-and-up, downand-up, down-and-up many times, but the water wouldn’t pour out of the spout. Ricky said “Malcolm, can you crawl down this pump spout, and see what’s wrong?” Malcolm said, “OK!” and he crawled into the pump. Inside, he found leaves and sticks had blown in during a storm. They blocked the water. Malcolm Mole pulled the sticks and leaves out of the spout. He dropped them on the ground. Then he said “OK, Ricky!” Ricky pushed the handle down-and-up, down-and-up, downand-up, down-and-up—and water gushed out of the pump! Ricky Raccoon and Malcolm Mole got a good drink. They were very happy! Epilogue: Over the next few years, as our preschool boys learned colors and numbers, and how to play with us and with each other, we would often play the simple family game “UNO,” with numbered, multi-colored cards. The rules say when you have your last card, you must yell “UNO” so the other players know you are down to one card. Whenever I got a final card that was blue, I would sing “Blue Blue Blue UNO, dip, di-dip, di-dip…” and so on, in my best doo-wop voice. Until Adam was about 5 or so, with a twinkle in his eye over our inside joke, he would immediately say, “Stop that Music!” and give me that sideways glance he used on our first camping trip. It became a running joke between us, and lasted several years—until his father matured. We built our compact, permanent, “always campin’ out” home at our camp site in 2002, and walk by our Red Pump many times every day now. It is part of our lives. We think always of Dr. Adam, immersed in his distant, demanding urban life, and of those quiet, simple St. Croix summer adventures we had so many years ago. The Red Pump is a good reminder. I savor these memories, and write this so they may last. Dr. Thomas W. King lives and writes in Solon Springs, Wisconsin, USA. Copyright 2008. Thomas Wayne King. All Rights Reserved. 6/3/08

The North Star

July–September 8

“What the hay is a JHA?”

GOING FOR THE GOLD

FRED SZARKA National Park Service

Part III This time, our discussion of safety on the trail takes stock of potential dangers.

ast winter when I wrote “Let’s be careful out there,” I casually mentioned that the NPS would be preparing Job Hazard Analyses (JHA) for trail activities, but didn’t really describe what they were. Simply put, doing a JHA takes only a few minutes. Each task that we undertake has certain inherent risks involved. Doing a Job Hazard Analysis requires that someone look at the workplace, environmental conditions and tools used, and then prepare a list of potential dangers in the situation and ways to mitigate the dangers. In many cases we do this unconsciously or casually almost every time we go out. However, from a safety standpoint, it is good to do it consciously every time.

List Potential Dangers Let’s use an example, working on a trail crew building or relocating a section of trail. The workplace is not an established trail but a side hill where benching

is planned. There are small trees and brush to be removed and roots grubbed out. Weather conditions are expected to be fair, but the terrain is rather steep. Tools used will include mattocks, pulaskis, a weed wrench, hand saws, loppers, McLeods, and shovels, but no chainsaw work is planned. Hazards include sharp tools, heavy tools, slope, changing footing, falling brush, and close co-workers. Environmental hazards could include mosquitoes, ticks, black flies, rattlesnakes, bears, and poison ivy. Other things to consider are weather related problems including hypothermia, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and lightning.

Take Safety Measures Now let’s think of the safety measures that should be taken. Protective equipment should be worn including hardhats, eye protection, sturdy leather shoes, long sleeve shirts and long pants, and gloves at a minimum. The crew should have an adequately stocked First Aid kit, and if at all possible, someone who has had First Aid training. Each tool should be checked for soundness and condition. Tools that can be sharpened should be sharp. Co-workers should take care that there is adequate space between them so that their tools and work do not interfere with each other. Teams of workers should make sure that everyone knows what (s)he is supposed to do and how the jobs fit together. In addition, there

should be an emergency response plan that includes the nearest hospital and everyone’s emergency contacts.

Hard Hats Everyone! I know we were discussing a project where no chainsaw work was anticipated, but here is an important point that you should keep in mind. When working with a certified sawyer, all volunteers on the crew should be sure to wear hardhats, safety glasses and hearing protection, not just the sawyer. This isn’t really much different from the process we go through when we pack for a camping trip. We want to have all the equipment we need for the trip intended. We want to be prepared for anticipated weather conditions and possible problems.

Order Your Chapter’s Basic Safety Gear from NPS Now as I said in the previous article, the NPS will provide basic safety gear for chapters and partners who work on the trail. We will order hardhats, safety glasses that fit over prescription glasses, and hearing protection. We will also provide First Aid kits to chapters that need them. Orders should be placed by Chapter Presidents or Trail Coordinators for the chapter as a whole. Then each of you will be prepared to carry out the provisions of your JHA.

Meet Dean Gettinger, NPS Management Assistant

his past November Dean Gettinger joined the National Park Service office in Madison, Wisconson, as their new Management Assistant. His duties are varied and include providing support for NPS budget, project, facilities, and other management systems as well as IT support, and National Natural and Historic Landmark Monitoring. Dean provides support to both the North Country and the Ice Age NSTs. Dean began his career as a seasonal Park Ranger at a number of NPS units including a summer as a Backcountry Ranger at Isle Royale National Park. He has also worked as an Environmental Planner and GIS Specialist as well as spending 6 years as a US Army Helicopter Pilot. His Education includes a BS in Wildlife Biology and a Master of Science degree in Resource Recreation & Tourism for which he completed a Masters Thesis on Wilderness Campsite Impacts at North

Cascades National Park. According to Fred Szarka, our NPS Trail Manager, most of Dean's work is behind the scenes, handling the computer systems and extensive NPS reporting requirements, removing some of that work from Tom Gilbert’s overloaded desk. Dean is also working with Fred on revising the CCS application and NPS supplies order form to make them easier for volunteers to use. Ken Howell, meanwhile, still handles the process of certification and most mapping for the office, and Fred remains our primary contact for volunteers. July–September 8

The North Star

NCTA Membership Survey Results Bruce Matthews

n March the membership was invited to take an online survey, in part to test the effectiveness of the online survey process, but primarily to gain a better idea of members’ perceptions of NCTA’s member services and to inform future efforts. Membership growth is critical to NCTA’s future. In building more trail or maintaining what we have, in effective advocacy for hiking and footpaths, in building partnerships and raising funds, NCTA’s effectiveness in meeting its mission occurs in direct proportion to the number of members it can attract and maintain. So understanding our members and what drives them to belong, how they feel about NCTA’s services and what we might do to improve them is a critical part of moving forward and reaching our potential. Almost 20% of the membership started the survey, with nearly that many completing it, an excellent response for surveys of this type! Here is a brief summary of the results and key points made by the members. For full results please go to: www. northcountrytrail. org. We started by asking for demographics. Overwhelmingly the respondents represented Michigan (70%), almost half of us over 55 years old. Most were current or former members, but a third reported no membership in chapters, while over 20% of respondents were not even NCTA members! Most chapters and affiliates were represented. We’re very interested in how members

learn of and become involved with NCTA. These results inform future outreach efforts as well as the effectiveness of current ones. As expected, word of mouth through another hiker was most mentioned (28%); interestingly one in five found us through the web. One of the most critical ways to grow membership is to understand member motivations…why they joined and, then, why they stay joined with NCTA. The following chart illustrates some of these motivations. It is interesting to note the predominance of the “paying forward” or altruistic motivation as well as the motivation to affiliate with others of like mind. Least important, it seems, are some of the actual services provided, like Trailshop, conference and awards. This suggests that NCTA needs to pay closer attention to accessing, communicating about and reinforcing opportunities to give back; it also points to a need to pay closer attention to supporting and encouraging the social dimensions in enabling members to connect and share with one another. (See page 16.) We wanted to better understand the values associated with the Trail, NCTA and our members. By better understanding that sweet spot where all three conjoin we can do more effective outreach and communications, and a better job of branding and marketing NCTA with potential members. We then asked a few more specific questions about North Star and the NCTA’s website. As both evolve to meet member interests and needs more effectively we will be following up specifically in each of the areas suggested by these questions.

The North Country Trail Association...

Strongly Disagree

Somewhat Disagree

Neutral

Somewhat Agree

Strongly Agree

Don’t Know

Response Count

Preserves valuable wilderness corridors.

5.6% 20

3.6% 13

5.8% 21

25.6% 92

53.6% 193

5.8% 21

360

Promotes outdoors values I support. Effectively advocates for the Trail in Washington, D.C. Enables me to connect with other like-minded hikers.

6.4% 23 1.4% 5 3.9% 14

4.2% 15 3.9% 14 3.9% 14

3.6% 13 11.4% 41 20.2% 72

15.8% 57 18.6% 67 28.6% 102

65.4% 236 20.3% 73

4.7% 17

361

35.6% 127

44.4% 160 7.8% 28

Provides me with an opportunity to “own” a section of trail. Provides me with a chance to “give something back.”

4.5% 16

4.2% 15

17.8% 64

22.6% 81

43.7% 157

7.2% 26

359

Helps me participate in trail building and maintenance.

6.4% 23

5.3% 19

17.7% 64

19.1% 69

46% 166

5.5% 20

361

Gives me a sense of accomplishment.

5.3% 19

4.5% 16

19.8% 71

22.3% 80

41.3% 148

6.7% 24

358

Connects me with a sense of community.

5.9% 21

4.5% 16

19.7% 70

25.6% 91

6.8% 24

355

37.5% 133

Please feel free to elaborate

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July–September 8

360 357

Answered Question

362

Skipped Question

111

Where did you learn about NCTA? Magazine Mention 6.2%

Map 5.7%

North Star 1.9% Another Hiker 27.8%

Local Newspaper 13.8%

Internet 20.8%

Local Hiking Organization 15.7%

Trailhead Information 17%

For North Star, it appears that at least among the 20% of the membership that responded, members are fairly happy with what they’re seeing, almost across the spectrum. We can boost effort in trail building and chapter tips, and there’s room provided for improvement, but by and large there’s general member approval. One of the more controversial issues we faced earlier this year was the decision to move to a 100% electronic North Star. We believed as a cost and resource-saving measure it made sense to reduce our paper footprint and shift to electronic production. Member response was immediate and uniformly not positive; we Please give NCTA a grade in the following categories:

reversed the decision in favor of more study. As a result we asked that question on this survey. Among respondents it appears almost 60% indicated support for an electronic version. Likely North Star will continue publication in print, to accommodate members whose preference is paper and as an outreach tool that could be more effectively used to recruit new members. However a shift to providing an electronic version for those desiring it —and it would appear a significant percentage of our members do—will still result in some cost and resource savings. The followup question indicated members are happy with the quarterly version. We next asked about the NCTA website, www.northcountrytrail.org. The website is about to undergo a top-to-bottom re-vamp; we sought (and will continue to seek) guidance from the membership in creating the most effective information-sharing and networking tool possible. The responses to these as well as the open-ended questions not summarized here will provide valuable input as NCTA develops and unveils the next generation of www. northcountrytrail.org.

A Excellent

B Good

C Average

D Below Average

F Failing

I don’t feel informed enough to say

Rating Average

Response Count

Advocacy at the Federal Governrnment Level

10.4% 37

31% 110

13.8% 49

3.4% 12

0.8% 3

40.6% 144

2.25

355

Advocacy at State Level

6.6% 23

25.9% 91

15.4% 54

9.1% 32

3.7% 13

39.3% 138

2.05

351

North Star

24.4% 86

40.9% 144

15.6% 55

1.4% 5

0.6% 2

17% 60

3.36

352

Blue Blazes Bulletin

18.5% 65

33.9% 119

18.8% 66

3.4% 12

0.3% 1

25.1% 88

2.92

351

Member Communications

15.9% 56

37.1% 131

26.1% 92

7.4% 26

2.5% 9

11% 39

3.23

353

Supporting Local Chapters

11.3% 40

32.8% 116

21.2% 75

4.8% 17

2.3% 8

27.7% 98

2.63

354

Building and Maintaining Trails

19.2% 68

43.1% 153

17.5% 62

5.9% 21

1.7% 6

3.34

355

NCTA Hiking Maps

22.9% 81

38.5% 136

17% 60

3.7% 13

1.4% 5

12.7% 45 16.4% 58

3.29

353

Annual Conference

11.6% 40

20.2% 70

11.8% 41

0.3% 1

55.8% 193

1.75

346

7.2% 25

31.2% 108

20.5% 71

3.5% 12

1.7% 6

35.8% 124

2.31

346

Trail Shop

Suggestions for improvement?

Answered Question

358

Skipped Question

115

July–September 8

The North Star

The following statements are rated in terms of their importance to NCTA members

Most Important

Least Important

Rating Average

Response Count

I want to be part of something bigger.

17.9% 63

28.2% 99

26.5% 93

15.4% 54

12% 42

2.75

351

I want to be able to meet other hikers.

22.8% 82

29.2% 105

25.8% 93

13.9% 50

8.3% 30

2.56

360

I want to help build the trail.

36.4% 131

34.4% 124

18.9% 68

5.6% 20

4.7% 17

2.08

360

I want to receive information about local hikes.

33.7% 121

30.1% 108

17.5% 68

10.3% 37

8.4% 30

2.3

359

I want to receive the North Star magazine/newsletter

21.6% 77

33.6% 120

27.7% 99

9.0% 32

8.1% 29

2.48

357

I want to get discounted maps and merchandise

7.6% 27

14.3% 51

29.8% 106

20.8% 74

27.5% 98

3.46

356

I want a way to get involved.

24.6% 87

29.7% 105

28.3% 100

9.3% 33

7.9% 28

2.46

353

Awards and recognitions for volunteer efforts.

7.8% 28

14.5% 52

22.9% 82

27.1% 97

27.7% 99

3.52

358

I want to identify myself with the North Country Trail.

24% 86

35.4% 127

22.6% 81

11.1% 40

7% 25

2.42

359

52.2% 186

34% 121

9% 32

2.5% 9

2.2% 8

1.69

356

32% 115

36.2% 130

19.8% 71

8.1% 29

3.9% 14

2.16

359

39.5% 141

31.9% 114

20.7% 74

4.8% 17

3.1% 11

357

Opportunity to attend annual conference.

7.6% 27

12.7% 45

25.1% 89

23.9% 85

30.7% 109

3.57

355

Opportunity to be active in my local NCTA chapter.

24.4% 87

29.2% 104

25.6% 91

12.1% 43

8.7% 31

2.51

356

Opportunity to financially contribute to the advancement and well-being of the Trail.

14.2% 51

31.2% 112

35.7% 128

12.3% 44

6.7% 24

2.66

359

I believe in supporting this type of organization. Supporting national and state government advocacy and policy efforts for the trail. Pass on the legacy of the trail.

Answered Question 364

Summary

We believe this survey tool, as long as we don’t over-use it, can be a very valuable means of taking the temperature of NCTA’s membership. The response to this survey was extremely good in both numbers and the quality of response. We do know that non-response bias is always a factor with surveys, that the folks with strong opinions are more likely to respond, and thus without efforts to check survey validity by other means we may not be getting a clear picture of the entire membership. Nevertheless an

The North Star

July–September 8

almost 20% response rate is extremely good, and as long as this isn’t the only tool used to gain member feedback we’re heading in the right direction. And we’re far better off having this survey information than ever before! What I hope this signals to the membership is a new era of the NCTA seeking member input and feedback, and an effort to ensure that member concerns and feelings are sought and included in planning for the future.

HIKING SHORTS Finger Lakes Trail: Good News For Trail Protection NEW YORK - Ron Navik,

FLTC VP for Trail Preservation, reports another dozen permanent trail easements have been filed around the state. He has obtained seven MORE easements from longtime permitting landowners in his club’s section of the FLT, between the Genesee River and Hornell, while Cayuga Trails Club has arranged two easements south and west of Ithaca, one protecting a long view and another covering private land between road access and state forest inland. The Foothills Trail Club is also pleased to announce that they have obtained their first two permanent easements along the Conservation Trail, the branch from the main FLT north to Niagara Falls. One of them was arranged with the landowner when an alert trail steward noticed that her property was for sale, so this protection kept safe our trail route no matter who the next owner is. As Ron reminds each of us repeatedly, JUST ASK! Of course, while we celebrate all this good news, another revocable permission was lost due to neighbors squabbling with each other. It never ends.

2008 Hourly Volunteer Awards The National Park Service enables us to thank both award recipients and those who turn in their volunteer hours with tokens of our mutual appreciation. Remember: EVERYTHING you do that contributes to the trail and its support organizations counts! Those who have accumulated 100 hours receive a name badge and certificate; and 400-hour honorees receive a personalized embroidered shirt. New last year were fleece embroidered vests for those who have devoted more than 1000 hours of service over the years, and this year fleece shirts were added for those who have reached the milestone of 2500 hours. 2500 Hour Gail Blakeley, Joe Dabes, Denise Herron, Richard Kroener, Arlen Matson 1000 Hour Rick Adamson, Joyce Appel, Mary Hamilton, Myron Hawkins, John Heiam, Steven Hicks, Vern Killinger, Keith Klos, Bobby Koepplin, Kay Kujawa, Stanley Kujawa, Richard Kroener, Janice Lindstrom, Bill Menke, Roger Meyer, James Runk, Ray Vlasak, Mary Zuk Domanski 400 Hour Richard Boettner, Sue Boettner, Brian Buchanan, Marge Forslin, Earl Garn, Kay Gilman, Patrick Hayes, Daryl Heise, Jim Hoogterp, Lorana Jinkerson, Karen Klos, Mona Liska, Glory Meyer, Jack Miller, Steve Miller, John Morris, Peter Nye, Robert Pond, Robert Rudd, Ronald Sootsman, Clifford Stammer, Steve Webster 200 Hour Clyde Anderson, Roger Blanchard, Richard Boettner, Scott Bowen, Bill Brosseau, Keith Brown, Joseph Bruenjess, Chester Buquo, Peter Cann, Charles Caster, Bob Covey, Tim Davis, Richard Ferguson, Kay Gilman, Lois Goldstein, Bruce and Linda Johnson, Steve Kinne, Karen Klos, Mona Liska, Ben Lundquist, Nancy McCain, Roger Morrison, Andrew Mytys, Peter Nason, Peter Nye, Brian Pavek,Sue Robishaw, Fred Sabel, Lori Savage, Steve Schmeck, Don Sandberg, John Scott, Ted Soldan, Bob Taylor, June Thaden, Jennifer Tripp, Steve Vear, Jerry Warner, Kathryn Woodruff, Marie Zangmeister, Jay Zitter 100 Hour Deven Atkinson, Gavin Bauer, Jason Allen Bennett, Uli Bissell, Richard Boettner, Garth Brody, Joseph Bruenjess, Steve Chapman, Jim Charvat, Joan Christy, Charles Church, Mikel Classen, Walter Clawson, Randy Davies, Susan Deaner, Gary Evans, Eleanor Fairbanks, Eileen Fairbrother, Judy Ferguson, Jeff Fleming, Bettina Frisse, Kenneth Fritsch, Kay Gilman, Mark Halvorsen, John Heater, Bob Holtzmann, Josephine Hoyne, John Johnson, Pat Jenkins, Steve Kinne, Harold Koutz, Drew Kreidelcamp, Alena Langan, Ben Lundquist, Mike Lynch, Ruth MacFarlane, Stan Malaski, Jim Matteson, Norma Matteson, Duane McDougall, Charlene Miller, Tara Miller, Lee Milner, Mike Minium, Gary Narum, Peter Nye, Richard Parks, Brian Pavek, Mary Payne, Melissa Reed, Kenneth Reek, Edward Ronkowski, Roy Salmon, Lori Savage, Lukas Seltzer, Ray Sergott, Tamara Skinner, Ted Soldan, Tiffany Stram, Mark Studer, Jo Taylor, Kenneth Terpstra, Jeffrey Yoest, Gary Zebko, Jay Zitter

CHAPTER/AFFILIATE HONOR AWARDS were made to the following people, because their home groups wanted to demonstrate their special appreciation to them: Bob Code and Dave Brewer—Wampum As co-trail work coordinators, they “inspire and motivate with a positive attitude and work ethic.” Roger Morrison—Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore For his leadership, active outreach, and starting many things now accepted, newsletter, trailhead kiosks, and monthly hikes. Karen Klos—Allegheny National Forest Chapter For all those behind-the-scenes support tasks that keep a chapter going, our organizer and “office.” Ray Vlasak—Laurentian Lakes Chapter Started this new chapter and worked to develop the new trail route. Joe Smith—Butler Chapter Past President, edits Chapter newsletter, writes field grants, and is gifted working with youth. Mike Trieschmann—Chequamegon Tends multiple sections of trail, including longest segment, and cares for chapter equipment. Michael Stafford—Heritage Chapter Longtime chapter treasurer, currently president, steady trail maintainer who travels 300 miles one way to work! His enthusiasm inspires others. Tony Rodriguez—ADK-Onondaga part of Finger Lakes Trail Coordinates all 60 volunteers who tend their 97 miles of FLT, organizes and participates in frequent special work trips, works on designing and building new trail. July–September 8

The North Star

Thank You to Our 2008 Conference Donors This year’s silent auction raised more than $3,600. Thank you to all those who generously donated items! Big Agnes Cascade Designs GSI Outdoors New Option Lighting Nite Ize Adirondack Expressions Adirondack Mountain Club Al Larmann & Mary Kunzler Larmann Arlen Matsen Bill Wesner Brian Pavek Butler Chapter, NCTA Butler Outdoor Club Carl Boesel Clare Cain Clarion Chapter, NCTA Central New York Chapter, NCTA CTI Industries David Moscatello Dawn Bennett Eileen Fairbrother

Fayetteville EMS Finger Lakes Trail Conference Fred Szarka Garret Dill Hansen’s Hootch, Sheyenne River Valley Joyce Appel Kathy Eisele Lorana Jinkerson Lyle Bialk Madison County, NY Mary Coffin Matt Rowbotham North Dakota Bureau of Tourism New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation Oneida, LTD Pat Allen Paul Henry President’s House Guest Inn, Valley City, ND Ray Bell Sarah Julien

Shady Lane Cellars Valley City, North Dakota Chamber of Commerce Wal-Mart, East Syracuse Wal-Mart, Oneida Wampum Chapter, NCTA Wegman’s Grocery, New York APEX Outdoor Gear Black Diamond Littlbug Enterprises Moosejaw Mountaineering Redwood Creek Winery Snow & Neally The Countryman Press Arizona Trail Association Buckeye Trail Association Florida Trail Association Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation North Country Trail Association Pacific Crest Trail Association Superior Hiking Trail Association

Special Thanks to our Sponsors! Citi Smith Barney (Tom Thompson)

Adirondack Mountain Club

The North Star

Stearns & Wheler, LLC Bruce and Kelly Matthews

Redwood Creek Winery (Founders’ Circle Reception)

Special Thanks to our Hosts!

July–September 8

Finger Lakes Trail Conference

Central New York Chapter

ur Cazenovia ’08 conference is history. Elsewhere in this North Star you’ll get a complete run-down. All I’ve got to say is if you missed it, you missed something pretty darn special; and to the many volunteers who, under Irene Szabo’s capable leadership, helped bring us the ’08 conference, a heartfelt THANK YOU! Thanks also to the sponsors and donors who funded and supported our efforts, the Finger Lakes Trail Conference who co-sponsored it and to NCTA’s staff who stretched even further to fill whatever and wherever needed. It was truly a team effort. With this issue re-capping events at Cazenovia it’s fitting to consider more broadly what the role of annual conference is and ought to be for the North Country Trail Association. Your Board has designated an ad hoc committee to do just that, and members are invited to offer input on what future NCTA conferences will look like and seek to accomplish. Part of that will be in the form of a conference-focused online survey, similar to the membership services survey taken by many last spring (and reported elsewhere in this issue). I hope you’ll take advantage of this relatively easy and painless forum to ensure your voice is heard. In addition, I encourage you to contact me if you’d like to serve on this ad hoc committee, the outcome of which will reflect widespread member input on what conference will be like in the future. The number of members attending Cazenovia ’08 was among the highest on record for annual conference attendance. Yet, with only about 6% of NCTA’s current membership attending, with only about a third of chapters and affiliates represented at all, it is appropriate to ask whether the effort and expense required is justified. Some of conference is self-sustaining: room, board and many program costs are covered by conference fees and registration, with other costs often subsidized through sponsorships. Even with Cazenovia’s good attendance we’ll still barely break even on expenses, and this fails entirely to take into account staff time and volunteer effort. In effect, the 94% of members who did not attend conference this year subsidized the fewer than 200 members who did. In addition to equity issues we must ask whether the cost and effort of conference, if re-directed, would actually accomplish more in advancing NCTA’s mission than is currently the case. Having raised these questions let me say I am a firm believer in conference. I’ve seen conference work as a unique and irreplaceable tool in bringing associations together and accomplishing many goals in ways unlikely to occur otherwise. NCTA is only at about 15% capacity in what conference could be doing to further Association goals and its

MATTHEWS’

MEANDERS BRUCE MATTHEWS Executive Director

trail-building mission. We need to consider how we can use a conference format as a tool to build chapter capacities in organizational management, recruitment and retention, outreach and marketing, trail planning and building and maintenance, landowner relations building and so on. We need to consider how to use conference to enable members to become stronger, more effective trail advocates, more skilled trail builders, more informed partners in negotiating and managing trail uses with land managing agencies and so on. We need to find ways to use conference as a forum for sharing successes with one another. We need to consider how we can use conference as a nexus of effort that attracts sponsors eager to access member eyeballs with their corporate logos, and as a vehicle for major fund-raising for the NCTA. Idea-generator, enthusiasm-builder, agenda-maker….the list of conference potentials goes on. And while it will be important to maintain conference’s current focus on member hiking opportunities, we’ll not approach its potential until we consider these and many other ideas. Looking ahead, considering the expanse of our trail and dispersion of our members, I know what travel costs are likely to do to conference attendance next year in North Dakota and in the future even in more central locations. Does our current, rotate-conference-toeach-state on a 7-year cycle continue to meet NCTA’s needs? Is there more we can do as an Association (rideshare, charter buses, etc.) to help encourage attendance? Can we do a better job (we surely can!!) enabling local committees to learn from past experience and provide a conference planning template that eliminates the re-invention of the wheel every year? You can see some of the questions we’re likely to consider this fall as we engage in this process of re-thinking NCTA’s annual conference. Some of the changes likely to result will be implemented next year at Valley City, North Dakota, and some will take longer to see in effect. I encourage you to join us as we focus on conference and its future as an NCTA tool, to participate in the survey and let me know if you’d like to be part of the ad hoc committee making these recommendations.

Meet Laura Lindstrom, Office Manager/Financial Administrator

Taken while on vacation in the French Alps, Sunday, August 17, 2008 on Mt. Blanc at the Aiguille du Midi (3,842 meters), in the background is the glacier.

aura Lindstrom has worked for the NCTA headquarters since April, handling all matters financial, including work in the realm of member support. For those who have met her, they’d be surprised to learn that she “retired” in 2007 after 30 years in corporate finance, primarily in the automotive industry, most recently with Magna International, Engineered Glass Division, as Director of Operations Finance, HR, and IT. Sounds as if we are fortunate to have one so skilled work for our humble operation, AND she must have started that first career at the age of nine. But it’s a new world for her, too. She says, “I bring a wealth of corporate experience to the NCTA; however, this has been a terrific learning experience for me, too. Working for a nonprofit organization is new, and I love working here! It is wonderful working with a group of people who have more than a job: they have a mission and a passion for the Trail. And the Chapter leaders and volunteers are so nice.” Laura lives in Lowell with her husband Phil, 18-year-old son Larz, and their dog, Baby. July–September 8

The North Star

Mary Coffin

Favorite Places Favorite Trail Sections in Central New York: Onondaga Trail, Finger Lakes Trail Map O-1, Shackham Road South to Shackham Pond. Mary Coffin

hose familiar with New York State know that the topography, shaped by the glaciers and subsequent rivers, is quite hilly. Central New York is characterized by steep northsouth ridges that cut through layers of limestone resulting in very diverse and scenic trails. One of my favorite sections of Finger Lakes Trail and concurrent North Country Trail, the Onondaga section, starts on Shackham Road just south the Cortland-Onondaga County line. This six mile route is in Morgan Hill State Forest, complete with waterfalls, brooks, ponds and spectacular overlooks. So take your camera. As one hikes northwest from Shackham Road (elevation 1350 feet) there is a steep climb of 450 feet to the height of land (1800 feet) in a fern filled, mature forest to a ridge with great views of Labrador Valley to the west. The path then drops steeply to the rim of Tinker Falls, a section slated for grade improvement in the next few years. The trail crosses the top of Tinker Falls, elevation 1400 feet at the rim. There is a small flume of water running between layers of shale and limestone that drops 50 feet off overhanging ledges. Take care when crossing the stream at the top of the falls not to slip. The waterfall runs year round but is particularly beautiful in spring and fall. A parking lot is available on Route 91 below; however, there is no formal, maintained trail from Route 91 to the top of the falls. The slippery herd paths are only for the very sure-footed. Blue blazed trail continues climbing north, crossing an old road several times. Here it is joined by the orange blazed Skyline Trail coming up from Labrador Pond, still a work in progress. At the maximum elevation one will encounter one of the most spectacular views on the Onondaga Trail. Jones Hill, elevation 1964 feet, overlooks a glacial valley 720’ below,

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Labrador Pond (remains of a glacial kettle hole) and Labrador Hollow Unique Area. The glacial valley has dramatically steep sides, offering visibility for 30 miles on a clear day. Hang gliders love to take flight off this hill, catch the rising thermals then later land in the valley below. The trail turns and continues eastward over the hill and drops to Spruce Pond, elevation 1700 feet. The pond is stocked with fish, offers three season parking and free camping with DEC permit. A North Country Trail kiosk is located here. The trail proceeds south from the kiosk along the picturesque Spruce Pond outlet stream. The pond and stream level fluctuate in response to beaver and muskrat activity. The path eventually turns east through a very peaceful forest, crossing this stream and several more little streams before dropping to Shackham Road (1560 feet) at a point northeast from the start. Before hopping into your car follow the trail to Shackham Pond. Look for more beaver activity and ever growing beaver dam as you approach the pond. The blazed trail skirts the edge of the Hodgson Family cemetery with huge old pines pushing over gravestones. Return to a car spotted here or make a loop by hiking about 1.2 miles south on Shackham Road where you left a car before you entered the forest. Accumulated mileage: Shackham Rd. south = 0, Tinker Falls = 1.4, Jones Hill = 2.8, Spruce Pond = 3.9, Shackham Rd. north = 5.6, Shackham Pond = 5.7, Shackham Rd. south = 6.8 Want to share YOUR favorite walk? Mary Coffin has three more in the hopper, so surely there are lots of you out there who would love to lure others to their special places. Send in your candidates. —Editor

We Thank the Following NCTA Trail Supporters for Their Generosity During the Past Year:

ders’ Circle n u Fo

$1000+

Harmon Strong Pfizer Foundation Lyle Bialk

Adironadack Mountain Club Black River Environmental Improvement Association Carl Boesel Mary & William Coffin Dave & Jan Cornell Garrett Dill Cecil & Joanne Dobbins Finger Lakes Trail Conference Kenneth Gackler Mike & Sarah Julien Lawrence Hawkins Deborah & Bobby Koepplin Al Larman Mary Kunzler-Larmann John & Pat Leinen The Rod MacRae Family Tom Reimers Irene Szabo Beth & Jerry Trout Frederick & Eleanor Winston Gaylord Yost

$250 - $999 ADK - Onondaga Chapter Jack Cohen William Coffin Myron Hawkins Lorana Jinkerson William Lynch John & Sandra Wagner Frazee Sportmen’s Club Bad Medicine Lake Area Association

Betty Benson Friends of Itasca State Park GE Foundation Bill & Donna Menke Rotary EClub One Dr. JJH Swarz Werner Veit Gary Werner Marjorie Wright

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The North Star

Both by Mick Hawkins

Gail Blakely, Wampum Chapter stalwart in Pennsylvania, receiving her embroidered fleece shirt from Ken Howell, National Park Service, for volunteer service.

Tom Gilbert presenting Lifetime Achievement award to Bill Menke.

OUR ANNUAL AWARDS! Irene Szabo

ne of the genuine pleasures of the annual conference is recognition of volunteers and benefactors for their varied contributions to this giant project that is the North Country National Scenic Trail. Of course the NCTA Recognitions Committee (Chair Sarah Julien, Pat Leinen, Joyce Appel, Rick Adamson, and Irene Szabo) don’t regard the process as unalloyed pleasure, since they have to choose among a growing number of deserving nominees, which is sometimes agonizing! During the Thursday evening program at Cazenovia College Tom Gilbert, Fred Szarka, and Ken Howell of the National Park Service did have the pure pleasure of granting honors to EVERYBODY who turned in enough volunteer hours to rate a recognition. Decals and water bottles go to those who have just started accumulating hours (oh, AND reporting them: that’s the key!), while long-sleeved shirts with the embroidered NCTA logo, an NPS volunteer patch, AND one’s name embroidered upon them are granted to those who have been at it a few years. Very handsome wardrobe additions, and in recent years those with even more hours have been given embroidered fleece vest and shirts. If some of us start young enough, and stick with trail volunteering long enough, do we get a pony? The Association awards were made Saturday evening to the following heroes and special people for 2008 along our trail. Friend of the Trail to Peter Frank and Jim Sessions of the NY Department of Environmental Conservation (like the DNR in most other states), whose support and cooperation pushed along the planning process for our route through the Adirondacks. Clare Cain nominated them for their exceptional agency help in shaving years off the process of choosing a route. Friend of the Trail also awarded to the U.S. Forest Service in Allegheny National Forest, nominated by Karen Klos on behalf of the ANF Chapter, for their helpful cooperation, especially for obtaining an SCA group for special trail work.

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Besides, their Robert Wetherell continues to handle our chain sawyer training sessions! Trailblazer is deserved by the midwestern outdoor store chain, Scheels Sports, for donations of over $10,000 for projects in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Trailbuilder went to Scott Bowen, a very special trail builder and steward along the extension of the FLT’s Onondaga Trail currently being built by the Adirondack Mountain Club’s Onondaga Chapter, because he is ALSO a permitting landowner for the new segment, and has helped convince other new landowners to welcome the trail. Trail Maintainer this year is Jerry Warner of the Sheyenne River Valley Chapter in North Dakota, where he helps maintain 52 miles, has worked on building new and upgraded trail, obtained Bobcat usage for free, and is bringing in new members. Outreach clearly belongs to Pat Monahan, who has performed miracles in the realm of spreading the news of our trail in New York. Not only has he organized our cross-county monthly hike series for two years now, a well-publicized series that always brings in new people, but he has also single-handedly marshalled a lot of local support for a brand new branch off the Finger Lakes Trail with landowners, municipalities, and county tourism people. Communicator went to Jo Taylor, editor of the Finger Lakes Trail News, a colorful and eagerly awaited quarterly magazine that readers and photographers fight to get their material into, with the result that she always has more good stuff than she can print. Rising Star, an award for a young person who shows real promise of sticking around for the NPS pony, is for Lukas Seltzer this year, who maintains his own section, has worked with a crew on special projects, spends “break time” sharpening tools, and has participated in planning sessions with Bill Menke and other members of his Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter. Three Sweep awards were made this year to those people whose steady effort in the background keeps everything ticking: Ed Ronkowski of the Chequamegon Chapter in Wisconsin tends trail, performed a GPS survey of structures and signs, offers

Scott Bowen of NY receives the Trailbuilder of the Year Award from Bruce Matthews.

Larry Hawkins

Bobby Koepplin of ND is awarded the Distinguished Service Award for three or more years of exemplary service.

Larry Hawkins

backpacking cooking classes, and prepares materials for building projects beforehand. Becky Heise’s constant willingness is appreciated by her Sheyenne River Valley Chapter in North Dakota, where she’ll agree to any task, even to write last minute articles or help craft recreation easements, and attends State Trail Council meetings. Peter Wybron has been treasurer of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference for more than a decade, paying the bills, producing monthly reports for the board, and filing those awful state and federal charitable organization returns, a nearly invisible service the FLTC is on their knees in gratitude for, since such a faithful volunteer is hard to find. Blue Blaze Benefactor catches up years of accumulated gratitude to Harmon Strong, who at 91 just missed his first NCTA Conference in a long time. He served for years on the boards of both the FLTC and the NCTA, helped the former established investment policies and financial practices, established life insurance policies listing his favorite organizations as beneficiaries, and has been a steady financial contributor for years. Leadership was awarded to Marty Swank, energetic president of the Chequamegon Chapter, who has brought in many new members, established a system to adopt all of their trail miles, and improved relations with public

Larry Hawkins

Lowell staffer Jill DeCator receiving the gift of a pink hardhat from ANF’s Keith Klos, in consideration of duty in the combat zone of her own desk. This June an overhead sprinkler pipe dropped on her desk just after she had moved away for a minute.

land managers. Obviously he is a good communicator and leader! Three Distinguished Service awards were made this year, honoring length and breadth of service: Bobby Koepplin of North Dakota, board member of the NCTA and extremely active member of the Sheyenne River Valley Chapter, has formed many partnerships which have advanced their local trail miles with several state agencies, negotiated the purchase of six miles of abandoned railbed, and participated actively on several NCTA committees, including the critical Development (read, fund-raising) Committee. Rick Adamson, state trail coordinator in Ohio for both the NCTA and the Buckeye Trail, has been visible in these pages for the last few years due the phenomenal projects he has organized utilizing hundreds of volunteers to clear old canal towpath for new trail. Not only has he organized the work sessions, but he has convinced locals and agencies to help with logistics and material donations. Herb and Suzie Hulls, as longtime trail builders and maintainers along the Buckeye Trail in Ohio, famous during week-long work parties for their Buckeye chuckwagon, have been instrumental in promoting the affiliation between the BTA and the NCTA. The above awards were presented by Recognitions Chair Sarah Julien while pictures showed on the screen of each recipient; however, for the final and biggest award, Lifetime Achievement, Tom Gilbert asked to make the presentation. He claims as one of his smartest decisions ever the employment of Bill Menke (featured on our cover) as National Park Service Trail Manager, and all of us who have worked with Bill agree. Bill’s passion for this trail—and for well-built and sensibly sited trail—is legendary, through his workshops conducted in every state and the handbook he produced. In fact, once he retired from the Park Service, he went to work for the Association part time while he spent most of the rest of his time as a volunteer, building new sections and improving old ones. Surely Bill’s volunteer hours have him half-way to that pony by now.

Pat Monahan receives the Outreach Award for his efforts in building local support for the North Country Trail in NY.

Congratulations to all, and thank you for your gifts of time and effort!

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Happy trails to you. Our eight newspapers across Michigan cover the great outdoors, including the best nature walks, day hikes and overnight backpacking trips. Read us, then find a slice of heaven of your own on foot. Booth Newspapers: The Ann Arbor News, The Bay City Times, The Flint Journal, The Grand Rapids Press, The Jackson Citizen Patriot, The Kalamazoo Gazette, The Muskegon Chronicle and The Saginaw News. LV19892

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