CMC Weekly News
04/20/05
______________________________________________________________________________
CMC Help Wanted Opportunity
CMC Webmaster Needed!
Anyone opening this E-Newsletter or accessing the CMC website has been the beneficiary of the great work and efforts put into it by our present Webmaster, Don Walton. However, Don has accepted new responsibilities, and is resigning his responsibilities as CMC webmaster. The job of webmaster is now available, and we are recruiting for a CMC member who would like to assume these duties. We request that you contact Don at donwalton@bellsouth.net if you are interested in this position, or if you have suggestions of someone else who might be interested. Thank you! Bruce Bente
Join the CMC Trails Preservation Committee!
The CMC Council is considering formation of a committee to address issues related to preserving the hiking experience in Western North Carolina, especially issues that impact hiking trails. If you are interested in being a founding member of this committee, or have questions or comments, contact Ruth Hartzler at ruthmtn@aol.com or 251-0886 by April 30, 2005. We will propose a mission and scope of the committee for approval by the CMC Council. This is a great opportunity to protect hiking trails, learn how decisions affecting the trail environment are made, and have a say in issues related to hiking.
Smokies Camping Weekend May 6-8 - Registration still open!
Come and spend a week-end hiking in the Smokies in the far western end of the park - too far for a day trip. I just scouted the area and it is beautiful, remote and quiet. We will be based at a private campground in Townsend, just outside the Smokies, accessible for both the Abrams Creek entrance and the Cades Cove entrance. Two levels of hikes will be offered each day. All details are at: http://www.hikertohiker.org/tsmokies/ . If you are interested in coming, sign up now. Unless you have a question not covered by the website, there is no need to email the leader. Just sign up! Danny Bernstein danny@hikertohiker.org
UPCOMING WORKSHOP TO TEACH ABOUT HOW YOU CAN "LEAVE NO TRACE" WHILE HIKING ON WNC TRAILS
Hiker says lack of preparation stranded group in the Smokies Park rescues four hikers stranded on snowy A.T.! The recent headlines on the incident in the Smokies illustrate the potential for what can happen if hikers don't follow Leave No Trace principle #1. The bedrock principle states "Plan ahead and prepare." Doing just that usually sets the stage for a successful trip for you and for those who follow.
Many hikers claim to know all about Leave No Trace (LNT) and ways they can keep trails in good shape. When you ask them about LNT; however, they often say "Pack it in/Pack it out," referring to their trash. Well, that's really just part of it.
Everyone who hikes probably has met a rowdy group making a lot of noise on the trail or seen hikers feeding wildlife. Have you ever done these yourself? Or, have you wondered what you could say to try to educate them? Leave No Trace is a national program designed to "build awareness, appreciation, and respect for our wildlands." Taking an LNT course will help you identify where you fall on the spectrum of outdoor ethics and will provide tools for educating others.
All hikers are invited to an upcoming LNT Trainer course to be held on the Warren Wilson campus trails in Swannanoa. Ed Raiola of Warren Wilson College and Matthew Davis of the Appalachian Trail Conference will be co-leading a Leave No Trace Trainer Course on Saturday April 30th and Sunday, May 1st on the campus of Warren Wilson College. The course will start at 8am on Saturday and will conclude by 4pm on Sunday. There is a $45 fee for the course, which includes a 1-year LNT membership and other goodies, and the course is limited to the first 10 registrants. For more information on the course or to register, contact Ed Raiola at 828-771-3007 or eraiola@warren-wilson.edu
. For more information on LNT, visit the Center for Outdoor Ethics website at www.lnt.org.
New CMC Memberships
Art Almeida Tim and Beth Bates Edward Bentson Bob Boydston Cam Collins Jane Bramham Keila and Rick Cochran Matt and Pam Collis Michael Cornn Grace Curry Beth Yeager Eckstein Christine Grant and Michael Ellis Stuart English Judy Fisher Laura Frisbie Jim Gordon Joseph Isola Ivan Ivanov Courtney Mauzy Mike Piercy Lisa Poole Carrie Schmitz Heidi Saugen Matthew Sowles Barbara and Eric Van Deusen Ellen Welles
Trail Section Maintainers Given Free 2005 Membership
Chuck Anderson Roy Bell Martin Brumer Don and Sharon Christensen Robin Courtvriend Warren Hilger Alistair Hoehne David Ireland John Webb and Lori Kincaid Peggy Moore Ned Sanders Larry Sobil Nancy and Steve Stipton Jack Walters Tommy Warden Al Williams
National trails Day
As you will know National Trails Day (NTD) will be June 4, 2005 across the US. In the past the MST has had around 6-8 worksites across the state. Please consider hosting a work day on the MST. You can go to www.americanhiking.org and post your event. Once your post your event you will receive free promotional materials from American Hiking Society. Thanks for your time. Jeff Brewer
Call for 2005 CMC Nominating Committee Candidates and 2006 CMC Council nominations CMC WANTS YOU!!!!!!!
This is your opportunity to get involved in your club's leadership. Applications are now being accepted for the 2005 Nominating Committee, and for officer and council positions for the 2006 CMC Council. Serving on the Nominating Committee is one of the most important responsibilities within the club. You participate in a process that determines the next generation of leaders of your association. Serving as a member of the council is a commitment that yields countless rewards. If you consider yourself a strategic thinker with the executive ability to get things done, then CMC wants you! I strongly encourage you take this opportunity to become either a member of the Nominating Committee or, serve on the Council as a councilor or as an officer of the club. Don’t forget CMC WANTS YOU to get involved, and become a part of your club’s leadership. Applications are due to cmcinfo@carolinamtnclub.org by April 30, 2005. Download the application and job description for the Nominating Committee. Download the application and job description for Councilor. For more information regarding CMC’s organization please refer to the Club Bylaws on the CMC web site, or contact Don Walton, donwalton@bellsouth.net Don’t be shy, get involved. Thank you. Don Walton Immediate Past President
Join New CMC Hike Information Message Center!
The CMC is starting a Hike Information exchange system on www.Yahoo.com which can be used to exchange information relating to hiking. This group system is intended to help coordinate off schedule hiking activities that benefit the club and it's members. For example, a hike leader may need to scout a hike but cannot find anyone to go along or maybe someone needs directional help to adequately hike a trail.
The email address used to communicate is cmchikeinfo@yahoogroups.com . The address to use to join is: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cmchikeinfo/ You have to be a yahoo member (free) to join. When you join you will need to provide your name in the setup in the "Real Name" field. This is desirable for people to know who you are. If you have any questions please contact me. Don Walton
The deadline for early registration for the 3rd Southeastern Foot Trails Conference planned for April 28 – May 1, 2005
The deadline for early registration for the 3rd Southeastern Foot Trails Conference planned for April 28 – May 1, 2005 at Table Rock State Park in Pickens, SC is March 31st. You can sign up after March 31st, but you won’t get a t-shirt, and you’ll miss out on the early registration discount. With a host of great activities planned, you won’t want to miss this great event. Please share the following announcement with your colleagues and fellow hiking enthusiasts! Thanks!
Join us for the 3rd Southeastern Foot Trails Conference planned for April 28 – May 1, 2005 at beautiful Table Rock State Park in Pickens, South Carolina. This event will bring together the conservation and hiking community for a weekend of “Building Skills & Strengthening Partnerships”. Representatives from a variety of government agencies will also be present. This event is presented by American Hiking Society and co-hosted by Palmetto Conservation Foundation and the Foothills Trail Conference.
The event will kick off on Thursday afternoon April 28. Hikes of varying length and difficulty will be offered and led by local trail groups along the gorgeous Blue Ridge Escarpment. Thursday evening dinner will feature guest speaker Brad Wyche of Upstate Forever. Evening entertainment will be provided by Johnson City, Tennessee photographer Jerry Greer. Jerry will treat us to a slideshow featuring the beauty of the Southern Appalachians.
Friday April 29th will offer a number of excellent pre-conference workshops including;
Board University – presented by the Institute for Conservation Leadership. This training class is designed specifically for members of non-profit Boards. Grant Writing – Sonja Carlborg, Grant Writer for American Hiking Society will lead this excellent full day course Sustainable Trail Construction – Come learn how to build sustainable trails from the experts!
Friday’s evening entertainment will be provided by Drovers Old Time Medicine Show. Plan to kick up your heels for some live bluegrass music!
Saturday will feature a full slate of concurrent educational sessions. The attached PDF file contains a listing of the sessions planned as of March 19, 2005. Additional sessions on Volunteer Management and GPS 101 are planned.
Sunday morning will feature naturalist led hikes in Table Rock State Park. Celina Montorfano, Director of Conservation Programs for American Hiking Society will also lead a session teaching folks how to approach your elected officials at the federal level.
To register for this event, please visit www.AmericanHiking.org . Early registration ends March 31. Options for a single day, partial, or full registration exist. For more information, please contact Jeffrey Hunter at (423) 266-2507 or jhunter@AmericanHiking.org .
See y’all in South Carolina!
Jeffrey Hunter
Southern Appalachians Initiative
American Hiking Society
175 Hamm Road - Suite C
Chattanooga, TN 37405
(423) 266-2507
http://www.americanhiking.org/alliance/sai.html
Bush to pay visit to Smokies By RICHARD POWELSON
WASHINGTON - President Bush plans next Friday to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the nation's worst areas for air pollution, to mark the annual Earth Day.
The office of U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan Jr., a Knoxville Republican, announced Bush's visit, and Duncan plans to join Bush at the most-visited national park.
White House spokesman Taylor Gross said he could not comment yet on Bush's schedule for Earth Day, an annual time to reflect on the environmental damage of the past and on plans for more improvements in the future.
Bush could use the backdrop of the Smokies to make another pitch for his administration's proposed regulation to reduce unhealthy levels of air pollution in many areas of the country. Bush's latest proposal is called the Clean Air Interstate Rule.
Last month, the Republican-controlled Senate Environment and Public Works Committee deadlocked in a 9-9 vote and failed to pass Bush's so-called "Clear Skies" legislation to address air pollution concerns. One Republican and one independent joined Democrats to stall the bill and seek another approach.
Environmental groups have alleged that the current Clean Air Act's laws are stronger than Bush's proposals for change.
"The air quality situation at the Smokies points to the inadequacies of the administration's policy on clean air," said Don Barger, a spokesman for the National Parks Conservation Association.
Barger agreed with a recent statement by National Park Service Director Fran Mainella that the air in the Smokies is improving.
"But cleaner air does not mean clear air," Barger said. Federal requirements need to do more faster for the long-term health of the Smokies park, he said.
Smokies spokesman Bob Miller said he had no confirmation of Bush visiting next Friday.
Miller said there was a promising air quality study from the federal Environmental Protection Agency a couple months ago about the Smokies.
"The bottom line was the visibility on our worst days had improved substantially, and visibility on average days had improved a little," Miller said. There was no change in either acid deposition or in ozone" haze.
"Hopefully," Miller said, "we've bottomed out" in air pollution measures "and we're headed in the right direction."
