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Piedmont Appalachian Trail Hikers
Forest Service Recognizes PATH
At the ATC Biennial meeting held in July, 1999, in Radford, PATH received an award from the U.S. Forest Service recognizing the club's work in the planning and construction of Partnership Shelter. Accepting the award on behalf of PATH were Parthena Martin, Bill Boudman, Clint Kawanishi, Vaughn Thomas, and Susan Andreatta. The presentation was made by Bill Damon, supervisor of the Jefferson National Forest. (Photo by John Hartpence)
Radford '99 Highlights
The ATC held its 1999 Biennial Conference in Radford Virginia this July with PATH acting as one of the host clubs. The 27 PATH members who attended and worked at the conference put in a total of 109 work days at the event.
Our group handled all types of jobs. We led hikes, set up exhibits, parked cars, set up for entertainment, and any other job that was needed. Parthena Martin, who chaired the organizing committee for the event, put in uncounted hours making sure the huge conference was a success. The conference was attended by nearly 1,000 AT lovers from far and wide who were there to hike the trail, attend the ATC business meetings, partake in excursions, and meet and greet new and old AT friends.
From John Hartpence: "It was a wonderful conference. The Whole program was great-food, hikes, entertainment, exhibits, workshops and everything else. The tenting area was very nice although we had a little excitement. Dean Kanipe had an encounter with 3 skunks and Bill Boudman spread a vicious rumor that the area may be flooded. Parthena had to handle that problem along with every thing else she did. Thanks Parthena and the other 26 members of PATH for their hard work."
From Clint Kawanishi: I was proud to one of the 27 PATH members at Radford 99. I'd like to let PATH know of Tony Roberts' extreme effort in reclimbing 1200 ft back up to Scorched Earth Gap along with Dennis Schmuck from Pennsylvania in search of our stray hiker who didn't know where the hike ended. (He ended up going a total of 20 miles,ending up in Daleville, VA.) Also thanks to Dean Kanipe who either lead or helped lead almost every day that hikes went out. Thanks also to Bill Boudman who provided historical knowledge on my hike up to Mt. Rogers and to John Hartpence for listening to the puerile comments of what must have been the ultimate male chauvinist of Radford 99 (Sic em, Betsy!). Thanks, everybody! We should be proud of PATH!!!!
PATH President Paul Clayton (third from left) is among those signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the ATC's biennial meeting. The MOU is the legal document signed by the Commonwealth of Virginia, the AT-maintaining clubs in Virginia, the ATC, the National Park Service, and the National Forest Service that established the responsibilities of these various partners in maintaining the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. (Photo by John Hartpence)
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 | Members of other Virginia AT clubs also saw to it that Radford 99 ran smoothly. Above, members of the Old Dominion club prepare for an onslaught at the registration desk. Left, Laurie Foot, standing, and Bill Foot, right, of the Natural Bridge Club were responsible for planning and organizing the dozens of hikes offered at the conference. (Photos by Vaughn Thomas) |
Participants gather for a "team picture" for one of Vaughn Thomas' hikes. Vaughn is front and center, John Hartpence is in the rear. (Photo by Barry Hester)
Hikers on one of Clint Kawanishi's hikes spread out while heading southbound on Chestnut Ridge. (Photo by Tony Roberts)
Clint Kawanishi, Bill Boudman, and John Hartpence on McAfee knob.