NEWS FLASH: “Body found on trail!” 

Luckily, it wasn’t a human; only a squirrel. But PATC’s valiant volunteers snap to attention whenever an anomaly occurs, whether it’s a tree blocking the trail, an eroded bank, or a plugged-up privy. They assess, maintain, and clean things up, restoring the natural beauty (and aroma) of hundreds of hiking areas across the region.

They also lead the organization and maintain the infrastructure that brings the volunteers together and provides them with support and financing.

A bevy of those volunteers were honored with PATC awards at VolunteerFest October 11th —which in turn was planned and run by even more volunteers! Oh my, how smoothly this club, and most of the hiking infrastructure in the region, runs on the adrenaline of unpaid labor! Here are brief reports on the passionate, dedicated leaders recognized this year. We’ve expanded our Award website page to include who nominated these recipients and the nomination they submitted. Meet these people, get to know them, and draw inspiration from them.

The major awards are shown on the following pages:

Myron Avery Award

Honorary Life Member Awards

Lifetime Achievement Award 

Honorary PATC Members

Youth Award

Appreciation Awards 

PATC leaders awarded 37 Hawksbill Award   certificates and recognized 575 people with Service Award   certificates. Details are on the website.

Our last recognition is for some of our most enduring members—those who have been part of PATC for 50 years. This year, we honor the members who joined PATC in 1975 and have continued to renew their memberships ever since. Below are the names of our 50-Year Members which is an extraordinary milestone. It represents Decades of support for our trails, cabins, and programs; A long-standing commitment to the mission and community of PATC; and, in many cases, a lifetime of hikes, work trips, friendships, and stories woven through this club. To our following 50-Year Members:

Thank you for sticking with PATC through changing times, changing gear, changing trail conditions—and for continuing to believe in the work we do together. We are honoring you with a Life Membership: Jb R. Birch, Robert N Colombo, Carol & Paul Cunningham, Jean E Dwyer, Krista D Eaton, Karl F Edler, Jean C Golightly, Robert V Hancock, Robert Henig, John M Henika, Richard Heuwinkel, Donald F. Kocher, Paul & Rita Marth, Carol May, Cort W Oliphant, Olivia K Pickett, Ronald J. Tipton, and Margaret Wettling.

Myron Avery Award

Luckily, it wasn’t a human; only a squirrel. But PATC’s valiant volunteers snap to attention whenever an anomaly occurs, whether it’s a tree blocking the trail, an eroded bank, or a plugged-up privy. They assess, maintain, and clean things up, restoring the natural beauty (and aroma) of hundreds of hiking areas across the region.

They also lead the organization and maintain the infrastructure that brings the volunteers together and provides them with support and financing.

A bevy of those volunteers were honored with PATC awards at VolunteerFest October 11th —which in turn was planned and run by even more volunteers! Oh my, how smoothly this club, and most of the hiking infrastructure in the region, runs on the adrenaline of unpaid labor! Here are brief reports on the passionate, dedicated leaders recognized this year. We’ve expanded our Award website page to include who nominated these recipients and the nomination they submitted. Meet these people, get to know them, and draw inspiration from them.

The most prestigious honor, the Myron Avery Award, recognizes the highest level of passion and dedication for a single year—although recipients are frequently lifelong champions of the outdoors.

John Hedrick retired this year after more than a decade on the PATC Executive Committee – during which he also restored trails, improved cabins, edited trail guides, improved air quality (i.e., cleaned crappers), and managed dozens of other service projects. Yet when the Supervisor of Lands unexpectedly resigned, instead of slowing down, John raced to help. 

“John stepped in as Acting Supervisor and immediately took on several complex land issues. He engaged the right volunteers, provided strong guidance, and delivered excellent results,” reported Rob Lamar, one of five members who nominated John. Efficient, adept at mustering teams, diplomatic, rational, selfless, gifted mentor—these are some of the descriptions of the qualities John brings to his selfless service and accomplished collaborations.

At the VolunteerFest ceremony, John received an original oil painting of Shenandoah National Park (SNP) Crescent Rock Overlook by PATC member Ariel Freeman.

Lifetime Achievement Award

David Trone was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 25 years of dedication and leadership and for the enduring impact of his work on the Appalachian Trail and shelters in southern Pennsylvania. In nominating him, Curt and Tawnya Finney noted: “What truly stands out about Dave is his integrity, generosity, and the way he lifts others up.” David received a framed photo of SNP Pinnacles taken by PATC member Bill Bunting.

Honorary Life Member Award

Three long-time PATC members earned Honorary Life Member Awards, which recognize contributions over a significant period, involvement in multiple areas of the Club, and outstanding volunteer performance.

Since 2019, Dan and Ellen Feer have led and greatly expanded the Cadillac Crew, a team that devotes one weekend each month to overseeing, assessing, and restoring hundreds of miles of trails in and around Virginia. Leadership of this diverse crew requires extensive planning, preparation, organization, and supervision. The projects are often well beyond normal trail work; for example, requiring the transport of large rocks and shaping them into crib walls and steps. Dan is also a teacher and mentor of new trail constructers, maintainers, and sawyers.

Nominated by Rob Lamar, Dan and Ellen each received a lifetime membership and a framed photo of SNP’s North District taken by PATC member David Manning, Backpacking Committee Chair.

The third winner, Marit Anderson, was nominated by Mark Perschel and Iva Gillet. Marit received a lifetime membership and a framed photo of SNP’s Paine Run trail, taken by PATC member Bill Bunting.

Marit’s extensive work on behalf of PATC’s Charlottesville Chapter has run the gamut from leading hikes and maintaining trails to raising funds and organizing educational programs. For more than 20 years, she has also personally welcomed and assisted thru-hikers. In recent years she launched a partnership with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Charlottesville to provide outdoor opportunities to some of the city’s underserved populations.

Appreciation Award

Appreciation Awards were presented to:

• Park Ranter Wade Bushong for responsiveness, expertise with equipment, and focus on safety.
• Rachel Lettre for initiative and leadership as Appalachian Trail Conference Mid-Atlantic regional director.
• The Piedmont Environmental Council for land preservation efforts.
• Park Ranger Emily Bard, a state park ranger who worked closely with the Maryland AT Management Committee.
• Kristin Cromie is a respected “trail angel” in Boonsboro and on their local Environmental Commission. She has been a great help to the trail community and to our Ridgerunners.
• The Southern Appalachian Wilderness Wizards for providing crosscut saw training and certification.
• Park Ranger Shaun Lehmann who collaborated with PATC to establish a trail maintenance plan in the Palisades District of C&O Canal National Historic Park. 

Youth Award

Asa Williamson, 8, celebrated his first year as a volunteer with the Old Scouter Trail Crew, working on projects at the Annapolis Rocks and Catoctin Trail. His enthusiasm for learning skills, mastering tools, and patrolling trails earned him a Youth Award.  He was nominated by Pete Minderman, Jr.

Honorary PATC Members

Two new Ridgerunners – AT patrols that are often described as “ambassadors” to the hiking community – were nominated by Ray Stinson to become PATC Honorary Members. Josh Sheets of Delaware worked the long season in Maryland, and Rich Jacobus patrolled the “roller coaster” section in northern Virginia.

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