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VOLUME IV, NUMBER 2, SEPTEMBER 1984 r;

Office of the Editor Marienville, Pa. 16239

vcLUI,lE 1r' Nind.JIn 2 SEPTB,IBEII 198/+

cn'GANIZATIO}I

NORTii COUIITRT TNAII ASSOCIATIONP. 0. Box 311Whtte Cloud, Mtchigan, 1.93/*9

Presldent: Robert E. Dreislce-Pres: Virglnia Wunsch

Secretary: Joyce HarLukowlczTreasurer: Kenneth R. Gaclcler*r f **f ***X'zY:':l$l(**** X**X*{***l+* t f X}'* X

Editor:

EDITORIAL

The North Country Trall Associatlonts four years o1d now. Thts ls tosay that NCTA as an entlty waslar:nched ln 1980 wlth cfflcersand a selected board of dlrectors.Orowlng palns have been nany end

velopment retarded. Forty-elghtths and etght seni-annual meet-

lngs later, hope for survival hasua1Iy evolved lnto a real

posslblllty by the year L98l+. Itbecame a probablllty at the May 18

tlng at our Headquarters lntte Cloud under the leadershlp, ofsldent Bob Dretsr wlth the con-

tlnued, fundamental and rellabIesupport of Glnny Wunsch, Joyce

lukowtcz gnd Ken Gackler.

nty-two members were present,t of them new ones and most of

them from Michlgan.

John Hipps, l'1. D.Marlenville, Pa. l6239(sra) 927-&85

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TiATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTOFS

Dr. Wl1ltan Et0lngDr. Robert Hafer

PennsvlvaniaDr. John Htpps

. Ralph EaneyDr. Rtchard Hanrey

. Virglnla Wunsch

. Kenneth Gackler

. Joyce Harlukovlcz!,1r. Robert Waldron

. Bobert E. Drels

. Steve Sorenson

l,lr. Thonas Gllbert** * X X, X l+* *l+* *lt*** ** I *** i* * *I'<li y' Flt'r ;1 i!

OI'FICERS - L981,

Robert E. Drets532 Smtth street

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. Vlrginla lJr:nschte #l+ - 2780 Mundy Ave.

tte C1oud, MI L931.9

R. Gackler{'18 West Johnson St.Caledonla, MI l+93L6

oyce Harlulcowtczcan Youth Hostels

hlgltair

lng one. Everyone contrlbuted to the

at hand so that a greateaI was accompltshed. 0r:r NCTA

ls ready to move faster and more'flrrfly ahead now as a result ofthis neeting.

level of enthuslasm fll1edof our Headquarters Bulld-

the part of aIL ln atten-

judges lt as the besthad yet and feels a 1otlt.

he edltorwe lve

ter for

3O2L Qoolldge Hlghr.rayIiLrlkey, MI /+$An

2

RUTH SACK

So keep walking and let the NCTA help you reach out for a more exciting, enriched life.

I am looking forward to hiking with most of these wonderful people for 125 miles in the U. P. ,,

Oh Joy! My life will never be the same. I find retirement exciting and I look forward to each trail scouting or trail marking activity. True I have met a few younger people like Jim Warm.els, Paul J;.s.Bar and Bob Waldron - but mostly I am meeting and hiking with people my own age. People like Bernice Baron, Virginia Wunsch, Art & Mary Holland, Clayton & poloris Burrows, Norma Bifulco and Leslie and Elsie Demorest, to name a few.

I decided to "reach out" so I joined this newly fonned organi- zation. · ·

A personal expression from RUTH SACK - Western Michigan Chapter: The NCTA helps lou To Reach Out When my daughter Dorothy married and subsequently became a mother, I lost my hiking and camping comp­ anion. (My husba.nd1s idea of camping and hiking is a Holiday Inn next to an 18 hold golf course. Oh woe is me! Where could I find other people of my now retire­ ment age that loved activities in the outdoors. Must I resign my­ self to keeping the house clean, ugh! crochetting, sitting in my rocking chair watching TV, etc., etc.? · On May 1, 1983, the Gr~d Rapids Press featured Judy Fremore•s article on the NCTA.

SPECIAL ATTENTION

JOYCE HARLUKCMICZ

Very shortly, the NCTA will have a fine, handsome patch thanks to the efforts of hardworking members Art Holland, Ginny Wunsch, Tom Gilbert and Bob Waldron. The patch will be J" in diameter, and sport several colors. Watch this NEWSLErTER for details. The meeting was held at the Head­ quarters building, which is a ren­ ovated schoolhouse. A great amount of work, mostly volunteer, has bro­ ught the building to a comfortable standard. Now chartered as a host­ el with American Youth.Hostels, it is available also for overnight accomodations. Those present ex­ pressed their appreciation to Peter Wolfe and Ginny Wunsch for their dedicated efforts. The organization of chapters, responsible for designated parts of the North Country Trail, was an important topic. A group of NCTA members in the w~stern Michigan area presented a charter applica­ tion to become the West Michigan Chapter of NCTA. The Board of Directors'unamimously approved the application, and at the same time recognized that the chapters concept may not be viable in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, where organizations already exist. Two meetings per year will be held to conduct the business of the NCTA. They will be scheduled on the Jrd Saturday in May, and the Jrd Sat­ urday in October. Come out and he:+p us make the North Country Trail a reality.

Here1s a brief summary of the minutes of the General NCT:A meet­ ing held in White Cloud, Michigan, last May 19. If you missed the meeting - you missed an enjoyable and encouraging time. Plan on attending in October - we need your support!

NOTES FROM THE NCTA SECRETARY UUMBF.H 2 VOLUME IV

3

Another Hiker ART HOLLAND

<:

I hope you can get something out of all of this and that it might encourage more leaders to take a group out on a long distance hike. Sest of luck with THE NEwSLETTER, as you sure do a great job.

As a reward for each hiker, I gave them all pins to wear from the start and gave a certificate at the end. The ones that completed the trip can buy a patch to wear under the trail patch. All were satisfied at the end with themselves, but a few do say that they should of pre- pared themselves by hiking more. miles in the last month. ·

Peter Wolfe enjoyed hiking with these people and was a gentleman all the way - Jiked by all and they treated him like he was royalty.

It \las my idea that we were hiking for seven days anC..°that the trail ran through seven st.ates, to keep our days separated by naming them to a state as we travelled westward.

It was a real rewarding pleasure to be the leader of these hiker.s, all getting along real good, cooperative and helpful on the trail. We met and talked to many forest rangers and other hikers; all interested in the idea of taking a group on a long distance hike like this. Some asked if we were all camping, but no one cared that many were staying in motels. ·

I had a great group of people ranging in ages from 32 to 80 years. Four were under 50 years and 12 were over 65 years.

This was a promotional hike and it sure did the job in an area wherE the trail needed help. With very little work the trail up there could be completed for 225 miles from the big Mac bridge to Munising.

Instead of copying it over, I~ll mail my fir~t copy for you to decide if you want the full length or may take inserts.

I wrote the story from the letters that they gave to me, but it .ran into such a real long story that I figured that you might not want to use it in THE NEWSLE.."TTER.

The 125 Mile Hike is over and I was going to get opinions from. the hikers as to their enjoyment over the seven days.

Dear John, 19 August, 1984

Edinote - The preliminary report is in the form of a letter from Art Holland. The entire report is indeed lengthly, yet so interesting and informative, I choose not to diminish it by editing. Instead, I would like to see it become a Chapter in the NCTA records at our Fall meeting and publish it in THE NgwSLETTER in future issues.

PRELIMINARY REPORT OF THE MICHIGAN UPPER PENINSULA 125 MILE HIKE.

SEPTEMBER 1984 NUMBER 2 VOLUME IV I

4

Our Fall meeting is at our Head­ quarters in White Cloud on October 20, 1984, starting with a business meeting at 1:00 p.m., with trail workshops to follow on Sunday. The Membership and Board of Directors voted to designate the Spring meet­ ing as Membership meeting and the Fall one as Workshop meetings.

EDINOJ'J<:

Ruth Sack, Acting Membership Chairman, 2317 Foster, N. E., Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49505 writes an encouragin~ word (with deer but no antelope) that member­ ship at last count is 301! Just imagine, by the Fall meeting, when we all pledge at least one new member each, it will be 60211 And by next year we will·have at least A MEMBER A MILE!!! With a lot of thanks to Ruth and Bob Waldron.

EDI COM

This Editor has sent a prescrip­ tion for colic to Bob Waldron for his new baby so-that he can get back to NCTA with his enthusiasm, expertise and creativity.

EDINCJrE TO JiOB WALDRON

I am still waiting for my reminder notice to renew my membership.

EDINOTE TO KEN GACKLER

A special happening to come out of our Spring meeting was the declsion to hold our semi-annual meetings at the Headquarters in White Cloud. Agreement was total, thereby, mandating the action; we have grown a little more in our stature and credibilit~ for it.

JllDINOTE

A membership campaign effort is shaping up to bolster our steadily but slowly growing membership. Every present member is asked to recruit at least one new member by the time of the Autumn meeting or when you send your o·.m membership renewal 1.n. · This campaign will be called A MEMBER A MILE. A record will be kept by Secretary JOYCE HARLUKOWICZ and Treasurer KEN GACKLER and published in each issue by State. A surprise trophy will be awarded each six months to the winning State.

VIC DECK.ER became President of Keystone Trails Association this past April 1984. TOM TJIWAITES (I can say it better when I lisp) stepped in as Vice President. Now, there's a team for you! It may not take two to take the place of E­ meritus DAVE RAPHAEL, but they may have to hike fast to fill the shoes of DAVE who chose not to run after a four year incumbercy. And that is not because DAVE has that big a hiking shoe; he just did so much for KTA and Trails in those four years, his achievements w:i.11 be a challenge for anyonP. to match.

CHEERS SEPTEMBER 1984 NUMBr1t 2 VOLU¥.E IV

5

NCTA Logo Decals and T-shirts will be available in the near future •

EDINOTE

.AIMOST LIFE SIZE

: A logo for the North Country Trail Association was selected by all present at the White Cloud meeting. It1s a neat one and is pictured here life size. They are available for $).00 at the Autumn meeting. If you wish to have them by mail, a charge of 25¢ is requi­ red. The number of patches is limited to one hundred to a thou­ sand per person. An order form is to be found on Page 8 of this NEWSLETTER. Note that the form can be us~d to order anything available at our Headquarters in White Cloud through our Vice President, Historian and Librarian, GINNY WUNSCH. In aqdit~on to GINNY, the logos can be purchased from Mary Holland, 492 Four Mile Road, N.W., Comstock Park, Mich­ igan, 49321.

EDINOTE

The American Hiking Society announced AJIIKE IN as a part of the Sixth Annual Meeting of the American Hiking Society, September 28-JO, 1984, at ~ince William Forest Park, Triangle, Vr. Contac

• The American Hiking Society at 170 18th St., N. W., Washington, D.C., 20009.

EDINOTE

The Western Michigan Chapter of NCTA was granted charter by the Board of Directors at the Spring meeting. This group is under the leadership of Jim Warness, a most active and capable guy. The chap­ ter has a trail load of enthusi­ astic and supportive people. It is expected to lead the way for future chapters all along the route of the NCT. Their meetings will be the third Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m., at the Plymouth Fire Protection office, 696 Ply­ mouth, N. E., Grand Rapids. Any­ one interested can call Jim War­ ness or write to him at the meet­ ing place address.

EDI COM

The FLT News featured the speech given by Tom Gilbert at the Ann­ ual Meeting that dealt with the history of the NCT and the NCTA. Tom presented a superb and cred­ ible message for understanding and cooperation between NCTA and all other organizations along the route of scr.

Richard Harrison, present presiden of the highly active Finger Lakes Trail Conference spoke encourag­ ing words of cooperation between FLTC and NCTA.

News from New York State - via the Finger Lakes Trail Newn:

EDINOTE

SEPTEMBER 1984 NlWJ3ZR 2 VOLUME IV

6

To be continued in Volume V, Number 1, Spring 1985.

Allowaqle and Recommended Grade: The maximum grade for the trail is 10%. Hillsides greater than this should be traversed diagonally or by incorporating switch backs to bring the grade within allowable limits. It is reco­ mmended that grades in excess of 7% be avoided whe~ever possibl.

B. Grade Limits

Stun:ps within the clearing zone sho:lld be removed whenever practical. All stubs less than 2t inches in diameter will b grubbed out. Stump holes mu.st be filled with solid fill material, not leaves er duff, then tamped. Larger stumps should be cut as close to the ground line as practical using a bow saw. Use special caution not to create or leave a tripping hazard when doing this.

The normal clearing width will be 4 feet. The clearing height will be 8 feet. At a few locations, it may be practical to discourage trail bi.kers to enter onto the trail, by leaving a few more closely spaced trees for the first 50 yards or so. In such cases the width may be reduced to 2~ feet, however all branches and stubs must be pruned back to the 4' standard (except on the back sides of those trees establishing narrower trai: widths).

2. Trees and Stumps: As mentioned above, the normal clearing width will be 4 feet Trees will be removed where necessary within this clearing zone, subject to the following limitation. Trees will not b removed for the sake of 11straight11 trail aligrunent. Althoug occasional cross country ski use is expected, the NCT is designed primarily as a summer foot trail and should wind an route the trail near to large old "patriarch" trees and tree with unusual 11character". Such trees should never be cut fo trail purposes unless they pose an imrr.ediate safety hazard.

1. Branches and limbs: A. Clearing Width end Heights

I. CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATION'S

NOR'rH COUNTRY TRAIL Construction and Maintenance Specifications

EDISPF:CIAL The following item on Construction and Maintenance Specifications was sent to THE NEWSLETTER for publication from GINNY Wf.JNSCil "riy ·,.:ay of Ruth Sack. It will be published in 2 or 3 installments, so be sure and save your issues of THE N~dSLETTER. An outline of the entire article below preceeds the 1st installment. John Varro, U.S. Forest Service at White Cloud authorized the specifications.

SEPTEMBER 1984 NUMBER 2 VOLUME IV

?

(Optional)

3.

1.

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All members and readers are invited to extend to the NCTA Officers, Board Members and F.ciitor, suggestions for improvements in our organ­ ization, activities and THE NEWSLEtTER.

NCTA SUGGEStION BOOKX

SEPTEMBER 1984 NUMBER 2 VOLUME IV

Phone --------------------------------------~ Address------------------------------------------

Name ------------------------------------------------ The following person(s) want to become memoers of NCTA:

___ Constructing and maintaining trails ___ Building and maintaining shelters and campsites ___ Regional Newsletter reporter· ____ Clerical, secretarial, typing work ___ Membership Development ___ Liaison with area trail organizations ___ Other:

I am interested in furthering the work of the NCTA by: Please complete:

Zip Code Address Name

Send to:

Enclosed is $ for NCTA PATCHES($3.25 each including postage)

Phone----·-------------~ **********************ll-**lHH<·::*******l: ):·\,-**********************~~*lh! ·it·;·;!-!'

Address-------------~

Name _

Adult ••••••••• $ 10.00 Family. • • • . • • • .$ 15. 00 Student •••••••• $ 5.00 Organization ••••• $ 25.00 Supporting ••••••• $ 50.00 Donor ••••••••• $ 250.00 Life .•••.••••• $ JQ0.00 Patron •••••••• $5000.00 Commercial •.•.••• $ 500.00

I wish to join the North Country Trail Association. Enclosed is $ for a ---- membership.

Date --------

NCTA P.O. Box 311 White Cloud, MI 49349

Annual Dues (membership yeax rl.Uls from October 1 to Septemb&r 31)

APPLICATION FOR MEMBER.SHIP NUMB.ffi 2 SEPTEMBER 1984 VOLUME

(6) In general, NCT members in Michigan have done more for the trail than all the rest of us combined - so far.

(4) All the officers are from the Great Lakes State (except Bob Dreis of Wisconsin) (5) Michigan, along with Ohio, has more official certified

miles of trail to date.

(3) The trail headquarters is at White Cloud. runs.

(1) There are more miles of the trail in Michigan than any other state.

(2) It' is in the center of the seven states through which the trail

THIS ISSUE OF THE NEWSLETTER SALUTES THE STATE OF MICHIGAN FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NCT AND THE NCTA.

***EDINOTE***

***USE THIS FORMAT OR JUST WRITE THE SAME INFORMATION IN A LETTER****

Managing Authority for trail section (if known) ~~~~~~

Recommendations for future work: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~- (continue on separate

General Trail Condition (amt. of use, trail markers, etc):

NAME ADDRESS: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-

Include a drawing or sketch shoving trail and how to get to it.

Length of trail hiked or worked on: ~~~~~~~~~~~~

NCT Trailwork/Hile Report Form

A 3,246 MILE, ALL-SEASON, MULTI-USE, NON-MOTORIZED, NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORICAL TRAIL FROM NEW YORK TO NORTH DAKOTA.

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