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MRATC Activities and Information, Week of Feb. 16 - 22, 2025



MRATC TRAIL WORK and hurricane cleanup:

The weather looks like it’s not going to cooperate for most of the week, with the exception of Tuesday the 18th, so I’m going to schedule a workday that day with a likely target of the section from Whitetop down to 601. Final details will depend on the response. Please e-mail mratcinfo@gmail.com if you are interested.


VOLUNTEER VACATION:

The schedule of the Konnarock Crew’s trail work projects and locations is now posted. If you would like to sign up, check the ATC’s website:


SAWYER CERTIFICATION: 

For those club members interested in chainsaw certification, the tentative class dates are March 15th and 16th. That is when the Konnarock crew leaders requiring certification are scheduled to be trained as well.  The location is likely to be in Sugar Grove.  Please e-mail  mratcinfo@gmail.com if you are interested in this training. We would very much like to add a few certified sawyers to our work force.

Registration for the March 31-April 4th Konnarock crosscut course is now open. (

20 A/B Crosscut Bucking

·        10 C-Bucking/Felling/Evaluator

WILDERNESS FIRST AID:

There has been interest expressed in a WFA course from members of PATH, MRATC and TEHCC.  We’ll need a minimum of 18 persons registered to run the course.  Anticipated course cost is $350 per person.  This cost includes all WFA student materials, “luxury” bunkhouse or camping accommodations, and 5 meals for two days.  ATC certified sawyers are eligible for $65.00 reimbursement upon successful course completion.

An optional CPR course, can be provided if needed the evening before the WFA course, cost $75.00.  WFA students are not required to take this CPR course.

Location will be Konnarock Basecamp in Sugar Grove, VA.  Potential dates are May 3rd & 4th,  May 10th &11th, or May 24th & 25th.

Email our ATC Regional Manager, Jerry Kyle, by Feb. 28th if you have questions or if you would like to sign up to attend:  jkyle@appalachiantrail.org.


MRATC HIKES:

Special note:  Felicia is compiling hikes for the upcoming MRATC spring newsletter. If you think you would like to lead a hike, contact her to get on the “potential hike leader” list and receive a link to the hike scheduling calendar. mitchell.felicia@gmail.com

 

The Friday hiking group is holding small group hikes every Friday. Contact Judith for information: judithannfoster@gmail.com; 276-623-2408.

 

CLUB MEETING on Zoom, Mon., Feb. 17, 7 p.m.:

Since the Annual Meeting, which will be on April 12th this year, will not be a business meeting, we will hold an evening Zoom meeting Mon., Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. All club members invited. This is a three-topic special meeting, not a regular business meeting: ideas for our club’s website; updates on cleanup progress on our trail section since Helene, upcoming club events in March and April. Zoom link:


Topic: MRATC Feb. meeting

Time: Feb 17, 2025 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting



FEB. 26, 6:30 P.M.:  CREEPER TRAIL INFORMATIONAL MEETING. Please join us for the Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy Meeting on Wednesday, February 26. The meeting will begin promptly at 6:30pm and will be held at the SWVA Higher Education Center (1 Partnership Circle, Abingdon) in the Executive Auditorium on the first floor. Following a brief Conservancy business meeting to elect the new Board members, representatives from Governor Youngkin's Office, the US Forest Service and  the VA Department of Transportation will provide status updates on the USFS section of the trail most heavily damaged by the remnants of Hurricane Helene as well as the reconstruction of adjacent sections of Rt 58.


NEWSLETTER DEADLINE:

The deadline for the next MRATC quarterly newsletter is March 1st. Send articles and photos to edithbobko@gmail.com.


UPCOMING ATC MEETING:

March 21-23: The ATC Southern Partnership Meeting (members of all AT clubs from Georgia to Virginia, plus ATC, NPS and USFS staff) will take place in Blowing Rock on March 21-23. Club members are welcome to attend either in person or on Zoom. To get on the list to receive the agenda, discussion documents and attend, use this link if you would like to attend: https://volunteer.appalachiantrail.org/s/atc-project-details?c__recId=a0qUI000002LDab


GRANDMA GATEWOOD RETURNS TO BARTER THEATRE

Feb. 6 – March 8

If you missed Grandma Gatewood and her hike on the AT last year at the Barter or want to see her again – She’s back!

 

MOUNT ROGERS WINTER NATURALIST RALLY: Feb. 22.

Programs have been announced. For more information or to register, visit

 

ATC WEBINAR ON VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT:  Join ATC for a webinar on volunteer recruitment and engagement based on data we’ve collected over the last five years in working alongside you to bring more people into stewardship of the A.T. This webinar will focus on answering your commonly asked questions about who is signing up and how we can continue to welcome new people to help the Trail. Follow this link:  Register for the webinar being held Wednesday, February 26 at 6:30 p.m.

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