|
Site updated 01/04/12 09:13 AM Upper Dauphin Sentinel ©2006 Local News
| Local Sports |
Features |
Local Events
| Obituaries |
|
Site updated 01/04/12 09:13 AM Upper Dauphin Sentinel ©2006 Local News
| Local Sports |
Features |
Local Events
| Obituaries |
|
Appalachian Trail
Hikers Share
Bob Fromme. A Lykens resident, Fromme was the first presenter and his perspective of the trail was quite unique. Fromme has hiked the Appalachian Trail mainly in Pennsylvania. Fromme explained how each hiker acquires an individual ‘‘trail name.’’ In Fromme’s case, he acquired the name ‘‘Webcatcher’’ because he constantly runs into spider webs, face first. (When hiking with a group of ‘‘trail buddies,’’ the hiker in front is the one who clears the webs that span narrow portions of the trail in wooded areas. While hiking near Boiling Springs, Fromme met three hikers from Holland. Their trail names were ‘‘Larry,” ‘‘Moe’’ and ‘‘Curly.’’ Fromme mentioned that there are many trail hikers from all over the world that come to hike the trail and see the real beauty of America. The beauty is found not only with the scenery, but also with the people. Hikers tend to band together according to hiking skills and distances they will be traveling, according to Fromme. Also, along the way there are people called ‘‘trail angels.’’ These are folks who set up temporary way stations where the hikers can get water, food and a place to sit down and have conversation. ‘‘Angels’’ tend to be ex-hikers or people, such as Fromme, with trail experience, because they know how challenging this hike can be. In recent years, Fromme has been participating as a ‘‘angel,’’ setting up stations and spending his time and resources to aid hikers as they make their way through Pennsylvania. (A story about Fromme’s service to hikers was published in the Sentinel’s July 19 issue.) Fromme said the Appa-lachian Trail through Pennsylvania is considered a tough hike because of all the rocks and uneven terrain. It also is considered to be quite beautiful, especially in south central Pennsylvania, because of the scenery around the Susquehanna River and frequent mountain vistas. Elliot Baer. The next presenter was Elliot Baer, who gave a slide show as he explained his full 2,178 mile journey on the trail frim Georgia to Maine in 2009. Baer’s maternal grandparents, Lois and Charles Schoffstall, reside in Gratz. His paternal grandparents, Raymond “Mim” and Dorothy Baer, live in Millersburg. Baer’s trail journey began at Spring Mountain, Ga., March 29, 2009, and lasted 164 days. Typically, hikers take between five to ten months to finish the journey. Baer’s trail name is “Sneaks,’’ due to his choice of preferred footwear for hiking. In his presentation, Baer said that at first, he only wanted to hike half of the trail and finish near Harper’s Ferry, W. V. Then, while hiking on the trail near Franklin, N.C., he had a dream that compelled him to complete the entire length of the trail to Mt. Katahdin in Maine. This must have been a real catalyst as he still refers to it simply as “The Dream.’’ Baer had so many wonderful stories to share about his hiking friends, with trail names such as “Muddy,” “Giddy Up” and “Tin Man,” who hiked the trail after a heart transplant. Baer also referred to the term ‘‘trail magic.’’ He explained this as “unusual kindness” given to trail hikers by others. This kindness is not just between hikers, but with others met along the way. It seems that ‘‘trail magic’’ occurs so frequently that the hikers identify these incidents readily and usually log them in their trail diaries. (Fromme’s service of food, drink and chairs to hikers also is considered “trail magic.’’) Baer related stories about many places along the way, including the striking scenery of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and an adventure in the Roan Highlands area of North Carolina, where the hikers were harassed by wild ponies. After passing through Maryland and Pennsylvania, Baer was surprised that New Jersey was particularly beautiful. He proceeded on to New York and Connecticut and into the difficult terrain of Vermont with its steep mountains. In New Hampshire, he encountered Mt. Moosilauke (4,802 feet in height) and Mt. Washington, where the highest wind speed in the United States has been recorded (231 mph). Fortunately, Mt. Washington was calm and enjoyable during the time Baer hiked there. Just before the end of the Appalachian Trail at Mt. Katahdin in Maine, there is a stretch of wilderness that extends 100 miles and it gives even the most stalwart hikers a huge challenge at the end of their journey. It requires at least 10 days of food and water before trying to hike through it. Finally, Mt. Katahdin is in sight and the end of the trail. The hikers can see this mountain from quite a distance and it must seem like it will take forever to get to trail’s end, but eventually Baer completed his journey. Baer took more than 5 million steps and along the way he encountered nine bears, three rattlesnakes, a wolf, a beaver and an angry swarm of bees. Baer mentioned that despite all the stories he had heard, he never felt endangered by other people at any point during his hike. Henry Knauber. After Baer’s slide show, Henry Knauber of Wiconisco was introduced. Knauber is 91 ‘‘years young’’ and still hikes between five and 10 miles daily. Knauber conquered the Appalachian Trail in 1986 at the age of 66. He showed the audience the Appalachian Trail Conference Certificate that he received for his accomplishment. On a personal note, I had the pleasure of hiking with Knauber just a few years ago while writing an article for the Upper Dauphin Sentinel. I found it quite difficult to keep up with this man as we hiked up Short Mountain. This was a wonderful presentation by three avid hikers of the Appalachian Trail. The trail has changed each of them and they share an appreciation for this great trail that can only be known by those who hike it seriously. The Gratz Historical Society is a very active group and always welcomes visitors with enthusiasm. The society’s president, Catherine Kieffer, is proud of this fine organization and the active participation of the membership. The Gratz Historical Society and Museum is located at 8 West Market Street in Gratz. You can stay informed of their activities by visiting www.gratzpa.org or by sending an e-mail to society@gratzpa.org The library and museum is open Wednesdays, April through November, from noon to 5 p.m. Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month and will resume in January 2012.
|
