The Gansett Gazette
February-March Issue
2007

Appie of the Year and John Clark Service Awards
Presented at Annual Meeting

The chapter's highest award, the Appie of the Year, is presented to that person who, in an outstanding manner, exemplifies the mission of the Appalachian Mountain Club. The recipient for 2006 was Peter Barlow.

Peter has instructed hundreds of climbers through the various classes he has taught and has organized numerous climbing trips throughout New England and beyond. Peter has provided encouragement, expert advice and good humor for over 20 years, while simultaneously expanding the climbing and safety skills and the appreciation of the outdoor environment for all those he has come in contact with. He has expanded their self-confidence and given his friendship. Peter has shared much valuable information that cannot be learned from books. He has also been very active supporting conservation efforts around favorite climbing locations and instilled personal awareness about protecting vegetation and wildlife while climbing. Peter has also organized the climbing community in time of need for one or more of its members by promoting fund raising events to provide assistance in troubling times, such as medical hardships. Peter has been an outstanding leader, a patient advisor and an expert source of information to the AMC and to technical climbing and has been the glue that has held together the Technical Climbing Group for many years. He has given countless hours of volunteer work, while showing never-ending enthusiasm and energy. He has been a mentor to more than one generation of climbers in Rhode Island. Peter Barlow truly exemplifies the mission of the AMC and he is congratulated on receiving the most deserving award of Appie of the Year for 2006.

The chapter’s second highest award, the John Clark Service Award, is presented to the "unsung hero" of our chapter - someone who quietly goes about the business of contributing to the chapter. For 2006, the chapter honored two individuals with this award.

One of the recipients of the John Clark Service Award for 2006 was Larry Rollins. Larry has been a member of the chapter for many years and during that time, he has been a leader of numerous biking, skiing and northern hiking trips. Larry has served the chapter by being the Vice Chair and the Chapter Chair. He has faithfully attended the monthly board meetings for many years, providing his wealth of knowledge and expertise, and continues to do so today, as a Past Chair. Larry has also served as the chapter's representative at various regional, weekend gatherings and the AMC Annual Meetings, and during these, he strived to enhance the chapter's goals and to improve the club for all members. Larry also served, with much enthusiasm, on several sub-committees, including ones for the regional intranet implementation, the youth initiative and the bylaws. He has always been one of the first people to step forward when a job needs to be done, whether it be chairing a committee or helping a member select their equipment.

Also receiving the John Clark Service Award for 2006 was Dick Sullivan. Dick has been very devoted to the AMC and the chapter for many years and has been a tireless leader and worker in numerous activities. He makes both new and old members feel warm and welcome at any event he is involved with and is an inspiration to those around him. He has been a prolific hike leader and continues to do so on a regular basis, including mid-week hikes, and leads them at many interesting and unique locations. The activities he leads draw large numbers of participants and he receives high praise from those attending, both for his skills as a leader and for his friendship. Dick also does much trail work for the chapter and is known for his proficient handling of a chain saw. He has also volunteered to monitor trails for other organizations at local refuges and preserves. Dick has been and continues to be an outstanding ambassador for our chapter and the AMC and is selfless in providing his time and effort for the benefit of others. He also does much as an avid fund raiser for the MS Society.

Larry Rollins and Dick Sullivan truly are unsung, behind-the-scenes heros of our chapter and both are congratulated on receiving the John Clark Service Award for 2006.

Trails - Al Pointe, Bill Burke, Martha Cruciani, Marjorie Gaunt, Dave Gavitt, Jodi Imms, Steve Imms, Anne LeClerc, Mike Parker, Dan Reardon
Young Adult Committee - Andrew Shearer, Debra Stepinwall

Stewardship Award Winners (Conservation and Trails Committees)
The Stewardship Society Award honors AMC members who volunteer at least 12 hours of trails or conservation service.

Trails Maintenance Stewardship Awards
Chris Shafer, Jodi Imms, Jennie Crooks, Henry Cruciani, Maria Earley, Anne LeClerc, Steve Imms, Jim Dowling, Al Pointe, Bob Holcombe, Katherine Mears, Martha Cruciani, Bruce Crooks, Marjorie Gaunt, Mike Parker, Herrick Spencer, Bill Burke, Barbara Kilcup, Dorothy Hitt, Dick Sullivan, Roy Benoit, Ilse Hill, Shani Carter, Dave Gavitt, Robin Luther, Dick Schaffner, Greg Mannesto

Conservation Committee Stewardship Awards
Patty D’Ambra, Judy Boss, Roseann Evans, Yvonne Federowicz, Barbara Flagg, Tim Grover, Linda Pease, Jack Schempp, John Stevens, Robert Sumner-Mack

2007 Leadership Roster

Fri-Sun March 2-4 X-C Skiing Classic, Craftsbury, VT, a scenic Vermont village known for reliable snow and miles of New England charm. Weekend includes delicious, hot, homemade meals : 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, 2 per room, shared bath. Skiing – No charge. BYO Social Hour. For active, intermediate skiers. $186.pp. Phone to qualify L Jack Schempp (331 4553).

Fri-Sun March 2-4 Mt Moosilauke by the Glencliff Trail:  Join us for a section of the AT to hike to a classic NH 4000 footer. 8 miles with 3,300 ft elevation gain with moderate to steep terrain, some above tree line travel, for well-conditioned hikers with some winter experience.  Sunday hike, leaders’ choice. Cost $128, including lodging Fri. & Sat. nights at Kinsman Lodge B & B, 2 breakfasts and 1 dinner.  L Sean Buckley (860-546-0635 or sean.buckley1@mac.com), CL Peter Broderick (207-778-0801).

Sun March 4 Snowshoe Ramble in Pack Monadnocks. Easy-going day hike with snowshoes or stabilizers depending on snow conditions. Beginners welcome. Carpool from RI with early start. L Gwen Jones (hiker.gwen@gmail.com). Reg/w CL Steve Harrison (270-3363).

Wed March 7 Hike and Social. Location: Leaders Choice at 6pm. For information phone Bob Cilette (529-1611).

Sat March 10 Beach Pond South Hike in Arcadia. (Canceled, to be rescheduled) L’s Choice from Beach Pond, to include part of the southern Tippecansett Trail. Exact route will depend on the weather conditions, 6 or more miles at a moderate pace. Reg/with L John Stevens (295-4203 call 7-9pm only, or stevens.john.m@cox.net).

Sat March 10 Hike and Social. Hike along the Blackstone Canal in Lincoln, meet at 11am, approx. 5 miles. Rain cancels. Hike L Janet Harris. For information phone Bob Cilette (529-1611).

Sat March 10 Tour the Apeiron House in Coventry, meet at 9:40am, guided tour 10-12pm. More than 50 environmentally friendly building systems, technologies and products that provide ideas for reducing energy and heating expense by 70%. Donation $5.00. Res/with CL Carol Richards (434-8448) or L Jack Schempp (331-4553). Directions at www.apeiron.org.

Sun March 11 East Beach Walk, Charlestown: easy 5 mile hike on the beach. Bring snacks, and hot beverages if you like, inclement weather cancels. Please dress appropriately L’s Roberta and Lou Jacobs (315-0165).

Wed March 14 Hike and Social. Location: Leaders Choice at 6pm. For information phone Bob Cilette (529-1611)

Thurs March 15 Trails Committee Meeting Contact Anne at 823-1397 or Marge at 295-7101

Fri-Sun March 16-18 Mt Moriah Weekend: day hike to Mt Moriah by the Stony Brook Trail. 10 miles with 3,200 ft elevation gain. Challenging, all day hike, early start, late finish, for experienced, well-conditioned winter hikers. Sunday, leaders’ choice. Stay at Pinkham Friday and Saturday nights. Cost $145, includes 2 breakfasts and 1 dinner. Sign up by February 12. L Charlie Killam (508 252-4349), CL Jim Dunn (294-2520).

Sat March 17 Early Spring Stroll Sachuest Point NWR: (canceled) Bundle up for a walk along the trails around Sachuest Point National Wildlife Reserve. The spectacular rocky shore will be sure to harboring interesting sea waterfowl before their northern migration. Bring binoculars and comfortable shoes for this three mile walk. 10:00am-12:00am L Judy Boss (295-7478)

Sat March 17 Hike in Charlestown, (canceled) the North/South trail and Vin Gormley Trail in Burlingame Park (9-10 miles). Meet at 9am in the parking lot of Burlingame Campground entrance. Bring lunch, snacks, and water, boots req’d. L Maria Earley (789-8331)

Sun March 18 See the Seals at Rome Pt: (new) URI Oceanographer Bob Kenney will point out and comment upon Seals and marine life at one of the best locations in RI. Starts at noon to catch low tide. Families Welcomed. Donation. Contact Leader Bob Sumner-Mack to reserve (723-3625)

Sun March 18 Great Swamp Hike: a beautiful 5 mile walk in your hiking boots. Bring a snack, water and snowshoes if snow; rain cancels. L Adele Holcombe (789-2574).

Wed March 21 Hike and Social. South County Bike Path. (updated) Meet at Kingston RR Station Time: 6:00 PM. For information please phone Bob Cilette (529-1611)

Fri-Sat Mar 23-24 Post-Winter Hike - Webster-Jackson: (Revised) Enjoy this popular route in winter conditions without the crowds. Appprox. 7 miles, 2500 ft elevation gain, 6 hours. For fit winter hikers with appropriate equipment. Ideal for first year winter hikers, or those wanting a relaxed day. Limited number of snowshoes & crampons for rent. $50 fee includes 1 nights hotel lodging & 1 breakfast. L Ed Poyer. 783-6623, Mon.- Thurs. 8-10pm. or ph. 783-6623

Sat March 24 Parker Woodlands Hike: bring lunch, snacks and plenty of water for this 7 mile hike. Wear proper clothing in layers depending on the weather, hiking boots required, it might be very wet in certain areas.. Inclement weather cancels. L Lou Jacobs (315-0165 or Lou_Jacobs@yahoo.com).

Wed March 28 Hike and Social. Location: Leaders Choice at 6pm. For information phone Bob Cilette (529-1611)

Sat March 31 Arcadia Spring Traverse Hike: a beautiful 10 mile woods and stream hike from the old Pine Top ski area via parts of the North South Trail following a stream, pick-up the Breakheart Trail, over Penny Hill, around Breakheart pond to the J.B. Hudson trail following the stream to Rt 165 parking lot. Start 9am, 5 hours, with lunch stop. Trail can be wet, please bring good boots and an extra pair of socks. Call L Bob Holcombe (789-2574) for final instructions, spotting cars and meeting location.

Sat March 31-Trail Improvements to Barrington's Veterans Memorial Park (new) Join with trails committee members in building some boardwalk bridging over a few wet areas and streams on trails in this scenic Town park that abuts Brickyard Pond. Some other tasks may include placing wood chips over an eroded portion of the trail and some minor brushing of a few sections of the trail. Contact L. Chris Shafer at 222-2797-ext. 7511 (daytime) or 789-8331 (evenings) to register and for starting time and directions to meeting point. CL's Henry Cruciani and Susan Jones. If heavy rain forecasted, event will be postponed to Sunday, April 1.

Sat April 7 Hike Bluff Point Park, CT: 5 miles, beautiful view of Long Island Sound. If lucky we might see a submarine. Bring water, lunch or snack. Torrential rain cancels. L Katherine Mears (348-9413).

Sun April 8 Arcadia Trail Hike: 7.5 miles with some ups and downs and a very rocky area with boulders. Wear hiking boots, bring lunch and water. L Adele Holcombe (789-2574)

Tuesday April 10 Local Hikes Meeting at North Kingstown Stop & Shop meeting room at 6:30pm, all are welcome. L Herrick Spencer (723-1974 or spencer295@cox.net).

Sat April 14 Hike Barn Island, CT: a nice easy hike on the Connecticut’s shore, only a few miles from Westerly. L’s Roberta and Lou Jacobs (315-0165).

Sat & Sun, April 14 & 15 – SOLO Basic Wilderness First Aid: Red Cross first aid training is certainly helpful, but when you are in a backwoods situation, you need more. This course will provide the knowledge you will need to deal with medical emergencies when you are more than one hour from medical care. In addition to patient assessment, this course will teach you how to treat immediate life threats, disabling injuries, hypothermia and other environmental hazards, fractures, sprains and more. This is a two day course and will be taught at Camp Hoffman in West Kingston, RI. The course will be taught by the outstanding instructors from Stonehearth Outdoor Learning Opportunities (SOLO).
Pre-registration for volunteer leaders will begin January 10. Narragansett Chapter leaders will receive a special rate of $60. Registration for all others will begin on February 1, and will cost $115 for Narragansett Chapter members and $165 for all others. The fee covers all instruction and materials and does not include lodging or meals. Register early, as this course has been a sellout for the past several years. For registration information, call Linda Pease (351-2234).

Saturdays April 14, 21, 28 Beginner Rock Climbing Course: Register Now! Course fills-up early. Course consists of 3 progressive classes of instruction intended for beginning climbers and those gym climbers who want to make the transition to the outdoors. Classes are held at nearby crags in MA and CT. Must be 18-years old or 15 if accompanied by a parent/guardian. Fee for 3-day course: AMC member $60, Non-member $100. Student discount, AMC member $40, Non-member $80. Contact L’s Brian Phillips (783-0133, bphillips38@cox.net), or Peter Barlow (860-675-3772).

Sat April 14 Start your spring cleaning at the Johnston Landfill. Get rid of old paint and other toxic materials at the ECO DEPOT. Special day for dumping your old PC, TV, other electronics. Learn about the landfill and how properly re-cycling electronics properly keeps our water clean. Then join us for a visit to Dame Farm and a ramble through Snake Den Preserve both also in Johnston. L’s Linda Pease (351-2234), Bob Sumner-Mack (793 3625)

Sat April 14 Ultimate Earth Day Clean Up – Colt State Park, Bristol: at 9:30am join your friends in sprucing up the park. Contact L’s Jack Schempp (331-4553) or Barbara Flagg (487-4376)

Thurs. April 19 New Member and Prospective Member Potluck Social: 6:30–9:30pm at Save the Bay, 100 Save the Bay Dr., Providence. New, old and prospective members welcome. Meet, eat, socialize and learn what the AMC has planned for the upcoming season. Meet committee leaders and get a feel for what they have to offer. For information contact P.J. Bailey (pj_bailey@mindspring.com).

Sat April 21 AMC Conservation & Trails Earth Day Project See April edition of Gazette for details

Thurs. evening May 10 and Sat. May 12: Map & Compass Workshop and Off Trail Practice: Learn to find your way in the back country. Topics include reading map symbols & contour lines, matching the terrain to the map, taking & using bearings, orienting map & compass, declination, determining your location and planning your route. Practice skills in the woods on Saturday. $15 includes map and materials. Register with Linda Pease 351-2234.

Fri-Mon May 25-28 High Peaks of the Pemigewasset Wilderness: Twinway Traverse – Inter-Chapter trip: Enjoy view from North & South Twin, Buyot, Zealand, Hale and possibly Mt. Bond. Challenging trip (some bushwhacking, high water: possibly some snow) via North Twin, Twinway, & Mt. Hale. Or those in good condition with recent mountain hiking experience. Moderately paced, 9 miles, 3000 Ft elevation gain, 9 hours per day. $125 fee includes hostel, 2 nights at Huts (caretaker basis), 3 breakfasts & 2 dinners. L Ed Poyer, For details, email CL Denise Poyer ph. 783-6623.

Fri-Sat June 22–30 Spectacular Day Hikes: Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks. The Grand Tetons pack a stunning presence, 12000 ft snow covered granite peaks studded with lakes, streams, and meadows. Two days in Yellowstone, intermediate day hikes, 8–12 miles, elev. gains to 3000 ft. Dine out evenings. For strong hikers with recent mountain experience, moderate speed. $1450 plus airfare, it includes lodging, most meals, van, park fees. Phone to qualify/w L Jack Schempp (331-4553) or CL Jerry Bernardini (886–4735).

Fri–Mon Jun 29–Jul 2 Adirondacks High Peaks New: Enjoy 3-days of dayhikes to Adirondacks High Peaks 4000' footers. 2 levels of hikes each day: moderate (6-8 miles, 2000'+ gain), or challenging (10+ miles, 3500'+ gain). For fit, experienced mountain hikers.$195.00 includes 3 nights lodging at cozy Adirondack lodge, 3 breakfasts, 2 dinners. Space is limited, register early. Reg. with L Sean Buckley (860-546-0635) or sean.buckley1@mac.com CL Ed Poyer, Tom Grasso.

Sun-Mon July 8–16 Best Day Hikes in the Magnificent Canadian Rockies Wilderness. A Nat. Geographic , one of 10“ must see wilderness”. Famous for countless peaks, huge glaciers, waterfalls, flowering meadows, wildlife. Breathtaking! Intermediate day hikes, 8–13 miles, with gains to 3000 ft. Hostels, dinner out. Fun! For strong hikers w/ Mt experience, moderate speed. $1350 plus airfare, it includes lodging, most meals, van, park fees. Phone to qualify/w L Jack Schempp (331-4553) or CL Jerry Bernardini (886-4735).