Nor'wester
SPRING 2008 NOR’WESTER
April 2008
Volume XXIX, No. 1
THE NOR'WESTER
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WELCOME Welcome to this edition of the Nor’wester, a yearly publication by the Pacific Northwest Trail Association. Enjoy reading the articles and looking at the photos that depict the many things that have happened since April of 2007. LONG DISTANCE HIKERS USING THE PNT About 45 long distance hikers hiked the PNT in 2007. One of these hikers is Sam “Mule” Haraldson from Duluth, Minnesota. Sam is an ultralight hiker in the style of Andy Skurka. It took Sam 61 days to hike the PNT in the summer of 2007. He has an excellent web site with lots of information, journals, and photos of his hike. His web site is When I entered that into the computer, a number of choices appeared. I selected “samh.net—Ultralight Backpacking, Wilderness Trekking, Outdoor...” and his home page appeared. The Home Page is titled “Pacific Northwest Trail—Thru Hike.” Below the PNT map on the home page, I clicked on “photos” and a great number of super photos of his hike on the PNT appeared. NEWS FROM THE ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Another year begins in earnest for the PNTA! After a very busy winter writing grants, attending many meetings with our agency partners, and performing general office duties, I look forward to the challenges of spring, summer, and fall, and getting out with the crews on the trail and working with all of our great volunteers. For those of you who are unaware of some of the issues happening within the PNTA, a brief synopsis follows: We did very well in our grant effort for 2008 receiving enough to put three SKY Crews to work in the Olympic Region, two in the Cascade West Region, and three in the Pasayten Region. The Quilcene Ranger Corps (QRC) will have two crews working on the PNT in Jefferson and Clallam Counties. QRC is a partnership between the PNTA, US Forest Service and Washington State University 4-H.We also anticipate having eight Job Corps Crews during 2008 doing a variety of projects ranging from mitigation to trail work and doing various other maintenance projects for the WA Dept. of Natural Resources, Forest Service, and National Park Service. Last summer I had the privilege of being invited to the wedding reception of Ron Strickland (founder of the PNT) and Tina Hartmann. Also at the reception was Tom Gilbert, from the National Park Service, who oversees the Ice Age and North Country Trails. Ron, Tom, and I discussed the possibility of National Scenic Trail status for the PNT and Tom agreed to write draft legislation for creating a Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail. Now all we had to do was find a shepherd in Congress to take on the project. With the help of some of our local politicians, we got Congressman Norm Dicks to take on the project. Senator Maria Cantwell agreed to take on the project in the Senate, with Senator Patti Murray as a co-sponsor. This issue has consumed much of my time over the last 6-months, and I’m happy to announce that progress is being made. Numerous individuals and groups have written support letters to the PNTA and their congressional representatives and these have been greatly appreciated. Eight of the nine counties the trail traverses in the State of Washington have written voicing their support. Support in Idaho and Montana is slowly starting to trickle in and conversations are taking place with federal representatives from both states. Hopefully the legislation will be introduced shortly and the first step (of many) will have been completed. This is a long process and patience is necessary. Last year the PNTA celebrated the 30 th anniversary of the Association, but the Trail was first envisioned in 1970 and first hiked in 1971. Hopefully, in this the year of the 40 th Anniversary of the National Trails System, the Pacific Northwest Trail will take its place alongside the other 25 National Scenic and Historic Trails. PNTA CELEBRATES THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY In June of 2007 in Mount Vernon WA, members and guests celebrated this anniversary with a program of slides and reminisces by founder and guidebook author Ron Strickland and Acting Executive Director and Director of Trail Management Jon Knechtel. The program, a carrot birthday cake, and conversations were enjoyed by all! The History of the PNTA has recently been added to the website. Check it out at www.pnt.org. VOLUNTEERS The Pacific Northwest Trail and Association would not exist if it were not for the tremendous number of hours, materials, equipment, and money that have been donated by a host of volunteers since its beginning in 1977. The past years have seen a tremendous growth in the total number of volunteers. Space does not allow us to print the names of all of these people. Many, many thanks are due to all of these volunteers. Special mention goes to the following trail clubs and maintaining organizations who have done so much work this past year: Peninsula Trails Coalition, Jefferson Trails Coalition, Island County Trail Council, Skagit TMO, Oroville PNTA Club, Okanogan Backcountry Horsemen, Tobacco Valley Backcountry Horsemen, Whatcom County Backcountry Horsemen, and the Ferry County Backcountry Horsemen. Many, many thanks are also due to the following people who have served as PNTA Board members and officers during the past year: Joan Melcher, Chair; Doug Shepherd, Vice-Chair; Lynn Postler, Secretary/Treasurer; Regional Board Members Erik Rohrer, Doug Walker, and Dave Hess; and Board Member-at-Large Tom Solin. We owe many thanks to the presenters of community programs—Ron Strickland and Jon Knechtel (PNTA 30 th birthday celebration), Keith & Jan Wiggers (A Natural History Video of Ecuador), and Doug Shepherd and Dave Hess (Hiking on the PNT & CDT in Glacier National Park). Special thanks go to Arthur Reinhardt, former PNTA Board member who volunteers many hours to the preparation of the PNTA income taxes and helps with financial questions. Special thanks also go to Lynn Postler, current PNTA Secretary/Treasurer, who devotes many volunteer hours to helping in the PNTA office and at the Native Plant Nursery. And Ron Strickland, founder of the Trail and author of the Guidebook, deserves many, many thanks for all the time he is putting in on the East Coast to help us in our quest for National Scenic Trail designation! PNTA employees go beyond the call of duty and devote extra time to the PNT and PNTA. Many, many thanks are also due to the following who served the PNT and PNTA during this past year (these people were employed full time or part time year-round): Jon Knechtel, Director of Trails and acting Executive Director; Jeannette Chrisley, bookkeeper and office manager; Regional Coordinator Daniel Collins (Olympic Peninsula). Project Coordinators Tryge Culp (Oroville) and John Jones (Tonasket); Native Plant Nursery staff Nate Melanson and Steve Roll; Nate Melanson is also Cascade West project coordinator and PNTA web master. Steve Roll is also the Cascade West SKY Job Corps crew leader. 2007 PNTA / American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacations Each year the PNTA joins with the American Hiking Society to host the Volunteer Vacations program. In 2007, we hosted 2 vacations in the Mt Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest, and 2 in the Olympic National Park. Volunteers fly and drive from all over and are taken to the backcountry for 8 days of some good old fashion trail work. It's a great opportunity to meet some wonderful people, live in the backcountry for 8 days, eat some great food, and give something back to the trails which always need maintaining. In the Cascade West Region , our Volunteer Vacations were held on the Damfino Lakes and Boundary Way trail in the Mt Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest. In the Olympic Region, we hosted 2 vacations in Olympic National Park Trail. Crews worked the Sol Duc Deer Lake / Mink Lake Loop and the Low Divide Trail. A special thank you from Daniel Collins, Olympic Regional Coordinator: We would especially like to thank Kit Niemann from Kit's Llamas. Her service accounts for 8 separate pack-ins and pack-outs to backcountry settings accompanying crew members in the country in which was Kit was born and raised. Of note, with this Olympian llama packer, Kit offered service on all planned trips back in April without exception while other packers mulled over raising fuel, feed, and insurance costs; on SKY trips, while some “at-risk” youth trail crews might be described as surly, Kit established trust and respect. Though raising expenses are part of the mechanics of the marketplace, Kit insisted on servicing all our trips without charge. Kit Niemann at 70 is setting new standards for service to organizations like ours and we greatly valued her assistance and look forward to more work with Kit and her family in 2008. Kit received the PNTA Volunteer of the Year Award for 2007. Images from all vacations we host can be found on our website, www.pnt.org, by clicking on the "Images" link, then "Adult Volunteer Vacations". Many thanks to all our volunteers. We will be hosting 4 more vacations in 2008. For information about all 2008 Volunteer Vacation opportunities, please visit www.americanhiking.org. Spaces fill quickly! Here is a testimony from Rand Nilsson who worked as a Volunteer Vacationeer in the Mt. Baker area: “This was my first time as an overnight trail volunteer. It was terrific and I want to do it again. We worked as a team, learned new skills and enjoyed good company. The highlight? Besides the Mt. Baker scenery, we had tremendous home-cooked food!” CONTRIBUTORS Just as there would be no PNT or PNTA without the help of volunteers, there would be no PNT or PNTA without the memberships, contributions of cash or materials, and grants. All of the following contributors and grantors are extended a great deal of thanks for their help from April 1,2007 through March 24 of 2008. For joining or renewing at the Executive or Contributing Level of $100 or more : Keith Magee, Carl May of Mays Honda, Mark & Chris Locke, Skagit River Steel, Anne Winkes, Ray Trzynka., Peter Morrison, and Terri Culver & Lee Harris. For making contributions to the Copyright Fund in honor of the marriage of Ron Strickland and Christine Hartmann: Julia Meurling, Nancy Walker, Soosan Kirbawy, Brian Waibel, Vittorio Maio, Edward Hoegger, Thomas Gilbert, Elise Zoller, Nance Dean, Stephanie Shimada-Brand, Donna Moniz, Jon Knechtel, anonymous, and Duane and Joan Melcher. Other donations to the Copyright Fund were made by Gene Joy and anonymous. For general cash contributions : Carol Triplett, Hugh & Wendy Kendrick, Bob Knowles, Becky Rosencrans in honor of Emilie Owens, George & Margaret Stapleton, Mike Dawson, Carlotta Francisco, Jonathan Toren, and Jon Knechtel. For cash contributions for specific purposes: Ken Rosencrantz; Doug Shepherd; Fisher & Sons, $1000 for SKY; and the Spring Family Trust, $6000 for work in North Cascades National Park. For goods and/or services to the PNT, PNTA, or Native Plant Nursery: Jon Knechtel; Northwest Horticulture in Mount Vernon WA for the use of land for the NPN; Duane & Joan Melcher; Puget Sound Energy; Weyerhaeuser Corporation; Jeff Kaptein of Kaptein’s Ace Hardware in Mount Vernon, WA; Helen Omdahl family; Sportsman’s Warehouse in Burlington WA ; Myrt Nickel; Art & Ginger Reinhardt; Mount Baker Ranger District; and Lakeside Industries in Anacortes WA. Company program donations to the PNTA : The Microsoft Giving Campaign matched donations from employees Brian Houck, Benjamin Nick and Grayson Myers. The Puget Sound Energy Foundation gave $600 because of volunteer work done by retired employees Doug Shepherd & Dave Kriener. The Make Your Mark volunteer program, part of Starbucks Coffee Partner Giving Program, gave $800 because of volunteer work done by Melinda Wollfinbarger. Grantors and Grantor Partners: National Forest Foundation; Skagit Community Foundation; WA State Dept. of Natural Resources; WA State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO–formerly the IAC) for RCO/NRTP grants for work in the North Cascades, Olympic Peninsula, and Mount Baker areas; North Cascades National Park; Okanogan National Forest; Mount Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest; Clallam County; and the Olympic National Forest. BUSINESSES SUPPORT PNTA Please support the following businesses who this past year have supported the PNT through grants, special programs, memberships, donations of goods or services, or equipment use. Weyerhaeuser; Skagit River Steel; Mays Honda Sales, Sandpoint ID; Ford Motor Company X-Plan; Puget Sound Energy; Northwest Horticulture; Fisher & Sons, Kaptein’s Ace Hardware, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Lakeside Industries, Microsoft, Starbucks Coffee. SKY NATIVE PLANT NURSERY (NPN) We have had another very exciting, and busy year at the SKY Native Plant Nursery. Our second year of having a full time crew, we kept the crew happy and planting all winter long. We offer students the chance to be involved in a wide variety of projects including wetland mitigation and restoration projects, landscaping, stone work, fence building, and nursery work. If you are interested in purchasing native plants, or are looking to have us assist you with a project, mitigation, or restoration, please contact Nate Melanson at (360) 661-4280, or skynursery@pnt.org . Our annual spring Plant Sale will be on 4/11-4/12, 9am -1pm. More information can be found on our website: http://pnt.org/skynursery.html |