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This edition included a special dedication to Maurice Forrester, Jr. who was a long time editor of this guidebook in addition to his many other contributions to the success of KTA.
We wish to thank the Audobon for providing a Kittatinny Ridge Mini-Grant to the Keystone Trails Association to assist in the printing of this edition of the guidebook. Thank You Wayne E. Gross PA AT Guide Editor and Chair, Publications Committee  KTA’s Trail Academy features webinars and in-person events hosted by outdoor industry leaders, conservation experts, and KTA staff to maintain safer trails, develop wiser hikers, and create happier forests. [PRESS RELEASE] Mechanicsburg, PA: Keystone Trails Association’s new Trail Academy series features educational webinars and in-person training events to maintain safer trails, develop wiser hikers, and create happier forests. Events are hosted by Keystone Trails Association (KTA) staff members, outdoor industry leaders, conservation experts, and/or members of KTA. “Our new Trail Academy is an effort to support each individual wherever they are in their hiking journey,” shares Brook Lenker, Executive Director of KTA. “It’s also a great opportunity to collaborate with and feature some of Pennsylvania’s incredibly talented conservation and outdoor recreation professionals.” The Keystone Trails Association is a statewide organization committed to providing, protecting, preserving, and promoting hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania. “Because we serve the whole state, we regularly meet brand new hikers who are searching for a safe place to go on their first hike,” shares Holly Tritt, Manager of Communications and Membership at KTA. “At the same time, we’re connected to hikers and trail club leaders who have been hiking or maintaining trails for decades and are looking for ways to advance their skill set.” KTA’s Trail Academy educational webinars and in-person training events are grouped into three categories of outdoor skills, maintenance and safety, and hiking topics. Sessions cover a variety of topics such as “What hikers need to know about invasive plants in PA”, “Wilderness First Aid”, “Hiking trails and road crossings”, and “Choosing a hiking trail”. “Topics like Leave No Trace, invasive species, and trail care best practices are crucial for the health of our trails and the safety of hikers in PA,” shares Lenker. “We’re honored to have the opportunity to introduce these concepts to new hikers and to provide training for our members to continue providing excellent hiking experiences in PA.” View KTA’s Trail Academy training events online at www.kta-hike.org. Questions about KTA’s Trail Academy? Contact Holly Tritt, KTA Manager of Communications and Membership at tritt@kta-hike.org. About Keystone Trails Association: The Keystone Trails Association offers a robust trail care program with volunteer opportunities available on PA trails, serves as the statewide voice of the hiking trail community and trail advocate in PA’s capital, and offers a wealth of hiking opportunities throughout the year that both long-time hikers and the next generation of hikers can enjoy together. ###  The KTA Trail Challenge is an event for adventurous trail runners and hikers that highlights the wild river hills of the lower Susquehanna Gorge. [PRESS RELEASE] Mechanicsburg, PA: Keystone Trails Association will host their 15th KTA Trail Challenge 25K Run/Hike on Saturday, September 9th, 2023 within Susquehannock State Park and along the Conestoga Trail. The Keystone Trails Association is a statewide organization committed to providing, protecting, preserving, and promoting hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania. “We’ve been returning to the Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape (SRCL) for this event every year since 2009. ” shares Brook Lenker, Executive Director of KTA. “When you’re on the Trail Challenge Course, you’re immersed in raw beauty and rugged nature, but the cities of Lancaster and York - with abundant cultural opportunities - are close by. The SRCL region is rich in history and features some of PA’s most iconic hiking trails.” The daunting 25K course alternates between breathtaking vistas with steep descents into dark, scenic hollows followed by strenuous climbs to the next vista. Although the event is timed, the challenge is not to "win" or "come in first," but to complete the arduous course within the time allowed. “We’ve improved this year’s Trail Challenge in multiple ways,” shares Casey Schneck, KTA Manager of Events and Publications. “We do our best to make changes based on suggestions and feedback from participants. It’s our goal to have recurring runners and hikers!” These changes include a course reroute resulting in little time spent on pavement; eliminating the need to wait for the shuttle bus; achieving Trail Sisters approval to provide an equal race-day experience for female participants; and multiple start time options to accommodate the diverse skill levels of runners and hikers. “We pride ourselves on providing hiking opportunities that help train hikers in best practices. The KTA Trail Challenge is a chance for hikers to test their skills!” shares Brook Lenker, Executive Director of KTA. “ For many participants, the KTA Trail Challenge is the ultimate test of physical fitness and mental toughness.” Runners and hikers who complete both the KTA Trail Challenge and the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Ironmaster's Challenge will receive a special, collaborative Iron Mettle Medal. Learn more and register for KTA’s Trail Challenge 25K Run/Hike at www.kta-hike.org. Questions about KTA’s Trail Challenge? Contact Casey Schneck, KTA Manager of Events and Publications at ktaadmin@kta-hike.org. KTA thanks this year’s Trail Challenge sponsors for their support: Brookfield Renewable and Pennsylvania American Water, as well as the assistance of numerous local partners. About Keystone Trails Association: The Keystone Trails Association offers a robust trail care program with volunteer opportunities available on PA trails, serves as the statewide voice of the hiking trail community and trail advocate in PA’s capital, and offers a wealth of hiking opportunities throughout the year that both long-time hikers and the next generation of hikers can enjoy together. ###  The KTA Awards Committee seeks nominations for four awards that recognize outstanding individuals and clubs. The awards will be presented at the Fall meeting on October 21.
Award Categories Include: The KTA Citation Award for Lifetime Achievement is presented to a person who has, over a period of years (not necessarily their entire lifetime), made significant contributions to the preservation of hiking trails and promoting hiking in Pennsylvania. Service may be in the form of volunteer efforts, publications, fieldwork, or any other pursuit that has furthered the mission of the KTA. This is KTA’s highest honor. The Thyra Sperry Volunteer of the Year Award goes to a KTA member whose recent service to KTA's mission, especially in the preceding year, is most worthy of recognition. It is named in honor of former KTA president Thyra Sperry (d. 2017) and her devoted service to KTA. Certificates of Achievement are awarded to individuals for extraordinary work on projects that benefit hikers and/or trails in Pennsylvania. Nominations are made by KTA member organizations and allow clubs to nominate a volunteer who may not be an individual KTA member. The nomination should be based on recent service, especially in the past year, which serves the hiking public as a whole rather than primarily the members of the member club. The KTA Club of the Year Award honors a club for excelling in one or more of the following areas during the previous 12-18 months.
For the three individual awards, the nomination should include the name of the nominee, the approximate length of the person’s service to KTA's mission, and a brief description of the individual’s contributions. Send all nominations to Barbara Wiemann, Awards Committee chair, at blwiemann@gmail.com by September 15, 2023. |
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