The South District of Shenandoah National Park is different. There are fewer tourists and less tourist development in this district, Loft Mountain Campground notwithstanding. There are more designated wilderness areas, and more of them touch the Appalachian Trail, than elsewhere in the Park. At points, the Park is narrower than in the other districts. Most of the 37 PATC maintainers either live locally or come out from Tidewater—Virginia Beach & Norfolk—while fewer are residents of the Washington D.C. metro area. Two regional PATC chapters, Charlottesville and Southern Shenandoah Valley, work within this district.

Overseers

Overseer activity in 2009 was, overall, very efficient and effective. The PATC volunteer overseer “population” tends to be very stable over a long period of time. Commitment, perseverance, and stability are their strong points. The only major concern results from the fact that the population is aging and we, as a Club, do not seem to be particularly strong in recruiting new co-overseers and crew members. We need to build a stronger public relations program with local media and schools to help overcome this, which will become a problem in the near term.

Chapters

Comments from members of the Charlottesville and Southern Shenandoah Valley chapters point to similar issues regarding recruitment and participation in trail projects, at least those for the Appalachian Trail in the Park.

• Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter seems to attract more people for the project it is conducting on Carr Mountain—the Carr Mountain Trail and the Great Eastern Trail. Of course, this is based on anecdotal “evidence” at best.
• Apparently, fewer members of the Charlottesville Chapter have participated in that organization’s A.T. projects over the past couple of years. Their hiking program continues to enjoy strong participation, to the best of my knowledge.

Recruitment for both chapters seems to be an issue.

Recommendation

If the Club develops a stronger public relations program in this region, that should help both chapters with recruiting. Their basic programs are not “the problem,” if use of that term is appropriate.

Weather

Fortunately, the district did not experience damage from a major storm in 2009. Although the winter of 2008–2009 was again mild, rainfall in the spring and summer prevented another draught.

Management Actions

• Bill Cooke moved away from our area and “retired” as co-overseer for the A.T. section between High Top summit–High Top Parking Area. Howard Davis of Charlottesville, VA volunteered and was appointed co-overseer with Nancy Davis (no relation).
• Dave Pugh retired as overseer for the A.T. section between Ivy Creek Hut Trail–Frazier Discovery Trail, maintained by the South Shenandoah Valley Chapter. Mark Gatewood, president of the SSVC, appointed Eric Clepper in Dave’s stead.
• Mike Frankiewicz moved to Vermont and ended his tenure (since 2004) as co-co-overseer for the A.T. sections between Jarman Gap–Big Calf summit and Big Calf summit–Beagle Gap. The remaining overseers, Robin Laskowski and Randy Carlson, while missing their friend, do not seek a new partner at present.
• I retired an overseer/co-overseer team for non-performance.

Park Coordination

Shenandoah National Park backcountry staff support in 2009 was outstanding, as usual. Unfortunately, the Park has not, to my knowledge, yet appointed a full-time trails manager. Ranger Melissa Rudacille, whose oversight and management is superb, remains a seasonal employee.

Staff Retirements

C.T. Campbell will retire from the National Park Service in early January, 2010. Additionally, I believe that Steve Bair, the Backcountry Manager, is scheduled to retire in 2010. We will definitely miss them and the work they do for trails and the Park backcountry.

Concerns

The major concern I have is the size and scope of the professional trail crews in Shenandoah National Park. Staffing has shrunk to the point that there were but two crews to work in three districts in 2009.