South ShenandoahWhoop Ti-Ay! — New South District Tools Cache Opens
Take Note—All who maintain the Appalachian Trail and Blue-Blazed side trails in the South District of Shenandoah National Park!
Last summer, South District NPS Ranger Stacy Scully suggested that PATC move our tools cache from the former Fire Cache/Garage to the recently update SAR Shed. Steve Bair, District Manager for Blue Blazed Side Trails, accepted with alacrity and set about making this happen.
Well, it’s happened!
Steve, using PATC funds, purchased the lumber needed to construct the rodent-proof “cage” needed to secure components and consumables such as strap harnesses for the Stihl brushcutters, safety helmets, and such from wood rats and field mice. He designed the enclosure and spent at least 80 hours of his personal time—assisted by Mark Gatewood, our Co-District Manager for the A.T.—to build it.
On Thursday, April 7th, Steve, Mark, and Heather Warren (South District tools cache manager & A.T. maintainer) moved our tools and all other PATC materials from the former cache to our new “home.”
We are grateful to Ranger Stacy Scully and her staff for their generosity and support. All of us who use the new cache are indebted to Steve Bair, Mark Gatewood, and Heather Warren for their work.