Border Route Trail Association (BRTA) Newsletter Welcome to the BRTA Winter 2014 newsletter! This issue has news and updates on trail conditions, upcoming events, and much more. Check out the Western End Trail Report, updates on the Pigeon River Section, and links to articles and blogs written by volunteers and hikers. We also have information on where to buy your own BRT T-shirt and trail guide book. Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who has donated their time by volunteering for the BRT. Considering volunteering? There are many ways that you can donate your time by helping distribute leaflets, representing the BRT at one of our many outreach events, or by joining a trail clearing crew. For more information about how to get involved visit the BRT web site at www.borderroutetrail.org or visit the BRT Meetup Group website at http://www.meetup.com/Friendsof-the-Border-Route-Trail/. Trail clearing information If you missed your chance at joining one of the fall trail clearing trips, oh wait thanks to the government shutdown we all did. Don’t worry, the following options are already available this spring. May 6 – 8 Reconnaissance Hike & Deadfall Sweep – Pigeon River Section May 8 – 11 Gunflint Lake in the Diamond Willow and Spruce cabins. This year's trip is currently full. However, if you would like to put your name on the wait list you may do so at http://www.meetup.com/Friendsof-the-Border-Route-Trail/. Look for this annual trip next winter as well, with registration typically beginning in December. Trail Clearing – Pigeon River May 11 - 15 Midweek Trail Clearing – Caribou Rock, South Lake and Moss Lake May 15 – 18 New trail construction – Moss Lake Trail Look for additional information on upcoming trips and projects on the BRT Meetup Group website at http://www.meetup.com/Friends -of-the-Border-Route-Trail/. The Entirely Real Legend of the Border Route Trail Ever wondered what it would be like to join the BRTA crew on a trail clearing trip? Justin Pelegano found out first hand and decided it was worth writing home about. Read about Justin's experience at http://www.trailgroove.com/issue12 .html?autoflip=31. Mid-winter X/C Skiing and Snowshoeing at Heston's From February 27 – March 2 there will be 12 hardy souls enjoying everything winter has to offer on the BRT, including the best sauna on the lake. The group will be staying at Heston's Lodge on TrailGroove.com has a wide variety of hiking related articles and reviews written by 'real hikers' for hikers. BRT Western End Report (contributed by John Elliott) Fourteen people signed up for what is typically the biggest work weekend of the year. We were to do a maintenance sweep of the Border Route Trail Association (BRTA) Newsletter whole Western end of the BRT and associated trails. We had made reservations to stay at Heston’s Resort, where we also hold our Halloween Party. Unfortunately, the trip had to be canceled, as we were not permitted to work during the government shut-down. A couple of us were up in the area anyway, so we did some hiking in perfect weather to check out the conditions of the trail to plan a spring clearing trip. It is very hard to get condition reports from others that relate well to our purposes. There were a few deadfalls between the beach and Bridal Falls, but they were easily stepped over or around. The rest of the trail to the Cross River area was actually in very good shape, only occasional brush, and it was apparent that the trail was getting quite a bit of use. Hikers at the Western terminus reported only a few dead-falls to Magnetic Rock, but we didn’t have the time to hike that section ourselves. We had added a trail log book to the kiosk at the western end, and in only a couple of months, there were 8 pages full, which is astounding, considering that the last three pages had one name per line. There must be a lot of day hikers that come out from the resorts to hike to the rock. Pigeon River Section - 2013 year end update (Contributed by Ed Solstad) The Pigeon River Section is getting more use than ever, helped no doubt by the fact that we’re now sharing the 9/10ths of a mile from the Otter Lake Rd trailhead up to the 270 degree overlook with the Superior Hiking Trail. The entire section from the BWCAW boundary east to the SHT has a clearly discernible tread, something that we couldn’t say five years ago. Mag Rock photo by Tom Suter 2013 was not one of our most productive years from a maintenance perspective. Although we had multiple trips scheduled, the winter that wouldn’t end meant that we ended up with only one 4 person spring trip to the Pigeon River Section. Phil Nimps and I stayed over and continued on to the Pigeon River on Monday. Despite the small crew coupled with rain and wind we were able to complete a 5 ½ mi. deadfall sweep from the BWCAW boundary east to the Pigeon River access trail. We also provided vehicle shuttle support for Mo Quin and Emma White on their BRT thru-hike, dropping them off at the eastern trailhead on Sunday morning and then driving Emma’s Jeep to the Gunflint end on Wednesday. I hiked with Mo & Emma up as far as the 270 Overlook. On the way back to the Jeep I met Emily Allgeyer who was starting her hike about a half hour behind Mo and Emma. Unbeknownst to any of us the south approaches to both the Portage Brook and Stump River bridges were flooded with water up to hip level. Emily was hiking by herself with a full pack and proceeded to wade in on the basis that if Mo and Emma had made it she could also. Hats off to all three! Border Route Trail Association (BRTA) Newsletter We fared slightly better on the scheduled fall trip to the Pigeon River Section doing a deadfall sweep from the Swamp River Trailhead west to the Stump River Bridge. Including the Otter Lake Cutoff we cleared deadfalls from 7 ¼ miles of trail. That left only 0.9 miles of the Pigeon River Section with a few minor deadfalls that didn’t receive a deadfall sweep during 2013. Thru-hikers on the BRT An anonymous thru-hiker this last fall was so impressed by the quality of the BRT that he gave a $500 donation to continue preservation and maintenance of the trail. That's an awesome testament to the dedicated volunteers of this organization. In October 2013 Luke “Strider” Jordan completed his 4,600 mile thru-hike of the entire North Country Trail, walking from North Dakota to New York over the course of 6½ months. During May Luke spent a portion of 8 days hiking on the BRT. In his journal at http://stridernct.com/Journals.html Luke states, “the scenery is spectacular” and “...the great trunks like pillars of a great cathedral. It is quite a sight to behold“. Sounds like he enjoyed the BRT. Luke's photo albums are available for viewing at http://stridernct.com/Photos.php Pictures from the BRT are in Album 4. Luke is only the 4th person to thruhike the NCT. Congratulations Luke. USFS Chainsaw and Crosscut Saw Certification – April 12th and 13th The BRTA, in conjunction with the USFS, will be offering chainsaw and crosscut saw certification at Bunker Hills Regional Park in Andover. For up to date information check the event calendar at http://www.meetup.com/Friends -of-the-Border-Route-Trail/ Basic Wilderness 1st Aid Course – TBD The BRTA and Minnesota Rovers are working to offer a Basic Wilderness First Aid Course during the Spring of 2014. As additional information becomes available it will be posted at http://www.meetup.com/Friendsof-the-Border-Route-Trail/ Is the BRT on the endangered species list? While it doesn't appear that we will be losing this precious resource in the immediate future, there is reason for concern. As in most outdoors related endeavors the biggest problem being faced is the 'average age' of active leaders, participants and volunteers. As the current group of leaders ages they are not always being replaced by younger activists. The aging baby boomers are slowly losing steam and need to be bolstered by more Gen X and Gen Y stewards. For an insightful article on how other organizations are addressing this important issue, tune your browser to http://www.outsideonline.com/o utdoor-adventure/thecurrent/footprint/Why-theCrosscut-Saw-is-a-GatewayDrug.html. Fall Midwest Expo 2013 and Spring Midwest Expo 2014 Thanks to everyone who visited the KEK / BRT / NCTA booth at the Fall 2013 Midwest Mountaineering Expo in November. We are looking forward to the upcoming Spring 2014 Expo April 25th - 27th and hope to see you there. Learn more at www.outdooradventureexpo.com Lori at the BRT Expo booth. Photo taken by Matt Davis. Border Route Trail Association (BRTA) Newsletter Annual BRTA volunteer appreciation picnic Save the date! The annual BRTA volunteer appreciation picnic will take place on Sunday June 15th at 2 pm at Deena’s place in Afton. There will be food, fun and great company. Everyone who has helped the BRTA is welcome – you helped to make this event happen! This is our favorite event of the year, so why not come and share the fun with us? More details will be announced closer to the time on the Meetup page and by email. NCTA's Hiking Celebration Aug 21 – 23, 2014 The four North Country Trail Association (NCTA) Chapters in Minnesota will be hosting the first ever Minnesota Hiking Celebration at Spirit Mountain in Duluth from Aug 21 – 23. Workshops, presentations, guided hikes on the Superior Hiking Trail, tours, gear demos, family activities, and evening programs are all on the agenda. Saturday will feature an all-day Hiking & Outdoors Expo (think: much smaller version of Midwest Mountaineering’s Outdoor Adventure Expo). We also hope to include pre- and postCelebration activities like a trailbuilding day or a hike on the BRT! For complete information, visit the NCTA website at http://northcountrytrail.org/duluth or join the Facebook event group at http://tinyurl.com/p8k6k9k. Minnesota Rovers The BRT was planned and built in the early 1970s by volunteers from the Minnesota Rovers in cooperation with the USFS and the MN DNR. We still enjoy our close association with the Minnesota Rovers today. For more information about the Minnesota Rovers and the many outdoors activities that they organize, visit their website at http://www.mnrovers.org. You’ll find info on day trips, social events, and details on how to become a member. Also remember that the Rovers meet every Tuesday 7pm (location varies, so check their website). How can folks actually join the BRTA? Remember, anyone who volunteers on a trail clearing weekend automatically becomes a member of the BRTA! Others may join for $20/yr. For additional membership information please visit http://borderroutetrail.org/memb ership.html. BRT T-shirt and trail guide Did you know that you can buy a BRT T-shirt and trail guide from our website? The T-shirt features a picture of Rose Lake Cliffs, voted best backpacking view in MN by Backpacker Magazine. Get your T-shirt today for only $20 at http://borderroutetrail.org/sales.h tml. You can also purchase the official BRT trail guide which includes maps, info on the trail, campsites, lodges and much more! Why not order your own copy before setting off on your next BRT hike? The cost of $19 (or $14 for current BRTA members and members of the Minnesota Rovers) includes shipping & handling. http://borderroutetrail.org/trailguide .html. BRTA board members Ever wondered who’s who in the BRTA? If so, read on… John Elliot: President, Equipment coordinator John Garbe: Vice president, Webmaster Lori Gilbertson: Secretary Deena Reisman: Treasurer Ed Solstad: Non-Wilderness Trail Maintenance Coordinator. Tom Suter: Wilderness Trail Maintenance Coordinator. Matt Davis: Marketing director Larry Quinn: Director at large Bob Westphal: Director at large Gary Carlson: Director at large There is currently a position open on the BRTA Board for a Trip Registrar / Membership Director. If you would like to support the BRTA by volunteering and can share your skills and expertise, your help would be appreciated! The BRTA board meets once a month on a Thursday evening with everyone welcome to Border Route Trail Association (BRTA) Newsletter attend. Details as to date, time, and place can be found on the BRT Meetup webpage at http://www.meetup.com/Friendsof-the-Border-Route-Trail/ Some BRTA board members at the June board meeting. Photo taken by Emily Allgeyer. BRTA contact info Interested in finding out more about the BRTA and keeping up-to-date with news and events? You can join the BRTA group on Facebook to share photos and stories with other BRT hikers https://www.facebook.com/groups /borderroutetrail/. Check out the BRTA Meetup Group site for the latest on upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. http://www.meetup.com/Friendsof-the-Border-Route-Trail/ And of course remember to check out our website for details about the trail, maps, merchandise, and more at http://borderroutetrail.org/
© Copyright 2024 ExpyDoc
