December
2011 Mount Nittany News
Members
and friends of the Conservancy recently
received in the mail our December
newsletter. A link to the newsletter
is below.
The
following is an excerpt from the
lead story Lynch Overlook.
MNC
is deeply concerned about the
current state of the iconic Mike
Lynch Overlook on Mt Nittany.
Due to increasing numbers of hikers,
along with our wet weather this
year, the soil at the Overlook
is becoming increasingly
eroded.
You
can help support our efforts to
stabilize the Overlook by becoming
a Friend of the Mountain.
December
2011 Mt Nittany News (PDF)
Please
consider clicking the Support Us
link and offering a donation as
well in order that you too can receive
future hard copy newsletters.
Around
the County with John Hook -
Nov 7, 2011
John
Hook, MNC President, was
interviewed by the Centre
County's Government &
Educational Access Network
(C-NET) as part of their
"Around the County"
series.
John
discusses the history of
the Conservancy and updates
everyone on current MNC
projects.
You
can watch the interview
here.
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Circle
K Installs Tom Smyth Rock -
Nov 5, 2011
Circle
K members, http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/circlek/,
once again volunteered on the Mountain
yesterday. They arrived early (9 AM)
and were treated to Sweet
Art Bakery cinnamon rolls. (thanks
Laurie!)
The
group helped out with 2 goals for
the day.
First,
they were tasked to cover all 8
1/2 miles of trails to cleanup
from the early season snow of the
previous weekend. 3 groups walked
around both the White and Blue trails
to make this happen.
Second,
one group travelled all the way to
the Tom Smyth Overlook (Station
9).
Here
they installed a memorial rock to
our 2011 Friend of the Mountain awardee
and long time volunteer Tom Smyth.
The board has recognized Tom by renaming
the Nittany Mall overlook in his honor.
Smyth has led numerous efforts to
preserve and conserve many of Mt.
Nittany's attributes, most recently
helping the Conservancy fend off the
2008-2009 gypsy moth outbreak.The
plaque reads:
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The
Tom Smyth Overlook
This Mountain is more lush
and its
trails more inviting thanks
to the
patient work and quiet leadership
of its friend Tom Smyth.
Presented by the Mount Nittany
Conservancy
2011
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Here
we see Circle K members before moving
the rock to its permanent location.
The Smyth Overlook in the background.
And
here we have the new Tom Smyth rock!
Lion
Ambassadors on the Mountain -
Oct 23, 2011
Led
by Lauren Johnson, Philanthropy Chair
of the Penn
State Lion Ambassadors, we split
this group into two work parties and
worked on installing a new stepping
system at the Lynch Overlook as well
as clearing back trails on the Mountain.
From
left to right: Gary McMillen, Kyle
Johnson, Lauren Johnson, Sunita Ruparelia,
Kelly Glavin, Matt Mahalik, and Kerry
O'Donnell.
Below
is the start of a new set of steps
down the left side of the Lynch Overlook.
This will provide easier access to
the base of the Overlook. 13 steps
were put in place by the Lion Ambassadors
group working at Lynch.
Note:
The first hikers to use them was
a group of blind/low vision hikers.
It was just a humbling experience
to witness their arrival at the
Overlook with their helpers.
Below
is the start of the new access to
the Overlook (which will open in Spring
2012). 15 waterbars were placed on
what will be the new access trail.
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