Work Parties

Sarah Verbeke, originally from Reynoldsville, PA but who now lives in Somerville NJ, returned to the Central PA over the weekend to work on Mt. Nittany as a volunteer project. As she turns 50 this year, Sarah is working on a goal to complete 50 volunteer efforts during the year. Mt. Nittany Trail Maintenance was Project #32.

Sarah was joined on the Mountain by her brother Vince, MNC Board Member, and her cousin Scott Brumbaugh and his wife Allison. Their work included clearing several downed trees and installing 8 water bars on the White trail between Stations 6 and 10.

Huge thanks go out to Sarah for all your efforts this year!

Note, Scott is also active as a local volunteer. He is the current Secretary of the Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Vince Verbeke, Sarah Verbeke, Scott Brumbaugh, Allison Brumbaugh (Left to right)

Sarah installs a water bar.

Two groups from the Centre County United Way’s 19th annual Centre County Day of Caring were on Mt. Nittany working to stabilize the White trail’s ascent.

Volunteers from the State College office of Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) and Optical Image Technology, Inc. (OIT) did great work for us in just a short time. In fact, we had a hard time keeping up with them!

HRG volunteers Steven Lyncha, Tom Holleran, Dave Swisher, Chad Bell, Brian Walker (Left to right)

OIT volunteers Beth Gross, Cathy Levis, Ellen Thorne, Rebecca Julius, Aaron Ehrensberger, Jim Hopkins, Mark Mokluk (Left to right)

The Entire Day of Caring Team. THANKS!

Ellen Thorne and Mark Mokluk from OIT are working in the foreground.

Brian Walker from HRG said we have a rocky trail.

On September 29th the Penn State Wrestling Team, led by Head Coach Cael Sanderson, arrived at 9AM at the Mt. Nittany trailhead to start work. Split into 3 separate groups and led by MNC board members Bob Andronici, Vince Verbeke and John Menzell the wrestlers and their coaches installed water bars in 2 locations on the White Trail up to Station 2.

At the Mike Lynch Overlook the team finished installing the last of the steps down the side of Lynch. They also put in place a very large log as a seat/water bar at the Overlook as well. Finally, since we had the “wrestler power” we asked them to carry rocks uphill to be used in the closed off section of trail to help restore that area. It was quite a sight to see in action.

Gamma Sigma Sigma’s Tau Chapter and Circle K beat the weather that rolled into State College today. Several new water bars were placed on the White trail on the way to Station 2.

More work at the Lynch Overlook was planned but the day was cut short due to the incoming thunderstorms. Thanks to all the volunteers for their help today!

Gamma Sigma Sigma members on the trail.

Gamma Sigma Sigma members placing rocks around a water bar.

Penn State Proud!

Gamma Sigma Sigma members moving dirt.

Circle K Volunteers back at the trailhead.

Fifteen scouts from Cub Scout Pack 67 joined together on a beautiful spring afternoon to complete a Leave No Trace service project and learn more about frontcountry guidelines. Scouts and family members met at the trailhead to talk about the basic rules to follow when hiking, especially sticking to the trails and with your buddy, respecting other visitors, and trashing all trash. We chose to hike the popular White Trail to the Mike Lynch Overlook and keep an eye out for trail issues, litter, and campfire sites.

The Mount Nittany Conservancy would like to thank all the scouts from Cub Scout Pack 67 and their leaders for their efforts.

On the walk up the mountain, we found several types of litter from cigarette butts and old gum to broken bottles, cans, and paper wrappers. About .1 mile from the Mike Lynch Overlook, we stopped to clean up two old campfire sites.

The group picked up a lot of broken glass, paper and foil wrappers, and several pieces of burnt fire wood. At the second fire site (located about 50 ft. to the SE of the first), there is a leaning tree that has a large cut mark toward the bottom.

After cleaning these two sites, we hiked the last part of the trail to the Mike Lynch Overlook. We found more small pieces of litter and a plastic bottle at the Overlook. We noted that as you step down to the lower part of the Overlook, one of the logs is showing signs of wear and the dirt is very loose there creating a hole between the ground and log.

Finally, we stopped to take a break and enjoy the beautiful view of Happy Valley –which was extremely clear that day. We listened to the quiet sounds of nature. Before we left, the boys took a picture with some of the bags of trash we collected. We collected about 13 gallons of trash on that .7 mile trail. And we have educated a new group of people on the importance of Leave No Trace and respecting the environment.

Circle K members 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 two 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:

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

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!

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.

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.

Led by Graham Ginder, this intrepid group from Penn State Circle K worked on clearing back trails and installing water bars at the Lynch Overlook.

Thanks go out to Graham and Ben Szoch, Steven Candito, Lisa Boudeman, Erin Kitzmiller, Scott James, Julia Kelsey, Michelle Morelli, Lindsay Manson, Mary Jo Dubina, Jorathan Duffy, Micth Clarke, and John Larimer.

Also pictured above are MNC board members Gary Gentzler and Bob Andronici.

Volunteers from South Hills School of Business and Technology recently spent 5 hours on the Mountain picking up trash and removing fire rings. Our THANKS go out to:

• Rachel Breon
• Donny Houtz
• Brian Cox
• Ryan Gallaher
• Jonathan Inhoof

A strong team of 10 Circle K members did yeoman’s work on the Mountain yesterday. The group helped remove several fire pits, removed downed trees across from trails, picked up trash, and put in place a large log to help stabilize the soil at the Mike Lynch Overlook.

Note: Fires are not permitted on lands owned or managed by MNC. Please pass the word along to other who love and use the trails on Mt. Nittany.

Ready to head up the Mountain

Safely removing a fire pit (Fires are not permitted on lands MNC manage)

Let’s bury the fire and not use them here.

Replacing a water bar at the Lynch Overlook.

In 1981 the Lion’s Paw Alumni Association formed the Mount Nittany Conservancy to acquire additional land with community and Penn State alumni support. As the Conservancy reaches its 30th Anniversary in 2011, we are honoring those leaders that paved the way for our present as well as the future that we write each day.

Mike Lynch: Linchpin of Mount Nittany’s First Stewardship was published in the June 2007 Mt Nittany News. It states in part:

This much is clear: before there was a conservancy, another body was steward of the mountain, and his name was Mike Lynch. “He loved that mountain,” recalled John Black, a 1962 graduate of Penn State. “He was synonymous with the mountain.”

Mike was a frequent climber of Mount Nittany, even before Lion’s Paw bought its tract in 1946. Later, Mike would serve as chair of Lion’s Paw’s Mountain Committee. In that capacity—and he held the post for decades—Mike would organize mountain cleanups.

Mike was awarded the prestigious Lion’s Paw Medal in 1980, for, among other things, “his constant glorification of Dear Old State,” and “his reverent watch over Mt. Nittany.” In the pamphlet written for the occasion, Mike described his work on Lion’s Paw’s Mountain Committee: “Our main objective there is to keep Mount Nittany free from construction and ruin, so that old grads can see the symbol of Penn State like it was when they were in school.”

On November 7. 2010, a large group of Lion Ambassadors volunteers assisted the Conservancy with a number of trail projects. One group of Ambassadors (Vinnie Amendolare, Brian Edling, Gary McMillen, Katie Perugini) were asked to be the ones to install a memorial rock with an inset plaque in honor of Mike Lynch.

The plaque reads:

The Mike Lynch Overlook

Dedicated to the memory of Michael Lynch,
whose reverent watch over this Mountain
helped keep it a pristine landmark and a
proud symbol of Penn State.

Presented by the Mount Nittany Conservancy
2010

The memorial is on the left side of the trail as you approach the Lynch Overlook. It was placed to allow visitors to read the dedication to Mike and catch a first glimpse of the view to the valley floor below.

Lion Ambassador Team- Left to Right: Gary McMillen, Vinnie Amendolare, Katie Perugini, Brian Edling

Plaque Close-up

Katie working the concrete

Starting Out

Plaque Ready and Waiting

The first group of Mountain visitors to see the new memorial plaque

“Across the silent valley stands our Mountain old and strong…”

Brian, Vinnie and Gary mixing the concrete

The Mike Lynch Overlook Plaque

Katie adding a waterproof seal

Adding a security chain

On Sunday, Spetember 6, a group of student volunteers from Circle K spent the day doing some great work on the hiking trails of Mt. Nittany.

In the summer of 2009 the Mount Nittany Conservancy (MNC) began installing a wayfinding system of trail signs at critical intersections and points on the paths. In total, we have placed 19 signs on the Blue and White trails to help guide our visitors on the Mountain.

Below are a few pictures taken during the process.

Gary Gentzler, MNC Director

Bob Andronici and Blake Gall, MNC Directors

Wilhelm Kogelmann (Mountain Neighbor) and Bob Andronici

Blake Gall with his ATV and trailer ready to haul supplies up the Mountain

Blake’s ATV with tubs used to hold Quikrete and supplies

Blake with supplies for Sign 8

Blake getting ready to start at the Lynch Overlook

Linda Gall digging hole at the Lynch Overlook

Bob providing instructions to a student work party

On the left, Directors Vince Verbeke and Bob Frick listen in

Bob and Blake with one of our student work groups

During the project we placed several of these signs as well

Notice: Traveling in the back country can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site may contain errors or omissions. Please use common sense when hiking, and follow all rules & regulations as well as Leave No Trace principles when recreating in the out of doors. The Mount Nittany Conservancy takes NO responsibility for any injuries, accidents, mishaps, etc. that might take place on the grounds of the Conservancy.