Rausch Gap Shelter Restoration Project

"There is
an intense but simple thrill
in setting off in the morning
on a mountain trail, knowing
that everything you need
is on your back.
It is a confidence in having
left the inessentials behind
and of entering a world
of natural beauty
that has not been violated,
where money has no value, and possessions are a dead weight.
The person with the fewest possessions is the freest.
Thoreau was right."
PAUL THEROUX
The Happy Isles of Oceania: Paddling the Pacific, 1992

Rausch Gap Shelter Rebuild Project 2011-2012

Be a part of this exciting project that will leave a legacy of comforting shelter for AT through-hikers for many decades to come!

The Appalachian Trail shelters provide through-hikers refuge from the elements. The BMECC maintains 8 shelters, and some require serious maintenance at times. The Rausch Gap Shelter was built in 1973 within State Game Lands Tract #211. It also includes a privy built in 2005. The shelter was scheduled for a roof replacement this year but, upon starting the work, it was discovered that too many of the logs had rotted and need to be replaced. As a result, a total rebuild project is underway. The work is being done entirely by volunteers at the BMECC Rentschler Arboretum for ease of accessibility and, when complete, the shelter will be transported to its state game lands site.

This project is a rare opportunity to witness, learn, and participate in woodsmanship and craftsmanship from our pioneering past (with some "modern" assistance!). Already we have had quite a few BMECC members and non-members alike (see below) volunteer their help at various times throughout the project. If you have a few hours to spare on a weekend, please check the schedule of events for work times. We can use your help, regardless of your skill or experience level!

Thanks to our volunteers!

We greatly appreciate each and every person and organization who has volunteered their time, effort, and skill to the Rausch Gap Shelter project. Without you, this piece of American history could not have been built:

BMECC MEMBERS

Dave Bailey
Mark Bailey
Ryan Beltz
Troy Brendle
Dennis Burkhart
Mick Charowsky
Dave Crosby
Kevin Dealy
Linda Enders
Rita Floriani
Todd Gladfelter
Alfie Glase, Jr.
Tyler W. Gray
Carol Green
Phil Green
Martyann Gutierrez
Marie Helmold
Michelle Hnath
Sean Hnath
Steve Hnath
Glenn Hoskins
Larry Kramer
John Leber
Kieu Manes
Mike Manes
Ed McLaughlin
Miles Newman
Dillon O'Shell
Jim O'Shell
(Boy Scouts of America,
Troop 65,
Hershey, PA)
Jim Peifley
Kathy Peifley
Dory Peterson
Bob Phyel
Janice Reich
Diane Reider
Dennis Reis
Dave Reitz
Fred Roxberry
Catherine Shade
Kim Shultz
Don Stripling
Brian Swisher
Lou Velez

NON-BMECC MEMBERS

Alpha Phi Omega
(National Service Fraternity),
Mu Eta Chapter,
Albright College:
Morgan Jones
Maria Levandowski
Dan McGurl
Jenny Reinhart

Boy Scouts of America, Troop 422,
Bernville, PA:
Scoutmaster Elwood Kline
Assistant Scoutmaster Larry Groff
Assistant Scoutmaster Thane LaFollette
Assistant Scoutmaster Dusty Risser
Austin Beard
Jacob Carles
Kyle Deitrich
Jacob D. Hare
Alex Kellenberger
James LaFollette
Johnathan LaFollette
Timothy Groff
Derek Lorah
Andrew Risser
Josh Risser
Zach Risser
Chris Rohrbach

Mike Bankes
Mark Doman, Jr.
Mark Doman, Jr.
David Fisher
Guy Gresh
Matt Hummel
Andrew Martin
Matthew Pouss
Dmitrii Rassokhin
Mitchell Reinhart
John Reitz
Benton Schwartz
Dan Schwartz
Jacob Shultz
Larry Sundberg (Pagoda Pacers)
Carlos Velez

Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club, P. O. Box 14982, Reading, Pennsylvania 19612-4982, USA, info@bmecc.org