2011-2012 Member Challenge

The Buckey Trail Association Annual Membership Meeting is being held on April 29, 2012 during the first annual Buckeye TrailFest at Kings Domain.

The BTA sponsored 1st Annual Buckeye TrailFest is being held April 26,27, 28, and 29. It starts Thursday evening with dinner followed by a presentation from Mike Fanelli who traveled the world backpacking. The TrailFest ends Sunday morning with the BTA annual membership meeting. All the Buckeye TrailFest information is available on the Buckeye TrailFest web site. Please visit that site for events and registration information. You can register now and receive an early bird discount!

The BTA is looking for Volunteers!

• Committee members to help promote the BTA.
• Scholarsip Committee Co-Chair
• Trail Maintainer at West Branch State Park

The Henry County Park District which hosts the BT on newly developed trail along canal land, has a new blogspot. Take a look at what they are doing up in northwest Ohio. http://henrycountyparks.blogspot.com/

BT through hiker, Bruce Purdy aka "Poppie", is currently hiking in the Cleveland area on his way back to Milford where he started his hike in August. The following link is to an article about his hike published in the Columbus Messenger on Sept. 15, 2011. http://www.columbusmessenger.com/NC/0/10474.html

BTA Through Hiker - On March 20th, 2011 Andy "Captain Blue" Niekamp set out on a hiking journey on Ohio's Buckeye Trail. His journey started at Deeds Point in Dayton. The goal of his hike was to hike on the Buckeye Trail for as long as it was fun. Over 1,400 miles and 88 days later Captain Blue returned to Dayton on the Buckeye Trail, the longest circular trail in the nation, after completing the entire Buckeye Trail. His presentation titled "Thru Hiking The Buckeye Trail - A 1,400 Mile Journey Around Ohio" will take you on a foot journey around Ohio. His beautiful photos and narrative will surely inspire you to hike on the Buckeye Trail. Come get acquainted with Ohio's backyard trail.

Andy will be presenting at various locations around the area. Please see the Events Page for more details about these locations.

Bette Lou Higgins, Artistic Director for Eden Valley Enterprises, has completed the first phase of a project about "Grandma" Emma Gatewood, a founding member of the BTA.

In 1955, Emma Gatewood was 67 years old. She had raised 11 children. And now she had become the first woman to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail! The premier showing of her amazing story was Tuesday, November 1, 2011. For information about the story telling program contact Bette Lou directly.

Emma Gatewood project links:

• Bette Lou's blog about the Emma Gatewood project is at: http://grandmagatewood.wordpress.com/category/about-emma/
• For a complete summary of this project read report at: http://www.edenvalleyenterprises.org/progdesc/gatewood/progress.htm
• In the meantime, why not enjoy a song about Grandma Gatewood written by Mike Petee at: http://www.edenvalleyenterprises.org/progdesc/gatewood/petee.htm
• To arrange for this, or any of the programs, to be presented for your group simply contact Eden Valley Enterprises with your request. blhiggins@edenvalleyenterprises.org
• For a complete schedule of events see: http://www.edenvalleyenterprises.org/calendar.html
• Funding for the next phase of the Grandma Gatewood project will cover the making of the documentary. If you would like to donate to the kickstarter effort to raise matching funds for this phase, please visit http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2100362239/meet-emma-gatewood-the-appalachian-trails-legendar

The 2011-2012 BTA Member Challenge

A BTA Member has generously agreed to donate $10,000 to the BTA if the BTA membership can match the $10,000. This will give the BTA a total of $20,000 to assist in carrying out our mission and vision. As part of that effort, two BTA Board members are offering special merchandise to support the challenge. Also, visit the Member Challenge page to see pictures of a recent challenge event to raise funds.
Sun shade shown on outside of windshield for photographic purposes	BTA Vice President Debbie Zampini is offering for sale a BTA sun shade for your auto. They fit great in the windshield, fold down to a quarter of their size with an elastic band to keep it compact.
What a great way to protect the inside of your vehicle from heat, sun damage and promote the Buckeye Trail at the same time! Also when working on the trail, just put your "I am working on the trail" sign in front of that and you are covered. They are nylon and if you have any problems with them, they come guaranteed from the company. The sun shades make great Christmas and Birthday gifts, or just to say "I love you" The cost is $20.00 plus $2.75 shipping for each shade ordered. Make check payable to Debbie Zampini and send to 72 Wayne Lane, Chardon, OH 44024. Each one ordered is $2.75 in shipping and will come in separate envelopes. All procedes go to the BTA Member Challenge. Contact Debbie at half-marathoner@hotmail.com for additional information.
Life is Better on the Buckeye Trail T-Shirt	BTA Board member Andy Niekamp is offering for sale a "Life is Better on the Buckeye Trail" T-Shirt. You decide the price. Just make a donation. All T-shirt money collected, not just proceeds, will be donated to the Buckeye Trail Association $10,000 Matching Grant Fund.
The shirt is 100% heavyweight cotton. The color is forest green and the ink is white. The suggested minimum donation is $10 plus $3 shipping. Quantities are limited. Right now I have all sizes (XXL, XL, L, M, S). The t-shirts are donated by Andy. The shirt design is by Darlene Karloy. The shirts also will be available at the five upcoming Buckeye Trail presentations that Andy is giving over the next few months. For ordering information visit www.andyniekamp.com/buckeyetrail/

Interested in a Circuit Hike? See the Circuit Hike Page for new hikes.

As part of the effort to preserve our trail, we are sponsoring a BTA Picture Quilt raffle. Visit the quilt page to learn more.

For nearly 1444 miles, the Buckeye Trail winds around Ohio, reaching into every corner of the state. From a beachhead on Lake Erie near Cleveland, to a hilltop overlooking the Ohio River in Cincinnati, a hiker can experience a little of all that Ohio has to offer. 

First envisioned in the late 1950’s as a trail from the Ohio River to Lake Erie, the Buckeye Trail evolved into a large loop, branching both north and east from Cincinnati. The separate legs rejoin in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park near Cleveland, and complete the trip to the lake. Because it is a loop, it is also in essence, endless. You may start a hike at any point and hike as long as you want without ever reaching an end!

The trail is identified by blue blazes, 2" wide by 6" high, on trees or poles. A single blaze marks the trail where the route is fairly straight or obvious, while a double blaze marks a turn with the upper blaze offset to indicate the new direction. A double blaze with no offset simply means pay attention - the trail route may not be obvious.

The trail is maintained and managed by the Buckeye Trail Association, a private, non-profit volunteer organization. Use this site to help plan your Buckeye Trail adventure. Start with the overview map, then zoom in on a section of interest. Read the section close-ups, contact the section supervisors, and get the detailed maps for those areas that interest you. Make use of the Featured Hike and Short Hikes sections for ideas. Check the events for a group hike, and finally, visit the on-line store to buy everything you will need. 

Most important…find the time to explore Ohio up close and personal along the Buckeye Trail. 

Special announcements:

• The BTA Forum, Trailtalk, is back on line. Got a Question? Got a suggestion? Just want to exchange thoughts with other BT hikers? Then you will want to visit the Buckeye Trail Forum! This section of the Buckeye Trail website is open to everyone.


• For our members with chain saws: Stihl has announced the recall of Model MS 361C chain saws (C-Q version) Download the recall notice


• Follow us now on:
• Twitter at http://twitter.com/hikethebt
• Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=67039793763


• Articles for the Trailblazer should now be sent to trailblazer@buckeyetrail.org.



• Check out the BTA Century Barn page.
  
  
• Support the Buckeye Trail. Make a donation to one of the four funds that finance the many projects of the BTA. You can read about the funds and donate online on our Four Funds page.
  
  
• Renew your BTA membership online! The Buckeye Trail Association now accepts credit cards allowing you to renew your membership on line. Check out our Renewal Page for more information.
  
  

Follow The Blue Blazes, written by BTA member Bob Pond is the definitive guide to the Buckeye Trail. Order your copy today from the BTA On-Line Store and save. BTA Members will save almost $5.00 over the cover price when they order directly from the BTA Store, and all proceeds will go back into the Buckeye Trail. For more information about the book, visit the Ohio University Press web site.

• Are your maps up to date? Check the latest publication date of all 26 BT maps on the Trail Alerts page. Use our Order Form to get the ones you need.
  
  
• Looking to Volunteer? Visit our Volunteer page for more information