Potomac Appalachian Trail Club

Publication Year: 1973.

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. During the year there was a great increase in climbing, much of it outside the Mountaineering Section, both at local areas and at Seneca Rocks, West Virginia. This increase has raised questions of overcrowding (especially at Carderock), safety, and training. Within a year’s time one group experienced its first fatality; the first two fatalities and two serious accidents occurred at Seneca Rocks; and other accidents and near accidents occurred all too frequently. It was indeed a very serious year for climbing in our region. The club’s Mountaineering Section responded by greatly expanding its training program, adding courses in mountaineering medicine and rescue; by encouraging new members; and by establishing a formal board of overseers for the major climbing areas to identify climbing problems and to provide liaison with land owners in the climbing areas. The U. S. Forest Service’s proposed visitor developments at Seneca Rocks are causing considerable concern that the quality of climbing will be degraded. We are presenting our views to the USFS in a forceful manner. A newsletter has been started to provide a forum for the USFS and the climbers and clubs from 10 states to present their views, ideas, and concerns about climbing at Seneca Rocks.

Weekly outings have continued, primarily for new members and training, with more of the serious climbing being done by members on private trips. Probably an equal amount of climbing is being done at local areas by others not affiliated with the PATC.

John F. Christian, Chairman, Mountaineering Section