Another Trail Dirt Live event brings out PCT supporters

Southern California PCT enthusiasts gathered Saturday, Jan. 17, for the second Trail Dirt Live event.

Held at the Angeles National Forest Supervisor’s offices in Arcadia, PCTA members, volunteers, board members and staff got together to talk about the trail, the state of PCTA and to honor a couple of special folks for their dedication to our collective effort to take care of the PCT.

Liz Bergeron, PCTA executive director and CEO, told attendees that 2014 was a good year for PCTA in terms of finances and volunteer efforts, and she thanked them for their tireless service to preserving the trail and the experience it provides to hikers and horseback riders.

The highlight of the evening came when PCTA’s own Daniel Carmin-Romack and volunteer Lon “Halfmile” Cooper were honored for their work promoting the trail and providing information to PCT users.

Angie Williamson, Mark Larabee, Daniel Carmin and Barney Mann. Photo by George Soliman.

Angie Williamson, Mark Larabee, Daniel Carmin and Barney Mann. Photo by George Soliman.

Daniel received the 2014 Labor of Love award. As the design and production artist for the PCT Communicator, PCTA’s quarterly magazine, Daniel plays a key role in telling the story of the trail and the PCTA. He has worked for PCTA for a dozen years, mostly in a volunteer capacity, and takes on so much more than the magazine. He is the go-to person for trail photos for PCTA staff, agency partners and media, and works tirelessly on our efforts to promote the PCT as a national and international resource.

Anitra Kass, Lon "Halfmile" Cooper and Liz Bergeron. Photo by George Soliman

Anitra Kass, Lon “Halfmile” Cooper and Liz Bergeron. Photo by George Soliman

Lon received the 2014 Extra Mile Award for his development of downloadable and printable PCT maps, online map and mobile applications. His maps and electronic information, including water sources and campsites, are the go-to tools for PCT hikers and horseback riders. Lon also manages the PCT water report, a key safety tool for desert hikers.

Way to go Daniel and Lon! We would be so much less without you both.

About three times a year, PCTA will host a Trail Dirt Live event in different communities along the trail. The intimate gatherings allow us to share news, honor key partners and volunteers and give thanks to you for all you do for the trail.

Stay tuned for information about our next gathering. Hope to see you there.

John and Tom Reverly. Photo by George Soliman

John Shelton and Tom Reveley. Photo by George Soliman

Author: Mark Larabee

Mark Larabee is the PCTA's Advocacy Director. He is the former editor of the "PCT Communicator" magazine and co-author of "The Pacific Crest Trail: Exploring America's Wilderness Trail" published in 2016. Larabee is a journalist, part of a team who won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news for The Oregonian newspaper. He hiked the PCT across Oregon for a 2005 series for the paper and has been with PCTA since 2010. He lives in Portland.