Afternoon FAHC!
I am reaching out because I was approached by Michael Hopper about the Eastern AK Range Thru hike project.? A few of us attended their presentation on their trial run in 2018 at Beaver Sports. ? They also did a presentation in Healy at the 49th State Brewery.? COVID really sidetracked their progress and they are looking to start breathing life back into this project.? I do not have all the information by any means, but I will share with you what I do know.
- Currently in the design phase for a
pedestrian (only) bridge across the Delta.
? ? - Currently coordinating a BLM permit for said structure.
-Looking into applying for the National Park Service (NPS) Partnership in the RIvers, Trails and Conservation (RTC) program to help with
navigate the bureaucratic and fundraising challenges of non-profit projects
? ? - Non Profit being organized is "The Alliance for Access
(*human-powered) to the EAR, (AAEAR)
With that partnership the NPS wants to see evidence of popular
support for its RTC projects.? This is where we could potentially come in. ? We could collectively write a letter and route for signatures.? We could individually write etc. There will be many pushes along the way and getting support through many different offices, but the NPS partnership for RTC.
??
The project itself is
quite ambitious, proposing a total of four bridges and several emergency
shelters plus?two backcountry basecamp/resupply centers deep in the Range
at Hayes and Deborah.? They currently believe once complete, the Hayes Range will be
safely and sustainably accessed by a much wider range of hikers and adventurers.
They are in the progressing of revising their website and once they send it my way I intend to share it. ??
Bottom line I am looking to see if this is something we would like to formally be involved in as a Hiking Club (Are we even an official Club anymore?) or I don't mind drafting a letter and sharing it with folks to choose to be involved with as individuals.
My cell number is 575-749-5368 if any of the group leaders want to give me a call.? John?? Don? ? Carol?? Erica?? I just moderate the Hiking Club page ;)?
Vr,
Jenny
