Press release shared by Keystone Trails Association on August 6, 2024. All photos courtesy of the Author, Jim Foster, Steward and Volunteer Lead.
Keystone Trails Association (KTA) recently agreed to take over responsibility for the George W. Outerbridge shelter. The shelter is within the section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) that KTA maintains in northeastern PA, north of Allentown.
The Outerbridge shelter was built in 1965 by the Philadelphia Trail Club. It was named for a charter member and longtime leader of that club. Dr. Outerbridge was a physician who practiced in Philadelphia. An avid hiker and trail maintainer, Dr. Outerbridge is acknowledged to have been the second person to hike the entire AT in sections, after Myron Avery.
The shelter was previously maintained by colleagues at the Allentown Hiking Club. They asked to be relieved of this responsibility because Outerbridge is not within the AT section that they maintain.
Recently a metal food box was added near Outerbridge. KTA was assisted by volunteers from AHC and the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps in that project. We are grateful to the National Park Service for providing the food box. The food box will help to keep hiker food secure from bears and other animals. Black bears have been sighted in the vicinity of Outerbridge recently. If allowed to gain access to human food, bears can become a nuisance and even pose a danger to humans. KTA has made some other improvements at Outerbridge recently.
KTA plans to evaluate the situation around Outerbridge and determine what is the best future course for that shelter.
Media Contact: Haley Feaster, Manager of Communications and Development, [email protected], or by phone at (814) 494-0694.
