On October 14th, 1973, just like their predecessors, they met at the Saengerbund at 6 o’clock in order to drive to the Reading area. It was a beautiful fall day, perfect for hiking the Appalachian Trail from Port Clinton to the Hamburg reservoir and on to Pulpit Rock and the Pinnacle. Along the way, the walkers enjoyed beautiful vistas over the surrounding area. Members on this first hike were Wolfgang Conrad, Alida Cutts, Alfred Escheu, Richard Leaning, Andy Olivier, Elard Scharffenberg, Sandy Schreier, and younger members Freddy Escheu, Jr. and Glen Schwoegler. “We had such a good time in spite of our blisters and Muskelkater (muscle pains) the next day,” remembered Alida Cutts, “that we decided to do monthly hikes.” One member was usually responsible for selecting the trail, and those interested signed up in the Bauernstube. Destinations included the New Jersey Pine Barrens as well as St. Anthony’s Wilderness, Hawk Mountain, French Creek State Park, and various sections of the Horseshoe Trail and Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania.
