.jpg "Dave driving dowels (Photo by Brian Swisher)")
Dave Crosby began using the A.T. as a college student in the 70s and joined the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club a few years later. He participated in club work trips, took on his own 2.5-mile A.T. section in 1985, and became shelters chair the following year. Dave was involved with the corridor monitoring program, has served as the club liaison for Eagle Scout projects, and is a certified A.T. sawyer.
Constructing The Eagle's Nest Shelter was his first big shelter project. Then, working with the club's "Wednesday Work Crew," geared to retired club members and those working odd shifts, Dave helped tackle structures acquired during the NPS land-acquisition program—dismantling an A-frame building and remodeling the Eckville Shelter and caretaker's house (where Dave and his wife Connie later served as caretakers)—and constructing the William Penn Shelter, while working on other shelter and cabin projects.
The Rausch Gap Shelter rebuild was completed in 2012 (see the October 2012 issue of The Register). Dave spent 600 hours on that project, accumulating more than 5,000 volunteer hours on the A.T. and its shelters over the years. Dave says, "I came to the A.T. as a local Trail user. When I was given the chance to give back, it became a way to say 'thank you' to the volunteers who went before me and to 'pay it forward' to the next generation of Trail users and maintainers. I've met some wonderful folks on the Trail—some of the most selfless have been the volunteers with whom I've had the privilege to work."
Others have high praise for Dave. According to Club President Mike Yarnall, "Dave has been an invaluable asset to BMECC for many years. His work on rebuilding the Rausch Gap shelter has been outstanding, and while doing it he continued to oversee the maintenance of the other shelters and our cabin." Fellow club member Brian Swisher says Dave "epitomizes the value and soul of volunteerism. We are fortunate that he has chosen to direct his considerable talents and efforts to the hiking community."
Off the Trail, Dave works as a die-setter in a metal-stamping plant. He and Connie have run a small, recreational sled dog team with their Siberian huskies since 1986, and they like to spend time with their two grandchildren, who are beginning to enjoy the outdoors.