The Philadelphia Trail Club Bulletin May-June, 2015 Founded 1931 In This Issue President’s Corner By Debby Lamb President’s Corner...................... 1 Bulletin Board ............................. 2 May Hikes and Activities............. 2 June Hikes and Activities............ 4 From the Membership Chair....... 6 PTC Who’s Who ......................... 6 No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. – Hal Borland Summary of Hikes and Activities Sat., May 2 Sun., May 3 Wed., May 6 Sat., May 9 Sun., May 10 Sat., May 16 Sun., May 17 Sat., May 23 Sun., May 24 Sat., May 30 Sun., May 31 Wed., June 3 Sat., June 6 Sun., June 7 Sat., June 13 Sun., June 14 Tue., June 16 Sat., June 20 Sun., June 21 Sat., June 27 Sun., June 28 AT Work Party The Willows Black Rock Sanctuary Bike Schuylkill Trail The Schuylkill Center Ridley Creek State Park White Clay Creek, DE Delaware & Raritan Canal Hopewell Furnace Pennypack Preserve Chestnut Hill to Center City Schuylkill Banks Valley Forge Park Pulpit and Pinnacle Tohickon Valley Park Brandywine Creek State Park Board Meeting Hickory Run State Park No hike scheduled Wissahickon Morris Arboretum Oh, how we wish we could remember that as we slogged through this never-ending winter. Despite many cancellations due to the ravages of the weather on the trails, our hike schedule is almost full for May and June. I am sure we are all looking forward to putting on our boots and re-connecting with nature and our PTC friends! The many hikes (and bikes) scheduled were coordinated by Auda Gallagher, our outgoing hike program chair. Auda did a magnificent job of keeping our weekends (and some weekdays) filled with exciting and varied hikes. In addition to the many hikes she led herself, she encouraged and supported veteran and new hike leaders to schedule hikes in the two years that she served in this position. Thanks, Auda for all of your hard work on the hike program! Much gratitude also goes to Dave Scheid, our outgoing trails coordinator and liaison to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Dave has held this position for many years, too many to count! Many know Dave as the leader of our trail work parties on the 10-mile section of trail that that club maintains. We will miss his dedication and hard work on the ATC. We appreciate you, Dave! The PTC board will be making a decision in the coming months as to whether we can continue to maintain this section of the trail. The Spring Luncheon and Annual Meeting was a huge success primarily due to the efforts of Anne Franks and Jill Wemple. Forty people attended on a brilliant spring day at the Springhouse Tavern. Anne and Jill did a marvelous job decorating, coordinating, troubleshooting and just being darn gracious hostesses! Thank you both! I also want to thank our outgoing board members for their contributions to the operations of the club this past year. They are: Brooks Bromley, Councilor; Buzz Wemple, Memorial Fund; Ines Breen, Bulletin Mailing and Dror Rom, Councilor. Looking forward to seeing you all at some point out on the trail! Happy Spring! Debby Appalachian Adventures By Dave Scheid Our Appalachian Trail maintenance program is in immediate need of volunteers. In order for the Philadelphia Trail Club to continue in the role of an Appalachian Trail maintaining Club, there must be volunteers and volunteer leaders willing to commit time and energy to our trail section. The Trail Club will hold a Spring Work Day on Saturday, May 2, in order to perform routine maintenance on our assigned 10-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, from Lehigh Furnace Gap to Little Gap. Details about the work day and how to get there are contained in the hike description. Debby Another hiking season is here. Please come away to the mountains for the Spring Work Day! Member: Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Keystone Trails Association Club Website: www.philadelphiatrailclub.org Bulletin Board Board Meeting, Tuesday, June 16, 2015 The PTC Board will meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Plymouth Meeting Friends Meeting House at the corner of Germantown and Butler Pikes. All members are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Memorial Fund Any PTC member can request funds for a local organization that is dedicated to maintaining trails. Just e-‐mail your request to Tom Beam at tbeam@dr.com, and he will run it through a most flexible committee, write the check, mail it. Hike Leaders Needed Now is the time to get your summer hikes scheduled with Dave Scheid, the Interim Hike Chair. To have a listing in the July-August Bulletin, contact him at 267-385-7443 or davescheid@yahoo.com. Let him know if you want your hike listed on Meetup.com. PTC Croatia Excursion PTC 9-day Croatia Excursion September 26-October 5, 2015. City, National Park and country hiking in Dubrovnik, Hvar and Trogir. Cost $1750 per person (double) plus airfare. Space is available for only 2 more PTC members. Call Jane Herwig Frassenei (215) 646-4051 or e-mail jsherwig@verizon.net *Newly elected in this position President: V. President: Secretary: Treasurer: Membership: Trails: Hike Program (Interim): Hike Statistics: Archives: Membership Memorial Fund Chair: Memorial Fund: Bulletin Editors: Web Master: Councilors: Nominees for 2015-2016 Debby Lamb Tirzah Rom Susan Smolens Marjorie O'Neill Dorothy Smith Paul Schubert Dave Scheid* Bill Franks Carol Cameron Sears Dorothy Smith Tom Beam Tom Beam, Tom Switalski. Brooks Bromley* Carol Beam, Eileen Lynn Steve Leonard Ines Breen*, Auda Gallagher*, Dave Scheid* Thanks so much to our Nominating Committee: Ines Breen and Eileen Lynn May Hikes and Activities Sat., May 2 AT Spring Work Party 9:15 a.m. 3-5 miles Class 2-3 Trail work on the Appalachian Trail (AT) sections maintained by the PTC, from Lehigh Furnace Gap to Little Gap, some clipping, trash clean-up, and water bar repair. If you want to car pool from Plymouth Meeting Mall at 8am, call to reserve early. Bring lunch, water, gloves and sturdy boots, as well as clippers or hedge shears, if you have them. Refreshments will be provided the after the work. Meet at Translater Lane at 9:15a.m. DIRECTIONS: Take I-476 North (PA. TPK. NE. EXT.) to Lehigh Valley exit #56. Go east on Rt. 22 to Rt. 309 north. Rt. 309 north to Rt. 873, bear right, then about 5 miles to Slatington. Watch for left turn on 873 in Slatington, then about 2 more miles to Mountain Road, just before Lehigh River Bridge. (Do not cross Lehigh River.) Take left on Mountain Road, in about 1 mile make a right turn on Translater Lane, a gravel lane leading to a parking lot. For Google directions, use Mountain Road and Translater Lane, Washington, PA. Leaders: Dave Scheid (215-435-9012); email davescheid@yahoo.com. Co-leader Paul Schubert (484-319-0498), email paulschubert80@gmail.com. Please register ahead. Page 2 Sun., May 3rd The Willows, Radnor Township 9:30 a.m. 4-5 miles Class 2 We start at the Willows, formerly the Zantzinger Estate, and hike through woods along the Darby Creek. Pretty views but maybe several muddy areas; boots recommended! DIRECTIONS: From Philadelphia and east: Take I-76 West towards Valley Forge. Take Exit 28-A to 1-476 South (Chester). Follow 1-476 South to Exit #13 (St.Davids/Villanova). Turn right onto Rt. 30 West. Proceed to Rt. 320 South. Turn right onto Rt. 320 South to 1st traffic light (Conestoga Road). Turn right onto Conestoga Road and take first left onto Newtown Road. Follow Newtown Road approx. 1 mile until dead end. Turn right onto Darby-Paoli Road. The Willows entrance is 0.3 miles on your left. From PA Turnpike: Take Exit 333 (I-476). After toll booth, take 1-476 South (Chester) to Exit #13 (St. Davids/Villanova) and turn right onto Rt. 30 West. Proceed as above. Follow signs to Picnic Parking lot (Porta-Potty only available restroom facility). Rain cancels! Leaders: Susan Smolens, email: susan@smolenslaw.com or cell (610-220-3412) or Arnelia Hollinger (610-687-3969) or cell: (610-368-2964) after 8:30 a.m. on hike day only. Wed., May 6 Black Rock Sanctuary 10:00 a.m. 3-4 miles Class 1 Easy Walker. The Black Rock Sanctuary is a restored silt basin just north of Phoenixville. 10 million cubic feet (25-30 acres, 100 feet deep) of coal silt was removed and used as fuel to form a wildlife sanctuary. Meadow, woodland, permanent and ephemeral ponds and interpretive trail are featured. Because there is only one easy entrance, it is difficult to include in our Phoenixville hikes. Mostly flat. Some gentle hills. Bring lunch and water. Picnic tables on site. Rain postpones 1 week. DIRECTIONS: Entrance is on Route 113 between Phoenixville and the Route 113 bridge over the Schuylkill, about 1 mile north of Phoenixville between Riverwalk Drive and Winding River Boulevard. Address is 953 Blackrock Road, Phoenixville , PA 19460, but site advises using latitude or longitude 40.152375 N, -75.50435 W, if using gps or mapping program. Leader: George Racette (610-828-5198) or cell morning of hike: (610-547-6249) Email: geododie@aol.com. Sat., May 9 Bike Schuylkill Trail to Philly 9:30 a.m. 22 miles Easy Bike at a leisurely pace (about 12 mph) from Spring Mill train station along paved or packed dirt trail most of the way. In Manayunk we will be in the street for a few blocks, then on the River Drive. We’ll ride to the Art Museum and back, stopping for a lunch break along the way. This is an easy ride, but the distance would be challenging for beginners. Meet in the parking lot on Hector Street directly across from the Septa parking lot, between North Lane and Cedar Grove Lane. DIRECTIONS: For complete details go to googlemaps and find Spring Mill Fire Co., 1210 E. Hector Street, Conshohocken. Note: There is no bathroom available for about an hour. Bring lunch, snacks, plenty of water and a bike in good repair. Rain cancels. Leader: Carol Beam, (215-327-8021) or loracbeam@gmail.com. Register in advance. Sun., May 10 The Schuylkill Center 9:00 a.m. 6 miles Class 2 A hidden gem in far NW Philly near the end of the City with woodlands and meadow. Join us for a leisurely hike up and down the hills and trails of the Schuylkill Center. Bring water, snack and lunch so we can eat together after the hike in the covered pavilion. If you have hiking poles, please bring them. Wear boots. DIRECTIONS: South on Ridge Avenue from Lafayette Hill towards Philadelphia's Andorra neighborhood. Right onto Spring Avenue (Bell's Mill Road will be on your left). Drive about a mile and make a left onto Hagy's Mill Road. Make a right into the Schuylkill Center's cinder road entrance (8680 Hagy’s Mill Road). We will meet in the parking lot by the Visitor Center at 9:00 a.m. Rain cancels. You are invited to bring friends who would like to hike to learn about PTC. Leaders: Mike and Theresa McSpadden Cell: (215-872-2011). Sat., May 16 Ridley Creek State Park (Round 1) 10:00 a.m. 5 miles Class 2 Ridley Creek State Park is 2,606-acres located in Delaware County between PA Route 352 and PA Route 252 on Gradyville Road. DIRECTIONS: From Route 476 go to exit 5, US 1 South; proceed on US 1 South to PA 352 North (right turn) for about 3.5 miles, then make sharp right turn at Gradyville Road. Stay on Gradyville (bear right at fork) and follow signs to Park Entrance/Office/Hunting Hill Mansion. Meet at the parking lot closest to the mansion. GPS Address: 1023 Sycamore Mills Road, Media, PA 19063. Leader: Ines Breen, (267-420-2331), pibreen1@outlook.com Sun., May 17 White Clay Creek 1:00 p.m. 5-6 miles Class 2 White Clay Creek State Park, Newark DE. We will be hiking from Nine-Foot Road Parking Area on the Whitely Farms Trail and Bryan's Field Trail. (there is an opportunity for someone to do half the hike as we do a loop back to the parking lot after 3 miles). Meet at the Nine-Foot Road Parking Area at 1:00 pm. $6.00 per car Park entrance fee. Contact Carol about carpooling from the Plymouth Meeting Mall, leaving at 11:30 a.m. More info at: http://www.destateparks.com/park/white-clay-creek/index.asp DIRECTIONS: Take I-476 S Blue Route to I-95 S. Take exit 3 from I-95. Continue on DE-273 W. Turn right onto Red Mill Rd. Turn left to stay on Red Mill Rd. After 1.3 miles, turn left onto DE-2 W/Capitol Trail 0.6 miles. Turn right onto DE-72 N/Possum Park Rd 1.9 miles. Continue onto Thompson Station Rd. Turn right on Nine-Foot Road to Nine-Foot Road Parking Area. Carol Cameron-Sears cell (215-813-1703) carolsears@comcast.net . Please register ahead. Page 3 Sat., May 23 Delaware & Raritan Canal 9:30 a.m. 6.5 - 7 miles Class 1 Lambertville, N.J. Beginning in historic Lambertville you’ll walk a portion of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park enjoying scenic views of the canal and the Delaware River. Enjoy a scenic, brisk walk which will include a variety of sights – water, flora on the river’s edge, historic homes, town galleries and wildlife in this lovely riverside town just across the bridge from historic New Hope, PA. You'll hike to historic Stockton, NJ for a stop off at the Stockton Indoor Market for rest stop and refreshment break (many good food vendors). Cross over the Stockton Bridge to the PA canal/river walk to New Hope, then over another walking bridge to Lambertville. If weather is questionable, call Deb on morning of the hike. DIRECTIONS: From New Hope, PA – Take the bridge over to Lambertville. Turn right into the Lambertville Station Restaurant parking area once you cross over. Bear left in the parking area (passing the restaurant on the right side) and follow the road along the left side of the Inn at Lambertville Station. The D&R Canal State Park parking area is behind the inn on the right. Leaders: Deb Bukovec & Doris Sontagh, (215-9835307) (Deb's cell). Rain cancels. Sun., May 24 Hopewell Furnace 1:30 p.m. 6 miles Class 2+ Meet Larry for a hike around French Creek and Horse-Shoe Trail. There will be about a 1000ft. elevation, which we will hike at a comfortable 2 mph pace. Bring a sense of humor, snack and water. DIRECTIONS: From Rt. 23, take Rt.245 North to left on Mark Bird Lane (Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site) Park in the upper lot. Address is 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, Pa. GPS:40 12 23", -75 46 26". For a longer more difficult hike, join us at 9:15 a.m. at the same location for an alternate hike of 7-8 miles. Leader: Larry Priori (484-459-5445). Sat., May 30 Pennypack Preserve & Lunch 9:30 a.m. 6 miles Class 1.5 For PTC Members Only. Lunch provided at leaders’ home after hike. Bring water and snack for the hike. Meeting location: Mason’s Mill Park , 3500 Masons Mill Rd. Huntingdon Valley. Registration for hike is required. Leaders: Dror and Tirzah Rom. Rain cancels. To register: send email to: VP@philadelphiatrailclub.org by Friday, May 29 at 7:00 p.m. Sun., May 31 Chestnut Hill to Center City 9:00 a.m. 12 miles Class 1 Work off all your bad holiday eating by hiking from Historic Chestnut Hill to Center City. We'll meet at the Chestnut Hill West Train Station (in the parking lot) and follow the paths along the Wissahickon Creek and Schuylkill River to Center City. Total distance is 12 miles (all downhill). Meet at 9:00 a.m. We'll take the train back to Chestnut Hill (bring money). Also bring a lunch to eat along Kelly Drive (beautiful view of the river and the Strawberry Mansion Bridge). The Chestnut Hill Train station is at the corner of Germantown and Bethlehem Pikes. The total time of the hike, including returning to the start point, should be 5.5 hours. Save some time once back in Chestnut Hill to visit the shops and restaurants. Leader: Ed Sawin (215-896-9230). June Hikes and Activities Wed., June 3 Schuylkill Banks 10:00 a.m. 3-5 miles Class 1 Easy Walker. This is an easy walk from 30th St. Station to the Schuylkill Banks Trail and the adjacent neighborhood including the “boardwalk” over the river. Returning along the trail, we can easily add going a little further upstream to the Waterworks Museum or beyond. Flat except for long ramp or stairways up and down to access the trail at riverside. Rain postpones 1 week. DIRECTIONS: Meet in Philadelphia 30th St. Station at the East (29th St.) entrance. Leader: George Racette (610-828-5198) or cell: (610-547-6249) morning of hike. Sat., June 6 Valley Forge National Park 9:45 a.m. 6 miles Class 2 Montgomery Co. We will hike The Chapel Trail and other trails. Bring lunch. Refreshments at the end of hike. Meet at Washington Headquarters parking lot. DIRECTIONS: From King of Prussia (Rt.202, Schuylkill Expressway or Route 23), go west on Rt.23 to Valley Forge Park past Valley Forge Chapel to Washington's Headquarters. Parking lot on the right. Leader: Auda Gallagher, (267-613-8212); cell morning of hike: (610-308-4811), or email: audurgallagher@gmail.com Sun., June 7 Pulpit and Pinnacle - Elevation 1000' 9:00 a.m. 8.7 miles Class 3 This is a challenging uphill hike with beautiful vistas at the top, where we stop to eat lunch. If you can manage some incline and one section where it is mostly rocks underfoot on the way up, then this is the hike for you! The way back is easy. From the start point at Hamburg Reservoir we’ll take the Valley Rim Trail to the Pulpit and then on to the Pinnacle. We then hike the Pinnacle side trail west to the Creek Trail leading back to the reservoir. This hike is energetically paced with brief water/rest stops. Sturdy hiking boots, snacks, plenty of water and lunch are necessary. DIRECTIONS: Take I-476 north (37 miles from I-276). Take exit 56 for US 22 toward I-78 (0.7 mile). Keep left at the fork to continue toward U.S. 22 west and merge onto US 22 west (1.5 miles). Merge onto I-78 west (15.9 miles). Take exit 35 for State Highway 143 toward Lenhartsville (0.1 mile). Keep left at the fork and follow signs for New Tripoli (92 ft.). Turn left at the "T" for Ontelaunee Trail/PA 143 (0.7 mile). Turn left at Mountain Rd. (2.2 miles) opposite the steel bridge which is on your right. Stay on Mountain Rd. which twists and turns. After you pass Shaffer Lane on the right the road comes to a fork (some buildings and a silo) where the sign is reversed (Monument Rd). Stay right at this juncture to stay on Mountain Rd. even if the sign shows you the opposite! Turn right at Reservoir Rd. Go to end of the road where there is a parking lot. Leader: Debby Lamb - cell (215-896-5743) or Deborahthelamb@gmail.com Registration in advance is required. Page 4 Sat., June 13 Tohickon Valley Park 10:00am 6 miles Class 2 For PTC Members and their guests only. Bucks County - We will hike through Tohickon Valley Park past the High Rocks area of Ralph Stover State Park. High Rocks has scenic overlooks of Tohickon Creek and the valley. Estimated elevation change of 200 feet. . Bring lunch and water. If weather is doubtful call leader morning of hike. DIRECTIONS: From New Hope, PA take Rt. 32 north (River Road) to the town of Point Pleasant. From Point Pleasant, cross the Tohickon Creek bridge and continue to go north on PA Rt.32. In 0.1 mile, bear left on Cafferty Hill Road and continue 1.1 mile to Tohickon Valley Park entrance on the left. Park at main parking lot which is at park entrance. Leader: Chris Poli, cell (215-694-4711); email cpoli000@gmail.com. Please register with leader in advance. Sun., June 14 Brandywine Creek State Park 12:30 a.m. 5-6 miles Class 2 A beautiful hike through rolling hills in mature forests on both sides of the river. Walking in the woods, some open areas and along the river. There is also a small stream crossing. Bring lunch, water, walking sticks, boots (may be muddy). We’ll meet at the Nature Center/Park Office at 10:30 a.m., 41 Adams Dam Rd, Rockland, DE. There is a $6.00 charge per car. Contact me for carpooling information. DIRECTIONS: I-95 South; Exit 8-B for US-202 N/Concord Pike; 0.8 miles - bear right following signs for Foulk Rd; immediately keep left at the fork toward DE-141 S/Powder Mill Rd; 0.7 miles - left on Children’s Dr.; 0.1 miles – right on Rockland Rd; 1.6 miles –a slight right onto Adams Dam Rd; 0.4 miles – Park entrance on right. Follow road to the left to the Nature Center/Park Office parking lot. Restroom facilities at Nature Center and on hike. Refreshments after hike. . Heavy rain may cancel hike. Leader: Carol Cameron-Sears (215-242-4256), cell (215-813-1703) day of hike, email: carolsears@comcast.net . Please register ahead. Sat., June 20 Hickory Run State Park 9:30 a.m. 7-8 miles Class 3 A fairly strenuous hike that will use many of the scenic and historic trails of this beautiful state park. Featured on the hike will be streams, waterfalls and a narrow gorge. Mountain laurel and rhododendron should be in bloom. Carpooling encouraged from Plymouth Meeting Mall at 8am. Meet at edge of Macy’s parking lot on Germantown Pike side of the mall. Bring lunch, water, and sturdy boots. Refreshments after the hike. Hike begins at Hickory Run State Park, parking lot for Gould Trail, about 9:30a.m. DIRECTIONS: Take I-476 North (PA Tpk NE. Ext.) to Pocono Exit 95. Go west on I-80 for 1 exit to exit 274, PA 534. Follow the signs for Hickory Run State Park. After making a sharp left turn on Rte. 534 at turnoff for Lehigh Tannery, drive about another 2 miles. There will be a driveway for Youth Forestry Camp on the left. You will take a right turn just before this driveway to a parking lot for the Gould Trail. If you come to the Ranger Station, you went a little too far. Leader: Dave Scheid (215-435-9012); email davescheid@yahoo.com. Register ahead. Sun., June 21 No Hike Scheduled Sat., June 27 Wissahickon 9:30 a.m. 6 miles Class 1-2 PTC Members and their guests only. We will meet at Valley Green Inn (facilities available) and walk across the stone bridge towards the Devil's pool but we turn off this path and walk towards a stream which we will cross. From there we walk to Livesey Lane and cross over Allen Lane to Carpenter Woods. With care, we will cross over Wissahickon Avenue to Kitchen Lane and continue on this lane to the bottom where a portable toilet should be available. From there we will cross Livesey Lane and make our way back to Valley Green. Refreshments at the end of the hike. DIRECTIONS: From route 76 travel east to Lincoln Drive Continue on this road to Emlen St. When you have crossed over Allen Lane you will then pass Cresheim Road on your right. Soon after you will see Lincoln Drive on your left. Turn here. The first street on your left, Springfield, will take you towards Valley Green. There will be a parking lot on your right. I advise parking here rather than the Inn. From the North take Germantown Ave and turn right on Springfield and continue to parking lot. Rain may cancel but please call hike leader Mary Stoddart if you have any doubt. Call (215 248 0668) on morning of hike or cell (215 206 1295). Sun., June 28 Morris Arboretum 10:30 am 3 miles Class 1 The Morris Arboretum of the University of PA is the official Arboretum of the state of PA and an historic landscape. Here you will find a beautiful garden and an educational facility dedicated to research, horticultural display, conservation and of course lots of TREES! The address is 100 Northwestern Ave. Phila., PA 19118. Bring lunch, if you want, and water and I will supply snacks and a beverage after the hike. DIRECTIONS: From PA Turnpike take Germantown Pike East Mid County Exit. into the Arboretum. From Philadelphia, take Germantown Ave. west to Northwestern Ave. Turn right just past Chestnut Hill University onto Northwestern Ave. and then right into the entrance. I will meet you at the kiosk and direct you where to park. Please register with leader, Anne Franks (610-828-2530) or (610-955-9329) on the day of the hike. For PTC members only. Page 5 FROM THE MEMBERSHIP CHAIR Dorothy R. Smith, 2142 Bristol Road, Warrington, PA 18976-1514, E-mail: drsmith524@verizon.net, Phone: 215-343-1142 May-June, 2015 WELCOME TO MEMBERSHIP Cory Anderson, Lansdale, PA David J. Wierz, Exton, PA RESIGNED Joel & Terry Rosenberg, members since 1997-1998 PTC Who’s Who President: Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer Hike Program: Hike Statistics: Membership: Debby Lamb Tirzah Rom Susan Smolens Marjorie O’Neill Dave Scheid Bill Franks Dorothy Smith 215-836-1369 267-722-8346 610-220-3412 610-644-3350 267-385-7443 610-828-2530 215-343-1142 Archivist: Carol Cameron-Sears Memorial Fund: Tom Beam Councilors: Auda Gallagher, Dave Ines Breen Bulletin Editors: Carol Beam Eileen Lynn Webmaster: Steve Leonard 215-242-4256 215-836-1046 Scheid and 215-836-1046 215-842-0649 215-628-3739 Page 6
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