This is our third crew outing (weekend) working on the A.T. relocation on Black Mt.
The last time we were here was only 3 weeks ago so imagine our surprise when we arrived at the worksite to find Coyote scat on top of a big rock. So yes there are Coyotes in the area and this one was marking it’s territory. Anyhow, Friday morning began by servicing the blocks and grip-hoist using a trigger lube gun. Then we started on the next section of crib-wall while Andre kept making crush. The 4-person sling was put to use but using it to move heavy rocks is a challenge on a hillside. There was uneven ground and loose rocks to contend with. We are working on the Appalachian Trail and this is a very popular section so we encounter many many hikers. For the most part they are very interested in our work and always express their appreciation for our efforts. We enjoy meeting them and take the opportunity to explain our work and mission. By late afternoon on Friday we needed to reposition the high-line so we could move other big rocks closer to where we would be building the next crib-wall. Ouch! our David learned an important lesson that you should always wear a long sleeve shirt if you are going to be up in a tree moving the high-line and need to hug the tree to hold on. By the end of Friday we had finished a crib-wall, filled it with crush and started to clear the next two sections. On Saturday while Lou was moving rocks other volunteers were making finer crush on top of the larger crush put in yesterday and completely covering all the crush with mineral soil. This big crush, small crush, fine crush mineral soil is the perfect recipe for making a sustainable treadway. The mineral soil used to cover the crush, and there was a lot of it, was carried in bucket by bucket from a hole dug nearby. Yes somewhat nearby about 30 yards down a steep hill. By the end of Saturday we had moved or quarried all the big rock we could from this location so it was time once again to reposition the high-line. This time a branch blocked the wire and gave us a little grief, but in the end we got the wire clear of the branch. Just one more interesting item in our day. Sunday, we had our biggest crew of the season, 16 volunteers with 5 of them being out for the first time. As always we met in the Anthony Wayne North parking lot then took as few vehicles as possible to the trail head alongside the highway. As mentioned before this A.T. relocation starts in about 1/2 mile from the road. The hike there is mostly uphill, it’s not real tough but it’s a good workout. With so many volunteers out today we split up into 2 groups. One group worked on the crib-wall crush etc. and the other worked on the next two sections clearing the trail and side-hilling. The weather was perfect so when lunchtime came around we hiked up the mountain to get a better view. And Wow what a view. After lunch is was more crib-wall/crush and more side-hilling, Then it was over, hopefully our new volunteers learned something crew life and about trail building, I know everyone had a great time.
We want to thank Timberland for encouraging it’s associates to volunteer. We really appreciate their efforts and look forward to seeing them again.
As with most relocations, we are going to bypass a steep and eroded section, add a few new steps and a sustainable trail. We are also going to rehabilitate a section uphill from the relocation by adding more steps and clearing the trail. This project is expected to take us a few months to complete so please come on out and join in.
As you can tell from the video everyone had a great time. This project took a lot of effort and as always, it was all done by volunteers.
Speaking of volunteers, not everyone could make it all 3 days and that’s OK with us. Some volunteers came for 3 days some for 2 and others could only make it to 1. Don’t feel that you have to commit to the entire weekend, any help is appreciated and being a volunteer you can come and go as you see fit.
During this 3 day work trip. the weather almost perfect. Lots of sun but not hot, light breeze and no rain. If this looks like the kind of activity you want to be part of, please come on out and join in, we're a community of volunteers who build, protect and maintain hiking trails.
