Ok same location, another weekend. This was our forth crew outing (weekend) working on the Appalachian Trail relocation on Black Mt.
Lately there has been little rain on Black Mt. so the ground is dry, very dry. In fact the ground is so dry it is now dust. Every step, every movement of rocks is accompanied by a cloud of dust. But in spite of the dust progress is made. This weekend we added more crib wall, more steps, of course that means more crush. A lot more crush and of all sizes from large crush to fine crush. We needed a lot of large crush to fill in behind the crib-wall and a lot of fine crush just to hold the mineral soil in place, I mean mineral dust in place. Normally the mineral soil is the consistency of peanut butter, but now with no rain, it is more like dehydrated peanut butter. On Friday we put in 10’ of crib wall, 5 new steps and yes a whole lot of crush went in also. Saturday we completed the steps started on Friday and moved several large crib-wall rocks and 3 large step rocks near to where they would be used. After moving all the large rocks we would be needing for the upper sections, we took down the high-line and reinstalled it lower down the hill. Sunday was another great crew outing with 14 volunteers out for the day. We separated into two groups, one worked finishing the upper sections last two crib-walls and the three massive steps going down the hill after the turn. The other group went down to the next section needing the high-line and worked clearing the trail of large boulders and beginning a new crib-wall. When using a belay to control the movement of big rocks on the high-line, we sometimes find Chris being very creative in how he rigs the setup. Chris has a firm idea what is needed and when he’s done, it might not look pretty but it worked.
After our trail work on Sunday LDTC held our annual crew BBQ. We met at the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area south parking lot. Everythng needed for the BBQ was provided by crew members with Bob and Mike doing the cooking. After eating Bob and Chris made award presentations with Bob showing everyone Chris’s award he received for MidAtlantic A.T. Volunteer of the year, then it was on to Mike and Jeanne getting new LDTC crew jerseys, Carlo got his first trail crew volunteer T-shirt, Charlie and Jeff received an ATC hat award for 500 volunteer hours and Erik and Marty received ATC vests for contributing over 1000 volunteer hours to the Appalachian Trail.
As I write up this weekends report it has started to rain. I hope it rains enough to turn the mineral dust back into peanut butter
This Black Mt. A.T. relocation is expected to take us a few more months to complete, so come on out and join in.
Like most of the Appalachian Trail, it is always evolving and changing. Work crews, like LDTC, all along the A.T. constantly relocate and rehabilitate portions of the trail to protect nature and to enhance the Appalachian Trail hiking experience. This particular reroute or relocation was requested because of an eroded and high traffic section of the Appalachian Trail on Black Mountain, Harriman NY.
As you can tell from the video everyone had a great time. This project takes a lot of effort and as always, it is 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 was almost perfect. Lots of sun, a little hot, low humidity, a 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.
