2008 Dates and Applications Up!

Volunteers work to complete a climbing turn on the Big Bald Relocation last season

Better late than never I always say! Anyway, as the title implies, the 2008 dates and projects (most of them anyway) are up on the website. The updated 2008 New Volunteer Application is online as well in PDF format. Also, new Volunteers will have the ability to apply online but the dates have not been updated for 2008 yet so hold your horses if that’s your preferred MO.

Also, as always, if you are alumni of AT trail crews then give us a shout (540.953.3571 or crews@appalachiantrail.org) and we’ll send you an alumni application.

You can click here to get to the ATC’s Trail Crew webpage.

Let us know if you have any questions!!

Thanks,

Kerry

Updates, Updates, Updates....

New shinguards, soil bags, and stickers for 2008!

Sorry for the lack of/infrequency of posts to the blog as we’ve been busy outside getting ready for next year before winter sets in. Anyway, a few things to note:

• 2008 Trail Crew dates should be posted on the ATC website by next week along with the 2008 crew application, as well as an updated projects page for Konnarock.
• Alumni letters along with applications should also go out in a week or so as well. Remember, alumni application are also available (in the next week or so) by emailing us at crews@appalachiantrail.org or calling the office at 540.953.3571
• Konnarock Crew Leader, Christine Hoyer, has traveled to Taiwan to consult with the Taiwanese Forest Bureau (and 2006 Volunteer Ming-Chein-Hsu) on trail-building in Taiwan. The first part of her journey is in the Nov-Dec ATC Journey’s magazine.

Hope everyone’s fall is going well!

Cheers,

Kerry

Old Orchard Shelter View

For the group that stayed for Eco-Week this last season, here is a picture of the new and improved view from the Old Orchard Shelter.

Cheers,

Kerry

Bear Mountain

Finished Staircase

Highlines are being used to transport most material (i.e. rock)

Completed crib wall

Drill holes on a piece of split granite (feathers and wedges are then inserted to split the rock)

Last week I was fortunate to travel up to New York with the Mid-Atlantic Trail Crew to work on the Bear Mountain Relocation project and thought I’d share a couple pictures from my trip. As you will notice, this project is very different from what you’ll see on Konnarock for several reasons. If you’d like to read more about the project, check out this article from a past ATJ article here.

Cheers,

Kerry

2008 Crew T-Shirt

There's no doubt folks Volunteer on crew for more than an ole' cotton t-shirt. However, it's nice to have something to show after the end of a long week's work. And, what is more, there is a long great history of amazing and unique designs throughout the years worn proudly by Volunteers.

Anyone interested in submitting a design(s) for the 2008 trail crew t-shirt? If so, please shoot me an email (kwood@appalachiantrail.org) or give us a call at the office (540.953.3571). If possible, please have design ideas (can be rough) submitted by December 1st and we'll go from there.

Thanks,

Kerry

Trail Work from the Other Side

As part of my vacation, some friends and I did a multi-day trip on the Arizona Trail. Being the trail design/work nut that I am, I took a few photos of trail work in the Grand Canyon despite the hoots and name calling from the peanut gallery (i.e. my cohorts).

As you will notice, there are some similarities as well as differences as to how trail design is approached in the desert southwest.

A familiar sight, a log staircase. However, notice the ditch on the inside.

Another familiar sight, log staircase with stone pitching in the wet area.

Some beautiful stone crib work.

Here is a good example of difference in trail design. Where we usually attempt to get water off the trail asap with the sidehill design, this design pushes water, etc onto the inside then slows through a series of checks (i.e. rocks lined up) to force water to drop setiment so that trail folks can scoop it up and replace (they have to keep all the soil or sand as the case may be they can).

I'm a trail design nerd I know but I can't help it. What is more, I got to talk shop with a few guys doing work while I was on the trail; they get to ride mules everywhere! I'll see what I can do about getting a Konnarock Crew mule team.

Cheers,

Kerry