Tragic Events Unfold on Virginia Tech Campus

Unfortunately, due to the events that unfolded this morning, most people only know Blacksburg, Virginia as the home to Virginia Tech, the site todays tragic events. However, you may not know Blacksburg is also home to ATC's Central & Southwestern Virginia regional office (where Konnarock is administered); all staff are safe.

As a Blacksburg resident and a recent graduate of Virginia Tech, it saddens me to think about these events and I wish to offer my deepest sympathy to the families and friends of those involved in this tragic event.

Kerry

We've Arrived!!

Outfitting the trucks with toppers to haul all those tools...

We’re in high gear getting ready for the season! Wednesday was the crews first day and we hit the street running! While Czar spent time at camp organizing the kitchen, office, etc “his way,” the remaining staff stayed busy picking up crew vehicles, shuttling tools, and checking equipment. Next week we’ll be out doing project checks with OCVT and PATH as well as dusting off the cobwebs from our chainsaws and getting them ready for the season.

Aside from updating everyone about our preseason activities this is also a notice that we now have wireless internet available free in the pavilion (it reaches all the way to the picnic table!!).

Now we’re high class!!!

Cheers,

Kerry

Konnarock Steering Committee Meets

The Steering Committe Deliberates Between Proposals

Weekend before last, the Konnarock Steering Committee had its annual meeting. The Committee is made up of both agency and club representatives and is responsible for approving project schedules, proposals, and deciding who gets what. In particular, because the Konnarock Crew is actually two crews that work 12 weeks in the summer the Committee must decide how the crew will spend that 24 weeks. As you might guess, we often have more than 24 weeks worth of proposals each year. Therefore, a majority of the meeting is spent deciding how to “whittle” away proposed weeks to something that fits. In addition, these weeks must present a “fairish” distribution between the SORO clubs (GATC to TEHC) and VARO clubs (MRATC to ODATC) while also taking into account past years with the crew, amount of support given, etc. As you might guess, this isn’t always the easiest of tasks. However, this year proceedings went pretty smoothly; we even got done before lunch (we know what’s important)!!

Cheers,

Kerry

More Photos from the Clean-up

More photos can never hurt, right?

Mike "Tabasco" Smith shows off a North Carolina shaped rock while working on a path

Wilbur Gurganus installs vents on the staff pods to combat the oncoming summertime heat

Long time Volunteer, Frank Klein, Bette and Jenny Smith take a break from hauling rocks

Ain't it pretty? Just wait, we're not done yet (but you'll have to come to camp to see :))...

New steps and repaired screen doors on the numbered pods.

Next up, Konnarock Steering Committee action!

Cheers,

Kerry

Base Camp Clean-up a Big Success!!!

On your next trip to base camp you might notice some changes. Over the last five days, Volunteers managed to complete a laundry list of jobs at base camp to get ready for our 25^th season including building new steps to the numbered pods, repairing screen doors, painting the pavilion and bathhouses, clearing away overgrowth, and fixing leaky showers.

In addition, keeping clean-up Volunteers well fed was an important job for which our kitchen staff were up to the challenge. So, an extra special thank you to Hammer and Jane Gurganus for keeping everyone fattened up!

Big thanks to everyone who volunteered their time to help make the 25^th season our best yet!

Volunteer of the Century, Dean Simms, was in an auto accident in Georgia in route from his home in Florida to the clean-up (his truck was t-boned and rolled three times (one in mid-air). Thankfully, Dean walked away without a scratch, proceeded to buy a new truck and kept coming...living up to his official title (any votes for Volunteer of all time?).

No more duct tape! PATH member Jim Houk repairs pod door handles and screen.

Hammer and Jane preparing one of many tasty meals.

Jim Houk and Bill Boudman from PATH "supervise" while Bob Reid works to repair a kitchen door.

A finished trail from the numbered pods to the bathhouse courtesy of MRATC member Harvey Prendeville.

Former Konnarock Camp Coordinator Janet Gibbons puts a new coat of paint on a kitchen door.

Again, a big thanks to all that came out to support this great program. Hope to see everyone again real soon!

Kerry

You Can Do This at Work Rather Than........

Ed Clayton, a member of Mount Rogers Appalachain Trail Club, Konnarock Volunteer, and Forest Service Volunteer (a busy guy) has a website devoted to the Konnarock Trail Crew. The website has some interesting historical stuff including pictures and articles from the old Appalachian Trailway News. Check it out here.

Thanks Ed!

Kerry

Returning Staff

As many of you old timers know, Konnarock is home of some fun-loving people. More specifically, our Trail Crew Staff are especially adept at making us laugh and at the same time getting some serious trail work done. I'm happy we'll have some great staff returning as well as some great new staff for another great year...

Our returning staff:

Ted

David aka "Czar"

Christine

When the new staff arrive I'll have some pictures up so you'll know who to look for!

Cheers,

Kerry