(182) 11/17, 18, 19/2023
Appalachian Trail relocation
on Surebridge Mountain
eastern/southern section - continues

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A cool Friday morning and the parking lot is empty

Slowly the crew starts to assemble

A great turnout today, and a few new faces

We made it to the woods lot, that's the first step

After a short hike,
we arrive at our work base

Jeff, Sandy and Len,
work on the south end of this section

They will continue building this crib-wall

On the North end, Chris explains today's assignments

We need lots of crush,
we'll use the tub to move some downhill

Dr. Dave with the double jack,
waits for the tub to arrive

Marty and Howie making smaller crush

Another tub load of rocks
is on its way downhill

Howie tamps down the mineral soil,
that covers the new crush

Chris works to clear branches
interfering with the highline

Just before lunch,
Joe and Howie have the next rock ready to go

During lunch break,
Csilla was chilling in her hammock

Csilla also provide some home baked goodies

Look at Paul's gloves,
they were new just this morning (not)

Continuing the crib wall on the northern end

Howie and Joe continue making crush

Russ moves another crib-wall rock into position

More crush will be added
after the next crib-wall rock

And here comes the next crib-wall rock

That's Csilla working the griphoist

Joe and Howie working a crib–wall rock into place

Trying to fit a crib-wall rock into place

One hard stomp,
and Boom! Joe breaks this bad boy in half

It's been a great day
now heading back to the woods lot

Friday end of day crew meeting

Saturday morning, Dan and Don
finding shelter from the rain
under the lift gate

It may be damp and drizzly
but the crew still shows up

New volunteer Ella, is anxious to get started

Arriving at the woods lot,
we are all eager to get started

During our daily safety meeting,
go slow, take your time were the words for today

Exposing new trail beneath the leaves and duff

That's another crib-wall rock already in the sling

Now that it's here,
let's adjust this other one first

We just have to lift it up and make it level

Almost there, just a little higher

Nope, that's not level

Oh boy, that's not level either

If I put my foot right here, it's almost level

By lunchtime, the sun was shining.
It was becoming a beautiful day

New volunteer Ella,
is already mastering the rope-puller

Pulling another big crib-wall rock
up a steep hill

Dr. Dave demonstrates how our sling system works

Ella is trying everything
now being a tailer, to the rope puller

Give it a little kick, give it a little knee.
We'll roll this rock in place

Russ asks, are you guys finished rocking and rolling?
It's almost 3 o'clock

New sturdy and level step being set
at the northern end of this new section

All new Trail

More new Trail

We will continue this tomorrow

Instead of moving big rocks,
Marci and Linda moved a lot of overburden

It looks like this trail has been here forever

We made it safely back to the woods lot

Finally, crew daily recap meeting
in the parking lot

Our crew gatherings in the parking lot
on a beautiful Sunday morning

What a great turn out,
a crew of 13 volunteers joined together today

One area of work is the northern end,
that needs crib-wall and steps

For the crib-wall base,
move out the small rocks and dig a deeper basin

Dan, Tom and Howie are really on the level

That's Jim, on belay

Typical worksite tools:
Rock bars, level, pick mattock, shovel,
hazel hoe, hammers, buckets and more

Using a hazel hoe, Ella digs down to mineral soil

Another big rock is going for a ride

The rock is down, the basin is ready,
just move it over

OK we got it this far,
now we have to move it again

Peter explains how to safely operate the belay

Ella looks like she has it under control

And it is, a big rock,
we don't want it to get away

During our morning safety break,
Howie treated us to a little tune

A little sample of Howie's tune

Tamping down the mineral soil top layer,
on newly built trail

Russ, assessing all options for this next section

Look what Ella found,
it's a green stink bug

Still working the belay, and still smiling

Russ and Peter nudging it into place

Peter adds more solid support

Work continues on many fronts,
Jim, Tom, and Peter work on another step

Buckets!
Buckets hold mineral soil or crush until needed

More cribbing coming here

First one in, looks nice

Using a 3 pound hammer
the Chief makes a few adjustments

Russ chisels away some bedrock,
to ensure a sturdy crib-wall

Next big rock is on the line
and ready to go

It's in all right but it's not right,
that piece of bedrock is still in the way

Russ has an idea that he think will work

Ask Peter to beat on it with an 8lb. double jack

Peter got it most of the way,
and Russ finished it off

At the Northern end, they are waiting for a big rock

One more big sturdy rock,
needed here

Peter has it already on the highline,
and ready to go

Peter cannot push it all the way

Chris has added the rope puller
to pull it the last few feet

Safely on the ground, now to put it into place

It's getting late, let's just get it close
and finish it next time

Almost 3 o'clock, Peter is wrapping up the gear
and getting ready to go home

Russ has the shackle,
now let's get the sling

Sling out
and last photo from today



© Marty Costello 2013 - 2024