(187) 3/22, 24/2024
Appalachian Trail on Bear Mountain
LDTC begins repairing flood damage

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3/22/2024
Our first crew outing for 2024

A bright, sunny albeit cool 25° day
and a crew of over a dozen volunteers,
eager to get started

A grateful Thank You
to Mickey Cahill and his staff for their assistance

Mickey is up next with Gator #2

RJ is is back for another load

RJ and Tom make the third
and final trip delivering tools with the Gator

At the base lot,
we packed into a few vehicles
and rode closer to our work site

Our first impression is, it's a mess

Assessing the overall situation,
and making a plan

Removing debris,
before we can repair this section

That's Polecat Bob, installing the stick ladder

Connecting eight sections together,
for a total of 34 feet

Signs of erosion are everywhere

This is Logan Weiler, today's worksite companion

Looks like he's just chillin
and enjoying the view

Here is Joe Severs, splitting big rocks on day one
and wearing a great big smile

Dr. Dave explains to our new volunteers,
the why and how we build new trail

Looks like the roots,
are keeping this wall from collapsing

By the looks of it,
we might have to rebuild this entire section

The original builders put in a bridge

Upon closer inspection, it looks completely blocked

Taking debris away from rocks, before moving them

Removing debris so we can fit a sling
around the rock and move it

To make the highline fit, we are adding a rope extension

Setting up the 32 foot extension ladder

And yes, Bob is our polecat again

Bob says climbing the extension ladder is a little scary,
he'd rather climb a stick ladder

He is setting a sling
that will hold highline block number two

This is typical of the terrain at our worksite

End of day, time to pack up the tools

One look back and all looks well

First end-of-day crew meeting
Time to review our plans and assess our progress

Day one, a short video
by Tom Conway

Sunday morning 3/24/2024
a bright and sunny but still very cold, 28˚

15 eager volunteers,
What a great turnout

Yesterday's heavy rains
have flooded portions of the trail

Now that's a lot of water

Entire sections of the trail
are now underwater

By the end of the day,
some of us will have very wet hands and feet

First thing we have to do,
find a way control this water

This flowing water might undermine this crib-wall

This drainage tunnel is completely blocked with debris,
so just a few feet away the water flows over the trail

We need to find a way to control all this water

Len starts by clearing the mud

These rocks were piled up during the flood
and many are held in place by rotting logs

With the upper section water issue under control,
the steps dry quickly

The highline is finally ready, so let's move big rocks

The first big rock of 2024
being fitted for it's highline ride

It's all buckled in, so take it for a ride

The sling has to be on properly,
so the rock doesn't slip out and drop

And the beat goes on, by 11:30,
we have already moved four big rocks

We moved many of the rocks by hand

Next up, a large wet area

Discussing options and suggestions,
then making a plan

Our plan is to use this big rock

Right now it's stuck in the mud

It's really big,
and it's going to be hard to move

Jack lifts one end,
so we can get a sling under it

Clint and Howie prepare the base

Peter and Russ working uphill
to divert the flow of water

Now in a sling,
and connected to the highline

That's a big rock!

After moving it a short distance,
it's time to readjust the sling

Then we try to push it into position
but that doesn't work

Len breaking off a piece of bedrock
so the rock will sit level

Jack uses the rope puller,
to keep the rock stable

Russ swings the double jack,
and breaks off more bedrock

After a little push and a little tappy tap,
the rock is finally sitting level

Tabitha gives it her smile of approval

A makeshift repair
made this step difficult to step on

The old step has been leveled
and buttressed to make the hiking easier

By the end of the day,
we now control of some of the water

Back in the main parking lot,
for our end of day crew meeting

Marty's day 2 recap video



© Marty Costello 2013 - 2024