(236) 5/29,30,31/2026
Appalachian Trail rehabilitation continues
at Agony Grind

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Friday 5/29/2026
it's 9 AM and we're already at the worksite

Back in the bathtub, George is
digging a base for the next step

Chris and Marty are planning to split
several steps off of this big rock

Marty and crew are quickly splitting the rock
into several steps

Back at the bathtub, another step is going in

After splitting this big rock very carefully,
this (x) is the last step

Seven steps split from this big rock

Rock splitting video

A view of our busy worksite,
and yes this a very steep section

We pause as a couple of day hikers pass through

Putting in the final step for today

We will be back tomorrow
to add anchor rocks and more crush

Moving out of the crevice/bathtub
and into a wider area

End of day crew meeting
at the end of a beautiful day

Friday Time lapse video

Saturday morning, it's a bit chilly and cloudy
but 14 eager Volunteers still showed up

We're in a wider section,
but a narrow crevice is just ahead

Calling this a wider section is somewhat of a stretch

Trying to decide the best approach going forward

Building a base for the next step

Digging out the dirt and roots
before we put in crush

Russ getting ready with a bucket of crush

He's ready to pour it into the new base

As always, it's not right until it's level

Checking the alignment of the next step

This rock is nice, just not wide enough,
we'll add another one next to it

And this rock will fit in nicely

Yes, this one will also be level

Level in both directions

A big anchor rock
is pulled from the hillside

All the while, Dan keeps making crush

Buckets and buckets of crush,
we use lots of crush

Another big anchor rock is on the move
and will go next to that two piece step

Russ has found the next step in the rock pile

And it slowly makes its way down to the worksite

And it will rest on a nice bed of crush

The next step is in the sling
and ready to go for a ride

Two minutes later and it's almost in place

Preparing a sturdy base for the next big step

Last step for today.
That's a whopping 5 steps set today

AT hiker video

Looks like Marty has been very busy today.
We never have too much crush

Making fine crush video

Jeff has today's last big anchor rock on the line

It will fit nicely right next to this step

Last rock video

It's getting late
so we will store it here overnight
and put it in place tomorrow

We are making great progress
through this tight crevice area

Time lapse video 1:02 min.
Most of our day minus breaks

A bright and beautiful Sunday morning

With two new Volunteers,
we have a crew of 13 out today

We're right back where we left off

Building sturdy and sustainable steps
up through this crevice

With Bob on the griphoist

Marty guides in the next big anchor rock

Terri is splitting her way through another step

New volunteers Matt and Danny
work with Joe, George and Jeff doing repair work

Fixing the grade and
adding a few more steps where needed

To keep our steps stable, each step gets buckets of crush

With no big trees available,
Russ uses a boulder to anchor the belay

And uses it to help set the next step into place

Then Chris adds an anchor rock
between bedrock and the new step

Next Howie digs out a base for the next step

Here Chris has the belay connected
to the base of a small tree

Howie stops digging
and grabs onto the next anchor rock

And sets it gently into place

The next step is on the way

Nicely done

Another big anchor rock is on the move

This big anchor rock
will hold everything together

The next rock on the line
will be used as a dam

Looks great, now fill in behind it with crush

The crush is ready, now bring on the next step

The next step is already on the way

Set it down,
we'll finish it during our next worktrip

End of day view looking downhill,
wow they look great

End of day crew meeting.
Thanks to Len we have shade

And a homemade Bundt cake
Thanks Len



© Marty Costello 2013 - 2026