(237) 6/12,13,14/2026
Appalachian Trail rehabilitation continues
at Agony Grind

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Friday 6/12/2026
It's a damp start to our workday

The hike up is steep but also beautiful

YIKES!!
Are we really going to build steps through here?

Now this rock is needed

Rock on the line.
Let's put it in

Group 1 working on lower trail improvements.
Adding a log crib-wall and waterbar

More reinforcement and grading
to previously installed steps

And in a few places, adding new steps

The day turned much hotter,
so finding shade was important

New Volunteer Tek is breaking rocks and making crush

Slowly making our way through this crevice/bathtub

Bob is working the griphoist

Howie has the base ready

This will be the last rock moved today

Leave sling movie

It's hot, it's very humid,
it's taking a toll on all of us

A look at today's accomplishments.
Looks great, but still needs a few finishing touches

Trail Magic on Route 17
adjacent to the Appalachian Trail

Dr. Dave was excited to see another hiker
with Expedition Balance Pockets

End of day crew meeting and snack fest

Saturday 6/13/2026
A great crew of 18 volunteers out today

On the way up to the crevice,
a few photos of yesterday's down trail improvement

More crib-wall, more crush and a few more steps

We're back putting more steps in the crevice

Dan is wearing new safety glasses

Chris, Howie and Bob have selected the next step

Put a sling around it then connect it to the highline

Rock on the line

While wearing his new safety glasses,
the rock went unnoticed right past Dan

We're coming up to another crevice.
This section is very steep and challenging

A little wider section now,
but it gets very narrow right ahead

Sometimes we get creative,
by splitting rocks to fit

Most times it's just hand cut blocks of stone

Moved slowly down into the crevice

And placed on a bed of crush

Almost a perfect fit,
we will finish this tomorrow

Time lapse movie

Sunday morning, Chris gets out the battery powered grinder

Peter uses it to score the top of a rock

Howie breaks a piece off
using shaping hammers

Peter uses the grinder
to score the side of the crevice

Then uses a hammer and chisel
to shape the crevice wall

Off with the cutting blade
and on with a shaping blade

It sure makes a lot of dust. I'm glad he is protected

Back using the cutting blade to score another rock

Here is the last rock for today

Up and over the rock pile

And down into the crevice

At the lower worksite
volunteers have made great progress

Note, no highline here,
just muscles and the four person sling

And a couple of rock bars help slide it into position

Adding a low crib-wall to thwart erosion

Mother nature always wins,
that tree grew right through hard rock

End of day, end of weekend crew meeting.
We'll be back in two weeks.

Time lapse movie



© Marty Costello 2013 - 2026