Week 4: May 26-30, 2018

Crew 1: Highcock Knob Relocation

working with Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club

click here for the full photo album


It's May 26th, 2018 and Crew 1 is up in Natural Bridge, VA to work on finishing a relocation project on Highcock Knob. There was a small crew this week but that didn't hinder our accomplishments. The 5 volunteers, plus Jerry and I, were prepared for rain and thunderstorms for this week of work. We got to Petites Gap off the Blue Ridge Parkway on Saturday to hike in tools and to try to get a few hours work in for our first day. I need to at least mention: The drive along the parkway had some of the most spectacular views I have ever seen!

The hike up to the work site was about 1.5 miles and uphill...a great way to get the heart rate up on the first day. We hiked in our tools and walked our volunteers through the project and what work we hoped to get done this week, as we heard thunder in the distance. Our main priorities were to finish two rock staircases. We looked up the weather, saw the radar, and as the rain started and thunder got closer we decided it best to call it a day and get into the work tomorrow.

Every day this week we worked alongside some amazing Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club volunteers who have been working on the trail for years now. They worked hard on rock steps, and lots of rock crib wall to create a beautiful sustainable trail.

Sunday evening, the folks from NBATC had a cookout for us at our campsite. Jason, the trail supervisor for NBATC, brought his grill and all kinds of delicious and refreshing treats for us. The dinner was tasty and very much enjoyed and appreciated by the crew! Thank you NBATC!

Watson's Pond was our campsite location, and what a beautiful spot! Although there wasn't much sun, the view of the pond was very pretty with the lush green trees reflecting off of it. We were able to enjoy one fire during the week which was cozy and kept the bugs at bay.

Monday was a different day than expected, as one of our volunteers was having some negative affects from bug bites and we decided it best we go check it out at the local hospital. Jerry and the rest of the crew went out to work while I took a crew member to the ER. Turned out we made the right choice in having the bites checked out--she got the medication needed and we were on our way. We cooked dinner for the crew so it was ready around the time they arrived back to camp after a full work day.

That night was my favorite night because after dinner we decided to play Werewolf. A couple people had never played which was exciting to share with them. We played multiple rounds, laughed a bunch and had a blast.

The next morning Jerry cooked up a big breakfast of his famous grits with eggs, country ham and bacon! Mmm mmm delicious! We had one final rockin' work day, getting as much work done as we could. This group of volunteers were fun, tough, hard working individuals and we were able to get done what we wanted and then some! We finished the staircases and a bunch of new rock crib wall between them. The staircases look great and we were very happy with the trail work we were able to get done this week.

We have two more weeks at Highcock Knob this summer. Then we plan on opening this new relocation for the Appalachian Trail!!

Thank you to each of our volunteers this week and the NBATC folks for coming out and putting in some great work! The trail is looking awesome!

Crew 1- Hoo-yah!!!!!

--Julia Smith, Assistant Crew Leader