South of Bee Cove Lead Rehab
click here for the full photo albumDriven by sore muscles, pride, and love for the AT, sledgehammers mixed stone with sweat as the Konnarock Crew set its teeth into this year’s first week of rehab, relocation and maintenance.
For this project Konnarock crew leaders teamed up with six awesome volunteers to repair a section of trail in the Bee Cove area near Fontana Lake, North Carolina. Upon arrival, the crew hiked up the mountain laden with tools and gear, stashed it all, then headed to Cable Cove Campground to settle in.
The 1.7 mile hike in was steep and muddy with slick rock and uneven terrain, but the weather held out until Saturday nd allowed for good working conditions. Rock bars, pick mattocks, belay lines, rock nets, rock drills and rifting hammers were all used to make stone cribbing, stone stairs, and endless piles of crush to eliminate water erosion and preserve the trail for decades to come. 
After a long day's work and a quick dip in Fontana Lake, the crew headed back to camp for dinner, campfires, s’mores, jokes and relaxation. We want to send a special shout out to Smoky Mountains Hiking Club for all their continuous aid and an incredible dinner at Lynn’s place in Robbinsville, to the awesome Week 1 volunteers for their hard work and support, and to ATC management who have worked tirelessly to make sure this year goes as smoothly as possible! If you are interested in becoming part of our volunteer team check us out at www.appalachiantrail.org/konnarock!
--Paul Sealy, Assistant Crew Leader
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