Week 5:May 30-June 3 2013

 Crew 1: Bluff City Relocation

Crew 1 traveled to Pearisburg, VA to tackle Konnarock's most technical project of the season. The Bluff City Relocation will move the AT away from roads and into the forest, but it involves traversing a steep, rocky bluff. The bluff is so steep the crew members working on it had to wear climbing harnesses and clip into ropes for safety. They also had to prevent the rocks they removed from rolling downhill to the houses below. Between the griphoist high line system that carried the rocks away and the climbing ropes, there was a lot to keep track of out on the bluff!

While some crew members attacked the bluff with sledgehammers and picks, the rest of the crew built new sidehill trail with a lot of help from members of the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club. The Konnarock Crew really enjoyed working with RATC members all week, and had a lot of fun playing games around the campfire at night. The crew staff is looking forward to returning to this project Week 12 with a Supercrew!

Crew 2: Big Butt Rehab

Crumbsnatcher and Harper enjoying the sunset from Pickens Nose.

Crew 2 went south, to the beautiful Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. They did rehab work on a section of the AT just south of Albert Mountain, traversing a landform with the hilarious name Big Butt. Of course, the jokes were flying all week in a place like Big Butt...










The soil in this area is thin and prone to erosion, with bedrock close to the surface. This makes it tricky to build structures, but the crew hauled rocks and logs across steep terrain and used their patience and ingenuity to solve some interesting puzzles. The crew focused on the most dangerous problem areas, adding steps and cribbing in places where the trail gets slippery in the rain or may eventually slide down the mountain without further support.






Camping at an elevation of 5,000 feet, the crew made the most of their scenic surroundings. Crew 2 caught a breathtaking sunset from the Albert Mountain fire tower, splashed around in Betty's Creek after work each day, and hiked to Pickens Nose for another sunset. On Sunday the Nantahala Hiking Club showed their appreciation for the crew's hard work by taking them out to a nice dinner at a Thai restaurant in Franklin, NC. Thanks for all the support, NHC!

Before the Konnarock treatment...

...and after the Konnarock treatment!

A glorious sunset from Albert Mountain.

Dinner in Franklin, courtesy of the NHC!

Week 4, May 23-27 2013

Crew 1: Fontana Lake Relocation

  Crew 1 went back down to the Smokies to put in another great week of work on the Fontana Lake Relocation. The crew blazed forth with loppers, hoes, and rakes to clean up the sidehill trail that was dug by a miniature dozer. They also build both log and rock steps, and several brave volunteers jumped right into the mud to build a french drain and dry out a wet spot on the trail.

There were a few roots to deal with in the backslope.

Crumbsnatcher was joined by her mouse friend Harper. Here they are cutting off the top of a stake in front of a log step.

Celebrating a solid new log step.

All done stretching and ready to hike in!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crew 2: New River Relocation 

Rolling a rock down the trail to build a rock step.

Crew 2 went north to work on the New River Relocation, outside of Pearisburg, VA. They found some BIG rocks!

The team that built these nice rock steps.

The Outdoor Club of Virginia Tech brought treats like pizza and ice cream up to the crew at camp Friday night. On Sunday, the crew bushwhacked along the route of the future AT to enjoy the view from Rice Field. The new trail they built is so pretty, you'd never know how many rocks and roots they had to remove!

Enjoying the sun on Rice Field after a hard day's work.

Assistant Crew Leader Zack Finney jumping over West Virginia!

Campfire time back at camp.

Crew 2 on their beautiful new trail!

Week 3, May 16-20

  

Crew 1: Fontana Lake Relocation

Crew 1 went down to beautiful Fontana Lake, North Carolina. With an arsenal of digging tools and loppers, they blazed their way along a trail relocation that will move the Appalachian Trail away from the road and closer to the lake. 

The crew enjoyed camping at the Fontana Lodge Campground, and got creative with the food this week--they even had a dessert cook-off!

A hard day's work deserves a good dessert!

An inviting stretch of the future AT, brought to you by Crew 1.

Crew 1 looking to the future of the Appalachian Trail.

Crew 2: Another great week in Georgia!

Crew 2 at Neel Gap!

To avoid the long drive back to Konnarock Base Camp, Crew 2 stayed in Georgia for their days off between weeks 2 and 3. They enjoyed some well-earned rest and relaxation at the R Ranch, were treated to a river party at the home of GATC members Tom and Vivian Lamb, and did a bit of sightseeing and geocaching. The GATC really showed Konnarock the meaning of "southern hospitality"!

Investigating a geocache.

Crumbsnatcher looking toward the AT from Brasstown Bald.

On Thursday the Crew was back at it, working side-by-side with the many dedicated members of the GATC who came out every day. With their help, Crew 2 built an incredible 87 rock steps and 4 waterbars during their two weeks in Georgia!

The GATC and the Mountain High Hikers aren't afraid of BIG rocks!

GATC members even participated in the morning stretch circle!

This stretch of trail won't wash away any time soon.

Crew 2, with new GATC friends!

Week 2

Crew 1: New River Relocation

Crew 1 had a great week working on the New River Relocation, a long-term project that will move the AT onto public lands near Pearisburg, VA. The crew built new sidehill trail and several impressive stone steps on the rocky slopes of Peters Mountain.

 

A mighty fine staircase!

The whole crew pitching in to move a big rock.

Washing dishes on a beautiful spring morning.

Great work, Crew 1!

Crew 2: Georgia

The GATC brought lots of extra help!

Crew 2 went down to Georgia for the first of two weeks of rehab work on the north side of Rocky Mountain. Like much of the AT in Georgia, this stretch of trail is prone to erosion because it's steep and heavily used. The Crew worked side-by-side with GATC members to install rock steps and waterbars.

A lovely new staircase.

These three are justifiably proud of the rock they just moved.

Taking advantage of a beautiful day to check out the view from Rocky Mountain.

Rocky Mountain is home to lots of Catesby's Trillium.

Ready to move that rock into the hole!

Crumbsnatcher is great at crushing rock.

Week 1: A Super Supercrew!

One sure sign of spring: the trail tools come out of hibernation!

Crews 1 and 2 joined forces this week to form an unstoppable Supercrew! The Supercrew worked with PATH (Piedmont Appalachian Trail Hikers) on a trail relocation project near Atkins, VA with the colorful name Desert Dog.

Supercrew checking out the Davis Path site.

Week 1 brought out many experienced Konnarock alumni as well as some new faces. PATH President Jim Houck served his first full week as a Konnarock Crew member, provided dinner for the Crew one night, and even led a hike to the Davis Path shelter site!

Thanks for the great meal, PATH!

Digging fearlessly through steep terrain and stubborn stumps, the Supercrew kept up a great sense of humor and camaraderie all week. Even with a day cut short by rain, they built 850 feet of beautiful new sidehill trail. What a great way to kick off the 2013 Konnarock season!

Introducing Crumbsnatcher the AT Shelter Mouse! With a new set of trail tools that are just her size, she'll be volunteering with the Konnarock Crew all season.