Week 3: May 18-22, 2018

Crew 1 and Hard Core: Wilburn Ridge Rehab

working with Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club, ALDHA, and Damascus Hard Core volunteers

click here for the full photo album

Week 3 for crew 1 was full of alumni, thru hikers, rocks, rain, and lots of success!

This week was a little different from the "normal crew week" as the crew consisted of seasoned trail maintainers who have been coming to Konnarock for years. I learned a lot from these guys and appreciated their enthusiasm for the trail and the work. They were also gathered here to lead mini teams of thru-hikers on trail maintenance at Grayson Highlands for what is called HARD CORE.

This event, organized by the MRATC (Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club) and ATC with some funding from ALDHA, is a chance for thru-hikers to give back and volunteer to work on the trail for a few days. The annual "Trail Days" festival in Damascus is where thru-hikers are able to sign up and get involved. We had 9 different sections with seasoned Konnarock alumni volunteers Billy, Handlebar, Ted, Boy-Howdy, and Doug leading a group of volunteers each. ATC's Andrew Downs, Josh Kloehn and Kathryn Herndon-Powell came out to help, as well as Jim Chambers with ALDHA.

We had a great turnout of about 39 volunteers (some new, some returning) for the 2 HARD CORE days and we were able to accomplish some great trail work in 1 and 1/2 days. The 2nd day was called short because of thunderstorms and rain. Rock steps, drains, crib walls, and waterbars were all created in those days. We had gravel, provided by the Forest Service, to use for setting steps, waterbars, and raising the tread at wet spots. Everyone who carried even one bucket of gravel up the hill, deserves an extra "thank you!" That was no walk in the park and there was a lot of gravel needed for the work that got accomplished!

Before the fun of HARD CORE, Crew 1 (HOO-YAH), went up to the high country to work on the trail in the mud and rain for 2 days. We built rock steps, a rock crib wall, and improved a lot of drainage issues on the trail. This week was also a different week because we all decided it was worth the extra drive time to come back to base camp each night instead of camping, as the weather was so unpleasant. It was appreciated and enjoyed by all--the chance to wash muddy, wet clothes, a hot shower and a huge kitchen to cook big meals for breakfast and dinner. 

The last work day of the crew week, we went back up to the high country to put some final touches on the trail before getting back to base camp for clean-up and the end of week celebration. We added a few more rock steps, laid more gravel for setting steps and for creating a more desirable tread surface. We had our final lunch looking out at the amazing view the high country can offer,  and walked through all the finished work with smiles on our faces.

Jerry's final count of the work that got done by all:
69 rock steps
45 cubic feet of rock cribbing
100 cubic feet of junk cribbing
135 cubic feet of crush & fill
140 ft of drainage ditch
2 rock waterbars
6 stepping stones
1 rock culvert
10 grade drips
27 ft of causeway
85 square feet of scree
and a total of 1150 ft length of trail redefined and maintained!!! HOOYAH! That is fantastic!

HARD CORE was a wild success with many people working hard to make it a successful few days. Thru-hikers were able to give back, learn some trail building skills and gain some appreciation for what has gone into the trail they experience, which is what HARD CORE is all about. 

Thank you to all the clubs, volunteers, leaders, thru-hikers and alumni for coming out and joining the cause!

--Julia Smith, Assistant Crew Leader

Week 3: May 18-22, 2018

Crew 2: Ridge Pole Mountain Rehab 

working with Nantahala Hiking Club

click here for the full photo album

As the month of May 2018 marches on, the third week of Konnarock’s Crew 2 draws to a close. Week 3 of the season featured an all-new adventure for the crew, an ambitious rehab project of a burned section of trail on Ridge Pole Mountain in the Southern Nantahala Wilderness, NC. The work site featured a daunting section of trail that has, over time, slid down the sloping, weeping bedrock. 

The tread itself had become limited to a slick, muddy scramble - and without mitigation the trail would have continued to wash downhill over the years. The challenge for the crew this week was to raise the tread up out of the watery mud and harden the walking surface to reduce further erosion. To make matters more challenging, this project sits in a federally designated Wilderness area, and therefore all motorized tools are prohibited. Though certainly not an easy project, Crew 2 accepted the challenge with confidence.

The adventure began even before any tools struck the earth, however. To get the trail crew rolling right, the Nantahala Hiking Club took everyone out for lunch at Thai Paradise in Franklin, NC. After being fortified with curries and other delectable dishes, Crew 2 drove on toward their destination, eventually reaching a hilly, muddy Forest Service Road that was entirely impassable by the crew van. Leaving the van behind, the team piled into the crew’s Forest Service truck and the next portion of the journey proved to be a bumpy yet exhilarating ride over rugged terrain and even a small stream crossing. 

However, success was not absolute - even with 4-wheel drive, the truck reached a steep section of road and lost traction, unable to proceed. Determined to overcome the obstacle, the crew members worked together to line the trail with brush, while the crew leaders set up the Griphoist rigging system to attempt pulling the truck up the hill. After problem-solving for over an hour, it became apparent that the truck would not be able to make it up the hill. Using a spotter for safe guidance, the truck traveled in reverse a ways backward on the trail, and Crew 2 set up camp at a modified site location that proved to be quite adequate. With plenty of excitement already under their belts, the crew set up camp quickly and proceeded to get some rest before the first work day.

The next morning brought a difficult task right off the bat - the task of hiking all of the tools from the camp site up to the work site, with a smaller-than-average crew of six. The necessary tools included the heavy Griphoist equipment, several 18-pound rockbars, and numerous sledgehammers - in addition to various slings and digging tools. 

Carrying these tools approximately 1.75 miles uphill was no easy job, but it was only the beginning of the work. Once the crew made it to the project site, work commenced on several tasks. Some crew members scouted for big, appropriately shaped rocks for steps and cribbing while others began crushing rock to make the ever-necessary gravel-like material needed for cementing structures into place. 

At several points, the entire crew needed to be mobilized to carry giant rocks using a rock net and sling combination. In between these demanding carries, some of the crew assembled a Griphoist set-up in order to drag large rocks up on to the trail from downhill. Due to the difficulty in locating material, it often had to be carried considerable distances. Even after this, many of the rocks need to be shaped using carbide-tipped hammers and chisels. The value of teamwork and mechanical advantage was on full display this week!

Another big thank you is in order for the Nantahala Hiking Club’s Paul and Rich - who each came out for a day to help bolster Crew 2’s numbers. Having just one extra person noticeably improved the production and work flow on the project. This was a great example of the partnerships between the ATC’s Konnarock crews and the local A.T. maintaining clubs - through mutual support they achieve more than either could do alone.

The quarrying and transportation of good rock never ceased throughout the week. Crushing rock was also a constant task. While these tasks continued in the background, several crew members worked on the construction work on the short section of degraded trail that formed the top priority for this project. 

Much of the work involved building a sturdy rock crib to lift the tread out of the mud. A series of rock steps on either side of the crib would complete the rehab work. This construction proved to be especially challenging due to the thick, oozy mud which never did dry out thanks to the weeping rock and the frequent rainy weather. Digging appropriate holes for rocks is not easy when the holes quickly fill up with water. 

The adverse weather even put a full stop to crew work at one point when thunder clouds rolled in. Crew 2 was forced to take cover downhill from the trail until the dangerous lightning conditions dispersed. Given the circumstances of a difficult trail section, plenty of rainy weather, and a small crew size, it’s quite impressive that a respectable amount of high quality rock work was done during just three days of work. By the end of the week, much of the section had been cribbed, and numerous steps installed. Many of the crew members were covered literally from head to toe with mud, but still smiling with satisfaction and crew camaraderie. 

Though the work was hard, and much remains to be done, the week was a big success. Besides wallowing in the mud during work days, Crew 2 found time to relax and enjoy good food and company back at camp in the evenings. Meals featured some spectacular salads (including a cinnamon-spiced fruit salad), and such exotic dishes as Italian Tuna and Rice. 

On the way back to Base Camp at the end of the week, the team elected to pack a lunch and stop for a picnic on the banks of the Nolichucky River in the Chestoa Recreation Area. This provided an especially scenic way to wrap up a solid week of hard work.

The crew also had one surprising wildlife encounter - a mouse (named “Otto”) popped up from under the hood of the van, then stowed away under the hood again, traveling at least 150 miles before reappearing at the Chestoa Recreation Area. Though perhaps not as exciting as a bear or rattlesnake encounter, this is definitely not something that one sees every day.

To wrap things up, it is imperative to thank this small but stellar group of volunteers for spending a week in damp, often rainy, muddy conditions while keeping great attitudes and putting in solid work. Thanks again to the NHC - both for the initial Thai lunch trip and for support in the field - this project would not have been so successful without club support.

The work on Ridge Pole Mountain, having gotten off to a great start, is far from over! Crew 2 will be returning for more heavy rock construction (and playing in the mud) at this project site next week. Stay tuned for the conclusion of 2018’s work on this challenging site during Week 4.

--Josh Reynolds, Assistant Crew Leader

Week 2: May 10-14, 2018

Crew 1: Rocky Bald Rehab

working with Nantahala Hiking Club

click here to see the full photo album

Week 2 of the 2018 Konnarock season has come to a close, and Crew 2 can proudly celebrate another successful stint of trail-building prowess. This week took the crew back to the Nantahala National Forest in southwestern NC for a second consecutive week working on the gullied upper slope of Rocky Bald.

After the hard work of Week 1 volunteers installing 5 rock water bars, the Week 2 crew was left with the task of installing just 1 more rock water bar to improve the drainage on this steep trail section. Beyond this, the crew’s task was to install as many rock check steps as possible in the tread to slow the flow of water and retain sediments.

The quantity of rock steps needing to be built was considerable, but luckily the Week 2 group was no ordinary crew. Hailing the University of Central Missouri came the third annual group organized by UCM’s Military and Veteran’s Success Center. This year, UCM entirely filled both Crew 1 and Crew 2 with a mix of active duty, veteran, and civilian students. The Konnarock crew week formed the culmination of a 6-week team building and service learning program. The UCM Mules have developed a reputation for tenacity and teamwork, and this week was no exception.

The expedition began with the long, approximately 5 hour drive south from Sugar Grove, VA to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, where the week started off right with a delicious lunch at the NOC’s River’s End Restaurant courtesy of the Nantahala Hiking Club. Fortified with food from the get go, the crew then proceeded to the Forest Service access road at Burningtown Gap.

With storm clouds looming in the distance, Crew Leader Brian Allgood led the crew on foot down the winding dirt road, which was too slick for the crew van to navigate. Meanwhile, Assistant Crew Leader Josh Reynolds drove the 4x4 truck loaded to the gills with camp equipment and the crew’s personal gear. Everyone arrived at the campsite just in the nick of time to take cover under the tarp when the sky opened up, rain poured, and thunder crashed overhead. Unphased, Crew 2 elected to wait out the storm before setting up tents. The team set up camp chairs under the tarp and watched the rainy forest scene as if it were a fine piece of cinema.

With the following morning, the hard work of the crew week began in earnest with a challenging 2.3 mile hike to the work site. The first half mile of the trek was a steep, uneven bushwhack trail which proved to be the most difficult portion of the journey. Despite the range of hiking experience levels throughout the group, everyone successfully made it to the work site on Rocky Bald and maintained positive attitudes throughout.

Brian and Josh then commenced with the essential tool safety talk and eventually divided into teams to tackle the work. Brian led a team on the upper half of the trail section, while Josh’s group took the lower section. Though not an especially technical project, the work was far from easy due to limitations in material and the presence of Nantahala’s signature bedrock in many of the building locations.

Quarrying usable rock proved to be a constant challenge, with several crew members dedicating their time to lowering large rocks down a steep slope at the top of the bald with the assistance of a porta-wrap belay system. The rifting set also became an essential tool since many rocks required further shaping and splitting in order to fit into the designated spots. Besides quarrying rock, the other task that never ended was producing crush. Numerous volunteers accumulated hours of experience with the sledgehammers, turning medium sized rocks into the tiny gravel needed to cement all good structures into position.

Though most of the crew members had little to no experience with trail work, everyone quickly developed proficiency with tool usage and the fine art of setting rock steps at the appropriate depth and angle to ensure a sustainable structure. Every step needed accompanying gargoyles set on the sides to guide hikers on to the correct path, so finding and setting these smaller rocks was an additional task throughout the week. This work could be frustrating at times, as the available rock was prone to cracking at inopportune times. Nevertheless, the crew persisted with an incredible work ethic in spite of the challenges and hot, sunny weather. Before long, the crew members were building with confidence and progress accelerated.

By the third work day, an enormous amount of work had been accomplished and the crew showed no signs of slowing down, in spite of some very sore muscles. An especially memorable moment was lunch at the summit of the Rocky Bald blue blaze trail, which provided panoramic views of the Nantahala National Forest and beyond. After lunch, the two sub-teams eventually combined into one in order to address a final push on the construction of the last rock steps. Working 30 minutes past the planned end-time, the Mules demonstrated their determination and team spirit in this fast-paced effort to finish up the work and end it well.

In between the hard work days, Crew 2 enjoyed downtime with some extremely well-coordinated team cooking, copious games of the psychologically thrilling “Werewolf”, and a nightly reflection led by the UCM team leaders, Matt and Jeff. The openness to sharing and learning about themselves and each other is something one doesn’t necessarily find on every Konnarock crew, at least not to the extent present with the UCM team. The cohesiveness of this crew definitely stood out in everything they did, from work to play.

On the final morning of the trip, several members of the crew decided to wake up before dawn to hike back up to a scenic overlook to watch sunrise. Hiking by the light of headlamps, this group was rewarded with a breathtaking show of color and light as the sun ascended above the peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains in the distance. This unforgettable experience was a fitting way to wrap up a very successful crew week, and the team left camp in good spirits.

The hard work was complete, but a Konnarock week would hardly be complete without some culinary indulgence on the way back to Base Camp. In this case, the crew stopped in at a Konnarock classic, The Burger Bar in Bristol, VA. Crew 2 enjoyed a variety of mouth-watering burgers, fries, and milkshakes before finally making the last leg of the drive and bringing Week 2 to its successful conclusion.

A huge thank you goes out to the UCM volunteer team for making the long drive to southwestern VA to work with Konnarock this year. Special thanks to Jeff Huffman, UCM’s Director of Military and Veteran Affairs, for joining Crew 2, and furthermore for co-organizing the UCM trip. Thanks also to Paul from the Nantahala Hiking Club for treating the crew to lunch at the NOC, as well as joining the crew for a day of work on Rocky Bald. The week was a huge success, wrapping up work on Rocky Bald for the season. Stay tuned for exciting adventures yet to come on Week 3, in the Wilderness of Ridgepole Mountain!

--Assistant Crew Leader Josh Reynolds