 |
| Session 4 Crew |
Day 1: Session 4 began by welcoming a host of new faces and
veteran volunteers. There’s Newt, a
7-time crewman, and his grandson, Jacob, from Dallas. There’s thru-hikers Elizabeth (another alum),
Doug and Will, Vinicius (back for more),
and Patrick, an intern for ATC SORO.
After the crew made the long journey to the trailhead, their journey was
made longer when they took the wrong trail.
With daylight burning, the leaders decided they should stay at Round
Bottom horse camp where everyone could recoup and take a swim in the nearby
creek. Sadly, Newt decided he had better
return to basecamp after some difficulty with the climb. We were sad to see him leave, but believe
he’ll enjoy waiting for Jacob’s return with all the conveniences of basecamp
and local family.
 |
| The Crew is Ready for Work! |
Day 2: Approach to Tricorner base camp take two! The crew got up super early to try and make
up for lost time. They met a lot of
difficulty head on, as the first 2.5 miles seemed more like an endless
staircase than a hike. By the halfway
point, Crew Leader David was tending to Jacob and Doug’s blisters, and Vinicius
needed a nap. Camp was reached with just
enough energy for the crew to set up tents and cook supper…Tuna Alfredo! Thanks as always, Meg.
 |
| Patrick and the Crew Take a Break |
 |
| Bustin' the Brush |
Day 3: Everyone was incredibly amped to begin working. Breakfast was scarfed down ahead of the
team’s charge up Mount Chapman, which needed a good deal of brushing and
waterbar cleaning. David bestowed Will
the trail came ‘Super Safe’ after he exhibited superb safety…ness while
wielding the Pulaski. Meanwhile Doug,
Elizabeth, Pat and Jacob handled blowdowns.
Go teamwork!
 |
| Patrick wields the loppers. |
 |
| Will clears some brush. |
Day 4: It was a soggy day in the Smokies—plenty of pruny
feet to go around by day’s end. Patrick
was awarded the trail crew name ‘Rogue’ after he grabbed his loppers and took
off on a serious mission. Jacob swing-bladed
from beginning to end, assisting the team’s amazing 2.5 mile maintenance run
for the day.
 |
| Vin cleans up limbs on a blowdown. |
Day 5: A long final day of brushing was broken up at lunch
with a trail crew naming party. They are
as follows:
Vinicius-BBQ
Doug-The Smoky Mountaineer
Will- Supersafe
Patrick- Rogue
Jacob-Blisters
Elizabeth-Coach
After dinner, we resumed our nightly P.E.L.T. game in the
muck and mud, so everyone’s ready to hit the showers as soon as we get back to
Soak Ash.
 |
| Volunteers Elizabeth and Vinicius. |
Day 6: Soak Ash, here we come! The crew got up before daylight to get a leg
up on the heat (not to mention there were more than a few members ready for
some food NOT cooked in a pot). We made
it down in record time and took advantage of the long drive to sing Genie in a Bottle and dry out.
