 |
| Session 7 Crew |
Day 1 - The hike from Clingman’s Dome to camp was a
10+mile slog through the fog and rain.
We stopped at two shelters en route, allowing everybody the chance to
lunch out of the wet and empty their boots.
With about three miles left, David had to respond to an injured hiker
report. Applying his excellent
wilderness medical skills he was able to stabilize the hiker until other help
arrived and they airlifted him out. Good
work, David!
 |
| Brit on the swingblade |
Day 2 - It was a 6-mile hike to the end of our work area,
made a little easier by clear skies.
Jeff, Kirk and Tina began brushing at Silers Bald Shelter while the rest
of the gang ascended further north to tackle the blackberry invasion. At the end of the day, Morgan commented that
it seemed like the toughest workday of the season. Luckily, there was a great supper and dessert
to look forward to, followed by bedtime around 7:30.
 |
| Kessiah works the loppers |
Day 3 - The crew split into two teams today, with Morgan,
Tina, Jeff and Kirk heading south brushing while the rest of the bunch went
north to finish a 2-mile section of waterbars and lopping. On the way up, David’s crew heard a bear
growl, so they kept close together in hopes of no further encounters. After a good 3.5-mile total of work
completed, everyone headed back to camp for tuna mac and conversation with the
wild pig hunter, Rick.
 |
| Hanging out at camp |
Day 4 - Yet another day of dividing and conquering. Morgan’s group headed south and brushed their
way back from Starkey Gap. David’s group
had a more thrilling workday after Kessiah spotted a rattlesnake on the trail!!! The crew took some photos from a safe
distance and resumed their brushing a little further downtrail. Later, on the way back to camp, they were
caught in a major downpour. Luckily Kirk
and Morgan had supper prepared for their soggy return.
 |
| Andrew on the loose! |
Day 5 - The crew ate breakfast a little slower this
morning, watching and hoping the rain would quit soon. In the end everyone sucked it up to clean a
few more waterbars and dig sidehill.
Tina showed everyone out with her amazing pulaski skills while Greg
worked the shovel. Returning to camp the
skies opened long enough for the crew to dry their gear and sun bathe. Dinner was followed by a game of
‘Bean-Boozled’ (look it up…YUCK!).
 |
| Group shot with some passing hikers |
Day 6- The long walk home…frequent stops with the
intermittent bear markers (aka fresh scat).
The ascent to the dome was long and arduous, but it paid off once the
crew reached the top and were able to take in the breathtaking views. After tacos at Soak Ash basecamp, David and
Morgan handed out the prized trail crew shirts and everyone got time to reflect
on another great week of trail maintenance.
