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| SWEAT Crew Session 2 |
Day
1:
It was an arduous hike up Anthony Creek
Trail from Cades Cove to an abandoned horse camp site near Russell Field
shelter. 3500 feet in just five
miles…talk about SWEAT Crew! After one
water resupply and a handful of breaks, we made it. A few minutes piling dead fall and underbrush
helped to make the camp accommodating and the tarp up and the stove out means
HOME. Meg had a special meal prepared,
Petros, a Knoxville original, remnant from the Knoxville World’s Fair from
1984. Petros comes complete with real
sour cream, so we thoroughly stuffed ourselves in anticipation for the
ambitious work week.
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| Up On Rocky Top |
Day 2: We began our first workday by picking up tools located at two different shelters on our way to Rocky Top. By the time we reached the summit, everyone was ready to break and enjoy the magnificent panorama. Meanwhile, Andy took the opportunity to visit Thunderhead - what can we say, the girl's got some energy! From there we worked on clearing brush from the northern portion of our work section.
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| View Hiking Up to Rocky Top |
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| Vinicius & Tim Clear Back Brush |
Day 3: The team broke into
two smaller crews in order to divide and conquer the most difficult work
areas. The Hazel Creek Gang, comprised
of Dave, Jeff and Crew Leader, David, headed south to cut back some serious
mountain laurel, while the Spence SOBO’s (Andy, Tim, Vinicius and Morgan)
worked on cleaning/constructing waterbars and more brushing. By the end of the day, everyone was beat, but
still found energy to play a round of P.E.L.T!—a version of hacky sack introduced
to us by Crew Leader David.
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| Back at Camp, Ready for PELT! |
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| David Attacks a Blowdown |
Day 4: Half the crew began
the day preparing breakfast while the other half treated their blisters. It rained intermittently in our approach to
the worksite, but never enough to damper spirits. Since the section from Russell Field to
Spence Field is open to equestrian use, we had to widen the corridor a great
deal. It was well worth the time, as by
the day’s end we’d met 12 riders more than willing to share their appreciation.
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| Dave Clears Out a Drain |
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| Tim Backfills Crush Behind a Log Waterbar |
Day 5: Our work week
drawing to an end, the crew set out with the drive to finish the remaining 1.5
miles of trail. With an ample supply of
gusto, good humor, and a few sore arms, the crew raced to the finish in time to
return tools to Spence and survey the several days of hard work. Needless to say, we returned to camp
satisfied with our labors.
Day 6: We packed out after
packing up camp and enjoyed ice cream down at Cades Cove. The drive back to camp put us at Soak Ash
just in time for a delicious cookout courtesy of our chef extraordinaire,
Meg. Hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled
pineapple, watermelon, baked beans…. the list of amazing food seemed never to
end. A great end to a fantastic week!
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Session 2 Volunteers: Tim, Andy, Vinicius (from Brazil!),
Dave, and Jeff |
