Thursday February 14th, 2008
Very tough day for man and machine with long stretches of loose rocks and boulders with little or no soil to establish some form of tread.
The morning was warmer about 35 degrees at start time but with a strong southern wind that really had a sting. We had four hardy traildogs at 8:30 youngest 62 and oldest 73 but all seasoned traildogs. No frozen soil today so we could go right to work on areas we had to jump over yesterday due to the frozen ground. Another traildog joined us at lunch, thanks Pat for the extra help. We are so deep into the mountain now that it takes us over thirty minutes to get to the dig area from the parking area. These treks in and out are, however, helping pack the tread and do allow us a chance to soak in the sweeping views down into the deep Irons Creek Valley to the south.
The battle hardened USFS team members are demonstrating great perseverance in an extremely difficult terrain. There many times when we feel there is just no way they can push further up the slope but they always seem to meet the challenge. As we we clearing tread today there was little conversation as we struggled to establish the tread. Someone mused that the constant chink chink of our Pulaski's and Fire Racks on the rocks brought to mind the opening scene of the movie O' Brother Where Art Thou and we all agreed we are a rock busting gang as we all wondered Ole Brother Where Art the Top.
Tomorrow we meet at the same location on Hickory Nut Mt. Rd at 8:30.
Pack a lunch and fluids and join us in the last six days of digging. Remember rain means we don't meet.
Come when you can and leave when you want.
I have attached a picture of the rock cairn we built at the base of the mountain to signify the long climb ahead.
Jerry
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