Tuesday Trail Work Bad Baseball Analogy

Good Morning Fellow NCTr's:

If trail work was the World Series we'd have swept yesterday!  We were unstoppable, winning games one and two in the morning at home in Wampum, then travelling and taking games three and four in the afternoon. 

Earlier this year someone had pitched the idea of moving a section of the trail up on the bench overlooking the old strip mine at Gateway closer to the edge to get some better views of the valley.  Yesterday morning Jake Erhardt, Doug Turner, Lee Fairbanks, Rick Ostheimer, and I headed up there to take a look at the possibilities.  Turns out that this project was a home run, with the terrain along there being perfect for doing this.  Nice and flat, very little digging to do, and an excellent spot available to stop and take in the view.  We had seventy-five yards of new trail pruned, raked, and grubbed out in a couple of hours.  The last innings (clearing the vista) turned out to be a cliff hanger of sorts, but the team pulled together and got the job done, with nobody sliding down the hillside or falling off a cliff.  We have some paint blazing to do on the new section to finish it off, and on the walk in we discovered some tasks that need to be done down around the Gateway bridge - job security, always something to do.  Some pictures of the morning's work start right here.

The afternoon session had us taking our show on the road, south of Darlington, to Gamelands 285 and Painter Run.  Our manager, Dennis Garrett, had called the bullpen for some relief for this job - putting in a thirty-two-foot-long footbridge over Painter Run below Indian Rock Hill, and we dominated as a result.  Rick Ostheimer, Rick Eiler, David Wright, Herb Adams, Lee Fairbanks, and I joined Dennis in getting the beams across the water and on the sills.  Each of those triple laminated beams weighed around 360 pounds, but many hands made light work and the job went relatively easily.  Once the beams were secured in place we worked on assembling the structure and floorboards and had this game wrapped up in three hours - a GRAND SLAM that topped off the day.  Our existing trail at Gamelands 285 is now connected to our new section on the Kirkwood Farm.  We do have another, shorter bridge to put in over an overflow ditch a few yards away, but this is more of a bridge of convenience than a necessity structure like the 32-footer is.  My understanding is that a grand opening celebration is being planned for the near future at the site of this new bridge - the details to follow.  I've put together a short album of the bridge-building project here, and you can also link to it from the main Wampum Chapter photo album above.

I had no idea, and I don't think Dennis did, of how much thought and work was going to be involved in putting this very long bridge in when we casually agreed earlier this year that he'd manage the project.  I appreciate all the time, thought, and energy he put in on it, and also for Lee's help (The figuring-out, measuring, cutting, hauling, gluing, and nailing) in getting this tough job done.  We also had the assistance of Steve Smith, a North Country Trail volunteer and hiker, and by trade, an engineer.  He had to have spent HOURS doing the calculations and creating drawings, providing for us the the necessary information to build a structurally-sound bridge.  His assistance was INVALUABLE and we really appreciate his help on this. 

Thanks to all for the excellent day on the Wampum section of the North Country Trail, and to everyone for their continual support.

*Sorry about the lame and under-developed baseball analogies - stuck in my head for some reason this morning.

Dave Brewer
Trail Work Coordinator

Sunday Afternoon In the Woods

This Sunday afternoon we'll be heading to the Kirkwood Farm to continue our trail building project there, meeting at the Hodgson Road trailhead above Crawford's at 1:00.  Should be a nice afternoon in the woods above Little Beaver Creek.  Everyone welcome - you don't need to be "the pro" as we need some new-trail-tester-outers and some leaf-color-identifiers, as well as some root-spotters and picture-takers too.  Hope you can make it out.

The second "prong" involves possibly providing some help for our bridge crew that afternoon, as they may need an assist as they work on their project down near Painter Run.  They've (Dennis and Lee) been hard at it all week getting the specs finalized for that span, hauling the material into the site, and getting ready for some preliminary assembly.  They may need some lifting help at some point in their process and we'll be right nearby.  In any event, we can walk down to the run to check out the progress if you'd like.   It's all coming together.

I have some pics from our work at Cemex near the caves last Tuesday morning posted here if you'd like to take a look.  We improved that section of trail tremendously in just a couple of hours  and we're about ready for the 23rd's Pumpkin Pie Hike.

Thanks for all you do for the trail!

Dave Brewer
Trail Work Coordinator

2011 NCT and NPS Award Recipients

Volunteerism can be considered the lifeblood of the North Country National Scenic Trail - the hours put in by our volunteers on building and maintaining the trail, organizing chapter events and hikes, doing promotional work, managing the finances, and participating in all of the activities required to keep us moving forward - are the critical element of keeping our organization (and the dream and reality of a 4600 mile hiking trail) moving forward.   The North Country Trail Association and National Park Service, through the Volunteers-In-Parks program, recognized several Wampum Chapter members for their contributions of time and effort at this year's National Conference in Dayton, OH and the awards were presented at our September chapter meeting.

Lee

Our Wampum Chapter President, Lee Fairbanks, received this year's National Leadership Award from the NCTA.  The winner of this award is defined as someone who is . . . "A volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional leadership leading to significant local achievements or highly succesful events."  A well-deserved award!

Eleanor

This year's Chapter Honor Award, as nominated and chosen by the Wampum Chapter membership is Eleanor Fairbanks.  As proscribed by the NCTA, this award should be given to an individual " . . . who demonstrates loyalty, commitment, and hard work annually to the local organization's chosen activities."  And a thank you to all chapter members who contributed to this year's selection process. 

Gail and Cathy

Dennis

Doug

Through the Volunteers-In-Parks program, long-time volunteer and major contributor to all of our successes, Gail Blakely was recognized by the National Park Service for 4,000 (!) hours of volunteer service to the North Country Trail.  Gail received a certificate, pin, and letter of thanks and congratulations from President Obama. 

400 Hour awards were presented by the NPS to Lee and Eleanor Fairbanks who received their embroidered NCT shirts.

Being recognized for 200 hours of service was Wampum Chapter Vice President Dennis Garrett. 

And lastly (but certainly not "leastly" as it is highly possible that these hours are understated!) our 100 Hour Award recipients are Jim Houk, Doug Turner, and Cathy Garrett.

Jim

Congratulations to our award winners and thanks to everyone who contributes to our success!

Davis Hollow Cabin Fundraising Event 2011

Diane Winston, Chairman, Davis Hollow Cabin Committee (Contact)

724-654-4918

For Immediate Release:

A dinner and program on the History of the Davis Hollow Cabin will be held on

Friday, October 21, 2011, at the Moraine Outdoor Center, Moraine State Park.

The dinner begins at 6:00 PM followed by the program featuring Mr. Chuck Book’s

presentation of the history of the cabin through the eyes of one of the branches of the family tree.

The fund raising event will highlight the many people who preceded us making it

one of the jewels along the North Country Trail in Moraine State Park and what is

necessary for restoration and maintenance in order to continue to enjoy the experience

of an 18th century cabin home.

Space is limited. Call for reservations by October 19^th. 724-654-4918

Trail Work 10/8 and 10/9 Plus

Good Afternoon Fellow NCTr's:

We have a couple of trailwork sessions planned for this weekend - hope you can make it out.

Saturday, October 8th the plan is to leave from Jata's in Wampum at 9:00 AM and go to Sankey Hill Rd to work on blazing the roadwalk from there to the Hell's Hollow trailhead at McConnell's Mill State Park.  This segment of roadwalk is about 4.5 miles and with "many hands" we knock out a major segment of this in a couple of hours.  Here's a map of that project.  We'll work until 11:00 - I'll bring the supplies.  Please wear flourescent or Dayglo as we'll be working along the roads.  Come earlier to Jata's for breakfast if you'd like.

Side note on the roadwalk blazing - the Eilers, Sher and Rick, have knocked out the segment between Darlington and the Edwards Farm, so that is wrapped up!  A BIG thanks to them for taking that on!!

Sunday, October 9th at 4:00 PM we'll head to the Kirkwood Farm for a couple of hours to continue the grubbing work on our new segment of trail there.  The SCA crew gave us a GREAT start on this and we'll continue on from where they left off.  We'll meet at the new Hodgson Rd. trailhead (right above Crawford's) and walk in from there.  The weather forecast looks great and it should be an excellent autumn afternoon to spend in the woods.  Tools provided, all help is appreciated, no experience necessary (OTJ training provided) so come on out.

Couple of other things:  Jim Nocera's photography hike is on the schedule for Saturday, Oct. 15 and the Annual Pumpkin Pie Hike is planned for Sunday, October 23rd at Cemex.  Details to follow on both of these.  Event Calendar

Lastly, Lee, Eleanor, and I hiked with a father/daughter team visiting from eastern PA last Saturday (in the rain, lol).   This hike was one of the events associated with the KTA Fall Weekend event held at Camp Lutherlyn.  A couple of pics from our five-miler are here.  I think we made a good impression with our segment of NCT at Cemex.

Thanks for all you do for the trail,

Dave Brewer
Trail Work Coordinator

Blaze Painting and Trail Building This Week

It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to have to paint it.

Steven Wright

Good Afternoon Fellow NCTr's:

Steven makes a good point, but we are absolutely WHIPPING through the roadwalk blazing/reblazing project we started on Sunday. Have some pictures from those projects posted starting here https://picasaweb.google.com/105725471641034380528/WampumChapter2011#5656417370823564434

I figure we knocked out about four miles on Sunday afternoon in and around Darlington, and another 1.6 miles in Wampum this morning. My thanks to Doug Turner, Jake Erhardt, The Eilers - Rick, Sher, and Candice, Dennis Garrett, and Lee and Eleanor Fairbanks for coming out to work on this project. Many hands DID make light work. We'll continue on as scheduling and the weather permits. About seven miles left to do, I think, give or take.

Speaking of "Many hands," we've confirmed that the SCA crew will be coming to the Kirkwood Farm this Thursday, the 29th, to spend the day helping us grub out and define our new section of trail there. If you can come out and lend a hand that'd be great! If you can stop by and say, "Howdy and Thanks" that'd be great too! They should be arriving at around 9:30 that morning at the trailhead on Hodgson Rd., right above Crawford's Camping Park.

Thanks for all you do for the North Country Trail! Hope to see you Thursday!!

Dave Brewer

Trail Work Coordinator

A Busy Week Ahead

Good Afternoon Fellow NCTr's:

We have a heavily-scheduled week ahead of us - hoping you can make it out for some or all of these:

Sunday, September 25th we'll be meeting in Darlington at 1:00 PM and plan to spend two or three hours paint blazing as much of the roadwalk between Rt. 51 and the Edwards Farm at I376 as we can. We'll gather at the Greersburg Academy that afternoon and plan out our attack on this ambitious project. Paint, brushes, stencils, etc. will be provided. You don't have to be the "Expert Painter" to contribute to this project so come on out on Sunday. Those telephone poles with blue blazes on them will definitely improve the hiking experience for those trying to work their way from Darlington Twp to the Wampum area. The forecast looks favorable and the Steelers don't play until that night - perfect!

On Tuesday, September 27 we're planning to leave from Jata's Diner in Wampum at 9:00 AM and going to the boat launch parking area on River Road to work on reblazing the road walk from the trailhead near there, under the Wampum bridge, and into town. We have several hikes on this stretch of trail planned over the next month or so and it'll be good to get it whipped into shape. We'll be out for two hours that morning. Again, painting and clearing supplies provided. Come earlier to Jata's for breakfast if you'd like.

THE BIG NEWS

It is on Thursday, the 29th that we are receiving our second trailwork gift of the year. Josh Nard, Program Director for the Student Conservation Association in Pittsburgh, is bringing a crew out to Beaver County for the day to help us with the Kirkwood Farm trail extension project. They'll be arriving at approximately 9:30 AM and we'll meet at the Hodgson Road trailhead (above Crawford's) to walk in and begin work. The project will involve grubbing, grading, and refining the pathway that we've flagged and then cleared with the mower. They'll be working from the point where the spring SCA crew (our first gift of the year) left off and working their way back towards Hodgson Road. I'd encourage you to come out and work with these young people, or at least make the trip out to thank them for their help. All of our past experiences with the SCA crews and their advisors have been extremely positive - the work they do is superb and their work ethic is excellent. We have put a lot of new, quality trail on the ground over the past three years thanks to SCA's help. Tools (AND LUNCH!) provided - bring drinking water and dress for the weather. Here's a map of the project http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=200253697770480530268.00048dac38585c56e767d&msa=0&ll=40.795391,-80.467343&spn=0.016017,0.0421

On Sunday morning, October 2nd, the Wampum Chapter will be leading a hike for Keystone Trails Association members at Cemex, from Sankey Hill Road down to the boat launch on River Rd. The KTA is having their Fall Weekend Event at Camp Lutherlyn, near Butler, and our hike is one of the activities on their program. If you'd like to help out with leading or walking sweep on this hike shoot me an email and I can let you know the "wheres" and "whens." Should be an excellent opportunity to show off one of our segments of the NCT to some out-of-town hikers.

Lastly, ("At last," you say) my thanks to Jake Erhardt and Lee Fairbanks for making the trip out to Mines and Meadows and Gamelands 148 (taunting the rain clouds) this morning. The trail through the ATV park is in good shape and showing no signs of abuse, and we were able to clean up the treadway and drainage channel near a culvert pipe out at 148. We also had the opportunity to bounce around a couple of trail name suggestions - like Dave "Camera Killer" Brewer, Jake "The Pack Mule" Erhardt, and I was thinking for Lee - "Rock Ferret". We'll work on these though. Couple of pics from today are here.

Thanks for all you do for the trail - hope to see you this week!

Dave Brewer
Trail Work Coordinator