North RJ and upper Conley Cove

Date of work: 5/18/2013

number of workers : 1 Jim de Friess

Time spent: 8 hours includes commute

Work accomplished: Trail maintenance mostly clipping with shears, some water bar construction and clean out, some fallen tree obstruction removal/minimizing.

Started on RJ at the fire ring below the Old Conley parking area, clipped/cleared North until intersection with Conley Cove.  At Conley Cove I clipped east (down hill) as far as the foot bridge.  Then returned to the RJ/CC intersection and clipped/cleared CC to the trail head.

Once there I road walked back to my vehicle, saw three hikers- 2 coming out that thanked me, and one going in.

A great day in the woods.

Southern RJ 5-14-2013

Date of work: 5/14/2013

Number of workers: 3 Ken T, Ken C, and Jim d

time spent: 26 hours (includes commutes)

Work accomplished:  Hiked to Mossy falls, made at least one waterbar - on the way out, removed downed trees across the trail, but mostly clipped growth.  From Mossy Falls to 105 the trail is in good shape.  Carried out the few pieces of trash we found.

Video uploading currently-  Will be at:

http://youtu.be/4-YVPqstBWo

Great day in the woods, thanks Ken^2

PI and LGT trashed campsite near the river

Date of work: May 9, 2013

number of workers: 3 Jim d, Tyler d and Jared de Friess

time spent: 24 hours includes commutes

Work done:  was asked to verify a trashed campsite we had heard about from a hiker.  Me and my two sons hiked in and found it as described 3 us army tents, and pots and pans and food.  The critters were in the food already as instant potatoes packages had been sampled in many directions.  We separated it into three groups, burnables, non- burnables, and what may still be interesting to critters- the opened and unopened food packs.

At this point we decided to burn what we could, Jared however decided to keep the tents, and carefully sorted the parts out and with the exception of missing stakes, we think we have three complete ones.  One doesn't have a bag.  If you would like a rescued tent from Linville gorge USA let us know.

So we gathered some wood which isn't easy in this campsite, I suggest we avoid using it for a while.  Then we started a fire and burned away.  After the tents were packed up and everything burned that we could we put the fire out.

A hiker came by - looking for fishing spots, he volunteered to carry the lantern remnant out.  I put the three tents in the pack, we then bagged three propane cylinders, and egg container, and a pocket knife.  Putting them in a bag hanging off the back of the backpack.  Jared carried the pack out, the last I saw of him was just as we left the tree line ascending to the ridge.  Guess that means we should have put more on him.  It was over thirty pounds easily.

I managed to get out once again, as it was hot and muggy coming up that ridge.

pictures:

https://plus.google.com/photos/110028009052849072738/albums/5876109238085815521?banner=pwa

PI once again

date of work: 5/3/2013

number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess

time spent: 4 hours includes commute

Work done: continued down Pinch In removing trail obstructions and creating waterbars with them.  Nearing cliff edge area.  Son hiked to the river and back while I worked, he did carry out the pack and tools, I still couldn't keep up.

Forgot the camera so no pics, found and removed empty water bottle "propel" from the side of the trail.

Brief but good trip, the waterbars up the hill seem to be working well, and it was quite pleasing to see.  They are also substantial and should last a while with very little maintenance.

It was a great day in the woods.

Pinch In 4/26/2013

Date of work 4/26/2013

number of workers 1 - Jim de Friess

time spent 5.5 hours - includes commute

Continued working down the hill, a couple large trunks were across the trail and off the ground and not sure its any easier there, but it is different. The wet weather spring waterbar is now 15' further up the hill closer to the spring thanks to one of the trunks.  I just took my time chipping away at them.

Pictures at

https://plus.google.com/photos/110028009052849072738/albums/5871292097058807057?banner=pwa

Pinch In April 14 2013

date of work: 4/14/2013

number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess

time spent: 4 hours (includes commute)

Work done: continued down Pinch In Installing waterbars, pictures at picasa.

Picked up trash out of the bushes- took picks of it too.

Advised a couple with 2 small children that were very complimentary of the trail, that they were on the toughest gorge trail and only about 1/3 down it.  They decided to hike it some day without the 6 yo, turning around.

It was a great day in the woods.  I'm down to one of the spring areas and just beyond is an awkward to cross trunk- its the start of the next trip.

Jim d

https://plus.google.com/photos/110028009052849072738/albums/5866791116683620497?banner=pwa

April 6 2013 -upper Pinch In

Date of work: April 6, 2013

Number of workers: 1 Jim de Friess

time spent : 8 hrs includes commute

Work done: concentrated on establishing more enduring water features on upper PI.  Photo link below with comments.  Was passed by a number of hikers, cut one standing dead tree out of my conclusion it would fall soon anyway, and probably right down the middle of the trail, so I helped it.

Might be a bigger log than people can comfortably cross so I made a path around the upper end

https://plus.google.com/photos/110028009052849072738/albums/5863853892735958689?banner=pwa

Great day in the woods.

Jim d