Sand Spring, Virginia

Yet another fine looking crew, ready to embark south for the first time this season, going to Sand Spring, Virginia. We'll be working on a trail relocation, making new trail from scratch so an old section can be closed down.



We stop for a quick peek at the ATC Headquarters in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, en route to our work site.



Terry getting down in the dirt.



Catherine makes crush and fill for a rock step.



Enjoying the luxury of the Blackburn Center, our base camp for the week. Thanks to Chris and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club for their help, hospitality, and a great meal.



Sunrise from the Blackburn Center. We got trail to build.



Maggie removes a stubborn stump and roots from the new trail route. Cheers to our volunteers from England.



Smoothing out the new trail.



Maggie, Steph, and Kerry enjoy the lunch break.



Digging new trail.



Kerry paints a fresh white blaze.



Steph approves the newly dug trail. Look at that flow.



Catherine looks proud of her steps.



Chiara looks happy to paint a blaze on the Appalachian Trail. She was our 5 week super volunteer from Italy whose cooking and good humor we miss.



A box turtle near the relo.



Thats a wild fungi.



The sun setting on another great week of trail crew.

Back to Bear Mountain

We headed back to Bear Mountain for Week 4 for some more fun filled trail building. Thanks to the NY/NJ Trail Conference and Eddy and his crew for all the help and hospitality. We've got one more visit to this site this year. But don't worry, we'll be heading back for FOUR weeks next year, so get excited if you like to move serious rock. We may be staying up there for a two week block as well in 2009.



Bear Mountain, where serious trail gets built.



Walking to the work site via some impressive staircases.



Ted talks to the crew about safety and project logistics.



She's a serious rock crusher!



It's all about teamwork.



Contrary to what some may think, staircases aren't normally a natural phenomenom.



Pat knows how to move a rock.



Aaron is lovin Bear Mountain, and the Bob Dylan song about this mountain.



The colors of autumn are starting to pop out.



Virginia creeper.



The best ingredient to any meal: hunger from a hard day of trail building



Kevin and Carolyn showcase synchronized rock crushing.



Pat and Neal go together like peanut butter and jelly.



Neal breaks a rock in two to make steps.



Petra loves breaking rock.



Chiara can't believe the incredible cribbing.



Catherine's having a good time.



The Hudson River Valley from atop Bear Mountain.



The crew poses atop Bear Mountain next to Perkins Tower with NYC 35 miles in the background.


Here's to another great, fun, safe week of trail building.

Back at Wind Gap for Week 3

We went back to Wind Gap to continue working on a staircase for Week 3. It was a great week full of trail work, jazz, goats, and two volunteer birthdays!




Thanks to a local bakery in Delaware Water Gap we got John and Chiari, our two birthday volunteers, some yummy fresh pies.







Morning sunbeams warm the crew that looks ready to start the day.



Steps aren't always right where you need them, but can be moved where they are needed with a little mechanical advantage and muscle. Jeff and John show how its done.



Looks like Mary dug her own grave.



A beautifully carved pumpkin.



Harry puts his back into it.



Finishing off a step.



Maureen moves that rock.



Nice.

First of Two Weeks at Wind Gap

Stick bug.

Working on some rock steps at Wind Gap.


Volunteers prepare the drag line to move some massive rock.

It's go time. Chiara looks excited.

This looks like a rowdy bunch.



Volunteers make it happen. The crew looks happy with their quality work.


Showcasing their beautifully constructed staircase to mitigate erosion issues.



Unwinding to a little jazz next door to the hostel, a great way to end a hard day of work.


Leveling off the step.

Drill that rock.


Chiara shows us how Italians do it.


Some great ATC volunteers.


Ever move a 500+ pound rock? You can.


Another good looking group of volunteers.


Week 2 Wind Gap, PA