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The Joy of Trail Maintenance Pinhoti NRT, 170 Miles, Alabama John Calhoun, Mother Nature’s Son Fashionplate Dan Bedore Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association October 2018 |
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John Calhoun 15,000+ Miles, Triple Crown 9,000+ Hours Trail Maintenance - Dan Bedore ~28 ,000 Miles, Triple Crown |
| Image: Dan and Chain Saw |
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Pinhoti Trail 337 Miles Alabama, Georgia 11 Shelters USFS Map, Solo Guide, Maps, Guthook http://www.pinhotitrailalliance.org/ Image: Map, Pinhoti, Alabama, Georgia |
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Trail Work is Fun - Working Alone Offers Solitude, Nature Observation, Slow Pace - Work Crews: Camaraderie, Meeting Hikers, Different Perspectives on Hiking, Newbies - Hikers Thank You - Trail Angeling - Meet Trail Planners, Land Managers, Old Timers - Understand Why Trails and Facilities are where they are - Understand the History and Work Cycles on the Trails - Seasons - When to do the Work - Spring, Fall - Post Storm, Fire - Visit Section Year Round |
| Image: Trail Work |
| Image: YCC Crew 5, 1977 |
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15-25 Miles per Day for Long Distance… - Adequate Signage, Good Maps- Blazes – Too Much or Too Little, Clocking - Brush, Branches, Briars – Above Knee - Lopping - Grass, Weeds, Low Brush – Mow, Whack, Sling Blade - Detritus – Flicking Sticks and Rocks – Hiker Can Fix - Stick Litter, Trash, Gear - Blowdowns – Carry Off or Saw - Tread Grubbing – Digging Tools – Mud, Standing Water - Creeks – Bridges or Rock Hops - Or - |
| Images: Blowdown Before and After |
| Image: Many Blowdowns |
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Whatever Annoys You - Volunteer for a Crew on your Favorite Poor Trail- Do Work Solo or With a Few Friends - Fix the Problems that Annoy or Slow You - Get Appropriate Permissions |
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Time Invested in Trail Maintenance John: 9,000+ hours in 15 years- 2-3 year’s Growth – 6 Hours Work – 6 Minutes Back to Car - 1/4-1/3 of day is driving - 60-90 Miles One Way - Gas, Wear and Tear, Tax Deductible - Tools, Fuels, Sharpening - Lopper, Stone - Chainsaw, Chains, Gas, Maintenance, USFS Kevlar Chaps, Helmet, Class - Weedeater, Slingblade, Crosscut Saw, Hand Saws, McCloud, Pulaski |
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Keep it Simple Sucker - Carry and Use One Tool- The Story of the Signs - Multiple Signage Surveys - Compiled List Contained None of Our Suggestions - Forest Service Bought Batch of Signs - Many Were Incorrect - We Carved Our Own Signs from 2x4s - 2x4s are Cheap and Common, as are 2x6, 2x8, 2x10 - Sketch in Pencil, Carve with Carbide Ball on Dremel, Fill With Blue Paint - We Make Maps, Symbols, Multiple Lines, Whatever - Rugged, Handmade Look |
| Image: 2x4 Sign |
| Image: 15 Signs |
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Shelters - 11 Shelters in 170 Miles- Grafitti, Trash, Abandoned Gear - Register, Broom, Bible - We Sold Bundles of Gear and Trash - Roof, Stairs, Paint - Pinhoti Has No Toilets |
| Images: Aluminum and Paint Blazes |
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Reporting - Land Managers, Clubs use Trail Registersand Maintenance Records to Prove Public Interest in Trails for Grants, Budgets - Other Maintainers Want to Work on the Worst Sections - Hikers Want to Avoid or Plan Extra Time for Bad Sections - A Web Page With Current Condition and Historic Reports Helps Many People - But Many Smaller Trails Don’t Have Organized and Accessible Reports |
| Image: Truck Tires |
| Image: Aircraft Wreckage |
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How to Start Rookies Join a Club or Go to a Work Day- Tools are Provided - Bring Gloves, Loppers - While Hiking - Use Poles to Flick Sticks - Flick, Don’t Kick Rocks, Big Sticks - Trash, Gear, Food - Free Socks, Knives, Gloves… - Always Bring a Bag Old Pros Pick One Tool and Walk Thru- Get Away From Trailhead - Own and Sharpen Tools - Gloves, Loppers, Stone - Saws Need Maintenance, Training - Always Surveying Trail Condition - Camera, Notepad - Have Fun - Be Safe - First Aid Kit |
| Image: Pack with Chainsaw Scabbard |
| Image: Complex Blowdown |
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Contact Us Fashionplate DanDan Bedore www.bedore.org danshike@yahoo.com Mother Nature’s Son Mister Pinhoti John Calhoun jncalhoun@juno.com www.trailjournals.com/mothernaturesson |