CMC Webmaster Needed!

Anyone opening this E-Newsletter or accessing the CMC website has been the beneficiary of the great work and efforts put into it by our present Webmaster, Don Walton.  However, Don has accepted new responsibilities, and is resigning his responsibilities as CMC webmaster. The job of webmaster is now available, and we are recruiting for a CMC member who would like to assume these duties.  We request that you contact Don at donwalton@bellsouth.net if you are interested in this position, or if you have suggestions of someone else who might be interested. Thank you! Bruce Bente

CMC Email News Editor

A bi-weekly news editor is needed to produce this communication. Please contact Don Walton for information.

Join the CMC Trails Preservation Committee!

The CMC Council is considering formation of a committee to address issues related to preserving the hiking experience in Western North Carolina, especially issues that impact hiking trails. If you are interested in being a founding member of this committee, or have questions or comments, contact Ruth Hartzler at ruthmtn@aol.com  or 251-0886 by April 30, 2005. We will propose a mission and scope of the committee for approval by the CMC Council. This is a great opportunity to protect hiking trails, learn how decisions affecting the trail environment are made, and have a say in issues related to hiking.

Call for 2005 CMC Nominating Committee Candidates and 2006 CMC Council nominations CMC WANTS YOU!!!!!!!

This is your opportunity to get involved in your club's leadership. Applications are now being accepted for the 2005 Nominating Committee, and for officer and council positions for the 2006 CMC Council. Serving on the Nominating Committee is one of the most important responsibilities within the club. You participate in a process that determines the next generation of leaders of your association. Serving as a member of the council is a commitment that yields countless rewards. If you consider yourself a strategic thinker with the executive ability to get things done, then CMC wants you! I strongly encourage you take this opportunity to become either a member of the Nominating Committee or, serve on the Council as a councilor or as an officer of the club. Don’t forget CMC WANTS YOU to get involved, and become a part of your club’s leadership. Applications are due to cmcinfo@carolinamtnclub.org  by April 30, 2005. Download the application and job description for the Nominating Committee. Download the application and job description for Councilor. For more information regarding CMC’s organization please refer to the Club Bylaws on the CMC web site, or contact Don Walton, donwalton@bellsouth.net Don’t be shy, get involved. Thank you. Don Walton Immediate Past President

Work Crew Maintenance Project Reports (Past)

Leader: Howard McDonald
Date: Thursday, April 28, 2005
Purpose: Shelter Construction
Location: AT-Max Patch Area
People: 2
Summary: Alan Frank and I went to the site today and accomplished quite a bit. We did not get rained on until we were ready to leave. We flatted the top of the middle platform support log, reworked the saddles to make the top of that log be flat with the front and back platform logs. After spiking it into place, we smoothed the soil below the platform so hikers can use that space for sleeping, if they wish. Then we cut two 4 foot long logs for the very front cross logs, cut the saddle on one and spiked it into place. While ending the days work, we managed to screw up the saddle notch on the second log and turned it into scrap. Ah well! We blame it on the log being wet and I could not see the correct cutting line. That's my excuse! We cut 3 more and left them propped up so they will be dry when we go in again.
The next work will be to position the two side logs, mark them at five places for saddle notches, and cut the saddles. Then cut just 2 saddles in the rear log, put it in place and install the entire platform.

Leader: John Soldati
Date: Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Purpose: General Maintenance
Location: AT-Lemon Gap to Cat Cap
People: 8
Summary: Another big eight out this "party sunny" day with very light squalls passing through along with some high winds. With so many volunteers out we almost needed name tags but one "visitor" who is always welcome (in hopes of landing him with the Crew) is Don Walton, our "very own" Mr. CMC, Trail, Nature and well connected honcho. Rumor has it that Mr. Walton may, just may, take on the long, lost section of Appalachian Trail section starting at Lemon Gap to the summit of Bluff Mt. We hope he takes a shot at it...only if it were closer...I can drive to Los Angles faster than hauling over to Lemon, Kale and Catpen Gaps. We dropped six strong crew members off at Kale Gap (the Kale Gap Group) and they hit every water bar, drainage ditch and some serious side hilling all the way to the top of Walnut Mountain...there they repaired the privy "front porch" floor, repaired the privy roof and cleaned the old spring; then proceeded south to come out at Lemon Gap cleaning and repairing water bars all the way out. Two more went in at Kale Gap, proceeding to Catgap surveying the trail, removed some heavy rhododendrons hanging low over the trail, removed a hung-up leaner, hit some side hilling and installed four good sized silt bars to fore stall some serious erosion back at Kale Gap, as well as cleaning three water bars going up to Catpen Gap. All came together as planned back at Lemon Gap. From Catpen G. southbound the AT is in great need of serious side hilling and we will plan to take that on next week. Some blazes very faint, some OK. Not much wind damage in this area. Very good day! Thanks guys. JS

Leader: John Soldati
Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Purpose: General Maintenance
Location: AT-Street Gap to Big Bald
People: 8
Summary: The best day for the Wednesday Trail Crew.  With a big eight, strong talented and raring to go crew members.  Barth, Bill, Bob, Charlie, David (R), Don, Jorge and me (the weak one).  Surely the best day so far this year and the Crew returned full measure.  We took on the blue trail south of Big Bald, cleaning up all the lose rock and installed 10 large silt bars in the steep section to aid hikers coming up or down. We removed 3 trees blocking the blue trail and sent another saw team north to the summit of B. Bald clearing out trees, then this team did a 180 degree turn and marched down to Street Gap.  The main group moved down from Wolf Laurel to Street Gap and replaced two broken steps with new ones and added 3 more higher above.  We installed several water ditches and improved two others plus remove 2 more trees above the switch back.  The saw team marching south removed another 16 trees (left 3 major ones due to time) on the long section south from the summit of B. Bald.  Also on the blue trail we checked the spring, and did some sidehilling.  Blazes look good an bright, spring in good shape, clean and flowing well.  Finished the day talking to AT hikers and drinking ice cold beer.  It doesn't get much better than this.  Thanks guys.  Official Report follows.  JS