Hi all. I had second thoughts about when we could go in again and also about the sequence of the work. I am busy this coming Saturday but could go back on Sunday if some will join me. Let me know.

On the sequence, I said we would put on the platform lumber after smoothing the dirt under the platform and installing the middle log. That is not the best way. after installing the middle log, we will put on the short front logs and spike them into place. Then we cut the five saddle notches in the two side logs, install them, and put on the long rear log that only has two notches. Putting these on before the platform allows us to put the platform lumber directly against these logs so there is a minimum gap. The platform will be trimmed to a uniform edge and notched at the center to match the notch in the support log. After that, it is just log after log until we have built the walls! Howard

We left a load of roofing material about half way down the hill last week, so we want to go back and get it moved the rest of the way down this week. Leaving logs in the middle for two weeks wouldn't hurt them, but the roofing tin might take a set and be hard to install, so we don't want to leave it another week. We need at least 6 strong (not to bright also helps) folks to take the loads down the hill and several of our regulars have said they cannot come this week, so please come out if you can. If I don't get enough folks out, we may need to change the work site, but lets hope for a good turn-out. Asheville folks meet at exit 44 of I-40 at the Home Depot at 8:00. Hendersonville people at Ingles at 7:20. If you don't want to work on moving stuff down the hill, bring digging tools, because there is tread work to do on the AT at this location. There is the possibility of rain on Friday, so check your E-Mail late Thursday evening if things look iffy.Skip

John Soldati's Wednesday Work Crew

Alright! We're off to the AT and Street Gap to repair and replace the steps at the first switchback just south(bound) of the Gap. We will do blazing, tread work and may, if enough volunteers reply, drop a crew off at the blue blaze trail above to work on the dangerous section of trail going down to the AT. Need two saws on this one, so if Barth is coming bring one and if Jorge is well and fit, you may want to bring a saw as well. Sawyers will do tread work as well. (Thanks) Let's meet at Weaverville at 8:00 AM....It should be a good day, pretty warm by ending time...the cold box will be full...so let's REPLY, as usual...See all of you out. Thanks, JS

Post Work Report: 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

Mike Lang/Barth Brooker Monday Crew

I am looking at a reasonable forecast for Saturday and Sunday, 4/16 - 4/17. The crew will be taking more stuff down the hill on Friday. We will be doing the fancy cutting on the front platform support log, trimming the tops of all three support logs, moving and compacting the dirt so it is at the proper level, and whatever else we can accomplish. Let me know if you can come. Thanks. Howard McDonald

Post Maintenance Report: Hi all, four of us went in Saturday and got further along with the construction. We shaped and installed the front platform support log, and flattened the tops of the front and back logs. We now have to flatten the top of the center log and adjust it's saddle notches so all three logs make a flat plane. Before spiking the center log into position, we will smooth and compact the dirt below the platform. Then we will install the platform lumber and trim off the front edge. We will then be building walls by notching and putting up logs which will make this shelter really grow! The next possible time for going in on a two day effort will be April 30 and May 1. Let me know if you will be able to join me in making this thing start to look like a shelter. Thanks. Howard

I'm taking a few days off!!! So there!!! Neal and Walt have the crew this Friday. Walt has a project clearing some more around the Bucksprings Lodge and needs one sawyer and some weak minds -- uh -- make that strong backs... He will need 4 or 5 to work with him. Neal will take the rest of the crew down Buck Springs trail from the Inn and clear one messy blowdown with some leaners. He will need at least two sawyers and some more to help. There should be little or no normal maintenance as the section maintainer has just worked this section and says it is in good shape except for the downed trees. Ralph Turnberg is in charge of tools this week. Meet at the ranger station at 8 and please reply to Neal, Walt and me if you plan to be out. I'll leave it to Neal to get word out Friday AM should the weather be bad again. I'll have my laptop with me so should you need to contact me do so by e-mail as usual. Bill

Post Work Report: Report on last Friday's work hike....the CMC Hoskins/Newton crew : Twelve were there, then Neal went with Harvey F., Jim T., Bud H.and Dave B. Walt Weber went to the old lodge site with Larry S., Ralph T., Dale V. Jerry K., John V., and Jack M. My group went from The Pisgah Inn on the Buck Springs/MST to Hgwy 276. Cut seven blowdowns, scraped out water bars, small amount of tread work and clipped a LOT of briars. Four hours on trail and two hours travel. Assume Walt W has sent in his report. Happy Trails, Neal

Folks, Time to get back to the log pile this week. Howard will bring the refurbished carts and roofing materials and we will try to get some stuff moved down the hill. We need at least 6 or 7 folks who are able to help move the logs, so please come out if you can. For those who can't move logs, there is tread work needed on the AT both North and South from the new shelter site. Asheville folks meet at Home Depot at exit 44 of I-40 at 8:00. Hendersonville folks at Ingles at 7:20. Howard's van will be filled with "stuff" so we will need some additional drivers this week. Alan, we will meet you at the Harmon Den exit around 8:30. Please bring the rope and your trusty old truck. Folks who don't want to help move logs, bring digging tools. Please let me know if you are coming. Skip PS The North bound hikers are out in force, so if you want to be a hero, bring along some apples or candy bars to pass out to them.

John Soldati's Wednesday Work Crew

John is unavailable to lead the crew this week so I will fill in for him. Rain is predicted so look for an early abort. Since we don't have John's big truck to haul us to a work spot, I am going to pick something close in. We will meet at the Folk Art Center at 8 A.M. Bring treadwork tools. I will need at least one chainsaw. We will work on: Item 220: 20 minutes north of where BRP crosses the MST, a lot of roots that need cutting or covering. Trail is moving downhill. Item 221: 1/2 mile south of Craven Gap is a hole left by a large root ball on trail. Needs filling and steps. 20 minutes further south is an area of sidehill and a few areas of treadwork. MP385 to Folk Art Center: trees on trail, tread work and blazing. Monday crew report. Barth and Jorge, if each of you would bring your saw, that will give me more options as to breaking the crew up into teams. Jorge, please meet us at the Folk Arts Center. Everyone: please let me know if your coming. dlcsmc@charter.net

We are going for a good hike to Lane Pinnacle on the Mountains to Sea Trail. Meet at the Folk Art Center at 8:30am. Caravan up to Bull Gap where I will meet you and then we'll head further North. Please let me know if you plan to can attend. Thanks Mike