CMC Weekly Trail Maintenance  News

12/17/03

______________________________________________________________________

Looking Ahead.......

Trail Maintenance scheduled for this week

Bill Newton's Work Crew-Friday 

This Friday we will invade the Daniel Ridge Trail. Reports indicate there are several blow downs along the trail. Meet at the Pisgah Ranger Station (not the work center) at 8. Please let me know if you will be out. The following Friday is the day after Christmas, and I think we will take the day off. If anyone wants exercise that day, it would be a good chance to scout some trails to check for any damage from the recent rains and winds. Bill

Piet & Skip's Work Crew-Friday 

Folks, It looks like the weather gods are going to be nice to the Friday crew again this week so lets go back to Balsam Gap and finish up the new trail to where it crosses the parkway. We made great progress on this trail last week and should be able to get this section finished if we have a good turnout this week. Asheville folks meet at Home Depot at exit 44 of I-26 at 8:00. Hendersonville people at Ingles at 7:20. Please let me know if you are coming this week and if you want to work the Friday after Christmas. The number of folks who want to work that day will make the decision on whether to go or cancel. Skip

Anyone interested in joining the trail crews contact: Hendersonville area-Bill Newton, 828-693-4033, Brevard area-Dick Johnson, 828-884-3685, Asheville area-Skip Shelton, 828-891-3264 or Piet Bodenhorst, 828-298-8371

FMST Patron Members

Dear FMST Task Forces: A message from our Recognitions Chairman for our January 31, 2004 meeting. Also keep in mind that if you are a patron member, you are eligible to receive trail crew t-shirts or hats as a thank you for you're trail work. If you can account for over 75 hours between January 2001 and Jan 2004, send me a note and we'll get you added to this years Trail Crew Award Recipient List. Enjoy your holidays. Ray Benedicktus  raybene@msn.com 

Help design the 2004 Appalachian Trail Volunteer Trail Crew T-shirt!

Here's your chance to design the 2004 Volunteer Trail Crew T-shirt! We have a few ideas that we're throwing around here in the office, but we thought we would give you all a chance to come up with something as well. Basically, all we need are your designs by Jan 20th. The front is standard with the year and trail crew, so you'll be designing for the back of the t-shirt only. Be creative and have fun with it!! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me, Sarah Ashton, in the Central and Southwestern Virginia Regional Office. Sarah Ashton Regional Program Assistant Virginia Regional Office 1280 North Main Street Blacksburg, VA 24060 Phone: 540-961-5551 Fax: 540-961-5554

MST Work Day

December 20, 2003 - The Central Blue Ridge Task Force will host a workday on the Woods Mt. Trail/MST near Marion. Meet at the K-mart in Morganton at 8:30 AM sharp. All tools are provided. Camping is available on the Woods Mt. Trail as well. You MUST RSVP to Bob Benner at (828) 437-6635.

Adopt-A-Trail (Section) Maintainers Needed!

We currently have several sections on the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) that would love to have a caring individual who can adopt a section of their very own. As a trail maintainer, you would be the MST's most important advocate and protector. In this role, you would become familiar with trail maintenance techniques so that you understand the big picture as you perform the simple, recurring maintenance and repairs necessary to keep the trail in good repair. One your most important duties would be the "eyes" and "ears" of your section. The section supervisors are responsible for all of the "heavy duty" work and should be contacted to perform trail work you would not feel comfortable doing. 

If you are interested please contact me or any of the following and we will explore finding just the right section of trail for you. Don Walton, walt7258@bellsouth.net , 828-298-5084, Stan Smith, ssmith111728@aol.com , 828-456-3042, D.R. Kulp, kulpdr@juno.com , 828-692-0783, Les Love, leslove@aol.com , 828-658-1489, Jorge Munoz, jmunoz@buncombe.main.nc.us , 828-658-0606.    

______________________________________________________________________

Looking Back....

Bill Newton's Work Crew-Friday

Just watched the weather report, and we are promised clear weather for Friday. And the rangers at Holmes are eagerly awaiting our arrival. Seems they have some rather large logs to assemble into an educational piece. And there is a good bit of trail work to be done as well. Meet at the Holmes ranger station at 8. Come prepared to have your picture taken at the shed we constructed (wear your best trail jeans Harvey). As always, please let me know if you will be out so I can arrange the tools. Bill

Piet & Skip's Work Crew-Friday 

Folks, It looks like the Wednesday crew is going to get the rain this week and we get the sun. Much better than last week. Lets plan to go to Balsam Gap maintenance area and build on the new trail going South. The Parkway may be closed, but I think we can get to the new trail without going on the parkway, so we should be in good shape. Bring digging tools, fire racks and loppers. Asheville people meet at the Home Depot at exit 44 of I-40 at 8:00. Hendersonville folks at Ingles at 7:20. As always, please let me know if you plan to come.Skip

Jorge's Work Crew