The Tennessee Eastman
Hiking & Canoeing
News

March 1993

Contents

• Hiking
• Canoeing
• For The Record

HIKING

A.T. MAINTENANCE
(Scheduled 20 Mar 93)
Leader: Ted Malone (Phone: 615.477.2222)
Rating: Medium
We are continuing to work on blowdowns but this weekend we will be in the Big Laurel Wilderness Area between Watauga Dam Road and Trail north of Vandeventer Shelter.  That's right, it's a Congressional designated wilderness area and that means "no" chain saws.  We will be using primitive tools: cross cut saws, bow saws, axes and anything else that doesn't make any motorized noise.  The Forest Service will be providing some tools and help so let's have a good showing from the Club.  We should still have some views of the lake below us.

In Kingsport call Ed Oliver at 349-6668 and for Johnson City call me at 477-2222.  Can't think of a better way to spend THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING.  Rain date will be March 27.

APPALACHIAN TRAIL-SINKING CREEK TO PEARISBURG
(Scheduled for Saturday, 26-28 March 93)
Leader: G. Luttrell (Phone: 615-239-9854)
Rating: Difficult
This three day backpack trip will pass through scenic areas such as Kelly Knob, Pott's Mountain, White Rocks, Wind Rock, and Peter's Mountain.  We will drive to Pearisburg on Thursday night and stay in a motel.  On Friday, we will hike 8 miles (with a 1500 foot climb) from Highway 42 at Sinking Creek to War Spur Shelter.  Saturday's hike will be 12 miles (with a 2100 foot climb) to Pine Swamp Branch Shelter.  On Sunday, we will daypack hike the final 18 miles (with a 1200 foot. climb) along Peter's Mountain. to Pearisburg.  Pre registration with the hike leader is required.
Meeting Time: 6:30 PM 26 Mar 93
Meeting Place: Parking lot between Burger King and McDonalds in Colonial Heights

SOUTHERN REGIONAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
(Scheduled for Saturday, 3 April 93)
Leader: P. Worsham (Phone: 615.239.5672)
The 1993 Southern Regional Management Committee Meeting will be held on Saturday, April 3rd at the Browns Summit Conference Center near Reidsville, North Carolina.  In past years TEHC has been well represented with many club leaders in attendance. Recent years have seen a decline in attendance from the club although I think the meetings have become more interesting as the trail issues discussed at the meeting become more complex. Accommodations have been arranged in a pleasing conference facility in a rustic setting. Reservations are needed and should be obtained by March 12th. If you would like to attend or want further information please contact Paul Worsham at 239.5672.

VIRGIN FALLS HIKE
(Scheduled for Thurs-Sat, 8-10 April 1993)
Leader: Ted Malone (Phone: 615.477.2222)
Rating: Moderate
It's a long drive to Crossville so let's depart after work (5 PM) on Thursday, spend the night in Crossville and get an early start on Friday am. By taking advantage of a company holiday, we can be back in town late Saturday and for Easter. We will pass three other water falls on the 6 mile hike to Virgin Falls. If we have any rain at all we should have a spectacular view. Water rushes out of a cave for approximately 100 feet and over Virgin Falls for 140 feet before it disappears into another cave in the bottom of a bowl at the foot of the falls. The area has caves, falls and is in a pocket wilderness area. Call for details.

TRAIL MAINT- DENNIS COVE TO BITTER END
(Scheduled for Saturday, 17 April 1993)
Leader: Kevin Edgar (615.246.9464)
Rating: Moderate
We will be maintaining the 10 mile Appalachian Trail section from Dennis Cove, near Hampton, to Bitter End. The section begins with an excellent relocation put in a few years back, complete with vistas, streams, deep woods, and sundry other attractions. From the firetower atop White Rocks mountain we should get great views of the Roan Highlands, skies permitting. Meanwhile we'll be painting blazes, annihilating weeds, cleaning waterbars, and doing all those chores which make our club's section of the A.T. a pleasure to walk on. In order to get the right number and type of tools it would be helpful to know how many are coming. To reserve a paintpad or mattock, and join us in the fun call Kevin Edgar at 246.9464.

DEEP SOUTH '93
(Scheduled for Saturday, 12-18 June 1993)
Deep South '93, the 29th Meeting of the Appalachian Trail Conference, will be held from June 12-18 at North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Georgia. We are one of the five host clubs for this event. The meeting will feature workshops, discussions, excursions, and hikes in the North Georgia mountains. TEHCC members conducting workshops include Luann Mack-Drinkard (Hiking/Backpacking for Women), Collins Chew (Geologic History of the A. T.), and Joe DeLoach (Recruiting New Maintainers). Members of the Appalachian Trail Conference will be receiving booklets describing the meeting and registration forms with their next edition of the Appalachian Trailway News. We have a limited supply of these booklets and can make copies of the registration forms to anyone interested in attending. Please call Ted Malone, 615.477.2222, or Joe DeLoach, 615.753.7903, for more information. Lodging will be available onsite and there is an Early Bird registration fee in effect until April 1.

CANOEING

SOUTH TOE RIVER
(Scheduled for Sat . Sun, 13-14 March, 1993)
Leader: Dave Ingram (Phone: 615.282.5856)
The Catawba is a technical Class II-III river located in western North Carolina. Plans are to paddle the Catawba Saturday, camp near the put-in on the South Toe River Saturday night, and paddle the South toe on Sunday. The South Toe is a clear and cold Class II-III river located near Mount Mitchell. For more information, contact Dave Ingram at 615.282.5856 (home) or 615.378.8414 (work).

LOWER NOLICHUCKY RIVER
(Scheduled for Saturday, 20 March 1993)
Leader: Ed Montgomery (615.357.8721)
Rating: Class II
We will be paddling the Lower Nolichucky River, we will put-in at Chestoa and take-out at Chucky Trading Post. We may even treat ourselves to some Mexican food after the trip. This is a class II run with several good rapids like Radio Tower Rapid, Devils Looking Glass and Big Rock. This trip will require standard safety equipment (PFD, throw rope and cold weather gear). Be sure to bring cold weather gear for this March trip, warm clothes in a dry back may be a good idea.

Let's plan to meet at Burger King in Colonial Heights at 9:00am and plan to take off the river around 4:00pm. Please pre-register by calling Ed Montgomery at 615.357.8721. I have been known to change the trip starting time, date and river at the last minute.
Meeting Time: 9:00 AM, Saturday, 20 Mar 93
Meeting Place: Burger King in Colonial Heights

BIG SOUTH FORK OF THE CUMBERLAND
(Scheduled for Fri-Sat, 9-10 April 93)
Leader: Tom Pridgen (Phone: 615.245.5975)
Rating: II
Check with leader for details.

HIKE AND CANOE TRIP LEADERS NEEDED
It's time to prepare the TEHC schedule of hikes and canoe trips for the second half of 1993. To continue our long tradition of offering a wide variety of outings, we need volunteer leaders. Send your list of hikes to Steve Banks, B-284, and your list of canoe trips to Dewey Fuller, B-150B. Include the name of the trip, date, rating (easy, moderate, or difficult), and your name and phone number. It's not difficult to lead an outing; contact Steve or any member of the Steering Committee if you have any questions.

FOR THE RECORD

WHITE ROCKS TO BUFFALO MOUNTAIN -
16 January 1993
(Collins Chew reporting)
Seven hikers hiked through the beautiful woods with an inch or two of snow decorating all the branches and twigs and enjoyed the (limited) views of the valley and adjacent mountains. Wet weather provide a good flow of water for the cascades. There were several nice viewpoints. Sandra Perry of the Johnson City Hikers graciously consented to guide us on the trails which that club builds and maintains. She also named the ferns and some mosses which provided most of the greenery which lay along our path. Other hikers were Danny Bleakly, Collins Chew, Vicki Lynch, Bob Miller, Betty More, and Neil.

WINTER SMOKIES BACKPACK - 23-24 Jan 93
(Gether Irick reporting)
This Jan 23-4, 18-mile backpack started at the Cosby campground, ascended nearly 4000 ft via the Snake Den trail to Inadu Knob and followed the ridge crest of the Eastern Smokies to Tricorner Knob shelter. We bushwhacked up to the peaks of Old Black (6370 ft) and Tricorner Knob (6120 ft) and took the slightly overgrown trail up to the top of Mt Guyot (6621 ft). A couple of the members of the group were treated to a sighting of one of the red wolves recently introduced into the Cades Cove area.  Saturday was a fantastic winter day, with clear, blue skies and temperatures above 50; Sunday was a mess, with continuous cold rain. We topped off the hike with a gourmet Burger King feast.   Enjoying this winter excursion were Dewey Fuller, Liz West, Don Baker, Owen Holbrook and Gether Irick.

TEHCC MAINTENANCE DINNER MEETING
5 Feb 1993
(Ted Malone reporting)
The Annual Maintenance Dinner meeting was held at the Cabin with 65 members in attendance.   Our agency partners in the U.S. Forest Service came from the three districts to share the evening and the program with us.  Morgan Sommerville, our ATC representative, passed along comments from the hiking community and the ATC staff.  Our Trail Adopters and maintenance team leaders were recognized for jobs well done.  1992 was a record year for the Club with 3995 reported volunteer hours worked.  Mike, from the "Original" Hot Dog Hut, did his usual outstanding job with dinner.

APPALACHIAN TRAIL SLIDES - TEHCC SECTIONS
(Requested by Ted Malone - 615.477.2222)
We need some of your best slides of the A.T.  We need scenes of all the seasons, our best views, our shelters, people hiking the Trail, people working on the Trail, people enjoying the Roan and Damascus Days.  We want to build a slide show of a walk through of our 125 mile section from Spivey Gap to Damascus.  We will use it in Deep South this June and also in recruiting new volunteers and organizations to help us maintain our part of the A.T.  We have one of the most scenic sections of the A.T.'s 2100 miles and it could be one of the best maintained; your slides will help.  Credit will be given.   If you want your slides returned, put your name on each one for identification.   We will make copies and promptly return them to you.  Mail them or call and I will pick them up.

KEEPING THE TRAIL OPEN
(Ted Malone reporting)
1992 total hours: 3995
Hours this report: 466,
Hours year to date: 466

SATURDAY, JAN 2, 1993: Scout Troop 36 (TRAIL ADOPTER) - Clear Trail from Indian Grave Gap south for two miles.
TUESDAY, JAN 5, 1993: Clip Trail from Indian Grave Gap to Nolichucky Expeditions. Install a picnic table at Curley Maple Gap shelter, patch the roof, remove the privy, inspect large dead pine tree leaning toward shelter and inspect and measure bridges along Jones Branch.
THURSDAY, JAN 8, 1993: Inspect A.T. route from U.S. 19E to Doll Flats for relocation.
SUNDAY, JAN 10, 1993: Inspected Bays Mountain Forest Loop Trail behind the Eastman Cabin and found one large blowdown approximately 2 feet. in diameter.
SUNDAY, JAN 10, 1993: Trail inspection and blowdown removal from Carvers Gap to Roan High Knob.
THURSDAY, JAN 14, 1993: Worked with the U.S. Forest Service to plant 250 white pine and hemlock seedlings for screening along the A.T. at Watauga Lake.
SATURDAY, JAN 16, 1993: Inspected the A.T. at road crossings from Spivey Gap to Indian Grave Gap. Condition of signs and treadway were noted as well as hiker safety at the crossings.
SATURDAY, JAN 16, 1993: Third Saturday Maint - Removed approx. 75 blowdowns between Cross Mountain at Tenn 91 north to McQueens Knob.
SUNDAY, JAN 17, 1993: Trail inspection and blowdown removal between Watauga Dam Road and Watauga Lake shelter.
FRIDAY, JAN 22, 1993: Removed approximately 300 blowdowns on A.T. from McQueens Knob to Damascus.
MONDAY, JAN 25, 1993: Attend U.S. Forest Service meeting in Elizabethton on Big Laurel Wilderness Area. Limits of Acceptable Change process.
MONDAY, JAN 25, 1993: Inspect TEHC section of A.T. in Virginia for possible improvements (shelters, vistas trail). TEHC, Appalachian Trail Conference and U.S. Forest Service attended.
THURSDAY, JAN 28, 1993: Planted 100 white pine and hemlock seedlings as screening near A.T. on Watauga Lake.
SATURDAY, JAN 30, 1993: Cut blowdowns from Cross Mountain at Tenn 91 south to Grindstaff Monument, cut rhododendrons, measured bog bridges, and improved the vistas.
THURSDAY, FEB 4, 1993: Replaced board on bog bridge at Cross Mountain.  Installed wire covering to improve traction on bridges and worked on drainage.
FRIDAY, FEB 5, 1993: Annual Maintenance Dinner at Eastman Cabin. Sixty five members attended (names not listed below nor hours counted).
SATURDAY, FEB 6, 1993: Inspect A.T. and bridges from Nolichucky Expeditions north to Curley Maple Gap shelter for possible relocation and improve wet area near RR tracks.
SATURDAY, FEB 6, 1993: Inspect trail, tower and remove blowdowns from Dennis Cove to Whiterocks Fire Tower.

MEMBERS PARTICIPATING: Garry Luttrell, Darrol Nickels, Bruce Cunningham, Jack Young, Frank Williams, John Keifer, Greg Champney, David Dennis, Richard Heath, Joey Baghetti, Todd Webber, Mrs Jackie Heath, Don Dennis, Morgan Sommerville, Joe DeLoach, Rachel Monderer, John Thompson, Cris Moorehouse, Barbara Elston, Mac Beebe, Rick Lott, Ed Oliver, Jeff Siirola, Ted Malone, Ray Hunt, Dick Burrow, Bob Miller, Mike Dawson, Mary Cunningham, Craig DeLoach.

TEHCC 1992 TOP 25 PADDLING PHRASES
(Contributed by Ed Montgomery)

1. It's outside my comfort zone (used to avoid paddling a tough stream).
2. I lost my concentration (used after a spill/swim).
3. Everyone got their keys? (question before making the shuttle run).
4. Did anyone bring an extra spray skirt? (Kayaker has memory loss).
5. Hey, I was just cleaning my shoes (used for swims in flat water).
6. Awww, you can handle this, it eases up after the next rapid (D. Ingram coaching).
7. Gear at the top, beer at the bottom (Cardinal rule).
8. That's tied good enough, it's a short shuttle (short shuttle rule).
9. I think one more boat will fit (on YOUR rack).
10. It was GREAT! (used after each thrilling whitewater experience).
11. The better the paddler, the smaller the rope, the fewer the knots.
12. Follow me (used immediately before getting stuck on a rock).
13. Will trade H2O for beer (used when your fellow paddler forgets H2O).
14. My dry bag and dry clothes are at the put-in, my lunch is at the take-out.
15. That was a boney run.
16. That's a keeper hole.
17. Nice combat roll.
18. Buddy, it was churning! (another Ingramism, on high water conditions).
19. Can you roll that thing? (most commonly asked question by land lovers).
20. Let's take an alternate route (for a change).
21. This river is FULL of rocks!! (Aluminum boat owner).
22. Are you gonna eat ALL that sandwich? (eyeing T Pridgen's lunch).
23. Are we going to stop for a real lunch break? (B. Dayvolt consults D. Ingram).
24. Is that whitewater I hear?
25. ROPE!!!!!