The Tennessee Eastman
HIKING & C ANOEING NEWS

August 1993

Contents

• Hiking
• Canoeing
• For The Record

HIKING

FUN FEST MOONLIGHT HIKE
(Scheduled: Thursday, 5 August 1993)
Leader: Steve Falling (615.239.5502)
Again this year the club will be helping the Bays Mountain Park staff with the Moonlight Hike around the lake.  Volunteers are needed to walk with the crowd and keep hikers on the correct trail.  The hike begins at 8:00 PM and finishes up about 10:00 PM.   If you are willing to help out with this event, please contact Steve Falling as soon as possible at 239.5502 for more info.

KONNAROCK CREW - OPENING OF POND MOUNTAIN RELOCATION!!!!
(Scheduled: 12-16 August 1993)
Leader: Joe DeLoach (615.753.7903)
Rating: FUN!!
After five years of hard labor, we will open the Appalachian Trail relocation on Pond Mountain on August 14!  The relocation replaces the current steep climb (or descent) of Pond Mountain and eliminates a mile of Trail that follows a narrow corridor between Highway 321 and Watauga Lake.  The new Trail climbs much more gently through the Pond Mountain Wilderness with good views of Watauga Lake and the surrounding mountains.   To celebrate the opening of the relocation, we will have a dedication at the Trailhead followed by a picnic at Watauga Point Recreation Area.  The dedication will be at 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 14.  We are inviting guests from the Appalachian Trail Conference, the Forest Service, and some local dignitaries to take part in this ribbon-cutting ceremony.  We hope to have a large Club turnout as well; everyone is encouraged to attend.  We'll read off a roll of all the Club members who have ever worked on Pond Mountain.  Afterwards, we'll go down to Watauga Point for a picnic.   Contributions from club members to help defray the costs of the picnic will be accepted.  The picnic will begin around 5 PM.  Please respond by Tuesday, 10 August if you plan to attend the picnic; contact Ted Malone in B284 or at 117 Lakeside Drive, Gray, Tennessee 37615, telephone 615-477-2222.

Directions: to get to the Trailhead dedication, go to Hampton and take U. S. 321 towards Watauga Lake.  Drive about 2.8 miles.  Just before reaching the Shook Branch Recreation Area, there is a Forest Service sign at a gravel parking lot on the left side of the highway.  Park there, or in the Recreation area if that is full.   There is a paved road turning to the right off the highway which leads about 250 yards to the Trailhead.  To get to Watauga Point, continue past Shook Branch on Highway 321 for several miles; Watauga Point Recreation Area is on the left.

By the way...we will need some workers with Konnarock that weekend.  There are several things left to do to open the relocation.  Call Ed Oliver at 349.6668 or Joe DeLoach at 753.7903 if you wish to help.  On Sunday we will be working with Konnarock on the Doll Flats relocation where there is plenty to do.  We can use some help with the celebration and picnic as well; please call Ted Malone at 477.2222 or Steve Perri at 349.5019 to help with the picnic.

KONNAROCK CREW - BALDS CLEARING
(Scheduled for 12-16 and 19-23 August 1993)
Konnarock will be on the Roan balds for two weeks in August.  At this time we have no organized trips planned, but TEHCC members are encouraged to help.   Please let us know if you do work with Konnarock on the balds so we can keep track of your time for, among other things, the highly sought after Konnarock T-shirt!   Call Joe for more information.

KONNAROCK CREW - DOLL FLATS RELOCATION
(Scheduled for August 19-23, 1993)
Leader: Joe DeLoach (Phone: 615.753.7903)
This year we asked for three weeks of Konnarock Crew time to work on the relocation near Doll Flats, thinking that this would be a two year project.  We received two weeks in July, with a conditional third week in August if another Konnarock project in Virginia progressed well.  All indications are that we will get this third week.   Although good progress was made during the first week at Doll Flats, there are some rocky steep areas where construction goes pretty slowly.  We need your help in making a good start on this project this year so it can be finished in 1994.  Anyone who helps the Konnarock Crew for at least five days gets a free year's membership in ATC as well as the coveted Konnarock T-shirt.  Call Ed Oliver (349.6668) or Joe for more information.

JENNINGS CREEK TO DALEVILLE
(Scheduled weekend of 21 August 1993)
Leader: Collins Chew (615.239.6237)
August 21-22 and Friday or Monday - This will be a three day backpack on the Appalachian Trail from Jennings Creek, to Daleville, Va.  This is about 30 miles although the days are not too even.  We will drive up after work, stay at Wattstull Inn and arrange for a car shuttle.  This will be a bit of a training hike for some of us going to Wyoming and will be moderately difficult as backpacks go.  If interested, call Collins Chew at 239.6237 for details and to get in on the planning.

UNAKA MOUNTAIN HIKE
(Scheduled for October 9, 1993)
Leader: Joe DeLoach (Phone: 615.753.7903)
This hike, originally scheduled for August 29, is being postponed until October 9.

SOUTHERN MULTI-CLUB MEET
(Scheduled for 4-6 September 1993)
Leader: Joe DeLoach (Phone: 615.753.7903)
The annual Multi-Club meet for the southern region will be hosted this year by the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club.  It will be held at Wesley Woods, a lodge in Townsend, Tennessee.   Lodging facilities include the main building, cabins, and a small number of camping spaces, all at a very reasonable cost.  This is a good opportunity to meet new people as well as old acquaintances and to do some hiking in the Smokies.  Reservations need to be in by August 15, so if you wish to attend please call Joe DeLoach for the reservation forms.

CANOEING

NOLICHUCKY GORGE
(Scheduled for 7 August 1993)
Leader: Dewey Fuller (615.764.7340)
Rating: Class III-IV
In addition to having challenging class III-IV whitewater the Nolichucky Gorge has some of the most spectacular scenery in the eastern U.S.  However, unless the weather gets a lot wetter between now and August 7 we could be looking at a very low water run on "the gorge" this year.  If drought conditions continue to dominate we may opt to go for something with more water in it.  Contact Dewey Fuller (615.764.7340) for details.

CLINCH RIVER FLATWATER
(Scheduled for 14 August 1993)
Leader: Bill Little (615.245.8219)
Rating: Class I
This will be a first in the remembered history of TEHCC - an organized flatwater trip on the Clinch River.  A great chance for people to become acquainted with the pleasure of paddling flatwater.  Plans are to put in at Dungannon and take out at Fort Blackmore, Virginia, a stretch of approximately 10 miles.

LEADER'S CHOICE RIVER TRIP
(Scheduled: Saturday, 28 August 1993)
Leader: Ed Montgomery
We will select a local class II whitewater river based on water flows and the group's interest.  We will plan to meet at Burger King in Colonial Heights at 9:00am to combine boats, select a river and make final plans.  Please pre register by calling 357.8721.  Plan to bring standard safety equipment, lunch, and a good attitude.

FOR THE RECORD

KEEPING THE TRAIL OPEN
(Ted Malone reporting)
1992 total hours: 3995
Hours this report: 513
1993 hours to date: 4044
** ALL TIME RECORD FOR HOURS PER YEAR **
WEDNESDAY, June 2: Gang of Eight Trail Adopters clipped and weeded from Low Gap to Indian Grave Gap (CH, DF, CBW, JN)
FRIDAY, June 4: Pond Mountain relo with Konnarock and U.S. Forest Service (FW, EO, RP, KP, AH, CP)
SATURDAY, June 5: Pond Mountain relo with Konnarock and USFS (JY, EO, RP)
SUNDAY, June 6: Pond Mountain relo with Konnarock (JD, FW, BC, EO)
MONDAY, June 7: Adopter CB Willis cut weeds from Unaka Mountain to Deep Gap.
WEDNESDAY, June 9: Cut weeds around Watauga Lake from Shook to Rat Branch (FW, JY)
WEDNESDAY, June 9: Gang of Eight Adopters clipped and weeded from Iron Mountain Gap south for 1 mile. (DD, DF, CBW)
WEDNESDAY, June 9: Flag relocation north of Grassy Ridge (EO, Morgan Sommerville)
THURSDAY, June 10: Trail Adopter Bill Berry clipped branches and dug side hill between Devil's Creek Gap to No Business Knob shelter
SATURDAY, June 12: Gang of Eight Adopters clipped and removed blowdowns from Iron Mountain Gap to USFS 230 and picked up litter at Iron Mountain Gap. (DanF, CBW, BW, NB)
WEDNESDAY, June 16: Gang of Eight Adopters inspected trail and clipped from Spivey Gap to Nolichucky River. (BF, DanF, DF, CBW)
SATURDAY, June 19: Weed removal from Bradley Gap to Carver's Gap. (SW, JW, BS, JM, BM, BS, SP, TM)
WEDNESDAY, June 23: Gang of Eight Adopters finish summer task of trail maint. from Iron Mountain Gap to Indian Grave Gap - 10.8 miles. (RF, DF, CBW)
SATURDAY, June 26: Flag relos trail north of Grassy Ridge and south of Carver's Gap. (EO)
SUNDAY, June 27: Inspect Apple House shelter after reports that it had been damaged by fire. (WM, TM)
TUESDAY, June 29: Meeting to discuss Tenn Trails Grant for July deadline. (JM, JS, EO, JT, TM, PW, DN, RH, JD)
WEDNESDAY, June 30: Meeting to discuss buildings targeted for removal by USFS in Dennis Cove, Whiterocks fire tower, power line maint. at Pond Mountain and chainsaw use in the wilderness area. (JS, CM, KE, GL, TM, PW, FO, DN, EO, JD)

TRAIL MAINTENANCE REPORT
(Ted Malone reporting)
On June 30, 1993 the Tenn Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club set an all time record for number of volunteer hours worked in a year.  What makes this an exceptional and astonishing record is that WE BROKE THE RECORD IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS.  Total volunteer hours for 1992 were 3995.  Hours "reported" by June 30, 1993 were 4044.  I emphasize hours because some reports were not turned in.  Although the Trail is in a constant state of needing repair and maintenance, I feel that it is in the best shape it has ever been in.  Hiker complaints are down considerably.   Compliments and praises are at an all time high.  My thanks to all 156 of you that have participated in the 140 events and spent 4337 hours as of this writing.   It's an amazing record but second only to the outstanding group that broke it.   Thanks again and remember while working out there, to work safe and take time to enjoy the views.

SOUTH BEYOND 6000 BOOKLET - NEW EDITION
(G. S. Luttrell reporting)
The new edition of the South Beyond 6000 booklet is now available.  The booklet hasn't been updated since 1971.  The new edition has some new hike routes and extensive revisions throughout.  Thanks to Joe DeLoach, Alan Householder, SMHC, and Dr. Ed Dunn, CMC, for their help in the revision process.  I have a list of those who purchased the old booklet recently, and will mail a new version replacement.  Now would be a good time to start planning some good fall hikes to the 40 loveliest spots in the Southern Appalachians.  If you would like a copy, send a $5 check payable to Beyond 6000, to G. S. Luttrell, Box 511, Bldg. 56, Tenn. Eastman Division, Kingsport, Tn 37662.

CANOE SCHOOL
June 3,5,6 1993
(Barbara Bogart Reporting)
Several friends, Nancy, Ginger, and myself decided to attend the June 3 canoe school.   We thought it was going to be a class on basic lake canoeing.  Were we in for a shock.  I think Nancy really knew, but led us to believe she thought the same way, but I have my doubts.  Saturday came and here I was with mixed emotions... excited about going but not knowing what we were getting ourselves into.  Ginger and I went tandem in a canoe we rented from ETSU.  Nancy went solo in a new canoe she purchased for her birthday.  Once I got on the water, tried a few strokes, and could feel the response of the canoe, I started feeling a little more comfortable.  The first few rapids were a little nerve wracking, but as I got used to handling the canoe, I was more confident in what I was doing.

We had a few minor mishaps and sunk the canoe twice, but whenever we got into trouble, the instructors and club members were right there in a flash to rescue us.  Ginger joked with everyone and said, "Just wait until you see what we have planned for the end of the trip," but the joke was on us.  It was the biggest rapid of all.  Each time our canoe went down into a wake the water would gush in our canoe.  About the third dip we took, our canoe sank.  We were still paddling.   Everybody on shore got hysterical.  They said it looked like a submarine diving into the water.  The nose of the canoe dove down and out of sight.  They could still see us paddling but no canoe in sight.  There was a group of young people on the other side of the river and they were all yelling and cheering us on, and giving us a thumbs up gesture.  Ginger named our canoe "the red boat from hell!"

ETSU evidently did not know much about the difference in canoes for lake paddling and for whitewater.  The canoe they rented us was for basic lake canoeing.  We made it through the day with the expert help of the instructors and club members, however they would not allow us to use the same canoe for Sunday.  One of the club members, Brian, graciously loaned us the use of his canoe and he borrowed another for himself.  I had a better day Sunday.  The new canoe was so different from the one we used Saturday.  It was more stable and responded so much faster.   It was higher on the sides and was substantially built.  We didn't have much trouble Sunday.  The new canoe made all the difference in the world.  However, we did manage to take at least one swim for the day.

Dewey, our instructor, came paddling up just before the last rapid.   He said, "Do you know what's coming up next?"  I said, "No."  He said, "It's submarine point!"  We both laughed.   He had bestowed upon us the honor (?) of having a rapid named for us.   However, with this canoe I was confident we were not going to sink this time.   This was the steepest and deepest rapid we had to go over.  I imagine that is why they made this particular point the end of the run.  It gave you the excitement and thrill of going down a roller coaster, except more bumpy.  I let out a scream of electrifying exhilaration and elation all the way down.  Toward the bottom we went down into a wake and took on some water, but a small amount compared to Saturday, probably because the sides of the canoe were much higher.  We hit down into another wake. Much more water this time.  I thought this was close, but we were still afloat.  I relaxed at this point because I thought we had made it through.  We went down a third time and a big gush of water swamped us.  I thought, "Oh no! We're going to sink after all!"  We finally stabilized.  "Hey, we're still afloat!"   I had a sudden rush of ecstatic exuberance engulf me with a feeling of victory.   "What a BLAST!"

NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT AND MAINE HIKING
18-22 June 1993
(G. S. Luttrell reporting)
Don Baker and Garry Luttrell had bits and pieces of the A.T. remaining to complete in New England that were not the same sections, but close enough together that one trip with one vehicle made the trip mutually beneficial.  While Don was doing the huts in the Presidentials - Galehead, Zealand Falls, Mizpah, Lake of the Clouds, and Madison; I, through paid shuttle help, backpacked the 22 mile section north of Highway 9 at Bennington, Vermont; backpacked from Pinkham Notch to Gorham, New Hampshire; and, day hiked a loop from Gorham, New Hampshire to Gentian Pond.  Finally, I spotted Don at Crocker Mountain in Maine to do the Saddlebacks, then drove to Highway 4 to start a 2-day backpack through the Bemis Range.  After all this confusion, Don has the A.T. completed except for a 90 mile section in New York and Connecticut; and, I have the A.T. completed above the Mason-Dixon Line and lack completing 166 miles of the A.T. south of the Mason-Dixon Line.  While hiking the huts Don experienced high winds and the threat of thunderstorms: one night a wind speed of over 100 MPH and temperature of 28 `F was recorded at Mt. Washington.  At Dream Lake, I met a big bull moose on the trail, and although the moose was 10 times heavier, he ran for cover.  At Little Swift River Pond I encountered at cow moose and her calf.  There happened to be a row boat available; so, while the cow was feeding with her head under water, I paddled to get closer, stopping when the cow raised her head.  Using this technique, I was able to get close enough for some good pictures.  Great trip!

LAUREL FALLS HIKE/SWIM
26 June 1993
(Gether Irick reporting)
This hike started at Colonial Heights in a raging downpour which ended somewhere around Elizabethton.  The group hiked to the falls from Hampton, and from Dennis Cove, meeting for lunch and, for one brave soul, an invigorating swim; others of the group waded and one of the waders demonstrated first a sideways dive, and then a backside flop while trying to negotiate Laurel Creek.  The day was cool and overcast, but free from rain; excellent hiking weather.  Enjoying this hike were L. Alvis, M. Wood, G. Yowell, R. Yowell, S. Holtzclaw, J. Thallemer, D. Mills, C. Wilson, P. Savarese and G. Irick.

MOUNT LE CONTE TRAIL TRIP
10-11 July 1993
(Steve Falling reporting)
Nine Club members found relief from the record temperatures of Kingsport at the summit of Mount Le Conte in the Great Smoky Mountains (about 20 degrees F cooler!).  Our group of nine TEHC hikers climbed the mountain via Alum Cave trail (5.5 miles) and stayed overnight at Mount Le Conte Lodge.  Another group of 11 TEHC creek climbers ascended the mountain as well and, this year, were successful in reaching the Lodge before the next morning!  As usual the food was good and the camaraderie enjoyable.  We descended the mountain next morning out of the clouds via Rainbow Falls trail (6.8 miles).   Hikers using the trail this year were S. and T. Perri, P. Lopez, D. Hutton, J. Ralston, and S., J., M., and D. Falling.

VANDALISM ALONG THE A.T.
(Joe DeLoach reporting)
Although vandalism occurs along the entire length of the A.T., we seem to get more than our share.  This year has been better than most, with the Roan Mountain ring being broken up, but we have had several incidents that need to be publicized.  There have been two tire slashings of cars day parked at High Point where the A.T. crosses Walnut Mountain Road in Carter County.  The motive is apparently to immobilize the vehicle so it can be stripped for parts at night, rather than anger directed at hikers in general.   In any event, High Point is not a safe place to park.  Recently a small fire was set in the Apple House Shelter, near Highway 19E on the Roan Mountain side.  A couple of holes were burned in the floor and a box used to hold hiker comment forms was burned.  The damage was not too extensive and the shelter will be repaired soon.  There were lots of beer bottles strewn around the shelter and it appeared more like some drunks who decided to build a fire inside than someone purposely trying to burn the shelter.

If you're ever involved with or come across an incident of vandalism, the Forest Service and ATC need to know about it.  You can either contact them directly or let someone on the A.T. or Steering Committees know.  Thanks to the people who reported the incidents described above.