July, 1997

Contents

• Next Two Months at a Glance
• 25th Canoe School - A Grand Success!!
• Scheduled Hikes/Activities
• Konnarock Crew Work Schedule with TEHCC
• Book - Geologic History of Bays Mountain Park by Collins Chew
• Activity Reports

25th "Canoe School" - A Grand Success !!
Brad Dayvolt Reporting

The founders would have been proud! The one founder who attended was proud. This year's edition of the "Canoe School" had great attendance, terrific weather, smiles galore, and most importantly, everyone that put on the river made it off the river safely. The regular format, one night of lecture followed by two river trips, attracted 28 students, many of them new to the sport. And 19 APEs and TEHCC members worked hard (and together) to make it not only safe but great fun!

Instructor Brad Dayvolt demonstrates a river safety signal during the "Canoe School" instruction. Photo courtesy of Ai-Lan Whitson.

Canoes outnumbered kayaks, but it was closer than ever before. (Even the students are getting wise to which craft is easier to paddle.) On Saturday, 29 boats (10 K1, 14 OC1, 5 OC2) and 34 folks put in at Expeditions for an hour or so of flat-water training. We split into three groups and meandered down to the sawmill takeout, with everyone arriving about the same time to enjoy refreshments and excited river tales. No open boaters swam on Saturday even though we had three absolute beginner solo boaters. I don't know how the yakers fared, but I did witness one of the "instructors" standing on a rock in the middle of the river, while a student rescued his kayak many yards downstream. No doubt this was a "clinical exercise." The simulated hypothermia was a nice touch. I heard several surprised comments that "Ed really got cold!"

The next morning the crowd had thinned to 22 boaters in 17 boats (4 K1, 8 OC1, 5 OC2). Several students who planned to paddle a second day called in sick, I mean sore, and they were missed. But several additional students showed up making for another exciting day. We put in at Chestoa and paddled to the Chuckey Trading Co. in one large group, armada-style. One beginning student was somewhat surprised by the amount of strength and skill required to paddle an OC1 into the wind (perhaps she should have borrowed a kayak). And she did manage to swim the same rapid twice.

Much to my surprise, everyone successfully negotiated the big three, Devilís Looking Glass, Cliff-Side and Big Rock without a single swim! We again partied at the takeout. Chuckey Trading Co. graciously opened the gate so we could drive down to load boats (Many thanks!) About ten of us ended the day with a festive meal at the restaurant. We concluded the weekend with a toast to Terry Dougherty, one of the founders of the Canoe School, who once again paddled his OCA down the lower Noli. Thank you Terry for starting and maintaining such a great tradition for so many years!

Instructors. helpers and swim-demonstrators were: Dewey Fuller, Ed Mongomery, Mike Morrow, Bob Tonnies, Terry Dougherty, Dale and Mary Mathis, Rich and Kathy Rhulon, Steve Davis, Wayne Lemon, Dave Ingram, Mike Matthews, Bill Wilcox, Dave Dixon, Joe Whitson, Snake Swift, Brad Dayvolt and Norman Neal. My thanks to you all!

Special thanks goes to: Rich Rhulon for instructing the OC1s; Mike Morrow and Bob Tonnies for instructing the kayakers; Snake and Mary Mathis for running safety and setting rope; and Wayne Lemon for running sweep.

Hike Notice - Fun Fest Moonlight Hike, Thursday, July 24
Leader: Steve Falling
Rating: Easy
Again this year the club will be helping the Bays Mountain Park staff with the Moonlight Hike around the lake (about 2 miles). Over 400 hikers turned out last year for this event so it gives the club some good publicity. Volunteers are needed to walk with the crowd and to keep the hikers on the correct trail. The hike begins at 8:00 PM and finishes up about 10:00 PM. The volunteer with the closest guess of the number of hikers wins a Bays Mtn T-shirt. If you are willing to help out with this event, please contact Steve Falling for more information.

First Tuesday - Each Week
Who: The TEHC Retirees
Contacts: Ed Oliver or Frank Williams
Rating: Retiree Pace
The TEHC Retirees have been going out every Tuesday (weather permitting) to work on a Trail project. The projects vary depending on what's next on the priority list and what emergency has come up. If anyone is interested in helping out, call Ed (yes, he actually retired) or Frank for details, meeting location and time. Word of warning for the first timers to make one of these trips.... Be prepared to go out a second time with these fellows because they are a pleasure to work with and there is not a finer bunch of guys volunteering their time, anywhere on the Trail, than our own Retirees.

Little Rock Knob Relocation and Picnic, July 10-14 with Picnic on Saturday, July 12
Leader: Joe DeLoach
We have not one but two crews helping us with this project. The Konnarock Crew returns for their second week on the relo, and it will be the last week of six for the AmeriCorps Crew. We have made great progress thus far, and it will really help to get some Club members out not only for the project but to help motivate the crews. As part of this, we are going to have a picnic on Saturday evening. This will not only be for the benefit of the volunteers but will also help celebrate our 50 years of AT maintenance. In accordance with that, we have a special presentation that you won't want to miss. Please let me know if you plan to come so we'll plan accordingly; at press time the picnic location is yet to be decided but it will be either at Roan Mt. State Park or at Elk River Falls (depending on where the crews stay). And, we hope you can work on the Trail! Volunteers are encouraged to help any day the crews are there but we'll have organized trips on Saturday and Sunday, leaving at 8:00 in the parking lot between Burger King and McDonald's in Colonial Heights. Bring lunch, water, and work gloves.

Konnarock Crew - Laurel Fork Gorge Rehab, July 24-28
Leader: Joe DeLoach
This spring, thanks to a generous donation from Bruce & Mary Cunningham, we were able to greatly improve the AT heading down from Dennis Cove to Laurel Falls. There is plenty more to do there, and we have two weeks of Konnarock Crew time this summer. This project is different than most in that it primarily involves moving and placing rock for steps and reinforcement. It may sound heavy, but we use equipment for moving the rocks and skill to set them in place. This is a good learning opportunity as well as a chance to repair a section of Trail that badly needs it. As always, those who work at least five days with the Konnarock Crew get a year's membership to ATC and a highly coveted T-shirt. Volunteers are encouraged to go out any day the Crew is here but we'll have organized trips on the weekend days. Please contact Joe DeLoach for more information.

Annual Multiclub Meeting - Stony Fork Campground, Virginia, Aug. 29- Sep. 1.
Leader: Collins Chew, Rating: Fun
The annual Multiclub Meeting of the Southern Appalachian Trail Maintaining Clubs will be held at Stony Fork Campground near Wytheville, Virginia on August 29 through September 1, 1997. Come join with other Southern hikers to enjoy the fellowship, good hiking and camping for this weekend. The June newsletter reviewed several of the activities. Registration fees are $10, plus $5 per night of camping for each adult. On site registration is available but preregistration is available and necessary by August 1, if you wish to enjoy a prepared meal, for $6.50, on Saturday night. Call Collins Chew for reservation forms, maps, brochures, and other pertinent information.

Konnarock Crew Work Schedule with TEHCC
July 10-14:	Little Rock Knob
July 24-28:	Laurel Fork Gorge
August 14-18:	Laurel Fork Gorge

	Book - Geologic History of Bays Mountain Park by Collins Chew
	This 71 page booklet describes the geologic history of Bays Mountain Park and, incidentally, Upper East Tennessee. It also describes the rocks and rock structures and some fossils to be found in the area. It is illustrated by the author's sketches redrawn by Sue Everette Shanks. The City of Kingsport published the first two editions but discontinued their sale at Bays Mountain Park when the Second Edition sold out. I have brought it up to date with a Third Edition and have run out of it through giving them away to Science teachers and selling them at $3.50 each. I have corrected a few errors and am going to reprint the Third Edition at the end of July. If you would like to purchase a copy of the new printing for my printing cost, about $3.00, please let me know by July 25. I won't know the printing cost until I know the order size. The Steering Committee approved this non-profit ad.
Contact Collins Chew to order.

• May 16: Installation of Sign at Spivey Gap and Inspect Flag Line at Oglesby Branch
  Ted Mowery and Ed Oliver drove to Spivey Gap and installed the new wooden sign made by Steve Perri to replace the routed Club's Welcome Sign, trail north of Spivey Gap. They walked to the relocation at the trail north end of Oglesby Branch to see if the flags were visible enough for someone to work on this relocation. They found enough flags to tell where the relo is. However, new flagging will be needed before we work on this relo.
• May 17: Rehab Trail Between Indian Grave Gap and Curley Maple Shelter
  Neil Dotson, Joe Deloach, Frank Williams, and Ed Oliver continued the trail rehab between Indian Grave Gap and the Curley Maple Shelter. They made significant progress but did not complete all the needed trail rehab. Ed Oliver insists that it will probably take two more trips to complete this work. The weather was great and they met lots of hikers. They got to a point about 0.6 miles trail north of the shelter.
• May 24: Trail Rehab Near Curley Maple Shelter
  Cris and Theona Moorehouse, Frank Williams, and Ed Oliver continued the work on the trail rehab between Indian Grave Gap and Curley Maple Shelter. They made good progress, but more work still is needed to complete the project.
• May 25: Trail Maintenance Between Bitter End and Walnut Mtn. Road
  Bruce and Mary Cunningham continued cutting rhododendrons and other growth along the trail between Bitter End and Walnut Mountain Road. They also removed three blowdowns. They left one blowdown on the Walnut Mountain Road end. There is a good path around this tangle of blowdowns. They clipped to within a mile or less of the Walnut Mountain Road. They painted blazes in both directions.
• May 27: Trail Rehab Near Curley Maple Shelter
  Bill Stowell and Ed Oliver continued the work on the trail rehab on this section of trail. They estimated that they were within 0.4 miles of the shelter.
• June 5-9: Little Rock Knob Relocation
  Our first week with the Konnarock Crew was spent on the Little Rock Knob relocation, from June 5-9. Despite the intermittent rain, this was a super week. We were able to complete a lower relocation around a steep knob and begin the longer relocation up Little Rock Knob itself. A big reason for the success was the participation of the AmeriCorps Crew. This crew consists of eight college-age people who earn money for college by participating in work projects. This was their first experience in trail construction and they did a great job. They will be here a total of six weeks, camping at Elk River Campground and later at Roan Mountain State Park. It will be nice to have some Club folks to work with them (six weeks of trail construction is a lot!) and to visit with them at camp. Combined with nine members of a very good Konnarock Crew and fair support from us, we were able to build over 2000 feet of new Trail! Ten Club volunteers worked a total of 23 person-days and 229 hours on this project, including Bruce and Mary Cunningham, Joe DeLoach, LuAnn Mack-Drinkard, David Nevin, Ed Oliver, Jim Pence, Steve Perri, and Bill and Derrick Stowell. Jim worked all five days with the Konnarock Crew and earned a T-shirt.
• June 7: Cut Weeds Trail North of 19E
  Bruce and Mary Cunningham cut weeds trail north of US 19E for about 1/2 mile. They then drove to Isaacs Cemetary and cut the weeds and grass between the cemetary and Buck Mountain Road.
• June 10: Trail Rehab Near Curley Maple Shelter
  John Kiefer, Derrick Stowell, and Ed Oliver continued the work on trail rehab trail north of Curley Maple Shelter. They took the long "short cut" reccomended by a maintainer whose name was mentioned frequently on the bushwack. There is about 0.2 mile remaining to be repaired. ONE MORE TRIP!!
• June 13: Flag Relocation Trail North of Carvers Gap
  Derrick Stowell and Ed Oliver met Morgan Sommerville, Jamey Donaldson, and Vern Maddux at Carvers Gap to attempt to find a route between Carver's Gap and the trail north of Round Bald. They identified the approximate location of the rare plants of greatest concern. They flagged a relocation on the top half of the bald. Jamey and the two Forest Service biologists checked the route. They worked on a flag line for the lower portion near Carver's Gap but did not complete it. They will continue the flagging next week. Having the biologists with them made the work much easier.
• June 14: Little Rock Knob Relocation
  Bruce and Mary Cunningham, Derrick and Bill Stowell, and Ed Oliver spent Flag Day working on the relocation between Hughes Gap and Little Rock Knob. They planned to work with the eight people from the Americorps. They showed up at the work site, but the Corp Crew never arrived. Three of the TEHCC members spent the day cutting trees and brush on enough of the route to keep the Americorps people busy constructing trail for at least two weeks. Two of the TEHCC members worked the day constructing new trail.

Hike: Whitetop-Laurel Circuit, March 29
Kathy McDavid Reporting
A cool, cloudy morning gave way to a cool, sunny day - perfect hiking weather! We began the hike at the Creek Junction Parking Lot near Damascus, Virginia. The first 4.5 miles was a moderate uphill trail on the AT. We saw a lot of yellow violets beside the trail, and had a beautiful view of Whitetop Mt. and Mount Rogers to eat lunch by. We checked out a nearby shelter, soaked a few rays (heavenly!) then headed back to the trail. After a short but steep and winding trail (which because of a slight mistake the previous week by Sigrid and Kathy we did not miss!!) we hit the Virginia Creeper Trail. Along the 5.5 mile trail back to the parking lot we saw some bloodroot and wild ginger, and we enjoyed the beauty and sound of Laurel Creek. Enjoying a great day hiking were Debi Berry, Neil Dotson, Stefan Setz, Sigrid Phillips, and Kathy McDavid.

AT Hike: Hot Springs to Allen Gap, May 24
Steve Banks Reporting
This hike is one in a series scheduled on the Carolina Mountain Club's section of the Appalachian Trail. The weather cooperated very nicely as we made our way from Allen Gap on the Tenn./N.C. state line to Hot Springs, N.C. We left Kingsport at 8:10am, spotted cars at the Jesuit hostel in Hot Springs, and got back to Allen Gap to start hiking at 10:20am. We ate lunch at the Spring Mountain Shelter (one of the oldest on the A.T.), and took in the magnificent views from the Rich Mountain firetower. After passing through Tanyard Gap, we made our way along Mill Ridge and descended Lovers Leap to Hot Springs. There were several blowdowns along the way, but we failed to bring our chain saws. The trail relocation at Lovers Leap, constructed by the CMC and the Konnarock Crew several years ago, is very impressive! Enjoying the hike were Kathleen Kitzmiller, Bill and Derrick Stowell, George McCrary, Harriet Locke, Garry Luttrell, Arvell Luttrell, and Steve Banks.

Hike: Virgin Falls, June 7
Collins Chew Reporting
Finally, I got to see this marvelous area after 20 years of trying to schedule it. It is a fantastic. After heavy rains, Virgin Falls was a thundering river 50 feet long and 110 feet tall, flowing from a cave to fall sheer, disappearing in a foaming pit. Another feature was Sheep Cave, with equally spectacular scenery but with a smaller stream. The access trail was along a large creek with many waterfalls and cascades and which in two places flowed into caves but resurfaced only once on its way to the Caney Fork River which was out of its banks. Indian Pink (confused with Fire Pink by one of my flower books) was a new and beautiful wildflower for me. Predicted rain kept half our planned group at home but the only rain we had was on the drive down and at the motel when we walked to breakfast. The downdraft from Virgin Falls did carry so much spray up the other side of the cliff that we thought it was raining. A truly different place! Hikers: Bill and Derrick Stowell and Collins Chew.

Hike: Falls of Little Stoney Creek, June 7
Steve Perri Reporting
This group of hikers braved the foul weather we experienced from our departure and during the first hour of hiking in the rain. The Falls of Little Stoney are located in Hanging Rock Recreation Area about 2.5 miles north of Dungannon, Virginia. We donned our rain gear and hiked along the creek among some of the greenest vegation I've seen this year. The weather was predicted to clear up since we were able to see Neil Dotson's shadow underneath the thick tree canopy. There is significance to this since Neil needed some help with his high-tech poncho! There are reportedly three falls along this five mile round trip hike. The first set of falls was more like a gentle cascade of about 10 feet. The next two sets of falls were quite spectacular. The height of each of these falls was about 50-60 feet. The last set of falls was over a rather unusually-shaped rock, similar to a natural bridge. There also were numerous bridge crossings that made this trip quite scenic. Those present for this hike were: Debi Berry, Allan Crain, Neil Dotson, Kathleen Kitzmiller, Patricia Lopez, Brian and Tyler Phillips, and Steve Perri.