June 2008		www.tehcc.org

For an explanation of the ratings, see either Hiking Schedule or Paddling Schedule.

Call for Hikes: July - September 2008

Last summer, we suffered a drought; lake levels and crops suffered. We also had very few hikes on our hiking club calendar – and while it is to be quickly admitted that this is a very small thing compared to the drought, not worth mentioning, this is the hiking club newsletter and so it is right that we make mention of it here and make our plea for hikes, trying to avoid the empty calendar.  If you would like to contribute by leading a hike, send me a note letting me know:

• what hike you'd like to lead (where),
• what day you'd like to lead it (when),
• the difficulty rating (see current calendar for the rating system, but if this is confusing, I will try to help), and
• your contact information, so that those wanting to attend can get in touch with you.

Generally, hikes are scheduled for Saturdays (although Fridays work for some). At present, all Saturdays are open except for the second weekend in July, when we are having the annual trip to the LeConte Lodge, July 12-13. I'd like any responses by Friday, June 13. You can reach me through the following e-mail address:
Thanks!

Trail Days and Hard Core 2008
May 16-19, 2008

Trail Days

It was an experience. That is the only way to sum up my first Trail Days. I arrived on Friday morning around 10:00 at the ATC’s tent where I was to promote the Tennessee AT license plate. After a little jockeying, I was able to squeeze between Mountain Squid, who was promoting Hard Core, and an ex-thru hiker that was applying temporary ATC tattoos.  Bob Peoples arrived soon thereafter and provided the entertainment.

During the afternoon, I was able to visit some of the vendors.  I got to test out some hammocks and get a bunch of stickers. (What is it with outdoor enthusiasts and stickers?)  The evening brought more excitement.  I went to the world premiere of a film about the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) by the same guy that did Appalachian Impressions – Carolina Cruiser (Mark Flagler).  The film was excellent and did a good job of showing the CDT’s unfinished state.  The two day experience turned out to be a lot of fun and I look forward to it next year – when I have a better idea of what to bring and do and my wife comes (after I convince her).

Mountain Squid (L) and Jake Mitchell (R)

Hard Core
Hard Core volunteers walking the balds to the work-site on Monday

It was just like it says – hard core. Most everyone arrived at Iron Mountain Gap on Sunday morning around 11 am. After arranging parking and sorting out tools, we took in groups 10 at a time to the relocation.  The day started off rather ingloriously when one thru-hiker walking in with me fell and busted his nose. He bled for a bit, but he survived.  After clumsiness and medical treatment, we arrived at the end of the relocation and started digging trail.  We spent several hours in the intermittent rain and dirt.  At about 3 pm, we were able to close the old Trail and open up the new one.  The thru hikers got to paint blazes which was very exciting for them.  Ed Oliver looked like a mother duck with her ducklings as he instructed each person on how to blaze.  After walking out, we enjoyed some hot chocolate and cider from Ox’s trailer and then drove to the Laurels for some fine food prepared by the Cunninghams and other TEHCC members.  Sunday allowed us to complete about 2000 feet of new trail and close off the old trail.

Monday turned out to be perfect trail maintenance weather. We arrived at Carvers Gap around 9 am and were greeted by the cold wind.  After distributing tools, we made our way over the balds to the side of Grassy Ridge.  The views were spectacular.  After hiking and the sun getting higher in the sky, we all started warming up and getting down to t-shirts.  We worked hard on moving the trail further down ridge to bypass the near creek bed that the existing Trail had become.  There were several areas where rock work was required.  Bob Peoples and his apprentices, Otto and Camo, did an excellent job on those.  We were able to complete a major section of trail totaling about 1500 feet. We were also able to complete one of the new switchbacks going down Grassy Ridge towards Stan Murray Shelter.  Around 3 pm, everyone started finishing up and heading back towards Carvers Gap.  From there, many went back to Kincora for dinner, others parted ways, and some even started hiking from there!  It was a fun two days of work that helped the Club complete two large relocations in a short amount of time.  Thanks to all who organized the event!

Digging trail on Sunday	Ed Oliver watches hikers paint blazes

Konnarock Crew - Roan Highlands Relocation
June 12-16, 2008

Our first of four weeks of the Konnarock Crew this year is in mid-June, and will mark the first week where we are using Konnarock on a series of relocations in the Roan Highlands between Grassy Ridge and Bradley Gap.  We've already completed one significant and one short relocation near Grassy Ridge with Hard Core, but there is a lot of work remaining over the next few years to improve some of the very steep and badly eroded climbs and descents along this beautiful stretch of the AT.

 Konnarock in 2008 will be focused on a relocation which will eliminate a steep set of steps descending Little Hump Mountain towards Bradley Gap.  Hikers have by-passed these steps for many years, resulting in a slick, muddy section that is at best unpleasant and in bad weather can be a lot worse.  We have flagged a relocation that preserves the great views from the summit of Little Hump, stays longer in the grassy meadows, then descends on a much more gentle side-hill grade into a saddle near the northern peak of Little Hump, Big Ridge.  A second short relocation Trail north of the major one also bypasses some old steps which have become obstructing rocks.  We project using three of our four weeks of Konnarock for this project, with the latter two in July. (Our fourth week in late July and August will be used to complete the rocky Unaka Mountain Relocation.)  Konnarock arrives on Thursdays but most of those days are used to haul in tools and set up; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are the main work days and we will have organized trips those days.  We will meet at 8:00 am in Colonial Heights and 8:30 am in Johnson City for the work trips.  Bring lunch, work gloves, plenty of water, and bring sunscreen and/or wear a hat for protection in the open areas. Please contact Joe or Carl if you're interested in helping so we'll look for you and have the tools needed.

Help Wanted: Membership Coordinator

The club is seeking one or two individuals to maintain our membership database. Duties include adding the names and contact info of new members to an Excel database, sending out email notices, and printing and mailing newsletters to members without internet access.

If you are interested in helping the club by taking on any or all of these responsibilities, please contact any member of the Steering Committee.

TEHCC Welcomes New Members

Scheduled Hiking, Paddling and Trail Maintenance Opportunities

Rental Equipment Inspection
Thursday, June 5, 2008, 5-7pm
Eastman Recreation Center, Room 115

One benefit of TEHCC membership is the ability to rent some gear, such as that extra/lighter/bigger tent needed for an outing or perhaps a backpack to check out a frame design or so that your buddy can go on your next outing. Each year, the Steering Committee and several club members set up all of the tents and look over all of the other rental equipment to ensure that it is in good condition. So, if you would like to see all the equipment that the club has for rent actually set up, then come help us out this evening. Pizza and drinks are provided for all volunteers. Let Vic know beforehand if you have preference on pizza and soft drinks/water provided (contact info above), or else just show up. If you cannot make this invitation, then take a look at the equipment links being set up on the TEHCC rental equipment webpage, tehcc.org/rental. The tents are done, so I will be focusing on the backpacks next. Any feedback on this continuing effort is welcomed.

TEHCC Lunch and Learn: The New Face of the Club
Eastman Employee Center, Room 223
June 10, 2008 – 11:30am-1:00pm

Come out to the Eastman Employee Center on Tuesday, June 10th for an opportunity to network with other TEHCC members and learn about all of the new features included in the newly redesigned club web site. You will learn how to take advantage of added web site functionality so that finding and sharing information is easier. We will follow the program with discussion on the web site, leading hikes and future event possibilities. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

To accommodate non-Eastman employees, we will be holding this event at the Eastman Employee Center (B310) in Room 223. The program will start promptly at high noon. Lunch will not be provided so BYOL.

Agenda
11:30am-12pm: Travel, Networking and Lunch
12-12:45pm: Program
12:45-1pm: Discussion and Feedback

If you have any suggestions on future topics, please contact .

Damascus Crawl, June 14, 2008

Do you know someone who doesn’t enjoy seeking fellowship with the wilderness?  The Damascus Crawl is the event for you!  Consider it a very sneaky way to get that “someone” to hike the Appalachian Trail without ever leaving the comforts of the city life and for you to window shop some of the fine hiking retailers of Damascus.  Plans are to meet at the standard Colonial Heights meeting spot between McDonald’s and State of Franklin Bank at 3pm. From there, we will carpool to Damascus. Anyone interested in meeting somewhere along the way is welcome also. Upon arrival, we will park at the Water Street parking area beside the city park and commence the Crawl.  We will leisurely stroll the AT through the city park, downtown Damascus and along US 58 until the AT ascends into the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.  We will then retrace our steps back to downtown and patronize one of Damascus’s fine eating establishments. Return time to Kingsport should be between 8 and 10pm.  If you are interested in duping your “someone” into hiking the AT and enjoying a good meal, contact the hike leader.

For the Record, Activity and Trip Reports

Spring Wildflower Hike to Marguerite Falls, April 26, 2008

This hike was originally scheduled to be within the Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area and up the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail to the AT at Yellow Mountain Gap in the Roan Highlands.  However, a scout hike the Saturday before revealed a not-so-great bloom, fairly rough trail conditions in the upper sections, and quite a bit of turkey hunting.  Plan B was a loop using the Big Jennings Creek, Cowbell Hollow, and Little Jennings Creek Trails near Horse Creek in Greene County.  However, during the second day of the scout hike on the Little Jennings Creek Trail, nearly 30 creek crossings and some major blowdowns led to consideration of other options for the following week. We settled on a nearby old favorite, Marguerite Falls, a pretty falls of around 60' in a steep-walled gorge.  Since we last hiked this trail at the 2005 ATC conference, a new parking lot had been constructed which added about 3/4 mile to the round-trip hike length, but there were some nice flowers on the lower section.  Despite the wishy-washiness of the hike leader, eight folks showed up, each on their first TEHCC hike.  It was raining hard before we reached Jonesborough and I'm sure the thought of "why did I sign up for this" occurred.  But the rain quit before we started the hike and the sun even came out towards the end.  We counted 15 species of wildflowers.  Some of the most noteworthy are white erect trillium, painted trillium, crested dwarf iris, and what may have been dwarf violet iris (Iris verna).  If correct, this would be the first documented occurrence of the dwarf violet iris in Greene County.  We also benefited from the presence of two budding young naturalists, Taylor and Campbell Fuller, who spotted some pretty red efts and some real cool snails. Photos can be found on Possum Bill's website at: hikingbill.com.  After the hike some of us went to the Farmers Daughter Restaurant for lunch and to the Mennonite Bulk Foods Market.  Then we meandered home through the Mennonite farm country and saw the zebras on Highway 11E between Jonesborough and Greeneville.  Our hikers included Sharon Burnette, Shannon Combs, Bill Fuller, Campbell Fuller, Taylor Fuller, Kelley Moran, Ann Wellington, Pam Wooten, and Joe DeLoach.

Bays in a Day, May 24, 2008

Unfortunately, this one did not pan out. I did not receive any interest in what I thought would have been easy an easy and convenient hike so various types of hikers could participate.

However, I did do Iron Mountain Gap to Uncle Johnny’s on the AT. My feet hurt today from all the rocks south of Indian Grave Gap.

A.T. Maintenance Reports

Reporting: Jim Foster
Date: April 26, 2008
Purpose: Assess possible improvements of spring at Clyde Smith Shelter
Location: Section 16a, Clyde Smith Shelter
People: Dean Baird, Curtis Baird, Paul Benfield, Jim Foster
Summary: Curtis Baird was assessing the possibility of improving the spring at Clyde Smith Shelter as part of an Eagle Scout project.  He took several pictures and made measurements to begin the process.  Paul Benfield and myself advised.

Reporting: Scott VanDam
Date: April 27, 2008
Purpose: Check half-assigned section from hostel to Bitter End
Location: Section 12a, from hostel to Bitter End
People: Scott VanDam
Summary: I hiked this half assigned section out to Bitter End to check trail for needed maintenance.  Heavy usage is apparent this time of year, but the trail is holding up well.  I pulled two small blowdowns from the trail. Unfortunately, I had to do maintenance of the type I have not done recently; I remove graffiti (pornographic) from a tree stump and rock.  Hikers should be made aware it is illegal to deface public national forest.  Bob Peoples dropped off a sign for the Laurel Fork bridge that I will put up during my next outing.  Thanks to Bob, and thanks also to all those expressing sympathy and condolences for Vango.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: April 30, 2008
Purpose: Dig Trail relocation, cut blowdowns, and prepare relos
Location: Section 17, Near Little Rock Knob
People: Ken Buchanan, Carl Fritz, Ed Oliver, Bob Peoples, Tim Stewart, Kirstin Doernbach WINDJAMMER, Janel Scharhag BEARPAW, Leduska Schook BUTTERFLY MOON, Paul McDowell FIRESOCKS, Paul Cox WHITE LIGHTNING, Jack Nichols CUATRO
Summary: Hikers, Bob and Tim, dug about 140 feet of trail including installing a 40-foot sidelog as trail left old road. Ken, Ed and Carl cleared the rest of relocations north of Little Rock Knob.  We also installed pin flags.  These relos total 2000 feet for Hard Core.  Ed and Carl also explored a promising access to Cherry Gap as a result of the Forest Service purchasing a private tract.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: April 30, 2008
Purpose: Dig Trail Relocation
Location: Section 16b, Just trail north of Iron Mt Gap
People: Paul Benfield, Faye Guinn, Howard Guinn, Marsha Hupko, Paul Hupko, Ted Mowery
Summary: This group picked up trash at Iron Mt Gap and dug about 250 feet of trail.  Another good day may finish this relo.

Reporting: Joe DeLoach
Date: April 30, 2008
Purpose: Semiannual Appalachian Trail Partnership Meeting
Location: Watauga Ranger District Office, Unicoi
People: Bruce Cunningham, Joe DeLoach, Jim Foster, Carl Fritz, Ed Oliver
Summary:  Major points discussed are as follows. We have both shelters reserved at The Laurels for HardCore on the afternoon of May 18.  There may be some issues with the campsite we selected for Konnarock on the Roan Highlands Relocation.  Joe will work this out with the Crew and Appalachian Ranger District.  Our major project plans through 2015 were shared with partners.  GPS on a relocation is best done after the flagline is finalized and prior to seeking approval.  The Appalachian RD did the GPS on the Roan Highlands Relo; we'll need to coordinate with each district as to who does it.  Jim Stelick is the Cherokee NF contact for exotic and invasive species, and hikers or maintainers who observe such species (multiflora rose, garlic mustard, autumn olive, Japanese honeysuckle, and privet among others) should contact Jim in the Unicoi office.  The Forest Service has completed their prescribed burns for the year; so any smoke you see from here forward is a wildfire. They have provided the first round of annual vegetation control on the Osborne Farm.  We discussed the issue raised at the 2007 ATC meeting on proper marking and maintenance of side trails.  Clubs need to avoid publicizing routes used for maintenance access only or other routes which are not marked or maintained which intersect the AT.  Those routes that we do wish to publicize as access or exit routes for the AT need to be maintained and clearly marked with distances between trailhead and the AT.  We will determine which we want to publicize by checking  guidebooks, maps, and signage, and by reviewing with partners at the fall meeting October 22.  Cheryl Summers from the Nolichuckey/Unaka RD reported that we have an opportunity to obtain more signs for road crossings of the AT.  We need to design the signs and let the Forest Service know how many we need and the locations.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: May 1, 2008
Purpose: Cut blowdowns
Location: Section 12c, Elk River to Campbell Hollow Road
People: Bruce Cunningham, Bill Elderbrock, Carl Fritz
Summary: We cut out the three reported blowdowns.  There was no recent evidence of ATV traffic.  Bruce also cleaned up two bags of trash at Bear Branch.

Reporting: Old Timers Hiking Club
Date: May 2, 2008
Purpose: Prepare for work days
Location: Section 18, Indian Grave Gap to Low Gap
People: Mike Hupko, Marsha Hupko, Howard Guinn, Faye Guinn
Summary: We identified trail locations needing treadway improvement in preparation for the upcoming work days, re-set one trail marker post and firmed up 4 others on Beauty Spot, cleaned up around Deep Gap spring, and lopped roots along trail.  We saw a white trout lily.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: May 6, 2008
Purpose: Repair stile, estimate gravel, prepare relocation, and cut blowdowns
Location: Cloudland to Stan Murray Shelter
People: Daryel Anderson, Paul Benfield, Ken Buchanan, Bruce Cunningham, Dave Dunham, Bill Elderbrock, Jim Foster, Carl Fritz, Ted Mowery, Ed Oliver, Bob Peoples, Tim Stewart, Brent Hunsinger SLIGHTLY, Kirk Miller, BALTIMORE JACK
Summary: Paul and Bill cut six minor blowdowns from Cloudland to Carver's Gap. Jim, Daryel, Tim, Bob and three hikers started digging trail relocation north of Grassy Ridge.  They also did some clearing of this relo.  Daryel delivered a new log book to Stan Murray shelter.  Ted, Dave, Bruce and later Paul and Bill rebuilt the stile that had fallen down at Carver's Gap.  They also redid some steps and set a post for a sign.  Ed, Carl and Ken estimated gravel needs from Carver's Gap to Engine Gap.

May 6th Carver's Gap work trip.  Nice hats!

Reporting: Old Timers Hiking Club
Date: May 7, 2008
Purpose: To improve the treadway and do needed maintenance
Location: Section 18, Beauty Spot Gap to Indian Grave Gap
People: Gil Derouen, Robin Digregorio, Harry Ford, Kent Ganshirt, Faye Guinn, Howard Guinn, Lou Haase, Marsha Hupko, Mike Hupko, Nancy Kincheloe, Carl Kincheloe, Jerry Mayne, Dave McMillin, Bob Miller, Sandra Perry, Susan Peters, CB Willis
Summary: We opened the new access to the Beauty Spot spring ; painted new blue blazes, cut weeds, and outlined the new trail.  The AT white blazes were refreshed from Beauty Spot to Indian Grave Gap.  About 400' of trail north of Indian Grave Gap was reworked by removing roots and encroaching growth and re-building the treadway.  We picked up litter where the AT crosses FS 230.

Reporting: Collins Chew
Date: May 9, 2008
Purpose: Hike and clear Holston Mountain Trail
Location: Section 4a, Double Springs Shelter to U. S. 421
People: Olin Babb, Don Baker, Larry Baker, Carol Broderson, Carol Dunham, Bob Harvey, Collins Chew, Matthew Chew, Taylor Pickard
Summary: The Friday Hikers cleared a few blowdowns and briars from the AT between Double Springs Shelter and U. S. 421 after hiking the Holston Mountain Trail.  Much of the area had been burned since early March, but the wildflowers were doing well.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: May 10, 2008
Purpose: Clear minor blowdowns, inspect for plants, repair stile
Location: Section 3a, Hwy 19E to Hump Mountain
People: Carl Fritz, Ed Oliver, Chad Tate
Summary: We cleared some minor obstacles south of Doll Flats and repaired the gate on the second stile going south on Hump.  On both sections we identified some plants for future reference.  Both trail sections are in fairly good shape except all water bars need cleaning.

Reporting: Joe DeLoach
Date: May 10, 2008
Purpose: Cut blowdowns and briars
Location: Section 5, TN 91 to Iron Mountain Shelter
People: Craig DeLoach and Joe DeLoach
Summary: On the previous trip to this section we took only hand tools, and the larger, non-obstructing blowdowns were too large for the hand saw.  We removed them on this trip.  One mystery - someone had cut one of the blowdowns very recently with a chainsaw, but only one.  There was a shelter register entry from a hiker with the trail name Chainsaw - surely not!!  We also cut briars, lopped a few rhododendron, and carried out trash from the shelter.  The section and shelter are in good shape.  We checked the shelter register for any mention of bears and saw none.

Reporting: Scott VanDam
Date: May 13, 2008
Purpose: Check and clear blowdowns
Location: Carvers Gap to 19E
People: John Simansky, Mike Atkins, Scott VanDam
Summary: We hiked from Carver's Gap down to 19E with a handsaw.  We had beautiful weather for going over the balds.  We found a few blowdowns from recent strong winds in the area, and were able to drag a couple out of the trail and cut the others.  We also packed out some trash.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: May 13, 2008
Purpose: Prepare relo for Hard Core, repair shelter, fix water source, and blaze
Location: North of Yellow Mountain Gap to Grassy Ridge
People: Daryel Anderson, Paul Benfield, Bruce Cunningham, Dave Dunham, Bill Elderbrock, Jim Foster, Carl Fritz, Ted Mowery, Ed Oliver, Tim Stewart, Ben Trotter
Summary: Paul, Jim, Ed, Tim, and Ben cut out and finished preparation for Hard Core on the relocation from Grassy Ridge towards Stan Murray Shelter.  Ted and Dave primarily replaced some upper floor and interior side boards on Overmountain Shelter.  They also fixed foundations for supports of sleeping platforms and cleaned up some trash. Bruce and Bill fixed a new water source below the road by installing a pipe.  They also dug four collection basins scattered about 100 feet below this point.  The normal primary water source has already dried up.  Daryel and Carl installed some new posts and blazes about half way between Yellow Mt. Gap and Little Hump.  They also blazed this section.  Bill and Carl cleaned waterbars north of Yellow Mt. Gap. What a fantastic day to be in the Roan Highlands!

Reporting: Old Timers Hiking Club
Date: May 14, 2008
Purpose: Complete needed maintenance
Location: Section 16b, Iron Mountain Gap to Greasy Creek Gap
People: Mike Hupko, Howard Guinn, Faye Guinn
Summary: We cut three trees and removed limbs from trail.   We also removed leaves from the new section north of Weedy Gap to widen walking area on trail.  The spring at the Apple Orchard is flowing well.   We saw 12 thru- hikers and one day hiker.

Reporting: Paul Benfield
Date: May 20, 2008
Purpose: Cut grass and install an Accessible sign
Location: Section 4b, Osborne Farm
People: Paul Benfield, Ted Mowery
Summary: We mowed grass on the trail thru the Osborne Farm and installed an Accessible Trail sign.

Reporting: Bill Fuller
Date: May 22, 2008
Purpose: Cut weeds and clear blowdowns
Location: Section 9b, Hampton blue-blaze and AT up Pond Mtn.
People: Bill Fuller, Shannon Combs
Summary: We began by string-trimming the weeds under the powerline cut on the blue-blaze trail.  After crossing the Wilderness boundry, we hid the trimmer in the bushes and lopped weeds by hand on the rest of the blue-blaze and on up the AT.  Not far past the railroad grade we ran into a very large, Y-shaped blowdown.  We made two cuts on it, and were able to release one section, but then the whole tree slid down the hill about five feet, negating our work.  We plan to return early next week with a bigger crosscut saw to completely clear it.

Reporting: Bill Berry
Date: May 24, 2008
Purpose: Clear blowdowns
Location: Section 20b, Spivey to Temple Hill Gap
People: Bill Berry
Summary: I cleared trail of blowdowns, but need a chainsaw crew to cut out two big trees between 21 and 30 inches.  One is ten minutes south of Temple Hill Gap (reported by Craig Haire).  The other is ten minutes north of Devils Creek Gap. The trail was otherwise clear and in good shape.

Reporting: Collins Chew
Date: May 27, 2008
Purpose: Check potential logging area near the AT
Location: Section 3a, One mile south of McQueen Gap
People: Collins Chew, Morgan Sommerville (ATC), Vern (USFS)
Summary: We walked south from McQueen Gap to determine visibility of proposed logging from the AT. One section, 80-15, will be visible in winter and cutting should be adjusted to reduce unwanted viewshed effects.