Spring hiking season 2011 has gone well to this point. I have cleared all old blowdowns on my section of the past winter from Fontana Dam trailhead to Spence Field in the Smoky Mountains National Park.
I have worked this section for nine seasons now with an occasional week in the northern end of the Park. I have come to regard the section out of Fontana as my own and get a lot of satisfaction when I often hear from the hikers how good the trails are here and so clear of debris.
This past week I went north of Spence Field to Derrick Knob Shelter to clear the blowdowns across the trail in that section. So many downed trees slow and drain the hikers of energy.
This season I have been collecting plastic bottles from shelters and along the trail which I fill with all sorts of paper, plastic and cans which I smash and stuff into the empty plastic bottles picked up. I plan to eventually post a photo of them to remind hikers of the need for LNT (Leave No Trace) practices in the backcountry. Each bottle will hold 10 times or more what could be put in a plastic bag and takes up much less room in a backpack; and the mice can't get to the trash.
I meet so many, interesting people including "Chef Dave" who looks to be carrying more than most. I took his picture and asked if he objected to me posting it. He agreed (see older post) and told me his pack weight was down to about 90 lbs. I was astonished. Then he then said he left Springer with about 120 lbs. All I can say is 'whatever floats your boat'.
You gotta love the hiker community.
Keep hiking,
Carl (aka KY Greybeard)
4/20/11
On the Trail Again
On Saturday 4/16/11 I came on a Northbounder I had seen in 2009 (see older 2009 post). Cimarron is a source of encouragement to all of us on the "long trails" of this land. He is now 88 years young, soon to be 89. I tried to picture myself at that age. To reach that point and to still be vertical would be a feat in itself. I certainly share his lifestyle - don't smoke, don't drink and stay active. In my opinion, it has served him well. Cimarron is not a person of physical stature but we all look up to him. Where we be at age 88, encouraging others or simply 'pushing up daisies'?
Keep hiking,
Carl, aka KY Greybeard
Keep hiking,
Carl, aka KY Greybeard
TRAIL WORK
Photos of blowdowns I cleared making it more pleasant to hike the beautiful AT trails through the GSMNP.
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