Hellam Hill woes

[Richard Hays]

I drove up to Hellam Hill yesterday to check on its status and overall condition. I was not encouraged by what I saw.

The hill is getting overgrown with Multi-flora rose bushes ( sticker bushes ). Still flyable but barely. I had not been up there in about 2 years and had been told that it was kinda getting cruddy by Tom Allan, who had gone up there with Chris Hornberger and Howie Shank to take a look at it for future use. So..yesterday I thought I'd take a look myself, since I was up that way.

Well.....it ain't pretty. But its not a lost cause either.

Hellam Hill is a 75-100 foot north facing hill located in York, Pa.Can be flown in a NNW if light. Wide open for the most part but relatively restricted LZ for performance wings. Basically a Falcon, Eagle or paraglider type place. Has been flown for decades by folks over the years. Not truly suitable for beginner training due to a little boggy creek at the base of the hill , but a great H-1 site. The landowners are very accomadating and have recently given their blessings are far as us flying there AND removing the brush...should we be so motivated.

I cringe when I say this but.......I'd like to propose a "work party" ( god I hate that term lol ). If we could get about 10 volunteers with pruning sheers and chain saws...we could have it knocked out in short order. Or...if we can get a bush-hog mower up there, it could be done by one person in about two hours. I have a bush hog mower...but no way of transporting it there. Knocking it down to the nub should hold for about two years. Maybe more. But not getting on it this year while still managable could be a disaster.

Should someone get a wild hare and take it upon themselves to do the deed...please be mindful of the horses in the pasture. Give the landowners a call so that they can corral the horses, or...at very least call them with your time, date and intentions. Email me at: mshgflyer@hotmail.com for their number. Don't forget to keep the gate closed at all times! Additionally...if you'd like to volunteer.....let me know and I'll start a roster and propose a date in the fall when its cooler and more pleasant to be outside doing this type of work.

In an age of ever expanding housing developments and the subsequent loss of training hills over the years for various reasons.....keeping the ones we do have is of utmost importance.

Sincerely,

Richard Hays
Pres. MHGA

[brianvh]

Never cringe when suggesting a work party - it's the reason the clubs exist!

Hallem hill is worth the effort to save. may be able to convince a few H1s to come out and learn what responsibility is all about.

[mcelrah]

I'm a volunteer, but for the mechanized approach. Does someone have a suitable trailer for the bush-hog? John Middleton?

Stand by for another work party call for the new High Rock launch. Concept will be to hire professionals so it gets done right (notice how well the new Pulpit launch is holding up), but there will be plenty of unskilled labor (demolition of the old cube - but not the "historic" pillars) required. This can actually be fun and a good way to build community. Come to the meeting this Friday at Matthew and Karen's to hear all about it.

- Hugh

[silverwings]

The trailer I have is only suitable for a riding mower not a tractor and bush hog. Rich, what about renting a trailer or contributing some cash to the landowner or a local to mow it? I use to send the landowner at Kirshners $100 a couple of times a year to bush hog it but his ex-wife owns it now so I mow it with my riding tractor. A bush hog works much better and faster but you need a tractor. As I remember Hellam Hill was fairly steep. Also, how thick (stem wise) and high are the bushes?

[Richard Hays]

Looking into having a local contractor bid the job. Tom Allan says he might know somebody. Dawson Stump has a trailer and has graciously offered use of it...but I'm not sure it can haul my tractor which is kinda big. Awaiting his reply. So...right now I'm waiting to see what Tom comes up with. With any luck.......his guy might get it done for us and we'll all be as happy as a puppy with two peters. LOL. Stay tuned and.....thank to everybody who's on board with saving this site!

Rich HAYS

[Dan T]

I have access to a strong 2wd pickup truck, and a low ground clearance trailer big enough to easily carry two quadrunners or 3 to 4 motorcycles. I don't think a bush hog is any bigger than that is it?

I'd like to know by Friday noon if this is sufficient. If so I'll bring the truck and trailer to your place on Saturday Rich.

Write me here or call me.

Dan