USFS / CHGPA Edith's Gap Project

[PTerry]

WORK WEEKEND: We Need Your Help!

Proposed Dates: June 22-23, 2013

Location: Edith's Gap Luray Virginia

Site Details: ESE, SE Launch. 1950 Ft El. Over Page Valley. Massanutten Mountain 35 mile ridge.

Activity: USFS Launch Clearing & Site Clean Up. Dragging fallen trees & brush. Rake out and trash clean up.

Included: Coffee, Food, Drink, Music.


Please let us know if you can join the crew. Thanks!

[mingram]

Yeehaw! I'm in!

[Ward Odenwald]

Patrick and/or Matt, are there any new developments on the WS launch improvements?

Ward

[markc]

In!!!

[jmcclave]

I am in also.

Jim

[pink_albatross]

I'm in.

Does anybody have and know how to use a block+tackle?
Probably should have some chainsaws handy, too.

[deveil]

There is a lot of chainsaw work necessary at the outset. Will that be the USFS people or the CHGPA people? Have additional people been certified? I heard rumors.

Lots of bottles, broken bottles and glass - something beyond garbage bags might be good.

Any thoughts about having some loads of dirt dumped right at the very top? It would hide a lot of sins including protruding small stumps, imbedded rocks and broken glass as well as deer carcasses.

I have a block and tackle rated at 600lb. What was it you were thinking of, Ellis?

[bahamianflyer]

Count me in. Lots of chain saw experience!

[mingram]

Gary, it will only CHGPA people doing the felled tree removal work.

From Patrick, "USFS will provide trash bags and then haul away all trash and other refuse from the site. They will also meet with us to discuss any other site needs we may want completed."

Patrick put a soil dump and grass seed in his proposal to the USFS. My guess is that that's still in the approval process.

The block and tackle might be needed to help lift/pry/roll out some big boulders?

[deveil]

Thanks, Matt. Since it's nitty-gritty time though, I'd look for specific wording about club people using the chainsaws, just to avoid snafus.

re trash removal, broken bottles are a specific problem in that they will slice through plastic garbage bags, particularly when negotiating on that hillside. That's not only a PIA but very hazardous and I personally get very anal about handling broken glass. There are heavy paper bags that people use for setting out leaves and grass for trash pickup. I've not used them but, if they are heavy/thick enough, they might work.
A first aid kit might be good to have on hand.

Block and tackle are only really usable in very 'defined' circumstances. I don't see them working here. It's pretty much straight-up grunt work with pry bars and such. There is one club member who has jackhammers, both electric and pneumatic. He is a very handsome, charming, witty, talented and exceedingly generous person. Perhaps he could be approached, but that work would wait till the hillside is otherwise cleared. I, as well as Dan T, have portable generators that can run the electric one, but it could be that the pneumatic bad-boys would be necessary - fortunately there is easy access here as compared to WS.

I recall some tires and a refrigerator, maybe the block and tackle on that or maybe just a stout rope tied to someone's bumper with carpet pieces to cover any abrading rocks and such. But people need to be well clear of the area and other precautions taken when tensioning any rope or chain, just something to keep in mind.

[markc]

Just thought I should emphasize the need for chainsaws for this project. To the extent possible, we need to find out who's got 'em, who can use 'em, and who can pick one up from someone else who can't make it.

Also, to help with the glass issue, bring some good-quality leather work gloves. They are a huge help.

Also,long sleeves and long pants, regardless of temperature!

MarkC

[jmcclave]

What is our planned start time/end time on Saturday/Sunday? I think Tom and I are going to start cleaning Friday afternoon.

Also, what equipment do we need to bring?

Do we have a sign up list outside of the folks that have responded to this thread?

Do we want to have a BBQ or arrange for group dinner on Saturday?

.....

Thanks,
Jim

[mingram]

Patrick mentioned that the USFS is providing gloves, hard hats, trash bags, and tools and that he would bring these to the site on Saturday. I think people should bring their own gloves if they have them, just in case.

Several people are bringing chainsaws to cut the felled trees into smaller pieces so the bulk of the work will be hauling trees to the sides of launch. There will be lots of little stumps to deal with as well. Chainsaws may help here as well.

The club can provide food if we'd like. Perhaps sub sandwiches for lunch. Maybe a pizza dinner somewhere?

[mcelrah]

I'm in. Far better to have a large turnout than a few stalwarts exhausting themselves. "Many hands make light work." - Hugh

[mcelrah]

Do we need to bring garden pruners for the brushy stuff?

[George]

I'm coming out. What a great chance for me to meet some folks.

George

[PTerry]

EDITH’S GAP WORK WEEKEND -- EQUIPMENT LIST REMINDER --

Personal Equipment:
____ Appropriate Footwear / Work Boots
____ Hot Weather Clothes
____ Work Gloves
____ Safety Eyewear
____ Long Pants
____ Water
____ Snack Food

Hand Tools:
____ Shovel
____ Axe
____ Large Pry Bar
____ Straight Rake

Tree Gear:
____ Block & Tackle
____ Rigging Kits
____ Pulley
____ Rope Pulls
____ Nylon Slings

Cutting Equipment:
____ Pruning Saw
____ Pole Pruners
____ Pull Saw
____ Weed Wacker

Other:
____ Bug Spray
____ Sun Screen

------------------------------
____ Chain Saw (***Only Those w/ Current USFS Certification)
____ Fuel & 2-Cycle Oil
------------------------------

____ Hard Hats (*** Provided by the USFS)
____ Trash Bags (*** Provided by the USFS)

[PTerry]

WORK LOCATION:
Fort Valley Road (VA-675) at the Intersection of
Mountain Top Rd & Camp Roosevelt Rd
Edith's Gap View Point is top of Massanutten Ridge Luray Virginia
-------------
Directions: Camp Roosevelt Recreation Area
Latitude 38.733055 Longitude -78.51722
Camp Roosevelt Camping (Fee = $10 /Per Day)
Directions: From I-81: Take exit 279. Turn east on SR 675. At intersection of US 11 and SR 675 in the center of Edinburg (T-intersection), turn left onto US 11. Make another right turn back onto SR 675 at the north end of Edinburg. Follow SR 675 for 5.9 miles over Massanutten Mountain to STOP sign at Kings Crossing (T-intersection). Turn right and continue on SR 675 for 3.4 miles to an X-intersection of SR 675, FDR 274, and SR 730. Turn left, still on SR 675. Camp entrance is 0.3 miles up, on the left side of the road.

[George]

I'm in.

Does anybody have and know how to use a block+tackle?
Probably should have some chainsaws handy, too.

I have block and tackle and lots of line. No mystery left to me in the use of these for me. I've also been using chainsaws since childhood and can bring one in good working order with two freshly sharpened chains.

What I don't have is a lot of carrying capacity on the motorcycle. If there was a way for me to get some stuff to someone with cargo space on the Annapolis Side of DC this week I could get more stuff to the site and maybe even still bring my wing. Otherwise I'm prepared to skip the flying in favor of banking some good karma with the group.

A suggestion. Anyone *not* familiar with the lumberjack song should go google it up and be prepared for campfire sing-along at Outback Campground.

George

[mingram]

Here's the list of volunteers so far.

Patrick Terry
Matt Ingram - USFS chainsaw cert. - bringing chainsaw
Gary Devan - USFS chainsaw cert. - bringing chainsaw and chain sharpening tools
Peter Humes - USFS chainsaw cert. - bringing chainsaw and extra chain
Ellis Kim
Jim McClave
Tom Cuenen
Mark Cavanaugh
Hugh McElrath
Peter van Oevlen
Petr Kalab
Ben Brooks
John Hopkinson
Paul Kiendl
Jono Fisher
Kyle Kearney
George Huffman - bringing chainsaw and extra chain
Bruce McDaniel
Greg Launt
Knut Ryerson
Ben Kidemu

[krryerson]

You can add me also, on the the list of volunteers.
Knut Ryerson

[mingram]

A group of us are talking about camping Friday night and Saturday night and having a BBQ Saturday night. We can buy meat Saturday night and Jono will cook it. We're looking at Camp Outback since it's close to the worksite, has hot showers, and river access. You can get 10 people in a camp site for $8 per head.
http://www.shenandoahriver.com/campoutback.html

I just called and confirmed that Camp Outback has 3 sites left. We have to pay in advance. Who's interested?

[mingram]

Ok. There was more interest for Saturday night BBQ and camping, so I reserved 1 camp site at Camp Outback and paid for 10 people. $8/per person. If we have more than 10 people then we'll need to reserve a second camp site. Let me know who's interested.

[mcelrah]

I'll come for fellowship but sleep elsewhere. - Hugh

[jyoder111]

Looks like Liz and I might be able to come Saturday and camp out. Will confirm later in the week. Forecast is showing SE this weekend Anyone thinking of flying? How are the current HG LZ options?

Jesse