Cutting trees at Pulpit

[Ward Odenwald]

Charley, Eric Kriner (a Dubois PA pilot) and I climbed down below launch last Sunday to check out the trees. We found that there’s no easy way down to these trees. The sharp-edged tightly packed boulder field extends well below what we can see from above on both sides and well below launch. Our initial approach to the area was from the power-line slot. After climbing/stumbling through the slippery rocks, we found evidence of previous trimming(s) in addition to many young trees that have managed to grow up through what little space there is between the boulders. I believe that trimming the trees will help, however, after trying to visualize what would happen when a launch goes bad and the “forest landing” occurs in this area, cutting them down would be a mistake as they would help soften the impact before one hits the bone-crunching boulders. In light of this worst-case scenario, I suggest that we consider trimming and not cutting down the trees. If we can trim back several years of growth we win by creating a dense foliage/cushion rather than exposing a nasty assortment of jagged rocks. Whatever we decide, we’ll need to rig a pulley from launch to transfer the required tools down and back up as a safe traverse of these boulders requires both hands.

Ward

[bustedwing2]

Perhaps a thinning of trees,cutting the bigger ones and leaving the younger ones for the cushion,don't want to create a forest of 6 foot tall punji sticks?

[silverwings]

What about a work party this coming weekend 4/28-29 ???

[A.Lloyd]

I'll help. Thanks again John and Rich for fixing up the north ramp.




https://youtu.be/tcjnJCuY728

[silverwings]

Lets plan on a work party this Sunday (4/29) starting at 1PM. It's going to be too windy for flying until late in the day if at all.

[A.Lloyd]

Ok with me.

[bustedwing2]

If there's more than 3 of us I'm game.

[silverwings]

Lets do it on Sunday. See you at 1 PM. Rich we need you and hopefully there will be 4 or 5 of us.

[bustedwing2]

C'mon volunteers,stand up and be counted,looks like a crappy day anyway,only 1 PG'r willing to trim?

[silverwings]

We got there at 1 PM and it was about 38 degrees! OW! The work party consisted of me, Anthony, and Rich B using chain saws and Igor using my weed wacker with a blade. We worked to about 4:30 with Igor cutting those reddish thorny plants. The rest of us went down below launch and the boulders and cut the saplings and small trees that have been growing taller over the years. We cleared a large area allowing cleaner air flow and launch recovery area. We cut close to the ground with the branches/remains laying down providing a bit of a cushion. It was tiring work especially trying to navigate through the cut trees/limbs and boulders to get up to launch or back down again. Thank you Rich, Anthony, Igor for your work!

[krryerson]

Thanks so much for cutting/trimming the trees at Pulpit. Unfortunately, works weekend's now.
Really appreciate all the work you guys did.
Knut

[silverwings]

Pictures of the area we cut out front.

[mcgowantk]

Thanks to all that helped out clearing trees from the Pulpit. From the pictures John posted, the work party did a lot of work.

Thanks again

Tom McGowan