Wrap up for the 2010

[ADKJack]

The trip up Adams today was a reflection of our year in a nutshell. Great people that want to get the job done but once again mother nature does not cooperate.
I would like to thank Snickers, Bushwhacker, Haydak and Kyler who came with tools, shovels and positive energy to get some work done today. What was forecast to be a decent day seemingly changed as we started down the trail. Less than half way up a light rain started falling. We all figured that it would pass, I mean heck there is a huge high pressure system just to our West this can't last long. Well it managed to stay that way for a while.
The lower levels of the tower were snow covered and we shoveled them off and headed up to the 4th and 5th flights to start working. The rain actually started coming down harder and the wind started to pick up as well. After putting up with this for a little over an hour in hopes that it would clear up. I decided that it was just plain cruel to have anyone work in these conditions. Cold and wet just sucks.
So where do way stand?
Actually though not exactly where we had hoped but I think it would be safe to say that we have accomplished a significant amount under a very uncooperative year. Seems that everything that could go wrong over the past 6 months went wrong, from weather to logistics.
The good news is despite all the obstacles we got 42 new steps up the mountain on the backs, literally ,of some wonderful volunteers. Even that day was epic as we lugged the boards up on a 90/90 day. 90 degrees 90% humidity.
28 of those are now in place on the tower.
We have had the help of volunteers like Ward, Slamdog, Chief and Mace working hard to design, obtain the materials and found a shop to do the roof fabrication. Though we could not have the roof completed to specs to get it up top this fall we now have all winter to assemble and disassemble the roof to make sure that everything is ready when we fly it up next spring.
What have we learned, well speaking for myself I have learned that I need to do a better job on planning trips and tasks for 2011. I know that there are a lot of people that would like to help but because of poor planning on my part I could not give folks enough notice to plan.
I am going to spend the next week working on a schedule of volunteer days for the spring and summer next year. Not only do we have construction there are plenty other things to work on from site cleanup to trail work, there is plenty of chores for everyone to participate from skill labor to not so much
I am very positive about the future of the project.
Another thing to keep in mind is that this is not a one time deal but a long term commitment to the future of the Mt Adams Fire Tower from restoration though continued improvement and maintenance.
We believe that the $5,000 that we have set aside for restoration will carry us through for the initial process.
The ADKHighpeaks Foundation would like to thank everyone that has made this possible, we are merely a reflection of a very special community of great people.

[Laurie Rankin]

Thanks for all of your time and effort with this project, Jack. I look forward to seeing the list of dates for next year and committing to at least one! Do remember what is done this year, versus where the project was last year. Progress has occurred! Apologies that we did not make it up yesterday, we did give it serious consideration. Thanks to those warriors who did show up!

[muddybottom]

Count me in for next year, Jack! Looking forward to seeing when the dates are.....