Hitting the bars around Putnam Pond

pete_hickey · 08-28-2006, 11:27 AM

The crew was lead by a French Canadian kid, whose name was unpronounceable by the Americans, so they simply called him JR. The crew consisted of Tom, Laurie, Pat, Mike, Julie, Wanda, and an old guy called, "Pa". Our goal: six bars.

At 7:30AM, the crew headed out from the Putnam Pond campground, carrying shovels, rakes and implements of destruction, to head toward the work site, which was about a mile or so from the campground. We had to wait at a rock for Brett in a boat, but we waited at the wrong rock. It seems that there was more than one rock in that forest.

Bret led us a bit further, and showed us an area that needed a few bars, then he headed back to the boat. As soon as Brett was gone, some of the crew started stripping, and some started cutting, to relocate some blowdown, which was longing for relocation where it could have closer ties with its mother, the earth.

Once we had these water bars in place, we headed into the woods, to find the tree which had been marked by the DEC for harvesting. We looked around the thick forest, and found an opening. We decided that we would want the tree to fall that way. Each member of the crew took turns cutting a wedge out so that the tree would fall in that direction. Several escape routes were cleared, then the back cut was started. With an inch remaining, the tree made a loud crack. Everyone stood back. A few seconds later, another crack, then it started slowly falling. Although it started slowly, its speed quickly increased.

"It does make a sound!" Shouted Mike, in answer to the age old question.

The crew quickly went to work stripping and limbing the fallen spruce. The crew worked well together. Some were digging, others stripped, still others carried logs. We were able to build two water-bars at a time. By mid afternoon, we were finished with the bars. And that's impressive.

How many times have you finished 6 bars by mid afternoon, and were still standing.... and then saying, "Lets go back for a beer"

Some pictures here: http://newmud.comm.uottawa.ca/~pete/...g26/index.html

Mavs00 · 08-28-2006, 11:36 AM

Damn you............... You got me again :p . I couldn't click enter fast enough and I got here to read about WORK.

Great report Pete. I know the season is just about over, but are there any other opportunites this year. Either on a formal crew, or just a walk along brush clearing.

I know there are some herd path maintainers that might be doing a walk-through sweep that perhaps I could assist on. I have done NOTHING to hold up my part of the bargin I made. PM me if there is.

btw.... Is BEER and a FEAST part of every trail-day. I'm begining to think so. That's smart marketing

Rik · 08-28-2006, 11:43 AM

Thanks to Pete and crew for their hard work.

pete_hickey · 08-28-2006, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mavs00

btw.... Is BEER and a FEAST part of every trail-day. I'm begining to think so. That's smart marketing

Once a year we have a 'feast' for all, and once for the women (ie women get it twice) The other to or so times you'll get soda and Oreos. Beer is never part of the official meal, however there are those who bring their own.

Unofficially, I have been known to use beer to entice someone to show up for my crew: Beer at a leanto in the rain, beer on a summit, beer on summit rock, etc. This is rare, however. I have my reasons.

TFR · 08-28-2006, 02:56 PM

As one of the driven, I had a great time! Thanks for the different types of 'views and brews'!

Gray Ghost · 08-28-2006, 03:44 PM

Pete - TT told me that Darwin and some of the 46ers were working near Putts on Saturday...we were on Dix when he was telling us that. First of all, thanks for all of your hard work; I frequent those trails a ton in the Spring...where exactly were you working? Near which ponds? Ask Darwin who TT is (he's Darwin's first cousin...they finished their 46 together, and TT is doing his second round with us).

pete_hickey · 08-28-2006, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gray Ghost

Pete - TT told me that Darwin and some of the 46ers were working near Putts on Saturday....

My group was on the tail to Rock Pond... several tenths of a mile before it. I'mnot sure where the others were. Sunday's work was on the grizzle ocean trail, not far from putts.

A month or so ago, I talked to darwin about you. He said, "None of my family is on the Internet." Yesterday morning, he told me that he finally figured out who.

Gray Ghost · 08-28-2006, 07:10 PM

Cool Pete. I've gotta laugh out loud at what he said. Glad you guys were working on the Grizzle and Rock trails. Thanks again.

08-28-2006, 11:27 AM	#1
pete_hickey Slave Driver Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hull, Quebec Posts: 3,635	Hitting the bars around Putnam Pond The crew was lead by a French Canadian kid, whose name was unpronounceable by the Americans, so they simply called him JR. The crew consisted of Tom, Laurie, Pat, Mike, Julie, Wanda, and an old guy called, "Pa". Our goal: six bars. At 7:30AM, the crew headed out from the Putnam Pond campground, carrying shovels, rakes and implements of destruction, to head toward the work site, which was about a mile or so from the campground. We had to wait at a rock for Brett in a boat, but we waited at the wrong rock. It seems that there was more than one rock in that forest. Bret led us a bit further, and showed us an area that needed a few bars, then he headed back to the boat. As soon as Brett was gone, some of the crew started stripping, and some started cutting, to relocate some blowdown, which was longing for relocation where it could have closer ties with its mother, the earth. Once we had these water bars in place, we headed into the woods, to find the tree which had been marked by the DEC for harvesting. We looked around the thick forest, and found an opening. We decided that we would want the tree to fall that way. Each member of the crew took turns cutting a wedge out so that the tree would fall in that direction. Several escape routes were cleared, then the back cut was started. With an inch remaining, the tree made a loud crack. Everyone stood back. A few seconds later, another crack, then it started slowly falling. Although it started slowly, its speed quickly increased. "It does make a sound!" Shouted Mike, in answer to the age old question. The crew quickly went to work stripping and limbing the fallen spruce. The crew worked well together. Some were digging, others stripped, still others carried logs. We were able to build two water-bars at a time. By mid afternoon, we were finished with the bars. And that's impressive. How many times have you finished 6 bars by mid afternoon, and were still standing.... and then saying, "Lets go back for a beer" Some pictures here: http://newmud.comm.uottawa.ca/~pete/...g26/index.html __________________ Guinness: Goes in brown, comes out yellow. Last edited by pete_hickey; 08-28-2006 at 12:43 PM.

08-28-2006, 11:36 AM	#2
Mavs00 Viceroy Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: the Dark Side of the Moon Posts: 3,476	Damn you............... You got me again :p . I couldn't click enter fast enough and I got here to read about WORK. Great report Pete. I know the season is just about over, but are there any other opportunites this year. Either on a formal crew, or just a walk along brush clearing. I know there are some herd path maintainers that might be doing a walk-through sweep that perhaps I could assist on. I have done NOTHING to hold up my part of the bargin I made. PM me if there is. btw.... Is BEER and a FEAST part of every trail-day. I'm begining to think so. That's smart marketing __________________ "The forest is the poor man's overcoat. " Old Northeastern Proverb Last edited by Mavs00; 08-28-2006 at 11:39 AM.

08-28-2006, 11:43 AM	#3
Rik Village Idiot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Where the Truth Lies Posts: 2,602	Thanks to Pete and crew for their hard work. __________________ This post is for entertainment purposes only.

08-28-2006, 02:56 PM	#5
TFR Peek-Bagger Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tillson, NY - Avatar: Whiteface Slide Posts: 5,390	As one of the driven, I had a great time! Thanks for the different types of 'views and brews'! __________________ Tom Rankin - 5444W - Proud Member #0003 of ADKHP Foundation Volunteer Balsam Lake Mountain President Catskill 3500 Club CEO Views And Brews! Trail maintainer for the Dry Brook Ridge trail from Mill Brook Road to just past the Lean-to

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08-28-2006, 03:44 PM	#6
Gray Ghost Savoring the 46 Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 127	Pete - TT told me that Darwin and some of the 46ers were working near Putts on Saturday...we were on Dix when he was telling us that. First of all, thanks for all of your hard work; I frequent those trails a ton in the Spring...where exactly were you working? Near which ponds? Ask Darwin who TT is (he's Darwin's first cousin...they finished their 46 together, and TT is doing his second round with us).

08-28-2006, 07:10 PM	#8
Gray Ghost Savoring the 46 Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 127	Cool Pete. I've gotta laugh out loud at what he said. Glad you guys were working on the Grizzle and Rock trails. Thanks again.

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