On point for this awesome volunteer effort was Redline Guide Mike Maciel. Normally Mike Cherim plays that role but he had foolishly double booked himself. Being that he needed to participate in our fall (2024) Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course to renew his Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification so it didn’t expire, he passed the torch onto Mike M.
As usual, the regular supporters were involved. Namely the NH Trailworkers’ Group, Wild Raven Endurance Coaching (was White Mountain Endurance Coaching), the Tuckerman Brewing Company, and of course the US Forest Service (Saco Distict).
This year’s task was to work on a section of the Kearsarge North Trail. As Mike M. described it, the trail was braided meaning that where there was once one trail, two had begun to form the they were interweaving. The term, we think, is very apt. To solve such a problem one removes the choices available by blocking or “brushing in” the route least preferred encouraging hikers to take on the one the USFS wants used. Doing this the least preferable route will eventually become a non-trail as nature reclaims it. Other work performed addressed drainage needs.
Some photos to follow (taken by Kim and Andy), but first some words from the USFS WMNF (Saco):
A huge thank you to everyone for the incredibly productive day yesterday. Including the three of us WMNF folks, we had a total of 16 fun folks dragging brush, carrying logs, and raking the corridor for better definition of the preferred treadway on the Kearsarge North Trail. It was a great opportunity to share some tricks of the trade, and to see the value of many hands. We couldn’t do the work without you.
Thank you Kim, Scarlett, Rhonda, Barbara, Corinne, Mike H, Michal K, Martha, Dariya, Mike M, Andy, Julie, and Brian! (And of course Mike C, Kristina, and Tuckerman Brewing for behind-the-scenes support.) With gratitude, —Dylan, Deanna and Victoria
