AT work trip, January 18, 2014

Reported by John Shannon
This month’s work trip followed several days with strong wind, so we expected numerous fallen branches on the club’s section of the Appalachian Trail, and maybe even some large downed trees. Plan A was to walk from McCormick Gap to Rockfish Gap, clearing fallen wood and recording the location of trees too big to cut. Plan B then came into operation because Skyline Drive was closed, so we all met at Rockfish Gap for an out-and-back trip. Iva recruited more people than we have seen on a work trip for a long time, or ever, with a post-hike plan to go to McGuffey Art Center to view an exhibit with artist himself—our own Dave Borszich—explaining the exhibit.

After Iva and her group arrived at Rockfish Gap, we headed out of the cold wind funneled through Rockfish Gap and started trudging through the snow. However, we found only a few twigs to remove from the trail and an occasional shrubby plant looking like it would grow into the trail one day. At the halfway point, Iva and others took an old road to Skyline Drive to head back, while five of us headed on, only to find nothing significant to clear.

Brian Muszynski and Dave Borszich surged ahead to catch up with the rest of their group while John Herrity, his friend Mark and I moved a little slower and made a lunch stop on the drive.

The snow was not deep enough to keep our feet in place but deep enough to make a slippery layer that caused several falls. One spot where I expected the trail to be covered with ice had flowing water, which made passage easier. A day later, Pete Fink walked the section and found the hard hat that I lost. Also on the hike were Sunny Choi, Linda Ginsteng, and Rich Bard.