View Full Version : Poll: Maintaining Appalachian Balds
If you had an opportunity to spend a day helping to keep an Appalachian Bald free of trees and shrubs in Western NC, would you volunteer?
Is this a trick question? ;)
No, just trying to see what the interest level would be to perform this kind of maintenance.
SGT Rock
09-14-2007, 17:22
Yes. Where and when?
Alas I live too far away..but where i ever in the Southern Apps again I would help out if i possibly could to maintain trail and those great balds!
David
If time and distance permitted, I would as I would love to see them some day. There is enough green tunnel and these historic hills should be preserved.
Yes. Where and when?
No date yet. Just data gathering. The NPS maintains Andrews Bald in Great Smoky Mountains NP with crews on day trips. I'm trying to see if folks would be interested in this kind of work. I happen to love the balds, but don't know how others feel.
No date yet. Just data gathering. The NPS maintains Andrews Bald in Great Smoky Mountains NP with crews on day trips. I'm trying to see if folks would be interested in this kind of work. I happen to love the balds, but don't know how others feel.
Sign me up.
Jan LiteShoe
09-14-2007, 17:51
No date yet. Just data gathering. The NPS maintains Andrews Bald in Great Smoky Mountains NP with crews on day trips. I'm trying to see if folks would be interested in this kind of work. I happen to love the balds, but don't know how others feel.
I love the balds as well.
If I am able to make it, I would love to participate in this sort of gathering.
Hey, we could all camp under a full moon ...
:)
Cookerhiker
09-14-2007, 17:53
Count me in. I enjoyed the balds especially Big Bald and Max Patch.
Lone Wolf
09-14-2007, 18:54
yeah. i could get up off my lazy ass and help
Hikerhead
09-14-2007, 19:01
I've never seen a Smoky Bald so yes, I would be interested.
A little bit about Andrews Bald.
http://www.answers.com/topic/andrews-bald
Brushy Sage
09-14-2007, 19:08
Are any balds other than Andrews in need of clearing? Due to the combined efforts of trail maintainers and the forest service, both Big Bald and Max Patch are, reliably, quite bald. The area to the south of Walnut Mountain shelter is not yet fully bald because the tree stumps haven't been removed. Day hikers and volunteers will not be able to do that.
the goat
09-14-2007, 19:27
yeah, i'd be up for that.
bigcranky
09-14-2007, 20:00
I'd be there if the dates worked.
just depends if I have something planned for that weekend already..if not I will be there
humunuku
09-14-2007, 20:23
So where might this possibly happen, in the GSMNP (NC side) or somewhere a bit less touristy?
Are any balds other than Andrews in need of clearing? Due to the combined efforts of trail maintainers and the forest service, both Big Bald and Max Patch are, reliably, quite bald. The area to the south of Walnut Mountain shelter is not yet fully bald because the tree stumps haven't been removed. Day hikers and volunteers will not be able to do that.
Brushy Sage:
Gregory Bald, but the NPS does that as part of a week long backpacking trip. Walnut Mtn is National Forest land - as you know.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
09-14-2007, 21:29
Depending on the time of year and family considerations, we would be willing to help.
Alligator
09-14-2007, 21:35
Does it involve fire?
Two Speed
09-14-2007, 21:39
Might be able to help; depends on dates, etc.
Jan LiteShoe
09-14-2007, 21:41
Does it involve fire?
"It's not a 'far till ya can see it from SPACE."
- Beer commercial
:)
As others have said, depending on the day. I's be glad to help
Does it involve fire?
Not with volunteers Gator. It would be mechanized. I'll follow up with the park next week and see if I can schedule a date. Thanks for the replies and the interest! I'll try my level best to make it happen!
warraghiyagey
09-15-2007, 05:20
Love to help if it doesn't involve a two day training course ala Maine ATC. I'd love to help on the trail, not on my ass in a class room.:) :)
StarLyte
09-15-2007, 07:17
Great post Mowgli. I'd be interested.
I'll cook for yall :D
SGT Rock
09-15-2007, 07:20
Can I use a chainsaw ;)
Can I use a chainsaw ;)
Down boy.
What is it about guys & power tools? :banana
SGT Rock
09-15-2007, 07:42
OK, but can I bring my own machete?
BTW, I need to get sawyer certified now that I am retiring and plan to spend more time working on blow downs. I figure a guy as connected as you would know where to find the courses. I've been googling and all but cannot seem to find a list of dates like I once could.
Lone Wolf
09-15-2007, 07:45
I'll bring a D9 and some C4
SGT Rock
09-15-2007, 07:51
Less C4 and more det cord for clearing areas.
shelterbuilder
09-15-2007, 08:40
... I need to get sawyer certified now that I am retiring and plan to spend more time working on blow downs. I figure a guy as connected as you would know where to find the courses. I've been googling and all but cannot seem to find a list of dates like I once could.
If you belong to a maintaining club, check with ATC for a list of dates/places for the sawyer courses. It's free for maintaining club members, and once you pass, you get all of the safety equipment for free.
I'm interested if I can find the time.
I marked "maybe". I throughly enjoy doing trail work, and I support keeping the balds open (Not creating more). So my answer reflects the distance I would need to travel to assist in a project like this.
If I were planning other activities in the area and I knew of this early enough, I could see myself being involved. It totally depends on when, and what else is happening at the time.
If I lived closer, I would commit.