Sometimes You-Know-What Just Happens! (Sawyer Crew)

 

The troublesome downed tree near the cemetery.

Saturday was going to be a "major miles" day for the sawyers - they had blow downs significant distances apart on the AT. Little did they know that there were other difficulties lying ahead. Being a sawyer requires certification, but there is just no substitute for experience, a healthy respect for the dangers involved in using a chainsaw, and the knowledge that sometimes, despite doing everything right, "stuff" just happens. Here is a summary of the sawyer crew's adventurous day as told by the sawyer crew leader:

The first tree at Laurel Spring was more involved than we initially anticipated, taking about 1 hour to clear, but all went well.  We then headed down the blue blaze from the parking lot [at Humpback Rocks - the hike to Rockfish gap is 7.6 miles] and had to clear another good size blow down that was not reported along with several other smaller trees heading to the shelter. The shelter was in good shape and we put lime in the container at the privy (1/2 full).  

By now it was about 2:30 so we had high hopes of getting the tree at the cemetery and being out by 5:00. Of course, nature intervened!  The tree at the cemetery was a decent size blow down, but nothing out of the ordinary except that half way through the first cut the tree twisted and sagged before the wedges could be securely put in place.  That's when the fun began!  An hour and 1/2 later, we finally got the saw free (after many choice words, sweat, lifting with a fulcrum, etc.) and finished clearing the tree from the trail - there was no way I was going to leave the chainsaw bar stuck in the tree and hike out!  

In any event, it was around 5:15 or so that Richard placed a phone call to Lori [Trail Maintenance Supervisor at Command Central!] to let everyone know that all was fine, but we would be late getting out.  We really didn't want anyone to wait on us, but Fran and Theresa did and that was a very nice gesture!  One funny moment was a thru-hiker who spoke German and not much English.  We tried to explain our situation to him in the hope he could let the next crew up the trail know what was going on .... I understand that it really didn't work out, but he insisted on taking a picture with Richard W. [also a certified sawyer] trying to hide below the tree!  Jim D. [3rd crew member and 'swamping' for the sawyers] was excellent help and seemed to enjoy the day despite the last problem.  In any event, these things happen which make trail work so much fun and interesting!  I hope everyone else had a good day with little trouble.  

~ Ed P.

 

Putting something near/on the blowdown helps to give a sense of 'scale' so the true trunk size can be more easily determined from the photograph.

Note 1: Safety first!! We do not leave crews in the woods. Someone stays until everyone is safely out and accounted for.  Kudos to the sawyer crew for staying safe while handling a difficult and potentially dangerous situation.

Note 2: I just heard an account by someone who was there when the German hiker tried to relay what was transpiring with the sawyer crew. He didn't know the English for 'chainsaw' so he kept going "vrrrrrroooooom, vrrrrrroooooom"!!  Too funny .... but at least he was trying hard! Dave A. and I met him on Sec. 7 and he thanked and thanked us for the work we did - really nice guy and he was loving it out on the AT.  :-)

[ ] - clarification edits by Merlot

(Photos: Bob C.)