HItch 3... As Rugged as it Gets!

Progress Report:

Program Name: Pisgah Corps Mt. Mitchell Hitch 3
MDA Code: 10_NCAROL1_UFS
Max ID: 10116
Project Leader: Jonathan Kravitz
Dates: 6/28-7/02/10
Turnpikes Installed 1. 25’x3’
Rock Steps Installed 2
Water bars with Drainage Dips 3
Rolling Dips 26
Revegetation and corridor restoration 750 feet

The mental preparation for this hitch began at birth, like most sagas of epic proportions. The journey into the backcountry began on the right foot, albeit a tardy foot. As two tons of fury, the Pisgah crew reared its mighty head to charge into Deep Gap only to be met with super thunderstorms of x-men proportions forcing us to cache our bear vaults and set up camp halfway up the mountain. Come morning, our departure was harkened by singing bluebirds and prancing black bears. Some high points of this hitch were the views from the Black Mountain Crest trail, an encounter with the sweetest couple you will ever meet ( throw it up for Paula, Greg, and Baxter from Brevard), and completing serious brushing and maintenance on a whopping 750’ of trail. Our fears about the proximity of water to our camp site were quelled by our own brute strength as we collectively hauled 150 lbs of water up a ridiculous ½ mile section of trail. During the morning of our second day we were met by Fred Lashley who just so happens to be the “Mightiest Woman in the East!” She greeted us with delicious sweets and a full 5-gallon jug of water that she brought in kindly. She also worked closely with Jay on a beautiful section of turnpike sharing her wealth of knowledge with him as they worked. We pulaskied a plenty, hand sawed even more, and finished the hitch out with a toe blistering 15hr day so we could go home a wee bit early for the fourth of July.