In the final days of crew GWJ #12321, we assaulted the magnificent and hostile Belfast Trail. The largest project this fine team has encountered. With a wide trail that could hold two shoulder to shoulder we tackled this step-demanding trail under the watchful eye of the Forest Service, Belfast being one of their most popular trails. Seeing as it leads to the Devil’s Marble Yard, a large boulder slide, a rare sight in Virginia.
This final hitch started with the hitch leaders, Kevin Hillstrom and Christopher Otten, and Project Leader Dan Solmon scouting out the Belfast Trail and possible base camp locations. The trail was decently steep, providing us all with sweaty backs in the end, most disgusting. A Forest Service employee flagged what he wanted completed. It was a short section of the trail, but by far the worst. The flagged section needed many large rock steps skillfully placed and se. After the scout we looked at potential base camp locations and quickly found one we loved, Hopper Creek campground, possibly the most favored camp by the crew. The fallowing days would be full of slow progress and end in a big surprise.
This hitch was filled with our regular conversations. A never ending talk of ancient Greek and Latin was to be expected this hitch. We got a text from the absent crew member Amy, telling us sad news that put a damper on us. We all wish her the best and much future merry making and full belly laughs. One day, upon returning tiredly to base camp, we spotted a case, let me repeat, a case, of orange Gatorade; there was much rejoicing. Along with the Gatorade was: a stack of wood and a bag of fresh vegetables. We were all happy to leave Sherando Lake and work on this new project that required a lot of technical skill.
On the final day of the final hitch, we saw a Forest Service employee walk up the hill, behind him were nine inmates and one guard. We were all shocked and slightly nervous. The inmates turned out to be very helpful and comedic, they worked extremely hard and we were very grateful for their muscles and life lessons. We all wished we could have worked with them more.
So here it is, the final website update from the hitch leaders. It will be odd returning home and adjusting to soft beds and flushing toilets, but I full heartedly believe all of us left SCA with an experience that this writer can not convey into words. We left fuller, I’ll leave it at that.
Wishing every happiness,
~Kevin Hillstrom and Christopher Otten, hitch leaders
14 rock steps
1 mega water bar
800 feet of fine trail
