The Rocky Top crew works exclusively on 70 miles of the A.T. through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park following the ridge crest from Davenport Gap to Fontana Dam. The crew is sponsored jointly by the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, the National Park Service, and ATC.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Hey Rocky-Topers!!

Welcome to the Rocky Top Trail Crew Blog. New posts will apear at random so make sure you bookmark this blog and check back as often as you like! This is the place for all things Rocky Top. If there is information you would like or things you want to see appear here for all to see just let me know.

Hope to see you all at Rocky Top this fall!
Happy Trails,
Christine

12 comments:

sdain31y said...

Mark or is it Greg? er Brad and I will be there! Last session, can't wait. Love the blog.

Eagle Eye said...

CH, Welcome back from Taiwan! Saw the AT Rag write-up and it looked terrific! Got a call from TN Larry on New Yrs Day... great surprise! Tells me GreyBeard is off to the PCT this spring... guess we won't see him on RT this year. I plan on returning to SMNP for my 5th yr. Will shoot for session#1... have recrited two of my Lions Club buds to join me. (PS. What's TW going to do after AT CrwLdr life?) Best to you and all the RT'ers. EE (Steve Kinne, Chittenango, NY)

Columbo said...

Christine, great blog! So how was Taiwan? Did things go well for you there? I will be coming back in the fall again. Probably 3rd session. Hope to bring my brothers and a nephew. We'll see. Will you and Billy be leading again? So, how far up the hill toward base camp did you guys get? When I left in late September our group had just made it around a sharp right bend and were about to get into a very rocky portion of the trail. I forget the session number I was in. Time frame was 9/15 - 9/22....Anyway, thanks for the blog. Keep up the great work!......(Bob Johnson, Cincinnati)

Christine said...

Taiwan was INCREDIBLE! Keep an eye out for an article in the March/April issue of the Journeys. I am in the midst of writing it now… I journaled TONS about the trip – the trip was packed with so many wonderful experiences I am not sure how I will scale it down to fit in the pages allowed!

Rocky Top 2007 made it just past the big turn on the trail that needed the wall… and yes, we got the wall complete (yay!)… so we are still south of camp but all the work that was completed throughout the season held up remarkably well (of course) to the 25 horses that helped us with the pack out. George Minnigh, Mr. GSMNP, hiked up on the last day and was full of high praise for the fantastic work that had been done and how natural it all looked. Way to go volunteers!

Glad to read that you all are planning on returning for more trail building fun in 2008. I am already looking forward to it :)

Eagle Eye said...

Boss, if the last crew made it just past the turn (that now has a retaining wall... sweet!), it looks like I should be preparing these new guys for additional rock work, right? (Arrgghhh! Gotta' love rocks, baby!) Glad George was happy/impressed... he's the acid test. Happy New Yr! EE

Christine said...

Yep Eagle Eye, if i had to guess i'd say it looks like more rock work ahead... though as we get (reasonably) close to the next pile or wood we may start mixin it up just for fun!

Anonymous said...

Great blog, Christine! Glad you enjoyed Taiwan. I was surprised to see more Brown Mtn Creek Konnarock pics in the AT Journeys article on your planned trip. Hope my PCT thruhike goes well enough I'll be back in time for Rocky Top again in 08. Rick "Handlebar" Ostheimer

Carl said...

Christine,congradulations, enjoy your blog. look forward to your article and another RT session in september, always a great time. MY 6TH season as ridgerunner this spring will prep me for my PCT "attempt". And to all, keep hiking. Carl, aka "Greybeard"

Anonymous said...

definitely planning on coming back for more in 2008! think i might have recruited my brother and a friend or two. they all tried to steal my t-shirt. i told them they have to earn one of their own! peace!

Ceri said...

George Minnigh??!! THE George?!! I miss him so much, you don't get men like that in North Yorkshire...!! How's it going Christine? What's Ted doing instead of trailbuilding? I mean it's not like he could get a normal job with that beard.... I don't think I'll be out on crew this year, decided it's time I head west and figure out what Edward Abbey is always gabbing on about.... Also planning some trips out to Russia, China and Africa depending on how far I can spread my university grant!!!

Hopefully will be out next season for a week or so though, but only if Humphrey will pay a visit. If you have any gossip, email me at caa501@york.ac.uk, work is a bit boring at the moment....

Ceri x

Carl said...

Cristine: Hi
Thanks for the posting. I love the photo bucket. It is always good to spend time with like minded people and to help perpetuate the trail we love is icing on the cake. keep hiking.
Carl aka greybeard.

Anonymous said...

Ola, what's up amigos? :)
In first steps it is really good if someone supports you, so hope to meet friendly and helpful people here. Let me know if I can help you.
Thanks and good luck everyone! ;)