April 6th Sipsey Willderness Clean-up

“As for the FS blessing on this one, I would say "don't sweat it". I've done lots of stealth maintenance in the Sipsey and on Dugger Mtn. I once talked to a Ranger with the Shoal Creek District about it. She told me that they are glad to have help as long as we were complying with Fed. Regs. for Wilderness, i.e., no chainsaws. I've also done similar ops. in the S. Natahala Wilderness in N. GA. Outside of the Parks, they are always glad to have folks eager to help. Just make sure you check back in afterwards to let them know what work you have done, so they don't send a crew out later to do the same thing (doubtful anyway). You also want to claim the credit. Don't overlook that. You are doing a good thing and you should not be afraid to toot your own horns. Users who also maintain have a high degree of credibility with the USFS and you should not squander the chance to be able to exert some influence in the future. Good luck and watch where you step.”

“well Wade I'll miss seeing you but look on the bright side - at least you KNOW where your kidneys are going to be on April 10 (evil grin)”

“Bit...you got a buyer lined up?..I'll bring the bags of ice!”

“OPIE you have it all wrong, the people you meet from the Internet already have the buyers lined up....get with the program, man!”

“The economy is hurting..HMO's are getting better....the market for kidneys is saturated mano...but then again..pple are just dying for other things!!”

“chili36 - did you get my email?”

“HOI, affirmative, thanks. Called Ron this morning. And went across the street to our mail room and administered a good cussing.”

“I ordered up the map from Carto Craft and the mail room sent it back as addressee unknown. (strange that all of the divisions legal and operational problems make it to me). I am not sure I will have the map before I leave Friday. Where can I pick up a map on the way?”

“chili, if you go to Moulton, then go south on 33, there is a place on the left called Wild Alabama Trading Post, or something similar. They have Sipsey maps there. I don't know if they'll have the Carto-Craft map there, but I know they have had it in the past.”

“I have 4-5 maps..and will be working in the Russelville/bear creek area. I'll see about running down to the trading post and if they have the good maps i'll grab you one. What time did you say your showing up this weekend??”

“If you do make it by the Trading Post, you really need to talk to Lamar Marshall, eco-wildman and ramrod for "Wild Alabama". Lamar has probably done more to draw attention to the irresponsible cutting in the Bankhead than any other individual. You know this by the number of death threats he's received over the years. If you see him, tell him what you are doing. He may even comp you some refreshments, and he for sure will ask you to join W.A. I'm a member and it is worth it just to get his very fine newsletter. Nobody can fill you in on the doin's in the Sipsey like Lamar can.”

“chili...3pm at the trailhead...if i'm already gone i'll have it stashed in the bed of my truck..i'll let you know when i think of where”

“thanks Opie, I should be there about that time.”

“Opie if its outta your way I can pick up some maps. If your going before 2:30 you can pick them up at my house. Its on your way. Let me know and I'll send you directions.

BAMA”

“The weather forcast continues to look good - lows at night around 40 F highs in the day around 65 F only possibility of a shower is on Sunday (probably in evening or possibly not at all).

I'll be hitting the road tomorrow morning early (maybe) and should be at the Thompson TH sometime Friday morning. My plan is to hike in with as many tools as I can carry, setup camp and then go scout out the Bee Branch blowdown and the evualate the trail in between the Needle and Bee Branch. Hopefully the wading won't be too bad but I suspect that there will be some looking at the map. Saturday early I will probably head down to the Bee Branch blow down with all the tools to cut it then work my way back to basecamp. Sunday I'll be available for other blowdown cutting if needed. Sunday night I'll be driving out headed toward Virginia - probably grab a motel room somewhere along the way then finish the trip on Monday.”

“40 at night, I'm gonna freeze! Have to pack warm clothes. Darn ;(

I leave tomorrow. Penguins game in Tampa and leaving straight from there.

Have a safe trip everyone!”

“I think I'm gonna bring the Hennessy Hammock and my 0 degree bag. I should be fine.”

“walkindude..from all i read grab a windshield sungaurd for a reflector..lol I wanna see this badboy...Bama..i didn't get a chance to go today...i have no prob going friday...i should be on the road around noon..and get there around 1-1:30. what map does the trading post carry?”

“Backcountry Trails Surveys”

“They carry differant Carto-craft maps. Hiking trails, forest service routes, horse trail system, multiuse trail, canoeing sipsey and upper brushy are all on the one I have. I think they are about 6 bucks or so for a waterproof, a little less for paper. With the weather being as warm as it has lately he may be out. A lot of people have been hiking lately. Someone can borrow mine if they need to.

BAMA”

“leaving now - see y'all there”

“Have a good travel HOI. See ya this weekend.”

“I am clear to leave Memphis no later than noon. Should be at the trail head no later than 3PM. Will hike in and find HOI and Opie.”

“I'm gonna bring a Hoe, would a rake also be needed?... a steel rake or leaf rake(to cover and smooth firerings with pinestray/dirt)?”

“bring a couple of ho's and we will forget all about the rakes....LOL”

“i'm not even GOING THERE today!!!”

“I went by the black warrior trading post today. They have maps. But were out of the good carto-craft ones, but have plenty of the "trail of Sipsey" They are not that great but they do have the trails shown. I picked up two of these if anyone needs to pick them up at my house. I'm at work now and want get my home email until late tonight, but if anyone needs to I'll e-mail directions to my house. If you go through Mt. Hope you will be within 1/2 mile from me.

BAMA”

“Bama, I sent you an email. Looks like I will need a map. I think I will go back over to the mail room tomorrow morning and lay into them again. Don't know if it will help, but it sure makes me feel better.”

“I'll leave a laminated geo topograph in the bed of my truck for whoever needs it. I'll even dry erase marker the trail”

“All packed up and ready to go...

See you guys tomorrow afternoon.”

“As soon as Leatherneck get here, (which should be any minute now) we are heading out. See you guys tonite/tommorrow. Hope you all have a safe trip!”

“Sorry folks, the Troll will not make this one....I've received the results of Medical Tests, and Medical problems will be severely restricting my Backpacking for a while...maybe some other time...”

“We'll miss you ST. Hope you get well soon.”

“Leaving in one hour.”

“Bummer ST! Sorry you can't make it!”

“Meet Chilli36 today, he was on his way. I will have to work until midnight or later but I'll catch the rest of the stragglers in the morning.

BAMA”