Build trail in Tennessee this spring

“The Cumberland Trail Conference is sponsoring the 3rd annual Big Dig just north of Chattanooga, Tennessee from May 22nd to June 25th. This year's Big Dig will continue the trailbuilding from last year's Big Dig.

CTC provides air conditioned housing, bunk beds, hot showers, all meals, transportation to and from trailbuilding, and an experience you will always treasure. They also have a nice camping area on Chickamauga Lake if you prefer to camp. They even train you on trailbuilding techniques. Tennessee State Parks provides evening entertainment and a square dance every Friday night. It is all free, except that trailbuilding is hard work!

CTC encourages people to sign up so they can plan housing and transportation. There is an online sign up at:

http://www.cumberlandtrail.org/bigdig.html

Most people sign up for only one or two days first, then sign up for more once they see how much fun it is. Last year, several people stayed the entire 5 weeks. You get to meet and talk to a lot of hikers from all over the world. People of all ages participate, and families with older children were often there on weekends.

They plan for 100 plus trailbuilders, but last year there were seldom more that 80 on any particular day. So the CTC is trying harder this year to get the word out so more people will help.

I was there last year and plan to be there all 5 weeks again this year. It is a lot of fun. Look me up. I will be camping by the lake again in my van.”

“Sweet! Building trail builds character. I want to make at least one weekend.

Thanks.”

“I will do a weekend also. But I am not sure I want to share the woods with backpac and a chainsaw.”

“Not sure? Believe me you don't.”

“Looking forward to seeing ya'll. They do use chainsaws, but only to clear blowdowns, so you won't be sharing the woods with a chainsaw during trail construction.”

“I don't think a chainsaw in another person hands bothered him..it was just bacpac's hands that did it”

“Oh great, no chainsaw, we get armed with axes.

How comforting.”

“axes..the quieter splitter upper...lol”

“I've actually thought about doing this for the past few years. Vacations and work obligations have kept me away. Again this year as a matter of fact. I get back from my vacation on the 21st.
Rats!”

“I just got back from 3 days of trail-building on the CT- worked on Bass' crew thursday- We finally finished the Possum Creek segment! It's 13 miles or so of beautiful trail, including 2 waterfalls! Only drawback is that the 2 bridges are not in yet, so you'll need to bring your tevas to wade the creeks (Big and Little Possum); I personally haven't done it, but am assured that it can be done without getting too wet.
We have one more week of Breakaway (a trail-building program utilizing college students on their spring breaks) to work on the Soddy Creek segment, and then we rest up for the Big Dig that Bass is talking about. I've been coming for the past 2 years and wouldn't miss this one either. Hope to see everyone there from last year again- it'll be like Homecoming!!”

“We're getting ready for trailbuilding in the morning. We'll have about 70 students this week, and the weather is looking great! See you there!

I'm really looking forward to this year's Big Dig too. It should be even bigger and better than last year's!”