[pct-l] Trail Gorilla Work near PCT/Kern Plateau

[kmurray at pol.net (kmurray@pol.net)]

Actually, I've found that it is a little more complicated than that.  The
Wilderness Act says:



(c) ....... except as necessary to meet minimum requirements for the
administration of the area for the purpose of this Act .......... there
shall be no temporary road, no use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment
or motorboats, no landing of aircraft, no other form of mechanical
transport, and no structure or installation within any such area.

Here is the rub:  The Dept of the Interior (Park Service) has defined
"minimum requirements" as being chainsaws.  The Dept of Agriculture (USFS)
has defined it as hand saws.

This could certainly have an impact on downed logs.  However, I've found
chainsaws to be inefficient in the cleaning of waterbars.  :)

----------------------------------
One of the major differences is the NP folk know how to use
chainsaws in their wilderness areas. The NF insists on
keeping their wilderness areas free from the sounds of
chainsaws.

There are 2 ways to use a 20 man crew. 1) Have 18 of them
work with hand equipment to cut the trees and brush and 2
remove the cut brush. 2) Have one man use a well adjusted
chainsay and keep the other 19 busy hauling of the bush,
etc.

Reflect for a moment on these two uses of a 20 man crew and
you will have your answer as to why the trail is so much
better where they use chainsaws.

           Rob

=========
Ilja Friedel ilja at cs.caltech.edu
Thu Aug 11 20:10:59 CDT 2005
Wrote

Hi Kmurray,

Now that I found somebody involved in trailwork, I have a
question: Why are trails in the national parks so much
better maintained than the trails in adjacent wildernesses?
As it is volunteer work, is there anything favoring NP's?
(You mention free food and equipment transport. Does this
make the difference?)

Ilja.