Trailwork - Caps Ridge Trail

Organizer: Michael Blair @ (978) 808-1932

=====

Read the entire description before you RSVP and answer all questions that are part of the RSVP. Failure to answer them will result in your removal from this event.

If you RSVP from a mobile device the questions may not show up - be sure to use a computer to update your RSVP so you can answer them (go back to the event page, click change "RSVP", click "YES", then answer them.

Your safety, and the safety of the group, is the most important thing. If you underestimate the demands of this event; overestimate your experience, knowledge, skills or abilities; or come unprepared you put yourself or others at risk – consider this before you decide to participate.

=====

What we're doing...

Normally we work on one of of our adopted trails on National Trails Day (Saturday) but this year we are going to do our work a day later. Last year we weren't able to borrow the necessary tools because they were all out being used by the many different trail crews that were out and about throughout the White Mountains.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/1/1/6/event_228856662.jpeg

The Caps Ridge Trail is much different than our other adopted trail - the Kinsman Risge Trail. It is steep and rough with numerous ledges that require rock scrambling and are slippery when wet, and the upper part is very exposed to weather. We will get to work both below ("blazes") and above treeline ("cairns").

Click for current trail conditions (http://trailsnh.com/conditions-map.php?ll=44.302,-71.316&z=13&type=Terrain&label=Mt-Jefferson) (trailsnh.com) The plan is to spend about 5 hours out on the trail - at the most we would be hiking would about 5.0 miles round trip but would likely do much less since we will be stopping along the way to perform trail maintenance activities. There is no plan to reach the summit so if you are looking to claim a peak today this isn't the trip for you.

Guests are not permitted - all participants must be members of the Random Group of Hikers.

Dogs are not permitted on this event.

=====

What to Bring

Be sure to look at the gear information listed below - if you have any questions about what to wear and/or what to bring let me know.

Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots. Clothing: Long sleeved shirts, long pants and leather work gloves. Cotton clothing for this trip is OK. Safety glasses. Outerwear: Wide-brimed hat since we will be above treeline. You should also bring weather appropriate clothing since we will be working on the trails rain or shine. Food and Water: High-energy snacks, food for lunch, enough water to stay properly hydrated during the trip. Other Essential Gear: Plastic whistle. Personal first aid kit. Small pocket knife or multi-purpose tool. Toilet kit (e.g. hand sanitizer, toilet paper and a zip-lock bag to pack out your used personal hygiene items). Sunscreen. Lip balm. Sunglasses. Waterproof cover for your pack. Extra socks. Optional Items: Camera. I will update everyone if weather conditions dictate that we bring more than what is described above.

=====

Some interesting information from Jim Schmid's "compendium of trail tools (http://www.americantrails.org/resources/info/tools1.html)"

These are the tools that we will be using:

Loppers: Loppers are designed for clearing heavy vegetation from trails. With their long handles, a sturdy pair of loppers has the mechanical advantage to cut cleanly through all sorts of brush and branches (most cut limbs of 1 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter). Hand Pruner: Handier and lighter to carry than a lopper when only minor pruning is needed. Used to cut small branches encroaching on the trail. Also useful for cutting protruding roots that are tripping hazards. Bow Saw: A bow saw with a blade 16- to 21-inches in length is handy for cutting brush out of the trail and trimming small branches. Axe: Axes can be used to chop deadfall from trails, shape stakes for turnpikes and waterbars, and cut notches for structures made of timber. The axe is best reserved for cutting jobs too thick for available saws. Pick Mattock: A mattock is a heavy sturdy grubbing tool with an adz blade that can be used as a hoe for digging in hard ground. The other blade of a mattock may be a pick (pick mattock) for breaking or prying small rocks or a cutting edge (cutter mattock) for chopping roots. Rockbar (Pry Bar): For trail work a rockbar 4-foot in length and weighing 16 to 18 pounds with a beveled end is best. This is an essential tool for prying and levering large, heavy objects such as boulders, logs, and beams. A rockbar can also be used as a drop hammer to break rock or open a crack. =====

Weather

Mountain weather is subject to rapid changes and extreme conditions. Dangerous weather conditions will cancel - I will post an update and/or send an email to all confirmed participants a day or two ahead of time. We will assess travel and weather conditions during the hike and make changes to our planned trip as necessary.

Click for the current weather forecast (http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/forecast.php) (noaa.gov) Sunrise time - 5:04 AM Sunset time - 8:24 PM =====

Directions

We will begin this event by meeting in the Caps Ridge Trail parking area on the east side of Clinton Road. According to Google Maps this meeting spot is about 171 miles from Boston and it should take about 3 hours 7 minutes to drive there.

Click for customizable driving directions (https://local.google.com/maps?saddr=Boston,+MA&daddr=44.296409,-71.353548(Caps+Ridge+Trailhead)&hl=en&sll=44.296409,-71.353548&sspn=0.008616,0.022058&geocode=FZ9WhgIdw7bD-ykbMT0NLWXjiTGg6GIBJL98eA%3BFdnoowIdNDu_-w&oq=Boston&mra=ls&t=m&z=8) (google.com) While carpooling is encouraged you are responsible for coordinating your own rides. Use the comments section below to communicate with others who may also be looking to share a ride. If you do share a ride be sure to share the expenses - suggested donations per person are $20 from Boston MA, $15 from Salem/Nashua NH, and $10 from Concord NH.

=====

Random Group of Hikers Disclaimer

As a condition of your voluntary participation in this activity you acknowledge and agree to the following: this activity involves inherent risks that can cause property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death to participants and/or others; you assume all risk associated with this activity; you are responsible for having the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, clothing, and equipment to safely participate in this activity; you know and will follow the Hiker Responsibility Code (http://www.hikesafe.com/); the organizer(s) of this activity are volunteers; and you release, hold harmless, and indemnify the organizer(s) and all members of this group from any and all claims for property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death - including those caused by negligence and/or other reasons.