DOCSLIB.ORG

Paul Dickens and the Wilderness Crew

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

FOURTH QUARTER 2012 Quarterly News Bulletin and Hike Schedule P.O. Box 68, Asheville, NC 28802 • www.carolinamountainclub.org • e-mail: [email protected] Paul Dickens and the Wilderness Crew Becky Smucker and Bill Newton formed a team leader and important cog in through the Middle Prong Wilderness new maintenance crew in the spring of 2008. the machinery. We thought the best in 2007, I hiked other trails in the Since then it has evolved a great deal, and way to update the progress of this Middle Prong that were becoming Paul Dickens has become Becky’s back-up innovative crew was to talk with Paul overgrown and almost impassible Dickens. from years of maintenance neglect. How did you get involved in trail Something had to be done. I start- maintenance and the CMC? ed by recruiting family members to In summer of 2007, my wife and help brush out the Green Mountain I hiked the Big Butt Trail near Mt trail that connected to my section of Mitchell. Parts of that trail were ter- the MST. At about the same time, ribly overgrown with blackberries, Becky Smucker started the Saturday almost impassible. I found the CMC Wilderness Crew to meet two needs website and made a trail problem – to provide an opportunity for CMC report. Shortly afterwards, I received members who work weekdays to do an e-mail from the Asheville Friday trail maintenance on Saturday and Trail Crew asking if I would like to to address the serious need for trail help them clear the blackberry mess. reclamation in the Middle Prong and I took a day off from work, went out Shining Rock Wilderness areas. and helped clear the Big Butt Trail I met Becky and the Wilderness and really enjoyed it. That led to join- Crew in the fall of 2008 on a trip to ing the CMC and then signing up as a brush out the Haywood Gap trail in section maintainer on the MST in the the Middle Prong. I was hooked and Middle Prong Wilderness. have participated in the Wilderness How did you get involved in the Crew since then. Wilderness means CMC Wilderness Crew? hand tools only – no weed eaters or The Wilderness Crew, all certified crosscut sawyers, It was a confluence of opportunity chain saws. We use hedge shears, from left are Wayne Steinmetz, Becky Smucker, Mike and need. After I became the sec- swing blades, loppers, axes and cross Goodman and Paul Dickens. Mike is holding a cross- tion maintainer of part of the MST continued on page 7 cut saw. COUNCIL CORNER It seems like I just paid for the annual dinner online port from Nathan and Lynn Ebanks from a very long time and renewed my membership there as Stratos Digital. But the biggest reason for ago when our well. I was immediately sent two email the success of our website is the same reason club decided that receipts for those transactions. The new we have been a successful hiking club since we needed a new system should help our hike schedulers 1923. We have a great base of dedicated, website and we avoid some of the tedious, repetitive and hardworking volunteers that have made it set out on that error-prone aspects of the job and focus happen. Sometimes a hike is too long and course. After more on finding good hikes and match- tough to be done alone. A group of people some growing ing them up with hike leaders. It’s going working together can make that hike seem pains, we feel to be very easy for hike leaders to turn in easy. Individually we seem to be a group that our web- hike reports. They will appear immedi- of many disparate personalities. But we can site is becoming the functional, user ately online, as do the hours and issues work together and accomplish great things. friendly, colorful wealth of informa- reported by trail maintainers. We’ve been doing it almost 90 years. tion that we hoped it would. We have received excellent tech sup- – Stuart English 1 Club historian Pete Steurer keeps our records Pete Steurer is one of our most important members that perhaps not many people know. Archival Let's Go hike report Becky Smucker arranged an evening event several years ago that involved visiting the An excerpt from the 1st Quarter Let's Go from 1977… CMC history collection at the UNCA library. We need to retain our awareness of this. We “Heartbreak Ridge Lives Up to its Name” recently got in touch with Pete and he had This was a half-day hike in December near Andrews Geyser in McDowell these words for us: County. Five hikers were ahead of the rest and went beyond the regular stop- ping point at the top of the ridge. It seemed safe enough and the trail was well Harry Truman once said, “The only thing defined. The rest…returned to their cars at 5:30 and eight remained after the new in the world is the history you do not other cars left. Five members were still unaccountable for: Ray Ertzberger, know.” You may get to know some new Jim Roddy, Dottie Burton, Don Harrison, and Dana Smith. Only Smith had things by discovering our Club’s rich and an adequate coat. Ed Dunn and Gerry McNabb walked in the dark partway diverse history. back up the trail at 7 PM to do some shouting when the others were not back CMC was organized in 1923. In these near- by then. The decision was made to call the Rescue Squad. They made their ly 90 years, our Club has been a significant headquarters in Brookside Church. By 10:45 all 23 members of the squad part of our local heritage and has also been a were on hand ... McNabb and Dunn were ready to lead a group of rescuers up national influence in promoting and protect- the ridge where the five had last been seen. As soon as they started they were ing the mountains of North Carolina. Four called back … it was 11:20. The lost five had gotten off the return trail and of our members were so prominent that they had dropped off the opposite side of the ridge which took them 7-10 miles have mountains over 6,000 feet named in further than they had planned. Although they had no matches or flashlights, their honor. Others have major trails named there was a full moon, there was no wind, the temperature was only 30, and for them. Some have done so many things they had plenty of snacks. The incident can serve to remind us how danger- over many years and have carried us on their ous our mountains can be… shoulders for the next generation. We are currently a thriving Club of more than 1,000 members. membership could have sat in some- and “family” feuds. But we have also struggled. One time the one’s living room. Several times we The large majority of our Club’s history Club shut down for almost three years. Two had declining membership due to is preserved in the Special Collections times our Club was so small that the entire national issues, changing club goals, room at the D. Hiden Ramsey Library at UNCA. If you have access to the inter- net, you can search their systems to dis- cover what is available and even look at scanned documents and photographs from years past. Or you can arrange to visit UNCA and look at the actual documents. A smaller portion of our history can be found on the shelves of the North Carolina Reference section of Pack Library and in their Special Collections archive. This year marks my 30th year as a member of CMC. I became the unofficial club historian in 1992, when on my second duty as a CMC councilor, I was asked to research and write a history of the Club to celebrate our 70th anniversary. I became the official historian in 2002 when long- time member Bernard Elias had the fore- sight to arrange for the safe preservation of our collection at UNCA. Check out our history at: http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findin- gaids/mss/CMC/default_carolina_moun- tain_club.htm Maybe your future will be From the Skinny Dip Falls hike earlier this summer, this is a view from Graveyard changed by what you learn there from the Ridge. Always respect your environment out here, never take it for granted. past. 2 TRAIL MAINTENANCE See the Hike Schedule on the CMC website for leader for reservation. This new one-way CMC All members are encouraged to participate more complete and timely information, including hike in the MST month hopes to capture peak fall in trail maintenance activities. Non-members scout reports, at www.carolinamountainclub.org. color in addition to mountain vistas from Devil's are invited to try it a few times before deciding Courthouse Overlook, Mt. Hardy, an open meadow if they want to join the Club and be a regular CHALLENGE PROGRAMS and a scenic walk along an unmaintained but part of a crew. We train and provide tools. SB6K For hiking all 40 peaks above 6000’. reasonable path on Fork Ridge. We will park cars Below is a general schedule of work days. Contact Peter Barr, [email protected] at Devil's Courthouse Overlook and Rough Butt Exact plans often are not made until the last P400 For hiking every trail in Pisgah Ranger Overlook on BRP and the leader will decide the minute, so contact crew leaders for details.
Recommended publications
  • Wilderness Visitors and Recreation Impacts: Baseline Data Available for Twentieth Century Conditions

    Wilderness Visitors and Recreation Impacts: Baseline Data Available for Twentieth Century Conditions

    United States Department of Agriculture Wilderness Visitors and Forest Service Recreation Impacts: Baseline Rocky Mountain Research Station Data Available for Twentieth General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-117 Century Conditions September 2003 David N. Cole Vita Wright Abstract __________________________________________ Cole, David N.; Wright, Vita. 2003. Wilderness visitors and recreation impacts: baseline data available for twentieth century conditions. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-117. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 52 p. This report provides an assessment and compilation of recreation-related monitoring data sources across the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS). Telephone interviews with managers of all units of the NWPS and a literature search were conducted to locate studies that provide campsite impact data, trail impact data, and information about visitor characteristics. Of the 628 wildernesses that comprised the NWPS in January 2000, 51 percent had baseline campsite data, 9 percent had trail condition data and 24 percent had data on visitor characteristics. Wildernesses managed by the Forest Service and National Park Service were much more likely to have data than wildernesses managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Fish and Wildlife Service. Both unpublished data collected by the management agencies and data published in reports are included. Extensive appendices provide detailed information about available data for every study that we located. These have been organized by wilderness so that it is easy to locate all the information available for each wilderness in the NWPS. Keywords: campsite condition, monitoring, National Wilderness Preservation System, trail condition, visitor characteristics The Authors _______________________________________ David N.
  • VGP) Version 2/5/2009

    VGP) Version 2/5/2009

    Vessel General Permit (VGP) Version 2/5/2009 United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) VESSEL GENERAL PERMIT FOR DISCHARGES INCIDENTAL TO THE NORMAL OPERATION OF VESSELS (VGP) AUTHORIZATION TO DISCHARGE UNDER THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM In compliance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act (CWA), as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), any owner or operator of a vessel being operated in a capacity as a means of transportation who: • Is eligible for permit coverage under Part 1.2; • If required by Part 1.5.1, submits a complete and accurate Notice of Intent (NOI) is authorized to discharge in accordance with the requirements of this permit. General effluent limits for all eligible vessels are given in Part 2. Further vessel class or type specific requirements are given in Part 5 for select vessels and apply in addition to any general effluent limits in Part 2. Specific requirements that apply in individual States and Indian Country Lands are found in Part 6. Definitions of permit-specific terms used in this permit are provided in Appendix A. This permit becomes effective on December 19, 2008 for all jurisdictions except Alaska and Hawaii. This permit and the authorization to discharge expire at midnight, December 19, 2013 i Vessel General Permit (VGP) Version 2/5/2009 Signed and issued this 18th day of December, 2008 William K. Honker, Acting Director Robert W. Varney, Water Quality Protection Division, EPA Region Regional Administrator, EPA Region 1 6 Signed and issued this 18th day of December, 2008 Signed and issued this 18th day of December, Barbara A.
  • Shining Rock and Grassy Cove Top Hike

    Shining Rock and Grassy Cove Top Hike

    Old Butt Knob Trail and Shining Creek Trail Loop - Shining Rock Wilderness, Pisgah National Forest, NC Length Difficulty Streams Views Solitude Camping 11.9 mls Hiking Time: 8 hours with 2 hours of breaks Elev. Gain: 3,410 ft Parking: Park at the Big East Fork Trailhead on U.S. 276. 35.36583, -82.81786 By Trail Contributor: Zach Robbins The Old Butt Knob Trail and Shining Creek Trail loop is a classic introduction to the Shining Rock Wilderness Area of North Carolina. Beginning at the Big East Fork Trailhead on U.S. 276, both trails climb from 3,384 feet to meet the Art Loeb Trail above 5,800 feet at Shining Rock Gap. Despite the relatively short length of this loop (9.4 miles including Shining Rock), this is a difficult day hike for hikers of all abilities. The Old Butt Knob Trail climbs over 1,400 feet in the first mile, and the Shining Creek Trail is incredibly rocky and steep over its last mile. Despite the hardship, this is an excellent backpacking loop with outstanding campsites and even better views. The Old Butt Knob Trail features multiple views from southern-facing rock outcrops, and the views from Shining Rock and Grassy Cove Top are some of the highlights of the wilderness. Even though this is a wilderness area, this is in close proximity to Asheville and is popular with weekend backpackers. Try to start early if you want to camp at Shining Rock Gap, which is one of the best campsites in the region and is also the crossroads for 4 trails within the wilderness.
  • NATIONAL FORESTS Forest Service Celebrates Weeks

    NATIONAL FORESTS Forest Service Celebrates Weeks

    2011 Recreation Guide to the National Forests in North Carolina www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc Forest Service celebrates Weeks Act PHOTO BY MARY NOEL From the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Green Knob Overlook, drivers can view the Burke-McDowell Tract, the first land purchased for eastern national for- ests through the 1911 Weeks Act. Known as the Curtis Creek tract, the land is part of the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. which solidified ownership with one A century of entity and allowed the government to buy the land without a cloud on conservation: the title. Over the last 100 years, North 1911-2011 Carolina has become home to the by Mary Noel Nantahala, Pisgah, Uwharrie and magine if no national forests Croatan national forests, which existed in North Carolina. encompass more than 1.2 million This was reality in the early acres — about 4 percent of North 20th century. Early national Carolina’s land. forests in the West were These North Carolina national Iestablished from public lands by forest lands now include: 1909. However, the U.S. government l 11 congressionally designated needed to purchase land from wilderness areas. private landowners if national forests PHOTO COURTESY OF FOREST SERVICE l Three research experimental were to exist in the East. THE LANDS NOBODY WANTED: Most lands acquired in the early 1900’s were stripped of trees and excessively eroded from farming. forests (Bent Creek, Coweeta and With strong public support, the Blue Valley) Weeks Act became law on March 1, a price of just over $7 per acre. Later often had only a general idea of l Three National Wild and Scenic 1911, under the leadership of Rep.
  • Pisgah District Trails

    Pisgah District Trails

    PISGAH RANGER DISTRICT TRAILS Table of Contents: Trail Name Length Rating Trail Use Page # Andy Cove Nature Trail 0.7mi Easy Hiking 3 Art Loeb Spur 0.6mi Difficult Hiking 4 Art Loeb Trail–Section 1 12.3mi Difficult Hiking 5 Art Loeb Trail-Section 2 7.2mi Difficult Hiking 6 Art Loeb Trail-Section 3 6.8mi Difficult Hiking 7 Art Loeb Trail-Section 4 3.8mi Difficult Hiking 8 Avery Creek 3.2mi Medium Hiking/Biking 9 Bad Fork 2.0mi Difficult Hiking 10 Bennett Gap 2.9mi Medium Hiking/Biking(seasonal) 11 Big Creek 4.9mi Difficult Hiking/Sections open to bikes& horses 12 Biltmore Campus 0.9mi Easy Hiking/ wheelchair accessible 13 Black Mountain 9.8mi Difficult Hiking/Biking 14 Boyd Branch 0.7mi Easy Hiking/Biking 15 Bradley Creek 5.1mi Medium Hiking/Biking/Horses 16 Buck Spring 6.2mi Medium Hiking 17 Buckeye Gap 3.1mi Difficult Hiking 18 Buckhorn Gap 5.2mi Medium Hiking/Biking/Horses 19 Buckwheat Knob 1.5mi Medium Hiking/Biking 20 Butter Gap 3.4mi Medium Hiking/Biking 21 Caney Bottom 4.6mi Medium Hiking/Sections open to biking 22 Case Camp Ridge 1.7mi Difficult Hiking 23 Cat Gap Bypass 0.4mi Easy Hiking 24 Cat Gap Loop 4.4mi Medium Hiking/Sections open to biking(seasonal) 25 Chestnut Cove 0.2mi Medium Hiking 26 Clawhammer Cove 1.5mi Medium Hiking 27 Club Gap 0.8mi Medium Hiking/Biking 28 Cold Mountain 1.4mi Difficult Hiking 29 Coontree Loop 3.7mi Medium Hiking/Sections open to biking(seasonal) 30 Courthouse Falls 0.3mi Easy Hiking 31 Cove Creek 0.7mi Easy Hiking/Biking 32 Daniel Ridge Loop 4.0mi Medium Hiking/Biking 33 Deer Lake Lodge 1.4mi Medium
  • Cold Mountain

    Cold Mountain

    Cold Mountain Rd. (SR 1129) and proceed 4 The hike starts at the northern miles until it deadends into end of the Art Loeb Trail. At Camp Daniel Boone. Once Deep Gap, it heads north on the Cold Mountain Trail to in the camp stay to the left, the top of the mountain. On drive past the buildings and this hike, you will travel from onto the forest road, and park 3,200 ft. elev. at the trailhead on the right side of the road. to 6,030 ft. at the top, through The trail starts at the Forest several zones of vegetation. Service sign on the left. Your hike up is like going back to an earlier season. Type of hike: Out and back In spring, flowers past their Distance: 9.8 miles prime at lower elevations are still waiting to bloom up top. Total ascent: 3,500 ft. In early autumn, trees at the Highlights: Views, flowers, summit have already changed literary reference, SB6K in color, while foliage is still green the Wilderness Area at the trailhead. Since this hike is in a USGS map: Waynesville, Wilderness Area, the trails are Cruso, NC not blazed. However, because of the increased fame of Cold Trail map: Pisgah Ranger Mountain brought on by the District, Pisgah National book and movie, there is now Forest, National Geographic a wand and sign at the Forest Trails Illustrated #780 Service information board. Land managed by: Pisgah National Forest, Pisgah District Related book & movie: Cold Getting to the trailhead: Mountain by Charles Frazier From Waynesville, take US and the 2003 film of the same 276 south for 6.5 miles.
  • Kevin Adams 250 North Carolina Waterfalls Challenge

    Kevin Adams 250 North Carolina Waterfalls Challenge

    Kevin Adams 250 North Carolina Waterfalls Challenge Trail LengthTrail Hike Difficulty Page # Number Waterfall Name Hub Date Viewed Notes 1-100 Kevin Adams 100 NC Waterfalls Challenge 101 Window Falls Hanging Rock & Mayo River 0.6 5-7 27 102 Upper Cascade Falls Hanging Rock & Mayo River 0.3 2-5 28 103 Lower Cascade Falls Hanging Rock & Mayo River 0.4 3-7 29 104 Fall Creek Falls Hanging Rock & Mayo River 300 yards 2 31 105 Stone Mountain Falls Stone Mountain State Park 0.6 3-5 34 106 Cascade Falls Boone 0.4 3 39 107 Glen Burney Falls Blowing Rock 1.07 6 42 108 Glen Marie Falls Blowing Rock 1.2 6 42 109 Thunderhole Falls Blowing Rock 0.5 5 44 110 Hebron Colony Falls Blowing Rock 1.6 3-6 45 111 Raven Cliff Falls Grandfather Mountain 2.5 10 48 112 Burnthouse Branch Falls Grandfather Mountain 3 8 51 113 Upper Gragg Prong Falls Grandfather Mountain 58 114 Harper Creek Falls Grandfather Mountain 1.72 5-8 59 115 Phillips Branch Falls Grandfather Mountain 0.5 4 60 116 Thorps Creek Falls Grandfather Mountain 0.19 3 61 117 Teacups Falls Grandfather Mountain 65 118 Upper Steels Creek Falls Grandfather Mountain 66 119 Otter Falls Grandfather Mountain 69 120 Buckeye Creek Falls Elk Park 0.5 6 75 121 She Falls Falls Elk Park 76 122 Duggers Falls Linville Gorge 0.1 3 80 123 English Falls Linville Gorge 0.4 10 80 124 Still Falls Linville Gorge 1.25 6 83 125 Yellow Fork Falls Linville Gorge 1 5-8 85 126 Cathedral Falls Linville Gorge 2.4 7 86 127 Grassy Creek Falls Little Switzerland 0.9 5 89 128 Cutler Falls Spruce Pine 91 129 Whiteoak Creek Falls Mount
  • For Release Highlighted Routes

    For Release Highlighted Routes

    TENN. N.C. ID none 750,000' 780,000' 810,000' 870,000' 840,000' 750,000' 720,000' Rd. 83 00’ 00" 1334 Creek Government M A D I S O N E Wesley LEGEND RD. Springs Creek 82 55’ 00" PRIMITIVE OR UNIMPROVED ROAD Rd. SNOWBIRD E 83 05’ 00" GRADED AND DRAINED ROAD Z Cold 35 45’ 00" Z Snowbird 1334 C O U N T Y SOIL,GRAVEL OR STONE SURFACED ROAD N Great Smoky Mountains S HARD SURFACED ROAD Z 5.9 4 4 4 LANE UNDIVIDED HIGHWAY PEAKED KNOB M O U N T A I N S 5.9 Z Rd. WesleyRd. Creek3.3 3.3 Creek Z Z Rough Knob Peaked Knob S DIVIDED HIGHWAY 690,000' Great Smoky Mountains Harmon Den Wildlife Springs ROUGH KNOB Government Management Area HIGHWAY WITH FRONTAGE ROADS Creek 2.6 Rd. GOV. Patch Harmon Den Wildlife F C A 1334 Max 1334 Management Area HARMON Cold FULL CONTROL ACCESS 2.6 1334 TO NEWPORT Rd. FCA E $40 NS 1336 NON-SYSTEM ROAD FCA Creek Pigeon b 40 DEN 1336 C O U N T Y b $ WILDLIFE PROJECTED LOCATION 1332 1334 Big Wesley F River 1335 F 7.0 F Rd. 1332 40 Sprins .4 F dRd Max R 1335 BelmontRd..2 INTERSECTION DISTANCE PIGEON .2 E 1.3 Church 7.0 E $ 1336 Waterville Rd. Waterville 40 j $ Creek j PUG KNOB 1397 1.2 Creek 6.3 Z Harmon Den Wildlife N Creek Pug Knob Waterville Management Area Creek 1.2 Patch 1397 Harmon Den Wildlife Z TRAFFIC CIRCLE 6.3 Rd.
  • Page 1464 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1132

    Page 1464 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1132

    § 1132 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION Page 1464 Department and agency having jurisdiction of, and reports submitted to Congress regard- thereover immediately before its inclusion in ing pending additions, eliminations, or modi- the National Wilderness Preservation System fications. Maps, legal descriptions, and regula- unless otherwise provided by Act of Congress. tions pertaining to wilderness areas within No appropriation shall be available for the pay- their respective jurisdictions also shall be ment of expenses or salaries for the administra- available to the public in the offices of re- tion of the National Wilderness Preservation gional foresters, national forest supervisors, System as a separate unit nor shall any appro- priations be available for additional personnel and forest rangers. stated as being required solely for the purpose of managing or administering areas solely because (b) Review by Secretary of Agriculture of classi- they are included within the National Wilder- fications as primitive areas; Presidential rec- ness Preservation System. ommendations to Congress; approval of Con- (c) ‘‘Wilderness’’ defined gress; size of primitive areas; Gore Range-Ea- A wilderness, in contrast with those areas gles Nest Primitive Area, Colorado where man and his own works dominate the The Secretary of Agriculture shall, within ten landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where years after September 3, 1964, review, as to its the earth and its community of life are un- suitability or nonsuitability for preservation as trammeled by man, where man himself is a visi- wilderness, each area in the national forests tor who does not remain. An area of wilderness classified on September 3, 1964 by the Secretary is further defined to mean in this chapter an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its of Agriculture or the Chief of the Forest Service primeval character and influence, without per- as ‘‘primitive’’ and report his findings to the manent improvements or human habitation, President.
  • Mountains and Meadowlands Along the Blue Ridge Parkway

    Mountains and Meadowlands Along the Blue Ridge Parkway

    Mountains and Meadowlands Mountains and Meadowlands Along the Blue Ridge Parkway Text and photos by William A. Bake Office of Publications National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 1975 A Prologue to the Past 1 The Blue Ridge Parkway Rolling into the distance like "the great distance like breakers and swells Ocean itself," the Blue Ridge dips into a means mountains—the highest deep cove at Wildcat Rocks in Doughton frozen in time. of them mantled with trees and Park (Milepost 240), then swells toward the horizon. Their time, in fact, began long wildflowers uniquely their own. ago, even in geologic terms. The It also means meadows—some Blue Ridge Mountains—indeed, for farming, others that beckon all the Appalachians—are an­ visitors to wander and explore. cient mountains. Rounded in This booklet introduces both form and subdued in height, the mood and substance of the they are nevertheless a rugged Parkway's highest peaks and lot whose wrinkles and crannies, sweeping meadowlands. Though Indian pipe, a small but conspicuous saphrophyte, pushes past the clover-like cliffs and gorges are often hid­ designed to be read quickly, it leaves of wood sorrel. den from easy view. remains to be re-examined when­ ever mountains and meadow- Like so many of the Earth's lands return to mind or presence. mountains, the Appalachians were created in a very complex An "Ocean of Woods swelled manner. It is sufficient to say, and depressed with a waving rather than going through the Surface like that of the great complexities, that what remains Ocean itself wrote an early is a range of mountains which visitor as he sought a way to begins in the Canadian maritime describe the Blue Ridge Moun­ provinces near the Atlantic and tains.
  • Page 1517 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1131 (Pub. L

    Page 1517 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1131 (Pub. L

    Page 1517 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1131 (Pub. L. 88–363, § 10, July 7, 1964, 78 Stat. 301.) Sec. 1132. Extent of System. § 1110. Liability 1133. Use of wilderness areas. 1134. State and private lands within wilderness (a) United States areas. The United States Government shall not be 1135. Gifts, bequests, and contributions. liable for any act or omission of the Commission 1136. Annual reports to Congress. or of any person employed by, or assigned or de- § 1131. National Wilderness Preservation System tailed to, the Commission. (a) Establishment; Congressional declaration of (b) Payment; exemption of property from attach- policy; wilderness areas; administration for ment, execution, etc. public use and enjoyment, protection, preser- Any liability of the Commission shall be met vation, and gathering and dissemination of from funds of the Commission to the extent that information; provisions for designation as it is not covered by insurance, or otherwise. wilderness areas Property belonging to the Commission shall be In order to assure that an increasing popu- exempt from attachment, execution, or other lation, accompanied by expanding settlement process for satisfaction of claims, debts, or judg- and growing mechanization, does not occupy ments. and modify all areas within the United States (c) Individual members of Commission and its possessions, leaving no lands designated No liability of the Commission shall be im- for preservation and protection in their natural puted to any member of the Commission solely condition, it is hereby declared to be the policy on the basis that he occupies the position of of the Congress to secure for the American peo- member of the Commission.
  • Red Crossbill Observations in Western North Carolina MARCUS B

    Red Crossbill Observations in Western North Carolina MARCUS B

    Red Crossbill Observations in Western North Carolina MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR. Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine 310 Cedar Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510 15 December 1973 The Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) is an uncommon to rare erratic resident through much of the southern Appalachian mountains. The majority of records have come from the Great Smoky Mountains (Stupka, 1963), and observations from other locales are infrequent. The paucity of breeding evidence and the infrequency of large concentrations make the following records significant. SHINING ROCK LEDGE (Haywood County, N.C.) On 13 June 1970, I spent 2 hours watching a pair of Red Crossbills as they constructed a nest in a 30-foot red spruce (Picea rubens) at Shining Spring (elevation 5,740 feet) just S of Shining Rock Gap. During most of the period, the male perched near the top of the spruce and uttered various call notes and songs, while the female carried small twigs to the loosely formed nest, which was located 12 feet from the ground in the mid-canopy of the tree. Whenever I approached the nest, both birds quickly became agitated and gave alarm notes repeatedly. The nest was apparently still in the construction stage, and no eggs or young were found. After leaving the site, I saw flocks of 15 to 20 crossbills at Ivestor Gap (5,700 feet) and at Shining Rock (6,000 feet). Much to my regret, I was unable to return to this isolated locale at a later date to determine whether the breeding had continued. Stupka (1963) and Johnston (1963) have reported evidence for breeding by the Red Crossbill in the southern Appalachians.