Newsletter WON AlAN CET OUT DOOR CLUB April 1996

WODC RELEASES NEW MAP AND GUIDE who limit themselves to the graphical process, he participates in gathering the necessary information by hiking all trails In time for die 1996 hiking season, maps, using Global P~itioning System which appear on the map, chairs the Map WODC has recently released a signif- (GPS) mapping techniques, and the Committee which has the major re- icantly updated and improved second Randolph Mountain Club is due to release sponsibility for decision making, writes edition of die Club's Trail Map and Guide a new map of the Northern Presidentials text, proofreads map and text, and to the Sandwich Range Wilderness. The this July 4, incorporating new GPS data oversees printing in its fmal form. He fIrst edition of tre popular WODC Map and data from Washbum's map of the even delivers the completed maps to and Guide was released in 1991. Presidential Range. Wonalancet. The new map, printed on tear and The new WODC Map and Guide, with Following is a statement of the Trails waterproof Tyvek, incorporates more than its high degree of accuracy and legibility, Committee which expresses its thanks. 75 changes, and an improved color will be widely used. "Finally, we'd like to extend a note of scheme. Attractive features of the old map Doug Mayer thanks and recognition to Mike Bromberg. are retained in this new version. Mileages Among the changes are a number of trail between ttail junctions are noted, and adjustments, such as the extension of the demarcations between private land, USFS Map Details Kate Sleeper Trail and the relocation of land, Mt Chocorua Scenic Area and the part of the Kelley Trail. Since this is a federally designated Sandwich Range We are pleased to infOrD1membeffi that Map and Guide, Mike also incorporated a Wilderness. For all of its detail, die map the 1995 edition of the WODC Guide and number of suggestions from the Trails remains readable and easy to use. Map to the Sandwich Range is now Committee intended to encourage re- available. This welcome news is ttace- As widi die earlier edition, die WODC sponsible use of the trails. This includes able to many members to whom we owes a huge debt of gratitude to the removal of several fragile, un- express our gratitude. Foremost we are cartographer Mike BrODlberg, who pains- maintained trails that could be easily indebted to Mike Bromberg who was the takingly collected corrections, reviewed damaged by overuse. Thank you, Mike, cartographer for the new edition as well as every detail of die map, and dien field for all your work." the 1991 veffiion. Mike is an amateur in verified each change using a compass, the sense that he volunteeffi his time, but Producing a map is a team effort. Our altimeter, and visual surveying. Mike's a professional in the quality of the ouq>ut. thanks to all for their help. On the Map hard work and meticulous attention to Unlike most professional cartographeffi Committee were: David Bowles, Mike detail have produced one of tre most Bromberg, Paul King, Chip Kimball, Fred accurate hiking maps available in die Lavigne, Peter Smart, Fred Steele, Nat White Mountains today. Steele, Ralph Weymouth, George Zink Despite these many improvements, and Sally Zink. Trail distances for the new WODC continues to price the map at edition were measured by Jon Burroughs. $5.00, a cost that includes a convenient Tim Dalton assisted Mike in com- Tyvek map holder. A limited number of munications with the publisher. Rangers at the new maps are available unfolded and the Saco District of the USFS made suitable for framing or laminating. several valuable suggestions. On die reverse side, the new edition Copies of the latest edition are available features an extensive guide to the WODC from: trails. The map incorporates over 100 text Wonalancet Out Door Club changes, updated trail data, camping HC 64 Box 5 regulations and related information. Wonalancet, NU 03897 Detailed descriptions are included for Prices including packaging and postage: every WODC trail, along with a substantial amount of information on Folded map in envelope $5.00 White Mountain National Forest Unfolded map in mailing tube $8.00 regulations and general back country travel Laminated (3 mil), unfolded map infOInlation. in mailing tube $15.00 This new map arrives at a time when Unfolded and laminated maps are limited map making is in high gear in the White in number. If you are certain you want Mountains. The Appalachian Mountain one, order now. Club is currently planning to update their Mike Bromberg in his element memorabilia from inns in the Wona1ancet SPRING TRAILS REPORT area, and photographs. Although many nails won't be clear of With approval of the Executive snow until May or June, planning for the Committee, a book binder who specializes 1996 season has been going on since last in restoring antique books is repairing our fall. Our 1996 calendar, which appears Caring for the Sandwich Range since 1892 f1ISt edition of the History of Ca"oll elsewhere in this issue, represents the County. In addition, a safety deposit box ongoing effort to protect the trails from has been secured where several of our The Newglette,.is published twice each year by the continuous ravages of water and hiking the Woualancet Out Door Club. The mailing valuable books are being stored. boots. Since WODC nail work continues address is: Materials from the WODC Library are to be done primarily by volunteers, we WODC presently available to anyone who wishes Newsletter Editor hope that other hikers who use and enjoy HC 64 Box 5 to use the Tamworth Library while it is the nails will join us on one of these tri~. Wonalaucet, NH 03897 open- Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2 It's a unique opportunity to give something The Editor encouragesmembers and interested P.M. to 8 P.M. and Saturdays from 10 back to the mountains we all enjoy, and readers to submit material for use in future issues. A.M. to 2 P.M. It will be necessary to get also receive a mix of fun and comraderie. Articles, poems, drawings, comments, aiticisms, a key either at the main desk, or from suggestiom, are welcomed. The Sandwich Range Conservation Sally Zink. To conform to the procedures Association (SRCA) trail crew will return of others using this room, items must be this season. Jointly supported by funds used in the Genealogy and History Room, LIBRARY CLIPPINGS from WODC and the US Forest Service, and cannot be taken from the library . the crew allows us to accomplish time The room where the WODC boob, The Club committee is presently sorting consuming and technical projects. This maps and memorabilia are located is in the items. We have obtained document year we hope to focus on the upper the lower level of the Cook Memorial cases, along with acid free ftle folders in sections of the Dicey's Mill Trail, where Library in Tamworth. This downstairs which to store papers. Books are on the several gullies need restoration. Time room also contains the genealogical and cabinet shelf. We need to purchase permitting, the crew will also work on the town history collection maintained by the archival type Mylar for the odd newspaper upper section of the Walden Trail, which Tamworth Historical Society .WODC clippings and photographs. suffers from some of the worst erosion on boob are in a locked cabinet, formerly any WODC trail. located in a corner of the Wonalancet Post Now that there is some organization of Office and moved to its present location in materials, this is an opportune time to ask Although the future of AmeriCorps is September 1992. our members to donate materials, books, uncertain, the Forest Service continues to memorabilia concerning hiking, the be optimistic that we'll see a crew in the The WODC Library Committee has met Wonalancet Intervale, the boarding houses WMNF this year. If so, we look forward four times since November. One of our in the Intervale, or of general hiking or to working with them again and helping to fIrSt concerns was taking an inventory of other interest that Club members might maximize their contribution to the Forest. items in the cabinet. David Govatski, an fmd enjoyable. To keep members involv- employee of the Forest Service and Other volunteers and nail crews may ed and to supplement the material we have WODC member, offered to meet with us come and go, but WODC Adopters already received, we would welcome any and evaluate our collection. David is a provide a long term commitment to the items you would like to give. y 00 can be book collector, particularly interested in maintenance of the trails. In 1995 the assured that all will be gratefully received boob of White Mountain history , and Trails Committee helped several Adopters and carefully attended. knowledgeable of their value. With who requested extra help on their trails. David's assistance, an inventory was We encourage your visit to the WODC We look forward to continuing this compiled and a value placed on each item. library. partnership in 1996, as evidenced by several scheduled trips. There are many interesting boob: travel For the Library Committee, guides by Sweetser; boob by Frank Barbara Nordeoo Given the heavy use our trails now Bones; Oakes' White Mountain Scenery; Barbara Sidley receive, an Adopter's task can be a major Historical Relics of the White Mountains Sally Zjnk undertaking. While every hiker is grateful by I. H. Spaulding; Drake's New for the removal of brush and blowdowns, Hampshire, and Drake's Maine. These last few realize the amount of hidden work, two boob were originally intended to such as er~ion control, which is also inform railway passengerstraveling in the undertaken. While some Adopters may White Mountains. There are many more have the time and energy to care for all boob; a list is available from the Library the need.. of their trails, others may fInd Committee. There are also old maps, the task overwhelming. The solution lies with vour friendlv Trails Committee. During the coming year we will be communicating with all Adopters to better 1996 Trail Calendar understand the role they want to play in the maintenance of trails. By mowing May 4 For our first project of the year, we11 give adopter Andy Thompson what work each Adopter plans to do, and a hand on the Bennett Street Trail. Work will include brushing, when, we can complement activities to blowdown removal, maintenance of water bars, and review of last insure that needs of each trail are met year's drainage work. May 11 Chocorua Mountain Club's Annual Trans Day is a great chance to For the Trails Committee. help out a sister trail club and enjoy a great meal too. For details call PeterSmart Kate Lanou at 617-492-6159 or 603-323-7327. 5130-612 Celebrate National Trans Day with this back country overnight on Kate Sleeper Trail. The primary goal is to restore eroded trails on BRUSHING Mt. Whiteface. In addition to overnight volunteers, day hikers are needed to pack tools in and out. Note: To help insure consistent care of trails, the Trails Committee is drafting a June 22 A variety of treadway restoration projects await us on Kelley Trail. comprehensive guide to the maintenance of Specific work will be determined by the interests of those who WODC trails. Written by Chris Conrod and attend. edited by the Trails ClHIUnittee,the guide will July 20 NH Trans Day: Join us on the Square Ledge Trail with adopter attempt to document current trail maintenance standards, and help imure that John Mersfelder. Working in two or more smaller groups, we plan the needs of the trails are met over the long to clear brush, blowdowns, and waterbars. Annual WODC barbecue term. The guidelines will expand upon those to follow. previously approved by the Executive July 29 SRCA begins 3-4 weeks work on the upper sections of Dicey's Mill Committee, and will cover a wide range of issues,includIng brushing, blowdown removal, Trail and Walden Trail. Base camp will be in the vicinity of Camp erosion control, signs, and blazing. Whlle Rich. much has already been written on these Aug 2-4 WODC volunteers will join the SRCA crew for work on Dicey's topics, none of it is precisely suited to the conditions and traditions of WODC trails. Mill and Walden Trails. Volunteers are also welcome at any time The following paragraphs are a short during this cooperative WODC/SRCA project Come see your selection from an initial draft. The Trails membership dollars at work. Committee invites your comments and Aug 24 Tranwrights has been invited to join us on this work trip with the suggestions. Chocorua Mountain Club. Possible projects include treadway PeterSmart restoration on the Old Paugus or Bee Line Trails. Potluck supper to In general, WODC trails should be follow. cleared so that a large person with a full Sept 14 Treadway restoration on the upper Brook Path with adopters Roger frame pack can walk the trail after a rain and Susan Korpi. This will complete work begun last year. storm without getting soaked. Allowing Oct 5 Working with adopter Chris Conrad, we11 stabilize sections of the for regrowth between brushing sessions, Lawrence Trail below the "Overhang". May be done as a day trip the recommended width is four or five or an overnight feet with a height of eight feet. If the trail is used frequently in the winter, the Oct 26 Tranwrights will help us place the fmal water bars on the Dicey's adopter has the option of clearing higher Mill Trail. This will complete a substantial restoration begun by to allow for snow covet. AmeriCorps and SRCA. Nov 9 Close out the season with a very important Waterbar Plants that are entirely removed should Extravaganza! Although waterbar clearing is an ongoing project, be cut flush with the ground, and branches this is the ideal time to remove the dammed-up fall leaves. We want should be cut flush with the trunk or limb to cover as many trails as possible, so lots of volunteers will make from which they are removed. This results this annual project a success. in a natural appearance and free of potential hazards to the hiker. We invite you to join us for any of these activities. No prior experience is needed, just the desire to join us. Tools and guidance will Try to avoid overpnming trees, and be provided. Full-day volunteers should be ready to leave the respective trailhead never remove the tops. This is not only at 8:30 A.M. Please arrive early to allow time for planning and distribution of unsightly but also encourages lateral tools. Bring work gloves, a good lunch, and plenty of water. If you arrive late, growth that increases your later work and please hike up the trail to the work site. We also welcome onlookers who would produces an even uglier tree. like to know more about trail maintenance. (Continuedon Page9) Prior arrangements are needed only for overnight trips. Please call 603-323-8666 CAMP SHEHADI Intended winter use accounts for dIe doors that the proceeds be used to build a new and stove, not usual on shelters in the shelter on Mt. Whiteface. Note: This is the secondof three articleson range. The shelter on Sandwich Dome had When Mr. Schultz made the the WODC sheltersin the SandwichRange a small opening in dIe front wall that may recommendation, Camp Heermance on Wilderness.The third will appearin the fall have held a door. of 1996NewsletUr. Whiteface existed, and the White Many hikers wonder how Camp Shehadi Designing and building dIe camp was Mountain National Forest established. got its name. All three WODC shelters are solely a Club initiative; there is no Beginning in the fall of 1926 and named for individuals who made some evidence that AMC played any role in its extending through 1928, numerous contribution to the Club. Concerning construction. The architect and builders discussions were held concerning the new are unknown. Many permanent residents Camp Shehadi, the name is dlat of a guest camp. Where should it be built? Should it at Wonalancet Farm who presented a in the area could do such work, and were be at the site of Camp Heermance, or the lecture for residents and summer guests in eager to increase their earnings. present Shehadi? Would a stone structure the Wonalancet Chapel during August of The original structure was heavily used be more appropriate in this harsh climate? 1899. Mr. Shehadi Abdullah Shehadi was for about twenty years. How short dIe life How much would a stone camp cost? a former resident of Syria, then living in span of unprotected wooden structures in Who would do the construction? Would Providence, RI. Shehadi lectured to an our mountains can be, and how un- the newly fOlDled WMNF give permission appreciative audience, and he for the camp? donated the proceeds to nmd In 1928 the Club received a letter construction of a shelter near the from the Forest Service "giving peak of Mt. Whiteface. government instructions for the new First documented evidence of the camp." In addition, an outhouse shelter is found in Appalachia of must be built. At the fall annual March 1900. The shelter was meeting members decided not to constructed on Mt. Whiteface in build a new shelter, but to do 1899 at a site dlat is now on the extensive restoration of Camp Rollins Path in the fIrst col north of Shehadi. and about one-quarter mile from the President Walter Walker reported open ledges. An early photograph, at the annual meeting in September Figure 1, appears in the 1901 Guide 1929 that rebuilding of the shelter to Wonalancet and the .\'andwich was complete. After general Range of New Hampshire. The rejoicing at the announcement, camp, described as an enclosed members voted to retain the name structure with double doors of Camp Shehadi, and to rescind a sufficient in size to accommodate Figure 1. Camp Shehadi in 1899 former vote to name the shelter for six to eight people, was heated for Leo Schultz. winter use by a small stove. Dimensions of the original camp are not known, disciplined users were in back country Although there is no defmitive statement though an estimate of size is possible from ethics, is illustrated by a statement in the of who did the work, reconstruction took early photographs. Comparing the height 1908 WODC Guide that "The Camp has place during the presidency of Walter of grown men standing in front of the received a good deal of hard use, and is Walker. He was a hard working man, and shelter with the apparent dimensions of now getting almost beyond repair." The one suspects he was deeply involved in the camp, it was about 12 feet long, at ftISt major reconstruction came about due the planning and construction. Minutes least 10 feet wide, 8 feet high at the front, to a musical event in the intervale. from the annual meeting state simply that and half dlat height in the rear. No In August of 1926 Leo Schultz of the "Camp Shehadi has been rebuilt," and, windows are visible. Walls of the cabin New York Philharmonic Society gave a "The President's report was accepted on a were of large diameter logs, nmning recital at the Gane house (peggy Johnson's rising vote of thanks given to him for his horizontally. The camp is sturdily built. and Paul Henle's in 1996). The Gane fme work and his devotion to the interests of the Club." The $126.60 raised at the Records in the Wonalancet Farm register daughters, Marjory and Gertrude, were Schultz concert paid the total cost of and Appalachia show snowshoeing was a talented musicians who regularly held popular AMC winter activity in the musical events at their large house. Active rebuilding, and the new toilet. Considering the fact that in 1915 the Club was paying 1890's. During this period, in 1898, WODC members, they opened their home Gordon Taylor blazed the middle section to Club members and guests for these $2.50 per person per day for work on trails and camps, this seems reasonable. of the Blueberry Ledge trail for the events. About 125 people attended the convenience of snowshoers; the lower and Schultz performance, and a collection of So the original Camp Shehadi existed uDDer sections were alreadv in existence. over $125 received. Mr. Schultz requested for thirty years before a major restoration. Was it a wholly new Wilderness designation on construction on an old site, National Forests east of the or were salvageable Mississippi River. portions of the f11'Stcamp In New England, as reused? Records give no RARE II progressed, clue. public support was In September of 1942 a strongest for Wilderness Forest Ranger from the designation of the Conway office inspected Sandwich Range. WODC Camp Shehadi and members were pleased by reported to Supervisor the public supPort. but Graham, "The grounds perplexed by the effect were found littered with designation would have on tincans. The shelter itself the shelters. Forest Service was in good condition but policy at the time required lacked evidence of much the removal of an shelters use." from Wilderness unless needed for public safety; Tin cans and other refuse shelters were not for the were a problem at all three pleasure or convenience of WODC shelters. There Figure 2. Camp Shehadi in 1993 users, nor for preservation was no "Carry In-Carry of their cultural and Out" policy or a well- In 1938 a destructive hurricane produced historic values. established user ethic at the time. Campers major damage to the Forest, portions of Consequently, WODC spent neither time left discarded items at or near the shelters; which were closed for several years. There nor funds repairing shelters that the Forest animals found the conditions favorable. were extensive blow downs near all three Depress ions near shelters were used as Service planned to tear down. Because of camps, but the shelters themselves were garbage pits and can dumps. As recently this neglect, the shelters are slowly undamaged. as the mid 1970's, trash was a problem. At deteriorating. Before the depression of the thirties and the 1973 annual meeting thanks were Is there no hope of preserving any forties ended, and hurricane damage extended to campers from Camp WODC shelters? There is, I believe, if cleared, the nation was precipitated into Wachusett "whose members carried thirty WODC members have sufficient resolve World War n. Club activity was minimal. 5-gallon bags of trash down from Camp and will. Since passage of the National Rich." Campers despoiled the area around Except regular maintenance such as Historic Preservation Act in 1966, shelters by cutting fIfe wood, sacrificing painting the metal roof or replacing a intended to ensure that federally funded or both dead and live trees. The customary rotted basallog, there has been no major permitted acts do not destroy cultural fIfe rings of loose boulders at shelters reconstruction on Shehadi since the 1930's. resources important to the nation's were four feet or more in diameter. A photograph of the shelter taken in 1993, heritage, the Forest Service has begun to Today most campers are better educated Figure 2, indicates much work is needed modify, although slowly, its policy toward than their predecessors in terms of now. Note particularly that the shelter the preservation of cultural resources in backcountry manners and ecological lacks headroom; several times during the Wilderness. In the words of a Forest awareness. And there have been other years the basal logs in direct contact with Service official, "The Forest Service is changes: WODC supplied blankets at each the soil rotted out and were not replaced over 25 years behind in cultural resource shelter, each had a shelf on which users The major reason for the neglect of all inventories in Wildernesses, and managers left a small supply of food for emerg- three shelters during recent decades is often do not have even rudimentary encies; each camp held a register to record found in developments from 1975 on, infonnation needed for wise decisions." the users name, date, and some comment. related to the Roadless Area Review and WODC now has the opportunity to work Club records from the mid 1930's Evaluation (RARE II) and Wilderness with the Forest Service in uncovering the designation. During RARE II the Forest through the early 1950's hold no evidence cultural and historic role of shelters in the Service took a comprehensive look at all that any major work was done at Shehadi; Sandwich Range Wilderness, and in the roadless and undeveloped areas in the it was a period of low activity for the deciding if any, some, or all are worth 154 National Forests and 19 Grasslands of Club due to three factors. The great keeping. the nation to identify for Congress those economic depression beginning about 1929 George Zink resulted in fewer guests at inns and areas that were strong candidates for Wilderness designation. Prior to RARE II boarding houses in the White Mountains, the Forest Service did not consider including Wonalancet. present to make their opinions heard on The audience compared on-tIai1 and off- POTLUCK REVIEW the issues under consideration. trail experiences in New Hampshire Wilderness areas with those in the On Saturday, January 27, a potluck John Mersfelder raised some thought- Western U.S., which was an interesting dinner was held at Runnells Hall in provoking questions about our attitudes discussion. Chocorua for WODC members and the toward Wilderness. "How did you come to general public, to socialize and then to feel or believe as you do about This evening was valuable background discuss issues regarding Wilderness. Wilderness?" "Is one's behavior modified for later possible discussions about policy About 40 people attended, despite the by Wilderness, and should it?" "Can one ~es that both the Forest Service and the snowy weather. After dinner, George have a Wilderness experience while WODC may deal with such as: where to Zink, John Mersfelder and Peter Smart carrying a cellular phone, or high tech encourage and discourage CaDlping, gave presentations and responded to camping equipment?" "Is Wilderness an whether there should be less blazing and questions and comments from the anachronism?" "Is it consistent with the signing of some Wilderness trails, the closing or relocation of trails where audience. tendency toward greater organizational and erosion control is difficult, and the George Zink discussed the legislation technical complexity?" "Do you buy into proposed Forest Service parking fees. We that created federal Wilderness areas, Thoreau's dictum that in wildness is the welcome all questions, comments and which he was very familiar with through preservation of the world?" Most of those suggestions from members about forums his successful work on the creation of the present felt that Wilderness had great that they would find worthwhile. Sandwich Range Wilderness and the spiritual importance for them, as well as Judith Reardon Pemigewasset Wilderness in 1984. The ecological importance. However, they "New Hampshire Wilderness Act," signed didn't feel that people's behavior in by President Reagan on June 19, 1984, Wilderness should be regulated, other than created these areas Wider the original by the examples of others, since the federal Wilderness Act of September 3, prohibition of such things as cellular 1964 and the Eastern Wilderness Act of phones and certain colors of clothing and January 3, 1975. Each of these Wilderness camping gear would be more intrusive Acts stated that its purpose was to than the behavior itself. preserve the wilderness character of And as a conclusion, Peter Smart led a certain federal lands so that they would be discussion on how trails can protect unimpaired for future generations and to Wilderness but how they also change it by perpetuate their "specific values of their existence. The audience compiled a solitude, physical and mental challenge, list of the features we value about trails, scientific study, inspiration, and primitive and noted many conflicts with the values recreation" for both the present and future we listed for Wilderness. Wilderness is generations. The 1964 Act states that valued for being uncivilized, easy to get designated Wilderness "is hereby lost in, without amenities that make life recognized as an area where the earth and easier, unmarked by man, and a place of its community of life are untrammeled by solitude. Trails guide us to our destination man, where man himself is a visitor who and points of interest, make it easier, does not remain." Each Wilderness Area is quicker and safer to travel, and introduce managed by a Federal agency: the US people to the Wilderness who otherwise Forest Service, or Park Service, or Fish might not go there. However, trails do and Wildlife Service, or Bureau of Land make Wilderness less wild, and Management Our New Hampshire "accessible recreation" was not one of the Wilderness areas are managed by the purposes Congress cited for Wilderness. Forest Service. There is a Management Trails do serve to confme most human Plan for each Wilderness area, which is traffic to the trail corridor, leaving the rest revised every 10 years to conform to of the Wilderness area freer of visible current values, and legislative changes. traces of man. This leads to the conclusion Decisions made under the Management that Wilderness trail maintenance should Plans include such items as whether to strive for a natural and unobtrusive remove bridges, shelters and other appearance,while providing a durable trail manmade "improvements," and whether to that prevents greater impact. Subtle stock trout in ponds. Public input is techniques can also be used to make a required fot the management plans and trail easy to follow, so that it fulItlls its other decisions, so George urged all function of keeping people on the trail. feet of rock from the mountain tops and The dry waterfalb of Kelley Brook: hills in New Hampshire. DRY WATERFALLS What does a hiker observe today on the The amount eroded from valleys was Kelley Trail? One half mile or so before OF KELLEY BROOK quite variable, depending on the thickness reaching the top of the ridge. there is the of the ice, the structure of the bedrock, fJtSt of a series of three large Introduction: and on the direction of movement with amphitheaters carved in the bedrock. From My favorite WODC trail is the Kelley respect to the valleys. Ice flowing along a the level of the dry stream bed in which Trail. I can't explain fully why I am valley, e.g., in Carter Notch, scoured the trail runs, one looks up 30 to 75 feet fascinated by it, but I am; every hike deeply; ice flowing across a valley, e.g., to exposed rock ledge. These three aloug the brook, even in the bed of the the Swift River Valley of Albany, eroded amphitheaters are roughly circular. and brook, is enjoyable. Through the years I little. As a generalization, the Wisconsin vary in width from fifty to one hundred have made many observations: a river bed ice sheet altered the altitude of the land feet; the uppermost is the largest. Large that is almost free of rounded boulders, a only slightly, but rounded the landscape trees are growing in the sand and gravel river running on bedrock, exposed rock and redistnouted unconsolidated materials. floors of these amphitheaters. Many conspicuous features of the New walls of considerable height showing These amphitheaters are strung together Hampshire landscape are products of prominent jointing, and a series of three like beads on a string. and separated from glacial action: many ponds and lakes, steep-sided bowls or amphitheaters that I one another by fIfty to one hundred yards rounded hills, thin topsoils, ubiquitous interpret to be dry waterfalls. It is about of valley. In hiking out of an amphitheater wetlands, abundant gravels, and abruptly these waterfalls that I write. and on to the next, it is necessary to changing direction of stream flow. I have not made accurate measurements scramble up a steep bouldery incline. In of the many features described below. The At its maximum the Wisconsin ice sheet climbing out of the uppermost. one is only help of people with greater expertise and over eastern United States reached slightly below the height of Paugus Pass more accurate devices than available to eastward into the Gulf of Maine, at 2,200+ feet. southward to where Long Island and New me, would be helpful. The uppermost of the three York City are now located, and westward amphitheaters contains a most remarkable Background: toward St. Louis, MO. Glacier movement feature. Extending east to west at the The last great ice sheet invaded New was neither regular in speed nor direction, southern end of this bowl is a smooth England during the Wisconsin Stage of the resulting in curved lobes at the ice front or horizontal rock ledge that extends from Pleistocene Epoch. During the early terminus. wall to wall. North of the ledge are piles Wisconsin (about 150,000 years ago), Due to a warming climate, the of loose gravel, and the gravel is lower in North America was a few degrees colder Wisconsin ice sheet began melting slowly elevation than the smooth rock ledge. on average than it is today, sufficient to about 25,000 years ago. During the Apparently, bedrock in the interior of the make winters cold enough so that snow waning over New England the ice bowl is considerably lower than the accumulated in a vast region of stagnated in place; it did not move even southern lip. The feature calls to mind the northeastern Canada. Through the years during the longest, coldest, snowiest plunge pool of a waterfall. the snow turned to ice, and the ice mass winters. High elevations within the White became so thick that the ice began to How could there have been waterfalls at Mountains were ice free fIrst, long before move outward under its own weight, much these places where there is now no the lowlands and valleys. In the region of as pancake batter spreads on a griddle. stream? Water in Kelley Brook first immediate interest, peaks of the Sandwich Geologists estimate that the maximum appears well below this elevation. A major Range were exposed, while the lowlands depth of the Wisconsin ice sheet was flow of water is unexpected near the top both south and north of the Range were 10,000 feet; Mt Washington was of a ridge. What was the source of the covered by glacial remnants several completely ice covered to a depth of one abundant and rapidly flowing water? thousand feet thick. Thus, the ice sheet mile. Of course there was a greater depth became separated into huge blocks. Formation of Lake Albany: over valleys than over peaks, as the surface of the sheet was a gently sloping The last remnants of the ice sheet melted The answer lies in considering late Wisconsin time when the ridge of the plane. from over southern New Hampshire about 18,000 years ago, and from the lowlands Sandwich Range fJtSt became free of ice, Direction of ice flow over New occupied by the present towns of Ossipee, while the Swift River Valley to the north Hampshire, though varied, was generally Madison, Tamworth and Sandwich, was still completely filled. As melting from the north northwest. In its outward perhaps 12,000 years ago. The exact dates continued. water collected in a shallow movement, armed with rock fragments are not relevant here-nor are they lake north of the range, trapped by waning froz~ into its lower portions, it scomed ice to the north and the Sandwich Range the land. A powerful erosional agent, the accurately known; it is significant that geologic changes take place slowly over to the south. Stagnant ice was thick in Wisconsin ice sheet removed at most 50 contact with the range between Mt. long periods. Paugus and Mt. Chocorua, preventing the eastward escape of trapped water. Water rapid downcutting and formation of a deep SUMMER ACTIVITIES could not escape westward due to the high channel. Downcutting in die upper divide near Mt. Kancamagus. The lowest portions of die brook was much more 1996 point in the Range available as an outlet rapid than in die lower sections. Thirdly, was at Paugus Pass, where the Kelley much of the bedrock in the area is closely The Executive Committee has arranged Trail now meets the Lawrence Path. See jointed. There are three prominent sets of four special activities dming the summer Figure 3. joints almost at right angles to one months of 1996, in addition to the Annual another. One set is near Meeting and potluck supper. One event is ~.';';.:..:i-~ - horizontal, another near a field trip; others are presentations and ~~ ,;: vertical, and the third at discussions. Although sponsored by I..'~ ~-===- - right angles to the other WODC, all activities are open to the I ~K"-- I r:;:;;-~- two. The distance between public. If you have questions, phone for IfIQt'.J WX ~ '~~~-.-R:~::ti1t~ ~~~ Ca..J' sets varies, in some details. Please make reservations in ~. / -" " advance. " X -, exposures as close as 15-20 1::-- ,.:" - ~ ~ inches; consequently the .Saturday, June 8 the Club will hold a bedrock splits readily into potluck supper and presentation at the small blocks. In sum, the Benz Community Center in Center - bedrock structure favors ,," Sandwich. The potluck supper will begin ~. rapid removal by nmning at 5:30 P.M. For reservations and further water, and water was both information phone Susan Bryant-Kimball ~t:ti7~' abundant and rapidly at 284-6506. flowing. ~ :~;.; ';il~~;c At 7:00 P.M., following supper, Saco i Although there is no sharp District Ranger Terry Clark will speak Figure 3. Lake Albany at Kelley Falls Stag-e-~- distinction between rapids on the topic "New Directions on the and waterfalls, at the three White Mountain National Forest. " amphidieaters conditions District Ranger Clark was appointed to his were favorable to the formation of This lake, here named Lake Albany, present position several months ago. waterfalls. Waterfalls usually develop expanded as ice melting continued. At the where there are existing cliffs, and where Terry Clark in his school years fell in time meltwater was flowing down what streams cross from resistant rocks to love with the wild areas of his native State we now call Kelley Brook, the Lake may weaker ones. Resistant rock layers act as of Washington, and spent many days have been as much as 8 miles long, cap rocks at the lips of falls, whereas the hiking and camping in areas such as several miles wide, and I ,000 feet deep. weak rocks erode readily and become Mount Rainier National Park. There was plenty of water to cut the three plunge pools. These features are visible at He is a graduate of the University of waterfalls of Kelley Brook. active waterfalls today, such as at Fan Washington with a degree in Forestry and How many years Kelley Brook Falls and Great Falls on the lower sections Outdoor Recreation. He helped fInance his continued as the outlet for Lake Albany I of the Bennett Street Trail. college years doing trail maintenance would like to know. In time, as the glacial How long the falls existed is another during summer months. lobe in the Swift River valley melted back unanswered question, perhaps no longer from its contact with the ridge of the Since joining the Forest Service Clark than a year of two. When a lower lake Sandwich Range, water flowed through a has worked in National Forests of Oregon, outlet became available, water ceased to lower outlet east of Mt. Chocorua at an Washington, Idaho and Northern flow in the upper portions of Kelley elevation of 1,100 feet. Later, other lower California. Dming most of his Service Brook, and the waterfalls became fossils. outlets occurred still further east. career he has been working on Recreation It is these fossils we observe today. Management and Wilderness Management. Formation of the waterfalls: GeorgeZink On the WMNF he is an Infrastructure During the period of meltwater flow Staff Officer assigned to work concerning down Kelley Brook, bedrock er~ion in its forest engineering, landscape architecture, valley was rapid. Several factors account construction management and developed for the rapid erosion. First, there was recreation. abundant water coursing down the stream; JI~ \ .- Terry's wife worked with the Forest I ", it was not the gentle flow seen today. Service for 17 years. They have two \\. \ Secondly, the long proftle of the children, and are currently living in southward sloping land was steepest Conway. immediately below the lake outlet; abundant water and steep slope resulted in .On Saturday, July 13 Chris Martin, Senior Biologist for the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, will present an who wrote the booklet on Surficial provides a more inviting route and better illustrated talk on the topic "Endangered Geology of the Ossipee Lake Quadrangle, view potential. This causes an aJmost and Threatened Raptors." New Hampshire, published by the NH imperceptible but steady downhill State Department of Resources and migration of the treadway. Martin has been on the staff of die Economic Development. Audubon Society for six ye8ffi. Chris has When this occurs on a graded route such provided information to WODC Participants will meet at the Femcroft as an old logging road, the treadway often Newsletter writers for recent articles on parking area at 9:30 A.M. The walk along ends on the very edge of the bank, which peregrin falcons and dieir nestings on Kelley Trail is of low difficulty , and will can lead to erosion problems. There are Square Ledge. be leisurely, providing ample opportunities even cases where this downhill movement for observation and discussion. Bring a has resulted in the trail ending up in the Before coming to New Hampshire, Chris lunch. The walk will take four hours, but outflow ditches that carry water away worked for the National Park Service as a can be extended if there is sufficient from the trail. Check out Dicey's Mill raptor specialist. He has strong recreation interest. Phone Barbara Sidley at 323-8694 Trail to see examples of this. interests in lake and ocean byaking, and for further information. photography. By keeping aware of the terrain and .The Wonalancet Out Door Club favoring one side of the trail while The illustrated talk will be held in the Annual Meeting and potluck supper will brushing, usually the uphill side, the Wonalancet Chapel starting at 7:30 P.M. be held Sunday, August 18. The potluck adopter can help guide foot travel toward For f\nother information phone Barbara supper will take place in the grove beside the most stable route. Sidley at 323-8694. the Wonalancet Chapel at 5:30 P.M., ChrlsConrod .On Saturday, July 27 Nat followed by the Annual Meeting in the Scrimshaw, Executive Director of the Chapel at 7:00 P.M. Sandwich Range Conservation Association The Executive Committee plans to send (SRCA), will give an illustrated lecture on a letter to members reminding them of this the subject "Wilderness, Human meeting, and to include in the letter Community, and a Sustainable Future." recommended By-Law changes that will The program will be held in the be discussed and voted at the meeting. For Wonalancet Chapel starting at 7:30 P.M. fmther information phone Barbara Sidley Nat Scrimshaw is a co-founder and at 323-8694 or Sally Zink at 323-8696. Executive Director of the SRCA, an organization dedicated to supporting citizen stewardship of the Sandwich and Squam mountain ranges. In 1990 he (Continuedfrom Page3) served as the Appalachian Mountain BRUSHING Club's Coordinator of the New Hampshire Heritage Trail. From 1992-1995 he was In such cases it is best to remove the Executive Director of the Monteverde entire tree. Many adopters have come to Institute of Costa Rica, a nonprofit the conclusion that if a small sapling educational organization providing pro- needs pruning, the best course of action is grams in tropical biology, sustainable to remove it because it will only present development, and gender studies for more problems later. international universities, high schools, and Unfortunately, the same respect for lifelong learning for adults. He is CUlTent- nature and the stewardship ethic that led Iy employed at the Community School in us to become trail maintainers sometimes Tamworth as a teacher. prevents us from doing a thorough job. For further information phone Barbara Trail clearing is not for the squeantish. It Sidley at 323-8694. is our job to play the roles of judge, jury and executioner. If a tree is a hindrance it .Saturday, August 17, Dr. Robert M. must go. Newton of the Geology Department at Smith College will lead a geological field Special considerations: trip along the Kelley Trail. At some point, most WODC trails slab Robert Newton is a long time summer along the side of a hill. Both trail resident of Madison, and is a graduate of maintainers and hikers tend to concentrate the University of New Hampshire. His on the downhill side of the trail, probably name is known to many as the geologist because the lower (relatively) vegetation THE WILDERNESS man discovered how useful they really were'! The whole concept of One of the chief difficulties conservatiOll-Qf studying balances citizens confront when they go off and cycles, of habitats and species, to seek refreshment from unspoiled of keeping seeds of an kinds in nature is the number of other "genetic banks" is, in essence, an citizens who are doing the same attempt to secure for man a "fall- thing. With international tourism tripling in ten years, with the surge back" position in case his over- of visitors rising steadily in national weening confidence or over- parks and in all well-known areas whelming nwnbers unleash on him qnmanageable threats to his of great beauty, the visioDS-<>f sophisticated hybrids, his extensive forests, of wild shore and open monocultures, and his urban deserts. water-are obscured in milling masses of people trampling the turf, I And this perl1aps is the ultimate parking the cars, shooting across the ! meaning of the wilderness and its virgin snow in snowmobiles, and preservation-to remind an increas- braining the innocent swimmer with ingly urbanized humanity of the their passing speedboats. And once delicacy and vulnerability of an the such invasions begin, once hot-dog living species--of tree and plant, of stands assemble round every animal and insect-with which man Walden Pond, where can men fmd has to share his shrinking planet. As nature in her primal state? he learns to observe their Should we want to? Is there not interdependence and their fragility , something unattractively limited and their variety and their complexity, elitist about an environmental he may remember that he, too, is a attitude which puts the solitude of part of this single web and that if the few above the enjoyments of the he breaks down too thoroughly the many? Is there not some danger in biological rhythms and needs of the concentrating so passionately on the fate Moreover, the lopsidedness means that, natural universe, he may find he has of the bald eagle that we have no time for apart from the value of these places for destroyed the ultimate source of his being. a day in the country for the ghetto child? recreation, they do not really fulfill their This may be too hard a lesson for him to May we not earn the scorn Tom Paine felt potential contribution to man's scientific learn anywhere. Least of all is it likely to for Edmund Burke when he wrote: "He and aesthetic interests. Preservation and reach him anlid the perpetual ~t and pities the plumage and forgets the dying conservation are not merely matters of din of his own settlements and inventions. bird?" catering to minority tastes. The still- But if somewhere in his community he untouched domains of nature, the still- leaves a place for silence, he may fmd the But there are a number of sound, living multitude of natural species are wilderness a great teacher of the kind of entirely unelitist arguments for the essential for the work both of the scientist planetary modesty man most needs if his preservation of the wilderness and of the and of the artist. They are needed to human order is to survive. wildlife it contains. In the flISt place, there complete our still-patchy knowledge of the BarbaraW Ia"d and ReneDubos are a large and growing number of people interdependence of living things and the who want to spend some of their time Only OneEarth underlying balances of the natural order away from the pressures of the man-made not yet disturbed by man. They are needed order. There is enough wilderness in the to preserve the images of variety in plant world to increase very greatly the number and anitnal without which the human of national parks and to see to it that some imagination could easily become a of them are preserved in their original ',~ starveling. The animals, the plants, the 1;\ condition with access kept so strenuous biomes are entirely unrepeatable. Yet that the solitary walker is most unlikely to thousands of different animal species are be drowned out. Of the 97 million already known to have been wiped out. In hectares of the world's surface-35 per our own day, rapacious overkilling cent are in North America alone, another threatens to wipe out most of the major 15 per cent in Africa. There is clearly stocks of whales. room here for expansion. The lesson is obvious. How many essential species have vanished before