This report covers the period 2 July to 14 October 2001. The weather this summer was unusually dry and there were no severe storms. The trails were not damaged by weather.

1. WORKFORCE. The regularly scheduled hike on 13 October attracted 10 workers, lower than the average of 14 for the spring hikes. Two projects not advertised in Trail Talk attracted 12 and 3 workers.

The workers continue to be the same core of workers, augmented by Laraway members, who worked in Smugglers Notch.

For the year to date, volunteers have worked 672 hours, better than 2 hours per section member. (This tally does not include Eric Seidel's work at Couching Lion, below.) Two events remain this year.

2. EFFORT. Major efforts were contributed by Bill Clark and Eric Seidel.

• Bill Clark took the lead on Elephants head. Dave Hardy of the GMC held a scouting hike 11 August which led to the recommendation of using E-head as the Long Trail. Bill logged 170 work items on the trail, then led a chain saw trip, a special work day, and several days of solo work.
• Eric Seidel organized volunteers to reroof the Couching Lion caretaker cabin and built a woodshed behind it.
• Andrew and Reidun Nuquist organized a special mid-week hike to work on the long-neglected section of the LT north of the Jay Peak gondola
• The adopters of the Bamforth and Chilcoot sections of the LT were taken on a orientation hike by John Buddington.

Elephants head has been restored so that it is now a pleasant and interesting hike. (This is my opinion, but we always see hikers when we are working there.) The E-head needs considerable waterbar and rock staircase work. The section from one-quarter mile south of E-head to Slide 2 requires serious clipping.

4. STATUS OF OUR TRAILS AND SHELTERS.

Routing the Long Trail in Smugglers Notch along the Elephants head Trail has been recommended to the GMC. This could take place as early as 2002, pending final approval, allocation of resources for rock and waterbar work, and various other tasks. This is in accord with the long-range plan for Sterling Pond and may be associated with construction of a new shelter.

The site for a replacement for Gorham Lodge has been selected.

5. PROJECTS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR.

• Work hike 20 October on Bamforth Ridge.
• Scouting hike 4 November to examine the location of a shelter which could be constructed in 2002.

John Buddington

Trails & Shelter Coordinator