NFCT - Forked Lake to Permanent Rapids

[billconner]

I'm heading out in a few hours. Meet at Forked Lake Campground for NFCT work weekend, then hit the trail on Sunday. Hope to get to Permanent Rapids Thursday +/- a day, for another NFCT work weekend. My tenth. I will add to this "report" on days I have cell service.

Last year I did much of same with 2 packs and portage cart. This year trying it with one pack and yoke. I'll see how that goes.

 

[Boatman53]

Thanks for the work Bill. Looking forward to your report.
Jim

 

[billconner]

Arrived. 4 volunteers, 3 interns, and 1 staff. Camping in an old quarry. Great chicken curry dinner. Will split crew on Buttermilk Falls portage (I can't bring myself to call them carries with my BWCA and Quetico experienced) and the Deerland carry, which I know needed help from last year.

One volunteer has brought his homemade stripper Adirondack guide boat. Really quite beautiful!

Waiting for pancakes....

 

[snapper]

Wonder if that strip guide boat was built by Pat Brown (think that's his name). He lives outside of Lowville and makes his boats in a shed next to his home; which was once the observer's cabin on top of Stillwater Mt. I picked up my strip guide boat from him in the early 2000s and it's a pleasure to row (and a great piece of art) as it flies across the water. Mine isn't painted so the cedar shows through the fiberglass.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

 

[Boatman53]

That’s a nice looking guideboat. Do you know how long it is?
Jim

 

[billconner]

I think it 17'. I'll confirm - he's out paddling it now on Forked Lake. It's the builders first ever boat build. A year and a half. Ever other strip is screwed to every rib. My quick math said I get a 1000 screws. I believe he was in the last 90 miler.

Meanwhile, we cleared some portages, moved a very big rock at end of Buttermilk Falls portage, repaired some boardwalks, and crushed a bunch of stone to level out some portage.

I'll head out on my own tomorrow ftom end of Deerland portage.

 

[yknpdlr]

moved a very big rock at end of Buttermilk Falls portage,

Thank you. There are lots of those there.

 

[Boatman53]

Thanks Bill, tell him it looks like he did a splendid job from where I sit.
Jim

 

[Gamma1214]

...crushed a bunch of stone to level out some portage.

So you're portaging sledgehammers? Awesome. I like hard work and could read about it all day. (truthfully, I appreciate all who work to maintain trails- thanks for taking the time)