Diamond in the Rough

[Tom Rankin]

Over the weekend, a large group of Volunteers hiked up to the Diamond Notch lean-to in the Catskills, (in my case 3 times), replaced the roof, (including packing out all the old asphalt-based shingles - that was my job, thus the 3 trips!), replaced the floor, applied liberal amounts of paint to the inside and out, re-located the outhouse, (the new one smells great! ), and even managed to give the place a makeover. The fire pit was rebuilt, and Eric, our resident rock expert, built a nice patio in front of the opening. We also trimmed branches that were hanging over the structure, and even gallantly attempted to straighten the lean-to out a little, since it has developed a slight lean-to the right over the years.

We were unable to attend Saturday, but a lot of progress was made before we ever got there Sunday morning around 9:45. Laurie and I wanted to get some exercise, and I don't really like painting, so we stuffed 2 large frame packs full of shingles, shouldered them, and trudged down to the Ranger's Truck. Repeat! Repeat again! Honestly, the load was a little heavy on my hips and shoulders, but walking up the mountain with an empty pack was more tiring. And this morning I have no shoulder pain. Overall, I got in about 9 miles and 1500' of elevation gain. And I missed the opportunity to sign in to the same register 3 times in one day!

Since Laurie is at work, I am writing this, but once again she was the key organizer, bringing Manpower, (and woman power!), Money and 'Machinery' (just hand tools, but I had to get an M in there!) to bear on a much needed structure.

I don't have any pics right now, but the lean-to looks brand new!

HUGE thanks to everyone who helped out, I'm sure this is just a partial list, but here goes:

Bill
Eric
Doug
Pete
Rick
Cindy
Brian
George
Veronica
Dave
Carol
Etc.!

 

[AOC-1]

Thanks to you, Tom, and all the Catskill volunteer lean-to builders and restorers! Nice work.

 

[Tom Rankin]

Pics:

From the back:

From the front:

From Laurie:

The Catskill Construction Crew returns! Last year they put up the new John Robb lean-to.

This years project was to refurbish the Diamond Notch lean-to. The lean-to listed heavily, the leaky roof was more moss than shingles, the floor boards had long since been porcupine food, the outhouse – we won’t mention. After much behind the scenes work by the NYSDEC, the NYNJTC Senterman crew, and funds from the Catskill 3500 Club, the volunteers began to gather.

On Saturday we had: Rick, Pete, Doug, Jeff, Moe, Harry, Cindy, Brian, David, Joe, Kevin, Eric, Ed, Connie, Peggy and Ed’s neice. On Sunday we had: Rick, Pete, Doug, Moe, Eric, George, Dave, Carol, Veronica, Cathy, Bill, Tom and myself.

Saturday’s crew were described as animals that had to be held back. Following a bit of breakfast food and the walk to the lean-to with tools in hand, they set to work. They stripped that old mossy roof off, put on a new cedar shake roof (except the cap, saving that for the next day), dug a hole and put up a new outhouse, took care of the old outhouse, put on the new floor boards (bothering some resident mice in the process), carried out old shingles, and from the reports I heard, generally had a grand time, no mishaps and a few refreshments to end the day. Tools and materials were left behind for the next day under the watchful eye of Eric who spent a quiet night on site.

Sunday’s crew did not have to carry in tools, just empty packs and garbage bags for hauling out old shingles, leftover supplies and tools. Following a bit of breakfast and the walk to the lean-to, this work horse crew quickly dispersed with paint brushes, roof capping tools, and what ever else was necessary. The cap was put on, the old shingles were carried out, the entire structure stained, the stone patio installed, and the entire site was raked, tidied, all tools carried out, any left over materials were carried out and once again, everyone had a grand time, no mishaps and a few refreshments to end the day.

What an amazing amount of work these crews did! We cannot thank you enough for driving so many miles, giving up family time and precious hiking time, knowing you would leave with sore backs and tired shoulders to help out with this project. All who visit this lean-to for the next 30 years will benefit from your tremendous efforts! We are immensely grateful to each of you for all that you did.

Some express amazement at the numbers of persons who turn out to be part of the Catskill Construction Crew. Not I. I believe the hiking community to be an extremely generous group, whom given the opportunity to spend a day in the woods with friends, both old and new, to make improvements for many to enjoy, are very happy to do so. Their generosity is amazing, some even come more than once! We truly have a great time out there and while we may have sore backs and aching shoulders at the end of the day, we enjoy a great deal of satisfaction with a job well done. Thank you again to all who helped out and for those who were interested but their schedules would not allow participation. If you would like to be a part of the next Catskill Construction Crew project, please contact me.