One saw one hiker

[peakbagger]

Looks like a great weekend to hike with lots of folks getting out. Just imagine if everyone threw a folding saw in their pack and cut out one blowdown during the course of the day? Heck by the end of three day weekend, the trails would be in a lot better shape and we save electrons by not complaining about blowdowns

The usual caveat applies, that if you cant safely cut it out of the way dont do it, although I find then even on the big blowdowns, just cutting a few branches close to the truck where people either climb under or over it can make a big difference.

 

[Jason Berard]

Great idea!

 

[rocket21]

And even if you don't carry a saw, picking up downed branches or smaller blowdowns helps too! I find that almost half the blowdowns I remove don't require cutting.

 

[Minion I]

Music to my ears

As one who never leaves home without my Corona saw, this is a very uplifting message.

 

[Barkingcat]

And even if you don't carry a saw, picking up downed branches or smaller blowdowns helps too! I find that almost half the blowdowns I remove don't require cutting.

I agree -- sometimes takes just a few seconds to pull them off the trail. No need to leave them for the next person coming through.

 

[adktyler]

I wish we could do this! I don't know about NH, but in NY it's against the law

 

[kltilton]

Most of my time on trails is spent running so carrying a saw is not an option, but as rocket said, picking up small blowdowns is an easy way to clean up a trail without a lot of effort. I did this one day on my adopted section of the Attitash Trail going up to Big Attitash from Table Mt., and it only took me 15 more minutes out than on the way back. Every little bit helps.

 

[Tim Seaver]

Oh Noes!

Just imagine if everyone threw a folding saw in their pack and cut out one blowdown during the course of the day?

Amazingly, this kind of activity has actually been discouraged in the past by a few folks, under the guise that it would take work away from the people that maintain the trail. Not a view I subscribe to, to put it mildly.

We did a bunch of clearing on the routes to Macomb and the Dixes a few days ago (and no, I don't give a rats behind as to whether clearing brush is technically "legal" in the ADK) - lots easier now without the flies too!

Great suggestion!

 

[rocket21]

Amazingly, this kind of activity has actually been discouraged in the past by a few folks, under the guise that it would take work away from the people that maintain the trail.

Early bird gets the worm, right? I have heard feedback similar to that (being that I perform random acts of trail maintenance), but I don't really care - the longer a blowdown is in place, the more likely a herd path will form (and/or someone gets lost and/or hurt).

 

[TCD]

I think this is a great idea too. I routinely toss branches, etc., off trails. I seldom carry a saw, but it's a good idea. On the NP in 06 I carried a saw in the Silver Lake section, because I had read reports of lack of maintenance, and it was very handy. I would run ahead of my wife and have the blowdown cleared by the time she got to it. Saved some time.

 

[rocket21]

I seldom carry a saw, but it's a good idea.

As Minion 1 mentioned, Corona makes a great saw for hiking. I carry a 7" razor tooth folding pull saw. It fits in my pocket and (until you hit a rock or bend the blade) cuts really well.


Of course, there are some blowdowns that are just too big for it:

 

[Jay H]

I have a really small Gerber 8" folding saw that I got at EMS.

For something larger than the Gerber, a pruning or tree saw are very nice, small, compacter than a bowsaw with pretty good cutting power. They can run anywhere from $40-$70 bucks and can be bought at Arborist sites... Small teeth is good for live/green downfall and will bind less than the larger teethed bowsaws..

Jay

 

[peakbagger]

A Sawvivor is my choice of "weapon".

 

[DougPaul]

I have a really small Gerber 8" folding saw that I got at EMS.

A good saw--lightweight and it fits in my pocket.

For something larger than the Gerber, a pruning or tree saw are very nice, small, compacter than a bowsaw with pretty good cutting power. They can run anywhere from $40-$70 bucks and can be bought at Arborist sites... Small teeth is good for live/green downfall and will bind less than the larger teethed bowsaws..

Sven makes a very effective light-weight folding bowsaw. http://www.rei.com/product/404013 (Get the 21 incher, not the 15 incher.) I've been using one for years and have cut up to 8 inch logs with it.

FWIW, I find that the large-tooth blade seems to cut slightly faster the small tooth.


There are a number of other "favorite" saws: http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10186

Doug

 

[rocket21]

Sven makes a very effective light-weight folding bowsaw. http://www.rei.com/product/404013 (Get the 21 incher, not the 15 incher.) I've been using one for years and have cut up to 8 inch logs with it.

I've been able to cut 10" logs (multiple cuts obviously) with the 7" Corona with relative ease - the saw's compact and ready to go at a moment's notice- no assembly or anything.

 

[DougPaul]

I've been able to cut 10" logs (multiple cuts obviously) with the 7" Corona with relative ease - the saw's compact and ready to go at a moment's notice- no assembly or anything.

I haven't used the Corona, but I presume that it is similar to the Gerber folding saw. IMO, the Sven cuts faster than the Gerber so I generally use it if there is a lot of cutting to do. The Gerber is better for quick little jobs. (I usually carry both on maintenance trips, but when hiking I usually only carry the Gerber.)

For the big stuff, DebW brings her 2-person saw or chainsaw. (She is properly authorized to use a chainsaw on the AT.)

Doug

 

[--M.]

Amazingly, this kind of activity has actually been discouraged in the past by a few folks, under the guise that it would take work away from the people that maintain the trail. Not a view I subscribe to, to put it mildly.

We did a bunch of clearing on the routes to Macomb and the Dixes a few days ago (and no, I don't give a rats behind as to whether clearing brush is technically "legal" in the ADK) - lots easier now without the flies too!

Great suggestion!

I'm a bit surprised at this: I would have thought that the ethos amongst the cognoscenti here would be that such activity is NOT for everyone and that there is risk in endorsing the cutting of the forest by the using populace at large.

My answer to the original question,

Just imagine if everyone threw a folding saw in their pack and cut out one blowdown during the course of the day?

would be to please be careful with that ax ("Eugene," as the song goes).

I have seen a few butcher jobs over the years, and there was quite a brou-ha-ha over one in particular last year in the Santanonis. Apples to oranges? Really?

I appreciate trail work by anyone qualified to do so (authorization aside); I do not endorse an amateur hack-job that leaves things worse than before. I know there were caveats made; I would just replay them a few times for effect.

Thank you, most gratefully, to those who are artful with a saw or pry-bar! To those with only minimal experience, I would please request a go-slow approach.

Thanks for hearing this differing viewpoint,

--Mike.

 

[Snowflea]

If you don't want to tackle blowdowns, another very easy and helpful thing to do is cleaning out clogged waterbars. Usually you can use just your foot (and poles if you use 'em); you don't even have to bend over.

I cannot say whether this act is legal in New York, however.

 

[Tim Seaver]

A Skidder in Every Pot!

I'm a bit surprised at this: I would have thought that the ethos amongst the cognoscenti here would be that such activity is NOT for everyone and that there is risk in endorsing the cutting of the forest by the using populace at large.

What I referring to is the clearing of small blowdowns that fall into the trail, referring to that as "cutting of the forest" is a bit of a stretch.

P.S - I have no idea what the cognoscenti have to say about the issue - perhaps they will speak to the matter at some point.

 

[jniehof]

If you don't want to tackle blowdowns, another very easy and helpful thing to do is cleaning out clogged waterbars. Usually you can use just your foot (and poles if you use 'em); you don't even have to bend over.

Quite possibly more helpful than cutting blowdowns. If you really want to make someone's day, carry a garden hoe (cut the handle short to make it easier to stash) and you can get an awful lot of crud out pretty fast. Be careful to get it entirely out into the woods, and not in the drainage channel.