Wilderness Workshop Details

Ok I just got of the phone with the FS. By the way they are ecstatic over what we have been able to accomplish in Caney Creek. They had been trying to hire a independent contractor to go in a clean up the mess but to no avail.

Any way here are some more details:

Date is pretty firm for April 17th and 18th
1/2 day will be dealing with safety issues.
Part of the time will be learning safe cutting procedures.
Also some will talk about how to sharpen crosscut saws.
A day and half will be spent on actual cutting in the field.

They are very interested in our opions on what we will need,
they are willing to puchase more saws and axes or what ever we need to use.

Let me know if you are interested.
I know that ar.hiker and preachaman are interested, anyone else?

OH

Now that the date is firm, I have enough time to plan it first before anything else. I am very excited about it, I have always wanted to do trail work, and to learn the right ways. This will be a great time, plus I finally get to go to Caney Creek

Sounds good to me. I've just got to make sure I can get the day off. Shouldn't be a problem.

Dwight and all,

As far as going into Caney Creek what I was told this morning the cutting may not be in the wilderness area. That was contrary to what I was first told. I was told this morning that the classes will start at the FS office in Mena or their work station (not sure were that is but will find out) the actual in the field would be close by. I am going to see them face to face next week and I am going to encourage them to take the cutting into the wilderness. I think that they were thinking about the time factor, but they are still in the planning stages of this workshop and it could change. In any event I feel like it will be very interesting. As far as camping out we would be close to the OT and finding places to camp wouldn't be a problem. If this is contractictory I am sorry.

OH

No problem, as long as I can go, I am flexible for whatever when I get there. Is the Forestry Office on Hwy 71 there in Mena? I think I have passed by it before. No matter what, it will be a great trip, and I'll be sure to bring the Dutch Oven so we can refuel with some cake after all that work Friday

Dwight,

yes it is on 71. I am going there next week and try to persuade them to take the class to Caney on Sat. Just remember that this is still in the planning stages. I want you guys to see Caney. Would you believe that they didn't know how bad it was back in there! Not till they saw my pics. They had been trying to hire a contractor to clear the trees but that didn't work out. Then we came along. As I get more details I will pass it on to the board.

OH

I'll just put this option out there for you guys.

I have a cabin about 20 minutes from Mena. We could base from there, if you want to camp you would be welcome to do that also. You could even bring your wives. It has all the modern conveniences and a really good view, has 1 king bed downstairs and 4 queens up in the open loft. Be a good way to get together and get to know everybody.

Mark,

That is a great idea! Next week when I meet with the FS in Mena maybe you could meet us there at their office. I would like to try to convince them to at least let us take the class into the Wilderness on Sat. for a cutting session.

OH

Sounds great to me, but if my wife went, so would my 4 kids hahaha. They like to camp though