March 2008		www.tehcc.org

For an explanation of the ratings, see either Hiking Schedule or Paddling Schedule.

Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail and Hampton Creek Cove

Though our area is rich in scenic beauty for the hiking enthusiast, we also have historical riches which can be experienced through hiking. Perhaps the best of these opportunities, and one that has recently gotten much better, is the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (OVNHT). This 330-mile route commemorates the march taken by patriots from the mountains and Piedmont to the eventual battle and rousing defeat of the British and their Loyalist supporters at the Battle of Kings Mountain in October 1780. This battle is often viewed as the turning point of the American Revolution, blunting British plans to invade North Carolina and instead leading to the surrender of the British at Yorktown one year later. The OVNHT has two prongs, one beginning in Abingdon, leading through Bluff City, and on to Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area in Elizabethton where the largest force mustered. Club members are encouraged to visit Sycamore Shoals, particularly when the annual outdoor drama "The Wataugans" runs during the summer. From Sycamore Shoals, the militia went through Gap Creek and up the current U. S. Highway 19E to near Roan Mountain State Park.  They crossed the Roan Highlands (and the current Appalachian Trail) at Yellow Mountain Gap with several inches of snow on the ground on September 27, 1780 (colder back then!). After descending through Roaring Creek Valley they crossed the Blue Ridge and met another group (and the other prong of the OVNHT) near Morganton.  They then proceeded through the Piedmont to Kings Mountain near Charlotte. Most of the current route follows highways, but the eventual goal is to have a non-motorized route for the entire length. Current non-motorized sections are available near Abingdon, Elizabethton, the Roan Highlands, near Linville Gorge, and the battlefield itself.

For many years there has been a sign on the A.T. in Yellow Mountain Gap to commemorate the Overmountain March, and our barn shelter is officially named the Overmountain Shelter. However, the hiking route through the gap has not been as good as it could be. The actual route on the Tennessee side up the Right Prong of Hampton Creek is mostly on private land. A route up Sugar Hollow Creek was available, but was a considerable distance from the actual route, had almost no room to park, was not scenic, and still crossed some private land. On the North Carolina side an old road with faded yellow blazes is discernible down to Roaring Creek Road, but most hikers assume the route goes down the blue-blazed trail leading to the barn and then down the Roaring Creek Road extension. Now there are good hiking opportunities. The National Park Service (of which the OVNHT is a unit), the Tennessee Division of Natural Areas, the Overmountain Victory Trail Association (OVTA), the Student Conservation Corps, and the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy worked together to build a new section of the OVNHT.  The new section is fully through public land in the Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area. The route goes up the Left Prong of Hampton Creek, through the scenic pastures of Hampton Creek Cove, then enters the woods and ultimately the Cherokee National Forest below Little Hump before reaching Yellow Mountain Gap. The distance from the trailhead at the entrance to the Natural Area to the A.T. is listed as 3.6 miles, though it may be a bit longer than that. There are plans to restore and mark the actual route into North Carolina, with some activities underway that could establish a footpath on the lower slopes of Big Yellow Mountain down through Roaring Creek Valley.

Recently we met with the Superintendent of the OVNHT, Paul Carson, and a Tennessee member of the OVTA Board, Bob Hardin, who worked on the relocation through Hampton Creek Cove. While TEHCC does not wish to formally commit as a Club to maintain sections of the OVNHT, club members who are interested are encouraged to make their interests known. You can contact Joe at or at 423-229-1602, and I'll collect names and notify those who volunteer. Also, Club members are encouraged to hike the new section and other trails in Hampton Creek Cove, a little known jewel of the State Parks and Natural Areas system very close to home. Finally, to learn more about the OVNHT, check out their web site at www.nps.gov/ovvi.  To learn more about the Overmountain Victory Trail Association check www.ovta.org.

Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club
Spring Dinner Meeting
Saturday April 19, 2008

Spring time is almost here, Spring fever is in the air and it is time for our annual TEHCC Spring Dinner meeting. We would like to invite our club members to join us at this special meeting. This year we will have a unique waterfall-photos slide show running during our Happy “Trails” Hour. This will be followed by our meal which will be again catered again by the Troutdale Dining Room – one of the finest restaurants in the Tri-Cities. We will conclude with an update on club initiatives, awards, and a special program.

Our special program will focus on the Rocky Fork tract and its potential acquisition. The Rocky Fork tract at 10,000 acres its the largest piece of privately owned land in the Southern Appalachians, and its conservation is extremely important for protection of the scenic, biological, and recreational qualities within it, including a section of the Appalachian Trail in our region.

There is no charge for attending the program only, but if you would like to eat, please submit your reservation for the Troutdale dinner by 4/15/08 - due along with your taxes!

Click here to open a printable reservation form. Fill out the form and send it with a check made out to Ed Montgomery, via plant mail, Building 284 or to:

Ed Montgomery
2016 Ohio St.
Mt. Carmel, TN 37645

Call For Hikes: April-June 2008

Neil Dotson, earnestly pleading

It may be hard to convince you of this right now, but spring will soon (Lord willing) be upon us; if you're like me, you're drumming your fingers in impatient anticipation. With the warmer temperatures and the spring showers, weeds will start growing up on the trails round these parts unless somebody tramples them down. That's where we come in; we can get out there and, to be blunt, stomp around a bit, with the help of some others. In other words, hike. So we're looking for some hikes for the spring quarter, April - June 2008.

While the actual value of hiking in terms of weed control is highly doubtful (unless you typically hike whilst swinging a scythe, re-enacting that famous scene from Bergman's Seventh Seal), I don't think I have to be too persuasive for you to be convinced.  This is a good time of year to lead hikes; to see wildflowers and clearer expansive views before the summer haze moves in. If you would like to contribute by leading a hike, send me a note or call me, letting me know:

• what hike you'd like to lead (where),
• what day you'd like to lead it (when), and
• the difficulty rating (see current calendar for the rating system, but if this is confusing, I will try to help).

Generally, hikes are scheduled for Saturdays, and currently these are all open - but Fridays can gather a crowd as well, including retirees, or folks on shift work or alternative schedules. (The only hike on the schedule at present is the annual trip to the LeConte Lodge, July 12-13.) I'd like any responses by Friday, March 14. You can reach me through the following e-mail address:

Help Wanted: Volunteer for Membership Coordinator

The club is seeking one or two individuals to maintain our membership database. Duties include adding the names and contact info of new members to an Excel database, sending out email notices, and printing and mailing newsletters to members without internet access.

If you are interested in helping the club by taking on any or all of these responsibilities, please contact any member of the Steering Committee.

TEHCC Rental Equipment: HT-24, 25
– Eureka Backcountry 4 Tents

HT-24 and 25 are Eureka Backcountry four-person dome tents. The three-pole freestanding design helps with the ease of set-up.

Historical reviews for this tent were very favorable. A number of folks were even using it as a two-person tent with lots of space, but the eight pound weight could be a deterrent for backpacking. An alternative to dome tents are HT-3, 4, or 5 which are the Eureka! Timberline 4 A-frame tents. My preference is toward the dome tents due to the greater internal openness; but the A-frames offer several more inches in height. The market direction also appears to favor dome tents as the more common design.

In order to protect the club's investment, please use a ground cloth, take the time to make sure the tent is dry, cleaned out, and zippers closed before folding, and return the stakes separately.

This article concludes the series started in 2004 on the TEHCC rental tents. The newsletter information has been captured in links from the Rental Equipment page.  A selection guide has been created to help you decide which tent(s) are appropriate for your need. The tents will be maintained and replaced based on the club's use and interest. Ideas for new equipment are accepted by e-mailing the .

Photo thanks to Michael Ray taken at March 2007 equipment check-out.

The newsletter blurbs will continue, with future reviews of the club's backpacks. A selection guide for backpacks is being planned, including information on torso sizes, to help find the right fit.

Study on the Motivations for and Benefits of Hiking the Appalachian Trail

Dear A.T. devotee,
This is Barbara Freidt, a graduate student at Old Dominion University. With the guidance of my graduate program director, Dr. Eddie Hill, I am conducting an exploratory study on the motivations for and benefits of hiking the Appalachian Trail. The purpose of the study is to look at the hiking experience from a business perspective. By applying a successful business theory (the means-end theory) to the recreational hiking experience, marketing information useful to trail maintaining clubs and organizations such as the A.T.C. in attracting more supporters and volunteers is hoped to be uncovered. The means-end theory postulates managers can better position the product in the mind of the consumer/user by better understanding the ultimate desires of the consumer/user. In other words, this theory’s pragmatic purpose is to better understand current A.T. users as well as acquire funding for continued maintenance of the A.T. footpath, and preservation and protection of its surrounding corridor lands.

I am extremely passionate about both the A.T. and hiking in general; it is for this reason that I would very much like to use my research time in order to better understand the motivations and outcomes associated with hiking on the A.T.

If you would be open to disseminating information about this survey, it would be greatly appreciated. In return, findings from the study will be shared with your organization. Information about the survey can be distributed in one or all of the following ways:

• by posting a link to the survey on your website,
• emailing the survey link with a short introductory letter written by me to your listserve,
• and/or discussing the survey in any trail club meetings.

If you would be interested in participating in this study or would like more information about this study, please contact me via the most convenient method for you. If you have already contacted me to express your interest in participation, you do not need to do so again. All contact information is listed below. If you indicate you are interested, further information will be sent to you within a week.

Thank you kindly,

Barbara Freidt
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Department of Exercise Science, Sport, Physical Education and Recreation
Old Dominion University
Ph: 757-683-6309; Fax: 757-683-4270
Email:  bfreidt@odu.edu

[Editor's Note: Here's the link to the survey.]

Cumberland Trail Conference
Spring Trail Building Programs 2008

Submitted by Amanda Leamon, CDC Trail Development Coordinator

The Cumberland Trail Conference Spring Trail Building information can be found at Cumberlandtrail.org. Food and lodging is generally provided at all programs. Tools and training are always provided free of charge!

Contact information is provided below if you have any question or concerns.

Amanda Leamon, Trail Development Coordinator
Cumberland Trail Conference
Phone: 931-456-6259
Fax: 931-456-4934
Email:

TEHCC Welcomes New Members

All new members are eligible for a free dinner at the next Dinner Meeting.

Scheduled Hiking, Paddling and Trail Maintenance Opportunities (Future)

Buffalo Mountain Park Trails, March 1, 2008

This hike will be a group choice once we meet. Proposal is to head up to the White Rock overlook for the great view shown in this summertime picture. Several routes will take us there. Meet at the usual spot by McDonalds in Colonial Heights at 8:30 a.m. for carpooling the 22 mile drive or at 9:15 a.m. at the park trailhead in Johnson City. Wear appropriate clothing layers for the likely cold weather (hike will be postponed in case of heavy rain or icy roads). Bring snack lunch and drinking water. E-mail or call the leader with any questions.

A.T. Maintenance Opportunity, Saturday March 1, 2008

Students from ASU Trail Crew as well as Christopher Newport College are panning to be able to work with us on Saturday, March 1. They will be staying at Kincora Hostel Friday night. There should be about 18 students.

We will work on digging the trail relocation just north of 19E.

Meeting locations and times:

• Colonial Heights at 8 AM
• Parkway Discount Wine and Liquor Store in south JC at 8:20 AM
• Bobs Dairyland in Roan Mt at 9 AM

Please let me know if you plan to come so we can bring enough tools.

Smokies Day Hike: Albright Grove Trail/Gabes Mountain Trail, 7.0 or 12.4 miles, March 8, 2008

We will take the Maddron Bald Trail to the Albright Grove, a wonderful collection of old growth forest. On the return, in order to improve the miles hiked to miles driven ratio, the leader will take the Gabes Mountain Trail 1.2 miles from the Maddron Bald trailhead, and hike 6.6 more miles to the Cosby Campground, passing Hen Wallow Falls on the way. Those content with 7.0 delightful miles, can continue on to the Maddron Bald Trailhead. Hopefully they will help with the car shuttle to Cosby. Because of the distance to the hike, and the necessary (but short) shuttle, we will leave the usual meeting point next to McDonalds in the Ingles shopping center in Colonial Heights at 7:30 a.m. Please let the leader know if you plan to go and which hike you plan to do - and also if you are willing to drive. I need to know the number going in order to pre-think the shuttle. Bring appropriate clothing, food, and water.

Special Activity and Trip Reports (Past)

A.T.: Temple Hill from Erwin, February 16, 2008

Four folks (Randy Gardner, Vic Hasler, Debbie Stern, and Gordon) decided to take this cardio challenge to the site of the former Temple Hill lookout tower. The drive was 37 miles from Colonial Heights to the White Memorial Bridge in Chestoa. The distance from parking lot to the goal was exactly 3.0 miles taking three hours up (and then just over two hours back) with a climb from 1710 to 3710 ft elevation. The pace was reasonable as checked by a heart monitor with frequent pauses to enjoy the views and/or to find the geocaches. The winter sights were great of the Nolichuckey river straight below the shear cliff and then of the other local peaks around this rim. The trail condition in this A.T. section was excellent with someone very recently handling the small stuff with a saw. There are still several blowdowns of up to estimated 8" diameter that could be removed, but all can be stepped over. The side trail to the former lookout tower site is not maintained, but passable with a pair of clippers removing some of the regular growth. This good winter hike is recommended again when the leaves are down, but no snow or ice on the ground. This hike should also be rated B/4/B.

Lower Mt Cammerer Trail (S900M), February 16, 2008

We had another one of those great weather, mid-February hikes in the Smokies. This was probably the reason for 12 hikers on this trip. We spotted two cars at Big Creek Ranger Station, then drove to Cosby Picnic area to begin the hike. We chose to drive the curvy highway 32 on this first shuttle, but decided to take the longer but easier Foothills Parkway route for the last shuttle. Larry decided to hike from Big Creek to Cosby, so we drove his truck and parked it at his destination. Our first stop of the day was to enjoy the fine views of Cosby valley and the mountains from Sutton Ridge (see photos). After passing campsite #35, there were several opportunities for clearing blowdowns from the trail. Kent used his pack saw several times, and the three younger hikers, Heather, Tyler, and Clay proved they are potential A.T. Maintainers (see photos). We didn’t meet Larry along the trail to pass on his truck key, so we developed various scenarios on what happened to him. We later caught up with him at a Newport restaurant, and found out he took a side trip to the firetower.

Hikers included, Kent Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Heather Wright, Taylor Pickard, Phyllis Cairnes, Mary Ellen Ress, Kim Peters, Larry Miller, Tyler Holden, Clay Wilfert, Emmett Dougherty, and Garry Luttrell.

		Relaxing on Sutton Ridge. Kent, Clay, Kim, Nancy, Heather (taking picture),  Mary Ellen, Taylor and Tyler
		Heather, Tyler, Nancy, Taylor, Kent (back to camera) and Clay
		Trail maintenance supervisors!  Phyllis, Mary Ellen, Kim and Emmett
		Trail maintainers!  Clay, Heather, Nancy, Tyler and Kent

A.T. Section Maintenance and Special Project Reports (Past)

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: January 28, 2008
Purpose: Flag relocation
Location: Section 9b, South of Pond Flats
People: Ed Oliver, Bob Peoples
Summary: Ed and Bob flagged a relocation to avoid the very steep section coming south off Pond Flats. They encountered some significant rock fields and found a path to avoid most of them. One more day is required to complete the flagging.

Reporting: CB Willis for the Old Timers Hiking Club
Date: January 28, 2008
Purpose: Trail maintenance
Location: Section 18, Between Indian Grave Gap and FS230 crossing
People: Mike Hupko, Marsha Hupko, Howard Guinn, Faye Guinn
Summary: The Hupkos and Guinns cut seven trees from the trail and cut seven more dead standing trees near the trail, those killed by the pine beetle. The trail was lopped and cleared of small limbs. Trash was picked up at Indian Grave Gap parking area.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: January 31, 2008
Purpose: Flag relocation
Location: Section 9b, South of Pond Flats
People: Jim Foster, Carl Fritz, Ed Oliver, Bob Peoples
Summary: We were able to complete the flagging of relocations just south of Pond Flats to reduce the steepest grades. These are ready to be submitted to USFS for approval. On the way down, Jim and Bob walked down two alternate paths. One was about 20 minutes versus 80 minutes for the normal route to Hampton. Access to private property will need to be explored.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: February 5, 2008
Purpose: Fix water source at Moreland Gap Shelter
Location: Section 11b, Moreland Gap Shelter
People: Bruce Cunningham, Bob Peoples
Summary: Bruce and Bob drove close to Moreland Gap Shelter.  The water pipe had been torn out of the ground; probably by someone seeking water in the dry season.  Bruce and Bob were able to successfully install hard 3"-pipe and connect it to flexible field drainage pipe. The collection bucket is still in good shape. Water was running like an open faucet. All the major erosions in the road have been removed by a grader.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: February 5, 2008
Purpose: Repair bridge and shelter
Location: Section 10, Laurel Fork Gorge
People: Bill Elderbrock, Carl Fritz, Tim Stewart
Summary: Laurel Fork Shelter had front corner of the plywood platform raised a couple of inches with a spike partially pulled out. We hammered it back down and took some measurements for possible future stabilization of the platform. Koonford bridge was missing one section of railing on the south end. We took in a couple of 2x4s and with another couple of salvaged pieces were able to rebuild post and railing. At Watauga Lake we cut a locust post and rails for future work at Carver's Gap.

Reporting: Benjamin Trotter
Date: February 7, 2008
Purpose: Inspect stile
Location: Section 13b, Yellow Mountain Gap to Hump Mountain
People: Benjamin Trotter
Summary: I was asked to inspect the southern stile on Hump Mountain. I found the stile portion of the fence line leaning at an awkward angle. Passing through the stile is very tight. And I found the fence posts could be rocked easily, all due to traffic and weather. The ground at the fence was very soft and wet from recent winter storms.

Reporting: Collins Chew
Date: February 8, 2008
Purpose: Light maintenance of A.T. between Low Gap and Double Springs Shelter
Location: Section 4a, U. S. 421 to Double Springs Shelter
People: Olin Babb, Lee Bockman, Carol Broderson, Kathy Case, Jerry Case, Collins Chew, Anne Cosby, Carol Dunham, Dave Dunham, Deb Dula, Judith Foster, Bob Harvey, Bobby Lewis, Anne Maio, Janet Mather, Larry Miller, Brian Paley, Rachael Richardson
Summary: The Friday Hikers clipped greenbrier and other brush and removed storm debris and a number of small blowdowns. One large blowdown could not be cut but could be stepped over easily. It was a beautiful day.

Reporting: Jim Foster
Date: February 8, 2008
Purpose: Fix leak in roof at Curley Maple Gap Shelter and check Laurel Fork
Location: Section 19, Curley Maple Gap Shelter and trail south of Bitter End
People: Jim Foster
Summary: I caulked a hole in the roof at Curley Maple Gap Shelter and also cleared several small blowdowns on the trail. There are three blowdowns that were too big for my small saw. I also checked the trail at Laurel Fork; everything looked OK.

Reporting: Kim Peters
Date: February 9, 2008
Purpose: Place log book and check water source at shelter
Location: Section 7, Watauga Dam road to Vandeventer shelter
People: Kim Peters
Summary: I placed a log book at Vandeventer shelter and picked up trash. I checked the water source and the spring is flowing well.  Lots of downed limbs were removed from the trail; fortunately without having to break out the saw. The wind was really blowing, so there should be more to pick up on the next trip!

Reporting: CB Willis for the Old Timers Hiking Club
Date: February 11, 2008
Purpose: Check trail for winter damage
Location: Both sections, 16a and 16b. Hughes Gap to Iron Mountain Gap
People: Howard Guinn, Faye Guinn
Summary: The Guinns removed four 4" dead trees from the trail, cutting one 4" with limbs that had the trail blocked. They picked up a truck load of small branches, checked the spring, and picked up trash at the orchard.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: February 12, 2008
Purpose: Repair Laurel Fork Shelter platform and rehab trail near shelter
Location: Section 10, Laurel Fork Shelter
People: Daryel Anderson, Paul Benfield, Ken Buchanan, Dave Dunham, Carl Fritz, Ed Oliver, Otto, Brian Paley, Bob Peoples, Tim Stewart
Summary: We toted materials into Laurel Fork Shelter. We removed plywood platform, tacked 2x4s to side logs to level and strengthen them, reinstalled plywood, put hardware cloth under front of platform and faced top front edge with 2x6s. Otto expertly installed a couple of rock steps at front of platform. Much of crew added about a dozen rock steps to the approach to the shelter.

Photos courtesy of Carl Fritz.

Left: Shelter platform, before and after.   Above: Tim Stewart, Bob Peoples, Otto, and   Brian Paley working on steps to shelter.

Reporting: Joe DeLoach
Date: February 16, 2008
Purpose: Clear blowdowns
Location: Section 8, Shook Branch to Watauga Lake Shelter
People: Craig DeLoach and Joe DeLoach
Summary: We went for a short afternoon hike around the lake and I carried my buck saw "just in case." We ran across four good-sized downed trees. The first was about 7" diameter and at chest height was a significant obstruction; we cut it. There were two together, closer to the shelter than to Shook Branch, that were about 12" to 14" diameter each; but they were not hard to step over. The fourth, 14" to 16" diameter and not far past the other two, was a little higher and had several entangling limbs. We removed those limbs and some smaller trees that came down with it .  It's not hard to step over the remaining log. These are dead pines and could be chopped out with an axe, but a chainsaw would be a lot faster. We also cleared some small brush that had been cut onto the trail by someone trying to improve their view of the lake. The shelter and everything else looked good.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: February 20, 2008
Purpose: Repair wet areas
Location: Section 12b, Sugar Hollow Creek to about 1.5 miles north
People: Ken Buchanan, Jim Foster, Carl Fritz, Ed Oliver, Ben Trotter
Summary: We went in search of two known wet areas from an inspection a couple of years ago. One we repaired with a cross trail ditch and lined with logs as a stepover. The other was an eight-foot wide drainage full of muck. We dug it out and used locust logs to line the ditch as a stepover. We added a number of more locust logs perpendicular to trail to prevent the trail from becoming mucky again and covered them with good soil. We removed a number of medium blowdowns. Also, we cut an old 18-inch blowdown that settled down and was now chest high. For those who are interested, the day was a sweatshirt day with no rain and little wind.

Photo courtesy of Carl Fritz.

Jim Foster, Ed Oliver, Ben Trotter, and Ken Buchanan repair wet area.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: February 20, 2008
Purpose: Repair wet areas
Location: Section 12b, Walnut Mt Rd to Mountaineer Falls
People: Paul Benfield, Bob Peoples, Tim Stewart, LONE WOLF
Summary: They repaired some minor wet areas from Slide Hollow to Mountaineer Falls. Paul installed a couple of tenting signs at Mountaineer Falls.

Reporting: Carl Fritz
Date: February 22, 2008
Purpose: A.T. Maintenance Meeting
Location: Eastman Lodge
People: Daryel Anderson, Juana Anderson, Paul Benfield, Ken Buchanan, Pat Buchanan, Dave Clark, Shannon Combs, Bruce Cunningham, Mary Cunningham, Craig DeLoach, Joe DeLoach, Dale Douthat, Steve Falling, Jim Foster, Carl Fritz, Bill Fuller, Howard Guinn, Craig Haire, Mike Hupko, Carol Jenkins, Waylon Jenkins, Garry Luttrell, Tim McClain, Larry Miller, Ted Mowery, Darrol Nickels, Georgia Nickels, Ed Oliver, Bob Peoples, Steve Perri, Kim Peters, Jeff Siirola, Randall Simpson, Bill Stowell, Chad Tate, Mike Watts, Clay Wilfert, CB Willis
Summary: We kicked off the 2008 maintenance season with a grand meal prepared by Mary Cunningham and Ed Oliver. We highlighted our 2007 achievements, our future plans for relocations, our usual maintenance practices and discussion about some potential minor changes. Have a safe and enjoyable maintenance year.

Reporting: Bill Fuller
Date: February 24, 2008
Purpose: Scout newly assigned section
Location: Section 9b, From Hampton Trailhead to Pond Flats and return
People: Bill Fuller
Summary: I scouted all of my section, and cleared three small blowdowns with my handsaw (all along the steeper area near Pond Flats). Overall, the trail was in good shape, and the spring at Pond Flats is flowing well. Blazes are also in good shape in each direction on the A.T., but the Hampton blue-blaze trail needs painting. On my return, I picked up almost a full bag of trash on the blue-blaze trail.