While leafing through some boxes in our storage area recently, I came across a hard copy of an article I wrote almost 20 years ago, covering the very first Rocky Habitat Restoration effort. It occurred in July, 1994. I have typed it up and attached it to this e-mail. I typed it up exactly verbatim, with the title font true to the original and format and all the same as it was then. I reckon it is of interest to all of you, and Jon, this may have a place in your Coopers Climbing History website. Later that year — 1994 — Joe Hestick and his wife Beth Honecker hosted a day of trailwork down near Haystack Rock. I was a volunteer — most volunteers were Boy Scouts from Bridgeport, WV. The trails’ current route was set during that outing. The third effort was in the Year 2000, which I organized with then-Superintendant Al Kerns, and Rec & Parks Prof Chad Pierskalla — at Sunset Wall & The Big Blocks. The fourth Habitat Restoration Day was the one we did down by Haystack later that Autumn 2000 — the first that the WVU Climbing Club was involved with. – Adam Polinski
Of Interest to Coopers Rock Climbers – by Adam Polinski
On July 8th, 9th, and 10th, 1994, 11 rock climbers completed a total of 32 hours of volunteer trailwork at Coopers Rock State Forest, WV, both on a trail to Sunset Wall, a popular cliff, and in the woods on top of the cliff.
The volunteers were: Cat Dailey, Seth Hogan, Tim Hogan, Marissa Loya, Kim Moore, Adam Polinski, Chris Riley, Carlos Silva, Zach Snider, Mark Van Cura, and Todd Wilson.
100’ of heavily-used trail on the way to this climbing area had widened unnecessarily, a condition that was sure to lead to steady erosion if not alleviated. To keep foot traffic impact to a minimum, workers narrowed and channeled the trail using rocks, sticks and leaf litter, and a water bar was constructed. The trail was also rerouted around a few rhododendrons and small trees, the roots of which were becoming exposed due to frequent passage.
The problem at the top of the cliff was a more difficult challenge. The roots of trees had become very exposed from climber traffic in the woods above the cliff, but the soil and rocks needed to cover and protect the roots were not readily available. So rocks and dirt were laboriously hauled or carried to the top of the cliff, rock rings were placed around the exposed root areas, the roots were covered with dirt, and the dirt covered with leaf litter. While this “woodland landscaping” may seem like manicuring or taming the forest, this particular area is a high-density recreation area, and we have to manage our impact. Time will tell whether or not these efforts will save these trees.
Some exposed roots were purposefully not covered with dirt and rocks near the center of the cliff, out of concern that the dirt might get washed over the cliff by rain and snowmelt runoff, or that the rocks could be accidentally knocked over the edge and onto climbers. Please tread lightly over this exposed region.
The bark around the bases of a few of the trees is showing wear, particularly from rappelling. Climbers should consider walking down from the cliff instead of rappelling directly from trees and pulling their ropes, as it is this rope-pulling that causes rope burns. In particular, please avoid impact to the small tree above the center of the main face.