Bigelow Section Gallery

Summer 2010

Two major projects in the Bigelow District have been completed thanks to Camp Tekakwitha. Based in Quebec, Canada with a facility in Leeds, Maine, this nonprofit gives back extensively to the Appalachian Trail. This is the eleventh year that I have had the pleasure of working with and learning from the "Camp Teka" teenagers.

Last June 28-30 the teenage boys hauled enough cedar lumber, tools and supplies to build a new moldering privy at Spaulding shelter. We then split into 3 groups, one to build the base, one to head south to clear a short relocation around a wet section of trail and one to head north to install a new summit sign on Spaulding Mt. Both groups also refreshed the white blazes along the trail.

Upon regrouping in the afternoon we installed the privy onto the new base, repainted the old privy and refreshed the blue blazes and tent pads around the site.

Before heading back to Leeds the boys hiked the 1.7 mile Abraham side trail and refreshed the blue blazes along the way. As we parted, the boys toasted me with a heart felt "we love you".

These teenagers always amaze me with how much can be done with so many willing helpers in a short amount of time. I have learned to plan plenty of work and bring extra snacks for a mid-afternoon boost. Fig Newton's and chocolate seem to work quite well.

Last July 26-28 twelve young women from "Camp Teka" built a new campsite on the East shore of Flagstaff Lake. This site is located on the section of Appalachian Trail that was rerouted last summer by MATC volunteers under the direction of Lester Kenway, MATC President and Steve Swatling, Bigelow Preserve manager.

This new campsite is 0.7 miles north of Bog Brook and includes one 6 tent pad group area and one 3 tent pad single area each with a fire pit and swimming beach. The campers were directed and assisted by site designer Steve Swatling with help from Kim Lynch and Ruth Ann Keister, both from the Bureau of Parks & Lands plus volunteer extrodinaire, Bob Weingarten and myself.

This site will be managed by BPL as a remote water access site in addition to AT hiker use. The privy, base lumber and other material was moved to the site using a BPL power boat two weeks prior to the project date. All chainsaw work was done at that time also.

The campers built a moldering privy base and carried a privy 275' up from the lake shore to complete the facilities. In addition to constructing the campsite they installed 120 feet of double bog bridging half way back towards Bog Brook before ending the day.

Later that evening I asked the campers what would be the French expression they would like to teach me this year. Answer; Je t'aime, I love you. Like I said, I always learn something from these teenagers, we could all say and hear those 3 words more.

Dick Fecteau
Bigelow District Overseer