With the D. O. C.
PLANS AND BUILDINGS PROGRESS FOR MOOSILAUKE RAVINE CAMP
DUE TO THE inaccessibility of many portions of Mt. Moosilauke, the extent of hurricane damage there has been realized only by slow degrees. It was immediately evident that the Blue Ridge, which swings eastward from the summit of Moosilauke and curves behind the new Ravine Camp, had protected that vital area. Also, it was obvious to those looking up from the new Camp that Hell's Highway had been extremely hard hit. Destruction in other areas was not discovered until later.
If the disruptive atmospheric disturbance of the storm was in any way responsible for the mild, warm weeks that followed, the hurricane can be said to have had a partial silver lining. Ross McKenney and his ablecrew have taken advantage of this break in the weather to make forward strides in the construction of the Camp which many close observers had believed impossible before winter set in.
The bunkhouse, an attractive structure of massive logs designed by Prof. Richard H. Goddard '20, had assumed its finished outward form by the end of the summer season. Subsequently it has been partitioned into six rooms holding from four to six persons each. Equipped with electric lights to reduce the fire hazard, the building has been ingeniously fitted with log chairs and woodman's gadgets to furnish a maximum of rustic comfort. A combined engine house, woodshed, and craft shop has been constructed since the end- of the summer. The generators are now installed and producing electricity when needed. A thousand-gallon water reservoir has also been completed on the hill behind the camp. To maintain a uniform style of construction, the tank is housed in what appears to be a small log cabin.
The main building, however, has been the big surprise. The great difficulties encountered in excavating on the hillside in order to take fullest advantage of the magnificent mountain panorama had indicated that the camp would have to operate on an incomplete basis in its first winter. The indomitable spirit of Ross and his Warren crew seems to have proved a match for natural obstacles in this instance. As this goes to press we find all excavating and foundation work completed and the massive log walls being rolled up as fast as the expert hands of woodsmen can maneuver them. Despite the increasing uncertainty of the weather, it is barely possible that the camp may be ready for use during the latter part of the Christmas vacation. Alumni who are interested in being notified the moment the camp is ready, should contact the D. O. C. office.
The hurricane was far less cooperative in its treatment of Moosilauke ski terrain. The worst destruction occurred in the virgin spruce areas. Most of the tall spruce, not only of Jobildunk, but also of Gorge Brook, met a gale which was more than their match. A fine stand on upper Hell's Highway was almost obliterated as the wind tore the giant trees out by their inadequate roots. Hell's By-Way—a cut around the Rock Garden which was cleared two years ago—in several places was completely lost in the tangle of huge trees. A sizeable avalanche cut loose along the northern edge of the Rock Garden and plunged downward for several hundred feet, fortunately passing to one side of the trail below.
Jobildunk Ravine was thought to have come through the cyclonic disturbance unscathed because only the protected eastern flank of the Ravine could be seen from the ridge of the Mountain by parties headed up to repair the damaged Summit Camp. The first survey party to Jobildunk Cabin learned a sadly different story when they attempted to reach the Cabin by the eerie light of a cloud-dimmed full moon. Beginning at Camp 3, most of the large trees were down. When the trail reached the area which had not been previously lumbered, it disappeared completely. Only by slow and arduous struggle up the treechoked river-bed could the cabin be reached. Behind the cabin the old look-out tree stands almost as a lone sentinel over a desolate waste of down-timber.
Despite the severe blow to the potential ski terrain dealt by the storm, the chances for development of an adequate trail and slope system remain good. The longest and most popular portion of Hell's Highway from the Ravine Camp to the foot of the By-Way has already been cleared by volun- teer undergraduate crews. The opening of the By-Way hinges on the success of ar- rangements for lumbering this area which is owned by the College. Any lumbering operation will, insofar as possible, be de- signed to open up new novice and inter- mediate trails on the shoulder of South Peak. Though the East Peak Loop Trail may not be cleared this winter for lack of time, yet this will be a comparatively sim- ple project next summer since the trail is largely situated in small second-growth timber. The area around Jobildunk Cabin, including the Asquamchumauke River Trail will have to be abandoned until such time as this tract can be lumbered by the company which owns it.
