Shelter Maintenance - AC/DC Shelter, Round 3

This call for volunteers is for the 1st phase of much-needed maintenance efforts of our existing 4 Winter Shelters (Swampy, Nordeen, Swede, and AC/DC) our club maintains.  Based on our 2 rounds so far, folks found this job of filling cracks in logs with Oakum to be easier than expected, enjoyable, not requiring special skills, and incredibly valuable.  The weather on Tuesday at AC/DC should be pleasant and not too chilly.

The exterior cracks and “checks” in the bottom 3 logs that face upward get filled in with a time-tested and traditional product – Oakum.  It is strands of Hemp fibers that we roll up, saturate with Pine Tar/Linseed Oil mixture, and then work into the cracks with putty knives to fill them.  It is a straight-forward task.  We are finding ways to be more efficient.  We have 2 teams, the Oakum soakers and the crack stuffers (who use putty knives to shove the Oakum into the cracks).  With the use of the provided Nitrile gloves and task teams, we did not get our footwear, clothes, or skin that messy.  I bring a good hand cleaner (for after we remove the gloves) and it is possible to clean our hands to eat lunch.  However, it is easy to get a drop or two of the Pine Tar mix on your pants.  The odor is difficult to remove completely from your pants with washing.  I have an old pair of pants that are assigned to the garage for posterity.  Washing the pants in the washing machine didn’t affect the washer with residual smells.

Please note that Pine Tar is messy and has a strong odor.  It is wise for each participant to test their tolerance of the Pine Tar odor and not participate if unacceptable to you.  We will do this at the Carpool meeting site.  No one has objected yet.  

Also, the hike into AC/DC is about 1.25 miles each way and some of the paths are rough and require log step-overs.  Hiking boots are strongly recommended.  Personally, I use one hiking pole for additional balance – I suggest bringing one.

• hard hat (let me know if you need one)
• Sturdy footwear – hiking boots are strongly recommended.  Pine Tar may drip on your footwear, which will leave a residue and odor.
• 1 or 2 hiking poles for extra balance
• Long sleeved shirt and long pants – it is possible that some Pine Tar/Linseed Oil mix may get on your clothing.  I recommend old clothing that you don’t mind getting messy and smelly.  I have not had shirt problems with the Pine Tar, only my pants.
• Eye protection – will be provided if you don’t have it.
• a pack with pack lunch and plenty of water.  We will bring in supplies in (2) 5-gal buckets.  Two of the volunteers will need to carry a bucket each (with modest weight).  We switch off the bucket carries.

• Disposable Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Towels to clean gloves/tools/hands of Pine Tar/Linseed Oil mess and hand cleaner.
• Tools, Liquids, and messy towels/gloves will be carried out in the covered 5-gal buckets. 

Meet at the Cascade Lakes Welcome Center at 9:00 to sort out carpooling. Contact me if you want to meet us at the Edison Sno-Park instead.