RRC Archives

I don't own a hand drill, but I am going to buy one before the week is out. This sounds like a great plan. I have visions of the Amish coming over the hill in that scene in the movie Witness (1985, Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis (HOT), Danny Glover).

I don't think that you can reuse the current holes - those stud bolts are hard to get out without trashing the rock. But, I think big, fat glue in rebar type stock is the way to go, if possible. I have no experience with that kinda stuff though.

You can still hang quicklinks off them at the anchors, to keep wear on the bolt down.

Guessing about half the routes at frc need new gear this year, the rest will need it as time goes on, but some routes have OK hardware now. Guess "someone" should get a list of what needs it, then start getting people to adopt a route. Wouldn't have to all get done in a weekend - then you could just pass a hand drill on for someone the next weekend.

Checking with Eric Ulner (Drapers Bluff) might be a good way to go on glue ins. The ones he has placed at Drapers and Jackson Falls are huge and look like they would last forever. I personally have not noticed any degredation of them in the last 15 years. He is definitely an expert at how to install them and what materials work best. Just a thought.

MT

Do we have hand drills within the community that we know of? People could solicit for the use here and on FB.

Hey Wes,

Right on for pushing something like that; it would be cool to fix up the routes at FRC in a style completely within wilderness area guidelines.

I would definitely be for taking a day or two and coming down from Columbus to help out.

-Paul

Cool, so some people are willing, but I am clueless about what to use. Anyone know how big/deep the hole needs to be for those fat glue ins? Also, is there a minimum temperature that you can use the glue? If you have to drill 3/4 x 5 holes with a hand drill, that might take some time, even in sandstone. Esp. on the steeper routes.

I put in one of ricks cool 6 mil twist wire glue-ins, it takes a huge hole that would take forever to drill by hand. I think you could do 1/2 stainless threaded rod, and loctite the nuts on, and hope people don't steal the hangers. Those would be easier to drill, and relatively cheap.

Count me in too. I can donate money and possibly time with some notice (I live in MI). I'd especially be down if it was over the winter...

If you guys want some sound advice about hand drilling then post a question on the CCC website. Most bolts in NC were placed on lead and by hand, including routes at Looking Glass, Cedar Rock, and Laurel Knob, where the granite is extremely hard. You might need different hardware to be suitable for the Corbin sandstone in the RRG, but the basic principles should be the same.

i'm in for time and money.

i know i'm crying, but is there anyone who has connections with forestry that could get a 1 day lift on the ban for bolt maintenance only. just can't imagine putting in holes for some of the beefier hardware with a rock pecker. i'm sure it'd be a sight, though.

my rotary hammer is on standby.