Axe Training: One-Day Workshop at Camp Dodge Trails Center

This one-day workshop on Friday, September 16, from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM, is designed for individuals who use axes in the maintenance of recreational hiking trails. Workshop will be led by Alex DeLucia, AMC's Director of Trails.

Over the course of a very full day we will cover the history of the axe, reviving an old axe, rehanging axes, sharpening, safety, and axe use techniques (bucking and limbing). There is a classroom portion in the morning followed by some time in the tool shed and we will wrap up the day with chopping in the woods.

This full day axe workshop can fulfill the axe training requirement for axe use on the White Mountain National Forest, NH.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own axe that is already hung on a handle so they have something to practice sharpening and to use for the chopping portion of the day. Participants may also bring an old un-hung axe head to start the process of bringing it back to life. There will be other axe heads and hung axes for use in the workshop as well.

Participants should bring their own lunch/snacks/water, boots, long pants, gloves, and other clothing appropriate for the weather.

The workshop cost covers the instruction and each participant will leave with a new replacement ax handle, a mill-bastard file, and a pocket sharpening stone. Thanks to a grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission, the cost of this training opportunity has been reduced to $45.

Camp Dodge Trails Center is located at 1 Camp Dodge Rd., Gorham, NH 03581 (to the north of the Mt. Washington Auto Road, on the east side of NH Route 16 across from the Great Gulf trailhead). Lodging is available at Camp Dodge in co-ed shared bunkhouses. The bathhouse is a short walk from the bunkhouses. There are no linens or towels provided. Breakfast, trail lunches, and dinner are served in the Camp Dodge kitchen.

This training opportunity is supported by a grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission. Funding for this opportunity was made possible in part with a Rural Business Development Grant from USDA Rural Development.

Location

Camp Dodge Trails Center

1 Camp Dodge Road
Gorham, New Hampshire 03581

Trail Core Competencies

• Trail Maintenance
• • Corridor clearing: Hand Tools

Relevant Trail Types

General. All trail types are relevant.