The 6th and 7th steps and Moving In The Bench

At yesterday's work session, I installed the 7th log step and repaired the 6th. The installation of the 7th step was different from the installation of the other steps. It was not filled with concrete this time as it was too close to the step behind it. Digging a trench for the concrete may have damaged the step behind that one. I could not have installed the step down further, because too many rocks and roots would have been in the way of the re-bar. Instead, this step was packed with dirt. It has proven to make a sturdy enough step. The sixth step needed to be repaired. When we first started installing it, we ran out of concrete. Hence, it was only half-filled and began cracking over the next week. We finished filling it with concrete today and now it should not crack. We also transported the bench that I helped construct a couple of weeks ago. Mr. Aspinwall helped me by tying it down to his pick-up truck and driving it there. I plan to have a wooden plaque attached to the bench, acknowledging the supporters of this project and memorializing Scoutmasters of Troop 28 who have passed away in recent years.

The 4th, 5th and 6th Steps

Today's part of the project was arguably the most productive thus far. Two steps were installed today, and one was installed yesterday. Our last attempt at installing a log step was damaged almost immediately after it was secured to the ground by re-bar. This weekend I decided to suffice with concrete for the two failed steps and the one new step. As before, the space behind the 6x6's would be filled with rocks. However this time, we covered that with concrete. On our last work session, rocks below the locations of the steps caused difficulties. We were unable to properly secure the steps with re-bar. Thus we cut the pieces of re-bar in half, and they fit in perfectly. My dad also purchased a handheld pickax, which allowed us to break through rocks that were in the way of the re-bar. It also allowed us to improvise by taking the rocks that we broke out and using them for the step itself. See the pictures attached.