The Problem

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A proposed trail may cross a rock face or, after prolonged trail use, hazardous points of solid rock often protrude into the tread. A trail is built in rock by cutting some rock away to form a ledge or by removing the rock entirely. Sometimes rocks may be chipped flat with a pick.

Hand drilling helps remove rock three ways: (1) A rock may be split into chunks of manageable size by steel drilled into a natural seam; (2) If the steel in the seam does not split the rock by itself, the hole may be fitted with the wedge and feathers. The wedge is driven between the feathers with a hammer until the rock breaks; (3) Finally a hole may be used to prepare a rock for blasting. In general, the larger the rocks, the more likely you will use explosives to move them.

Although most large rocks are moved with explosives, we will not discuss the safe and effective use of explosives in this manual. For this information we recommend the Forest Service Blasters Handbook.¹ Explosives are most efficient, however, when used in drilled holes.

There are several considerations that make hand drilling a preferable alternative to other drilling. Gasoline-powered rock drills are expensive, and trail operations often do not have enough drilling work to justify costly equipment. Moreover these machines are noisy, heavy to backpack into remote areas, and tedious to use when they are there. Ferrying in gasoline-powered drills and supplies must usually be coordinated with a packer. And since motorized equipment is prohibited in wilderness, permission to use power drills must be secured in advance.

In short, many small drilling jobs are delayed because of economic, logistical, or policy considerations. Personnel trained to use hand drilling equipment could accomplish these small drilling jobs economcially without violating the spirit of the 1964 Wilderness Act.

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¹U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. 1980. Blaster's Handbook. FSH 7109.51, 146 p. Washington, D.C.