Ok, maybe not exactly hiking in Clays Branch but definitely more looking.
Since I have talked about Clays Branch in a few posts lately on the Stop MTR blog, I decided to bring this post here. For those that have not been following the Stop MTR blog, there is a major mountaintop removal site encompassing the whole of Clays Branch and a couple added hollows I don’t know the name of.
My last trip to Clays Branch was later in the day and a haze prevented me from seeing any real distance. Today if I were to say I can see for miles - it would take on new meaning. From the ridge that separates Drews Creek from Clays Branch a person can see 8 mountaintop removal sites stretching to the horizon. The sense of unreality was just overwhelming. Obviously I can’t show you a photo with all 8 sites because some of them were too far in the distance to see with the camera and others were simply outside of the viewfinder.
The photo I am displaying shows three MTR sites including the obvious one which in and of itself encompasses three ridgelines and five valleys.
I decided to go ahead and add a little bit of info to this post that some might find interesting. One reason I went to Clays Branch today was to take a filmmaker that is doing a documentary on mountaintop removal coal mining. I came out from behind a blog and have voiced my opinions on camera. Don’t worry - I didn’t trash anybody inside or outside of the state.
April 17th, 2008 at 10:56 am
I think that’s awesome that you were able to get some film and to be on film yourself. You’ll have to let us know when that film is available.
April 17th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
That is something you can count on Kristine.
I’m pretty excited about it especially since afterwards the site tucked away into Clays Branch will be out in the light for all to see.