In the hiking clubs I’ve been in, there’s a lot of trail maintenance work. The minimum crew to serve a chainsaw is six (eight is better). You need the operator, the mule (the guy who carries the fuel, oil, wedges, and what-not for the operator), and at least four swampers (the guys who remove the spoil). That doesn’t count the crew who follow behind with brush cutters, McLeods, Pulaskis, whatever, to clear the stuff that’s too small for the sawyer to bother with. Even with a crew like that, the sawyer is idle most of the time - and that’s a good thing. I’d much rather be a swamper, a mule, or a sidecutter than have the hot, smelly, uncomfortable work of the sawyer.
Technical rock work on trails is more incredible stuff. The ballet of eight guys placing a 500-pound boulder to serve as a step or a water bar - likely shifting it with levers and a zip line - is a joy to watch.
All construction work is ‘hurry up and wait’ as raw materials are brought in and spoil is removed. Shifting bulk material is always the long pole in the tent.
