Date: Monday, April 13
Cost: $250
Level: All Levels
Maximum Size: 15 students
Field Site: TBD
Schedule:
Day 1- 8 am - 12:00 pm (Field)
Description
This 4-hour seminar will teach students how to transform native rock into useable building stones for steps and walls. Subjects to be covered include how to read and analyze a stones structure so that it will yield the most material; how to split stone into the desired dimensions using rotary hammer drills, feathers, and wedges; how to shape stones using various shaping hammers and chisels including stone busters, points, sets, and more. Participants can expect to leave the workshop, knowing the basics of how to shape stone into usable blocks for stone structures.
This fee includes nationally recognized instructors, stone splitting and shaping related equipment, and limited PPE. Participants should plan on bringing hard hats, safety glasses, work gloves, sturdy boots, and water. Participants will show how stone splitting and shaping tools work by applying knowledge learned through hands-on demonstration throughout the workshop. Participants will receive direct feedback from the instructors on how to improve stone splitting and shaping techniques. By the end of the workshop, participants will make professional connections with PTBA member companies, fellow trail builders, supporters, and volunteers alike.
Learning Objectives
Participants will analyze and identify the proper location on a stone to split.
Participants will demonstrate correct tool use for different types of stone shaping techniques.
Participants will demonstrate proper body mechanics and safe splitting procedures.
Instructor
Willie Bittner, Owner, Great Lakes Trailbuilders, PTBA Board President
Willie Bittner started working on trails 20 years ago with the Wisconsin DNR and over the years he has worked from coast to coast building trails and teaching the different methods and styles to volunteer groups, conservation corps and state and federal agencies. He founded Great Lakes Trailbuilders, LLC in 2008 to bring a low impact and environmentally friendly approach to trailbuilding and design to the Midwest.
As owner and lead designer, Willie is dedicated to sharing his experiences, engaging users and developing leading edge trails. His projects have taken him from designing new National Parks trails in Patagonia to co-founding WisCorps, Inc. a Wisconsin based Conservation Corps to leading trainings on everything from sustainable trail construction to trail psychology and rigging.