Velwythe

Archive for the ‘Morrid Current’ Category

After last month’s intense rains which eroded three of the four valley-to-cliff trails, forcing them to be closed until they could be cleared, two of the paths have finally reopened. Just one month ago Morrid was hit with a tremendous storm that washed away significant portions of the Gulf Trail which runs along the north side of The Morrid Sound. Four trails lead up to the cliffs on either side of the city, two on the south and two on the north. On the south end of the cliffs the trail closest to the sea and both trails on the north side were covered with mud when the super saturated cliffs gave way.

While the busy hiking and camping season does not being until after the summer solstice due to weather exactly like we have witnessed, the city was quick to act in restoring the trails. Valentino Cabella, one of the mayor’s three aides told us why. “There are several outposts along both sides of the gulf for nearly 100 kilometers out. These outposts are integral in monitoring and organizing the incoming and outgoing ships. Each one is manned by a small staff for three weeks at a time. While we do have direct communications with them, there is no access back to the city other than the trails running along the edge of the cliff. Not only that, anyone hiking the trails linking Bedrin and Morrid, or Hesiod and Morrid, camping in the area, or up there for any reason, would not have had a way to reach the city in an emergency.” While periods of sever rainfall are not uncommon, trail closures are another matter. The last time the trails were closed due to a storm was 48 years ago, just one year after they were opened to the public (there had been many paths and routes up the sides for years, but they were used primarily by hunters and trappers or thieves and were not created by the city). The runoff and subsequent mudslides brought to the city’s attention just how precarious its location is. While the immediate damage was negligible, and no deaths were reported, the implications of what could happen to all of Morrid are huge. Vernan Scholler of the National Geologic Survey is aware of the danger. “A muddy knife hangs over the city of Morrid by a worn thread. There have been catastrophic slides in the past, and there will be more in the future. This has really opened our eyes to the dangers and how immediate they are. We will do everything we can to solve the problem immediately.” Mud filled several of the small tunnels and completely covered a few of the flat sections of the trails. Nobody was hurt and the slides ended without endangering any buildings or people. But with the ever increasing numbers of people living in the narrow valley, and homes being built closer and closer to the steep walls, something must be done to avoid a catastrophe. Already the NGS has a few suggestions to keep the city safe, as Scholler says. “We already are working on a few solutions even before a team has reached the site. A protective wall running the length of the city will allow the mud to be channeled along the inside of it and into the sea. Better drainage pipes and runoff areas along the entire cliff would also help prevent the rains from pooling above the valley and slowly seeping deeper into the cliffs until they reach the catastrophic aturation levels we saw. Even covering the cliff sides with established plants which can grow on vertical surfaces would allow for the moisture to be absorbed. It won’t be one solution though. It will take a combination of all these things and more to keep the city safe. But we are certain it can be done.” The last trail is scheduled to be opened within two weeks time. It was significantly more damaged by the mud than the others and is the most difficult to work on. A city council meeting is planned for one week after the NGS’s report is available to discuss the solutions. If you would like to get involved please contact a secretary at the city hall.

—3rd of Vos