Roots Newsletter Gets a New Name and Logo
Beginning in April 2006 the Roots newsletter received a new title, "Highline", and a new logo. A highline was an essential component of early logging. The more common reference was often "high lead", which was a system for moving logs from the cutting area to a loading point. A more condensed version may have been used at mills to move logs from unloading points to log decks or ponds. The "high lead" or "highline" system was termed thus because of the use of a tall tree (spar pole) which was stripped of limbs and outfitted with blocks and cables to provided for the moving of the logs. The system used a mainline or skyline which was fixed, and carried the weight of the logs and the haulback lines which moved the carriage that rode the highline.
There were almost as many variations of the system as there were logging operations, each show putting their own twist on the types and positioning of blocks or the use of various lines that controlled the different functions of the system. But the highline was also a road; specifically, the logging road that was furthest up on a hill or mountain. Logging teams would cut several roads, usually horizontally, across the face of a mountain to provide access to the trees. These roads were often used for skidding logs to a landing, utilizing a ground lead system or, in early days, a steam donkey.
Our masthead has been modified to include the new name of our journal with a pair of spar poles added and the highline (high lead, skyline) holding up a log with the name of our publication proudly displayed. We've also included a steam locomotive, another essential component of early logging that utilized the highline system.
