2015 Season West Virginia Mapler

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Was able to get about 99% of lines dug out of the snow this week and all the mainlines that were under snow. Today makes day # 17 in a row without sap which is unbelievable for the last 17 days of February. Supposed to start thawing a little today and hopefully sap will start running some tomorrow. Some warmup the next 10 days forecast, but not a very big one. Hopefully this is the start of the best March on record.

[WV_ironman]

We were hoping today was going to be the day, no such luck. 100 taps and maybe got 10 gallons of sap. All tapped on north slope almost couldn't get the rancher back up the hill 4-5 inches of snow/slush on top of frozen ground was not a
Fun evening (will not put barrels on steep skid road next year but we never get any snow that sticks around here).
On a plus note we Did get our homemade steam hood pieced together so hopefully if we do get some sap to boil we will can see our hand in front of our face.

Let's hope things break lose soon or we'll be waiting until next year to try out our evaporator

Rich

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Finally getting some break in the extreme cold for a couple of days. Started thawing a little last couple of days and got to 37 for a little while this afternoon and sap ran good for a while. Still a lot of snow on the ground and some frost still in the ground. Probably had 300 to 400 gallon of sap in woods as of dark this evening counting some ice still in tanks. Lots of rain for next 48 hours and a flood watch in effect. 10 day forecast is looking pretty good other than bitter cold thurs and below zero thurs night which is set things back a couple of days.

[Edward Howell]

Brandon ,
1 dribble run of 20 gallons 2/12 and 80 gallons yesterday , basically I have been locked out for 22 days . The ground is rock hard and this 38 deg and rain the trees do not like . These taps are 35 days old , gonna see just how good the cv1 really are

till we get some true thaw and sun , not looking good .
ED

[WV_ironman]

Things are getting a better 100 gallons yesterday 110 gallons today out of our 100 taps. Lines seemed to be really moving this evening while we were emptying barrels almost 60 degrees (3/16 tubing full of sap is about the coolest thing I've seen in a long time). Supposed to get heck of a rain tonight and tomorrow followed by snow and a hard freeze. We will battle the rain tomorrow if the snow hits who knows when and if we'll get back to our trees

Rich

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Boiled off 1,335 gallons today. Picked up 725 early this morning and ran it through RO and boiled it off and canned it and another 610 tonight and boiled it and canned it. About 3 hours boiling time for the 1,335 gallon of sap after it went through RO. Down to below freezing tonight and lots of flooding and near zero tomorrow night. No freezing in forecast after monday or tues, so hopefully that will change. About 25% of crop so far and time is running out. Hoping to make another 25% with the next run.

[Sugarmaker]

Brandon,
Your right into it now!
Wow 1300 gallon run. We haven't taped yet!
Sounds like that R.O. is working good. a 3 hour boil is nice. Do you run the R.O. at the same time as boiling?
What do you think the concentrate % is going into your evaporator?
Regards,
Chris

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Chris,

I did start evaporator up 20 to 30 minutes before I was done recirculating both times yesterday. I run all the sap through the first pass into the head tank and then start recirculating it.

[Parker]

Brandon..glad to hear you got an r.o.,,,that last run you had was inpressive! What is your weather doing down there now? Good luck! Parker

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Guys not to be a complainer and thankful for what sap we have gotten this year but we are taking it on the chin and between he eyes bad this year. It was single digits 2 nights ago and got to 45 yesterday and only 35 last night with tons of snow and frost in the ground. Skies were clear and only supposed to get to 40's today. No more freezing in sight rest of month and praying that changes. This run will hopefully get us to 40 to 45% of full crop. In 4+ weeks we haven't had one good run. His will be third run that lasted about 36 hours and 2 little mini runs that produced small amount. Been a struggle since day one with extremely cold temps and huge amount of snow. Will pray harder things change and take what we get.