Best way is to just embrace the suck. That pile actually doesn't look too bad. Your making good work of it! The good thing is you can work at it steady and at your own pace. A good bit ago I happened upon a lovely DOT (dept. Of transportation) slash pile Pile was stacked at least 8 foot high. Probably at least 100 full cord there. I asked around and got permission to cut. I cut on this pile for probably a month before one day I see a sign saying no trespassing. So I scratched my head and left. A few days later I saw some fellas there with a tractor working the pile. I stopped to ask them what the scoop was and they had paid a couple hundred for the whole pile.They had it all cleaned up in just a few days with the tractor, a 14ish foot trailer, and truck. One thing to keep in mind especially when working a pile that is stacked taller than yourself. Be extra careful! Start at the top and don't just focus on the log at the top. Try and anticipate how each log touching that one will move when its gone. And use equipment if you can it makes life so much easier.
Doesn’t look too bad. I’d cut just the trunks to length right where they sit then pull them out. No sense trying to yank whole trees out you’ll just make a mess. It’s a little dangerous cutting in a pile but go slow in the cut and you’ll see if the trunk is moving in a direction you didn’t anticipate. Take what you can get and be safe.
Perfect opportunity for a winch - especially one of the models that inserts into the tow hitch. Just hook the cable on a log, pull it to the truck, and start cutting. Don't even have to wade into the pile.
Not near as bad as I was envisioning it. However, seeing as you only have till spring time, I would start with the good wood that is easiest to access. Maximize your efforts and make efficient use of your time. This may mean jumping around a bit, but just keep moving to the next best area until you run out of wood or time. Filling the back of your pickup on your lunch hour is a great start.
Just get all the easy ones first. The Aspen and grey birch here can be almost that white, but you rarely see a monoculture stand of it like that.
