Hi Tim,
Thanks for the well worded advice. Maximum mysery, for me, seems to occur three to five days after a heavy exposure to the three-leaved devil. I have used the prophylactic ivyblock but not the Technu yet (didn't know about "extreme" ... will check that out). My strategy is to prevent the resinous catechols from touching my skin, hence the persistent need for gauntlet-style nimble gloves.
On the topic of the method of clearing, I do think airlifting some heavy equipment out there might work ... save for the cliff (as yet unknown whether it's climbable) ... but, truth be told, I actually enjoy the challenge and the exercise of hand clearing the land for the path along the ravine brook.
Like you, the neighbors tell me to just hire some of the "day workers" (they use a slightly different term) who frequent the hardware stores around here so thickly that you'd think you're the object of adolation, at least while driving up the driveway to the Home Depot.
I'm told "they are immune" or "don't know better", and for the $10/hour (cash only for some strange reason) it costs per man, a crew of five would likely clear the path in a day or three.
However, I do my own work, and enjoy it. The price is always to be paid, and, in this case, the cost is the learning that must be done to deal with thine enemy - that resinous sap of the redoubtable Toxicodendron diversilobum species!
Elmo