OVERVIEW:
April brought together 13 young men and women to start their 2005 Backcountry season in Kings Canyon National Park. After 2 days of introductions and orientation, the crew headed south to Kings Canyon from the Delta CCC Center in Stockton on Wednesday April 20th. Upon arriving at the park, we met our National Park Sponsors: Dave Weaver (Kings Canyon, 2000), Adam Zamastil (Kings Canyon, 2003), Rachel Waldholz (Kings Canyon, 2004), and our cook Annette Nickontro (Klamath/Sequoia, 1985). They all welcomed us to our new home for the next 4 weeks at the Lewis Creek Campground.
Our season of work has begun already with trail maintenance of all the valley-floor trails and several of the steep, high elevation trails to prepare us for what lies ahead during the season. So far the crew has acclimated themselves very quickly and is getting proficient at nursing their blisters, aches and pains everyday. All in all, they’re a wonderful group of people that will no doubt push themselves to reach new heights this season.
CURRICULUM:
The curriculum for the first two weeks of the season has consisted of orientation to Kings Canyon National Park, camp expectations, first aid/CPR, chainsaw operations, general trails maintenance, community meeting, journal writing, Japanese language, and the art of hiking efficiently in Kings Canyon. We are also looking forward to several guest instructors scheduled for May and including National Park Staff to share some knowledge with us.
PERSONNEL CHANGES:
Lourdes Velasco of San Jose CC left on 4/25/05 to be with her family. We hope she will do well in whatever she is aspiring toward.
Tim Imhof of Placer went home on family emergency while at orientation in Stockton and never returned. We guess he’s done.
Sonseri Brower of Chico went home on family emergency for 3 days. Our deepest condolences to her for the loss of her grandfather, she’s back and we’re very pleased to have her home.
INJURIES:
Sore muscles, blisters and hurt egos. Other wise all is good…hope it stays that way all season.
ODDS AND ENDS:
Thanks to Peter Lewis who visited us for 2 days. He shared some food, conversations, work and a pretty hilarious PT with Chicken Pushups that the crew is still talking about. See you next trip Pete.
PRODUCTION:
Trail Maintenance:
Hotel / Lewis Creek Loop -- 7 miles
Paradise Valley Trail -- 6.5 miles
Copper Creek Trail -- 4 miles
South Side Trail -- 5 miles
North Side Trail -- 8 miles
Bubbs Creek Trail -- 4 miles
Don Cecil Trail -- 5 miles
Hotel Creek Lookout – 0.5 miles
TOTAL: -- 40 miles
WORDS:
"If it doesn’t kill you, it can only make you wiser, stronger, and hungrier."
--2004 Humboldt Trinity BC Crew
