OVERVIEW:
It has been a very eventful month for us out here in Kings Canyon. Shortly after the last report was sent off in the mail, we were evacuated from our camp in Big Pine and moved over Kennedy Pass to East Kennedy Lake due to a wildland fire. After about a week of thunder storms that rocked the area, we settled in and called this incredible place our home for the remainder of stay in the Back Country.
"The Ignorant Man"
By Brian Lussier
Blown away by the magnificent views,
Taken back in time for a quick review.
Sights and sounds bring light into the eyes,
And allows for the mind to wonder and fly.
The Back Country is so spectacular and alive
It brings great joy to many lives.
Treat the earth and its inhabitants with respect
Grow and learn from your mistakes – reflect
Protect wilderness how even you can
Start by traveling to places destructed by man
Get a look at what’s been done
Take a stand, hand in hand and have fun
Open your mind to see and hear
What mother earth has to fear –
"The ignorant man"
Lucky in so many ways, we are blessed with the opportunity to live and work in one of the most spectacular and mind blowing places on earth. We can’t stop to think, "What brought us to this place and time in our lives?" Thank you, whom ever you are?
It’s kind of difficult to explain this magical place. Sheer rock/granite slopes, razor’s edge topped ridgelines, boulder stacked peaks, pristine clear as the sky lakes, star speckled nights, clusters of wild flowers blanketing the meadows all around us. What a place! The granite is so smooth, polished by the glaciers that once traveled over this very rock I’m sitting on. Do you feel it, can you feel the moment, the place, the time we all have out here to live, work and build a great bond with one another? Well, we do!
On the weekends the crew has been traveling to far places to see the wonders of this glorious place. Volcanic Lakes, Birthday Lake, West Kennedy and the un-named ponds, climbing and journeying over the Monarch Divide into places rarely set foot by man. Just a taste of the adventures we take flight on.
The crew is doing excellent, bonding with one another like never before. Holding tight, tight to one another, respecting each other, growing each day stronger and stronger, solidifying into "Greatness".
Work projects are turning out to be true works of art. The task we had at hand is almost complete with hundreds and hundreds of feet of wall, retainer bars and water bars, all in rerouted sections of switch backs climbing up and over Kennedy Pass. This couldn’t begin to take shape if it wasn’t for the outstanding sponsorship we’ve been blessed with. Thanks Dave, Adam and Rachel, you guys go beyond the call of duty. Great job crew! Half of the crew will be going on a 35 mile maintenance/log out run next week – details will be in next month’s report. I failed to mention that our re-supplies have been interesting. A giant bird (helicopter) comes soaring through the sky once a week over the pass, nesting down at the lake above camp, dropping off our supplies and then whoosh, gone!
CURRICULUM:
We finished our t-shirt, crew newspaper and finally the crew’s mission statement. Classes have been interesting, yet great learning experiences. From knott tying to "End of season" reflections to poetry writing and civics – we’ve been learning wonderful things from each other and having fun…
PERSONNEL CHANGES:
Once again, we said good-bye to yet another cook, Jeannie Brown. She put a lot of passion behind her cooking and really cared about the crew and our well being. Thanks Jeannie.
Agnes Vianzon (Kings Canyon, 2002), came in and is now our cook for the rest of the season. She brings a lot of energy, knowledge, experience, great food and joy to the crew. Welcome Agnes, it’s great to have you aboard.
Jennifer Hunt (WEB—Indiana), returned in July from her injury but wasn’t quite healed fully. She still had complications and could not perform the daily routines. So, for her best interest, we decided to send her to the CCC Fortuna Center to fully recover and continue to be a part of this great organization. She’s since transferred to the Tahoe Center; we miss you and wish you the best.
INJURIES:
We had a couple of minor mishaps this month:
One crew member was rolling a rock down hill and when he lost control of it and attempted to stop it, it grabbed him in an arm bar and dragged him to the ground, pinning his right hand underneath it. As drastic as it sounds, he walked away with a severely smashed right hand ring finger tip—a relatively minor result. He finished out the day and spent one day on light duty in the kitchen, then he was back on the trail slammin’ and jammin’ on the rock work.
Another member of the crew sustained a laceration on the heel of his right foot on last week’s re-supply day. He was wearing sandals. Word of advice from the injured party: "Don’t wear sandals while carrying supplies." He’s currently working KP until his injury fully "heels".
No other injuries to report. Let’s keep our fingers crossed with the hopes of ending the season safe and sound.
ODDS AND ENDS:
Peter Lewis flew in with the re-supply from the bird in the sky for a visit last week. It was awesome to have him in camp, bringing in some joy, laughter and encouraging stories for us all. Thanks Pete.
PRODUCTION:
Retainer bars: — 36 each
Waterbars: — 7 each
Causeway & Single-tier Wall: — 8.7 linear yards ( 26 lin. ft.)
Multi-tier Retaining Wall: — 661 square feet
