OVERVIEW:
The opening of a new month brings a new location and new projects. Early June brings us summer greetings and warnings of hot summer days ahead in our path. With 12 Backcountry members left and endless projects with Volkswagen-sized boulders to roll around on mountaintops, how can one not be stressfully excited? The CCC Kings Canyon trail crew is currently engaged in some of the most awesome projects and spectacular views so far this season. Our projects are taking place on the Sphinx Creek Trail, which involves rock wall construction, terraced rip-rap construction, causeway construction, and bridge approach construction. The crew has truly enjoyed the support & training from the sponsors and mostly hiking and camping in such beautiful country – (the Country of Kings). With a new schedule in place, the crew will be prepared to move camp to a new location on the 11th of July, which will take them into Big Pine Camp, just a few miles short of Kennedy Pass from Cedar Grove. The crew also looks forward with great anticipation to a new and higher base camp location … until then…
CURRICULUM:
The learning continues for all of us. Everyday in June we have managed to build that community as we continue to learn more about each other and strive to establish a strong and solid sense of community with sponsor support, corps members and CCC staff;. Corps members have engaged themselves in classes such as personal history and life aspirations, and how it all fits into Backcountry. Sponsors have effortlessly provided training in dry masonry, blasting operations, camping ethics, wilderness and wildlife safety, as well as personal quality time with each participating member of this season.
Along with the regular curriculum, we were visited by our first contracted instructor from Earth Wisdom, Mike Elliot, who taught an exceptional wilderness wisdom, primitive skills and basic wilderness survival class. The corps members really enjoyed the class materials and Mike’s company. Thank you Mike. The following week we were visited by our second contract instructor and 1995 Kings Canyon Backcountry Supervisor, Mark Spencer, who taught an 18 hour class in Environmental Ethics and Natural Resources. Once again, corps members really enjoyed the class and company. It also provided them with different understandings and better clarity on the state of our current environment. We are set to move forth in July with many more classes lined up on the schedule. We will keep you posted.
PERSONNEL CHANGES:
Peter Scherer (WEB) of Vermont is the latest addition to the crew. Lost one member around mid-June- Ryan Dietrich (CCC-- Tahoe Center), who decided to pursue other avenues rather than Backcountry. We wish him luck.
INJURIES:
So far no major injuries with the exception of one smashed finger—our crew mate looks like he & finger will be fine-- new nail on the way. Minor blisters are still happening at this point in the season. Aside from that, everyone is doing well and staying healthy.
ODDS & ENDS:
During the month of June, we greeted several visitors. Rafael Servin, (Yosemite, 2000), and Khadija Smithers (Humboldt-Trinity, 2004) stopped in for two days. Peter Lewis and son Gabe Lewis also visited for a couple days and shared PT along with news of other crews. Dianna Petrie, (Kings Canyon 2002), along with her son Samauri also visited. Last, but not least, Leon Sisson of the US Coast Guard, paid a quick visit to his brother Jeremy Sisson (CCC-- Humboldt Bay Non-Res). Thanks for taking the time to hike up to our Sphinx camp!
PRODUCTION: Sphinx Trail to Avalanche Pass
Retainer bars: – 32 each
Waterbars: – 2 each
Causeway & Single-tier Wall: – 30.3 linear yards (91 linear feet)
Trail Tread Rip-Rap: – 12.6 linear yards (37.8 lin. ft.)
Multi-tier Retaining Wall: – 275.5 square feet
WORDS:
"The hardest thing in life is to learn which bridge to cross and which bridge to burn."
-- Lawrence J. Peter
"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." -- James Balwin
