KINGS CANYON BACKCOUNTRY TRAIL CREW
MAY 2005 MONTHLY OVERVIEW
JOHN NICKONTRO, BACKCOUNTRY TRAILS SUPERVISOR

OVERVIEW:

The Kings Canyon Backcountry Trails Crew spent the month of May acclimating themselves to Backcountry project work and continued conditioning their bodies to what lies ahead in the season. Amongst the many activities surrounding the crew, the crew got involved in constructing some causeways and multi-tier walls for a new bike trail adjoining two of the campgrounds in Cedar Grove.

The crew took advantage of the opportunity to do some technical rock work and really get involved and creative with the double jacks and chink hammers. Even though the work seemed confusing and hard to most, everyone put forth great effort and enthusiasm in attitude and work. In the end, the crew accomplished a great deal of knowledge and proficiency for the rockwork projects that lie ahead.

On May 24^th, the crew started the tool bumping process to our first backcountry camp of the season in the Sphinx area. The entire Lewis Creek camp was dismantled and moved on the 25^th of May and we all settled into our new home for the next 5-6 weeks. So far, the projects have been awesome, views are incredible, weather has been beautiful and camp life has been well, camping and enjoying every minute. Oh, and the fishing has been ….. well, just come on out and find out for yourselves.

The May curriculum has been very fulfilling and rewarding for all of us. We have enjoyed many opportunities to learn and grow from the National Park sponsors and staff. The Rangers have shared much good information with us. George Hawley visited with much needed relaxation and massage classes in addition to his stress management wisdom. Several of our crew members have put on classes such as Line Dancing and Spanish Basics, as well as Intro to Civics and Team Building Dynamics. And, we continue to do our best in engaging ourselves and learning as much as we can about how we can fit ourselves into and adapt to this beautiful environment, in addition to adapting to our community of different individuals.

• Joshua Ayars (San Jose CC), left on 5/20 to pursue employment opportunities with CalTrans.
• Jennifer Hunt (WEB—Indiana), joined our crew on 5/23, - Welcome. She is doing an excellent job in the short time she’s been here.
• Jonathan Koch (WEB—Massachusetts), also joined our crew on 5/23, but left 4 days later for missing his family.
• Peter Scherer (WEB—Vermont) is the latest to join our crew on 5/31 and so far he’s having a wonderful time.

Welcome to those that just got here and are staying. Too bad and good luck to those who have parted.

I’m very pleased to report NO INJURIES for the month of May, aside from those regular aches and pains that come with the job.

We enjoyed several visitors and made some new friends during the month of May. The crew enjoyed a full day of volunteer work on May 14^th, taking part in the Friends of the King’s River annual spring cleanup in an effort to help minimize the human impact along the river, as well as made friends with event coordinator Bill Templin and Boyden Cavern personnel who rewarded us with a private tour of Boyden Cave. Along with this the crew was treated to a fish fry and some BBQ’d pheasant after the volunteer project.

Bodhi May and Khadija Smithers from the Tahoe center and the 2004 Humboldt-Trinity Backcountry Crew, spent 4 days volunteering and sharing stories with us. Dave and Chris Dietrich, parents of Ryan Dietrich (CCC—Tahoe), along with friends Debbie and Steve of San Diego, visited for a couple days and shared many great moments with us. NPS cook Annette Nickontro (Klamath-Sequoia, 1985), entertained her father (Louis Serrano) and sister (Elizabeth Serrano), for 2 full days, sharing many laughs and comforting stories. Last but not least, Larry Evans who brought in 2 new members to our crew and provided much needed help in tool bumping and taught a class in soil, water, and gravity to the crew.

Thank you to all who took the time to share in our Backcountry adventure thus far in our season.

It’s hard to put into words the experiences we are encountering this season at this point, but perhaps in the end, we will all have many wonderful memories lived, that will better translate by the way we are and the things we do.    --John Nickontro