OVERVIEW:
The month of August began with work continuing on our trail tread rip-rap coming out of Grouse Lake, and a two day VIP visit from Will Semmes – CCC Director, Debra Bowen – State Senator of the 28th District, her husband Mark Nechodom, Jim Tilton – Department of Finance, Peter Keller – Forest Service Region 5 Wilderness Program Manager, Gary Ray – Director of CCC Tahoe Center, and Peter Lewis our CCC Back Country Program Director. It was great visiting and talking with all the VIP’s. We learned a lot about what each of them does and were glad to hear about their interest and enthusiasm for the Backcountry program. While they were here, they got to see a Backcountry Crew in action and participated in camp life with chores (Gary Ray needs to stay out of the dish line!) and some grip hoisting out on the grade. We had a great visit with the VIP’s and hope they enjoyed their stay.
Work on the trail continues as our highline cable show moves rocks across the canyon to our projects. The process is slow but the outcome is pretty impressive. We’re hoping to connect with the trail tread rip-rap sections from last year’s crew by the end of the season.
The crew continues to explore every lake, peak, and meadow in the Emigrant on their week-ends. This month they climbed Molo, Kennedy, Three Chimneys, Castle Rock, Schofield Peak, and Tower Peak. Plus other crew members hiked to Lertora, Huckleberry, Mosquito, Upper Emigrant, Long, and Yellow Hammer Lakes. Everyone is taking advantage of their time here in the wilderness and preparing for our hike to debriefing in a couple weeks.
CURRICULUM:
We kept busy with our AmeriCorps classes throughout the month. We finished our crew T-shirt design and sent it off to Solo Sports, excited to see the final results at debriefing. The crews did a great job getting our newspaper together and edited. Everyone pulled through with articles and support for the final copy. Lots of corps member classes this month topped our evening agenda! Sean Bascom (Web-N. Jersey) and Jon Ziegler (Web-Colorado) taught us everything you need to know or not about Baseball. Philip Godoy (CCC-Watsonville) took the crew out to Grouse Lake for swimming (bathing) lessons. Marvell Haynes (CCC-Norwalk) set up an evening of rotating parlor games. Gardner James (CCC-Tahoe) taught a class on the history of coffee and demonstrated how to produce the perfect brew! Dominique Knecht (Web-Ohio) mixed reading, Tes and massage for a welcomed relaxing evening. Christian McQueen (CCC – San Luis Obispo) was looking out for the crew when she had everyone pull out paper and pen and write letters. Jorge Acosta (CCC – Fortuna) taught a macramé class, and Jeremiah Scharton (CCC – Fresno) tied up the months classes teaching knots.
PERSONNEL CHANGES:
None
INJURIES:
Our crew is healthy!
ODDS AND ENDS:
Megan Hensley (Stanislaus, 2004), visited the crew for a weekend of Backpacking before heading to Australia with the CCC exchange program.
Leroy Torres (Stanislaus, 2004), visited the crew along with girlfriend Celeste. Thanks for all the treats L.T.!
Stephanie and Gordon Stark (Stanislaus, 1999 & Stanislaus, 1991), came in for a quick visit – Thanks for the Tootsie Pops! Larry Evans spent a week working with the crew (having too much fun!). Thanks for the socks and the time with the crew, Joe James visited his son Gardner (CCC—Tahoe), for a weekend backpacking to Chain Lakes. VIP visitors Peter Lewis, Peter Keller, Gary Ray, Will Semmes, Debra Bowden, Mark Nechodom, and Jim Tilton.
PRODUCTION:
Retainer bars: — 17 each
Waterbars: — 2 each
Trail Tread Rip-Rap: — 17.8 linear yards (53.5 lin. ft.)
WORDS:
Weeks fly by like days
Our hard work and happiness
Are with us always.
The days are getting shorter
Breaths are in the air
Our hearts are growing fonder
Soon it will be done
The mountains; they will remain
Summer come and gone.
By Jon Ziegler (Stanislaus Crew 2005)
