OVERVIEW:
April was the beginning for 15 eager crew members to leap into the BC Program. We finally left Stockton California, after a two day orientation. The crew members were all happy to have been selected to the 2005 BC season. The crew members were very happy to show off their brand new gear for the season. Once the two-day orientation was finally over, the crew headed off into the wild. We all loaded into our truck and 15 passenger van and headed south to Yosemite National Park. Three hours later we were greeted by our sponsors in Forester. There we learned the dos and don’ts by Ben Herbert (Yosemite, 1995), our lead sponsor and Eamon Schneider.
After two hours of intensive orientation to the crew member’s responsibilities around camp, we headed to the Valley to touch-up the valley trails. We were lucky to have the opportunity to work on the Old Big Oak Flat Trail, Wawona Historic Village Trail, Mirror Lake Trail, and Yosemite Falls Trail. Light maintenance was the theme for April. We just cant get enough of the hiking.
CURRICULUM:
For the last week and a half of April the Yosemite I crew learned many different skills having to do with staying alive in the backcountry. Yosemite I has only been in Foresta for approximately twelve working days, but many classes have been done to understand our responsibilities in the backcountry. Backcountry Ethics was the theme from the sponsors. Ben Herbert, CCC Crew Supervisor Peter Martinez (Inyo--1989, Crew Supervisor—1999, 2001, 2003), Joe Meno (Yosemite, 1995), Eamon Schneider, Eduardo Chaidez (Yosemite, 2003) Clinton Contreras (Yosemite, 2000), and John Zisa (Yosemite, 1999) were very thorough when explaining the safety and hazards of the backcountry. We went over daily schedules and the daily tasks everyone is responsible for. For example, getting up early in the morning at 5 am and being ready with your daypack to hit the trail as well as learning how to perform in the dish line before and after work.
One special class we had, taught by Peter Martinez was sexual harassment. The crew learned how to respect each other and the women in the crew. Always use good judgment out in the work field.
Weekend camping was another class we had the opportunity to learn. The crew’s motto is "Pack it in, Pack it out, Leave no trace". Ben Herbert provided everyone with bear containers for the weekend.
PERSONNEL CHANGES:
Patricia Pula unfortunately left due to personal matters. She will be missed
INJURIES:
None
ODDS AND ENDS:
Yosemite 1 would like to thank the Following:
Delta Center- for the prehousing to the backcountry crews before their initial departure.
Fortuna Center- for putting the backcountry program together with planning and lots of paperwork.
Yosemite One Sponsors- for their outstanding guidance and support through our first week and a half.
Cooks- Amanda and Michelle
Peter Lewis- for visiting us and providing us with his great attitude. Thank you for the chicken push ups.
Yosemite 1 Crew—April, 2005:
1. Melissa Alvarado, CCC--Inland Empire 8. Rachel Moody, CCC--Fortuna
2. Francisco Bassoco, CCC--Inland Empire 9. Luis Reyes, CCC--Fortuna
3. Steven Bishop, WEB--Eureka CA 10. Jeremy Rodriguez, CCC--Fortuna
4. Alex Bryan, WEB--Ann Arbor, Michigan 11. Brett Snyder, WEB--Sedona AZ
5. Nathan Harris, CCC—SLO 12. Juan Vigil, WEB--LA, CA(CCC Alum.)
6. David Hernandez, East Bay CC 13. Chris Villegas, CCC-- Tahoe
7. Stacy Matthews, CCC--Chico, CA 14. Peter Martinez, Supervisor Mckinleyville CA
Happy B Day to Nathan Harris--he turned 23 years old in the Backcountry.
PRODUCTION:
Trail Maintenance:
Yosemite Falls -- 2 miles
Big Oak Flat Trail -- 4 miles
Wawona Historic Village -- 0.5 miles
Mirror Lake Loop – 4.5 miles
TOTAL: – 11.0 miles
WORDS:
"Life is what you make of it. It always has and it will always continue to be, especially in the wilderness."
-Peter Martinez and Steven Bishop
