OVERVIEW:
The season has been rumbling on like an unstoppable rebel force. Just when you might want to slow it down a bit, because the experiences have been so savory, the weeks start to fly by. It is the first of September and where did it all go?
Here to partially answer that question is the eagerly anticipated August Monthly Report.
Mildly kicking the month was a crew re-shuffling at Ottoway Lake. Everyone was happy to see their long lost brothers and sisters. Lots of hilarity ensued. We mean, let’s face it, having that many youthful trail workers in one place for the weekend was an energetic concentration comparable to nuclear fission. Ian Franklin (CCC—Fortuna), decided to make Kiva’s heart jump by deciding to cross Red Peak Pass only after heading 5 miles in the wrong direction, thereby being about 5 hours late. Just as Kiva was about to go searching, thankfully our little explorer arrived. At the end of the weekend, the newly split teams headed to their respective camps.
Both crews have focused the month on learning how to build trail tread rip-rap. The Stevers (Steve Lynds’ National Park crew), have been working at 10,000 feet on Isberg Pass. The Douggies (Doug Mathesons’ National Park crew), have been at 9100 feet, just below their new camp at Buena Vista Lake. The work at both sites has been highly technical trail tread rip-rap construction over slick rock that would give experienced masons the heebie-jeebies. Thankfully, the members of Yosemite II have bravely embraced this challenge and some beautiful sections of trail have emerged.
Weekend trips have taken us to Chain Lakes, Bernice Lake, Johnson Lake, Merced Peak, Hoover Lakes and Fernandez Pass. The weather has been great and the bugs are starting to abate.
Peter Lewis and Larry Evans visited the Douggies but unfortunately did not make it all the way over to the Stevers. Kiva tried his humble best to act like those two esteemed gentleman for the benefit of the Stevers but failed miserably. Particularly in the chicken push up category. The Douggies also entertained a visit from members of the Yosemite Fund. Much was learned by both sides and each came away from that week with a greater appreciation for all the effort that goes in to making one of these seasons into reality.
And that about wraps it up. Well, except for the little blocks at the end about curriculum and stuff. So have a pleasant day, take a breath of fresh air and we’ll talk once more when it’s all over. Toodles!
CURRICULUM:
Crew classes this month included completion of our newspaper and t-shirt design, sessions on communications and goal setting and a Test of Mental Flexibility. We also covered some civics, a writing workshop that was led by crew member Jenna Haywood (WEB—Michigan) and a hacky-sack class from Chris Lerman (CCC Alumni—Redding). Finally, we continued our Community Meetings, our personal Trail Work Log entries and our PT (physical training) and personal journal entries.
PERSONNEL CHANGES:
He’s back. Steve Yune (CCC—Chico), fraternity member from Chico, finished the physical therapy on his ankle and hiked back in on August 16th. He is amazing.
Johnny Ruter, N.P.S. trail worker and all-around nice-guy, left us to start up his semester at school. Thanks for everything!
INJURIES:
Nothing more than cuts and scrapes on the part of the corpsmembers. The Stevers did help out two hikers in distress; one even got a helicopter ride. The injured hiker that is, not one of the corpsmembers. Luckily, there is a decent LZ (landing zone), near the Stevers camp.
The End: This is the end of the monthly report. No really! We’re serious. Deadly serious!!!
PRODUCTION:
Trail Maintenance: Buena Vista Trail – 3.5 miles
Chilnualna Trail – 3.5 miles
High Water Trail – 0.5 miles
Isberg Pass Trail – 2.0 miles
Merced Lake Trail – 16.0 miles
TOTAL: — 25.5 miles
Retainer bars: — 28 each
Waterbars: – 0 each — 5 each
Trail Tread Rip-Rap: — 32.2 linear yards ( 93.5 lin. ft.)
Multi-tier Retaining Wall: — 39 square feet
Other:
— One (1) Bridge-- 20 linear feet including 3 stringers milled on site.
