KLAMATH BACKCOUNTRY TRAIL CREW
AUGUST 2007 MONTHLY OVERVIEW
Karlson Hubbard, BACKCOUNTRY TRAILS SUPERVISOR

Overview:

            There comes a time in every crew’s life when everybody needs tolerance and diligence to make it through a backcountry season. Whether it’s the fact that the work becomes extremely demanding; or our partners become less understanding; or the monotony of the job grows ever more boring; or it’s the realization that our season didn’t pan out like we had hoped it would, either way our season became just plain grueling by August and we needed some extra help. Luckily for us we found that help when we happened upon two stray mules in need of a pack-string to belong to. Their names – Tolerance and Diligence.
            Oh how we all marveled at these two mules’ stature and character. They were tough as nails and always did what was asked of them without complaint, kind of like our crew. I guess that’s why we all took to these mules so well. Hell, they even packed their loads time and time again over long difficult terrain without even so much as a word of encouragement mumbled underneath someone’s breath. They dutifully plodded along working together with the rest of the string to continue packing our loads of fatigue, mental drain, and compunction.
            Trail seasons can take a terrible turn for the worse at the end of a summer if a crew’s not prepared. Fortunately for us with the help of Tolerance and Diligence we’ll be able to carry on through to the end and be proud of what we did.

Curriculum:

            Extra, extra read all about it! The Klamath 07 Crew finally finishes their newspaper – The Daily Derelict. In August we completed our crew newspaper after several late night cram sessions. We also played a few games and learned how to have secret crew meetings.

Personnel Changes:

            None

Quotes:

            “You guys are working hard and doing a great job.” What everyone on the Klamath 07 crew says to themselves because no one else says it.

            “Holy cow! Not even the Incans dug this much tread in the summer. You folks ain’t of Incan descent are you?” Todd Nells – old railroad worker from Modesto.

            “Hey kid, your ribs are showing. Oh man, so is your backbone, shoulder blades and collar bone! What the hell are they doing to you on that trail?” Bobby Fansilio – Old 1960’s nutritionist who retired in Scott Valley.

            “It’s weird when you guys ain’t got no pick in your hand you look sad and lost.” Old blacksmith from Callahan we ran into on the trail.

            A big thanks to all the Backcountry Horsemen and USFS workers and CCC employees whom we got to meet on the VIP trip. You all were the only ones who told us you appreciated our work. That meant a great deal to our crew.