STANISLAUS BACKCOUNTRY TRAIL CREW
SEPTEMBER 2007 MONTHLY OVERVIEW
Meggan Gehring, BACKCOUNTRY TRAILS SUPERVISOR

THE MOUNTAIN AND THE LAKE

                    I know a mountain thrilling to the stars,
                    Peerless and pure, and pinnacled with snow;
                    Glimpsing the golden dawn o’er coral bars,
                    Flaunting the vanisht sunset’sgarnet  glow;
                    Proudly patrician, passionless, serene;
                    Soaring in silvered steeps where cloud-surfs break;
                   Virgin and vestal-Oh, a very Queen!
                    And at her feet there dreams a quiet lake.
                  
                     My lake adores my mountains-well I know,
                     For I have watched it from its dawn-dream start,
                     Stilling its mirror to her splendid snow,
                     Framing her image in its trembling heart;
                     Glassing her graciousness of greening wood,
                     Kissing her throne, melodiously mad,
                     Thrilling responsive to her every mood,
                     Gloomed with her sadness, gay when she is glad.
                                   
                   My lake has dreamed and loved since time was born;
                   Will love and dream till time shall cease to be;
                   Gazing to Her in worship half forlorn,
                   Who looks towards the stars and will not see-
                    My peerless mountain, splendid in her scorn…
                    Alas! Poor little lake! Alas! Poor me!

                                                Robert Service

Overview:

            And so our season has come to an end. Our struggles and challenges have been defeated whole heartedly. September was a short but complicated month. With time running out and projects to be completed, we worked until muscles and veins exploded. Our patience was tested; our bellies full of the mountains, and our hearts were beginning to head home. Nonetheless, we managed to finish strong and proud.
            We went out with a bang, finishing technical multi-tier wall, trillions of retainers, millions of linear feet of causeway, and moving rocks the size of Gibraltar!! Through rain or shine, sweat and tears, we literally worked our hinnies off, as we were shocked to see when we came face to face with a full length mirror after not seeing our reflections for many months.
            With the freezing temperatures setting in, we knew it was time to go. So we packed up our camp and belongings and said goodbye to our beloved Emigrant Lake. Hiking across the Sierras, we had time to reflect back on our season with fond memories and a stronger sense of ourselves.
            We re-emerged into civilization through the rock tunnel at Hetch-Hetchy, a perfect ending to a perfect summer. And now we move forward in life having accomplished more than we ever thought possible.
            With the bright light of success shining in our eyes, we all walk a little braver, and stand a whole lot taller. As the 2007 Backcountry season ends, we can all say that it was well worth the struggle, and we will always keep a piece of the mountains in our hearts.

Thank you to all who made our season possible.