INYO/TRINITY BACKCOUNTRY TRAIL CREW
AUGUST 2007 MONTHLY OVERVIEW
Peter Martinez, BACKCOUNTRY TRAILS SUPERVISOR

Overview:

            The month of August proved itself to be a highpoint of the Backcountry season for the Inyo Crew. Our Halloween party was an excellent time for everyone as we tried to break piñatas in our costumes. That was our big bang for Rattlesnake Camp before moving to Low Gap Camp on August 11th. The Low Gap Camp is a burned hillside where the crew had to get creative with their tent placement. There are no more rattlesnakes, but now we have to deal with more nefarious creatures, chipmunks. We celebrated Christmas at our new camp with a uniquely decorated tree and a gift exchange.
            There are many interesting places to visit on our weekends from Low Gap Camp. The crew has enjoyed conquering Thompson Peak and reveling in the beauty of Grizzly Lake. There have also been long and arduous hikes to Emerald and Sapphire Lakes, Caribou Lake, and Canyon Creek. We have enjoyed exploring what the Trinity Alps Wilderness has to offer.
            The work at Low Gap has mainly been on the Grizzly Lake Trail. Five miles of maintenance, brushing and logouts, rehab, and finally rockwork. Everyone on the crew has picked up the rockwork quickly and we are slamming projects in the earth and on slick rock left and right. These projects are an excellent way to finish the season.

Curriculum:

            August was a very fun and educational month for the crew. Corpsmember classes included Emily’s tie-dye, in which we tie-dyed our own sarongs for Bob’s class. The sarong class included information on sarongs and how they are properly worn. Alias’s knitting class has the crew currently making their own scarves and beanies. Sponsor Sage Paulsen gave us an in-depth class on the crosscut saw and the crew received certification cards. Sage also taught the basics of rockwork which everyone has picked up in our week and a half of rockwork so far. Jon Sandstrom taught us about pack animals and how to help out around them. He also taught us about different areas in the Trinity Alps.

Personnel Changes:

            The month of August saw no one leaving the Inyo Crew.

Odds and Ends:

            Visitors in the month of August included Jon Sandstrom who helped pack for our camp move, and Peter Lewis near the end of the month. Peter Lewis once again brought chewing gum and harmonica songs to raise our already high spirits.

            Birthdays:         Aurelio Mendoza                      24 years old
                                    Justin Branson                          22 years old
                                    Emily Bublitz                             23 years old                

Quotes:

“Life is what you make of it. It always has been and it will always continue to be.” – Peter Martinez

“Your job should be 110%, not another paycheck to pay the rent.” – Peter Martinez