A Typical Day

Jeff and Adam just below the saddle of Mt. Yale during our project preview.

A little taste of my life: I wake up in my tent at 3:30 am. I stumble into our dark base camp kitchen to slam down some breakfast at about four, which usually consists of instant oatmeal or a bagel. I then strap on my boots and start hiking with the eleven other people who are working with me on the same project. We hike for about an hour and a half and gain approximately 3000 vertical feet (its steeeeeep). I try not to hike too close to anyone because inevitably someone will be suffering from high altitude flatulence expulsion the whole way up.

Speaking of fart bombs, I forgot to mention that we all poop in the same bucket, known as the groover. I, luckily, usually need to utilize the groover at least twice a day (insert sarcasm). But, using the groover is much preferred when considering the alternative wag bag (fancy zip-lock intended for feces). The wag bag is meant for use when the need to defecate hits while working above tree line. We definitely work above tree line. The other morning, Jeff (my co lead) happened upon a porcupine who also wanted a go at the groover. Don’t worry, neither one was hurt.

After hiking to the work site we maneuver rocks around until they're doing something good for the trail. The rocks are quite large for the most part, big enough to warrant the use of four or so people to be transported.

We work an entire day, hopefully nine hours, depending on the weather. Lightning strikes are a serious threat at 13,000 feet, which is why we start so darn early, as the weather usually moves in around one or two in the afternoon.

I realize you might be wondering why the heck I do this. I suppose that if you could see what I see when the sun rises in the mountains you might start to understand.

Or maybe the altitude has pushed me over the edge and I don't know up from down any more.

Those Vollies Were Sweet As!

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado made an impressive appearance this weekend on the mountain.  Eight intelligent, hard-working and talented individuals chose to spend their weekend constructing a hefty portion of trail well above the krumholtz of Mount Yale. 

After arriving at basecamp on Thursday the next few days were spent doing qutie a bit of hiking, hauling rocks and getting to know one another. 

The days were gorgeous and the trail work was solid.

Thank you so so much, once again, for all of your hard work.

Mules Rule

It's been a crazy last few weeks.  To kick off the season Jeff and I had the pleasure of working with U.S. Forest Service Packer Glen Ryan and his stellar team of mules. 
After spending three days wrapping and balancing loads of tools and basecamp equipment the crew met up on a blizzardy Monday morning only to huddle together for warmth while we waited for the storm to pass.

Finally, mid-morning brought clear skies and we were able to weigh down each of Glen's six mules with the gear that most assuredly would have broken our backs.  After shoveling snow from a good portion of the trail to basecamp the mules were able to drop off our first load of equipment.

The next few days brought much improved weather along with a few new challenges.  Tuesday morning, Glen arrived at the field once occupied by his mules, only to find that they had vanished overnight.  Eventually, we tracked them all down not too far from home and had them back on the trail in no time.

By late Wednesday afternoon the mules were relieved of their duties while Jeff and I were faced with the challenge of McGyvering together a 100 lb. wall tent not meant for the frame packed in, as well as the set up of a solar powered bear fence that niether of us had ever set up before.

Despite the many unforeseen obstacles throughout the week, Yale Crew basecamp is up and operating.