Tour 3

(our next week was a week in hell-not fish creek this time- fire school)

Day 7.
Fire school is a horrible kind of torture.
Sitting in a classroom all day going out of my mind- so I start to doodle.

Day 8.
Then I start to doodle w/ my right hand. Squiggles and amoebas and strange designs.
Reminds me of high school- I'd get so bored I'd doodle on everything- Now here I am making swirls in my notebook as they teach us how to get on a bus.
Kristian also brought a crossword that we worked on.
We did go outside and learn about hoses. One instructor had us get in a mini waterfight-that was the highlight- cooled us off just a touch in our fire gear.
Then 2 more hours of classroom torture.
Halfway thru the day I realized it was still Tuesday. I feel braindead.

Day 9.
The subject was a little more engaging today, or else the notebook required more filling in of blanks.
I kept myself entertained by writing w/ my right hand all day.
We did get to practice deploying our emergency shelters. They flap around in the wind and are very hot. It's like being wrapped in a foil burrito.
So far the best day of this hellish torture. I have some serious issues w/ sitting in one spot all day. And they pound so much useless information at us. I can't really remember what happens in a day, or I just don't care enough to remember. I spend my time doodling and daydreaming.

Day 10.
Today I progressed to scrawling in cursive w/ my right hand.
They showed us tools and how to properly use a shovel- 'This is a shovel' (as they hold it up, just in case).
I enjoyed the safety video. Everything was classically timed. I was laughing to myself the entire video. It was absolutely dreadful. But I was entertained by its awfulness.

Day 11.
I hate that it is day 11. I want my weekend.
Took the fire test. We sort of studied on the way over, we only had to pass w/ 70%. Upon arrival we are told we can use our books. I was miffed because I had made a minor attempt to take this seriously.
Kristian and I arrived a few minutes late, and then got funny looks when we were the first to turn in the tests.
We then drove somewhere to light something on fire and put it out.
That was the coolest part about the week. Digging line is like building trails. I could do it all day.
The bad part is 'mopup'. Where we had to make sure the fire was really out. We first did the attack and destroy method-putting out any smoke we saw. Then came the tedious part of gridding the fire spot again and again. That fire was dead.
I am glad I am not a firefighter. Trails is so much better.
Ended the day covered in soot and dirt, and just glad that we survived guard school.

Tour 3

(First part of the trip, myself and Kristian were sent up to Holden to dig a path through an avalanche fall on the Holden Lake Trail.)

Day 1. Office Day
I really dread office days. Staring at a computer screen at endless words- taking some training course- all the type blends together and I feel like I'm turning into a zombie.
Put on a fat suit and took the pack test today. Walking 3 miles in 45 minutes wearing a vest that weighed 45 lbs. It felt easy- I mean, we were only walking in circles on a flat surface. Round and round the track (nothing like what we do in the field).
Since Kristian and I were staring at computers all day, and worked through lunch, we got ourselves milkshakes on the way back to the office. Made the rest of the crew jealous.
Didn't even have to explain to the boss that we got lost on the way back and had no idea why there were milkshakes in our hands- he didn't even notice.

More paperwork. Two trails people hovering over the fax machine trying to make it work.

Day 2.
Another day at the office. It really makes me go insane.
Today we were issued all our fire gear. I got nomex pants that don't fit- but will suffer them anyway.
Went for a drive w/ the boss. Just because. (Kristian and I needed to get our government driver's licenses.)
Helped Margie clean up a camp. Trash detail. It at least got us outside. Then we hid in the warehouse until almost 1630-just in time to say bye to the boss as we fled the premises.

Day 3.
Uplake to Holden! We took the put put boat (forest service boat). Saw some awesome mountain goats grazing on some rocks by the lake. Then we had to help load a toilet and drive it up to the village. We thought they meant just the toilet part- they meant the whole house.
Managed to load it w/ help. Then there were three of us to unload it. A quote from Kristian 'I'm so glad we get to experience this- and w/ just the three of us.'

Home sweet home- moved into our awesome one room guard station- we feel spoiled. Then up to the avalanche on the Holden Lake trail. Lots of adventuring trying to figure out the best place to put a trail through it that is llama passable. Thunderstorms threatened and then went away. Ate a good dinner at Holden, and then returned later for icecream! We really are spoiled. Toured their awesome pool hall and bowling alley. Attempted pool and failed. The wall artifacts are fascinating.
Pulled out the mattresses and slept in the guard house. Nice and cozy.

Day 4. A snake, a bear and a llama
(and a few giant mice).
Hiked back up to our avalanche today. A snake was lying in the path looking dead. We poked it. nothing. poked it again and it flicked it's tongue a couple of times. Maybe it ate something big and couldn't move.
A little further up the trail we heard a huge rustling all of a sudden. My first instinct was that a tree was falling, but there was no wind. Kristian and I were on opposite sides of the movement. We realized it was a bear and froze-almost sure it would bust out of the trees. But it went the other way. We were really hoping to see it, but never did.
Then to our avalanche. We plotted the rest of where our trail would go thru it. To do this we had to ask ourselves the question 'If I were a llama, would I go here?- the answer was invariably-no- not any sane llama anyway, but they will have to go through there, so we found a way.
Our half dead snake was gone on the way down-but we saw plenty of giant mice. They stand there staring stupidly asking to be shot. We figured we would be a rugged crew if we made snakeskin toothbrush holders, chipmunk ear muffs and deer hide waterbottles (The critters around Holden are not shy, and we find it irritating).

Someone has moved into the guard station. We were a little taken aback when we got off the trail this afternoon. Had to actually set up our tents- we would have slept out w/ out them, but the weather said rain. It's not raining, but it probably would have if we didn't have tents.
Got icecream again and played bananas in the guard station (it's a fun word game).
We are very spoiled at Holden w/ a kitchen, lots of good meals w/ fresh fruit and veggies!

Day 5.
We enjoyed hiking w/ our flora expert Barbara. We really like learning plants and trees and such. There were lots of mosquitoes at our work site and Barbara also showed us how to look 'officially stupid' I didn't know it could be official, but mosquito netting makes it so.
Back up to our avalanche. Stayed late to finish our trail. We have an awesome llama passable- at least for now- reroute.
A storm was blowing in as we finished. But we decided to try and make it to Holden lake. We were so close- w/ in a mile. Got a good way up the trail until a clap of thunder crashed right over our heads. We looked at each other and said 'let's get the hell out of here.' Booked it across our avalanche trail to the safety of the treeline. Grabbed our tools & hauled ass down the trail keeping an eye on the sky.
At the edge of the treeline, we had a decision to make. There was about a mile of open switchbacks to get through before reaching cover. 3 options: A-take the tools & book it. B- stash the tools & book it. C- sit it out.
We hadn't seen any lighting yet so we went w/ option B. A ways out of the treeline and just past an alder thicket we see lightning flash across the trail. We immediately duck down and sit on our helmets. Thunder follows instantly. We are still 3 miles to camp- so we high tail it back to the last alders we just passed and hunker down- we then realized we weren't in the safest place sitting in the middle of the trail, so we climb onto the bank and sit in the middle of a bunch of slide alder. Pass stories as we wait out the storm. were waiting for about 45 min in faulty rain gear, it left, and we radio in before heading back to camp.
Arrive soaking wet from rain and wading through brush. But we were still in time for icecream at the village. - the important things in life.

Got jipped on icecream (I got a small serving instead of lots), am beat from the trail. Had a cool tree lesson at the guard station - spruce are sharp, fir are flat, pine come in packs-
Need sleep now. It's weird having someone live in the station. she went into the village, we were just chilling around the table and she says 'make yourselves at home', and I thought- but I am home.

Day 6.
We took a recreation hike to Hart Lake. 4 miles there. Ate a quick lunch and hiked back. It was a nice stroll through the woods and we had nothing better to do w/ our morning.
Downlake on the Lady.
Some friendly fishermen helped me fish my boot out of the lake. It flew off my pack right as I hefted it on at the dock. The boot was much cleaner afterwards.
Got icecream on our way back into Chelan and we were happy campers.

Tour Two

(This trip our mission was to get crosscut certified at Holden, then we were building a camp in Fish Creek for another crew that will actually spend two weeks working on that trail.)

Day 1-
No holiday. But the rest of the crew started today. We planned a shared menu for our trip, fancy breakfasts at the Guard Station at Holden Village, and dinners at Holden.
Spent the day playing with gear and preparing for the next trip.

Day 2-
Manual Labor day. (they had nothing else for us to do). We went uplake and moved some lumber for a dock. Spent the afternoon helping clean up the Guard Station at 25 mile landing.

Day 3-
Uplake on the Lady to Lucerne- then up to Holden. Amazing village.
Toured the museum. Fascinated by old photos of the mine and the people who used to live here.
Hiked up to the Portal to check out the old mine shaft. A cold draft blows there and draws you in. It calls you to open the door.
2 nights camping at the Guard Station. It's a one room cabin situation. We camp outside of it and cook inside. I decided to sleep on the porch rather than set up a tent.
Boring crosscut class today, but at least we're at Holden. Exploring is fun.

Day 4-
Hiking upper portion of Railroad. Only got 3.5 miles in (still a 2 mile stretch left in the middle).
Lots of logs. Am now crosscut certified- yes there is a science to it- a combination of physics, reading binds, and common sense. Our crew makes good saw teams.
On our hike back from Railroad Creek, we ran into a tree that wasn't there before. Good laugh as we shucked packs and rolled it out of the way.
Holden has a prom tonight and we are going.
Eating well at the village and in our guard station.

Day 5-
We rocked it at prom last night. Stayed and danced till the end. (It was over at 11, but that felt late to us.) Myself and another guy on the crew found clean shirts to wear from Potty Patrol (what they call lost and found)- felt dressed up to us, and we went and danced with the village.
Got a couple of swing dances in with the boss.

Today we logged out 10 mile creek trail. Pretty steep- lots of switchbacks. Ran into a nasty log that tried to steal our saw- we won in the end. Did everything we could so we wouldn't have to chop it out of the log.

Moved camps to Moore Point. Refreshing boat ride. Beautiful campsite right by Lake Chelan. Will probably end up swimming in it soon.
I set up a tarp with mosquito netting, am boycotting tents at the moment. The mosquitoes outside the net look confused & I laugh at them. I won't be food tonight.

Day 6-
Up Fish Creek- 3 hours to go 4 miles. Up and back into the mountain. We arrive at the spot where we're supposed to build a camp for the NYC, and the boss announces "Holden was paradise. Welcome to Hell."
We have come to the conclusion we should get paid more when we actually bust our asses working. When we look at where we're supposed to build this camp, it looks like it will be some work. Instead of getting to it, we sit down, shuck our packs, look around and say 'Damn that's going to be some work', and proceed to take a break.
We do work hard on the way back clearing the trail and logging it out. By the end, we are out of water. Hiked the last mile and a half very thirsty.
The lake was looking pretty good. Headed straight for it when we hit camp. Pumped enough water to gulp down and dunked myself in the icy water.
Called it early tonight on account of mosquitoes. Hung out 'til we couldn't stand the swarms anymore, then escaped to our mosquito netting and tents.
Feels funny going to bed when there's so much light outside. Don't even have to read by headlamp.

Collectively, our gear has taken a hard hit over the last 24 hour period. Most of it happening yesterday afternoon: First there was a flat tire on the truck. Then a screw got lost on the small saw. The boss lost his watch somewhere on 10 mile creek. Kenny fed the creek his waterbottle. Barbara dropped the file in the lake. A pulaski lost it's handle. Then today Halden lost his safety glasses as we hiked up Fish Creek.
But on the upside, someone gave us sweat bread and sticky buns from the Steheiken Bakery as we were leaving Holden.
We are still eating very well.

Day 7-
Built a camp. Looked pretty deluxe when we were done. Fish Creek seemed like a more difficult hike today. Our bodies knew what to expect- that there are no flat spots to rest- and hated us even more for going up there.
Our crew is full of funny sayings. They just keep rolling into conversations.
'One Hawaiian shirt away from a vacation'- Kenny regarding Steheiken.
'Let's make like snakes.' Me after we stuffed ourselves last night.
'Not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree' - and lots more from Barbara in a story she told.
Every time a saying comes out, Kristian and I look at each other and start cracking up. This is why our crew will make a fun summer.

Met some kayakers from Ashland. Chatted for a while. Got us sold on the idea of taking the ferry from Bellingham and touring the Alaskan coast- like a cruise, only better. People put their sleeping bags out on the deck of the ferry and get on and off at however many stops on the trip around Southeast Alaska.



Day 8-
A playful working kind of day. (We refused to hike up Hell anymore). One log to get that WTA left on the Lakeshore trail. Took our time with it. Then took a leisurely lunch as we played the rock game (chucking rocks from the trail and trying to hit various trees, puddles etc.) and debated whether or not to hike to Steheiken for fun. In the end- not. Back to camp early to hang out the rest of the day.
Our new neighbors are a school group of 6th and 7th graders. It's like having TV. They came in around 8 last night after an 11 mile hike- but jumped with energy when they saw the lake. This is a great kind of TV.
Hiked up to the old apple orchard. It used to be a resort with an orchard and a hotel. No idea where the building was-or the trees. Now it's a beautiful meadow with only two apple trees and a low rock wall bordering the field.

Day 9-
Lazy day. Finished a book. Layed on the dock and got sunburned. More TV from the 6th graders. Explored a private property with Kristian. The Lakeshore trail goes right through it, so we went off trail to check it out. Found a cool loft/fort with a real bed and someone hung a chandelier up there-in the middle of the woods-someone's romantic tree fort. There was a gorgeous cabin. Nice garden. But we still didn't understand why they had sprinklers running everywhere- watering trees and just woods-places sprinklers aren't expected. But they ran anyway.
Kenny went on an adventure last night to go find a mine he thought was somewhere up the hill. We all thought he was crazy, but he rolled back into camp around 1030 this morning- he actually found the mine portals and got to explore them.
Met a woman who came into camp who used to be a ballet dancer/mountaineer. I'm not the only crazy one out there. She was doing ballet with a company while taking a mountaineering class. She had hiked the PCT and worked on trails for NPS at some point. I was very impressed. Someday I'd like to have the PCT on my resume, and still be hiking and backpacking when I'm a crazy old person.
Flagged the boat down this afternoon and we were rescued from Hell.
At Fields Point, we thought our rig was gone. Met some trails folks from NPS who offered a ride- and then we found where our rig had been moved to. That was an excitable moment.

Day 10-
Office days are long and boring, but we made plenty of jokes about working in Hell, safety and Job Hazard Analysis in Hell and the boss reminisced about the one time Hell froze over.
We do not love Fish Creek.
Catatonic after lunch. We all got burgers and milkshakes. Hard to stay awake in a safety meeting that just dragged on endlessly. The boss really likes to talk, and he will drag a subject out for 3 hours when it could have taken only half an hour.
But we survived the boredom and made it to the weekend!

Important to Note: Fish Creek really is Hell. There have been two fires through there in the past 6 years. Absolutely no shade. It is really hot and humid. Bright sunshine. And the trail just continues to go UP. Whoever built this trail did not understand the concept of having flat stretches.

Tour One

(First 10 day tour on the trail crew. Myself and the crew leader were sent out on an 8 day trip base camped out of Domke Lake).

Unoffical Day 1-
Arrived in Chelan right in time for dinner.
Love Aunt Kathryn.
Early man for rehearsal joined us for dinner.
Wine and Lively conversation.
This is going to be a great summer.

Day 1-
Lots of paperwork.
Checked out gear.
A quote in someone's office "Everyone is born righthanded. Only perfect people overcome it." (makes me feel special being a lefty)
Packed all my gear- pack weighs 55 lbs, I weigh 138. Adding tools will not be fun.

Day 2-
Uplake to Refrigerator Harbor. 3.5 mile Hike to Domke Lake. .5 mile hike to campground.
I hate my pack.
It must weigh at least 70 lbs.
Wondered if I would survive the short trek.
Nothing like Florence, but uphill and heavy pack come close. Never been this miserable on a hike. Must find a way to pack lighter (although everything in my pack is either a basic necessity or tools).
Campfires are good. Talked until dark.
Hopefully no bear, wildlife or tic disturbances to ruin the fun.
It started raining this evening, hopefully will stop by morning, working in the rain will not be fun.

Day 3-
Hiked up Railroad Creek today. Mission was to log it out.
Silky saws were our best friends. Only had to crosscut one tree.
9 mile hike round trip.
Saw wildlife on the way up - a very small frog.
Saw more wildlife on the way back -Deer hid on the hill and we stared at each other as I walked by.
The trees talk. They make pleasant and eerie creaks.
Today the hike was mellow, felt rather good at the end. Then hated my dinner. I didn't cook it right. Forced some down then burned it in the fire.
Campfires are good.
Drying clothes by the fire.
A rainy morning turned into a pleasant afternoon. Want it to get warm enough to jump in & out of the lake.
Feet are happy I brought camp shoes.

Day 4- The Log From Hell

Beautiful Morning. Hiked 2 miles out to the trail junction, about 25 paces up the Emerald Park trail, and that is as far as we made it.
A decent sized log was in the trail, completely blocking the path. 2 cuts and over with. Nothing to it. Or so we thought.
We ended up having to chop half way through the thing, saw a little, chop some more. Guess that's one way to spend the day. 6 hours on one stupid log.
Hot, sweaty and dirty, so I decided to swim in the lake. 2 steps in and decided it was a bad idea. Quick dunk and jumped out to dry.
Disturbed a few sunbathing lizards on my way back to camp.

The Call of the Wild. That's what we've decided to call the sound an unidentified bird makes. We think it's a loon. It's a very wild sound. Hear it at all hours, but haven't seen it yet.

Day 5-
A deer went boinging into the woods today as I walked by.
Went up Emerald Park trail, about 3.5 miles logging it out.
A little steep, but uphill only one way (Railroad was uphill both ways).
Used my first aid skills to tape up my heel today. I think my achilles has a little tendonitis, not fun when I must continue to hike and irritate it, but my skills worked (more or less).
My dinner refuses to cook, and is making me angry, dessert first.
The fish in the lake jump all the time. They are fun to watch.
Made friends with a couple of frogs when I went to pump water tonight. They are rather large. I talked and they stared.
The stars are beautiful out here, and the lake is stunning any time of day.
It is so silent out here.

Day 6-
We went up Emerald Park again- maybe a mile further. Didn't make it to the meadow, or see the creek- Snow in the way.
Did some minor mountaineering across three snowfields. Stopped at the 4th field adn turned around.
We named a creek on the trail Icy Creek and call it the watering hole.
Drinking from a Camelback makes the water taste like plastic so I stuck a teabag in there. Much better.
Lots of mountain frogs on the trail. They are leaf brown and about the size of a quarter.
The trail does not joke about going up. We gained 2000 feet in elevation before lunc-about three miles up. Went from 2200-4200.
Trails around here have one general direction.
When you get high enough up the hill you can see Domke Lake below and Lake Chelan on either side behind a hill.
Dipped in the lake again. Another icy shock.
Had another conversation with a frog. I talked, it stared.
Stars and campfire are wonderful.

Day 7-
Hiked up Emerald Park trail one more time. Gardening in the wilderness.
Feels weird to use loppers out here.
My heel doesn't hurt anymore, but my hands and feet are sore. Lopping for about 6 hours today. My forearms will feel it soon.
Almost out.
Up Railroad again tomorrow, then down to the boat the next day.
Two people working on two trails is a lot of work, but we're trucking along.
Met the guy who owns a few cabins up here. Very interesting fellow. In the book Mountain Air, he's the forest service guy in it. He inherited the cabins from the homesteader Gordon Stewart.
A jet flew by when we were up the trail today. We were right above it.
My large frogs are actually toads. So we have named them Mountain Toads.

Day 8-
Big windstorm last night- we heard trees crashing-so I carried the crosscut up one more time just in case. Trees have a way of finding the trail.
When trees fall they go boom. Even if no one was around to hear it. It makes a lot of sound.
Gardened in the wilderness again today. My forearms really hurt, slow going, but the time does fly.
Cedar smells wonderful when you saw it.
We've been seeing hummingbirds whizz by our heads. They sound like large bumblebees when they get really close to you.
Took a canoe out on the lake today. Very windy, so no fish.
I've been inhaling my meals lately, they are either really good-or I'm getting hungrier.
Out of the woods tomorrow. Looking forward to a hot shower and a real meal. My hands are covered in dirt that just won't wash off.
Have to pack my mountain pack again tomorrow-only this time it will be 25 lbs lighter.
Ducks on the lake tonight.
Sat and chatted around our last camfire until the coals burned down.

Day 9-
Packed our camp. On w/ the Mountain Pack again. I still hate it-but not as much.
Gardened from the trail junction to the wilderness boundary. Grabbed our packs and headed down to Lucerne to catch the Lady of the Lake. 3.5 miles downhill with a mountain pack.

Finally back to civilization! Hot shower and hot meal. It's good to feel clean again, and to sleep in a real bed.
Unpacked and sorted gear to repack it for the next trip.
Lost 3 lbs and am slightly sunburned- but otherwise survived my first tour.

Day 10- Office day.
The boss talks a lot. And when you are in a vehicle with him there is no escape.
One of the office ladies had a good laugh at us today.
We were hovering over the copier and she walked by and started cracking up. She said it was funny to see two trails people looking like the copier might explode if we hit the wrong button.
Off for the weekend. Back to Seattle, folklife, and dancing.

Illinois River Trail

(Highlights from a trip I took with my dad on part of the Illinois River trail in the Siskiyous. It was a rainy weekend in the beginning of May. This was one of the few trails that was below the snow line.)

Day 1- It rained. All day and all night. the entire world is wet.

Day 2- We do not love our packs. Only sprinkling. Hard to find trail. Epic crossing at Florence creek.
Sun came out-we layed in a sun spot for about 20 min.
The sun left us and life was hell.
Florence Trail-Up and Up. Don't Do It.
Bread crumb trail of flagging and rock cairns-hopefully leading us the right way.

Day 3- Didn't go up Bald Mountain- we were in a cloud anyway.
My entire universe is still wet.
Stopped at Pine Creek to fill watterbottles and cook a meal.
Sun is somewhat shining.
Perfected the Nanae Roll Technique.
10.5 miles in one day- made it out.
We love our little blue car.

Important to note:
glossed over all the swearing and cursing of Florence while goin UP - straight fing UP Flrence Trail.
We saw some cool insect eating plants on day 3.
The Nanae Roll Technique is what we named the roll that is required to pass over logs that have fallen over the trail. There were quite a few large logs in the way that we crossed over those three days.