Train the Trail Builder results

[DriskellHR]

Train the Trail Builder [June 15, 2013]

We started the morning by viewing a short video which covered most of the basics of trail building techniques that the RRGCC employs to build and maintain our trails. We then took some time to walk the new Flat Holler trails and pointed out dos and don'ts as well as different examples of water management that have been used (and were covered in our video). We discussed what it means to be a trail leader and how to go about running a trail crew.


After we hiked the end of the completed 1 mile loop in Flat Holler, we began the next segment by teaching proper flagging techniques and exactly how a trail is formed from start to finish. We worked on a section of trail and finished a roughly 80-foot section in about an hour. (For a training class that’s some kickass effort in a short time!)




We had 10 folks attend who are AMPED to be future trail leaders and RRGCC staff! (There may be some future Land Managers in there, too!!)




Marty Vogel
Blake Maddox
Andrew Jones
Quinn Hill
Doug Smith
Libby Asteak
Pat Marrinan
Dan Chandler (RRGCC BOD)
Joel Handley
Will Sweany


Special thanks to Matt Tackett (former Land Manager, AKA "The Godfather") for guiding us around and helping with the instruction (I was REALLY glad he came!). He probably paid for it later but we REALLY appreciate your efforts!




Also, big thank you to Travis Peek - the Assistant Land Manager - who has been indispensable to the efforts and work that takes place on RRGCC land (as well as reminding me when I screw something up).

I’m pumped knowing we have a good number of folks who care enough to step up and help maintain the PMRP and MFRP. It’s a lot of work and we need the help! For those of you who could not attend, please keep tuned to RRGCC news for another Train the Trainer event!


Side note – I do not have the time to walk every trail and take every note needed taking on trail work, nor can our small workforce manage that task. We are asking YOU the climbers who are out there every day to please let us know what is jacked up and needs work. You can submit bad trails here: http://rrgcc.org/contact-us/report-bad-trails/


Need to know what it should look like? Check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxTM3iuRzZk


Also if you have pics please let us know and we can let you know where to send them. PICTURES REALLY HELP!

[qmhill]

Thanks to everyone involved for putting this event together. It was well worth the time and effort to attend, and I know I'll be putting the lessons to work in the very near future.

[Josephine]

Thank you to everyone who attended. We have a LOT of trails that will need building and having increasing numbers of knowledgable people is such a benefit!!! Thanks for taking the time to set this up Mike - I know it's hours and hours and hours of prep time - not to mention the time spent doing it. And thanks to Matt Tackett for all his amazing help year in and year out!!!