Rocktoberfest trail building clinic?

[DriskellHR]

Kicking around the idea of having a trail building clinic (to develop trail crew leaders and trail staff) sat at RF. So far I have recieved just as much favor as i have dislike to the idea. Mostly dislike from the standpoint that whoever might teach it would prolly be busy already with the event. However if we get enough interest i may move forward and see how it goes.

I figured the best people to ask would be the climbing commuity at large. Since all I can reach are the chumps that frequent this fourm I thought some is better than none.

What yall think?

Driskell

[Ascentionist]

I'm sort of an ex-climber-with-potential-to-return-to-the-vertical turned mountain biker. If I can make it I'll be there. Got a full plate through October right now though.

[lena_chita]

There should be a vote for 1 AND 3.

Rocktoberfest draws in a lot of people, so it is a good time for something like that. But a lot of potential people who might be interested in this type of clinic won't be able to attend the clinic bc they are the same people who are likely to be volunteering for Roctoberfest.

[dsmithdsp]

I think the trail system would benefit if more trail users, not just potential crew leaders, attended something like this. Having never attended a Rocktoberfest, I don't know what the lineup is like; but maybe a trail impact presentation (a light version of a full blown clinic) could be given during Roctoberfest and a full blown clinic some other time. Maybe a kind of recruiting pitch with some educational value to reach the masses.

Just a thought...
Doug

[Josephine]

I think the trail system would benefit if more trail users, not just potential crew leaders, attended something like this. Having never attended a Rocktoberfest, I don't know what the lineup is like; but maybe a trail impact presentation (a light version of a full blown clinic) could be given during Roctoberfest and a full blown clinic some other time. Maybe a kind of recruiting pitch with some educational value to reach the masses.

Just a thought...
Doug

Thanks Doug - that's a good suggestion

[DriskellHR]

Yeah that is a good idea. Might table the clinic for this year and opt for Doug's suggestion. Ill keep y'all posted but you can garuntee we will have another full clinic soon.

The reason for the trail leader training push is to take the weight off of the 3 or 4 people that manage the day to day trail issues. And delegate it to other folks who want to contribute but might not have time to volunteer all the time. My dream is to have a solid core of folks who all have access to a trail needs database so they might take projects up and run with them with less time consumed by the land managers (Travis peek, Quinn hill and myself) and the BOD.

THEO (THE Old lady) has not been happy with all the time I spend down there and it's really not fair or practice to put all that load on a handful of people.

You all suck

[DriskellHR]

Keep suggestions coming folks! It's YOUR RRGCC!

[whatahutch]

This is just a suggestion, so don't give me hell if anyone doesn't agree. I am just brainstorming here.

What if the MFRP had a couple of the nice lookouts, arches, and beautiful nature attractions have trails that loop to them? I know that this would be a big operation and process that is outside of climbing or mountain biking, but my thought is that it might help in general. My thought is that if there were a couple decent and enjoyable hiking trails that lead to some spectacular scenery it would bring in hikers that visit the Red. If the sights are nice enough, maybe they would like to pitch in on conservation and preservation efforts. Climbers and hikers often have similar background interests in why they like what they do. I also know that I can not lead this idea up if it was liked (wife, two little boys, and a super time demanding job prevent a lot of personal time), but I just wanted to throw an idea out there.

[mahobgood]

I hate that I just found this! I climb every weekend and really want to be more involved in the conservation and maintaining of the land I use so frequently.
I have no training or experience with the subject but I really want to get involved and wasn't sure how. The hiking trails in MFRP sounds like an excellent idea and I'd be more than happy to be involved in whatever capacity I could.

I'm finishing my senior year at UK and realizing my journalism degree doesn't contribute highly to my aspirations of working with an Access Fund-type organization so anything I could do to help...

[weber]

Furloughed U.S. Forest Service Trail Builder, Drew Stephens, is now temporarily employed at Muir Valley, supervising the building of a new main access trail, including a 128-foot staircase and bridge. Those wanting to learn first class, sustainable trail building techniques using top notch tools and materials can volunteer to help Drew on this major upgrade to the Muir Valley trail system. PM me for details. - Rick