2013
PINNACLES CLIMBER
APPRECIATION DAYS
OCTOBER 25-26
THANK YOU - VOLUNTEERS!
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Thanks
to all the Volunteers - who responded to our call
to help repair and restore climber's paths and staging areas at
Pinnacles National Park. With less than a weeks notice (after
the government shutdown) climbers came from near and far (Boulder,
CO; Tucson, AZ and several CA areas: Yuba City, Oakhurst, San
Francisco & Peninsula cities, the East Bay plus the Monterey
Peninsula, Marina, Salinas and King City! We attracted a few "drop-ins"
too - weekend climbers who were drawn to our energy and saw our
purpose. Fair to say - everyone had a good time... while creating
some great results. All are looking forward to next year's Appreciation
Days - the fellowship, teamwork and (of course) climbing!
Thanks to Pinnacles National Park
and Staff - for hosting this event and allowing
us to support them in their work and dedication to preserving
the Park's resources for all to enjoy. The careful planning by
Trails Supervisor James Bouknight kept over 60 individual Volunteers
busy right up to the last minute (climb time was 3pm daily). Good
to see Gavin Emmons, Raptor Biologist up and around (Gavin shot
most of the photos below) and Mark LaShell, Chief Ranger &
SAR Coordinator - who gave his day off to help heft loads and
swing a sledge hammer. Not to be forgotten is Karen Dorn-Beppler,
Superintendent - who is a strong supporter of Volunteer programs
that benefit our newest National Park... and one of my favorite
places to climb.
Thanks for your continued support.
Due to many offers and interest, we are formulating
a program to further develop and practice skills while completing
projects started this October. We envision a new wave CCC - the
Climbers Conservation Corps - to meet this challenge
and support further restoration and maintenance projects. Our
format will balance volunteer work and climbing with a few "work-a-day,
climb-a-day" weekends scheduled this Winter and Spring. Space
will be limited to 8-10 climbers on an advanced sign up basis. |
NPS Trails Supervisor, James Bouknight leads the team briefing
Saturday morning,
circled around the Visitor Center's flag pole. "Jamie"
was impressed at the turnout!
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Fabiana & Lucy help register Volunteers and answer
questions abt Pinns - on their day off!
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Danielle & Marshall checkin' in
& pickin' up some swag - 5.10 Bandanas, Joshua Tree
Lip Balm, Go Anywhere Bags and Sportiva beverage Koozies |
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Volunteers Riddell (AAC) & Larry (Mtn Tools) salute the finish
of a retaining wall at Tourist Trap
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Ian & Tom level out a split rail fence that defines approach
path at Discovery Wall. Formalizing climber's paths, limits "social"
trails and traffic on slopes where native plants will grow.
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Completed fence with brushed slope below directs
traffic to preferred path and nearby climbs while limiting erosion
& allowing plant recovery
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Many hands make work light! Everyone got a
chance to try their hand at various tasks & were "forced"
to take breaks -even Jamie gets lunch! |
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Alyse getting a workout with a PHD in fence
post installation. Compacted soil and the occasional buried rock
made digging a challenge.
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Eszter (red shirt, foreground) and Chris from BAMRU
provided First Aid standby & a ham radio net. If your interested
in SAR - check em out!
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Retaining walls restore trail at Tourist Trap
- 6 ft logs, "pinned" together with rebar and back filled
w/ granite drain rock provide solid base
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Justin (foreground) and Brandon, Jim and Erik
(background) tote their tools and loads. All materials were hand
carried to each site. |
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Jamie inspects a job well done as Erik
(MudnCrud) & Riddell (AAC) look on. Climbers seem to
be well suited to manual labor...
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Brandon (CSUMB) & Jamie "pinn"
logs together with rebar, then granite drain rock is beat into
place before backfilling & leveling tread. |
Sunset Saturday - great time to kick back,
rest weary muscles & finger tips, tell a few stories and visit
with new (and old) friends.
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Airstream kitchen (manned by DJ Skelton of
Paradox Sports) and a buffet of delicious foods laid out by the
one and only Jane (Mtn Tools). |
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After dinner - we had lots of fun and more
than a few laughs at one of the best Gear Raffles and Silent Auctions
ever - a reward for Volunteers!
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Everyone enjoyed good food, libations and relaxation
after a hard days work. Most said they would return for next years
Appreciation Days! |
2014 Pinnacles
Climber Appreciation Days
2015 Pinnacles Climber Appreciation Days
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