CATS Survive Heat - 19 July 2018 at Lake Boedecker
19 July 2018 at Lake Boedecker
Loveland CO
CATS Survive Heat
As this is
our 5th whack out there in the open fields of Loveland CO we have
been very fortunate to start out in extreme heat and then clouds come in with
a breeze and cool things off. Not today, we experienced some hot temperatures
in the high 90’s and it was brutal with full sun bearing down on our
dedicated trail whackers. We had a new member come out for the first time and
he really had a hard time with the heat. We as seasoned CATS members have to
watch out for our newest members and help them acclimate to the weather and
the work. We are now ‘buff’ as I always hint at, but in reality we are
toughen to the weather more so than anyone coming out ( unless they work
outside all day). Our distant CATS member – Nick Davis came up from Boulder
again to work with us and earn his shirt! He could not wait to get it on as
the photos show! Light crew this week, but who is counting? We managed to get
300’ of trail whacked in and we are now over half way done. The home stretch
looks as nice while we are working our way easterly towards the grove of
trees. Next week should be better with the weather.
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Members: Navy Bob, Connie, Dean, Scott, Nick, Dale Roberts
(new), Brandon Hours:
3.5
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RESULTS: 300’ of new finished trail – ready for use
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ROSES:
o
Welcomed new member – Dale Roberts (dentist)
o
Delayed start helped a bit – but heat was still bad
o
Repacked the van from the camping trip
o
2nd visit from the dude in Boulder
o
Nick got his well-deserved shirt (t-shirt and now working on the long
sleeve shirt)
o
Wapiti visit and sunset there
o
Weather watcher in effect – works well
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THORNS:
ü Hot – humid too – full sun
ü 100°F at 4 pm – what the
heck?
ü Heat affected all members
ü Van sliding door broke
again
ü
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BUDS: It brings pleasure to me
to witness our members earning their CATS apparel because we attached value
to items and means something when folks really earn them. Some trail groups
throw out t-shirts and hats like candy for just a one afternoon trail event and
that is all good too in satisfying the volunteer. Does it have the same
meaning? NO. We structurally set up a visible training item that shows a
person wearing the hat and shirt knows something about trails, especially
after ten whacks with us. You need to work with us and not in partner group
situations to be a real CATS member. We pride ourselves on teaching different
skill sets and modes of operations and because of our weekly frequency; we
deliver the training faster than most groups. You can only get so much from a
weekend trail gig as opposed to working with CATS, learning the trail skills
can take a few weeks, months, or in some cases – years. It is how you
approach CATS – do you want to learn trail stuff? For those that came out the
State Forest State Park camping event, you were able to see how we operate in
a high altitude environment and produce quality trail products. Urban or
mountain environs, we are confident in our ability to work up trail solutions
for our partner agencies. We are tough and rugged individuals (to some
reasonable point) and have a ‘can do’ attitude. You cannot talk a project
into completion – it takes hands on work and getting dirty. I like the
evening whacks, the smells of dirt and duff, the clang of tools, the many
conversations and then there is the heat. What can I say? Toads!
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