“If you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes”

Written by Julie Quibodeaux, a crew leader with the Los Valles Region:

Nate, an LV crew leader and his tent

A Colorado inspired quote proved true for Los Valles SCC crew leaders this past week in Ridgway State Park.  As our rite of passage we witnessed the death throws of this lingering winter dump inches of snow on us and collapse tents.  Awakening to frozen boots and bottles added to our already full plate of challenges.  As the sun inched higher in the horizon, spirits raised, layers were shed, and breaks were spent laying in the sun like a cold-blooded crocodile gaining life from its warmth.  As fast as the snow piled on the landscape it melted before our eyes even quicker giving hopes of summer days to come.

The work involved some camp ground improvements, which in all honesty sounded menial compared to the trail work we crave.  However, it proved very mentally and physically engaging.  We set up recycled concrete pads for new bear boxes, installed new sign posts, and laid out new tent platforms.  All tasks required an engineering eye for levelness.  Such exacting work was completed with our humble hand tools.  The terrain had some serious sloping as we felt like we were digging miniature graves for some of the “tombstones.”  All these installations came with the price of heavy lifting no gym could compete with. 

LV Crew #218 heading to work

Now that our backs are stronger and our respect for Colorado’s aberrant weather bigger, The Los Valles crew leaders are hardened and wiser to continue the training.  Despite the cold camping and wet frozen feet, we laughed and ate delicious home cooked meals in the luxury of front-country camping, and became a little closer in our pact to be good leaders.  We left Ridgway State Park feeling accomplished and excited to come home to Salida: the land of free parking and awesome attitude.