Project Leader: Zachary McBride Project Dates : May 25 - September 21, 2010 Email Address: zmcbride@thesca.org [1]
Hitch 6 Report [2]
SCA Conservation Corps – Restoration 2010 – 2011 Season
Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest – Ely District
Hitch: 6
Dates: 8/17/10 – 8/24/10
Field Office / Ranger District: USFS Ely Ranger District
Report Prepared by: Zachary McBride, Project Leader
Corps Members Present:
Isaac Wright
Dylan French
Ruby Madden
Megan Kaiser
Rachel King
Field Office Interests:
• Continued restoration and completion of restoration efforts in the Duck Creek area of the High Schells Wilderness
Hitch Overview:
The hitch was spent constructing fences and sign kiosks in the Snake and Timber Creek area of the High Schells. After, the crew started on teardown of the program and prepping for departure.
Work Totals:
Kiosks Constructed: 1
Fence Constructed: 25m
ToCo Notes / Narrative:
The hitch went on without a hitch. The crew felt good about the hard work they had been doing. The first few days were done doing preparation work for departure and for the construction of the fence. After a few days of preparation the crew, along with Joshua Simipson of the USFS and two other SCA interns constructed a fence and kiosk in the Snake Creek area. After the work was completed the crew continued doing final closing work and packed for departure. After the work was finished the crew went on a hike in a nearby mountain range in order to celebrate the closing of the season.
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Hitch 5 Report [5]
SCA Conservation Corps – Restoration 2010 – 2011 Season
Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest – Ely District
Hitch: 5
Dates: 7/30/10 – 8/08/10
Field Office / Ranger District: USFS Ely Ranger District
Report Prepared by: Zachary McBride, Project Leader
Corps Members Present:
Isaac Wright
Dylan French
Ruby Madden
Megan Kaiser
Rachel King
Field Office Interests:
• Continued restoration and completion of restoration efforts in the Cave Mountain area of the High Schells Wilderness.
Hitch Overview:
The hitch was spent doing intensive restoration of routes in the Cave Mountain area of the High Schells Wilderness. The incursions were closed, vertical mulched, and decompacted for further restoration efforts. Much attention was paid to erosion control in the area.
Work Totals:
Vertical Mulch: 465
Meters Restored: 1567 m
Area Restored: 45290 mxm
Incursion Restored: 8
Erosion Control Structures: 13
ToCo Notes / Narrative:
The hitch went on without a hitch. The crew felt good about the hard work they had been doing. This hitch focused on particularly hard trails around the Cave Mountain area. The crew focused on a particular set of corner cuts coming up the switchbacks. Over a dozen erosion control constructions were used. The work force on this hitch was supplemented by three other USFS interns and employees. After completing the large hill climbs, the crew focused on smaller incursions off of the main road up the mountain.
Cave Mountain is now secure.
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Hitch 4 Report [7]
SCA Conservation Corps – Restoration 2010 – 2011 Season
Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest – Ely District
Hitch: 4
Dates: 7/14/10 – 7/23/10
Field Office / Ranger District: USFS Ely Ranger District
Report Prepared by: Zachary McBride, Project Leader
Corps Members Present:
Isaac Wright
Dylan French
Ruby Madden
Megan Kaiser
Rachel King
Field Office Interests:
• Continued restoration and completion of restoration efforts in the Duck Creek and Cave Mountain area of the High Schells Wilderness.
Hitch Overview:
The hitch was spent doing intensive restoration of routes in the Duck Creek and Cave Mountain area of the High Schells Wilderness. We focused around the Duck Creek area and Southward. The incursions were closed, vertical mulched, and decompacted for further restoration efforts.
Work Totals:
Vertical Mulch: 922
Meters Restored: 1240 m
Area Restored: 28,908 mxm
Incursion Restored: 9
ToCo Notes / Narrative:
The hitch went on without a hitch. The crew felt good about the hard work they had been doing. This hitch focused on particularly hard trails around the Timber Creek area. One particular hillclimb proved difficult as it had been eroded to bedrock and not much mulch could be found in the area. These problems proved to be prolific throughout the entire hitch. Because of this it was a slow going hitch. Also, a heat-wave hit the area and it caused the pace of the work to slow a little as more measures were taken to prevent heat illnesses. After finishing the Duck Creek area, the crew moved into the Cave Lake area. Recon and restoration was done, preparing for the next hitch. Then the crew did a special assignment in the Taft Creek area on the other side of the mountains. Because of the distance the crew did post-hitch early and left from the house the next morning, completing the hitch upon their return that day.
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Hitch 3 Report [9]
SCA Conservation Corps – Restoration 2010 – 2011 Season
Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest – Ely District
Hitch: 3
Dates: 7/1/10 – 7/10/10
Field Office / Ranger District: USFS Ely Ranger District
Report Prepared by: Zachary McBride, Project Leader
Corps Members Present:
Isaac Wright
Dylan French
Ruby Madden
Megan Kaiser
Rachel King
Field Office Interests:
• Continued restoration and completion of restoration efforts in the Duck Creek area of the High Schells Wilderness.
Hitch Overview:
The hitch was spent doing intensive restoration of routes in the Duck Creek Portion of the High Schells range. We focused around the Timber Creek to Barry Creek Ranger Trail area. The incursions were closed, vertical mulched, and decompacted for further restoration efforts.
Work Totals:
Vertical Mulch: 1,371
Meters Restored: 1,380 m
Area Restored: 53,820 mxm
Incursion Restored: 18
ToCo Notes / Narrative:
The hitch went on without a hitch. The crew worked hard to complete the Duck Creek Range. Project Leader McBride promised a grand adventure if that was done. Alas, the work proved too much for 10 days and was not fully completed. However, because of the hard work the crew had a surprize day off and rejoiced in the wild for a bit longer. Darren Gruetze came for a site visit and provided supurb and amazing leadership and fruit-filled scones. Ticks were discovered and PL McBride made a special trip into town to file reports and make sure the crew had the equipment to be safe from disease.
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Hitch 2 Report [11]
SCA Conservation Corps – Restoration 2010 – 2011 Season
Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest – Ely District
Hitch: 2
Dates: 6/15/10 – 6/24/10
Field Office / Ranger District: USFS Ely Ranger District
Report Prepared by: Zachary McBride, Project Leader
Corps Members Present:
Isaac Wright
Dylan French
Ruby Madden
Megan Kaiser
Rachel King
Field Office Interests:
• Continued restoration and completion of restoration efforts in the South East corner of the High Schells Wilderness.
Hitch Overview:
The hitch was spent doing intensive restoration of routes in the Southwestern Portion of the High Schells range. We focused around the Cleve Creek area and Southward. The incursions were closed, vertical mulched, and decompacted for further restoration efforts.
Work Totals:
Vertical Mulch: 1,788
Meters Restored: 1,223 m
Area Restored: 24,460 mxm
Incursion Restored: 11
ToCo Notes / Narrative:
The hitch went on without a hitch. The crew felt good about the hard work they had been doing. As they had worked very hard and had completed 9 days worth of work in 8 days, the project leader gave them some time to swim in Cave Lake. The crew also discovered no-see-ums in swarms. There were two campfires and apple crisps were made one night.
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Hitch 1 Report [15]
SCA Conservation Corps – Restoration 2010 – 2011 Season
Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest – Ely District
Hitch: 1
Dates: 6/1/10 – 6/12/10
Field Office / Ranger District: USFS Ely Ranger District
Report Prepared by: Zachary McBride, Project Leader
Corps Members Present:
Isaac Wright
Dylan French
Ruby Madden
Megan Kaiser
Rachel King
Field Office Interests:
• Training and beginning of restoration for the Ely Conservation Crew.
Hitch Overview:
The first half of the hitch was spent training Corps Members in various field living and work skills. After, the crew began restoration work.
Work Totals:
Vertical Mulch: 578
Meters Restored: 835m
Area Restored: 14195 (mxm)
Incursion Restored: 6
ToCo Notes / Narrative:
The hitch went on without a hitch. We are now a very well trained and safe crew. Much work will be done this season.
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Ruby Madden Bio [18]
Hi my name is Ruby. I'm from VT and just finishing freshman year at the
University of Vermont. Im a little unsure about my major still but it
will involve history, politcal science and maybe world cultural studies.
When I was 15, I did the High School program of SCA and went to Crater
Lake National Park in Crater Lake Oregon which was amazing. I decided it
was time to do another one this summer.
Some stuff about me: I love music and especially outdoor concerts and
festivals, i like being active and especially during the summer in
rivers, lakes and some other natural water features of VT. I like to
joke around, be spontaneous and go on adventures. I love when people can
make me laugh and have fun. I get frustrated when people are negative or
hypocritical. I like to hike, bike, swim, snowboard, run and most
recently rock climb but I'm definitely not an exercise fanatic...more of
a causal thing for me.
I'm really excited to be doing something interesting for my summer and
this looks like it will be an incredible experience! I can't wait to
meet everyone.
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Rachel King Bio [22]
Hello, everyone! My name is Rachel King and I’m from Corvallis, Oregon and I am currently finishing up my sophomore year at Scripps College in Claremont, California. I just declared my major in Biology, but I particularly enjoy Ecology and almost anything that is related to the environment.
Earlier this year I participated in the SCA’s Alternative Spring Break at the Grand Canyon, which was a fun and rewarding experience that has made me really excited to be working for the SCA again this summer. I love spending time in the outdoors, particularly camping and hiking, as well as baking, singing, dancing, playing piano, and climbing trees. I sing in an A Cappella group at school and am beginning to learn how to play the guitar. I am a pretty easygoing person who likes to work hard and have fun, preferably at the same time if possible. I have been to every Western state except Nevada, so I’m really looking forward to spending my summer there and seeing some more of the wonderful places in the U.S.
I’m really excited to meet everyone I’ll be working with this summer, and to get started our project! I can’t wait for summer!
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Dylan French Bio [25]
hey guys!
My name is Dylan French. I just finished my junior year at the University of Oklahoma. I'm a multi-disciplanairy studies major emphasizing in earth and the environment. I also have a minor in German.
I grew up just up the road from here, and am looking forward to seeing a part of the country I've never been before. In my free time I like to mountain bike, hike and and kick around a soccer ball. I speak German and have been to Germany twice.
I'm looking forward to spending the summer with you guys getting dirty and working hard in the high desert. I'm pretty easy going and am always ready to do my part and more. I'm ready to meet ya'll in the wilderness!
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Megan Kaiser Bio [28]
Hi everyone!
My name is Megan Kaiser. I am from Adrian, Michigan and I go to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI. I have just completed my first year of college and am currently undecided on a major. I am considering environmental engineering and hopefully by gaining some experience in conservation I will be more confident in a major choice.
Some other fun facts about myself, I love music, dancing, reading, playing cards, and rollerblading. I enjoy working for others and the improvement of the environment. I volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and will be a leader in our Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter next year. I love new experiences and challenging myself both mentally and physically. I dislike saying and hearing negative comments about situations and other people. I can say “I love you” in 15 language. Also, laughing is one of my favorite things to do.
I’ve never been to Nevada, so I am very excited for our internship, to be out of my comfort zone and to experience something new. Can’t wait to meet you all!
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Some Pictures I've Wrastled Up [31]
Here are some pictures of the High-Schells I've found to give you a little taste of the area.
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Project Leader Bio [37]
Hey, I'm Zachary "Old Man Z-Dizzle" McBride
I’ve been doing restoration in the deserts for about a year now and I’m coming back for more. The longer I spend watching the sun rise over mountains and hearing coyotes dance at night the harder it is for me to spend any time under fluorescent lighting or listening to passing traffic. The desert, as it has with many people, has let me rediscover myself to a point where I identify with it more than most of society. Then again, it is hard not to do that when you talk about food politics all day and read Edward Abbey all night… I enjoy challenging social conventions, fostering alternative communities and allowing people to educate themselves and each other in the ways of true living. I also enjoy camping, hiking, car maintenance and repair, fly-fishing, digging holes, making incursions disappear, and cooking. I dislike things that distract you from love, friends, and following your heart. Oh, and I also dislike climbing. I’ve tried it a few times and have decided its not for me.
I’m ready for a great summer in the High-Schells with my crew, where we can save some wilderness and have a little bit of fun while doing it.
Shoot me an email if you have any questions or just want to chat. I'm free any time I'm not in the backcountry.
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