Hike With NITRO

Avery, Me and Riley the last night of the Overland Summers Project

On June 25^th, another group arrived, the Overland Summers group.  I had worked with a group from this camp before and it was a good project last year.  But every year brings new kids and new leaders so you are never quite sure what you are going to get. 

The group got to base camp around 12:45, lead by Drew and Hilary from the CFI Adopt-a-Peak program.  The group consisted of Overland Leaders Liz and Jake and campers Avery, Riley, Matt, Jack, Zach B. (Lumber Zach), Zach H., Ben A., and Ben D.  That day we let them set up camp, hiked up to the lower end of the Willow Resto area and showed them the bad weather meeting spot and practiced lightning position.  We also found out that Michael Jackson died.

Day 2 with the group we hiked up tools to the higher end of the Willow Restoration (Resto) area.  Hilary and I led the group while Joe and Drew went up to the high site to lay out some work.  We worked on planning plugs and re-contouring the old trail.  The day went well and we ate lunch as the rains came in.  I boogied down the hill as I had a plane to catch that evening and left the group in the capable hands of Drew and Hilary. 

I flew to Baltimore to visit with my best friend, Maura.  We had details to go over for her upcoming wedding.  Since this is an outdoor blog I won’t go into more details but I had a nice time and it was great to see her and her parents (my East Coast Parents).

Tuesday June 30^th I arrived back in Leadville and by 10:20 I was at the Mt. Massive trailhead getting gear together for the hike in.  We were to meet the Overland Summers group at 10:30.  Around 11:30, after some chatting, reacquainting ourselves with each other, and listening to Billie Jean we were heading up the trail back into the Mt. Massive Wilderness, back home.   The hike was relatively uneventful but warm…I think I even got to wear shorts on the hike in, a rarity since I don’t think it’s been warmer than about 60 degrees yet.  But the sun was shining and the conversation was good. 

Up until this hike in, I hadn’t had the opportunity to meet a group, work with them, have days off and then meet up with them again.  It was nice.  It was a good feeling to know what we were going to get in terms of the group.  It was also nice to have a group to look forward to meeting up with.  

We arrived at camp, did some chores and got ready for the morning. 

Stone steps built the the Overland Summers Group.

July 1^st-5^th went by very quickly and before I knew it our time with Overland Summers had come to an end.  We got some great work done.  We built stone staircases, moved huge rocks, built retaining walls, rearranged rocks so that they can be walked over more easily.  We got some quality structures built and got a good amount of work done. 

Joe (my Co-Leader) and I also had time to relax with the group in the evenings, played spoons, Apples to Apples, and chatted.  We were invited to participate in their nightly ritual Desser-cle (Dessert Circle but we mash the word together).  They all have dessert together and give their “Highs, Lows and Cheers” for the day.  It’s a great practice and when someone gives you “Cheers” it really does make you feel good.  It’s kind of funny, I didn’t think that getting recognized by someone half my age would have such a positive impact on my mental status but it does feel really good.  I think in life, most people want to do something right and be recognized in some sense.  So thanks for the “Cheers” guys.  Thanks for reminding me, first hand, the importance of praise.  I hope our paths cross again, maybe a trail work project in the future.  Thanks for everything and congratulations on making the summit on your last day!