Hike With NITRO

Mt. Massive 2009:  Todd, Chris B., David and Becky

Becky, David, Todd and Joe littering a rock across the tundra.

July 15^th we started up the trail, Joe, Me, Todd, Chris B. and Laraine from RMYC.  We had just chatted with Chris from the Forest Service who was out putting up a new sign encouraging people to fill out a permit at the self registration box at the trail head.  They are free and are a good way for the Forest Service to get an idea of the amount of usage the Mt. Massive Wilderness is getting. 

We made our way up the trail, established camp and made dinner.  On the hike in, we noticed some vandalism, writing in blue marker, on one of the new signs that had been put up in the last year or so.  It got me pretty steamed to see that vandalism on the sign.  There is no excuse for that, none. 

On the 16^th and 17^th we mainly quarried rocks, lots and lots of rocks.  This is probably one of my least favorite things to do.  It is a necessary evil.  It’s so much easier to quarry with 4 people and since Chris was only going to be working with us for 2 days, we needed to take advantage of his strength and quarry.  It would make setting the rocks much easier later. 

On the 18^th, it was just the three of us, Todd, Joe and me.  Chris B. had to leave and it was great to have him on the mountain for even just a few days.  Thanks Chris!  Today we set a bunch of steps.  It was very tiring but felt good to build things and create stone steps. 

After a few more days of building with Todd and Joe my friends David and Becky (a husband and wife team) hiked in on July 22^nd.  It was great to see them again as I hadn’t seen them in quite some time.  I originally met them while they were hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and kept running into them while I was doing weekend hikes.  We ended up keeping in touch and now they are in camp, ready to help us build the new Mt. Massive assent trail.  Great people!

The entire hitch was great.  We all hiked out on July 24^th and even though David and Becky were only there for 2 nights, one work day, it was a great way to end the hitch.  They did a great job setting the rest of a two tier wall.  Kudos also have to go to Todd.  Todd is a teacher who volunteered to work with us for the entire hitch, all 10 days.  He did a great job of building stone staircases and monowalls.  He was also great to have in camp with us and taught me a thing or two about cooking (as he went to culinary school).  We couldn’t have gotten as much work done without the help of everyone so thanks Chris, Todd, David and Becky.  I hope to work with you again soon!