WHO ARE TEDDY AND TERRIE?
Teddy is a small white Poodle/Jack Russel Terrier dog. He is the animal companion of Terrie, who is a rock climber that lives in New York City.
WHAT IS THE TRAILWORK TOUR?
The Trailwork Tour is a two-year trip through the United Sates(and possibly into Canada and/or Mexico) in which we will visit climbing and hiking destinations and volunteer to work with local trail crew members that maintain the access trails and hiking paths within these areas.
WHEN AND WHERE DOES THE TRAILWORK TOUR START AND END?
We will start on Januray 1st, 2009 in southern California, at Joshua Tree National Park. The Finishing destination has not yet been decided, but will likely be a return visit to Joshua Tree, in December, 2010.
WHAT LOCATIONS DOES THE TRAILWORK TOUR GO TO?
We will travel to many places and are working on making decisions as to which those will be. To see our schedule of destinations and the dates we expect to be there, you can click here.
HOW LONG WILL YOU STAY IN EACH AREA?
We plan to stay about three weeks in each area. During that time, we will do one of two things. We may focus on one specific location, such as a section of one trail in a nature preserve, while we work with one trail crew. Or, we may go to several places within an area and work on different projects with several trail crews. For example, we might attend an Adopt-a-Crag event at a climbing crag one day and then go to another nearby area and help maintain a hiking trail.
WHAT IS ADOPT-A-CRAG?
Adopt-a-Crag is a program sponsored by the Access Fund where climbers gather at a climbing area and volunteer their time to such tasks as litter pick-up or trail maintenance, among other things. You can find out more by visiting the Access Fund web site.
HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHICH PLACES TO GO TO?
Actually - this is a process that will be ongoing for the duration of the tour. We first created a general guide of as many climbing destinations as we could, and then began the process of analyzing their peak and extended seasons, so we could develop an idea as to when to visit. Next we began looking for information on what trail crews are active in these destinations, and gathered contact information. Here's where the ongoing aspect comes in. This is a massive amount of work, as most of these crews are informally organized; there is no central database! A lot of networking, note taking and emailing effort is involved. Once we establish contact, we go about discussing what sort of trailwork is being done, and how we can help. All the information is reviewed and, as dates approach on our tour, we contact those crew leaders again, and make plans to be there when they are working.
HOW MANY DAYS PER WEEK WILL YOU WORK?
It will vary as to what crews are active when we are in the area. We may go out with a person building a trail to a new area seeing first ascents for three days in a row, or work with an established trail crew at a destination for a day and then attend an Adopt-A-Crag event in a nearby area the next. Generally, trail crews in a particular area get together one day per week, and put in a good effort. It can be very strenuous work, depending on the project being done. If we are in an area with several crags within a short distance, we may find three or four different groups we can rotate with, thus working several days a week.
WHY ARE YOU DOING THE TRAILWORK TOUR?
I began doing trailwork in 2005 and, before the year was out, had begun committing myself to a local crew once a week. As well, I was showing up for Access Fund Adopt-A-Crag events and Trail Days sponsored by other organizations I had a connection to(specifically, the Mohonk Preserve and the Gunks Climber's Coalition).
The sense of purpose and pleasure in doing the work was quite fulfilling, but it did come at some sacrifice. I live in New York City, 90 miles south of the Gunks, and run a small business that tends to require my presence on weekdays. That left only Saturdays, one day per week, available to climb. Even with my 14-day trips to Joshua Tree each spring and fall, I really felt I was not "living the life," as it were.
What I wanted was to be immersed in the climbing lifestyle. For me, it's not just about getting up a particular route or climbing at a certain level, but all-encompassing. The camaraderie of the climbing partnership, exploration of new terrain, meeting others traveling a similar path and sharing the knowledge I had of these places, finding a place amongst others at an evening campfire; all these are important aspects of what I see when I envision "climbing." It's a rich existence and I get so much out of it. But without giving something back, I feel unbalanced, and trailwork is my way of giving back.
It makes sense for me to combine a tour of this country's vast and varied climbing and hiking resources with an increased level of service to the community. Over the last few years I have met people from all corners of the United States and the world over, and I look forward to climbing and working with them in the crags they call home.
WHAT KIND OF WORK WILL YOU DO?
It depends! Here in the Gunks, most of the work we do involves digging channels and setting boulders into them at an angle, reinforcing the steep slope that fronts the cliffline. But such is not the case in every locale, and I look forward to learning different techniques in handling the needs of various terrains. There may be brush clearing as new trails are broken or rerouted, small stone borders laid along dirt paths to protect delicate foliage, wood framework for spanning creeks or even the building of a small bridge. Sometimes trailwork involves simply picking up trash that others have left behind, scrubbing chalk from boulders(climbers often use chalk in a way similar to a gymnast; it keeps the hands dry, aiding in one's ability to get good gripping power on the rocks), or even removing graffiti from rock faces.
WHAT IS TRAILWORK?
Trailwork is the labor and efforts involved in establishing, maintaining and rehabilitating the paths that we walk along when we are hiking or traveling between rock climbing routes and areas.
WHAT IS A TRAIL CREW?
A trail crew is a group of people who are involved in doing trailwork.
WHAT IS AN ACCESS TRAIL?
An access trail is a secondary path that branches from a larger one, perhaps a vehicular road way, or a main trail through a parkland. It use is to direct a traveler to a side destination that comes along, whether a particular area with climbing along a ridge, or even the route to an outhouse or camping area.
HOW WILL YOU PAY FOR THINGS LIKE GAS, FOOD AND LODGING?
We have some funds saved and set aside, and a small income from an ongoing personal business as well as income from Terrie's online t-shirt shop, ClimbAddict.
Beyond that, we are approaching businesses and individuals to sponsor large expenses such as transportation, fuel and gear. We also are soliciting donations from those who may hear of our project and would like to contribute. Begging, pretty much, to be perfectly frank. Small donations can be made by clicking on the button at the bottom of this page, or purchasing a commemorative item from the TrailWork Tour section within the ClimbAddict store online.
WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH DONATIONS IF THE TRAILWORK TOUR IS CANCELED OR CANNOT BE COMPLETED?
Any unused monetary donations will be donated in turn to one of two non-profit organizations - the Mohonk Preserve and the Access Fund.
WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH TEDDY WHEN YOU COME ACROSS "NO DOGS ALLOWED" RESTRICTIONS?
First, we look for opportunities where there is not a policy that disallows access for dogs. Teddy has been involved in nearly every day of trailwork I have done in the Gunks, and has acted as an ambassador in many ways. He's half poodle, half Jack Russel Terrier, which makes him one smart guy, and he's learned how to behave well in the situations he encounters.
Nonetheless, there will be trailwork situations where a "No Dogs Allowed" policy is in place. We will work within the framework of those restrictions, whether it limits areas we can offer assistance, or if it entails finding "daycare" for Teddy outside the area in order to do the work. As we develop our tour plans, his presence will be an item that must be planned for, and we'll set up hosts to take him in for the day if needed. Don't worry - not only would I never consider leaving Teddy unattended in a car or campsite for a day - he simply wouldn't stand for it.
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View of the Shawangunk Ridge from the Mohonk Preserve in Gardiner, NY
Ready for an Adventure?
Teddy and Terrie don't get out enough - and we hope you'll help us change that, by supporting our project - the Teddy and Terrie Trailwork Tour.
The T/T(Trailwork Tour) is a two year road trip around America, beginning in January of 2009, where we will volunteer with various trail crews as they create, maintain and rehabilitate the access and hiking trails that provide the literal foundation for the outdoor recreationist.
Without these trails, the beauty, function and ecological soundness of many popular destinations would suffer, and in some cases be damaged beyond repair. Are you aware that nearly all parks and nature preserves depend on teams of people who volunteer their time and energy to keep trails safe and in good repair? Do you know why this work is so important in the conservation of our natural landscapes? That without these valuable donations of labor, love and time, many of our most cherished nature centers would simply be unable to handle our impact?
Most likely you do have some idea as to how trailwork preserves our beautiful natural landscapes, not only for current users but for the generations to come. Even so, I hope you'll join us here online as we travel the land and work with the many crews we meet along the way. We'll find out what they do, how they do it, and why. The answers may surprise you!
The T/T(Trailwork Tour) is a two year road trip around America, beginning in January of 2009, where we will volunteer with various trail crews as they create, maintain and rehabilitate the access and hiking trails that provide the literal foundation for the outdoor recreationist.
Without these trails, the beauty, function and ecological soundness of many popular destinations would suffer, and in some cases be damaged beyond repair. Are you aware that nearly all parks and nature preserves depend on teams of people who volunteer their time and energy to keep trails safe and in good repair? Do you know why this work is so important in the conservation of our natural landscapes? That without these valuable donations of labor, love and time, many of our most cherished nature centers would simply be unable to handle our impact?
Most likely you do have some idea as to how trailwork preserves our beautiful natural landscapes, not only for current users but for the generations to come. Even so, I hope you'll join us here online as we travel the land and work with the many crews we meet along the way. We'll find out what they do, how they do it, and why. The answers may surprise you!
Overview
When I began rock climbing in 2004, it was as if I had found something I'd been searching for my entire life. The level of consciousness necessary to unlock the vertical puzzles I encountered on each route was intense. As I succeeded, whether it was in making a single transitional move or climbing the line cleanly with no falls, my self-esteem level rose and I became more confident in my abilities and in feeling my place in the world.
Soon enough, I was meeting others who shared my passion, and visiting climbing destinations around the United States. On one of those early trips, my partner and I thrashed our way over terrain on a steep mountainside- bushwacking, as it is called when there is no established path. I was pretty nervous, as I had never really been on a mountain before, much less one that appeared, to my untrained eyes, to have never seen foot traffic before.
My friend told me we actually "were" on a trail, and showed me the vaguest of clues to support his statement. I had to take his word for it, but a few days later we went back along the route and he explained some basic techniques in what as known as "trailbuilding."
This was the start of what has become a very important component in my outdoors recreation. In addition to the fun exercise in climbing and the warm camaraderie found in camping sites around the country, trailwork has enabled me to provide a valuable service for our community.
For more on the story, click here.
NOTE: When viewing Past Posts or other links within the site, please scroll down after the page refreshes. The "Ready for Adventure?" and "Overview" sections are permanently placed on each page.
Soon enough, I was meeting others who shared my passion, and visiting climbing destinations around the United States. On one of those early trips, my partner and I thrashed our way over terrain on a steep mountainside- bushwacking, as it is called when there is no established path. I was pretty nervous, as I had never really been on a mountain before, much less one that appeared, to my untrained eyes, to have never seen foot traffic before.
My friend told me we actually "were" on a trail, and showed me the vaguest of clues to support his statement. I had to take his word for it, but a few days later we went back along the route and he explained some basic techniques in what as known as "trailbuilding."
This was the start of what has become a very important component in my outdoors recreation. In addition to the fun exercise in climbing and the warm camaraderie found in camping sites around the country, trailwork has enabled me to provide a valuable service for our community.
For more on the story, click here.
NOTE: When viewing Past Posts or other links within the site, please scroll down after the page refreshes. The "Ready for Adventure?" and "Overview" sections are permanently placed on each page.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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