While we are in the pre-launch timeframe, we'd like to fill you in on the things we are doing to get this show on the road.
So far, much of our tangible efforts have been in creating the basis of this hybrid blog/website, brainstorming on the various facets of the project, and research into destinations and the trail crews that volunteer in their maintenance.
It's important to get a foundation on the blog in place, as we'll soon be contacting potential sponsors - for travel support, gear and other items. As well, we will be alerting the media at opportune moments, and want to have a clear picture of where things are at. The blog foundation will continue to elvolve in the next month or so, as we edit and adapt to suit the needs of the Trailwork Tour, and so each day a little tinkering is done here and there. Once we are actually on the road, much of the Overview information will be removed from the front page, and replaced with frequent blog posts giving up to date accounts of our activities.
We've contacted the Access Fund as a first step in outreach. Their Grassroots Director has been kind enough to point us to various resources within the organization that will help us in coordinating the tour. Specifically:
- A calendar of Adopt-A-Crag-Events for 2008, which we can use reference for the following years, as most crags hold the events annually.
- Local climbing organizations and access fund affiliated local climbing organizations, which will be helpful to us in researching destinations and contacts
- Regional coordinators who can further lend a hand in directing us to the people who are in the trenches, doing trailwork regularly at various crags around the country.
Our database of destinations and trail crew contacts is beginning to take form. This is a very large project, with logistics to melt the minds of the most solid datamaster! Daunting would be a term of underestimation. But little by little, we'll create that base.
T-shirts and other commemorative items have been designed and added to our online storefront. You can find them here. Yesterday, a test sample was received, to make sure the design looks as intended. We are very pleased! Kudos to CafePress for providing consistent quality work and an outstanding customer satisfaction policy.
Well - that should give an idea as to where we are as of today. Check in again soon to see what we're up to!
.
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.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Would you like to make a donation to the Trailwork Tour?
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment