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| Progress on Hut - September 10th |
As summer turns to fall and rain showers turn to snow flurries the first phase of construction nears completion. Our muscles are sore and our minds are exhausted from all of the coordination and planning that is required of this project. In our minds
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| Erik Boege and Trent Williamson 9-2 |
and our hearts we know that the opportunity for public service, the impact on people, and personal pride is well worth the effort.
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| Lunch break |
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| Volunteer Adam Roth |
The construction of the hut that lies just below tree‐line on the northern slope of Berthoud Pass is a project that provides a place for people that are suffering from this recession to keep their skills sharp and their backs strong. The need for carpenters, ecologists, and construction managers is great and the people of this nation are in need of such projects. Along with all the building being done there is a unique social atmosphere created among volunteers where past experience is shared along with tips and tricks of the trades. The social diffusion that precipitates is a valuable resource to the younger volunteers that are trying to find their way in these uncertain times. Also, this project is a salute to legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930’s and 1940’s where young men were
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| Mother & Son volunteers |
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| Volunteers making it happen |
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| Graham Powers helping out |
offered an opportunity to work on America’s most precious gem of her public lands. This project provided strength, skills, and proving grounds to a generation that produced notable names as Chuck Yeager and Aldo Leopold.
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| Andy Miller - Project Manager |
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| Kids love the hut! |
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| Andy's safety talk |
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| Outdoor Ed - that's cool |
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| David Maddox- hauling out the old A-frame reminants |
This summer I was honored with a position with the JCC Ranch Camp based out of Elbert Colorado where I served as one of the trip leaders for the Teen Adventure Service Corps. This program takes young adults out into the wonders of the Colorado Mountains to teach them proficiency in wilderness travel, how to manage personal conflicts in a stressful situation, and the importance of community service. Climbing the trail and offering their energy to the Grand Huts project was their mission. This project provided these young people with the opportunity to learn about the world upon which they exist and gave them an opportunity to shape the future. These young people were exposed to the folks that have had the drive and commitment to pursue this project for over seventeen years to see it come to fruition. Working on this project that started well before these young people were
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| Adam Roth - Ace Volunteer |
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| View from the deck |
alive gives them an excellent demonstration of commitment and determination, qualities that the next generation is in desperate need of. I could tell that this experience will forever shape the futures of the twenty‐four young adults of this trip.
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| Tundra Plants grubbed from job site |
Mark Twain once said that “Travel is lethal to racism, bigotry, and intolerance.” I have found this to be true in my own travels that have taken me to the highest point in Africa, the western‐most point in Australia and the Southern‐most point in the world. In my gathering of global knowledge I have had the opportunity to wander the amazing wild country of New Zealand. A nation who’s economy is very dependent upon tourism, and tourism that is interested in visiting this very pristine and very fragile ecosystem. In order to create an economical engine without creating an ecological disaster the people of New Zealand along with the Department of Conservation have created many amazing backcountry trail systems incorporating huts to help mitigate the impact of the boisterous tourism traffic. With a centralized point of impact the rest of the area is free of tent sites and cat holes. I feel that Colorado’s tourism and wilderness areas could benefit greatly from such a hut system. These are only a few reasons why I am donating my time and effort to this cause.
With an amazing social atmosphere for people to serve, a place to demonstrate skills of the past generation, and a learning center for the future generation this project is truly unique. In my short experience with The Grand Huts Association I have only seen opportunities, learning, and positive change. It is my hope that this trend will continue well beyond the projected life of the hut and well into the next century.
Sincerely,
Adam L. Roth
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| Mountain Gentian - you know summers over when you see them. |
