• Purpose
➢ The purpose of establishing a policy on drugs and alcoholic beverages is to insure that the tranquility, health, safety and well being of members of the Central Texas Trail Tamers (CTTT) is not jeopardized by wrongful acts of non-thinking individuals.
• Definitions
➢ Prohibited Activities - activities that shall not be conducted during a CTTT sanctioned activity.
➢ Regulated Activities - activities that may take place if done so in accordance with prevailing laws, medical advice and after having been disclosed to the CTTT leader.
• Prohibited Activities
➢ Purchase, possession, transportation, use, transfer or sale of any illegal substance.
➢ Consumption of alcoholic beverages on the job or work period as specified by the crew leader.
➢ Use of public funds including sponsorship contributions, activity fees, grants or other donations to purchase alcoholic beverages.
➢ Consumption of alcoholic beverages during the eight-hour period prior to operations of vehicle or machinery. Designated non-drinking drivers will be assigned to drive to and from functions where alcoholic beverages are served.
• Regulated Activities
➢ Possession and use of prescriptions drugs during and immediately prior to participation in any project must be in accordance with the prescription and disclosed to the group leader and his medical representative.
➢ Possession and use of a non-prescription drug will be at the discretion of the user, but disclosure to the group leader and his medical representative is encouraged. In cases where proper usage may impair coordination or cause drowsiness, disclosure is required.
➢ Use of tobacco products is permitted but the health and safety of non-users shall prevail. Smoking may be prohibited entirely in certain areas and at times of high fire hazard.
➢ Possession, transportation, display and consumption of alcoholic beverages shall conform to the rules established by the authority having jurisdiction over the project, i.e. National Park Service, U.S. forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Texas Parks and Wildlife, etc.
➢ Private consumption during non-duty hours is permitted if not otherwise prohibited up to eight hours prior to the start of the work period.
➢ Public consumption of alcoholic beverages after the work period shall be at the discretion of the CTTT group leader. Each individual is responsible for his/her behavior and shall not infringe on the rights of others to enjoy the peace and serenity of the area.
• Repercussions
➢ Violation of this policy and/or disregard for the spirit and intent of this policy shall result in termination of an individual's privilege to participate in current and future CTTT projects.
➢ Participants acting in a manner that is unsafe to themselves and/or others shall be asked to leave the activity and may be required to do so at their own expense. The CTTT Leader will, if necessary contact the local authorities to enforce this policy.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Safety Policy
Purpose
The purpose of the Safety Policy is to ensure that persons conduct themselves in a manner that does not endanger themselves or other participants.
Safety
The following shall apply:
➢ First aid kits shall be maintained by CTTT and be present at all LWD and LRT’s.
➢ To ensue the safety of all participants, the buddy system should be used.
➢ The Drug and Alcohol Policy shall be in force at all CTTT activities.
➢ Participants acting in a manner that is unsafe to themselves and/or others, as determined by the Crew Leader, shall be asked to leave the activity and may be required to do so at his (or her) own expense. The Crew Leader will, if necessary contact the local law enforcement authorities to enforce this policy.
The purpose of the Safety Policy is to ensure that persons conduct themselves in a manner that does not endanger themselves or other participants.
Safety
The following shall apply:
➢ First aid kits shall be maintained by CTTT and be present at all LWD and LRT’s.
➢ To ensue the safety of all participants, the buddy system should be used.
➢ The Drug and Alcohol Policy shall be in force at all CTTT activities.
➢ Participants acting in a manner that is unsafe to themselves and/or others, as determined by the Crew Leader, shall be asked to leave the activity and may be required to do so at his (or her) own expense. The Crew Leader will, if necessary contact the local law enforcement authorities to enforce this policy.
Crew Leader Training Procedure
Mission
A Training program will be established to maintain a cadre of Crew Leaders who will oversee CTTT activities to ensure: 1) the effective use and protection of natural resources, and 2) the safety of all volunteers.
Duration
Crew Leader training will typically involve (1) Saturday or multiple evening sessions.
Participation
Crew Leader training is open to all members as stipulated in the CTTT Leadership Policies. A fee established by the Technical Committee may be assessed to cover the cost of training materials.
Organization
Training shall be presided over by the Technical Committee and be staffed as follows.
1. Training Coordinator – schedules and coordinates all training classes. Procures training materials and facilities.
2. Instructor – conducts training sessions.
3. Participants – typically six per class per instructor.
Minimum Requirements
Minimum requirements for certification as a CTTT Crew Leader are participation in four sessions of classroom instruction.
Recommended schedule for 1-day classroom instruction is as follows:
Time Event Contents
8AM Registration Personal contact information, medical release form, coffee and doughnuts
8:30 Introduction
Instructor information and personal history
8:35 Session 1
CTTT History Foundation, pictures of past events, letters of commendation
8:45 Session 2
Trail design Techniques and review of reference materials
10:15 Break
10:30 Techniques continued
12:00 Lunch
1PM Session 3
Crew leadership
Basic techniques
2:30 Break
2:45 Session 4
Policy review Review of CTTT Policies, Procedures & Guidelines
5:00 Adjourn
Crew Leader Trainee should complete First Aid training in one of the following approved programs
1) Red Cross
2) Firefighters
3) EMT
4) SWEAT
Participation in programs deemed equivalent by the Board (e.g. VOC Crew Leader training) may also be considered sufficient if approved by the Board. Technical Committee may also nominate Crew Leaders for consideration by the Board based on their experience and knowledge. A majority vote is required to confer the certification of Crew Leader.
Instructors
Technical Committee will nominate Instructors for consideration by the Board based on their experience and knowledge. A majority vote is required to confer the certification of Instructor.
A Training program will be established to maintain a cadre of Crew Leaders who will oversee CTTT activities to ensure: 1) the effective use and protection of natural resources, and 2) the safety of all volunteers.
Duration
Crew Leader training will typically involve (1) Saturday or multiple evening sessions.
Participation
Crew Leader training is open to all members as stipulated in the CTTT Leadership Policies. A fee established by the Technical Committee may be assessed to cover the cost of training materials.
Organization
Training shall be presided over by the Technical Committee and be staffed as follows.
1. Training Coordinator – schedules and coordinates all training classes. Procures training materials and facilities.
2. Instructor – conducts training sessions.
3. Participants – typically six per class per instructor.
Minimum Requirements
Minimum requirements for certification as a CTTT Crew Leader are participation in four sessions of classroom instruction.
Recommended schedule for 1-day classroom instruction is as follows:
Time Event Contents
8AM Registration Personal contact information, medical release form, coffee and doughnuts
8:30 Introduction
Instructor information and personal history
8:35 Session 1
CTTT History Foundation, pictures of past events, letters of commendation
8:45 Session 2
Trail design Techniques and review of reference materials
10:15 Break
10:30 Techniques continued
12:00 Lunch
1PM Session 3
Crew leadership
Basic techniques
2:30 Break
2:45 Session 4
Policy review Review of CTTT Policies, Procedures & Guidelines
5:00 Adjourn
Crew Leader Trainee should complete First Aid training in one of the following approved programs
1) Red Cross
2) Firefighters
3) EMT
4) SWEAT
Participation in programs deemed equivalent by the Board (e.g. VOC Crew Leader training) may also be considered sufficient if approved by the Board. Technical Committee may also nominate Crew Leaders for consideration by the Board based on their experience and knowledge. A majority vote is required to confer the certification of Crew Leader.
Instructors
Technical Committee will nominate Instructors for consideration by the Board based on their experience and knowledge. A majority vote is required to confer the certification of Instructor.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Trip Report: Glen Canyon Trail Project – Bullfrog, Utah (March 2007) By Lynda DeGroot
Saturday morning, March 24th, nine excited Trail Tamers from central Texas set off on a new adventure to Bullfrog, Utah on the upper reaches of Lake Powell within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Two members from Grand Junction, Colorado met us at the site. By mid-Sunday afternoon everyone was present and accounted for. We Texans made good time even though we stopped to see a few sights along the way.
We were invited to Utah by Justin Glasgow, Interpretive Officer for Glen Canyon NRA, who heard about us from John Heiner, Chief Interpretive Officer at Fort Davis National Historic Site in west Texas. Justin was based at Fort Davis for a while and trained by John who showed him the trail work done by Trail Tamers over the years! When Justin moved on to Bullfrog, Utah, the first thing he noticed was the lack of trails in the area and, now that Lake Powell is 103ft. below its normal level, many people have been asking about hiking opportunities. That’s when he contacted us to see if we would consider coming out there to utilize our expertise!
What a great opportunity to see a different kind of place! Working in red sandy soil was a lot different than working in a forest, or our own Texas hill country, but I think we did a darned good job. Numerous rock cairns were built to define a trail on the undulating red rock hills, and a new trail was cut into the side of a large hill leading up to the top where you could look out over Lake Powell. A large and unique cairn was built by Raylene & Mary to mark the spot. Some of us moved heavy rocks to mark the trail entrance near the parking area (thank goodness for those rock cradles!). We then fixed a social trail created by people following an old cow path. We decided it was best to leave it where it was, so we added a series of about 15-20 check dams from the bottom all the way to the top of the hill and pulled in the sides of this deeply rutted “trail” to fill in behind them. This leveled it out nicely and made it look more like a trail!
When we finished those trails, Justin asked if we would mind looking at another area several miles away, just off the famous Burr Trail...a 68 mile winding, mostly gravel road connecting Bullfrog to Boulder, Utah through the beautiful painted rock country of Capitol Reef National Park, Waterpocket Fold and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. This area actually lists a 3-mile round trip trail in a park service booklet but the trail was seldom used because it was nearly impossible to find! So, we spent our last two days building a series of large rock cairns to guide people to a place at the end of the trail called Pedestal Alley where there are numerous huge pedestal rocks in various sizes & shapes.
The weather went from being a bit chilly on the first day but warmed up nicely and then the winds blew in on the second day and nearly sandblasted us. When they subsided, we managed to get more done but later in the week, it began to get colder and on our last workday, it started drizzling. At least we had a nice, warm house to go back to…compliments of the Park Service!
At the end of our time there…Justin presented each of us with numerous items to show his appreciation. In all, we contributed nearly 300 hours of volunteer labor and put in over two dozen rock cairns plus 15-20 check dams.
On our way back home to Texas, I used my National Park Pass to treat my passengers to a side trip to Arches, Canyonlands & Mesa Verde National Parks. What a wonderful trip this was! My thanks to Raylene Welch & Bob Weglarz, Debbie Galloway, Mary Zeitler, Sharon Highnote, Chris Argyros, Bo Bosarge, Ralph & Debbie Ploeger, and my dear sister, Shirley Harlow.
We were invited to Utah by Justin Glasgow, Interpretive Officer for Glen Canyon NRA, who heard about us from John Heiner, Chief Interpretive Officer at Fort Davis National Historic Site in west Texas. Justin was based at Fort Davis for a while and trained by John who showed him the trail work done by Trail Tamers over the years! When Justin moved on to Bullfrog, Utah, the first thing he noticed was the lack of trails in the area and, now that Lake Powell is 103ft. below its normal level, many people have been asking about hiking opportunities. That’s when he contacted us to see if we would consider coming out there to utilize our expertise!
What a great opportunity to see a different kind of place! Working in red sandy soil was a lot different than working in a forest, or our own Texas hill country, but I think we did a darned good job. Numerous rock cairns were built to define a trail on the undulating red rock hills, and a new trail was cut into the side of a large hill leading up to the top where you could look out over Lake Powell. A large and unique cairn was built by Raylene & Mary to mark the spot. Some of us moved heavy rocks to mark the trail entrance near the parking area (thank goodness for those rock cradles!). We then fixed a social trail created by people following an old cow path. We decided it was best to leave it where it was, so we added a series of about 15-20 check dams from the bottom all the way to the top of the hill and pulled in the sides of this deeply rutted “trail” to fill in behind them. This leveled it out nicely and made it look more like a trail!
When we finished those trails, Justin asked if we would mind looking at another area several miles away, just off the famous Burr Trail...a 68 mile winding, mostly gravel road connecting Bullfrog to Boulder, Utah through the beautiful painted rock country of Capitol Reef National Park, Waterpocket Fold and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. This area actually lists a 3-mile round trip trail in a park service booklet but the trail was seldom used because it was nearly impossible to find! So, we spent our last two days building a series of large rock cairns to guide people to a place at the end of the trail called Pedestal Alley where there are numerous huge pedestal rocks in various sizes & shapes.
The weather went from being a bit chilly on the first day but warmed up nicely and then the winds blew in on the second day and nearly sandblasted us. When they subsided, we managed to get more done but later in the week, it began to get colder and on our last workday, it started drizzling. At least we had a nice, warm house to go back to…compliments of the Park Service!
At the end of our time there…Justin presented each of us with numerous items to show his appreciation. In all, we contributed nearly 300 hours of volunteer labor and put in over two dozen rock cairns plus 15-20 check dams.
On our way back home to Texas, I used my National Park Pass to treat my passengers to a side trip to Arches, Canyonlands & Mesa Verde National Parks. What a wonderful trip this was! My thanks to Raylene Welch & Bob Weglarz, Debbie Galloway, Mary Zeitler, Sharon Highnote, Chris Argyros, Bo Bosarge, Ralph & Debbie Ploeger, and my dear sister, Shirley Harlow.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, October 21-28, 2006
During the last week of October 2006, the CTTT returned eight volunteers to the highest mountains in Texas to volunteer at the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. As always we had some challenging projects and great support from the National Park Service.The rebuilding of the visitor center pedestrian bridge was the major project worked on by the crew. The bridge decking had failed due to the use of faulting composite decking material The trail tamers worked with two NPS carpenters to rebuild the bridge. Significant progress was made by completing two-thirds of the bridge during the week. Over 100 hours of time was spent working on the pedestrian bridge into the visitor center. The trail tamers removed the old decking material, rebuilt the supporting joists, pre-positioned new materials, and cut and installed new recycled decking materials.
The crew also worked on several trails during the week. On Monday, four members worked on trails in McKittrick Canyon by removing a large bolder from a canyon trail and by performing maintenance on the trails around the Pratt Canyon. On Tuesday, four members cleaned water bars on the Smith Spring trail. On Wednesday and Thursday, 5 members worked on the McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail to clear the trail of overgrown cedar, cat claw, and overgrown native grasses on the trail.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
