Voices from the Field: Conservation Corps 2024

Wildlife Encounters, Comments We Get, the Problem with Llamas, and Advice to Stay Sane
Want the inside skinny what it’s like to be a RMYC trail crew member? Behold the following Session Testimonies from Conservation Corps crew members (age 18 and older) over the course of the summer 2024 season, revealing a few things you might not find in the brochure.
Wildlife Wonders: “The best part the workday is the walk up to Maroon Bells in the early morning. Each day is different. Sometimes the moon has settled in between the bells during our morning commute, or after a rainy morning the peaks are shrouded in a fog. The most interesting encounters were with the wildlife. Unlike the hikers who repeat the same four jokes, every wildlife encounter was unique. At first, a bear eyed our food, but got the message after the second day. Then, we discovered a litter of foxes that lived in the rocks by the Visitor Center and would nervously watch us from their den. Finally, one morning a moose thought our camp kitchen was a good spot to take a break, which was a big surprise to the morning cooks.”
Cutesy Comments: For the past three weeks, our Erosion Crew spent the bulk of our time maintaining a 1.4-mile stretch of trail between Maroon and Crater Lake in the Maroon Bells National Forest. We constructed check steps, retaining walls, and attempted to eliminate tripping hazards. But this was no ordinary trail as it receives roughly 8 million visitors annually. This meant a few thousand hikers passed us daily, most of whom refused to walk by without offering some inspiring or outrageously abhorrent feedback. Below are a few of the more memorable comments we received (all responded to with RMYC kindness and professionalism):
1. “So is this prison labor? What are you in for?”
2. “I kind of wish you weren’t here?” (*so she could walk off trail to cut switch backs)
3. “I’m taking your photo to show to my employees so they stop complaining.”
4. “Mining for gold?” “Building an escalator?” (x10 daily minimum)
5. “Nice hole.”
6. “Can you dig my grave while you’re at it?”
7. “That would be a lot easier if you used a rock bar.” (while we are using a rock bar)
8. “I’m so glad I don’t have your job.”
Daily Llama: “A review of Llamas as pack animals. This past week, my crew (Crew E) spent four days working a backcountry hitch at Gore Creek. To help move our gear during the laborious pack-in, our project partners from the US Forest Service provided two llamas. Archie and Dom accompanied us carrying food and tools on the 5.6-mile hike in and out. Although they were undeniably a welcome addition to the team, their work left much to be desired. The llamas carried 70 lbs. of gear each on the way up, but only 40 lbs. on the way back down afterward. Multiple crew members exceeded this carry weight on the pack-out to compensate for their lack of work ethic. On top of this the llamas would constantly whine when tied up, despite being fed well and given plentiful neck scratches. The final negative is their skittish nature. Whenever a crew member was in eyesight, they’d stare and follow said member with their eyes. Multiple crew members reported feeling threatened by this behavior and feared being spat upon. But I will mention the things they did well. Both llamas were quite cute and fluffy, with fur like a fleece blanket from my grandma’s house. They also brought a moral boost to the crew. Seeing a fluffy animal every day after my shift made the laborious work feel more worth it. And I became friends with one of them. During the pack out, Archie and I spent some quality time together and became close allies. I scratched his large neck and in return he allowed me to take pictures with him. I feel that I’ve made a lifelong friend and am appreciative of their help on this arduous project.”
— Joshua Shelato
Mt. Elbert Advice: “How to stay sane on an eight-day Mt Elbert hitch 1) Get yourself a Luke to carry up your propane and stove. 2) Get yourself a Ben to carry up a 70-lb. wall tent. 3) Try and throw pinecones into receptacles hanging from the bear hang. 4) Draw pictures on your eggs and protect them like your own babies. 5) Spice things up and hike in your underwear. 6) Play hackysack on the summit. 7) Buy countless “mellies” beforehand to stay looking funky and fresh on the mountain. 8) Day 4: Taco Bell. 9) Hide the pain of waking up before 3 a.m. every day by stubbing your toe. 10) Take a mandatory 30-minute sunrise photography break on the hike up. 11) Imagine 100 alternative uses for a rock bar. 12) Mosh in the pitch black for your stretch and safety cardio. 13) Invite your brother to camp solely for some snacks. 14) Play a game with yourself to see how long you can avoid using the groover. 15) Give up because you are going to lose your mind, but it’s okay because high mountain pies are waiting for you on the other end.