Virtual BCRTs and Sawyer Songs — Our Trail Maintenance Community Stays Connected

There’s a running joke among trail maintenance crews that WTA actually stands for “We Talk A lot”. We do. Between the safety talk, on-trail instruction and candy break conversations, there’s a lot of talking at a WTA work party. But those conversations are the foundations of safety and leadership, as well as the seeds of fledgling friendships. 

Work parties have been on hold for over a month now, but that hasn’t stopped trail maintenance volunteers from talking — a lot — to each other. It is this commitment (and loads of planning) that will ensure WTA will be back out on trail with shovels in our hands as soon as we are able to safely do so.

Zoom Crew

A screenshot from a recent volunteer crew leader and assistant crew leader meeting. 

The whole world seems to be chatting through video calls, and volunteers in the southwest part of Washington are no exception. Instead of weekly work parties, they’ve been hosting video calls as a "Zoom Crew" every Thursday so volunteers can see each other, catch up and learn together. 

They even did a show and share, where folks laughed at homemade videos and virtually met each other’s pets. Future topics include an overview of CalTopo and an introduction to BCRTs. We’re hoping to offer similar calls statewide, so stay tuned!

Virtual Adventures

Al Mashburn is a volunteer crew leader (blue hat) who spends a lot of time leading Backcountry Response Trips (BCRTs) in the Olympics each season. 

Since WTA had to cancel several early-season BCRTs, Al’s started leading virtual ones. These are emails sent to members of past crews he has led, including a photo album of the projects, the hike in and out, and each other. 

Reliving favorite memories and project stories shared on these email threads are almost as good as sitting around camp eating rehydrated food together. 

One shared memory was Nutmeg's 1st WTA birthday party on the 2013 Lena Lake BCRT. Photo by Meagan MacKenzie.

Trail Work Ballads

In addition to sharing highlights from neighborhood walks, backyard trip reports and cat videos, some volunteers are getting extra creative with their free time. Aaron Peabody recently composed this rendition of “Hungry Eyes” by Eric Carmen with some sawyer friends (here’s a primer on what OHLEC means for those of us who aren’t crosscut saw enthusiasts).

I’ve been meaning to fell you
You’re a leaner that won’t subside
I look at you and I read your lines
You’ll fall tonight
Now I’ve got you in my sights

With these sawyer eyes
One look at you and I can't disguise
I've got sawyer eyes
I feel the OHLEC between you and I

I want to read the tension and the bind
I want to cut a piece that horses won’t mind
Bucking tonight
Now I’ve got you in my sights

With these sawyer eyes
One look at you and I can't disguise
I've got sawyer eyes
I feel the OHLEC between you and I

I’ve got sawyer eyes
Now I’ve got you in my sights
With those sawyer eyes
My crosscut saw is the right size
I need you to see
This trail was meant to be

With these sawyer eyes
One look at you and I can't disguise
I've got sawyer eyes
I feel the OHLEC between you and I
I’ve got sawyer eyes

Now I’ve got you in my sights
With those sawyer eyes
My crosscut saw is the right size
With my sawyer eyes
I need…
Sawyer eyes
Now I’ve got you in my sights
With my sawyer eyes

If you have found fun ways to stay in touch with WTA friends and others, we’d love to hear about them!