Trails Update: May 17, 2024
Long distance clearing
Whistler is blessed with an abundance of keen volunteers and trail caretakers that respond to fallen trees before I even see the trailforks reports… Pat, Tim and Ben (with Garbo) deserve a shout out for their log cutting throughout our trail network. A shout out also goes to Ken Melamed who lugged his stone masonry kit to AM/PM last week… He gave our left hands some clearance from “that” boulder. Sometimes, the fallen trees are too big or numerous or far away or on a trail that Ben doesn’t love and I need to dispatch the WORCA crew to take care of them. Michal and Reilly tested our new RockyMountain e-bikes on a sizable mission: Clearing Comfortably Numb. It took them the full day although I can’t be sure they didn’t go for a joyride on their way back to base… C-numb is all clear for anyone wanting to push out some really hard kms before this year’s Back 40
Taking out more trash
I must admit that we weren’t ready for that jolt of summer heat last weekend. It only made sense to keep working near the Cheakamus river’s natural air conditioning. Trash still had a few eroded spots needing attention and we returned some features to their 1999 tread level. One feature that can’t be returned to 1999 condition was the tight tree gap - the trees have fattened up and so have our handlebars. We armored the literal ride around to protect the tree’s roots (clearly the more ridden option now). We’ve got a few more tweaks planned for my most common afterwork ride that should get executed before this year’s tour de trash…
Whistler Waldorf Week
We were once again excited to welcome another class of grade 9 student volunteers for a full week! Whistler Waldorf has a long history of digging with WORCA. Their alumni have helped with construction on Robin Yer Eggs, Cut Yer Roots, Muffin Man, Secret North (road bypass), Hot dog Alley and Flashback 5. This year, We’re focusing their energy on the missing link that will connect Flashback 3 to Flashback 5: Flashback 4! (great name)
This worksite has presented the students a smorgasbord of tasks to learn and practice from benching new trail to peeling Red Cedar bridge components … and feeding mosquitoes.
Women’s Dig Night!
WORCA Board member Kayla Dobson lead this spring’s women’s trail building session supported by Whistler Sports Rental and Sarah’s splendid selection of squishy sugar. Participants were greeted by a bold black-tailed Deer keen to set tracks on the new trail. Both heavy lifting and precision shaping were on the menu - putting finishing touches on lower sections of Flashback 4. While some groups in-sloped berms and shaped rollers, Jackie, Clo, Abby, Grace, Jenny, Jo and Charlene piled rocks then dirt on a behemoth structure. They moved at least 4 hot tubs worth of rocks (10 refrigerators for any foodies reading this) to fill the exit of the big “S” turn. It’s all the little things that make the really big things. Like the amazing selection of burrito fillings offered at the après!
See you on the trails!
Dan Raymond
WORCA Lead Trail Builder
