Trails Update: Aug 20, 2021
Fall already?
Getting back to the office after 2 weeks off, it seems like so much has changed. First: it’s still dark when my alarm goes off. Next, it’s pants and sweater weather in the morning. And, in the forest, I noticed that berries are drying, leaves are dying, and squirrels are dropping… CONES (at us???)! I’m familiar with that game: it’s a sign that autumn is just around the corner!
Perhaps the busy rodents are simply irate at all the humans suddenly near their midden.
We’re working in a lower-traffic zone right now: the No Flow Zone. Jank fans need not worry: we’re not here to build berms. I live in Emerald and love every difficult move in my backyard. It’s an acquired taste. After-work rides are either invigorating if you’ve got the gumption to push a hard gear or devastating if you end up just pushing your bike.
Whistler’s more difficult “XC” trails are generally solid despite their old-school construction techniques (we’ve found some creative ideas…). The mostly “ridden-in” trails do not need much in terms of repairs: On top of vegetation trimming, we’re replacing rotting wooden features and properly armouring loose piles of rocks (a very real hazard for trail runners and hikers).
We got “lucky” finding some materials: infinity+1 rocks to choose from in the omnipresent boulder fields and some great Red Cedar deadfall for bridging. Finding dirt in this end of town is akin to winning the lottery… so we haven’t been “hiding” our rock work. You can find some of our repairs on Big Kahuna, Azrael, and Gargamel. We’ll be back for more in the coming weeks (Section 102, Shit Happens and Delineator).
Busy next Tuesday?
With moisture falling from the sky, trail nights are back! So sign up here if you want to hit the “forest gym” before ski season!
See you on the trails!
Dan Raymond
WORCA Lead Trail Builder
