Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
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Friday, July 27, 2012

Trapped On Trapper Mountain

The next day, after our following the Boulder Creek trail up the mountain from Sam Billings Campground in search of the hard to reach falls, we opted in favor of something a little less strenuous. The plan was to take the truck up a forest service road above tree line on Trapper Mountain. The Nez Perce road was wonderful though we didn't take the route all the way down into Idaho. A local Ranger had advise me that there were many switchbacks and long views down, which Mrs. T. doesn't much care for...
So returning by the same route down the mountain the following view appeared as we came around a corner. There were two pines blocking the road. And they were clearly beyond our capacity to lift and move off the road. Our cell phones didn't, work here and we hadn't seen a soul all day. We were trapped on Trapper Mountain. Thirty miles from Darby, Montana, the nearest town. Stressing that patience was a virtue we opted to go back to the truck and eat our picnic lunch. Finally, almost two hours later a white van was noted coming down the mountain.
As eight people jumped out of the van, we noted they were young, energetic and all had axes. We were saved! In about a half an hour, the two trees were delimbed. Then another half hour and the trees were cut at the two ends. We all pitched in and lifting one end pivoted them onto the shoulder and then rolled them into the ditch.
And so we left the mountain rescued and inspired by a group of young men and women from all over the country .... Montana Conservation Corps. All volunteers.
Mission Statement - "Montana Conservation Corps is a nonprofit organization that empowers youth and young adults through hands-on conservation service and education. Each season we enroll over 200 young adults from across the country, age 18 and up, in our AmeriCorps program, and more than 100 local teens, ages 15 to 17, in our Youth Service Expedition program. Our members live, learn and serve together, in crews of six to eight members, in some of our country’s wildest places. They complete conservation projects in local communities, national forests, state and national parks, wildlife refuges and federally designated wilderness areas. Participants receive the experience of a lifetime through challenging projects and the rigors of camp life, coupled with education aimed at creating engaged citizens and lifelong environmental stewards. All of these factors create an ideal situation for personal growth that leads to increased confidence, communication and leadership skills, and the ability to work well with people from all walks of life. Our mission to inspire young people through hands-on conservation service to be leaders, stewards of the land, and engaged citizens who improve their communities, is brought to life through our five core program objectives. Our goal is that each participant will leave MCC with the following: An ethic of volunteer service and civic responsibilityStrengthened communication and team-building skillsEnhanced competencies to be leaders and contributing team membersIncreased knowledge of the natural environmentAn enthusiasm for the benefits of hard work and quality results."

Similar organizations exist in many states often as an extension of
AmeriCorps. They also represent the heritage of the CCC. The Civilian Conservation Corps was part of President Franklin Roosevelpts "New Deal" in the 1930's

23 comments:

  1. that's cool! love the volunteer group with skills - and tools! :)

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  2. What a great story! I loved the pictures of the people of all ages working together. Thank you for the inspiring post!

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  3. Saved by youth! Marvelous program! We used to love taking off on those forest service roads..some of the maps and places they lead you to are way cool:)

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  4. Cool story and what a great group of people!

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  5. Yea for rescue... and young, able bodies... with tools!

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  6. Hahaha! Just read TWC's comment about tools, after I typed mine. We must have more in common than Texas!

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  7. Oops... meant TWG, not TWC. I hate when that happens!

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  8. Thats some tough work cutting up trees,I don't do much anymore.

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  9. Ah, to be young and able-bodied - and a volunteer! Nice post!!

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  10. How neat you were saved by volunteers but perhaps if the Govt provided a paid version like the CCC was,it would give young high school or college grads in search of a job a way to be useful in a poor jobs market till recovery. It would have to be rewarding

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  11. Phew! Glad you were rescued!! Oh to be young again ~ sounds like a really great program!

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  12. Weren't you lucky to have them come along. I'm impressed with their ability and the fact that they give so freely.

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  13. This sounds like a wonderful organization, and I'm glad they came along when they did to rescue. My Dad was in the CCC -- that's how he met my Mother.

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  14. Love the story! I'm having fun catching up on your travels!

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  15. I hope you're feeling better - you're one in 10 thousand!...but one in a million to your readers...

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  16. Oh what a great story!
    Alls well that ends well, and all that...
    And you have the pictures to prove it! Excellent!

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  17. Volunteers are wonderful people! I'm glad you had a lovely picnic lunch to enjoy while waiting! A snack always makes things better! :)
    xo Catherine

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  18. Seriously? You're in a situation where what you really need is a squadron of young people with axes, and they SHOW UP? I hope you bought a lottery ticket.

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  19. A great example of bad luck turning good. Glad you didn't have to wait longer than you did. I'm sure you will take even more water along in the future, although what are the odds of that happening again?

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  20. Now that was a fun adventure. Thank heavens to the volunteers who help in these operations. And thanks for stopping by my blog, too ~

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  21. Glad you all got "unstuck!" What a great group of young people! Just popping in to say hello and to let you know I'm back. :c)

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  22. Wow, what a story! I'm so glad you were rescued by such wonderful young people!

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  23. Glad you were saved by humanity - ain't it grand? Your story sure beats all the negative news out there about lonely, angry men who strike out against other people!

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