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2001 Backcountry Host Training Day
On Saturday, June 9th, 2001, the Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance will hold their annual Host training day. You must attend this session in order to work as a Backcountry Host for the Forest Service this summer. For more information and to sign up for this year's Host program, please refer to our web site.

Hello & Welcome to IPWA Host Training 2001!
Here's the info you've been waiting for.  We will start the meeting at 8:30am on Saturday, June 9 at the US Forest Service office.  Be sure to get there early to register, fill out forms, pick up your training packet, bring your membership current, and grab some coffee, juice & bagels.

It is located at 2140 Yarmouth Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301.  If you are traveling north on 28th Street, it becomes US-36 (or the Foothills Highway) just past Jay Road.  The building is about 6/10 of a mile past Jay Road on the right (Just look for the "green" USFS vehicles in the parking lot).

We will conduct all training on the premises.  Five stations will be set up after lunch outside (weather permitting) to cover different aspects of field training.  We will provide lunch, but feel free to bring water bottles, snacks or your own lunch.  Training will last until about 3:30pm, at which time your hats, khaki shirts and new badges will be issued.

You, or one member of your hiking team, must complete training in order to receive Host uniforms.  No one will be authorized to represent them self as a Backcountry Wilderness Host until a standard contract is signed with the US Forest Service.

This year we will have a special guest, Ralph Swain, with the US Forest Service.  He will update us on national & regional concerns.  Part of the morning training will include a basic introduction to non-native invasive weeds.  For those of you who also want to be a Weed Scout, this is a prerequisite for the advanced field training, which will start at 8:30am on Saturday, June 30 at the USFS.

One fourth of our membership is new this year.  We hope some of you seasoned veterans will be able to pair up with them for at least their first hike.  As usual, we will ask for a $20 contribution to renew your membership.  These funds are essential for the continued operational expenses that we incur each year.  Your continued support is very much appreciated.

Please be sure to send in your application.  You can also call or e-mail me with the information.  All applications received through today have been posted to Summer 2001 Roster, and 2001 Schedule databases.  Please review them for accuracy as soon as you receive this e-mail.  If your name and schedule does not appear, then the application got lost in cyberspace, in which case you should call me at 303-443-4543 with the correct information.  
We are proud to have you as members of the only citizens' non-profit group that has continuously provided volunteers to protect the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area since 1984.  Thanks to your support over the years, future generations will continue to enjoy this scenic beauty.

Would you like to "give something back" to the natural places you love so much? Come spend a day or a weekend in a beautiful location this summer joining with friends to rehabilitate an area damaged by past ecological impacts. Work hard! Have Fun! Celebrate the beauty of Boulder County's open spaces!

Four exciting volunteer projects are scheduled this summer (see list below). Three of these projects are located in the scenic Indian Peaks Wilderness. One project will be located at Heil Ranch, a 15 minute drive away from Boulder in the nearby foothills. Some projects are one day. Others include overnight camping. In some cases, meals will be provided. There is no cost to attend, but please reserve your spot soon as these projects will fill quickly. No experience is necessary. These projects have been sponsored through generous contributions by the Boulder Group of the Colorado Mountain Club and the Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance.

To register or get more information about any of the projects listed below, contact Ed Self at edself@qwest.net (preferred) or call 303-543-1411. If you want to register, please specify your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, which project(s) you wish to attend, how many people will be attending including yourself, and how you heard about this project. At least two weeks before the project, you will receive details about the project including what to bring and where to meet.

We are also looking for volunteers who are interested in extra training to become crew leaders or help out with meal planning and preparation on projects. The cooks are always the stars of any project. Please let me know if you would like to learn more about these opportunities. And, please tell your friends!

Saturday, June 23, 2001, 7:30am - 4:00pm
Long Lake is in the Indian Peaks, near Brainard Lake. We will walk in a short 0.5 mile to work for the day in one of the most spectacular locations in Boulder County. As the winter snows retreat, we will plant locally collected willow cuttings to revegetate an area that has been heavily impacted by visitor traffic. A nearby section of trail will be closed and re-routed to reduce soil erosion. Limited to 20 volunteers.

Friday evening, July 27 - Sunday afternoon, July 29, 2001
Diamond Lake is a gorgeous subalpine lake in the Indian Peaks. We will hike in two miles on Friday evening for a weekend camp-out. Our work on Saturday and Sunday will aim to reduce the impacts of visitors on this fragile subalpine environment. We will close and revegetate unofficial campsites and trails and improve the signage to more clearly direct campers. Limited to 20 volunteers.

Saturday, August 4 - Sunday, August 5, 2001
Mitchell Lake is another gorgeous lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. It's a one mile hike in from a trailhead near Brainard Lake. We will close, revegetate and re-route sections of trail to reduce the impacts to this fragile subalpine environment. You can attend one or both days. Overnight camping will be available in or near the CMC Brainard Lake Cabin. Limited to 20 volunteers.

Saturday, September 8 - Sunday, September 9, 2001
Heil Ranch is one of the newest additions to the Boulder County Open Space system. This beautiful secluded area is only 15 minutes drive from Boulder and is quickly becoming popular with hikers. One of the old roads on this property extends up into Plumely Canyon, a sensitive habitat area. Our efforts will aim to close this road, revegetate it and reduce the severe erosion which has been clogging the nearby creek with sediment. You can attend one or both days. Limited to 100 volunteers.

A "Must Read":

Backpacking for Beginners

An Excerpt from

To city dwellers, stepping into a wilderness setting for the first time is an entirely new, nearly foreign experience. Accordingly, take a few moments to acquaint yourself with some of the basic ground rules of outdoor exploration:

• Wilderness lands are not theme parks. Out here, there are no handrails, no water fountains, no flush toilets, no snack bars, no trash cans, no cheery attendants directing you to your next attraction. You are on your own, completely dependent on your individual skills, energy and knowledge. If you're careless, you could get hurt, or worse. If complete self-reliance is unappealing to you, think twice before you attempt an overnight trip. Read more of this article

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