Trek Support

TREK SUPPORT not to be confused with TECH SUPPORT.  Ken and I helped out at the Corvallis Stake Trek July 21-24,  2010.  We transported kids, moved port-a-potties, and shuttled 24 vehicles.  Ken could become a great valet the way he packed in the vans, pickups, trailers, and sedans in nice rows. He also trailed the handcarts in order to give rides to the next camp for those trekkers who had pulled to their physical (or was it mental) limit. He also changed a tire and got two sick vehicles going again. 

The weather was perfect--clear and cool nights. Ken took lots of great photos including a midnight shot of the big dipper.  (See his blog when it gets posted.) The Trek route was from Sisters, Oregon up the Santiam Pass to 4700' elevation at Big Lake at the top.  It was extremely well planned and executed.  The kids had fun and were inspired with pioneer zeal. The trail was dusty as this picture shows. A boy I home teach, Keith Tarkwon is pushing the handcart.

It amazed me how much work goes into supporting this type of event.  The adults accompanying each "family" made it uplifting.  The youth helped make the handcarts, the girls were really authentic in their bonnets, dresses, and pantaloons.

Each day the cooking crew had to break camp and move to the next campsite.

The medical staff marched along with the trekkers. Two girls got heat exhaustion and one was sent home with the flu.

With 220 people in the two companies, we moved 8 portable toilets ahead of the group so they had facilities waiting. The water transport was another herculean task; a truck was making constant round trips to the Sisters' fire department to refill the 300 gallon tank. David Williams chronicled the events on video and photos along with interviews. We'll get copies after a fireside is held.