Spring 2008 Patrol Update
Posted April 18, 2008
Arrrrgh... more snow?!? Raise your hand if you've had enough of the white stuff? I know we need the moisture but this is getting a little ridiculous. With a little luck, this will be our last snow of the season and the trails will finally get a chance to dry out.
Our 12th season of patrolling in Buffalo Creek is upon us and we are ready to go. All the details have been worked out with the Forest Service and they are fully on board and as excited as we are. At the risk of sounding like a broken record (we say this every year), the Forest Service continues to face ever shrinking budgets and staff levels so they really appreciate our efforts. Our presence on the trails will probably be even more important this season since the Buffalo Creek Recreation area has become an increasingly popular destination for Front Range riders. So we are looking forward to a busy and fun filled season.
Our annual training day will be held on Saturday, May 24th. The training is mandatory for all new patrollers and is applicable towards National Mountain Bike Patrol membership if you are interested. Veteran patrollers are welcome to join in but are not required to. We will spend about two hours at the Forest Service office reviewing patrol operations, etc. and then head up to Buffalo Creek and enjoy a ride. Details will follow but please save the date if you are new to the patrol this year.
As we have done in years past, we will schedule the summer's patrol dates in advance. We'll begin accepting patrol dates on May 1st. We will ask you to provide us with four dates throughout the summer that you'll be available to patrol. We will sign you up for only three of those dates unless you tell us otherwise. The extra date gives us a little flexibility when scheduling. We will schedule every Saturday and Sunday starting with Sunday, May 25th and running through Sunday, August 31st. Patrol dates will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis and again, we will start accepting your dates on May 1st. So between now and then, check out your calendars and see what dates work for you. Also, if you plan on patrolling with a specific partner, check with them in advance to arrange your patrol dates. We will send out a reminder notice before 5/1.
Our Wilderness First Aid/CPR class finished up in late March and was a huge success. Thanks to all the participants for joining in and special thanks to patrol members Wally Werner for allowing us to use his office space to hold the class and to Todd Chastain, our fearless instructor. Nice job Todd!
That's all we've got for now. If you have any questions, feel free to send an email and ask away. We'll be in touch later next week with a reminder about scheduling patrol dates.
Most importantly, thanks again for your willingness to participate in the patrol. Without your efforts, the patrol would not be possible.
Keith and Stu
