Description
Start Date-End Date: 05/11/2013-05/12/2013
Land Manager Office: BLM - San Luis Valley
Land Manager Contact: Sean Noonan
Funding Partner:
Programmatic Partner:
Summary: Come help construct a new trail in the Zapata Falls area in the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Description:
STEWARDSHIP SITE
Carved out of the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains over millennia by South Zapata Creek, the dramatic Zapata Falls tumble thirty feet down a deep, narrow chasm. Higher up in the Zapata Falls Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA), spectacular views open up of the San Luis Valley, San Juan Mountains, Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and the nearby Great Sand Dunes National Park. This natural beauty has made Zapata Falls the most visited BLM site in the San Luis Valley.
VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY
VOC will work in the Zapata Falls SRMA to construct a brand new trail as part of an ongoing effort to expand the area's existing trail system. The expansion will significantly increase the trail mileage in the area and be a regional magnet for competitive and recreational mountain bikers, and will benefit the local economy. Since volunteers will be constructing a brand new trail, there will be a variety of duties for all levels of physical difficulty. Volunteers will be tasked with moving vegetation, soil, and rock to sculpt the new tread. Rock work and armoring will also be necessary to address sustainability concerns and to decrease the need for annual maintenance.
PARTNERS
Bureau of Land Management - San Luis Valley Field Office
SPONSORS
Mike O'Brien Memorial Fund
BLM
OTHER FUN STUFF
Meals: Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch provided.
Camping: Free camping available.
Activities: Enjoy the close proximity to Sand Dunes National Park.
Latitude/Longitude: 37.621098, -105.559988
Additional Information:
Camping Available: Yes
Physical Difficulty: Moderate
High Altitude Project: No
Desired Number of Volunteers: 50
Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 82
Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0
Total Volunteer Days: 82
Total Unique Volunteers: 46
Total Volunteer Hours: 1044
Staff Hours: 132
Stipend Hours: 0
Project Summary:
Successes and Challenges:
Lessons Learned:
Special Notes:
Stewardship Education:
Kathy Faz the Head of Interp at Great Sand dunes National Park led a a talk Saturday evening about local geology, hydrology and wildlife. Approximately 20 volunteers attended.
Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers:
Crew leadership provided by the Southwest Conservation Corps crew leaders.
Description of Accidents/Incidents:
VOC Incident Report Form
Must be submitted within 48 hours. VOC fax: 303.715.1212
Project Name and Location: Mike Obrien Memorial Project at Zapata Falls Recreation Area
Date of Accident/Incident: May 11th, 2013 Time: Onset at approx 0930 Evacuated at approx 1900
Participant’s Name: Marjorie (Marj) Peta
Address: 7665 E Eastman Ave C306
City: Denver State: CO Zip: 80231 Phone: 303-751-6631
Emergency Contact: Darlene Peta(mother) Phone: 641-699-6932
Crew Leader Name: Danielle McQueen Phone: 317-364-7621
Location of Accident/Incident: Onsite at Zapata Falls trails and at campsite.
Accident/Incident Description (attach a separate page if necessary):
Marj’s crew leaders noticed odd behavior and general clumsiness in the a.m. during crew introductions and the hike to the work site. As the day went on the crew leaders continued to monitor and keep an eye on Marj not knowing if this behavior was normal for her. They began to noticed a decrease in motor skills and brought her to my(Brink Messick) attention at aprrox 1300 after she declined an offer to leave the work site early. After observing her for a little bit I asked Sierra Hutchison who had given Marji a ride down if her present behavior was normal, she said it was not and that she had noticed actions outside of the norm during the drive and during camp set up the night before. I then approached Marj to check in and she admitted that she was frustrated at her productivity and increasing difficulty to keep up with the rest of the crew. This time when I asked if she wanted to leave early and talk to the RN on site she eagerly agreed. Katie Kowalski the volunteer nurse walked with us to a vehicle parked near by and assessed Marj on the way. Marj hadn’t slept much the night before and had had a migraine headache the Monday and Tuesday before the project, the vital signs Katie was able to take in the field were not too alarming. After accessing Marj, Katie suggested she continue to hydrate and rest in her tent before dinner. Marj seemed to be doing better during dinner, but immediately following dinner I noticed her sitting in a crumpled position directly behind the vault toilet. Katie went over to help and walked her back to her tent. Marj was now feeling nauseous and was showing a further decrease in motor skills but was still alert and oriented. Several other volunteers that had worked with Marj before began to notice her behavior and voiced their concern. Katie suggested that we consider taking Marj in to the hospital in Alamosa to get checked out. Katie, Sierra, and myself strategize the best way to get her there, we decided that Sierra would take her and Robert Rosenzweig volunteered to go down as well. Marj was very cooperative and agreed that she needed to get checked out at the hospital. Shorty after being seen at the ER at the SLV Regional Medical Center in Alamosa a scan showed a possible growth on Marji’s brain and she was quickly airlifted to a medical facility in Denver. The hospital was given Marj’s emergency contact information. Sierra took responsibility for collecting Marj’s belongings at camp and returning them to Denver, she spoke with Marj Sunday evening, her family and support group had been notified and was with her. Exploritory surgery is scheduled for Tuesday May 14th.
Emergency Responder Name and Agency: Katie Kowalski, RN and Brink Messick WFR with VOC
Hospital/Location Transported To (if applicable): SLV Regional Medical Center 106 Blanca Avenue Alamosa, CO 81101 Phone: 719-589-2511
Names and Phone Numbers of Witnesses:
1. Brink Messick Phone: 828-406-9495
2. Sierra Hutchison Phone: 303-330-5721
3. Katie Kowalski Phone: 303-915-1151
Follow-up Actions: Follow up with Marj and family after exploratory surgery.
Description of Work Completed:
Constructed 3600' of new trail containing 5 climbing turns and 7 armored dry wash crossings. Tread was 18" to 24" wide and layed on a crossslope averaging 5% to 8%. The total trail length is 3.6 miles
Details
| 12 and older |
