CDTC Gears up for another field season
By CDTC Staff, From the 2023 Spring issue of Passages Magazine
Waking up to early morning light and birdsong, the first great chore of the day is leaving your warm sleeping bag. But as you emerge from the tent, the muffled sound of other volunteers cooking breakfast and making morning conversation begins to wake up the senses. You circle up as a crew after eating and start the day with a safety talk, stretching, and goals, then head out with all your needs in your backpack and a tool in hand. You begin as a crew to tackle the work of the day: digging, clearing, cutting, then building, hauling, and shaping all types of natural materials.
When lunch rolls around, you feel so grateful for that sandwich and that piece of fruit you packed in the a.m. You laugh with your new friends as you rest under a tree and maybe share stories. It’s amazing what comes up on these projects and how easy it becomes to relate to one another.
The workday ends, and whether the project leaves your crew feeling victorious or defeated, you walk back to camp together with a sense of fulfillment, release, and good tiredness. Everyone gathers around the camp together as more stories come forth–sometimes silly and hilarious, sometimes tender and moving–and, no matter what, it is a safe space to be yourself. You eat dinner together, hang around, and, eventually, shuffle off to your tent as the moon and stars fill the sky, to do it all over again the next morning.
CDTC Field Coordinator Michael “Peacock” McDaniel shared about a typical day in the field. He is a Triple-Crowner, having completed the CDT, PCT, and AT, with over 15,000 hiking miles logged and five years of working with and leading trail crews. Michael is no stranger to long days in the field. His goal this season is “To connect people to their legacy along the Continental Divide Trail and open the door for new folks to experience this spectacular resource.”
Alongside Michael, Haley “Natty G” Gamertsfelder joined the CDTC as Field Coordinator in 2023. A fellow Thru-Hiker, trail crew worker, and leader, Haley has a background in conservation and restoration and is especially looking forward to learning about the plants she encounters in the field.
Haley shares, “I’m delighted to take part in co-leading so many unique and exciting projects this season. From the retired forester to the weekend adventurer looking to make an impact in their area, this trail is truly a space for all of us. I look forward to meaningful conversations and connections formed in the outdoors. To spend time on the Divide is a gratifying experience that I cannot wait to share with our volunteers this year!”
Teresa Martinez, the Executive Director of the CDTC shares her excitement for upcoming projects: “I’m thrilled to have a dynamic duo of expert field coordinators leading the season.”
From May to September, join Michael, Haley, and our dozens of partners for projects that range from clearing the trail corridor to making tread and building bridges. From big to small, all of the projects help make a lasting impact up and down the Divide.
To join them on one of their many immersive projects, visit continentaldividetrail.org/volunteer.
