| Description |
Spring 2005 Camelot Keyholder Trip
Date: May 8-9, 2005
Location: Camelot!
Participants: Chris Glazner, Martin Zalesak, Lisa Sweeney, Summer Austin, Mike Ratta, Jared Toettcher, Christaan Adams, Michael Baym, Jonah Elgart, Kapil Singh, Eric Gilbertson, Atanas Pavlov, Jianping Fu, Stacy Figueredo, Kathryn Armstrong, Xiaowei "Tony" Chen, Sherri Davidoff, Jeremy Sylvan
New Cabin Mangers: Chris Glazner and Martin Zalesak.
Trip Report
This was a phenomenally productive Keyholder trip! There was a long list of work to get done this weekend, and the amazing crew that we had accomplished all of it and more. Here's a list of some of what was accomplished:
- Relocated the outhouse that was overflowing. Dug a new, deeper hole and filled in the old hole
- Emptied Clivus. We're not sure how well it's doing compared to what it's supposed to be doing, but we collected a good bit of data for people at the Clivus company I've been talking to. Unfortunately, in the process of collecting the data, Chris lost his camera battery in the bowels of clivus. It wasn't fun. All 20+ wheelbarrows full of Clivus-joy was definitely not fun. At least it was mostly composted. It took two huge holes and a dedicated (and enthusiastic!) crew to bury all of the Clivus material.
- Reupholstered the 2 nasty-ass couches. They look AWESOME! It's as though we got new couches. You have to see the job the sewing crew did--it's really phenomenal. This was a really big job. We also got material to re-do all of the curtains. This didn't get done in time, but the measurements have been taken and they're going to be sewed this week and will be placed next time someone heads up.
- Surveyed the streambed to the cabin for a new water system We determined that the cabin is 13 feet above the stream at the well that Greg found (this is very good news). We then emptied and then dug out the well to find out there was a gravel layer only a few feet down. We measured the re-fill rate to be only a few inches per hour. However, if we either dig a bit deeper to get a reservoir or if we create a new shallow well structure there using a sand trap and gravel pit we should have a good source for water that even does a little natural filtration for us. Because the cabin isn't that much higher than the stream, we can implement the water system with a single-stage electric pump that sits under the cabin. Schweet!
- Surveyed the current drainage from the cabin. The best we could tell, the outlet pipe from the cabin are just shoved deep in the ground as a greywater sump. If we install a water in Camelot, our water usage will go up considerably, and we'll need a proper greywater sump/pit. We located an area for that beyond the toolshed that's out of the watershed and in a low-traffic area. ( we also reconnected the metal basin to the drain pipe, which was just loose.)
- Split a TON of firewood that was left sitting out unsplit after the last keyholder trip and getting wet and rotten. We now have a ton of wood. Really. We're going to have to get creative to come up with stuff to do at the Fall keyholder trip to do things that don't focus our activities on splitting wood.
- Fixed a lot of things on the chimney: screwed down the flange that was sticking up, and resealed all of the flanges and joints that were leaking. You had to see the awesome work rigging the belay. Inside, a flue was installed in the chimney, and the chimney was stabilized and screwed together. We have confirmed the repairs worked: it didn't leak!
- Paved the low part of the path behind the cabin on the way to the outhouse with rocks. This area always gets muddy, so a few enterprising folks paved the path to minimize erosion.
- All trails were walked and cleared of blowdowns. The trails were re-marked with flagging.
- The door to the sauna had diagonal braces installed and was re-hung so it opens and closes better. Additionally, a new handle was installed that is rock solid. We also finally got the key back from a certain forgetful person.
- The firewood holder at the sauna was upgraded to include a metal covering to keep the wood much more dry.
- The sauna stove was resealed with stove cement.
- Created signs for both the sauna and the current sump.
- We did a thorough cleaning of the place, including many of the dishes. The drying racks are actually empty!
- Replaced many burnt out lightbulbs with eco-friendly fluorescent bulbs.
- Replaced the shaft on a broken axe with a nice, polymer handle that take more abuse from neophyte-lumberjacks. Also got a spare axe handle for when the next one goes.
- We also bought a new single-bit axe and a good pick axe that makes getting through rocks much easier.
- Restocked the cabin with lots of sawdust for Clivus, hand sanitizer for Clivus, a lot more toilet paper, paper towels and a full compliment of cleaning supplies (they're kept under the sink).
- went through the Camelot log book and recorded a time-series statistics of usage over the last two years. The Clivus people need that data, and I find it cool. October is a really busy month! (yes, I know that Circii and WS is grossly underreported)
Awesome work! The new cabin managers are very proud of our crew on our first keyhodler trip. You guys and gals rock!
A few people headed out after keyhodler training, while most stayed for a very tasty dinner featuring BBQ chicken, assorted veggies, portabello mushrooms and corn on the cob couresty of Summer. After dinner, several folks took a sauna and hopped in the stream for a very refreshing experience!
On Sunday, many people headed out, while one group went to Welch Dickey and another hiked Cannon and Kinsman Ridge.
-Chris and Martin
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