Perfect fall weather created ideal working conditions for #TeamMerrimac and #TeamRibLake. Photo by Joanne Ellarson.
The 2016 Mobile Skills Crew “Stones and Ripples” tour ended in triumph at two project sites. Thanks to the combined efforts of 180 volunteers and a whopping 3,222 volunteer hours, a phenomenal amount of work was accomplished – and finished ahead of schedule.
A sense of community and collaboration formed between the two projects through a good-natured social media duel featuring each team’s creativity and trailbuilding skills.
Volunteers of #TeamMerrimac create new tread. Photo by Lysianne Unruh
Team Merrimac built sustainable 3,600 feet of 4-step tread and unlocked incredible views of the Baraboo Hills by combatting ever-pernicious invasive plants in and around the trail stewardship zone.
Volunteers of #Team Rib Lake carefully set stone to create a retaining wall along the trail. Photo by Dave Caliebe
Team Rib Lake worked diligently (and humorously) to construct 105 feet of rock wall, finish 1,200 feet of tread, build a rock staircase, and complete trail signage elements through a forest well-past peak fall colors. Each morning, volunteers woke to frost on the grass, frost on the tent fly, and a serene sunrise over Wood Lake.
We’d like to extend a special thanks to:
Merrimac
- Donna & Neal Meier for their efforts in the kitchen to keep the project rolling;
- Bob Thompson for providing drinking water;
- Linda Lynch and Riverland Conservancy for base camp;
- Jerry Pfeifer & Mark Struve for pitching in with Crew Leader Manager work;
- Bob Funk for stepping up as Team Leader;
- UW-Hoofers for adding a boost on Saturday;
- Scout Troop 44 for helping remove invasives;
- MG21 for bringing the whole class out to work on the Trail.
To see more photos of #TeamMerrimac’s project, go here.
To view a map of the Merrimac project area, go here.
Rib Lake
- Ivan and Sandy Kauer for providing drinking water;
- Taylor County Parks for another lovely base camp at Wood Lake.
To see more photos of #TeamRibLake’s project, go here.
To view a map of the Rib Lake project area, go here.
Great teamwork #TeamMerrimac #TeamRibLake!
Next Up: Look for the 2017 MSC calendar in your inbox by early December and join us at the Winter Rendezvous the first weekend of February.