The 2011 projects were responsible for an incredible amount of work. The results are still being tallied, but we’ve maintained and built over 70 miles of trail, installed nearly 400 waterbars, cleared more than 90 trees from trails, moved over 70 tons of rock, removed 5 miles of fencing and more than 150 fire rings, naturalized more than 100 campsites, planted more than 13,000 plants, and removed thousands of invasive weeds, for a grand total of more than 15,000 hours of work – valued at more than $400K – on public land!
Thanks to all of you for “Giving Something Back” in 2011!
No thanks is complete without an extra special thanks to long-time volunteer, leader, board member, and top chef Gayle Marechal, who is stepping down after nine years on the WV Board and eleven years as a trip leader. Many of you have shared a trail, a pulaski, and, if you’re lucky, a backcountry blueberry pancake with Gayle, who has led nearly 30 trips over the last decade.
From Oregon to Montana to Colorado, Texas, Idaho, and beyond, Gayle has shared not only his trail-work skills but also his culinary prowess, leaving all of us well fed and wondering when he’ll publish his very own backcountry cookbook. From Turkish rice and vegetarian curry to hash browns and scrambled eggs, Gayle, simply put, has the knack when it comes to cooking in the woods. The average trip requires 17 meals be served, and Gayle has cooked on all but 3 of the 29 trips he’s led since 2000. My rough math tells me that’s more than 400 group meals served; with an average of 7 (hungry!) participants per trip, that’s more than 3,000 mouths fed. And that’s not even counting seconds!
So what’s Gayle’s favorite backcountry meal? Native American Stew with quesadillas. Get the full recipe here.
Gayle – we thank you. For your hard work, your selfless commitment, your wonderful cooking, and your superb leadership and friendship. You’ll be missed!
Happy Trails, and Happy Thanksgiving!
I have had the pleasure of working with Gayle over the years on the WV newsletter. Great work and always a positive attitude.
Thanks Gayle.
Mike,
Thanks you for the blog post. You are too kind with your comments.
Kathryn,
The pleasure has been all mine in working with you on the newsletter.
I am so proud of my handsomely rugged cousin and his awesome outdoorsy and culinary skills. I've had the good fortune of sitting for a meal at his table and can attest to his creativeness. Love, Rosa
Bro — I'm sure all those people who spent time with you in the wilderness enjoyed you as much as I did when we were kids and we walked and talked together. It's good to know that you are still the interesting, fully alive person you have always been. I know that whatever you turn your hand to next will be something good, something exciting, and something that benefits others.
Love, Jackie