Comache Grasslands

What was your favorite part of the 2 weeks spent in the Comanche Grasslands?

Coming home to delicious dinners...sooo hungry by the end of the day. And sittinf around the fire. ~Ayla

My favorite part was just getting out there, putting in a hard day's work and overexceeding the expectations of our sups. Going on long morning hikes before the sun rose over the peaks made this experience something to truly remember and a time I will never forget (because I got most of it on my videocam). ~Josh "Roscoe"

Working hard. ~Marshall

I enjoyed being in a remote are without people all around. ~Brendan

Exploring the area around our bunkhouse (hikes) and having an awesome fire most nights. ~Alex

Being out in the wild, no civilization rocks! ~Benn

I loved using our chainsaws during the second week to cut down the tamarisks. I cant believe we cleared the entire side of the bank we were working on! ~Katie

After 1 Week in Woodland Park...

After 1 week of bring at Woodland Park, what is your favorite part so far? Or What do you hope to accomplish this round?

Favorite part is how this job highlights our excellent teamwork skills. Being tired at the end of every day, feeling accomplished, and happy to come home to my team, which is not my family. Hope to get in better shape- mentally and physically. ~Ayla

My favorite part of week 1 would have to be getting certified as a class A sawyer, and becoming proficient at felling trees. I hope to still have gains in both physical and mental strength despite no longer being able to use the gym. ~Josh

I really enjoyed being able to get outside and experience the great outdoors. This round I hope to get in better shape and be a great firefighter. ~Anonymous

I love analyzing my tree stump after felling a tree to see where I can improve. I’m also loving being outside all day in the fantastic Pike National Forest. ~Alex

Someone told me that not only is it important to be strong, but also, it is important to feel strong- felling trees successfully definitely makes you stronger. This lifestyle is AMAZING. P.S. Russ is the new Chuck Norris. ~Clay

Being fluent with chain saw engines. ~Marshall

My favorite part is hearing the loud CRACK a tree makes after you stop running the chain saw, and the tree breaks the hinge wood as it is falling. Felling trees is a really empowering experience, and to see the giant trees fall is an awe-inspiring demonstration of man’s impact on the wilderness. ~Katie

Wildfire Fighting Training

What was one thing you learned, or one thing you thought was interesting from wild land firefighter training?

"The patterns that exist in most failures by firefighter teams that caused fatalities. It was eerie to hear the stories." ~Clay

"Everything was interesting. Stoked about getting on the mountain, proving myself to Russ, and beginning my career as a wild land firefighter, reaching ever closer to my goal of becoming a smoke jumper." ~Josh

"I was very curious about, and to learn the specific techniques which wild land fire fighters use to contain and extinguish fires." ~Brendan

"I learned that this experience will likely be the most mentally/physically thing I;ve done in my life. I'm taking this experience a lot more seriously and I'll be relying on myself and the team for support. I think I'll gain perseverance and patience." ~Ayla

"I enjoyed the tools/engine/firing devices training quite a bit. The different sections covering line work have also been interesting. I'm definitely looking forward to our first day in the mountains." ~Alex

"I learned about the various safety procedures that will keep our team safe." ~Benn

"I really enjoyed learned about the different tasks our team will get to do, and the different skills we will develop. As I'm learning about cold trailing, and patrolling for spot fires I can see myself doing this, and it just seems like such a different experience and I'm so excited to do it." ~Katie