What do you think?

[Wildman]

This photo is from the Corral Complex...up on the Trinity River near Willow Creek. My packer friends have been supporting the effort since day one and are doing a great job moving almost 3,000 lbs of dunnage a trip to support the firefighters in the wilderness spike camps. With the inversions that set in, aircraft can't fly and only the mules have access. Take a look at this photo and tell me what you think those two cases look like to you? No, it wasn't taken while I was up there and I can't think of any firefighting equipment that looks quite like that. Coupled with the admonition from the resource officer about "no fishing" in spike camp and I think I have a good idea.

[RichardCullip]

Is it hunting season up there?

[Wildman]

It was starting to be archery when I left. I am sure regular has started. They had the fire area closed off.

[midger]

Ya know, I never have seen any billiards tables in the Trinity Alps--must've missed them.

[Ants]

It seems obvious, the cases must contain the flip charts for the daily briefings, unless the fishing is real good.

It is good to see the packers are getting steady government service when the areas are closed to other users.

My complements to the people and families that support the packer tradition.

Ants

[WanderingBlues]

When does anyone listen to the resource officer?

[DrCreek]

When does anyone listen to the resource officer?

Was just thinking that myself. And it doesn't help matters that the RO always ends his admonitions with a hearty "wink" of the right eye. I've always taken that wink to mean, "What you do is your business. Just don't do it in front of me."

[tyingfool]

A big old deer would feed a few guys for a couple of days.Or protection from the dope growers.
David

[Wildman]

It seems obvious, the cases must contain the flip charts for the daily briefings, unless the fishing is real good.

It is good to see the packers are getting steady government service when the areas are closed to other users.

My complements to the people and families that support the packer tradition.

Ants

The packers are some of the last of the USFS Packers in the state. There are only four forests in California that maintain livestock. I've been around them for years when I do the Mule Days parade in Bishop with my horses. Normally, they have a pretty full schedule packing in trail crews or bringing in supplies to keep them in the back country. During the big blow down near Mammoth, they worked continuously supporting crews reopening trails. When fires occur in areas like the Shasta Trinity or the Golden Trout (the fish fire) they also come into play. Firefighters are "spiked" out in remote camps for up to a week at a time. One string can carry in up to 3500lb of gear and equipment, depending on terrain and distance. Up north, they are used frequently when the inversion prevents helos from flying. Down here, they are used for two reasons....helping preserve wilderness values and the cost is 1/10 the cost of using helicopters. All of the packers are Red Carded and go through fire refresher training each year.

[Jimbo Roberts]

I would second, that they are map cases for the firemen to see the terrain over the next ridge to plan their attack on the fire. The bigger the map the better for those that use them.

Jimbo

[Wildman]

I dunno....never seen a map case in fire camp. That being said, I only wished I'd stayed another day after the team left to go out there for a look myself. Simply didn't have time while we were there. They are on their fourth management team (each works 14 days and is relieved) with several more to come. Here's a glimpse of the kind of terrain they were working in. I used the photo for our Narrative cover we present to the Forest about what we encountered and accomplished during our assignment there.