Trails Update: May 8, 2026
strength in numbers
It was just a 2 man show this week at the WORCA trail crew since I sent everyone else to a chainsaw handling course hosted by our friends at SORCA. Despite National Volunteer Week being a thing of the not so distant past, MIchal and I managed to log even more volunteers this week! Every spring, the grade 9 class from Whistler Waldorf joins us for a week. Hot Dog Alley, Muffin Man, Robin Yer Eggs. Flashback 5, Cut Yer Roots, (and more!)... are some trail projects the school has helped with. This year, we guided their efforts on the Rick’s Roost Corner (RCRR) extension which will bypass the steep wet corner on the way up to Cat Scratch Fever. It wasn’t all grunt work though…The students solved some enigmatic trail problems like pulling stumps and disassembling large boulders. “Let’s work smarter, not harder!” was the theme of the week. This busy project gave new meaning to Teamwork and the right tools go a long way.
Just as the Waldorf students “clocked out”, the Whistler Secondary School (WSS) Outdoor Leadership Program students were back in the RCRR for their turn on the tools. I must admit that I may have fueled the schools’ competitive spirit with some “meters per student hour” comparisons… I won’t divulge any concrete numbers on that but I must award the MVP award to Victoria… She blasted through an insane amount of trail WHILE facetiming a friend in Norway! “I can get way more done if I just keep talking”. We’re saving more work on this project for WORCA camp participants and the High School MTB team and emergency trail mornings (see below) so we won’t get to roll up this one for a while…
He (Chutes), He Scores!
Tuesday night digging moved to one of the oldest trails in town: 99’er. Contrary to popular belief, the trail name story for this one stems from the Hockey Hero, not the sea-to-sky highway. Despite the hockey heritage, our project had “Passing Lane” as the working title. Indeed, Gretzky had the most passes! We were crafting a ride-around to the straight “shot” chute, which when measured, (its grade) fell into the new double-black rating. Tripping in that corner would be off-side and likely to get you at least 2 minutes on the bench… or a stretcher. I think I’m out of hockey puns. Maybe…The volunteers gave 110% deep into overtime. They tasted the delicious victory (pulled pork!) It was a clean game, no gloves came off. The trail crew will need the Zamboni to smooth out some pesky stumps before you can shoot your shot at this one so please be patient! Huge thanks to Chromag for bringing the whole office out for the big game!
About next week… the Wildfire rating has forced our hand: we’re switching to May 10 Mother’s Day Dig Morning to 9am!!! Last minute details are here. There is no parking at the top of Alpine Way so please ride your bikes (we’ll have all the tools on site).
See you on the Trails!
Dan Raymond
WORCA Lead Trail Builder
