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Our alpine lake research team in RMNP needs volunteers!

Original Post
kvincent · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 5

Our alpine lake research team needs help!

I am a PhD student at CU Boulder working on a research project looking at the effects of climate change on alpine and subalpine lake communities in Rocky Mountain National Park. We are seeking volunteers to help carry research gear and we'd love to have your help! We've had a couple cancellations from folks, so we could really use the help. No research experience necessary, just the ability to safely carry a heavy pack (30ish lbs) for 10-15 miles on trail and the desire to be in a beautiful place!

Details...

What to bring:
You will need a large pack (40-70L) to hold bulky gear. I’ve been hiking up in quick dry shirt/pants and throwing a good base layer, fleece, light puffy, and a rain-shell in my pack because the weather can, of course, be unpredictable. The sun is harsh at elevation, so a good pair of sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen are key. Make sure to bring enough food and about 3L of water to hold you over in the field. And a book or something to do might be nice while we do the field work.

Where to meet:
We meet at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center in Estes Park at 6am and drive to the trailhead together. A ride may be available from Boulder leaving at 5am. Days are long-- about 12 hours, but the sites are beautiful and it certainly beats the gym!

Dates and tentative lakes (lakes may need to change due to scheduling changes):
Mon 7/27; lakes: Black, Jewel, and Mills
Weds 7/29; lakes: The Loch and Haiyaha
Thurs 7/30; Bluebird Lake, drop off gear, hike out solo (we are staying overnight)
Weds 8/5; lakes: Black, Jewel, and Mills
Fri 8/7; lakes: The Loch and Haiyaha
Tues 8/11; hike to Siskin camp, drop off gear, hike out solo (we are staying overnight)
Fri 8/14; lakes: Black, Jewel, and Mills
Tues 8/18; Bluebird Lake, drop off gear, hike out solo (we are staying overnight)
Fri 8/21; lakes: The Loch and Haiyaha

We could use at least two volunteers (could use up to four) on each trip, so all of these are fair game. Let me know which ones work for you! Email me for more details and feel free to ask as many questions as you like! Hope to see you out there.

Thanks!
Kim

Black Lake, RMNP

Brendan Blanchard · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 590

Kim,

I'm not sure what office/division you're working out of at CU, but you may want to drop a line to INSTAAR, CIRES etc, or any of the other science/environmental divisions on East Campus. I'm sure you can find volunteers there, or even people who can help with the actual fieldwork. Hope it goes well!

-Brendan

kvincent · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 5

Thanks for the message, Brendan! I am working for INSTAAR and am in the EBIO department. I've advertised with some sub-groups in those departments, but I should expand my search. Thanks for the ideas!

ZANE · · Cleveland, OH · Joined May 2011 · Points: 20

I'll forward this to a friend in the area right now. I think I met you guys last year after a climb on the Petit! If I get back in town by the later dates I'll holler at ya.

Good luck!

Em Cos · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 5

You may want to also look for volunteers in the outdoor program or the alpine club, since you say no research experience is necessary and it sounds like hiking is the main qualification.

Rob Larson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 0

I just found this through the RMGRT page.. Look forward to helping out! For the Tues trips does the volunteer stay the night or hike back solo the same day? Thanks!

kvincent · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 5

Zane- Thanks so much! I appreciate it and hope I get to see you out there later in the summer.

Em Cos- Great idea! Yes, only need people to carry gear, so just need strong hikers!

Rob- Awesome! Thank you. Either way- both options are helpful. if the volunteer wanted to stay overnight, they would need to be self sufficient and able to carry their own gear in addition to work gear, but I don't suppose that would be a problem on a site like this! :) Day hikers would need to drive themselves (since we are staying overnight), but would be very helpful to have runners help carrying the gear in. Feel free to bring friends who are willing to carry gear as well!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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