Tag: Bobcat Fire

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Camp News

Happy Trails & Holidays

Trails of the Big Santa Anita Canyon are once again alive with the sounds of happy hikers, and the Camp’s Big Swing is back in action. Here’s good news, sad news, and a look ahead into 2025.

Now that the Canyon is open, even the Grinch has made the hike to Camp.
Directors Paul Witman and Sarah Barron mark completion of the final plumbing as water fills the new tanks.

Doused & Dedicated

Fifty months after the Bobcat Fire burned and melted two of the Camp’s old water tanks, representative donors, volunteers and members of the Conservancy’s Board gathered in Camp December 7th to dedicate two replacement water tanks. Those present were given a blue-ribbon necklace with a steel nut and washer from the steel tank assembly— blue for water, and for ‘winning’ the Quench fundraising campaign and construction of the new water system. 

A photo display in the Lodge illustrated the immediate aftermath of the fire, volunteers reclaiming the pack trail to Camp, then hand-carrying the tank panels up to Camp, followed by forming the foundations, assembling the tanks and testing amidst several setbacks. 

Burned remnants of the prior tanks gathered as a reminder of what was lost to the Bobcat Fire. 
Project Manager Paul Witman leads guests on a tour of the water system.

Gathering everyone at the public water fountain, Site/Ops and Quench project Manager Paul Witman then led the group on a hike to the top of the water system at survivor Tank-1, describing the water system along the way. Next, everyone clustered around the new tanks for a bit more storytelling, and Directors from the Board then took turns reading the names of all the financial donors. 

With cups of water drawn directly from the new in-flow pipe, and an exchange of thank-yous, everyone doused the tanks. Heading down into Camp, people stopped at the dedication plaque, then returned to the main Lodge.

Everyone douses the new tanks with water drawn from the new plumbing and filtration system.
Paul Witman and Gary Keene pause with the thank-you plaque. 

Gathered once again at the water fountain at the Lodge, the bottom of the delivery system, everyone filled their cups one more time for a toast to the success of the project, and to Paul Witman: President Gary Keene presented him the ‘Silver Spudger Award’ and invited all to join in declaring the project “to be known henceforth as the Witman Water Works!” 

Paul Witman with his Silver Spudger award (a ‘spudger’ is an alignment tool crucial to the tanks’ proper assembly.) 

A served luncheon followed in the historic Lodge, and the volunteers present who had worked the trails and carried the tank panels were given a custom “Sisyphus” t-shirt as recognition of their persistent efforts. 

Volunteers model the limited-edition Sisyphus t-shirts (only 36 shirts were made for those who were hands & boots-on with the tank project.)

In an appropriate twist of fate, as guests headed down the Canyon, Paul led volunteer Robert Morozco and fellow Board member Kelly Davidson back up to the new tanks, where they dug out a section of the plumbing to add in one more pipe that was mistakenly left out of the system—proof that the work at Camp never really ends!   

Volunteer Robert Morozco digs yet another trench for one more pipe for the water system.

Thank you to everyone for making the vision of ‘potable water in the wilderness for all’ a reality!

Mortals in the Mountains

In the last newsletter posted here, the search for a hiker lost for several weeks was underway. What is now considered to be a recovery effort remains an unsolved mystery—and has been supplanted by more tragic news: a trio of hikers recently breeched the closure signs near Hermit Falls in the lower canyon, and the lead hiker fell to his death. 

LA County Sheriff’s Air 5 hovering over the site of a hiker’s fatal fall (photo by Sierra Madre Search & Rescue.)

Brent Pepper, a Director on the Conservancy Board, and Patrick Kelley, a patrol agent for the Cabin Permitees’ Association, were the first two responders. Their contact and location info were critical to guiding the County Sheriff’s helicopter to the rescue site. Also, fellow Board member Teah Vaughn was working at Adams Pack Station, which became the hub of the response process, and she too became key to communications as well as care for the deceased hiker’s companions. 

It was rough for everyone, and a hard reminder that much as we love the wilderness, it remains a wilderness, a risky place that demands respect on its own terms. Come and visit, but hike safe! 

Trail Update

Soon after the Canyon opened, it was clear that many hikers come up to Camp with the goal of hiking one of the three connecting trails to make a big, beautiful loop through the mountains: up and over Mt. Zion, or Mt. Wilson, or to Newcomb’s Pass and beyond. In early October, all of those trails remained closed and impassable, and many U-turned at Camp, disappointed. 

The good news is that as of Dec.1st, the original Sturtevant Trail between Camp and Mt. Wilson is now open. Thanks to the combined efforts of Sturtevant volunteers, the LoweLife’s trail crew, and especially the San Gabriel Mountains Trailbuilders who worked the trail from top to bottom, this challenging trail is now passable (with more finishing work yet to come.) 

San Gabriel Mountain Trailbuilders working the Sturtevant trail around a monster root ball directly across from the Camp’s outdoor chapel.

Work is now scheduled to tackle the Gabrielino Trail between Newcomb’s Pass and the Camp, and various groups are working both sides of the Mt. Zion trail between Camp and Hoegees/Winter Creek. Weather and the steady persistence of the volunteer crews will determine how rapidly the work progresses. Given the success to date, either or both trails could be cleared by early spring. To volunteer, click here.

Volunteer Lance Luciani glazes a new pane of glass to repair the window where a bear broke into the Retreat Cabin a few years ago.

2025 Camp Projects Countdown

Since October 5th, the Camp has been open daily to hikers each Saturday and Sunday. In January 2025, guests will finally be welcomed to stay overnight, starting with a Scout troop on MLK weekend. Between now and then, plenty of work remains to prep the cabins and facilities for paying guests. 

Some of that will be a final deep cleaning after four years of closure, some of it checking appliances (water heaters, refrigerators), and finally repair to the bear damage that has recurred since the Fire and shutdown. 

Other deferred maintenance is on the list, and public-invite workdays will be posted to Wilbur’s Facebook page and by email for everyone who wants to join in bringing the Camp to its best condition. To get on the email list, sign up here.

The Biggest Project 

The biggest project isn’t housekeeping, it’s hospitality: we’re building a new team of Hosts! If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Guest & Hospitality Manager Teah Vaughn for a job description, application and info on upcoming training dates (hostmanager@sturtevantcamp.com). It’s the best way to be in Camp and make a big difference! 

(Incorrect) candle-numbers are placed in the 3 cakes to celebrate Wilbur’s 183rd birthday. 

Plus Twenty Candles

Not one but THREE tasty cakes + frosting were enjoyed by various partying hikers to celebrate Wilbur Sturtevant’s birthday on Nov. 23rd And to prove that the years DO matter, many pointed out the birthday math error; it wasn’t his 163rd, but 183rd birthday! Wilbur was quoted as saying, “C’mon, after 150, what’s a decade or two, give or take a few?”  

2025 Preview

January: opening the Camp to overnight guests, and the Conservancy’s annual meeting. 

Mid-Winter: what will the weather bring? 

Spring: a new slate of special events at Camp featuring food, music, crafts, and ? 

Summer: fair warning – revised Lodging rates.

Late Saturday evening after the water tank celebration, Conservancy volunteer Director Teah Vaughn-Piscopo takes a break from baking coffee cake and cookies for Sunday’s through-hikers
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Camp News

Four Down, One to Go

Four years after the Bobcat Fire, the Canyon is due to open in a few weeks. Here are the details and stories as the Conservancy gets ready to welcome the public to Sturtevant Camp.

Special Update: This issue is mostly about recovery from the 2020 Bobcat Fire that destroyed parts of Camp. Now as we go to press, the news in California is dominated by wildfires; one of those (the Bridge Fire) started on our anniversary weekend and continues to burn about 25 miles east-northeast of Big Anita Canyon. Check Wilbur’s Facebook page for timely updates.

Hot Date Anniversary

On the weekend of the fourth anniversary of the start of the Bobcat Fire (September 6, 2020), the smell of wildfire smoke was in the air and the temps soared into the high-90s, fitting reminders as people gathered in Camp to mark the occasion.

Those present were many of the ‘sturdy’ volunteers who worked on disaster recovery both in Camp and on the trails in the years after the Fire. Already this year so far, volunteers have made 200 roundtrip hikes totaling just shy of 1700 miles, visiting every weekend to work except twice (once for rain, once for heat).
Thanks y’all! 

Front L-R: Anna Binney, Brenda Beck, Kevin Hunt, Estephany Campos,
Rosa Sanchez, Candace Phillips, Kelly Davidson; 
Rear L-R: Tim O’Shea, Jose Recendez, Lance Luciani, Patrick Kelly, Ed and Paige Shieh, Brent Pepper, Peter Vance, Teah Vaughn-Piscopo, Scott Wilson, and Gary Keene.


Guests included staff from the U.S. Forest Service who were also key to the recovery; pictured L-R in the USFS Ranger Cabin are Estephany Campos, Kevin Hunt (who bucked a lot of rock & rebar on the pack trail), and Rosa Sanchez.


Volunteer Ed Shieh helped his daughter Paige ring the Camp bell, inviting guests to a picnic lunch including a lemon dessert made by Teah that morning: turning the oven on despite the hot weather not only baked the cake, it confirmed the Lodge kitchen has recovered from the extensive post-Fire bear damages. 

Teah Vaughn-Piscopo, volunteer Host the weekend of the Fire, told the story of first smelling the Fire, and soon after that evacuating guests down the trail as smoke billowed into the Canyon.

Speaking on behalf of the Conservancy’s Board, President Gary Keene detailed thanks to everyone present, noting that the official heat warning for the weekend had kept many others safely at home, but who also deserved thanks. 

Everyone praised the outstanding condition of the trails, “better than ever before”, and the Camp looked almost back to normal: just the day before, the last of the post-fire burn debris was finally packed out on the Adams Pack train (packers Lance Luciani and Scott Wilson pictured.) 

And There Was Merch

Anniversary guests each had their choice of new souvenir Camp merchandise to take home—appropriately all fluid containers to maintain hydration. Once the Camp opens, these items will be available for purchase to raise funds for the Camp.

The Camp souvenirs feature images of original photos Wilbur Sturtevant across different ages of his life; others use a graphic of the Sturtevant name as it appeared on a 1920’s publicity brochure during the Killian era of ownership (E.J. Killian owned the Camp for 16 years, longer than Sturtevant himself, and second only to the 70 years of Methodist ownership.)

Guests also took a moment to remember Dave Baumgartner, co-leader with Brenda Beck of Restoration Legacy Crew: the Crew did so much of the trail restoration work, with Dave’s rockwork being a standout feature. Folks used Sharpies to sign one of the new Sturtevant bottles for Brenda (pictured) to give to Jane Baumgartner (Jane and Dave were frequent hosts at Camp.)

Open Trails, Open Doors, Open Reservations?


‘When will the Camp re-open?!” After four years of asking, now the question has a scheduled answer: the USFS closure order expires October 1st, opening the Big Santa Anita Canyon to the public. But will Sturtevant Camp open?

Yes – BUT: only the historic Lodge will be open to the public for weekend day-visits on Saturdays and Sundays starting October 5-6.

Crucial work still needs to be done before guests can make reservations to stay overnight. The work needed is not for the Camp’s buildings but for people: a new team of volunteer hosts, docents and ‘techs’ must be recruited and trained to welcome people at Camp. The immediate need, and the place to start for those interested, is to volunteer as a docent now through the end of the year. 

Guests in 2025 Means Volunteering Now


Being a docent is the first step to being a Host: the current schedule is to open to guests starting in January 2025, so now is the time to volunteer. To get the docent/host job description and application, including how volunteering earns free overnight stays at Camp, email Teah Vaughn-Piscopo using this address: HostManager@SturtevantCamp.com.  

Some Assembly Required

The two big post-Fire projects have been rebuilding trail access to the Camp, and replacing the two water tanks destroyed in the Fire (Cabin-1 was also destroyed but is not being replaced.) The trails and tanks intersect in that the six galvanized, curved, steel panels, each about the size of a ping pong table, had to be carried by hand up the still sketchy trails to Camp.

There they waited through two seasons of record rains, while volunteer work focused on regaining the trails until the burros could deliver cement for the tanks’ support elements. Only then could assembly of the tanks begin. 

The tank assembly was not a puzzle; it was obvious where the large, 18-gauge steel pieces should go. But it did require a LOT of hollering between inside and outside of the tanks, tricky use of a ‘spudger’, and the tedious tightening-loosening-re-tightening of hundreds and hundreds of nuts and bolts. 

Tasty Vinyl – Who Knew?

Excitement was high when assembly finally reached the point of installing the vinyl liners that actually hold the water. But it turned out that two years in hibernation gave the local mouse population plenty of time to chew holes in the liners: does vinyl taste like cheese? Here Site/Ops Manager Paul Witman sits inside the #3 tank with the swiss-cheese liner: patching didn’t work, so replacement liners are on their way from Texas, due to be packed up the trail soon. Next: water in the tanks and down to the fountain for the public! 

ON THE TRAIL AHEAD

October: after the Canyon opens and the public is back on the trail, news from Camp.

November: Wilbur’s 163rd birthday party at Camp AND dedication of the new water tanks! Watch Wilbur’s Facebook page for details. 

December: Final orientation for new hosts for the new year, plus Wilbur’s Annual Holiday Wish List for Sturtevant Camp. 

BONUS DATA

The ANF Tops the NPS
(From the USFS) “The latest USDA Forest Service statistics (2021), show that the Angeles National Forest received morerecreation-based visits from the public (4.59 million) than Grand Canyon National Park (4.53 million) or Yosemite National Park (3.29 million) in the same year. 

FYI, the USFS calculates visitor statistics once every 5 years, not every year like the National Park Service, and statistics for the Angeles National Forest do not include people who only drive through the forest without stopping (like commuters) OR people who directly access the forest from trails in adjacent local communities or from adjacent parklands.”

FYI x 2: in Camp, we’re planning to get a headcount of day-hikers as evidence of foot traffic in the upper Canyon, proof of the popularity and need for the Camp’s services in the wilderness, including free potable water— from those new water tanks.

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Camp News

USFSimon Says STOP, But We Also GO

Coming into the 4th anniversary of the Bobcat Fire and closure, there’s a lot of progress at Camp— but all is still on hold for opening. Here’s the latest news at the start of Summer 2024.

He Said / She Said

In January the USFS was confident that “barring a catastrophic event” (implication “weather”), the Big Santa Anita Canyon would have a soft opening in June. But at a public meeting in May, another USFS officer reported the opening would be delayed, at least in part due to construction delays on the Chantry Road. OK, we’re used to playing yo-yo with our hopes and expectations, and frankly, it gives us time to finish some of our own key projects. Such as:  

Volunteers hauling bags of cement mix from the Pack Train drop-off up to the water tanks worksite.

They Delivered & So Did We

The burros of the Adams Pack Train finally got the chance to prove their mettle and delivered all the materials for rebuilding the water system. But it was still on volunteers to hand-carry the 60lb bags of cement up the final steep incline to job site. Then the six steel panels, carried by hand all the way up the Canyon over two years ago and patiently waiting since, also made the trip—thanks to Super-Teah, who was tired of waiting and did it herself! (See her photo below).  

Volunteer Bob Laird provides a resting place for weary bees while he works on the tanks’ foundations.
Volunteers Lance Luciani, Scott Wilson and Paul Witman work to level the bases of the water tanks: water will go in a flexible plastic liner resting on flat-packed earth.

Panels Up, Wrenches Go, Flies Bite

With the tank panels finally on site, it was time for a whole lot of nuts, bolts, drills, sockets and screw drivers to hold it all together. Nothing too tricky, other than fending off the swarms of bees attracted to the volunteers’ sweat, until they were displaced by the spring crop of biting deer flies. Hopefully those will die out on their own by the time volunteers return for the final assembly of the tank liners and top caps. Then it will be time to turn on the spigot and fill ‘em up with water—that will be a BIG day of celebrating!

Board Member Jennifer Berry pauses between the tank panels, now in place and almost ready to take in a few thousand gallons of water.

Getting Good at This

The Conservancy made a commitment two years ago to Maggie Moran / Adams Pack Station to help get all that water tank stuff packed in, and the fire debris out. That promise has been kept, mostly because it turns out some of our volunteers really like working with burros. 

“Better than the people I work for at my job” said one volunteer never on the record. 

Scott Wilson and Lance Luciani after yet another successful delivery AND pick-up at Camp.

A skilled team has emerged led by Scott Wilson (VOY’23), along with Lance Luciani and Shane King-Furgala. Other volunteers also join in, but it’s the Burro Boys who have been hitting the trail every Friday, usually with Scott leading under Maggie’s blessing—and a lot of instruction (can’t forget that re-cinch prior to heading back down the Canyon.) They’ve worked their way up from three burros to run the full six, and now have very unique additions to their Linked-In profiles. Thanks y’all!  

Out of Camp & Into the $ausage Factory

Not everyone who likes sausage wants to see how it’s made, and not everyone who enjoys Camp cares about the internal workings—but some do, and we have some, so this is for you who do. 

With four years closed, the Camp’s fiscal activity has been near zero. But now as we ramp up for guests with a new reservations system to integrate into banking services, we took some time ‘down-Canyon’ at our home desks to work on a detailed “Fiscal Plan, Policy and Procedures” for the Conservancy and Camp. 

The draft version states at the top, “Purpose: To establish the funding structure and accompanying policy and procedures for the fiduciary management of the Conservancy’s finances, including specific and transparent processes for all transactions and accounting.” 

Especially as a non-profit with only volunteers to manage the work, the procedures are designed for maximum transparency, accountability, and shareability—that is, back-up so nothing is dependent on any one person. 

One of the key safety features is that, just like we are “wi-fi free” at Camp, our fiscal system is “cash-free”. Fortunately, that’s the way most everything is already going, but integrating all the versions such as PayPal and Venmo with other on-line systems (reservations, banking) demands close attention and SO many authentications, passwords, etc.

All of which makes getting our boots back on the trail very appealing! We look forward to everyone leaving their desks behind and getting together at Camp soon. Speaking of which…    

The Bobcat Fire burning through the San Gabriel front range, September 2020.

4th Anniversary and More

By the fourth anniversary of the Bobcat Fire September 8, 2024, we plan to be open, including a re-opening celebration for everyone who has supported the Camp through these difficult years, and everyone who wants to put their boots to the Canyon’s now happy trails. 

Rare group photo of many regular volunteers and Board members who all happened to be in Camp for work on the same weekend.

You First / Help Wanted

To welcome the first wave of hikers into Camp, the Conservancy needs ‘docents’ or volunteer teachers about the Camp to greet people, answer questions, point them in the right direction, and hand out information about Sturtevant. 

Could that be you? Yes, it could! There will be training and orientation so that you’ll both feel and be competent to guide people’s experience at Camp. Docents will be screened, trained, and scheduled to serve on a Saturday or Sunday, or both, staying overnight in Camp. 

Teah Vaughn-Piscopo is a member of the Board of the Sturtevant Conservancy and Manager, Guests & Hospitality for the Camp; she’s in charge of everything to do with both guests and their Hosts.

Interested in being a HOST when the Camp opens to guests? START by being a docent: we’ll use that time and experience to screen and train for Hosts. Interested in either or both? Email NOW to Teah at HostManager@SturtevantCamp.com. See you in the Canyon and at Camp soon!

Recent dinner show just outside the Manager’s Cabin.

For weekly news as it happens at Camp and in the Canyon, friend Wilbur Sturtevant on Facebook; catch the same updates on Instagram, and share the news around to help build the Camp’s network. 

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Camp News

3 Years & Counting

Remnants of Cabin-1 destroyed by the Bobcat Fire.

September 6 marked the third anniversary of the start of the Bobcat Fire in 2020. On that Sunday, volunteer host and now Board member/manager Teah Vaughn-Piscopo smelled the smoke, then got the word by hand radio: take the guests and evacuate.

It has been a long, busy three years since then, with many volunteers working hard to recover basic access to the Camp, begin major repairs, and struggle to cope with the continuing aftereffects of record rains and wind damage.

While the U.S. Forest Service has re-opened most of the burned areas of the Angeles National Forest, the Big Santa Anita Canyon remains closed (see below). The Sturtevant Conservancy remains hard at work on repairs in Camp and on the trail, with the help of many generous volunteers— see following stories for new good news.

Volunteers Gary Keene, Ted Baumgartner, Sharon Miller, Paul Witman, and Maggie Moran (Adams Pack Station).

What He Said

The Daily News of Los Angeles published an extensive story on the post-Bobcat Fire closures in the Angeles National Forest (ANF). The detailed article by Steve Scauzillo draws on a wide variety of sources in and outside various government agencies and the public, including the Canyon’s own Glenn Owens, author of The History of the Big Santa Anita Canyon.

It notes that Chantry Flat is the “second most visited area” of the ANF, and “For decades, critics have blamed Congress for short-funding the management of the ANF, which in 2021 had more visitors than the Grand Canyon or Yosemite National Park. Damage from drought, fires and torrential rains may have exposed the lack of funding.”

Altogether it gives a good understanding of why re-opening the Canyon continues to be pushed off into the future, deepening the dilemma for Sturtevant Camp.

See the full article below:

Angeles National Forest plagued by closures from storms, fires, funding gaps

Surprise Summer Storms

You think you’ve seen everything – fires, mudslides, ‘atmospheric rivers’ – and then here comes the tail of a hurricane into the San Gabriels. The result? Winter-quantity rain in late summer! Suddenly grass is popping up on the trail like it’s May, and so are the ruby newts.

The August 20th tropical storm dumped 8.2 inches at the heliport, and Labor Day weekend dosed another .56 inches. Fortunately, the rain was steady, so no significant erosion or “relandscaping”. A few more trees down across the trail, but that’s the new normal. Good news is the quality trail work RLC (see below) and others have done is holding, a positive indicator for this coming winter’s real storms. Stay tuned!

USFS Back in the House (Cabin)

USFS personnel Estephany Campos & Rosa Sanchez in the historic Ranger Cabin

In late June, the U.S. Forest Service sent two staff persons to hike the Big Santa Anita and document needed trail work with photos and GPS locations. This was the key step in getting approval for a formal work agreement for wider volunteer participation in putting the trails in shape for the pack train and the public.

We were privileged to guide the hike and welcome USFS personnel Estephany Campos and Rosa Sanchez into Camp, who made the first official USFS visit in many years to “their” cabin—the Ranger Cabin. Often assumed to be part of the Camp, in fact the Cabin belongs to the federal government (although Camp volunteers keep it cleaned and open for the public). Built in 1903, the Cabin is the oldest federal ranger cabin on its original foundation in the nation.

Thanks to Estephany and Rosa’s enthusiastic and persistent work, volunteer work on the trail has jumped forward. With many more boots on the trail and hands on shovels, the trail should be up to spec soon (see “The Acronyms We Need” below).

Peter’s Game

“Old” Camp volunteer and New Game Warden Peter Witman

Camp-Family news: there a several “kids” who have grown up at Sturtevant, and none more active as a youth and young adult volunteer than Peter Witman, son of Board member/manager Paul Witman and Barb Witman. After a long and arduous process (that included getting tasered), Peter was recently sworn in as a California State Game Warden – hurrah!

The Board, volunteers, and Canyon community all join in celebrating Peter’s achievement, and following an internship period, look forward to his posting back to Southern California, where we trust he’ll re-join the work crews on the trail and at Camp!

The Acronyms We Need

RLC volunteers Marilyn Chang and Scoops Adamczyk pause their trail work – briefly.

For everyone who loves the BSAC (Big Santa Anita Canyon) and is eager to see it re-opened, here’s an important new acronym: SGTWPG. That’s the San Gabriel Trails and Wilderness Preservation Group, a new non-profit established by Maggie Moran (owner/operator of Adams Pack Station).

Its purpose is “to restore and maintain the trails within the Chantry Flat trail system,” so everyone – and every critter, starting with burros! – can safely use the trails into the backcountry of the ANF (you know, Angeles National Forest). Check it out here.

Even more importantly, the Group now has its VSA from the USFS: that’s a Volunteer Service Agreement from the United States Forest Service. That agreement opens up supervised trail work to a much wider variety of volunteers. First up has been the RLC (Restoration Legacy Crew), who have committed to hiking in to work every Sunday and Tuesday: thanks to them there is already significant progress on the pack trail coming up out of Fern Lodge (see photo essay below of RLC crew members Lauren Ballas, Scoops Adamczyk, Marilyn Chang, supervisor Brenda Beck plus Guy Webster at work.) Click here to sign-up for news and work sponsored by SGTWPG.

See you on the trails!

Behind The Scenes of Trail Restoration with the RLC:
L: The trail crossing before the RLC crew started work.
C: Teamwork + tools + sweat + persistence.
R: Marilyn & Lauren wrap up a big job done well.

Keeping the Community Strong (and Well-Fed)

Campers chowing down at the summer Canyon potluck.

The Conservancy is a volunteer member of the Big Santa Anita Canyon Permitee’s Association (BSACPA). Traditionally, the Association was a friendly collection of folks with a shared interest in their cabins in the Canyon.

But following the Bobcat Fire, the Association quickly came together in a much more urgent and active role to advocate for cabin owners, many of whom lost their cabins to the fire or experienced damages.

To nurture that community and keep the connections strong, the Association recently renewed its annual progressive dinner; the Sturtevant Conservancy partnered to provide the main course at Ruth and John Woods’ cabin, hiking in potato and fruit salads, and grilling up burgers and brats.

It was a warm time together with folks who share a deep love and intimate knowledge of the Canyon. In an era of limited funding for the Forest Service and its responsibility for the Canyon, the Association and Camp share in the much needed hands-on stewardship of the Canyon to the public’s benefit. A la’famiglia!

Scott Wilson, Danny Armanino, Paul Witman, Teah Vaughn-Piscopo, and Brent Pepper.

A Notable Passing – Again

One hundred thirteen years ago this week, our founder Wilbur Sturtevant passed away at the Veteran’s Home in Sawtelle/Los Angeles (September 10, 1910). Check this link for an interesting snapshot of his life and work, especially the establishment of “Sturtevant’s Camp”.

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Camp News Reports Volunteer

Naming Names & Shoveling Gravel Soup

Recent volunteer sampler

Thanks by the Names & Numbers

The Sturtevant Conservancy is an all-volunteer operation, and we now have the numbers to show just how grateful we can be—and are indeed! Although we’re not hard-core bean-counters, there is some real data to analyze, estimate and extrapolate*. Here’s the picture based on what we have so far this year:

55 volunteers have signed waivers to work in the Canyon/at Camp; 32 have showed up for one or more workdays. Using static data (distance to Camp, elevation gain, etc.) and average data (time hiking in/out and hours in Camp), as of Nov.17th, we get 495 total volunteer hours of hiking and working combined. That’s 62 days at 8 hours a day – even though most days were 6:30am at the gate, back out at 4:30pm = ten hours.

In terms of hiking, we also calculate 495 total miles, not including all the schlepping back and forth in Camp while working which can add up to way more than a mile. The total elevation gain is nearly 582,000 feet, equal to climbing the height of Mt. Wilson 102 times, or Mt. Everest 20 times.

But that’s the numbers; here are the names of all those who put boots to dirt to move Sturtevant into the future:

Volunteered at least one full workday in 2022: Susan Stahl, Taylor Crisp, Aaron Blanco, Peter Vance, Charie Contreras, Sandra Sanchez, Todd Williamson, Fred Tanis, Sharon Miller, Ted Baumgartner, Avery Arauz, James Krist, Alex Barron, Elizabeth Sturdevant, John Butta, John Binninger, Reg Willson, Ty Oehrtman, and Jim Oberman = Thank You!

Volunteered more than once: Dave Baumgartener, Andrew Bousfield, Anna Binney, Maureen Nally, Kelly Davidson, John Peel, Emily Sawicki, Peter Witman, Patrick Gorman, and Patrick Kelly. (Special call out that several of these folks were even more active in 2021, back when we weren’t trying to track the particulars.) Double-Thank-You!!

Scott Wilson, Brent Pepper, and Nate Bousfield volunteered five times or more for a collective total of at least 135 miles hiked and 158,625 ft of upward trail. No counting of all the parts carried, shovels-flung and dirt inhaled; a mountain-sized THANKS to each of you!!!

There simply would be no real progress on recovery from the Bobcat Fire, much less conserving the Camp’s long-term condition for future use without all these boots, miles, hands and hearts: thank you all so very much! We’ll have year-end totals after the holidays, a snapshot of the Board member data, and next year we should ‘count calories consumed’—that should be an outstanding number. If you want to get in on the action, sign up to volunteer sturtevantcamp.com/volunteer.

*Board members are not included so as to not skew the data.

Raindrops Keep Fallin’ — and Moving Stuff

The early November storm that smacked southern California did a real number on the San Gabriels. Despite the dramatic changes of the 2020 Bobcat Fire and the subsequent storms at the start of 2021, this one seemed to do even worse. Winter Creek* was especially hard hit, with the familiar green bridge at Roberts Camp ripped from its foundations, along with all the forest cover at the junction with the Big Santa Anita stream. The view is simply devastating.

Up-canyon, the water did some more re-landscaping, and more trees were down, thankfully none in Camp. The heliport rain gauge measured 6.9 inches from the storm, and that plus the volume of surface gravel yet again wiped out the Camp’s rebuilt collection pond, along with much of the hardware. Volunteers have already shoveled a LOT of soupy gravel to locate what was left, and rebuilding is underway. As posted on Wilbur’s Facebook page, certainly Mother Nature bats last, but thanks to our volunteers, we’re still in the game!

*Winter Creek is so named because that’s when and where Wilbur paused building a new trail (the one we know as the Zion Trail) from Sierra Madre up to the Camp. It was his second trail into the Big Santa Anita, after guests complained about the difficulty of his first one. Speaking of which…

Happy 130th Birthday Sturtevant Trail!

1899 ad for camp from a Los Angeles magazine called “The Land of Sunshine”

Wilbur Sturtevant opened his trail resort in 1893, the first in the Big Santa Anita Canyon, and now the last in the San Gabriels. The country was in the midst of a severe economic depression, and his chief financial asset was the string of 23 pack animals he had built up and brought west from Colorado. While there was money in packing for local projects such as the Mt. Wilson toll road and construction of the Observatory, he was a bit of a loner and likely preferred to work for himself.

Wilbur observed the success of Martin’s and then Strain’s camps on Mt. Wilson and figured he could do even better; a camp would create guest revenue and a steady demand for packing (just like the money in selling printers is really in replacement toner cartridges!) Scouting the front range, “he first laid eyes on the gently sloping wide spot by the upper Big Santa Anita creek…”* With its steady water supply, majestic trees and a good dose of sunlight, it proved to be an ideal setting for a trail camp. But how to get there?

Anyone who has hiked the San Gabriels, and especially those who have done trail work, know how difficult the conditions are. Yet Sturtevant set to carving a steep trail down from the summit of Mt. Wilson to his new camp. It would prove to be 2.8 miles over 2800 feet of elevation – drop and the gain on the return, the same rate as the infamous Chilkoot Pass on Alaska’s Klondike Trail. Everyone who has hiked Wilbur’s trail knows it is a ‘butt-kicker’, ideal for training AND great views across to Mt. Baldy.

The Sturtevant story is the trail resort opened in 1893, likely summertime; that would put starting the construction of the trail into at least 1892. So, as we wrap up 2022, here’s Happy Birthday to the Sturtevant Trail, now 130 years old!

*G. Owens, “The Heritage of the Big Santa Anita”, pg. 4

Coming in December

The road re-opens (probably?), the Becky Page story, looking into the new year, Board changes and more. Until then, have a gravylicious Thanksgiving!

Categories
Camp News Reports Volunteer

More Hiking & More Digging

Not Quite a Valentine

February 14 was the first official day of the planned eight-month closure of Chantry Road for the construction of an all-new bridge. By June, it will be physically impossible for any vehicle to cross the gap where the bridge is being built. But the project will maintain a pedestrian walkway, so that people can cross from both directions: this will allow Adam’s Pack Station owner Maggie Moran and her family, plus the USFS residents of Chantry Flat, to get in and out—and for our volunteers to stay on the job of prepping the camp for eventual re-opening. The walk-around will add about a half-mile to the work-day distance total, guaranteeing that everyone gets their “steps” in, with or without carrying pipes and parts!

Unfinished Business

Weekend work-team lunch break; standing L-R are Scott Wilson, Brent Pepper, Maureen Nally; seated are Kelly Davidson, Board members Teah Vaughn-Piscopo and Sarah Barron.

Most fundraisers offer thank-you incentives and souvenirs to donors — T-shirts, tote bags, etc. There are a few of those for last season’s Quench campaign to fund the new water tanks, but we also promised something special to many donors: thank-you luncheons and experiences at Chantry Flat and at Sturtevant Camp.

However, the closure of the Chantry Flat road has put a very real roadblock on those plans, compounded by continuing concerns over Covid exposure. Therefore, the board has chosen to put a hold on everything until we can do those events right — on site, safely and fully inclusive. Before then, we’ll ask for your feedback on the best, most accessible versions of the events, so please watch your email in-box for customized messages, and reply with your preferences.

The Recovery Business

The two storms at the end of 2021 were a real set-back on the water system project, but thanks to the skill and tenacity of our board members, and the many new and returning volunteers, we are back on track. Volunteers have done so much shoveling — so much — and Site & Operations Manager Paul Witman has been hands-on/in the dirt and mud to guide the recovery and rebuilding of the essential plumbing. Soon the focus will shift to installing the new water tanks after we solve the cement delivery dilemma.

Our volunteers have proven themselves to be reliably sturdy, but we won’t ask them to haul 60lb bags of concrete up the trail— that’s what burros are for! Cement is needed for the base of the water tanks, but the main trail is not yet passable to the pack train; there is serious technical work to be done in several key spots, as well as miles worth of basic shoveling. As a temporary alternative, pack train owner Maggie Moran has explored the original Sturtevant Trail down from Mount Wilson to camp as an alternative. That would also require some work, plus complicated logistics, including staging the pack train at the observatory for a week or so. We’ll have an update in the next Bigcone blog on how the dilemma is resolved.

Big improvement added to the ropes — a crevasse ladder! Board member Gary Keene tests a donated and carried in 15ft extension ladder.

The Nut$ & Bolt$ of Business Closure

The guest welcome board in the dining hall, unchanged since the group evacuated from the Bobcat fire in September 2020.

Not being open for business is obviously bad for business, but the Board is working hard to not go out of business and get ready to do business—when the time comes! We are fortunate that we do not have the daily-demand costs of Adams’ Pack Station, whose burros don’t care about road and Forest closures—just bring on the feed!  That’s why we encourage everyone to support Maggie’s on-line fundraisers at adamspackstation.com.

But we do have on-going expenses: more than just insurance and fees, the demand for basic repair and preventive maintenance is constant. As much as we enjoy the forest wilderness, it is a hostile environment to the camp’s buildings and infrastructure, requiring steady attention and investment.

With the road’s construction closure through October, combined with the USFS closure of the canyon until further notice, we do not anticipate guest revenue until maybe the 4th quarter of 2022, and that is very hopeful. It does give us time to tackle both major repair projects from the fire, as well as long-sought improvement projects. For example, the 1897 dining hall has serious termite damage to repair, and the roof is due for replacement; the shut-down is an ideal time to get these kinds of projects done.

Thanks to the Quench campaign and the cash balance of business income before the fire, the camp has its fiscal head above the financial waters—make that its nose! Project-focused fundraisers are on the horizon, and in next month’s blog, we’ll outline the historic and projected fiscal ecosystem of the camp as we plan to go forward.

Until then, your financial support strengthens our ability to use this closure to improve the future of the camp’s service to the public: sturtevantcamp.com/support Thanks in advance for doing so!

Green & Black, Flowers & Scat

Coming into February, our volunteers are seeing plenty of green sprouting in the canyon; while the Bobcat fire likely burned out some of the familiar invasive species, it has also given opportunity to many of the indigenous plants of the San Gabriel Mountains to take their rightful place in the sun. Right now, white blossoms of the climbing wild cucumber are all over, lightly scenting the air.

There’s also good news for some of the fauna: horticulturist and board member (and bear-whisperer!) Teah Vaughn-Piscopo identified several recent doses of scat on the trail as bear-poop which were very black and dense. This indicates a diet unusually heavy in meat; whatever the unfortunate source, at least the bears have not been back into our kitchen and buildings (knock on wood).

Next Month’s Bigcone Blog

News from the U.S.F.S. for the canyon, a snapshot of the camp’s fiscal ecosystem, updates from the cabin owner’s association annual meeting, and whatever else happens between now and then.

Categories
Camp News Camp Operations Reports

Good News & Other News for 2022

After a day of sketchy post-storm hiking and in-camp shoveling, volunteers Brent Pepper and Dave Baumgartner with Board member Sarah Barron pause at the Manager’s Cabin as they pack up for the hike back down the canyon.

Last Year’s News for 2022

The work crew putting the safety line to good use across the Slide Rock Gap: L-R board members Paul Witman and Sarah Barron (rock climber and rope-slinger), with Brent Pepper and Scott Wilson. All made it safely across.

It never rains in California, until it does. Then it really does! The end of year holiday rain and snowfall made the national news and has been the intense focus of everyone in Big Santa Anita Canyon.

Since the Bobcat fire, Sturtevant Camp volunteers have been double-tasking: working on recovery in camp and shoveling a lot of rock and gravel just to get into camp.

Now the rains have done real damage and reshaped most of the canyon stream bed. The damage includes complete loss of sections of the trail to sharp, often steep washouts. Side canyons became roaring torrents filled with gravel that quickly carved through anything not solid rock. Some of the cuts are deep or wide or both, making for difficult crossings. But some are also “exposed” with a steep drop-off threatening a misstep.

Those are points of individual danger but the more serious threat is that until these cut-outs/drop-offs are repaired the pack train can’t get through. This is bad for business on both ends, the pack station and the camp.

The Sturtevant Conservancy board is working with Maggie Moran, owner of Adams’ Pack Station, to solve the problem and get on with the continuing work of preparing for when the canyon re-opens. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a full-body workout, otherwise known as trail work, click here to volunteer!

New Year’s Tough News

L.A. County technical drawing of the section of Chantry Flat road to be removed and replaced with a bridge. First the entire side of the canyon above this will be ‘rock-scaled’, which means scraping off/bringing down as much of the loose surface rock and dirt as possible.

We previously reported on the 2022 Chantry Flat road project to construct a new bridge, spanning 240 feet at mile marker 2.95, near the top of the road. Chantry Flat will be cut off with no vehicles allowed or even able to pass through for the duration of the work (proof of which is that Los Angeles County is paying for rental cars for those living at Chantry Flat.)

That’s the project, but not the news, which is the schedule. Work is to begin mid-February (weather permitting) with official completion targeted for mid-October of this year. But with an allowance for weather and supply delays plus corrections the road may not reopen until February, 2023.

Together with the Bobcat fire closure plus damaged trails, this means no public access to the Big Santa Anita Canyon via Chantry Flat from September, 2020 to around Christmas, 2022. That would be nearly two and a half years of shut down.

The impact on the camp and pack station are of course significant. Any creative work-arounds will be complicated. Hypothetically, the canyon could be opened to the public before the road project is finished; this would allow hikers to enter from Mt. Wilson and the back country, which could also be an opportunity for the camp to open to guests, and to engage the pack station for packing. Of course, that would still be complicated.

Stay tuned for head-scratching, brainstorming, and hopefully a few miracles.

One Way to Add Campers

The brightest smile in the canyon just got brighter: Board member Teah Vaugh-Piscopo looks forward to becoming a first-time mom in July. Congratualtions!

The Sturtevant Conservancy is expanding unexpectedly and joyfully. At our recent meeting, board member Teah Vaughn-Piscopo shared her good news that she and her husband Graham Piscopo will welcome their first child in July. Teah was quick to say that won’t keep her from the trail, and not even the typical dose of shoveling along the way, but lifting heavy stuff will be out since she’ll already be doing increasingly heavy lifting 24/7!

Along with everyone who has enjoyed her enthusiastic welcome into camp (and her yummy cookies), the board joins in wishing Teah and her family good health and progress; we’ve already signed up to take turns carrying the kid up to camp until Teah can lace-up some tiny hiking boots on the new munchkin!

New Year’s Goals FYI*

During the early phase of the pandemic shutdown, many people took the opportunity to clean out closets, organize photo files, and otherwise catch-up on deferred maintenance. With 2022 shaping up to be closed for the canyon and the camp, the board is likewise aiming to catch-up on a long list of to-do items, and to make some improvements. But not all of those are building fix-its and upgrades.

For example, once camp re-opens, the volunteer hosts will need a new operating manual based on changes caused from the Bobcat fire, including changes in the water system (draft title: “How to Make Happy Campers”). There are new insurance requirements for the guests’ safety orientation and there will be new kitchen and housekeeping protocols to prevent further bear damage. And, of course, there are many new stories to show-and-tell about the camp after the fire.

*For Your Invitation: the pool of camp hosts will need to be re-recruited, expanded and trained! If you’re interested, visit the Volunteer page.

Shoes Found

The flooded stream unearthed some antiques: this jumble of horse, mule and burro shoes was found at the high-water mark behind the generator shed. Likely they had been salvaged for use in craft projects back when children’s camps made souvenir plaques of their week at camp, and mounted them the dining hall rafters.

Ever-Changing Stream Beds

Looking at the trail crossing between the Honeymoon Cottage and the Mt. Zion & Mt. Wilson trails junction. The first storm filled in the stream bed with sand and gravel, and second storm carved it all out.

Crossing The Gap

Upper right, Paul Witman adjusts the safety rope for crossing above a missing and very exposed gap in the trail while Gary Keene ponders the drop-off from the edge of the exposure.

Upper right, Paul Witman adjusts the safety rope for crossing above a missing and very exposed gap in the trail, while Gary Keene ponders the drop-off from the edge of the exposure.

Categories
Camp News Quench Campaign

Quench Campaign is a Gusher!

The numbers are in and the tanks are full! Thanks to sixty-five distinct new donors, the Quench campaign has succeeded in collecting funds and pledges enough to pay the invoices for our new water tanks plus parts, shipping, and packing. We offer an overflowing thanks to each and every one of you!

The goal was to fund the restoration of the Sturtevant Camp’s water system after two of three tanks were destroyed last year in the Bobcat Fire. The main investment is two new fireproof tanks, which are due to arrive at Chantry Flat in just a few days.

A quick look at the public donations shows that about two-thirds were $100 or less, so many hands made light work. Most of the remaining donations were in the $200 – $300 range with two major gifts from family foundations to top it all off. Now the Board will plan the special events and souvenirs offered in recognition of everyone’s generosity.

A waterfall of thanks to everyone for all the support!

Next Steps, Literally

The new water tanks are due for delivery at Chantry Flat, the trailhead for access to camp, in just a few days. When all the parts are on hand we’ll sort through what can be loaded on the burros, and what and how to hand-deliver the rest. Then we’ll put out the call for some sturde* volunteers, with a goal of delivery in cooler weather late this fall. Stay tuned!

Mud, Pipes, and Success

Fire damage to the water system was an opportunity to not only repair the system but also improve it. A key piece was completed just this past weekend, which is rebuilding and updating the primary water collection pool. This small pond was originally constructed to serve the micro-hydro generating system but since the onset of the drought it has been pressed into service as the source of water into Sturtevant Camp.

Over time the pond has suffered a lot of abuse. In the past, a dose of hard rain would create a surge that knocked the shallow rock walls apart, which had to be hastily reassembled to keep water flowing into the system. Both deer and bears often pawed up the fragile liner as they drank, or apparently played in it like a kiddie pool! Dirt avalanches from the adjacent canyon slope also clogged with the pond, reducing its capacity.

With the planned extension and improvement of the collection/filtration system, new pipes would also need to be laid into the bottom of the pond. So this past weekend the old containment walls were disassembled and two pipes laid into the bottom. A replacement pond liner was put into place and the walls were more securely rebuilt with the help of a few sand bags filled with gravel. Finally, the intake zone was re-shaped and widened to capture all of the small but steady flow of natural water, and soon the flow into the water system was re-established.

Big thanks to board members Paul Witman (lead plumber), Teah Vaughn Piscopo, Sarah Barron, and volunteer-at-large Patrick Gorman, plus prior work by Dave Baumgartner and others.

Snapshot in History

Earlier this month was the 111th anniversary of Wilbur Sturtevant’s passing. Thanks to the Streetview function on Google Maps, we were able to “visit” the Soldier and Sailors’ monument in Cleveland, Ohio. On August 19th 1864, Wilbur was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in Company D of the 103rd Ohio Voluntary Infantry Regiment, and his name is engraved inside the monument among his Company. Unfortunately, the “S”s were just out of focus on the lower part of the wall.

* “Sturde” was Wilbur Sturtevant’s nick-name.

Categories
Camp News Fire Reports Quench Campaign Support Volunteer

Welcome To The New Bigcone Blog

Bigcone Douglas Fir with cones
Bigcone Douglas Fir, a.k.a. Bigcone Spruce

Thanks to the team we are up & running with this blog to post the latest news from Sturtevant Camp. You can sign-up for our newsletter to receive email updates and bookmark sturtevantcamp.com/news for quick reference.

During last fall’s Bobcat Fire, staying connected on-line was the best way to find, give, and receive crucial up the minute information. Coming up on one year after the fire, even though Big Santa Anita Canyon and Sturtevant Camp remain closed to the public, between the heat, the bears, and our damaged water tanks there is a lot going on up here. Stay tuned here for the latest, including the earliest news on when everyone can get back to camp.

Why The Bigcone Blog?

There are a lot of blogs out there but only Sturtevant Camp is shaded by the largest untouched stand of Bigcone Spruce in the San Gabriel Mountains. And those trees drop huge seed cones. If you’ve ever had one conk you on the head, you’ll agree! So, we’ll claim that distinction for this blog: dropping big fresh news all the time!

Our Quench Campaign Is a Waterfall

Sturtevant Falls
Sturtevant Falls in Big Santa Anita Canyon

Thanks to more than thirty new donors plus two generous foundations, our Quench Campaign for potable water at camp has already filled two of three water tanks, and we gave less than 350 gallons to go to top off all three.

The campaign set out to fund the restoration and improvement of the camp’s water system after two of three tanks were destroyed in the Bobcat Fire last year. The big investment is two new fireproof tanks; the third “tank” represents all the replacement pipes and re-plumbing needed for a better collection and distribution system to guests and hikers in camp. We have set up an FAQ page to read details about the project.

Thank You To Our Donors

A big, wet, splashy thank you to everyone who has given so far!

Looking at donations for the new tanks, 20% of new donors gave on average 110 gallons each, or about $670 each. Gifts to the next tank averaged about 11 gallons each, or $65 each, but then two gifts from family foundations jumped the overall total to 3,947 gallons — just $2,112 short of full to the brim.

To fully Quench the campaign, visit sturtevantcamp.com/quench to donate as many gallons as you wish.

Breaking News

Last week we got word that the two new tanks are being readied for shipping all the way from Texas. Those will come to Chantry Flat in early September (after we’ve paid the second invoice with your support) where the materials will be staged for packing and delivery into camp.

Current plans are for the smaller parts to go up on the Adams’ Pack Station pack train but the main panels of the tanks will likely be moved to the top of Mount Wilson then hand-carried down the original Sturtevant Trail into camp for assembly.

Can You Help?

Are you interested in stretching your arms or otherwise helping out? Visit sturtevantcamp.com/volunteer to sign-up for a variety of tasks and projects to ready the camp for our re-opening. When will that be? Stay tuned here for early notifications!

Bears In the House

The latest volunteer work crew arrived in camp recently and started to unlock the manager’s cabin only to hear banging around inside, followed by a bear poking his head out of a hole she had ripped into the side wall of the cabin! She scooted out and up the hillside, followed by her cub tumbling out of the laundry room.

Bear damage in the Ranger Cabin
A bear got into the Ranger Cabin and left it looking like the morning after a frat party

The hot summer on top of the burned terrain is forcing many animals to forage for food. Many cabin owners are reporting repeated break-ins, with this mamma bear plus cub becoming increasingly bold and often destructive in their pursuit of food. We know it’s the same bear because she has a bum leg and we have named her Peggy (as in peg-legged).

Sturtevant Camp has been hit by the bears a few times, the hardest being right after the Bobcat Fire when the evacuation left lots of food in the kitchen. We still have refrigerator doors to replace, lots of window screens and door trim, and now a hole in the cabin, with siding ripped off and other buildings’ doors pulled off as well. Thankfully it’s “just” more carpentry repairs.

History Snapshot

William "Wilbur" Sturtevant's grave at Sawtelle federal cemetery.
William “Wilbur” Sturtevant’s grave at Los Angeles National Veteran’s Cemetery.

Wednesday, September 8th 2021 will mark the 111th anniversary of the passing of our founder, Wilbur M. Sturtevant. He was an infantry Lieutenant in the Union Army, serving in the Civil War, and is buried at the Los Angeles National Veteran’s Cemetery in Sawtelle, section 18, row E, site 8. There’s loose talk about pouring a dose of Big Santa Anita Canyon stream water on his grave on that Wednesday. Are you interested in joining in? Send us an email or message him on his Facebook page.

News In Pictures