Volunteering with the Boulder Climbing Community
"Being in the mountains with likeminded co-workers, working in areas that are so special to all of us is simply an incredible thing." Our Warehouse Associate Dylan, from the Rab USA team tells us all about their recent volunteer day with the Boulder Climbing Community.
Back in June, the Rab USA team took the day to get out of the office and volunteer for the Boulder Climbing Community (BCC) for the fifth year in a row!
The BCC is an organization administered by 100,000 climbers that look after and take care of more than 500 square miles of open space and climbing areas throughout the Front Range of Colorado. Their purpose is to ensure safe, sustainable and accessible climbing and recreational spaces for outdoor enthusiasts. They aim to have the best cared for climbing and open space resources in the nation.
Throughout the past five years of Rab volunteering for the BCC, it is clear to see that they are fully dedicated to their mission. The work the BCC does is well thought out, efficient, and professional. This time around, Rab USA volunteered to help with the Saddle Rock Project, which is located in the Flatirons of Boulder, CO.
The Saddle Rock Project is part of a large trail re-route of the Saddle Rock Trail, which has eroded over the years. The new re-route will also connect to several top-out and bail points for climbers ascending the First Flatiron.
Upon arrival, the group was split into two teams to work on two sections of the trail that is being developed and maintained. One team worked “upstairs” and the other “downstairs”.
The upstairs work consisted of fire-lining various sizes of rocks to fill-in holes that can later be filled in with smaller rocks and gravel to make the trail easier to navigate.
The downstairs work consisted of using drills and other heavy-duty tools to break down large boulders to make room for the future trail. While the work was not necessarily easy, it was incredibly rewarding to see the progress that was made that day.
Getting the team together to help preserve and improve an area that many of us enjoy climbing, scrambling, running and hiking in always feels incredibly gratifying. Volunteering for the BCC each year really allows our team to connect on a whole other level compared our day-to-day jobs and tasks.
Being in the mountains with likeminded coworkers, working in areas that are so special to all of us is simply an incredible thing.
It is safe to say that we are all looking forward to our next volunteer day with the BCC to continue helping the effort of maintaining and improving such a beautiful recreational area that just happens to be in the backyard of Rab USA HQ.
Words by Dylan McConnellogue, Rab US Warehouse Associate.
All employees at Equip Outdoor Technologies are entitled to two paid volunteer days per year, check out our current vacancies on the Rab website.