TKO Saw School – Swamp Lab

Crew Leaders: Josh Durham/Brandon Tigner

Hike Distance: approx 1.5 miles

Elevation Gain: approx 500 feet

Hike Difficulty: Easy

Work Difficulty: Moderate

Work Description: Receive introductory training on cross cut saw use!

In the days of C-19 we ask for a little more experience leading into your first volunteer event. Since we’ve added mitigations of risk around physical distancing, our volunteer leaders are not as able to hover about and answer hands-on questions throughout the trail party. And if an emergency does develop, we need our participants to be even more aware of our safety procedures. Don’t worry, trailkeeping is for everybody and we made it easy to get going.

Click here to learn what you need to know before registering for this event.

Project Overview: Join TKO staff for a 1 day introduction to working with 2 person cross cut saws. We will discuss theory, swamping, and introduce the concept of binds and safe operation. The day will end with some hands on saw time!

What to expect:

You will be asked to participate in a pre-event Zoom meeting with the rest of the crew to get to know each other and go over the safety and work expectations for the day. You should expect to participate in this work party for its entirety. For safety reasons, please do not arrive late or expect to be able to leave early.

What to bring:

• Lunch
• Plenty of water
• Snacks
• Gloves if you have them (loaner gloves available)

What to wear:

• Boots (Please wear something sturdy that will protect your toes from sharp tools. No tennis shoes allowed!)
• Work gloves (loaner gloves available)
• Long sleeved shirts and pants.
• Rain gear as appropriate for the weather
• TKO will supply hard hats and safety glasses

Directions

We will meet at a locked FS gate on Cascade Head, at the Cascade Head Trail North Trailhead here.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: TKO recognizes that the trails we work on travel through the traditional lands of many Indigenous tribes. In every corner of what we now call Oregon, these people were forced to cede their land, their home, to the US government at various times from 1853 – 1871. We are privileged to be here today & express gratitude to the descendants of these tribes for being the original stewards of this land.

EQUITY & INCLUSION: TKO seeks to make Oregon’s trails a place where people can go to connect with nature & one another. Not everyone feels safe & welcome in the outdoors due to racism, bias & hate. We commit to being part of the solution to change that. Conduct, speech, or expressions that target individuals or groups will not be tolerated by TKO, regardless of whether they are based on age, citizenship, disability, ethnicity, gender identity/expression, geographic origin, language, marital status, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.

PERSONAL SAFETY: Your physical & emotional safety is our number one priority. If a person’s actions or comments make you feel uncomfortable/unsafe – interrupt directly, tell a crew leader &/or complete the post-event survey.