On February 9th, CREC field coordinators Chris Ives and Pat Kelly, along with CREC training, education, and risk management coordinator Alan Kaufmann had the pleasure of traveling down to Black Canyon City to participate in a rigging training with a true expert of the field, Lester Kenway. Lester, after working many years with the Maine Conservation Corps, is now the proprietor of Trail Services LLC and a pioneer of rigging practice for trail work. With over 30 years of trail experience, Lester shared his knowledge of moving large stone with CREC, SCC, and the BLM.

The training consisted of learning safe rigging techniques, setting up a high line, and routine maintenance on the grip hoist machine. This training is in conjunction with CREC project work of constructing a 10x45 ft retaining wall for the BLM.

CREC field coordinators will now be able to share these advanced techniques across the CREC program. The training adds even more technical knowledge to pass onto CREC crews on large scale trail projects while increasing the efficiency and safety of working with large stone.