# @doristheexplorist on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx8nzx4PRS3
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/9283557-doristheexplorist-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/3f90d8c53d.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-10-03T18:46:04.000+00:00

## Caption

For the past 4 years, Cody and I have made sure to sign up for a washingtontrails BCRT (Backcountry Response Team) trip each summer, and we look forward to them every year. Because of how busy we were this year, we couldn't sign up for one until end of September. Then it got canceled last minute and we were super bummed! They release the trips in February, so we had been looking forward to it for the past 7 months. With a quick scramble and even though it wasn't a BCRT, we were able to get onto 3 consecutive day work parties on Orcas island, and they had free accommodations for us at Camp Orkila. In the end, it all worked out, and honestly was probably way more fun than our original plans. Thank you to all the crew leads (especially Justine!) for making it such a memorable weekend!

Some of the work we did: We worked at Turtleback Mountain Preserve, realigned and built a new trail, decommissioned a section of the old trail, and we did some rock work to create more sustainable tread.

More info on BCRTs: the difference between BCRTs and Day Work Parties are that, with BCRTs you hike out further into the backcountry, backpack out all your gear/food and tools you need, and stay out there for a few days and do trail work vs. Day Work Parties are usually 7-8 hour days, you hike in a couple miles, sometimes not even, do a few hours of trail work, and then you go home (in our case we stayed at a camp this trip because of ferrying logistics). BCRTs are done for 2023, but keep your eye for them in 2024. If you ever have any questions, I am more than happy to try to answer them or point you in the right direction!

Shameless plug: WTA will be back on Orcas Island 3rd weekend of this month, October 20-22, for 3 more day work parties, accommodations are provided if needed, and signups are still open if interested! Title of the work party is, Turtleback Mountain, Morning Ridge/South Trail. You can sign up for 1, 2 or all 3 days! No experience needed. 

Happy trails! #washingtontrails #WTA #trailwork #volunteerwork #orcasisland #turtlebackmountain #washingtontrailsassociation

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## Tags

wta, washingtontrailsassociation, washingtontrails, turtlebackmountain, orcasisland, volunteerwork, trailwork

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