October 4, 2022, by Alex McCarrel

Running a field camp can be adventurous and exhilarating. Tearing down a field camp, however, is another story. As many Alaskans know, what we accomplish in a day is not always up to us: sometimes it’s up to the weather.

 

Last month, harsh weather conditions forced our intrepid team to abandon their station while breaking down the field camp, checking off half the amount of packing accomplishments they hoped to complete. It was not until two weeks later that they were able to return. Chum Project Coordinators Chance Gray and Alex McCarrel, along with SSSC’s Jesuit Volunteer AmeriCorps member Liam Stiefel, braved the wind and waves to travel back to Port Snettisham (30 miles South of Juneau).

 

The moment their feet hit the shoreline they knew it was time to get to work. The first, and perhaps the most challenging task, is locating the small trailhead that leads to the field camp. In the dark, rainy, hours of the night, the small but mighty team walked closely together (to ward off bears) as they searched for the narrow, unmarked path. Thirty minutes later, they approached a familiar sight: a half-packed field camp!

 

Early the next morning, the laborious work began. Two large shelters, numerous heavy totes, and various camp gear demanded their attention. After clearing the gear out of the shelters, the team then had to disassemble the shelters; piece by piece, hour by hour. Luckily, the weather eased up and the tide was on their side, allowing them to stay (mostly) dry as they played a life-size game of Tetris loading equipment onto the boat. With sore arms and tired feet, they sat down and enjoyed a scenic ride back to Juneau.

 

After nearly 30 hours of backbreaking work packed into two days, our team successfully finished the camp breakdown–all of it this time! We can now officially close the chapter on the 2022 Chum Project field season. Oddly enough, we can’t wait to do it all over again next year!