Sawyer training and certification

[x] schedule a basic sawyer course (Summer '23)
[x] host the course (June 10th)
[ ] schedule a certification course (late Summer/Fall '23)

2023-02-07

The Mountaineers is creating two new skill badges, "Sawyer - Bucking", and "Sawyer - Felling". After one receives their USFS Sawyer Certification Card, they can be awarded these badges in their profiles. -- Matt

2022-10-20

I have got this covered.

A mountaineer member, Gary Zink, is also a sawyer instructor. The next course he teaches (either very soon if weather permits, or spring) will be hosted either at Meany or Kongsberger Ski Club (Exit 63 / Amabilis). The cost and requirements are $0 and nada. Stay tuned for updates. -- Matt

2022-09-28

On a related note...

The "Chain Saw and Crosscut Saw Training Course: Student’s Guidebook" is very very good. Everyone should read it before picking up a chainsaw. The 99 pages is intimidating but it's really only about half as long. The first half is all about bucking and felling with chainsaws. The second half is the same, save for some particulars about crosscut saws. Most everyone can safely ignore the 2nd half.

I may volunteer for WTA and may find myself using a crosscut saw. So I also read those bits of the manual and took The Crosscut Sawyer course hosted online by the University of Montana. That was enlightening. This week, when I laid eyes on the crosscut saws at Stevens Lodge, I could identify the cutters, rakers, gulleys, and the two types of saws they have. 😱

Of note, the BC Faller Training Video series listed on the Back Country Horsemen Sawyer Program page are also very instructive. They're reminiscent of how I learned to operate a saw, cutting firewood with my dad out in the woods.

Finally, the Lynnwood Recreation Center's hosting of the American Red Cross First Aid / CPR / AED course was run very promptly and efficiently and I got my certificate emailed two business days after taking the course.

Matt

2022-09-21

Everyone but Matt bows out of course due to PPE and/or Red Cross requirements.

2022-09-14

On Sep 14, 2022, at 4:23 PM, Jim Fahey [jimfahey55@gmail.com](mailto:jimfahey55@gmail.com) wrote: To all, I'm signed up.

Me too! This link has all the additional information about the course.

Since my first aid card has lapsed, I've signed up for the Red Cross course which I'll take next week.

Secondly, as this is just down the street from Meany, might we all stay overnight at Meany Friday night?

Google Maps shows a 2 hour drive from Meany instead of a 1.5 hour drive from Shoreline. Doesn't seem worth it to me. Car camping at Irish Cabin would put us quite a lot closer as the crow flies, but still requires a big C-shaped drive of 1.25 hours. Since the course is hosted at the Dalles Campground, and it's officially closed, perhaps we could camp there? -- Matt

2022-09-13

There is a manual / student guide that must be read beforehand. The link they have seems to be broken. I think this is the one they want us to read. It’s 99 pages. https://www.pcta.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/MTDC-Chain-Saw-and-Crosscut-Saw-Training-Course-Students-Guidebook.pdf -- Rick Ingham (maybe also: https://www.bchw.org/files/student-guide.pdf)

2022-09-12

To all, I've just learned of a free chain saw certification course being taught October 2nd. Read below for details. The Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest will host the Sawyer Certification Course on October 2nd (Sunday) at the Dalles Campground on Highway 410 east of Enumclaw. The Campground closed today (9-11-22) so there will be no one in the campground during the certification course. The training and certification course will be taught by members of the Backcountry Horseman and assisted by volunteers from Washington Trails, DNR, and USFS. The course is free of charge but to get the Sawyer certification you will need a Basic First Aid/CPR certification either before or after the course. I will send information this week on how to register for the course. You will be able to register online by filling out a form and emailing to Backcountry Horseman Jim Fahey

administivia

On Oct 19, 2022, at 7:03 PM, Matt Simerson wrote:

Hey Tom, I have a crew of volunteer sawyers (met while getting certified as a US > Forest Service Sawyer) who are eager to get "trigger time." What's that, you ask? Well, think of the Mountaineers courses, where one needs to do trips and get experience in order to graduate. Same goes for Sawyers who volunteer and/or work with WTA, Backcountry Horsemen, and similar groups. Most start out as A sawyers and learn how to safely buck up logs. They gain skills and level up to B and finally class C sawyers. Then they're eligible to lead Log Out crews and other such fun activities.

Meany has an overgrown forest in need of thinning. Volunteering at Meany behind the trigger of their chainsaw (or crosscut saw) under the supervision of a C sawyer is helping them, while also helping us.

But what about insurance?

Does it matter if the volunteer sawyers are members of the Mountaineers?

Is there anything else I should be thinking of?

Thanks, Matt

On Oct 19, 2022, at 8:05 PM, Tom Vogl wrote:

Hi Matt, That's totally OK to have your sawyer friends volunteer out at Meany. The most important insurance/liability consideration is that it needs to be listed as an official Mountaineers activity - everyone volunteering needs to be on a roster and have signed our waiver. Best way to do that would be to list it on the website and have folks sign up. Non- members can sign up as guests on the website or we could gift them memberships as a thank you for their volunteer service (member services can help with that.) Hope that helps but let me know if you have any questions or staff can assist in > helping set it up.

Cheers, Tom Vogl

MeanyLodge / Committee