CITO The Mountain

Day 231: I rarely geocache these days, but there is one annual event I don't think I've missed in sixteen years: CITO the Mountain. "CITO" stands for "cache in, trash out." Trash pickup is always minimal in Longmire Campground, with the real purpose of the event being the set-up of canvas tents which are available for use by summer volunteers. I serve as one of the supervisors for the work teams, and since so many of the participants are returnees, I generally just leave the crews to do what they know to do. There are always a few hitches which require intervention, but for the most part, experienced hands do the job quickly and efficiently while teaching newcomers the process. Today was no exception. We had one of the best turnouts ever, and the weather was perfect right up to the last moment when it began turning colder and a few sprinkles fell. This may well have been my last such event as a Volunteer Coordinator. Kevin and I both plan to retire from the Volunteer Program at the end of September.