The Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) honored seven individuals and one organization at its 2018 Annual Celebration and Fundraiser this year hosted at the Big Springs Lodge at Northstar California Resort on Oct. 7. The TRTA’s annual awards recognize just a few of the many volunteers that contribute more than 17,000 hours annually to support the mission of the TRTA. Volunteers are also celebrated each year at a Volunteer Appreciation Party.
The fundraiser portion of the Annual Celebration and Fundraiser combined a silent auction, Heads or Trails game, and wine pull for attendees to enjoy. Prizes included regional getaways, outdoor gear, artwork, and trail memorabilia donated by area businesses and individuals. The nonprofit raised $14,000 to support its many outdoor programs, including trail building and maintenance and youth backcountry outings.
Partner of the Year
Vail Resorts
The Association has many incredible partners that make its work possible but this year Vail Resorts stood out as an outstanding partner. Vail Resorts provided grant funding through their Epic Promise program over the years to support programs from trail building and maintenance to currently funding efforts to engage regional youth in the outdoors. On top of this grant support, each year Vail Resorts employees participate in group work projects and some staff even spend their Vail work hours with the TRTA. With the Tahoe Rim Trail running through Heavenly’s backyard and near their resort at Northstar, the TRTA and Vail Resorts have worked in partnership to improve the recreational experience for hikers, bikers, and equestrians throughout the region.
Hall of Fame
John Singlaub
John joined our board in 2010. With his background managing large organizations at both the BLM and TRPA he was a natural choice to serve as Vice President of the board and was elected shortly after joining the board. He did such a great job he was quickly elected president in 2011, a position he held until 2018. John led the organization with grace under pressure during several challenging issues and transitions.
Volunteer of the Year
Jackie Ferek and Bill Doherty
Bill and Jackie are two of our most committed volunteers. They have been contributing as Crew Leaders and Segment Coordinators for the Tahoe City to Brockway section of the trail for many years, and are well overdue for this award. This year Bill and Jackie led 15 public work days for the TRTA, contributing hundreds of hours of their time. They developed and oversaw the project to rebuild the Tahoe City trailhead and planned and completed a reroute near Mt Watson. The couple is also deeply involved in leading youth projects, and is always the first to volunteer to help with our North Shore Service Learning program and with our annual partnership with the Northern Nevada International Center, working with dozens of youth who visit the Tahoe area from abroad. Bill and Jackie deserve the highest praise for their dedication to the Tahoe Rim Trail and the TRTA.
Peak Awards
Vera Daegling
Vera Daegling is truly a TRTA legacy! Vera has been involved with the Association for decades, volunteering in any and all capacities. She traded in her hardhat awhile back to help with more of the behind the scenes tasks at the TRTA office and it has been such a huge asset for staff having her around. It might not be most thrilling work out there but it makes such a huge impact on the day to day operations having Vera’s assistance. Every time Vera comes to work she has on the biggest smile on her face and really lights up the entire office.
LaTrenda Easton
Hailing from Sacramento, LaTrenda Easton does not hesitate to make the 3am trip up to Tahoe to use her incredible guiding skills for TRTA programs. For years, LaTrenda has been a prominent Segment Hike Guide, having hiked the entire TRT multiple times through volunteering and safely leading countless participants from one trailhead to another.
This year, LaTrenda took her dedication to outdoor education with the TRTA a step further and co-instructed the Planning and Preparing course to new TRTA guides at our Outdoor Leadership and Guide Training. She also co-instructed our annual Backpacking 101 course where she led participants into the backcountry for their very first time and taught them first steps on how to be a successful backpacker.
To many of her students, LaTrenda has stood out as an inspiration and mentor offering guidance and encouragement.
Jim McNamara
Since 2009, Jim McNamara’s dedication to the TRTA and the outdoors continues to impress. Jim thrives in his leadership position each year on the Thru Hike fully ready and able to take what nature throws at him, his guide team and participants. While Jim prominently guides thru hikes, segment hikes and public hikes, he is no stranger to the understanding of trail fundamentals as he originally brought his son’s scouting group out to perform trail work.
In addition to guiding hikes, he still finds time to mentor new guides on pre-hikes and training hikes. He also finds time to participate in the trail use committee and on guide panels for trail talks. The TRTA is honored to have Jim on their team.
Carl Woods
Carl Woods wears many hats in the Association. Carl is not only a prominent Thru Hike guide, he is also the Vice President of Trail Use, runs the Trail Use Committee meetings, and faithfully comes into the office every Tuesday (unless he’s hiking some far off trail). Carl willingly stuffs envelopes or vacuums out the TRTA fleet after a summer’s beating. Carl also readily volunteers at guide panels and outreach events to share the TRT/TRTA message.
The hat Carl wears that participants love best is that of the foot doctor. Carl has mastered the art of repairing feet that have and will continue to be hiked on day after day.
