Recipe for a Successful Montana Conservation Corps Hitch - Molly Katolas, NRock

(not limited to this list)
7 willing and eager individuals
7 tents with working rainflys (crucial)
7 sleeping bags and sleeping pads
7 toothbrushes with toothpaste
Carhartt(s) and MCC labeled shirt(s)
Ability to sleep through minor earthquake
7 daypacks with pulaski-attaching straps
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) including hardhat, eyewear, and work gloves
57 pairs of wool socks (approximately)
Enough carbs to feed a small country, mainly bagels and sliced bread
A fully functioning rig
Functioning rain gear

1. Meet all willing and eager individuals at the crack of dawn with backpacks and personal items including, but not limited to, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, daypack, and toiletries. In the case of the toothbrush, it may be necessary to keep it on your person at all times. This will avoid the extremely rare case of it being taken back into town with one of your crewmembers midway through the hitch. Yes, it has happened. 5 days without a toothbrush can be equated to 5 grumpy mornings.

2. Drive for anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours to the work destination. The ability to sleep through a minor earthquake will come in handy here, as it is not unlikely to be driving down dirt roads with many potholes.

3. Wear all Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and carry pulaskis, pick mattocks, loppers, bowsaw, pole saw, rock bar, and chainsaw to the worksite and begin work. A knowledge of many word games will come in handy at this point, especially if lopping for extended amounts of time. It may also be appreciated to know sing-along songs. However, it is not recommended to sing catchy pop songs out loud, as getting an annoying song stuck in the heads of your crewmembers is not appreciated.

4. During work, it may be necessary to wear your functioning rain gear. The key word here is functioning. No one wants to work in wet Carhartts. Don't bother trying not to get dirty. It will happen. Embrace it. Also, buy a lot of socks and change them daily to refrain from obtaining blisters.

5. Upon returning to the campsite, set up camp and prepare a dinner better than any you would make on a given night back home. These dinners tend to be stir-fry, trail pizza, or chili (to name a few), utilizing fresh vegetables and fruit. Ramen noodles are unacceptable. If possible, add cheese to anything being made. This practice may lead to 10 pounds of cheese being eaten by a crew in 10 days. Also, attempt to make a dent in the exorbitant amount of carbs bought for the trip.

6. Retire to your tent for bed at approximately 8:00 pm. Read a book, listen to music, and fall asleep in order to repeat the process again.

Optional additions:
Deodorant- Old Spice Swagger is recommended, but not necessary
10 pounds of a variety of cheeses
Flannel and beard, if possible (this will create a true mountain-esque appearance)
Bandana to absorb the mass amounts of sweat that will be released during work
Note: It is essential to have a fully functioning rig on front-country hitches to avoid the predicament of a 200-300 pound bear hang with rummaged materials. It is also highly recommended to stash a bear hang kit in the rig in case of an emergency such as this. In addition, be aware that it is entirely too possible that it will snow in Montana in June. Keep this in mind when packing and setting up your tent. And, above all else, enjoy yourself!