Windy Ridge Project Details
PCRG membership is not required to participate; however PCRG members get priority to participate in our field projects. If you are interested in becoming a member please click here https://paleocultural.org/support/.
PCRG will return to the Windy Ridge quartzite quarry near Rabbit Ears Pass for our fourth and final field season of research at the site. Windy Ridge contains nearly 190 quarry pits along with an extensive scatter of quarry debris in surrounding workshops that span hundreds of acres. This season, crews will conduct testing at sites documented during the 2023 field season, which focused on areas south and east of the quarry. Crews may also conduct some limited survey in the same general area.
Camp logistics are still TBD but participants should expect tent camping with limited space for small campers and camper vans. Participants should be prepared to hike 3-5 miles each day at an elevation of about 9,000 ft. Participants are required to wear long pants during fieldwork, and sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes are recommended. Open-toe shoes and sandals are not allowed to be worn during fieldwork, but may be worn at camp. Expect evening lows in the upper 30s, and daytime temperatures to reach into the low 80s. A list of all required and recommended gear can be found on our website, https://paleocultural.org/participate/volunteer-information/. A project-specific gear list will be provided for participants closer to the project.
Fieldwork will begin on Friday, August 16 and continue through Thursday, August 24. Participants should plan to arrive the afternoon of August 15 (or the day prior to their first fieldwork day if choosing to start in the middle of the project) to set up their personal camp and for a project orientation and dinner. PCRG will depart from the project area the morning of August 25.
Health and Safety Protocols:
PCRG has a comprehensive set of safety protocols for field and camp. Please feel free to reach out to us at Chris.Johnston@paleocultural.org or 303-439-4098 if you have specific questions about safety protocols.
PCRG strongly encourages you to be up-to-date with all CDC recommended vaccinations. A tetanus booster is highly recommended if it has been more than nine (9) years since your last booster.
If you are feeling ill prior to the start of the project, please contact us and stay home until you are feeling better. This is to protect other participants but also the integrity of the project depends on healthy and active participation within the project date window.