Welcome to the Meany Work Party Page
If you have been wondering what it takes to keep Meany going, come to one of the Workparties held in the Summer and Fall and see what it takes. Workparties are free and offer a great opportunity to enjoy the lodge in a different light. You can learn new skills or brush up on old ones that your 'real' job doesn't let you do anymore. There is also time to get to know folks over work and conversation.
We offer mid-week and weekend workparties, If you want to attend any of these simply click on
work parties, pick the weekend and sign up.
Work Party Reports
Please click on any of the months below to go directly to that section or simply scroll down
- June Mid-Week Report
- July Mid-Week Report
- August Mid-Week Report
- September 8th Weekend Report
- September 22nd Weekend Report
- September Mid-Week Report
- October 6th Weekend Report
- October Mid-Week Report
June Mid-Week Report
The June mid-week WP was held Tuesday June 12th through Thursday June 14th. The
weather was cool and showery at times with snow on top of the Lane one morning.
The following was accomplished on this WP and items noted for decision.
- Ox was placed in service. The new brake lines are on site but not installed
- concrete pads were cleaned.
- the road up from the Rail Road tracks was graded some but still is a bit rough.
- Cleaned up the grounds around the Lodge and surrounding areas.
- Mach Tow Governor: We attempted to adjust it but could not because the manual was missing
from the Tow Hut. We later found one in the Lodge but was too late by that time.
- Forms for the septic tank lids were made and are now ready for concrete.
- Back-hoe arrived at the overpass June 13 as promised. It was used to dig the foundation
holes for the new steel poles (Mach Tail, turtle Drive and Tail) which arrived on Tuesday with Mike. The
foundations were prepared to accept concrete at the next mid-week WP. There is still some work
necessary on the forms before concrete can be poured.
Forms with rebar for Septic tank lids
Turtle Tow drive pole foundation
Mach Tail Pole and foundation
- Old poles Turtle's Tail and driver poles along with Mach's tail pole were cut up for fire
wood, split and placed in the wood room.
- Got Chipper out and functional
- Cleaned up the basement, main and upper floors of the Lodge. The basement was a real
chore and now looks presentable as does the rest of the Lodge. A lot of surplus material was taken
to the dump or donated to Goodwill.
- There remains considerable personnel equipment at the Lodge leftover from last winter for pickup.
- Hood fan/lights were further discussed looking for better solutions. The fan/light switch
was changed out with a switch that is large enough to handle the motor load. We expect to do more
work on this issue in the near future.
The fan snow guard was taken down in order to prepare a form to pour a concrete pad for the guard post to set on. The guard along with supporting posts will be reinstalled when the concrete pad is complete.
Hood Exhaust Guard Foundation
- Marked trees and one that has been felled (cat road up to the mid tower on the Lane)
will be cut for fire wood. James Kotlik and crew are expected the weekend of July 16thto
make fire wood from the marked trees and the one fell near the Lane. The wood splitter is on hand.
- Made a dump run
- Old Snowmobile was removed from the area beside the Pantry and taken to Town for disposal.
- Brush saw and hedge trimmer were brought to Town for servicing.
July Mid-Week Report
the July mid-week work party was held July 10th (Tuesday) through July 12th
(Thursday). The weather was sunny and warm.
The following was accomplished on this WP and items noted for decision.
- Moose - The right track was taken off the Moose and placed outside the Zoo next to the
other one. The protective shrouds on the right side were taken off and two damaged hydraulic hoses
were changed out on the left side. No other work was done.
- The Zoo - It was cleaned up and most of the oil on the floor is now gone. Likewise the
oil outside of the large opening side (East side) of the Zoo was dealt with. The Zoo should now be
ready for work to go forward on the Moose.
- Cat House - The first floor was cleaned and straightened up. One can now work in there.
The second floor was cleaned up but there remains some organizing work to be accomplished.
- kitchen/Pantry - Preparations were made for the upcoming State Health Department
Inspection, which Meany passed without any issues
Cheryl Cleaning Kitchen & Pantry
Doug discussing a point with the Inspector
- Concrete arrived on Wednesday. The Septic Tank covers and pad for the exhaust
fan were poured. The covers will be installed at next mid-week work party.
Septic Tank Covers
Pad for Stove Exhaust Fan Hood
- Foundations for the new Turtle driver and Mach tail poles were also poured.
Rebar for Foundation
Cement Truck - Don't ask me how they
got it up RR curve
Pouring the foundations
- The steel poles were made ready for lifting which will occur Wednesday August 22. All
that remains to be done is some painting. Gas House roof was also swepted clean
Turtle Top Wheel Assembly being installed
finshised Tutle pole
Cleaning the roof
Jerry does other things then just the trash
- Rotten tree Fir tree root at its base, was cut down behind the Mach Tow Hut (about 100
feet from the new Mach tail pole concrete pad). It was partially cut up for fire wood and most of
the limbs were chipped up. Further cutting up and hauling out for fire wood is necessary. There are
also two smaller trees close by that were cut down last year and ready for bucking up and removing
for fire wood.
- Stove Hood rewiring - Wiring was started to place two new lights in the kitchen (on each
side of the range hood) and further work was done on splitting the fan and light circuits Patti to
get the new fixtures needed. The power requirements for the fan were measured and found to be 31 Amps
starting and 6.5 amps running.
- Two loads of gravel were placed on the road below the Lodge extending to the flat below.
Chuck has requested that more gravel be placed below where we quit to fix the area around the old
chain gate above the RR tracks. We will do this.
NOTE; Understand that the Women's Wellness weekend tore up this section of the road pretty good. No real surprise I guess. It is bound to happen with any large party up there. We will need to straighten this out and likely put some dirt on it to bind it better. We can do this next work pqrty.
- Alders on the side of the road on the hill below the RR tracks to the old campground were
cut down.
- A dump run was made.
- Tow Hut Guard Rail - Work was begun on repairing the guard rail that was damaged on the Mach
Tow Hut stairs.
- Snowmobile was taken to town (Eastern Washington) for commercial repair and tune up.
- Grease filters in the range hood were cleaned. According to the State Health Inspector
this is to be done at least annually.
- PSE showed up to repair the power meter. The new meter number is A90378262.
- The water filters were changed out.
- Some repair work was done on the Hippo
Hippo Repairs
August Mid-Week Report
the August mid-week work party was held August 21st (Tuesday) through August 23rd
(Thursday). The weather was sunny.
The following was accomplished
- Wood Poles - Some were inspected, treated with wood preventive and rewrapped with tar paper.
The following are the results of the inspection:
- The power pole near the rear fire escape on the Lodge was found to be ok (no rot detected). The pole ground was improved by driving a second ground rod and connecting the two.
- The power pole next to the Zoo was found to be bad (shell rot and rotten center - there was a
test hole drilled) and needs to be stubbed this year. The pole ground was improved by driving a
second ground rod and connecting the two.
Fire Escape Power Pole Inspection
Zoo Power Pole Inspection
- Worm head pole was found to be OK i.e. no signs of rot detected. It was treated and wrapped with tar paper
- Both Worm safety gate poles were found to have some shell rot and bug infestation and need to
be replaced in the not too distant future (likely ok for this season). Both poles were drilled and
found to have a fairly sound interior. These poles should be tied up if climbing without snow and
unbelted with or without snow.
Bug Infestation
Shell Rot
- Septic Tank Covers were moved onto the small concrete pad, freeing up the large one
- Turtle Tow drive unit was repaired, the top wheel assembly was painted and the pole raised and
put on the pad. Some wiring was accomplished but more needs to be done, which we will do. The rope can
be strung and made ready to go. Note: the clips holding the drive unit to the track need to be modified
to clear up a conflict with rising the drive unit. We will take care of this. The wheels attached to
the steel pole have been greased. The head pole wheels have not been grease.
Repairing Turtle Drive Unit
Top Assembly Painting
Raising Turtle Drive Pole
Freeing Crane
- Insurance Inspector did make it to the Lodge and inspected the Lodge and out buildings.
She was not interested in the ski tows and did not look at them
- Two loads of gravel were placed on the road from the Lodge to the RR track and smoothed. The
road has now be graveled and smooth from the Lodge to the RR tracks.
- Locks - Upon arrival at the Lodge we found we had been locked out by BPA. They apparently cut
off our lock and installed only their lock on the gate thus locking us and the RR out. The lock was cut
off and will be replaced with another BPA lock.
- Mach Tow
- Seal for the Mach Tow engine oil filter was repaired and the engine oil replaced. The tow engine is now ready to run.
- The tail pole was also erected and the counter weight assembly was installed. It is ready for the tail wheel to be greased and installed.
- The governor still needs adjustment.
- Furnace
- smoke stack was cleaned out and found to be in good shape.
- The grate needs some work however
- furnace itself has not improved with age.
Poor Furnace Seal
Grate needing repair
- Hood Wiring - Wiring for new lights and the thermal override switch have been completed on
the range hood. We still have to test out the thermal override switch with some sort of heat source
which we will do.
Discussion on Hood testing
- The Lodge was brushed around the foundation and ant spray applied as well as the base of the Cat
House.
- The grass and weeds were mowed around the Tow Hut
- Further cleaning up of the oil in the Zoo was accomplished but not completed. Used oil and antifreeze were taken to the dump for recycle but there is still more to take.
- Scrape Metal - The old freezer, old hot water tank and considerable metal including the non
usable guy wire were taken to the metal recycler. The guy wire mess at the Tow Hut and outside was
cleaned up.
- Some wood was hauled in from the woods but not split up.
- The old propane hot water tank was removed and preparations made to install the new one were made.
We will install the new one next time.
Discussion on Hood testing
- Work went forward on the Tow Hut railing repair but is not completed.
- The cover for the exhaust fan for the kitchen fan was reinstalled on the new concrete pad. It was
modified somewhat.
Fan Cover Re-installation
- The support poles for the rear fire escape were modified to make it look better.
Modifying Fire Escape
- There was a second flood light installed on the Cat House shining over the concrete pad.
- New gasoline signs were installed on the gas houses to keep the delivery person straight on what
goes where.
- The grounds were patrolled for trash and removed.
- A dump run was made.
8th September Work party Report
Well with the arrival of September the weekend workparties start (the rest of the committee can't just let the fossils have all the fun). So what was accomplished
- Mach Tow rope - New rope has been bought and the Meany "Knitting Needle" crew were at work doing
there thing. Takes about 3-5 people to splce
Spool of tow rope
Splicers at work - Avner, Bill, Jimmy And Shawn
- TomCat Engine Replacement - Engine was removed thanks to Alex
Alex all smiles - engine is out!
- Lane mowing - Yep just like any lawn - needs to be trimed
James showing how it should be done
22nd September Work party Report
Sadly the crew didn't have time to take pictures but we did get a lot accomplished, and there was a very large contingent of Meany Kids - THANKS GUYS
- Food - Phil Christy besides being this weekends cook, brought a bounty of fruit and vegitables.
The peaches and nectarines were out of this world, and he also brought the Mother Lode of sweet corn. The
volunteers feasted on them! The food was sooo good that Jimmy got his first 4M of the season (Meany Monday
meal and more), ie leftovers.
- Pantry redo
- Painting Shawn and Madi Bertagnoli, Linda Harkness, Deb Cole and a HOST of others setup and preped. Norm Vigus then painted it white - REALLY GEORGEOUS! - We will now request that people using the pantry, don overboots and gloves
- Pantry non-food items, that were rarely used, were taken out and stored in the snowmobile shed next to pantry to be sorted out later in the work party season
- Food items We tossed about a wheel barrow of out dated and otherwise questionable groceries, thanks to Madi and Peter under the leadership of Deb Cole. The local squirrels & birds are very happy.
- Food Inventory> - Madi & Peter made a complete inventory of food on hand. We will be sharing it with the cooks soon. Who knew we had 40+ lbs of rice and tons of oatmeal
- Power pole outside the Zoo is now safely stubbed thanks to Stephan, Timothy, Arddie, Linda,
Juliana and several others. Note that Ardie and Linda were the moms, the rest were
Meany kids and the hole was close to 5 ft deep, they know cause we put Juliana in it to
measure. It was a tight fit
getting her out.
- First Aid Room Juliana, Linda and Emilio tore open the First Aid room and THINK THEY'VE FOUND
THE LEAK!! (famous last words). Juliana gave her dad a lesson in cement chipping to make ready for
the application of sealer to the floor and walls.
- Tom Cat's new engine is safely installed thanks to Alex, Shawn and a few others that I could
not identify from their positions (mainly bent over the engine, not flattering).
- Moose has its wheel bearings all installed and greased. It is ready for a hydraulic fluid
infusion to functional test the repairs.
- New Cabinets/countertop were brought up and installed on Sunday by James & Michele Kotlik to
replace the shaky drink table. Deb Cole is so excited to use the storage space for glasses, etc.
- Mach Splicing - Jim Fahey, Greg & Amy Smith and several others completed splicing tasks this
weekend. Worm Tow and Mach actually ran under their own power this weekend.
- Mowing - Phil Christy stayed late Sunday and mowed most of the campus picking up where James left off last work party, Thanks Phil!
September Mid-Week Report
the September mid-week work party was held September 18th (Tuesday) through September
20th (Thursday).
The following was accomplished:
- Turtle tow
- Wiring was nearly completed (there was a problem with a control outlet and plug for which we did not have a replacement). We will complete the wiring next mid-week work party, Even with the outlet problem we were able to test run the Turtle Tow and it passed.
- Drive Conflict with mounting to the new steel pole was addressed. Also the idler wheels were installed. The tow is ready for the rope to be installed.
- tie up pole for the Turtle Tow was inspected and found to be ok (it was sound at the base).
Finished Drive pole Instalation
- Tow hut Railing - Work went forward on the Tow Hut railing replacement and as dedicated as
Doug Damm is, It was not completed due to competition with the arrival of a new grandchild. Thank
goodness he didn't get Doug's looks.
Doug has promised to finish it up at the next work party.
Doug working on Railing
Milo Mathew Collins
- Freezer Fuse - Replaced fuse with a 6.25 amp. slow blow fuse. There is a spare fuse on site.
- Propane hot water tank installation was nearly completed. At the next midweek work party
protective barrier around it along with exhaust vent reinforcement will be accomplished
New propane hot water tank
- Range - The thermal bypass switched for the hood fan in the kitchen was tested and found to
function properly. - Cooks note that if it is tripped the fan cannot be turned off until temperature
drops
- Power pole behind the Tow Hut was inspected and found to be ok at the base. We also
installed another ground rod at this location
- OX Brakes No work was performed on Ox as we could not find the necessary parts. Chuck should
we order some more parts?
- Furnace- Repaired the fire grate
- RR Curve Gate - Cut the brush around the main gate and greased the bearing surfaces.
- TC Engine - Inspected the old engine for TomCat and found some minor damage to the bearings
from metal shavings. Its main problem seemed to be running rich
- The Mach
- Tail wheel assembly that came into conflict with the earth as it fell out of the sky was repaired and returned to the Tow Hut for others to install.
- Excurison- A trip to the top of The Lane we carried out to gather engineering data for
future work at the head pole site. One thing that was noted as being very helpful is if the access road
could be lowered by approximately five feet at the top.
Needs to be lowered
Cle Elum Fire
- Dump run and a load of metal to the recycler were done
6th October Work party Report
The following was accomplished:
- Super Worm
- Rope shortened.
- Head pole has been greased. ·
- No twist when ran for Howard’s inspection.
- Mach
- New rope has been spliced together. most of the stretching is already done with 2/3rds travel left in the tail pulley.
- Head pole equipment has been greased.
- head pole has been checked for rot and none found.
- Lower pulley on head pole has been adjusted to take out the twist.
- New safety gate to match that of Turtle Tow. Nigel’s good work with help from Mike Minehan.
- A rope lifting/hanging system, similar to Turtle has been installed on a tree up high on the hill between the mid tower and the top. Again Nigel’s good work. This device will probably only be used between fall shut down and start up at Christmas time. It is a two to one pulley system and will eliminate hanging the 2X4’s between the mid tower and top of the hill and best part, will keep rope from being buried. ·
- Mid tower has been greased. ·
- Norm installed a plate on the upper pulley system in the tow hut. He also added putty like stuff that he will turn to fit next time he is up. ·
- Three very heavy pick up weights (~ 80 lbs each), fabricated by Chuck, were placed on the bottom of the counter balance. The hope is, counter weight will not hit the ceiling as hard when we do the emergency stopping tests.
- First Aid Room
- Floor chipping was finished. Wall and floor were cleaned
- New first aid supply cabinet was installed
- Old cabinets are available for re-use
October Mid-Week Report
the October mid-week work party was held October 16th (Tuesday) through
18th (Thursday).
The following was accomplished:
- Fuel & Propane Deliveries - 268 gallons of Propane, 752 gallons of diesel and 676 gallons of
gas. The main propan tank along with the little bottle in the Zoo were filled
Fuel Truck on FR 420
Filling tanks
- The Health Department Inspector was a no show.
- Turtle Tow Electrical - Wiring was completed and it tested just fine.
- flood light was replaced in the Zoo.
- A dump run was made.
- Wood furnace - A new break in the flue clean out was discovered. Temporary repairs were made until it could be repaired permanently.
Fuel Truck on FR 420
Filling tanks
- Lodge
- Re-wiring of circuit for freezer was done. freezer is on its own fuse, 6.5 amp
- install a new convenience outlet in First Aid Room
- Circuit for space heater was run on the ceiling, and box is closer to heater
- Trim around the kitchen sinks was repainted and caulked.
- Smoke detector batteries were changed out and they are now functioning properly.
- Fire alarm system was tested and found to be functioning properly.
- Fire extinguishers were removed for testing and returned tested and are good for another year.
- Emergency lights were tested and found functioning properly. The battery should be changed out in the near future.
- Protective hood over the kitchen fan installation was completed.
- Kitchen cabinet repair was made.
- Work on cage around the new propane hot water tank but was not completed due to the lack of time.
- Stove was found to not be functioning properly. Left oven was off by 100 degrees and the right oven would not start. Issues were related to thermal couples being pushed out of proper placement.
- Bottom of the stove was cleaned up of crisp old spills and other junk.
Repairing Sink trim
Propane Cage
Stove Repair
- Moose
- Step on Moose was welded up.
- Hydraulic oil leaking from the right drive motor was looked at. It was determined that the leak was
between the hose plate and the drive motor case. Cause was a damaged "O" ring. A new ring was installed
at a later time and Moose was moved out of the Zoo
Damaged "O" ring
Hose plate with "O" ring guide
- Propane tank was cut in half for the Tom Cat.
- Chipper had its oil changed, a new knife blade installed and preped for winter. Ready for next spring.
- Lock was added to the Zoo tool cage.
- GFI in the basement of the Tow Hut was removed and thus the convenience outlet and light should be working in the Super Worm driver building.
- A multiyear work plan was refined and a document is forth coming for your consideration.
- We found the tail wheel assembly for the Mach Tow off its guy wire and restored it to proper operation.
- Some further work was accomplished on the guard rail for the Mach Tow steps but was not completed due to weather conditions.
- Some slash burning was done behind the Tow Hut.
- The chipper, dump trailer and four wheeler were placed in the shed nest to the diesel house. The tow field mowers were placed in the old Mouse house. The large mower is still under the Tow Hut by itself.
- A dump run was made.