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Tool Maintenance - Vancouver

Day Work Party

Sat Feb 14, 2026: 9:00 AM — 1:00 PM

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Region

Southwest

Crew Leader: James Alexander

Each year our tools get a full make-over, thanks to volunteers! Photo: R. Ojerio

Overview

What says love like maintaining the tools we use all year long?? WTA and Columbia Springs converge to clean, paint and repair the tools all our volunteers rely on throughout the season. Come lend a hand--snacks included!

About the Area

Our Southwest Tool Party is a collaboration between WTA and Columbia Springs. We will all work together to clean, paint, sharpen, and fix our combined tools.

What to Expect

We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference! No experience is necessary.

Project Description

We’ll be washing and sharpening tools, sanding, adding a new coat of paint to the handles, oiling, and potentially fixing a variety of other tool issues. Don't know what a pulaski is? Don't worry about it! We'll provide all the instruction and supplies you need plus snacks. Dress for getting dirty and painting. Bring work gloves and warm clothes as our work area is not heated.

Hiking Information

This work party does not involve a hike to the work site.

Schedule

  • 9:00 AM: Meet the crew for coffee and hot drinks and mandatory safety orientation
  • 9:15 AM: Split into teams for the various work stations
  • Morning to noon: Work at your own pace, and take breaks to eat and mingle
  • 12:30 PM: Clean up
  • 1:00 pm: Party ends

Planning Information

Be sure to wear clothes that are okay to get a little paint on!

What it Takes to Do This Work Party

  • No experience is necessary—just bring a great attitude for working with a team! We  provide the training and tools you need.
  • Recommended for ages 10 and older; under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and a parental consent form must be signed for anyone under 18

What to Wear

Required:

  • Sturdy closed-toe shoes
  • Work gloves
  • Eye protection (glasses, sunglasses, or safety glasses)
  • Long pants

Recommended:

  • Sturdy work or hiking boots
  • Long sleeved shirt

A hard hat will be provided by WTA. Additionally, work gloves and eye protection will be provided by WTA if you do not have your own, but when possible we recommend bringing your own. For safety reasons, certain tasks may be assigned based on the safety level of your footwear. Volunteers who do not have long pants, or sturdy closed toes shoes, will not be able to participate in the work party.

What to Bring

  • Extra warm clothing in case of wet or cold weather
  • A sense of fun and adventure for learning new skills and meeting great people!

Firearms and weapons are not allowed.

More Information

From the Hiking Guide

See what WTA's hiking guide and trip reports say about this area.

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Directions

From Vancouver, take Highway 14 east. Take exit 5 for Ellsworth Rd. Turn right on Ellsworth Road, then a quick left on SE Evergreen Highway. You will cross under I-205, and approximately .7 miles after having turned onto Evergreen Highway will get to the main Columbia Springs parking lot on your left.


If you are coming from the east on Highway 14, take exit 8 for 164th Ave. Turn left on 164th, then right on SE Evergreen Highway. After 2.3 miles, the main Columbia Springs parking lot will be on your right.

Note: Please follow the written directions above instead of using a GPS device. This will ensure that you get to the correct meeting location for this work party. The location of the pinpoint below is only approximate.

Getting to WTA work parties can involve travel on rough, unpaved roads in areas without cellular service and without street addresses that can be accurately used by navigation devices. Unless specifically noted otherwise, routes can generally be traveled by all types of vehicles. Volunteers with limited experience driving on unpaved mountain roads may want to allow extra time, beyond what is recommended in the directions above, to get to the meeting location.

Required Documentation

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