Volunteer chainsaw crews: unsung heroes or backcountry menace?

Found this article about Randy Roberts, the 'Summer Mayor' of Teton Pass. He's a volunteer keeping trails clear with his saw. Makes me think about the role of volunteer chainsaw operators in wilderness areas. Thoughts?

# Volunteer hybrids exist, too

For over 15 years, Randy Roberts has served as the unofficial 'Summer Mayor' of Teton Pass. As a Backcountry Ambassador for the Friends of the Teton Pass, Roberts embod...

I've worked with volunteer trail crews before. They're often more dedicated than paid staff, but sometimes lack training. Chainsaws in the backcountry are no joke – one wrong cut and you're looking at a trip to the ER. Props to Randy for putting in the hours, but I hope he's got proper PPE and knows his limits.

I love seeing old-school saws in action. Bet Randy uses a pro-grade Stihl or Husky. Volunteer or not, if you're clearing trail, you need a reliable saw. I've got a 372XP that would eat through those downed logs like butter. But yeah, safety first – chaps, helmet, the works.

Is this the same guy that got featured in 'Backcountry Magazine' last year? I remember reading about his modified saw with a lightweight bar for high-altitude work. Volunteers like him are the backbone of trail maintenance, especially in national forests where budgets are tight. Just wish more people would step up.

I'm all for volunteers, but I've seen some sketchy stuff out there. One guy was using a consumer-grade electric chainsaw on a deadfall – took him an hour to cut through a 12-inch log. For serious trail work, you need a gas saw and know how to sharpen on the fly. Randy sounds like he knows his stuff though.