“Whatever it takes” has long been a motto for the San Luis Valley REC, and that mentality still rings true today. Area Serviceman Marvin Martinez definitely goes the extra mile to do “whatever it takes” to serve a customer.

A nearly two-mile trek in -36° weather on a loaded snowmobile is what it took for Marvin to provide service to a new customer in the Hermit Lakes area in early February. A couple from Oklahoma have chosen to spend much of the winter in their cabin, even though it can only be accessed by snowmobile or snowshoes this time of year. They do, however, want to be able to communicate with their family and friends while enjoying their primitive lifestyle.

Installing fiber broadband service in such an area in mid-winter seems outlandish, but Marvin took to the task. Donning his snowshoes and gear, he made his way to the cabin to complete the job. Hanging fiber on the four poles was a little more difficult than most days, as he had to snowshoe from one pole to the next to keep from sinking up to his waist. Marvin commented, “you can’t maneuver very quickly in snowshoes; you feel like a turtle, but it’s much better than sinking in.”

Marvin explained the effort it takes to work in frigid conditions like he experienced during the installation; “you really have to plan ahead, making sure you have all the tools and supplies you need. I take extras of everything, because you never know. And you have to have all the right gear, so you’re not exposing yourself to the elements.” Marvin was super appreciative of the cabin’s caretaker, who was more than willing to help out running errands for him as he completed his work.

Marvin spends many days in the backcountry servicing REC’s rural customers, so his snowmobile and snowshoes are a standard part of his daily equipment, but it’s no big deal to him— “It’s all an adventure—that’s how I see my job.”