| Big Wild log (2004-06-22 -> 2004-07-08)
Leaders: Mary Daniels, Peter Logan, Mitch Davis
Students: Greg Ablan, Carr Adams, Coleman Crigler, Tim Davis, Eileen Fitzgerald, Will French, Brad Green, Adam Lightman, Louise McClelland, Emily Scullin, Taylor Stevens, Alex White
"After setting up tents in the rain, there was a sigh of relief when the rain subsided, and everyone, in warm clothes, had a chance to look around and enjoy the surrounding jagged peaks and running rivers."-Adam and Emily
Mark Pearson and his golden retriever, Chance, guided this wonderful group of enthusiastic campers through the Wind River Range of Wyoming on an extraordinary expedition that provided adverse conditions (rain, sleet, hail, cold,etc.) which tested our endurance. Needless to say, we passed with flying colors. Each of the twelve students and two instructors have come together to form a wonderfully personable and entertaining group of adventurers. Many came with little experience in wilderness settings, but skills have improved, and continue to improve, every day across the board. When it comes to this voyage, no one here is afraid to get a little dirty or put in the sweat to get through difficult situations. Moonups have been incredible and all the students have gotten to share a lot about themselves and listen in turn. I have never seen a group of teenagers gel this quickly or effectively and we are all excited about the coming days and what wonders they have in store for us. For a couple of us there have been sightings of elk and moose. For others, diligence has provided success in trout fishing. All the meals have been wonderful, but the highlight has decidedly been the chicken stir-fry provided by the ladies on our second night. It filled bellies and made for sweet dreams as we all fell asleep in our tents shortly afterwards. Each and every one of the students have surprised us with their high spirits, humor, and newfound capabilities in the outdoors, having quickly picked up skills in backcountry cooking, bear bagging, and Leave No Trace environmental ethics, to name just a few. Adam has displayed exceptional EB (Expedition Behavior), helping bombproof the camp and hoist the bear bags even in driving hail. Coleman may remain quiet much of the time, but he busts out crazy comments and dance moves that keep us reeling daily (You should see the Mississippi Lawn Mower-a southern twist on a perennial favorite). Brad has proven himself to be strong and helpful, particularly in the kitchen, where his knack for spices has improved several meals. Taylor is constantly wide-eyed and lively, even when tired, hungry, or cold. Her high spirits bring smiles all around. Louise has shed (somewhat) her addiction to cleanliness and beauty products, and is enjoying the liberation that the necessities of the backcountry provide. Carr's interest has been piqued and is trying hard to learn all there is to learn out here. Alex has gained a sense of accomplishment and is basking in the beauty that surrounds
him. Eileen has been extremely perceptive of group concerns and has helped the group in finding ways to improve the trip, and ourselves along the way. Emily has taken on difficult tasks with determination and a positive attitude and has been successful in all of her endeavors. Greg has done well coping with the weather and maintaining high spirits with card games and his new friends. Tim has amazed everyone with his humor and singing skills (questionable), and has kept group morale high, even on long van rides. Last, but certainly not least, Will has also maintained a sense of humor, even throughout his battle with the mosquitoes of the Wind River Range. "Da Group Journal" is full of memorable quotes and hilarious illustrations regarding such group favorites as Odor Peak and Big Bertha (you'll have to ask them about it). All of the students have some remarks to share with their friends and family back home:
”We are on the way to the Salmon River after an awesome backpacking trip. I caught five trout and got some incredible pictures. Our group's morale is high
and everyone’s very excited about the adventures to come.” -Adam
”We've just finished the backpacking section. I saw a lot of cool stuff. I am excited to start whitewater rafting.” - Greg
”We're in the van right now heading toward the Salmon River for whitewater rafting. The backpacking section was really fun, and I'm looking forward to the rafting section.” - Emily
”Backpacking was awesome. I loved it. Now we are on to the Salmon River. I can't wait to try rafting.” - Eileen
”I'm glad we got through the Wind River Range alright. It was tough, but I saw some cool things, and I got some good pictures. It was nice to see a toilet and running water. Can't wait to raft. I think it will be a whole lot of fun.” - Waldo (Will)
”The backpacking section was tough, but we all got through it. Everyone is excited about our rafting adventure, and I hope it will be a lot of fun”- Louise
”Hopefully, now that we're starting the rafting section, the weather will cooperate with us a little more. Backpacking was pretty tough, but we had fun times along the way. I'm really excited for the rafting.”-Taylor
”Backpacking through the Wind River Range was a lot of fun. I'm pumped about the rafting. I'm really enjoying myself and having more fun than I imagined.” -Tim
”We're in the van right now heading toward the Salmon River after backpacking in the Wind River Range. I'm ready and excited about rafting. I've seen lots of really cool stuff and I've gotten some really good pics. P.S. I'm enjoying myself and having a really good time.” -Alex
”I've loved the backpacking. I have wanted to do something like that for a while. I'm really excited about going rafting. It will be fun staying on the river. I hope to get some more great pictures.” -Brad
”This trip is like so totally tubular”- Coleman
”Oh, snap! I'm havin' fun!”-Carr
*As you can tell, we are all very excited about the river and we will have a full report soon!
RAFTING SECTION
Well the whitewater rafting section was incredible! A good time was had by all and the weather even cleared up enough for us to fully enjoy our time on the river. Coming from four days of high winds and rain, being on the river felt like a retreat! Greg was sure to mention this after an afternoon basking in the sun on a lounge chair! The folks from Exodus provided us with top notch guides, wonderful meals, and incredible surroundings. The canyons of the Salmon River are breathtaking, and its secluded beaches gave us ideal camping and cooking space, as well as volleyball courts and touch-football fields. Our highlights included blackberry trees, class four rapids, and spider and snake sightings. And more importantly our conversations and stories topped everything.
We have all loved the nights under the stars, especially knowing that the storms are now behind us. We are still getting to know one another better and better each day through our moonups and spontaneous laughter! Our stand up comedians Tim, Will, and Coleman keep us in stitches.
Our guides have told us incredible tales of the history of the Salmon River Canyon, and its spirit has started to effect us in so many positive ways. We have also been entertained on the river by Adam’s ghost stories and frightful episodes.
Although there will be no taco salads or French toast awaiting us in the Tetons, we are so excited to challenge ourselves with multi-pitch climbs!
Some quotes from the field:
“Rafting was fantastic…eating great food, sleeping on the beach, soaking up sun. It’s a good thing I’m not one to complain.”-Eileen Fitzgerald
“I really enjoyed the white water rafting with all my new friends and the guides. The best part was the incredible food and unforgettable once in a lifetime views of the mountain ranges.”-Alex White
“I am having a great time. I am looking forward to telling you guys about all the cool things we are doing!”-Greg Ablan
“Rafting was really fun and I enjoyed eating good food and hanging out on the beach.”
-Emily Scullin
“Over the rafting section we got to know each other so well and had a great time sleeping under the stars on the sand and seeing beautiful sights from the river. It was so much fun.”-Taylor Stevens
“The rafting was awesome. We all have nappy hair but all in all we are having so much fun. The guides were hilarious and the food was awesome. Seeing a full moon that lights up the sky like daytime is really cool. And the duckies, the duckies are amazing!”-Carr Adams
“What an awesome change, we went from eating cereal with dehydrated milk and river water to scrambled eggs, pancakes, and bacon for breakfast! The view form the river was on of the most amazing sights I have ever seen and I got some incredible pictures. The high points of my trip were going through gigantic rapids in a one man inflatable kayak, and flipping most of the time! P.S. My ear is great.”-Adam Lightman
“The rafting was pretty sweet; saw lots of good scenery and other great stuff. The food was freakin’ awesome. It was cool chillin on the beaches too.”-Coleman Crigler
“The car ride was worth it. The rafting was a lot of fun. It was a great change from hauling a heavy pack in cold and rain to great food that our guides got us. The intense volleyball games were awesome, so was sleeping on the beach. We all to know each other a lot better.”-Will French (Waldo)
“Rafting was xxxxtreme! It was a whole lotta fun. I enjoyed every second of it. We were surrounded by great scenery the entire time. I enjoyed everyone’s company and it was nice to have some support while using the restroom.”-Tim Davis
“The rafting section was so much fun. It was a nice change from backpacking. I enjoyed hanging out on the beach and our intense volleyball games. The food was awesome and sleeping on the beach under the stars for the first time was definitely a memorable experience.”-Louise McClelland
“I couldn’t be having more fun! Rafting was filled with wonderful experiences including sleeping outside on beaches, big waves, and good times with good food. Everyone is enjoying themselves and can’t wait to rock climb.”-Brad Green (Bkrizzle)
NEW LOG: CLIMBING
Big Wild I
Rock Climbing Section
Well, the third and final component of the trip has reached an end, and it seems as though the group is just getting started. The trust and determination
required for rock climbing seems to have opened up a new dimension of group dynamic, as each student is sharing more and more about him or herself. From a leader's perspective, keeping the group together and focused has become more of a pleasure than a chore. We've seen a whole lot of bison (don't call them buffalo in Wyoming), too.
The soft skills of expedition behavior and focusing on the welfare of the group have been more difficult to pick up than the more concrete skills gained through the activities, but it is clear that they are no less developed. At a moon-up last night the students surprised us with what they've learned out here, and everyone agrees that we have had an encounter with the “Real” out here, forming candid relationships and dealing with the challenges of caring for the environment first-hand. The climbing section has been particularly conducive to this as the students have felt more challenged than they were
backpacking or rafting. Multi-pitch climbs and long rappels will do that, I suppose. The first day, Carr could not bring himself to go down over a relatively short overhang, but on the second, he worked up the nerve to drop over a hundred twenty feet. Way to go, Carr! And this was just one moment among many, where we said no to our fears and yes to our hopes of climbing higher and harder. Alex is a great climber and finally got to show his stuff,
mastering difficult routes with ease. Tim's jokes (and singing) have gotten better and Taylor's smiles have gotten even brighter. Needless to say, the days are flowing easier and we are having more fun at every turn.
In the last couple of days, all the students have exposed their inner leadership skills. Those who were quieter in the beginning have spoken up. Those who were independent grew to concern themselves with the group. Those who held in their frustrations let them show. We are proud of each and every one of them. The most surprising thing of all was that after all of the long car rides and despite some troubles along the way, most of these guys want to
stay longer. Adam left us a day early and his departure reminded us all of the fact that our journey is coming to a close, but, as a group, we seem to be ignoring that fact rather than counting down the hours. We're going out with a banquet bash tonight, out on the town in Jackson, but before we do, here are some messages for the folks back home:
”Climbing was awesome. I'm ready to take on Everest.” -Adam
”Climbing was a challenge, but it was so sweet and I'm glad to have done it.”
-Coleman
”I wish climbing was longer. It was incredible. Rappelling was super.” -Will
”Climbing was spectacular. It was a real great time. I learned a lot about climbing and had a great time.” -Brad
”I loved climbing. It was such a beautiful place to be. Being there with the group made it even more enjoyable!”-Tim
”Rock climbing was an amazing experience. It was really fun and I did many things I thought I would never be able to do.” -Louise
”I loved rock climbing. We climbed a ton. I made it up, no worries. The guides were great. See you at home.” -Eileen
”Rock climbing was really great. I especially enjoyed rappelling off a mountain. I'll see you when I get home.” -Emily
”Rappelling was awesome. I can't wait to come home tomorrow.” -Carr
”I loved the rock-climbing and the rappelling. It was awesome. I'll see ya soon.”
-Alex
”Getting to the top of a steep wall and knowing you made it by the beautiful view was a great feeling. It was a fun couple of days. I can't wait to see you!”-Taylor
Back to 2004 Logs
Back to Trip Logs |
|
