| Big Wild log (2004-06-22 -> 2004-07-08)
Leaders: Kayla Applebay, Chris Calvert
Students: Maggie Dozier, Juri Jacoby, Allison Magee, Lindsay Maxwell, Abby McLain, Mary Pappas, Blair Rasmus, Julia Gray Saunders, Shaun Viguerie, Austin Willard
June 22 Tuesday
Arrival day in Jackson Hole! Well the crew of 10 arrived without hiccups into the tiny Jackson airport on a spectacular day in the Tetons. After scrambling for bags in the crowded baggage claim we grabbed some snacks and hit the road to Idaho. The group seemed to mesh immediately. They bopped along in the van as we cut through the mountains west along the Snake River and through the lava beds left of Idaho Falls. Tents were set up and we all devoured fajitas as the sun set over this lunar-like landscape of Idaho. Veterans from last year, Maggie, Juri, and Shaun helped bring the group together and give them an idea of what Moondance is all about. Our first moonup was magnificent. Everyone expressed interest and excitement in all the activities and we all set goals for ourselves in the next 17 days. Abby beamed at moonup and has been Gung-ho ever since. Everyone slept out that night under the stars anticipating the days to come.
June 23 Wednesday
Kayla and I were woken up by the four boys in our group who were already getting set for the day! Shaun, Juri, Austin, and Blair have been a posse from the start and the first morning was no different. After bagels for breakfast we packed up and toured Crators of the Moon National Park. The landscape was new to everyone and sparked many moon questions amongst the group. The highlight for everybody was checking out a few caves under the lava beds with headlamps because of the dark and we all put on an extra layer because of the cold (ice too). The group enjoyed the caving. The best little experiment was after we all got quite far throughout the cave system we turned our headlamps off and sat in the still blackness, which definitely got some nerves going. After lunch we piled into the van and loaded up the U-Haul and headed north to Salmon, Idaho. A few miles north of Salmon is a place called North Fork and from there we traveled down a dirt road following the Salmon River west towards our next campsite at Corn Creek, wrapping around the banks of the Salmon River. Everybody packed their dry bags in preparation for full days on the river. That night at moonup we played a few games of “Mafia” which as been a hit on this trip. The group again slept out under the stars and next to the river, just amazing.
June 24 Thursday
Today we all officially met our river guides for the first time. Dave, Ty, Chris, and Chris organized a great breakfast and briefed the group on what was to come. Everyone was a little anxious to hit the boats. Dave and Ty headed up the two rafts with the kids, while one Chris kayaked along side and the other Chris piloted the oar boat. The river was spectacular. Not a cloud in the sky on this bluebird day. The warmth of sun and cool water suited us just right. Abbey and Maggie took the double ducky out first and turned the whole group on to them by the first break, even after tipping over on the first rapid. The group just laughed their way through it! Lindsay almost instantaneously overcame her fear of rafting and was into it from the start. We paddled hard today and eventually pitched up at camp along the river. We had a nice beach to ourselves (except for a few deer) and spent the evening relaxing, eating burgers, and playing horseshoes in the sand. Blair even broke out his fly rod today and fished a little. Julia Gray whipped us all at “Mafia” that evening. After a great day we were exhausted and still stoked to be by the river!
June 25 Friday
Another big day of rafting under blue skies!! The rapids were much larger today but it did not even faze our group. Ty took a group of us down a big rapid called Splitting Rock. In the end, Abby and I were swimming and Blair and Austin stayed in the boat by the skin of their teeth. We all had a good laugh about that. The girls impressed me today in the duckies. Mary is fearless! She was bombing down big rapids like a pro and never flipped once. Allison never failed to volunteer and double duckied often. The conversations in the boats were epic and everyone was laughing and having a great time. Another lovely meal that evening was a wonderful way to end our 2nd day on the river.
June 26 Saturday
Day 3 on the river and by now everyone knows the drill and is into it! We paddled hard when told and the Duckies followed the lines needed to make each rapid. The highlight of the day was a trip to a hot springs right off the river. The 106 degree spring was perfect to warm us on this overcast morning. Juri looked at peace in the hot water and Blair sat under the pipe for awhile enjoying the warmth. Completely rejuvenated, we paddled hard that afternoon making our total distance for the day about 24 miles. It rained hard that evening as we set up camp. After moonup we scrambled for the tents in the rain but eventually we were settled in for a good night’s sleep.
June 27 Sunday
We enjoyed another great breakfast and a perfect morning to top off our rafting section. Austin and I rocked the duckies and talked about life in the South. Everyone in the boats had a blast soaking up the sun, splashing each other, and going for swims. Mary and Shaun tackled the last big rapid in a duckie and came out smelling like roses. It was sad to day goodbye to our river guides at the take-out because we had 4 fun days with them. A windy mountain road took us to our campsite that night near McCall, Idaho. We made pizzas and laughed about all of the fun times we had during our river section. The entire group has really come together and we are a strong team of 12 going into the backcountry on Wednesday. Tomorrow we drive back to Pinedale, Wyoming, our base camp before heading into the Wind River Range. Check back for another update after the 4th of July and our exciting experience in the Winds!
Leader Quotes
Kayla: “What an awesome group of kids! Their teamwork and excitement about all of the activities is turning this trip into an adventure to remember!”
Chris: “I forgot I could have so much fun with a group of kids!”
Student Quotes
Austin: “Drink lots of water!”
Allison: “I am having a great time seeing new places and meeting new people!”
Maggie: “I love getting to know my group and Leaders and I am having an awesome time!”
Lindsay: “Idaho is what I expected…not many people and lots of farms. The scenery was very pretty on the river and I got over my fear of whitewater. I am really looking forward to backpacking. Oh yeah…and my Leaders are great too!”
Blair: “Rafting is awesome and fishing rocks too!”
Abby: “I did not really know what to expect but everything I have seen has been very pretty. My group and my Leaders are amazing and I am learning really cool stuff as I go!”
Shaun: “Had a great time rafting, looking forward to backpacking!”
Juri: “Rafting was great! I also have 2 people in my group from last year!”
Julia Gray: “Moondance is everything I thought it would be and a lot more fun! I am learning a lot of cool stuff and I love my group and Leaders!”
Mary: “So far this Moondance trip has been a blast and I can’t wait to do everything else I have been looking forward to!”
NEW LOG
Big Wild 2
Kayla and Chris
We began the five day backpacking section with a bit of a rainy start. The O’Kelly Outfitter guides met us at our camp at 7:30AM. We headed into town to buy fishing license for those who wanted to test their luck in the fish rich waters of the Wind River Range. Then off to the trailhead at Big Sandy campground.
With backpacks packed, Scott (our guide) went over last minute details and the 3.5 mile route we would take to Divide Lake. With that we set out on the mostly uphill trail. Even with the difficulties of carrying a pack, the first days spirits were high. Shaun and Blair were excited to take the lead and while eager to stay ahead, always looked out for the rest of the group. We finally made it to Divide Lake where our Leaders of the Day, Mary and Shaun, dropped packs and set out to find a good spot to camp.
With tents set up, Lindsay, Blair, Maggie and Austin accompanied by Scott set off to fish in the nearby lake. Their good luck was cut short by a hail and lightening storm that sent them running back to camp soaking wet. Through the pounding hail Chris and I could hear the group’s laughter as they told jokes and kept each other entertained.
That evening with dinner finished and the food hung safely in the bear bag, Lindsay and Blair told us about the multiple fish they had caught. We all turned in shortly after sundown, but the laughter from the tents continued for quite some time.
We woke up bright and early the next day by Juri and Austin informing us that it was time to get up and start the day. Moving a little slow and having to take care of some blisters, we finally hit the trail to Donald Lake at 9AM. With a bit steeper terrain and more streams to cross, Juri and Austin were careful to make sure to set a good pace and stop often for water breaks. Traveling about the same distance as the day before we arrived at our next camp around 3PM. Surrounded by a wetland marsh, Juri and Austin set out to find a higher, dry camp for the next 3 nights. With a location chosen, we all set out to put up our tents.
With help from Allison and Maggie we feasted the next morning on cinnamon rolls and decided to try to summit a nearby peak towering at 11,500 feet. Up through the trees to the large boulders and cracks heading towards the top, the group helped each other over the large rocks while Abby and Maggie set the pace. After about 2 hours we were 300 feet from the top and stopped to have lunch. Julia Gray and Abby had a cheese eating contest and kept everyone laughing. After lunch we headed for the top. Half of the group went ahead, while the other half traveled a bit slower not far behind. Mary and Allison looked after those who were struggling a little with the high altitude and scrambling over the rocks. As the bad weather started to roll in, the group as a whole decided to turn back. The kids demonstrated amazing teamwork and decision making skills. The remainder of the day was spent fishing and writing in journals. Needless to say, all were ready to turn in by dusk!
Quotes from the kids:
Abby: “Backpacking gave me a new kind of determination that made me never want to stop when I could walk, climb or hike a little further. It made me have confidence in myself and others.”
Juri: “Backpacking was made much more fun by the beautiful scenery. The group bonded even more fishing, playing cards and hanging out. Now we prepare for rock climbing!”
Maggie: “Backpacking was fun and challenging. Even though I was a little scared, everything was so beautiful and refreshing!”
Allison: Honestly I was not very excited about backpacking but I ended up doing things I never imagined I could. It was so much fun. While summating the mountain I was nervous but after I reached the top I was so proud of myself.”
Shaun: The backpacking portion of this Moondance trip allowed me to see things that I have never seen even in my wildest dreams!”
Mary: “Backpacking with Moondance left me with a feeling of accomplishment and pride in myself.”
Austin: “The path of least resistance hardly leads past your doorstep.”
Blair: “I consider myself lucky to have been able to go on the backpacking section with Moondance. Not only was I able to see the scenery, I learned how blessed we are to be able to be in such areas.”
Julia Gray: “Backpacking was loads better and more fun then I expected. It was gorgeous and I proved to myself that I could do a lot of things I never thought I could. I really enjoyed it.”
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