| Rocky Mountain Way log (2004-07-16 -> 2004-07-29)
Leaders: Beau Daniel, Alexandra Brown
Students: Rachel Caldwell, Mary Hancock, Leigh Hickey, Parker LaVigne, Warren Phillips, Teddy Potter, Jack Symons, Laura Van Schaack
After picking everyone up at the airport, we drove to our first campsite. While finally feasting on quesadillas under the dimming sunlight, we became acquainted with each other. We went to sleep under rainfall but awoke to the bright sun and blue skies of Colorado. Hayes met up with us at the rafting outfitter before embarking on our 16 mile venture through the Royal Gorge Canyon on the Arkansas River. Due to the rain last night, the chocolate brown water turned everyone’s white t-shirt into cocoa.
Jack and Mary were the first LODs, (leaders of the day), and have set the standards exceptionally high. Being from London, Jack's taste buds are blossoming rather rapidly as he tries new American food...pb and j, chicken salad and Oreos! On our rafting section, Laura, Rachel and Mary decided to grab the bull by the horns and ride the raft like cowgirls. Needless to say, they all wore mocha mustaches by the end of the day. It is only day 2 and Teddy is already exhibiting great EB, (expedition behavior), by always offering a helping hand. Warren has a possible future in river guiding as he honed his group’s raft down the river with extreme ease and comfort. Not to mention he looks good like a rafting guide!! Making sure everyone could stay dry; Parker paid close attention during the tent set-up lesson and took charge in setting up the guy's Kiva. Despite the chill and muddy river and the sun that was camouflaged behind the clouds, Leigh had high spirits and a contagious laugh that kept the group smiling and the mood a cheerful one.
After lunch, we left the river and headed west for our next destination, rock climbing near Lake City. More adventurous tales to come in our next chapter...
We arrived in Lake City hoping to have 2 marvelous days of rock climbing. We pitched our camp near Hensen creek. Warren, Teddy, and Jack prepared a wonderfully tasty meal of pasta with red sauce, mushrooms, corn, and black beans. After moon up, we all fell asleep listening to the rushing water, which proved to be quite peaceful and relaxing. Rachel and Parker cooked fried bagels with cream cheese for breakfast accompanied with fruit, which was delicious. After a steep mile hike, we all found ourselves face to face with a massive granite rock formation also known as God's Crag. After a basic ground school everyone was very eager to scurry up the ropes to challenge themselves. This was the first time climbing actual rock for many of the group members. The group was pretty fatigued after 6 hours or climbing, so we decided to take a hike to view a waterfall. The water was cascading over the edge and landing in front of a cave. While Mary, Laura, and Warren prepared a yummy stir fry, we all saw deer walking through our campground. With everyone being exhausted, we called it an early night, so we could be rested for our second day of climbing. Following breakfast we hiked back up to the rock face where we continued to climb and rappel. In order to rappel, everyone had to follow a traverse climbing and crawling on the rock. This part seemed to be the scariest, but also the most fun of the whole rock climbing section.
Parker and Leigh started the section with a fear of heights. They both quickly conquered this by climbing different routes, but also by rappelling. At first Rachel and Mary did not have total confidence in their climbing skills. However, after encouragement and being persistent, they pushed their limits, and found that they could conquer the climb while receiving an exhilarating feeling of accomplishment. Afraid that he would not be able to get to the top Jack said, "Don't expect too much!" just before trying to ascend the hardest route. His expectation of himself proved to be very far off because he was the first one to scurry up the hardest route. Warren had told everyone that he had only climbed a few indoor rock walls. However, once he started climbing it looked like he had definitely been out on the rock before. He was the first person on the rock and also the first to get to the top. Magnus showed off his climbing skills, but he was an excellent example of a good belayer. Since this is the most important aspect of climbing, it was awesome how everyone felt comfortable putting their lives in his hands. Along with being a good climber, Laura handed out moral support and encouragement constantly to every member of the group. It really allowed her hidden cheerleading skills to shine through.
The group all really enjoyed rock climbing and all proved to be rather good at it. We left Lake City and traveled to Telluride where our next ventures will start. More to come shortly of our expedition in our next chapter....
We drove from Lake City to outside Telluride. When we arrived at the Faraway Ranch, we scoped it out and decided the campsite on top of the ridge allowed us to have mountain views of 270 degrees and Mt. Wilson, a fourteener, looming over us. After dinner we all were quite happy to crawl into our sleeping bags as we were exhausted. The early morning sun on our tents awoke us early the next morning. After a quick breakfast the group headed down to the ropes course to participate in a low ropes course, the alpine tower, and the huge rope swing.
Jack told us how scared he was on the rope swing because of the mille seconds of free fall before the rope abruptly caught him. At first Warren led the group the wrong way in the maze, but after regaining his composure he led the group through the end of the maze. Leigh and Rachel were amazed at how rapidly they scaled the alpine tower. It must have been due to all the previous days of rock climbing. Mary proved to be somewhat nervous on the swing her first time because she let out a heckuva scream. However, the second time she went she was laughing because it was so much fun. It seems like Parker overcame a little more of his fear of heights by wearing the blindfold the first time on the swing, but proceeding to take it off for his second swing. He later said that he enjoyed the second swing better. Teddy played an instrumental role in the spider rope game because he was able to lift people through the high holes of the delicate web. During the trust falls, Laura was a little apprehensive given that she is falling back into the arms of her group, that’s why they call it the “trust fall”. She already felt comfortable with them, but there is something about falling backwards that would leave anyone nervous. She certainly gained the trust of all of her new friends.
After the ropes course, the group enjoyed a little free time in Telluride before heading into the backcountry of the San Juans. In our next chapter there will be tales from our ventures in the remote wilderness of the San Juan National Forest. Until next time...
New Log 7/27/4
After an afternoon in Telluride and dinner at the Sweet Life, we all headed back to Faraway Ranch to frolic in the alpenglow. To our surprise, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves while playing the question game. As usual the females dominated, but the males put up a strong effort. We had about an hour drive to the trailhead the next morning, and we got on the trail around 11 am. We hiked in 7 miles to our first campsite that was secluded and by a roaring river. Due to the long day of hiking, everyone was tired so we went to bed following an excellent moonup. The next morning we started to hike again on Bear Creek Trail. 7 miles later we reached Bear creek basin. We had an afternoon of relaxing and an early dinner because the next morning we were going to try to summit Centennial. We awoke at 3:30 am and left camp at 4 am hiking towards Centennial. Hiking in the dark with our headlights on proved to be more challenging that we previously though. At 6 am, we found ourselves in the saddle at about 12,000 feet overlooking our next obstacle...thunderstorms. As the storm quickly approached, we knew right away that it was in our best interest to descend. Back at camp everyone was bummed that we were not able to summit, so we took a mid morning siesta hoping to rejuvenate our souls. After battling with some of the effects of the altitude, we descended even further towards the trailhead with a new plan in mind. The next morning we finished the trail and drove to the Black Canyon National Park. Here we set up camp and went to the visitors center to learn more about this feat. We made dinner and took it to an overlook to have a picnic and watch the sunset. The sun quickly set, but was very gorgeous while doing so. The sky was filled with colors such as pink, red, orange, and yellow. It was amazing to watch the sunset and enjoy dinner. Most of the group slept outside beneath the stars which were so plentiful and bright. The next morning we took a hike around the canyon, and we had some stellar views. It is not quite as impressive as the Grand Canyon, but it is still unbelievable how a river eroded 2000 feet of rock. After seeing lots of deer, we loaded up back into the van and drove to Blue Mesa Reservoir to have a swim and a picnic by the lake. After rinsing off our grunge from 9 days, we drove to Buena Vista and camped by yet another river preparing for a summit bid of Mt. Yale. Once again we woke at 3:30 am and were hiking before 4 am. Thanks to last night's moonup, everyone was as mentally prepared as could be for a task as huge as this. After climbing 4000 feet over a stretch of 3.5 miles and a few false peaks, we found ourselves at the summit after 4 hours...at 14,196 feet above sea level aka a fourteener! For an hour and a half we took pictures, relaxed and enjoyed the scenery as we towered over the other peaks. From atop Mt. Yale, one can see 30 of the 56 fourteeners that Colorado has to offer. While descending down the trail, we talked to people who were trying to ascend the peak. We gave them our encouragement and they were all impressed with our strength, ability, and determination. While completing all of these activities we feasted on burritos, chicken, potatoes, and broccoli, mac n cheese, pizza, and chicken, tomatoes, mushrooms, and rice.
Teddy and Parker gave outstanding amounts of encouragement while we were in the backcountry and while ascending Mt. Yale. With every step they were saying you can do it. I know you can. Parker also is very observant and is teaching us all about animal tracks. Laura was amazed that she got to the top and pushed her limits. When on the way back down, she said, "Looking up at it, I can't believe I did it." Mary seemed disappointed that we were not able to summit Centennial, but she kept her spirits high. Her enthusiasm kept the whole group's spirits high, and we were able to finish all of our goals. Rachel has really improved her comfort level. She pushed herself way past her limits on the fourteener which was even tougher than when we tried to summit Centennial. She was very impressed and proud of herself. Despite Leigh having a problem with blisters on her heels, she was able to persevere and make the hikes. At times she thought she couldn’t do it, but she proved to herself that she could get all the way to the top of Bear Creek Basin with her pack on. Jack, being from London was not quite sure what all the fuss was about with what we were doing in the backcountry. However, when we finished Mt. Yale, he said, "I'm glad that I did it even though it was hard. I feel like I've achieved something." While being a LOD, Warren was able to stimulate everyone's minds to send our moonup into a great direction. He always led by example and was a very positive influence on the group.
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