| Big Wild Log (2007-06-19 -> 2007-07-06)
Leaders: Wilson Robinson, Emily Martinat
Students: Maggie Pitts, Virginia Miller, Will Riser, John Spencer, Ken Goins, Mary Riley Ogilvie, Raymond Hill, Caitlin Culver, Mack Leath, Annie Booke, Lauren Justus, Elizabeth Lee, Caroline Noonan
June 19
All have arrived safely. Perperations are underway for their extended backcountry trip in to The Wind River Range. Stay tuned!
June 27
After the group arrived at the airport, we loaded up the trailer, piled into the van and headed out to our first campsite at Slide Lake. Shortly thereafter, we set up camp, went for a swim, and started to get to know each other a bit better. For our first Moon-Up, we drove to the warm springs at the base of the Tetons, ate pizza, and watched our first Moondance sunset. The next morning we enjoyed some delicious flapjacks near the lake, thanks to Annie and Elizabeth’s newly acquired backcountry cooking skills. We then broke down camp and went towards Pinedale where we ate lunch in the park and met our Okelley guides, Rick and his daughter, Karen. We piled back into the van for our last long drive before we would be relying on our feet as our mode of transportation. Competing for road space with the multitudes of cattle, and receiving some very perturbed looks, we climbed higher into the mountains, finally reaching the trailhead early that evening. The group really came together as each member assisted in making our first backcountry dinner consisting of chicken fajitas. We ended the night with music around the campfire, Wilson and Emmie harmonizing beautifully, and mentally prepared ourselves for the next six days of backpacking.
As our first leaders of the day, Annie and Will got the trip off to a good start. Their natural leadership abilities radiated throughout the day as they navigated the group to our first true mountain campsite. Annie and Will set a positive tone that would carry over throughout the trip. After learning how to use the MSR stoves, the kids took over and cooked our first dinner of macaroni and cheese.
Our next day began with cheesy hash browns which fueled us for our day-hike of summiting a nearby peak. Ken’s enthusiasm and patience, as well as Mary Riley’s genuine kindness and concern for the group, led us to the top in no time. Each member was taken aback by the endless views seen from the top. Later that afternoon, Wilson took Mack, Will, John, Raymond, and Ken fly-fishing at the nearby lake. Although returning without a catch and surviving an on-going fight with the enormous mosquitoes, each one came back eager to try again. That night, an assembly line was constructed in order to cook home-made pizzas for dinner. Ken was always ready to light the stove, Virginia shaped the perfect crusts, and Annie kneaded the dough as Caroline monitored the additions of flour and water. We ended that night with Maggie’s attempt to salvage the rest of the pizza dough by making cinnamon rolls, and an intense game of mafia attributed to Ken’s excellent, yet slightly obscure, narrating skills.
The next morning we packed up camp, ate oatmeal (one of Maggie’s newfound favorite breakfasts… as long as she sticks with the regular flavor, has plenty of cinnamon and vanilla on hand, and is able to top it off with a splash of cold water), and began what was originally thought to be a tough day. However, with the help of Mack and Caitlin’s encouragement and leadership, the group cruised up the mountain with their heavy packs in record time, allowing us to have free time for the rest of the day. Elizabeth and Annie tried their hand at fly-fishing as John manned the stove, preparing “one of the best meals yet”.
John carried his initiatives to the next day, with Maggie and he guiding us up yet another peak filled with snow. Lauren and Caroline were quick to have a snowball fight, Rick and Karen took some of the kids sledding, and others chose to rest their eyes atop the ridge. After getting a little taste of winter, we returned to camp and relaxed around the kitchen. Caroline revealed her infinite number of mosquito bites (by the sound of her scratching not complaining), Lauren taught us how to identify a dreadlock while John pointed out the various ecosystems that might reside there, and Virginia demonstrated how one cannot always feel those “pop-worthy” blisters.
We awoke the next morning to our last full day in the mountains with Virginia and Raymond leading the way. After overcoming numerous blisters, some altitude adjustment, and other backpacking hardships, Virginia challenged herself by tossing her trekking poles, ignoring her blisters, and leading the pack as she flew down the trail. Raymond used his superb orienteering skills, leading us through the woods and to our campsite before the afternoon. After wrestling with a tree branch, we eventually got our way and our bear bag hung. Wilson and Emmie cooked dinner for the kids as they sat around the campfire, soaking in the stars.
We got up early, packed our packs for the last time, and descended into the valley to the van. A couple wrong turns and a scouting later, the van was finally found. Sue, Rick’s wife, treated us all to ice cream at their llama ranch, only after we had washed our hands and put on clean clothes.
Overall, it was an incredibly successful backpacking trip. With Annie’s cooking skills, Will’s natural leadership abilities, Caitlin’s positive energy, Ken’s enthusiasm, Caroline’s mosquito bites, Mack’s selflessness, Maggie’s water purification questions, Raymond’s ability to transform into a human pillow for van rides, Mary Riley’s contagious smile, Lauren’s hair having a personality of its own, Elizabeth’s “rocketing” abilities, John’s constant entertaining humor, and Virginia’s perseverance, we conquered the Wind River Range and had an amazing time.
July 3
On the morning of day 10, we arrived early at Hammer Creek to begin our four days of rafting in Idaho on the Salmon River. That day, we rafted 13 miles through class two and three rapids. The weather was beautiful...sunny, warm, clear, scenic... when it wasn't World War III between the girls' and boys' raft with the water guns. Although the boys proceeded to steal all the water guns and attack the girls' raft, they held their own and managed to make it out with minimal battle wounds.
That same day, we stopped along the way to see Indian pictographs and Chinese mining houses, as well as pulling over to a nearby beach in order to utilize the natural "high dives" and spring from the rocks into the water. It was exhilarating. We arrived at our first sandy campsite, kicked back while the outfitters prepared an incredible dinner, cheered on the boys as they conducted their own unique version of sumo wrestling, and ended that evening with a campfire under the stars.
The next morning, we awoke to french toast, an array of fruits, and bacon.
Soon after, we hit the river again, this time preparing to conquer class three and four rapids, which we did effortlessly. After a long day of rafting 22 miles on the Salmon, we pulled into another sandy campsite accompanied by wind, rain, and eventually hail. It was quite a challenge AND a spectacle in order to get six tents up without having them blow into the river. After the windstorm died down, we ate dinner and engaged in an intense game of mafia with our river guides.
Our next full day consisted of a little less mileage but the same caliber of rapids, in which everyone was able to handle with ease. When we got to our campsite, everyone took out their chairs and sleeping pads, having a nice little afternoon nap. We constructed a waterslide out of the rafts and found out that we had more gymnasts on our trip than we thought, even wearing multiple life jackets. Our last night on the river ended with a warm campfire and a good night sleep beneath the stars.
We got off the river around three the next day, met some fire jumpers along the way, and had a relaxing motorboat ride as we ate taco salad on the river. All in all, it was yet another successful trip with nothing but wonderful compliments about the group. We like to think of ourselves as not only super stellar, but the "BIGGEST" Wild. It's going to be hard to leave each other at the end.
SHOUTOUTS:
Caitlin: "Hey Mom and Dad, I'm having an amazing time! So far we've hiked the Winds and rafted the Salmon. Now we're on our way to the Tetons for rock climbing. I love y'all and cannot wait to see you!"
Maggie: "Hey Mommy and Daddy! I'm having so much fun, it has flown by.
We rock climb the Tetons next. Yeah! I love you!"
Raymond: "I'm having a lot of fun!"Tell Maddo and Charles I said hi! See y'all Friday!"
Virginia: "Hey Mom and Dad! I'm having a blast here! I love you all so much and cannot wait to see you!"
Ken: "Moondance is incredible! I'm having such a good time and am excited to see you!"
Will: "Hey Mom and Dad! I'm having a great time and cannot wait to see y'all!"
John: "It's been great! See you soon!"
Mack: "It's awesome!"
More to come soon, Wilson and Emmie
Final Trip Update - July 8, 2007
BIG WILD 1: Climbing Update
After our adventurous ride from Idaho to Jackson Hole the previous day, along with our interesting, yet beautiful campsite at Mosquito Creek, we awoke early and began our first day of rock climbing with Exum. Apprehension was definitely the predominant emotion circulating throughout the group as we suited up to begin the day. Following the Gondola Ride to our destination, we performed some “brain gymnastics” (George’s specialty) in order to fully absorb some helpful tips and guidelines that would get us safely through the day.
We learned some important knots, how to belay, the correct and oh-so-comfortable way to wear a harness, how to ensure that our helmets were always “happy turtles”, as well as how to successfully “walk in coils” to the base of our multi-pitch climbs. Taking our newly acquired climbing knowledge, we split into two groups accompanied by Exum guides, Wes and Adam in one group and George and Andy in the other. Each group completed six pitches, or climbs, belaying the person behind them, and safely making it to our lunch spot. The entire group was incredible, tossing their fears aside and pushing themselves to the top. It wasn’t over just yet, though. We then rappelled down and climb up an easy rock face, in preparation for the more advanced faces tomorrow. Will, once again, demonstrated his leadership skills, taking over belaying so that Emmie could rappel. We ended later that afternoon, leaving with an abundance of compliments from our guides, specifically praising the group’s extraordinary cohesiveness, their mutual encouragement and kindness towards each other, and their strength, both physically and mentally, to conquer their fears in a mature manner.
On the Fourth of July, we woke up to yet another warm, clear day, to the sounds of Emmie and Wilson beautifully singing patriotic songs. The theme of the day was “Proud to Be an American”, and by far the most patriotic of them all was Annie, who proudly displayed her blindingly-white Proud to Be an American t-shirt that she had patriotically worn the majority of the trip. We arrived bright and early to the Exum office at Jenny Lake eager to begin climbing. It was just a relaxing morning boat ride across Jenny Lake to get to our climbing sites with the Grand located in the background… not too shabby. After reviewing what we had learned the day before, we once again engaged our minds for another day of climbing by practicing a few of George’s “brain gymnastics”. Maggie greatly benefited from this exercise and may have found her new calling in life, as she released and relieved all of her unnecessary stress and tension. She truly has an enlightening experience.
Now that our eyes, ears, and mind were open and ready to take action, we divided into three groups with Kara, George, and Mike, our Exum guides for this day, accompanying each group. Our groups were as follows:
GROUP 1: George, Wilson, Virginia, Caitlin, Elizabeth, and John
GROUP 2: Kara, Emmie, Mary Riley, Ken, Caroline, and Mack
GROUP 3: Mike, Will, Annie, Maggie, Lauren, and Raymond
Group 1 began their day of climbing with the “Open Book” route. It consisted of 2.5 pitches that spanned over two rock faces meeting at a 90 degree angle. Needless to say the climb was difficult, much more so than the day before, but it proved to be a wonderful learning experience. Caitlin was able to put her fears behind her and utilized both her surroundings and her long legs to pull herself up to the top. Elizabeth resembled a spider-monkey for the entirety of the ascent, performing challenging hand and foot holds with ease and grace. Virginia was a rock star. She overcame many obstacles throughout the day, constantly proving to herself that the impossible is always possible. John, as always, kept spirits high throughout the climb with his witty comments and jovial spirit. George, our Exum guide, was an inspiration to all, as his decades of experience and patience provided a comfortable and supporting environment.
Group 2 conquered the “Tree Climb”, which was made up of three pitches progressively becoming more and more difficult and filled with bold moves and crazy dance grooves. Mary Riley set the tone of the climb as she plowed through her fears with heights, being the first to follow Kara on the ascent. Ken’s enthusiasm was paramount in encouraging the group and improving morale. Caroline had no problem scaling the faces on the various pitches with her confidence improving each time. Mack exhibited his all-star abilities, as he was in charge of removing all carabineers from the rock. The climb was lengthy but definitely rewarding.
Group 3 was the first to get done with their multi-pitch climb, and therefore the first to begin rappelling. Clearly having impressed Mike with her stellar knot-tying abilities, Annie earned the nickname, “the Knot Master”, from Mike. It was evident that Annie had learned to become one with the rock as she flew down the 115 foot rappel. Along with overcoming his own fears, Raymond played an integral part in his group, contributing kind and encouraging words. Maggie’s enthusiasm was contagious and enabled the group to have good spirits throughout the day. Lauren excelled by demonstrating superior levels of confidence on both the climbs and rappels.
Our climbing day ended with some delicious ice cream before we made ourselves as clean and presentable as possible to grace the town of Jackson Hole with our presence for the Fourth of July. We went to a nearby park, where we met up with Big Wild 3, and had a scrumptious cookout, complete with hamburgers, hotdogs, sausages, chicken, salad, corn, honeydew, cantaloupe, and s’mores. The fireworks were impressive and all in all, it was quite a memorable Fourth.
It was one extravagant celebration after the other with Ken’s 16th Birthday the next day. Ken awoke with a Happy Birthday banner, a birthday hat, and balloons loosely floating around him. It was today that Ken found his new love for 15-passenger vans. We made a big pancake breakfast before beginning our long day of cleaning. We power-washed the van (quite an empowering activity) completely cleaned the inside; made the U-Haul sparkle and our pots and pans were spick and span. After everything else was clean, it was time to make ourselves clean. We spent a great deal of time at the local rec center, completely taking advantage of the waterslides, the fun room, the sauna, the steam room, and the swimming pool. After we smelled like flowers, we spent some time perusing the streets of Jackson before inhaling a fully prepared dinner at Mountain High Pizza Pie, which was topped off with a surprise birthday cake for Ken.
That night was our final Moon-up, which we had at the top of a nearby hill with a complete view of the Tetons. The next day we got up early and headed to the airport. This was by far the worst day of the entire trip. We watched them file out one at a time to their planes and sent them home from a truly memorable experience.
I want to personally thank all of the families for allowing us to spend these past 18 days with your son or daughter. This was an incredible group of high school kids, each of them unique and bringing a different personality that contributed to the group’s cohesiveness. I have never laughed so hard or been so proud. Each of them had numerous accomplishments, whether it was overcoming a fear of heights of learning to cook. It was such a pleasure to be their leader, and I know that Wilson and I are going to miss them dearly. I hope everyone made it home safely and is enjoying themselves. Parents, if you would, the next chance you get, wake them up with the phrase “Goooood mooooooorning my little balls of sunshine… it’s going to be a beautiful daaaaay, wake up!” I know that they’ll miss it. They might not tell you at first, but it was the highlight of each of their days.
Thanks again for a wonderful trip,
Emmie and Wilson
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