| Rocky Mountain Way Log (2007-06-19 -> 2007-07-02)
Leaders: Bryant Allen, Berry Stein
Students: Aubry Clayton, Will Klingbeil, Lauren Baer, Hannah Chody, Nina Sloss, Ben Taylor, Helen Kohnke, Gunter Giddens, Laura Beth Ellis
June 19
All have arrived safely. Preperations are underway for Whitewater Rafting Browns Canyon.
June 21
Greetings from Brown's Canyon!!!
We just got back from our two day rafting trip and it was AWESOME!! Incredible weather and some great rapids. We started Wednesday morning and in the first boat was Gunter, Lauren, Helen, Aubry, Will and Berry. Gunter described the river as "heaven on earth" and it is certainly an appropriate term for our environment. We rafted some hard core rapids and everyone shrieked and hollered as we went through and got super soaked! Will soaked it up sitting in the front almost the whole time and Lauren too enjoyed her fair share in the front getting totally drenched. Aubry and Helen took the lead after lunch and although the water was freezing, everyone persevered and it was awesome! In the other boat, Ben, Nina, Laura Beth, Hannah and Bryant had some intense moments, as Laura Beth and Nina became seasoned swimmers in the Arkansas River. But thanks to Hannah and Ben, they were safely pulled back in the boat and everyone was all smiles! Ben eagerly sat in the front of the raft with great gusto. That night we camped on the river and watched a gorgeous sunset over the Rockies. We finished Thursday afternoon and everyone can't wait to hit the river at the end of the trip!! Hope all is well at home and we miss everyone tons!!!! Stay tuned!!!!
Berry and Bryant
June 27, 2007
We are back! After a very strenuous venture of five days and over thirty miles in the backcountry, we have returned. The group spent the backpacking section climbing the massive peaks, traversing the many ridges, and crossing the numerous creeks of the Bear Creek Basin, located south of Telluride.
The extended stay outside of civilization called on the many talents and abilities of all of the students in the group. Though the setting did not lend itself to the situation, Laura Beth was able to illustrate perfect culinary form through her light and fluffy (and perfectly flipped) pancakes. Also, Nina, with her strong sense of leadership and ability to motivate, was able to lead the group over a long fourteen mile hike...in one day! Also, Hannah, Helen, and Aubry quickly showed the group that the many streams throughout the area were just as good for washing dirtied clothes as they were as water sources.
Over the course of the five day period, several members of the team showed incredible strength. Will, for instance, powered through the many switchbacks and turns with amazing enthusiasm. Ben found a way to thrive without showers, using any nearby stream to grab a quick campsite cool down. Lauren exhibited perfect "Leave No Trace" ethics by continually picking up tid-bits of trash left by other groups in the area. And Gunter led the group on the last day, through the remaining switchbacks and meadows and back to the van.
All in all, the venture, which was full of purified water and tons of GORP (good ole raisins and peanuts), was a safe and successful venture into the mighty San Juan Mountains.
June 29, 2007
Today brings the rock climbing section of the Rocky Mountain Way. The two days full of climbing and repelling on the rock faces of God's Crag were simply amazing. With its beautiful views and technical climbs, the landscape just outside of Lake City provided an excellent location for the group to continue their Moondance Adventure.
The group camped just below the rock face, having just a steep 30 minute hike between them and some of the best climbing in the area. The team was met by guides from Crested Butte Mountain Guides on the morning of the 28th, and was immediately charged and ready for the day.
Day one of the climbing section was full of great climbs, with every member of the team hitting the rocks. The entire group spent a time in "Belay School," learning the ins and outs of outdoor climbing safety. The team then split into three groups, each tackling a different route on the cliffs of the area.
The incredible climbing of day one was replicated on the second day. In addition, the group was able to practice their repelling skills. Each student that climbed to the top of the rock face would then lower themselves to the ground on a repel line.
As a whole, the rock climbing experience that the group had was full of incredible views and great climbs.
July 2
It was another adventurous day for the team on Rocky Mountain Way as we made our way down the class III and IV rapids of the Arkansas River!! This time the waters were much more exciting and thank goodness a little bit warmer! We started early in the morning and in one boat, Gunter, Hannah, Helen, Lauren and Berry paddled their hearts out so that they didn't flip or have any swimmers (on purpose)! Once again Lauren courageously sat in the front the whole time and grinned the entire way with the huge rapids splashing her. While they weren't working hard pushing through the rapids, Gunter, Hannah and Helen were trying to push each other in, and everyone in the boat successfully swam in the river at one point during the trip. Our boat laughed the entire time at each other and our crazy rafting guide's antics! The waters were much more difficult to paddle, but all in all the team did awesome and everyone made it down the river safe and relatively warm! IN the other boat, Will, Ben, Nina, LB, Aubry and Bryant enjoyed an intense splash war with the other raft, as Will and Ben took the lead and Nina LB and Aubry were right behind them riding the awesome Royal Gorge! We watched helicopters fly above our heads and people on passing trains wave as we boldly went the course. All in all it was an extremely exciting day and everyone had TONS of fun! It was a great way to end the trip as everyone bonded a little more and shared many happy memories together!
What an incredible 2 weeks the Moondancers of Rocky Mountain Way had in beautiful Colorado! Beginning with an overnight rafting trip down the Arkansas River, everyone honed their rafting skills and adapted well to the chilly waters. Everyone bonded immediately and we definitely had a unique group of young men and women who were always up for the next adventure! Lauren especially loved the rafting section, as she sat in the front soaking up the glory of every rapid! Laura Beth and Nina had a thrilling start to the trip as they both fell in the river! Luckily, Hannah and Ben came to the rescue and everyone was smiling at the end of the day. Gunter was also a strong paddler and courageously led his raft through some tough rapids. During the backpacking section Aubry showed great strength and determination and was always encouraging the team and making everyone laugh with her stories and jokes! During the rock climbing section we learned we had a Spider Man on our hands, as Will scaled the mountains in record time! Helen too was quite the climber and was a great source of motivation for her rock climbing team! Everyone successfully climbed and repelled down God's Crag and It was so exciting and totally rewarding! The van rides were another memory to share as everyone sang songs together including "Meet Virginia", "Drops of Jupiter", "Take Your Mama" and "Mr. Jones". Everyone showed their creativity during Iron Chef and the winning group, including LB, Gunter, Helen, Will, and Lauren cooked up a delicious dish of honey mustard chicken sandwiches and they were absolutely mouth watering!! Other highlights include getting ice cream and shakes at the Lake City Soda Fountain, visiting Telluride and riding the gondolas into town, and our final banquet at a Mexican restaurant that was muy bien! Everyone truly proved themselves this trip, especially during the back packing section, as we hiked 14 miles in one day! Everyone was so motivated and the leaders were absolutely floored with the team's strength and determination. There were so many memories made over the past two weeks and we're so happy to have so many adventures to share!
Until next year!
Berry and Bryant
|
|
