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Big Wild Log (2008-07-10 -> 2008-07-26)
Leaders: Hadely Miller and Peter Hill
Students: Beverly Brown, Blair Farinholt, Margaret Anne Fuller, John Rex Fuqua, John Kenny, Francie Mangan, Sam Moore, JT Normann, Jermy Novack, Carson Pitts, Sims Wallace
Our crew will be finishing their backpacking trip in the Winds on Saturday and we will have an update soon thereafter. Stay tuned!
Trip Update 7-13-08
Sorry for the delayed update as our first email did not make it to the Moondance office for some reason. Below is our latest blog.
When woke up as a group for the first time to go climb with Exum. We kicked it off right with granola with yogurt and blueberries mixed in. Under the guidance of John Rex and Sam we got to Exum where everyone got even more excited about the day. We started with some small bouldering to hone our skills a little bit, but after that we moved on to some more challenging and intense climbs. Tom and Brenton brought us to Hidden Falls where we started everyone out with a easier climb to get the hang of the ropes and the commands on the mountain, but after lunch the day took a challenging turn. Margaret Anne was the first one to attempt and finish a five-nine climb that Tom set up. Not everyone made it to the top of this difficult face but everyone attempted it and got a great start to their rock climbing careers. The next person to get up it was Carson as he took his time and carefully plotted his next moves But, the frightening part was watching Blair act like a frog as he ascended the face with little to no difficulty. As well everyone got to rappel down after they climbed up a slightly easier face. It was great to watch as Sims realized that he may not be as afraid of heights as he thought he was.
When we closed down shop for the day on the rocks we headed back to Slide Lake were everyone went for a chilly swim. That night the stacked crew of Francie, John Rex and Carson made some burritos that were out of this world. But, everyone got super excited when Jeremy enticed Hadley to bring out the Hot Chocolate to warm everyone up. As the day grew faint it got chilly so that hot chocolate really hit the spot.
When we woke up the next morning there was a chill in the air as we packed up for the day. We hopped into the van to head to the Exum hut. When we got there the leaders of the day JT and Blair got everyone organized and ready to climb the multi-pitch before lunch. Everyone got roped in together to ascend the three pitch climb that put us back at Hidden Falls for the day. Evelyn climbed to the first pitch and was followed quickly by the first group and then the next one. It moved quickly considering that it was a thirteen person rope team. When we camped out for lunch under the trees we got our fill so that we could get ready for the afternoon of climbing and the awesome 120 foot rappel. It was great when Francie looked at me and said, "It was terrifying but that was one of the coolest things I have ever done". When we left the Exum hut the group had bonded even more than they had on the first day. All the guides during this section of the trip were so impressed by the maturity and skill that all the adventurers brought to the climbing.
We came back to camp as Beverly, Blair, JT, and John made dinner for the group. While they were making a feast Francie tried to get a picture of everyone jumping into the water all at once. It only took her about ten times, but she did get it. As we bedded down for the night after some tasty S'mores everyone was super excited to not take showers for the next week as we head out to the Winds for out backpacking segment.
Trip Update 7-20-08
As the chilly morning woke the Big Wild 2 group they knew that their spirits could not be dampened by anything. With Beverly and Jeremy as leaders of the day they made that everyone was getting their packs all ready to go for the five days. The group had a quick bite of cereal before we met the guide Karen Unruh to lead us for our five day excursion.
Once we all got ready to go we hit the trail head and immersed ourselves into the sheer beauty of the Wind River Mountain Range. It was pristine and beautiful as we hiked along a ridge next to a glinting lake. We could see the faint hints of snow as we trekked towards our first campsite. The hike was short, but it gave everyone plenty of time to set up their tents and then time to sit on the river's edge for a nice relaxing read or a much needed nap.
When we all got settled Francie realized that she forgot her book so Hadley accompanied her for the short hike back to the van so she would have some reading materials on the voyage. But, meanwhile back at camp JT was being brilliant on the shore and managed to watch his left Chaco which will later in the trip lead to some amusing stories about river crossings.
While everyone else was relaxing the cook crew was rallied up so that Francie, John Rex and Carson to make some personalized Pita Pizzas. They were covered with all sorts of delicious treats as everyone began to delve into their own little pie. Dinner concluded early so the boys on the trip threw down for some hardcore card games, however the girls spent time in their tent before Moonup reading their books. After MoonUp everyone crawled in bed and slept off the day’s worth of sun, hiking, and mosquito sightings.
Carson and Francie woke everyone up the next morning for the challenging uphill hike to the meadow. We needed to get an early start so we had some oatmeal and packed up our tents for the five mile hike further into the Winds. As we approached the first river crossing JT realized that his boots would get wet so he begged Peter to carry him across the river. Peter began the first of many river crossings. Everyone else put on their chacos and enjoyed the cool and refreshing wash of water over their dusty skin.
When the group finally reached the campsite everyone put up their tents and then Margaret Anne and Sam begged everyone to play charades. So, for the afternoon the girls and Peter faced off against the boys. John Kenny got a little upset when his team didn't win the first round so he told everyone that they need to play another round. So, the second round commenced and the girls again proved to be victorious.
As the charades wrapped up John, Beverly Blair and JT got together as cook crew to make some outstanding Southwestern Mac & Cheese. Everyone was begging for seconds as they tried the brown sugar encrusted onions and sausages. Sims even found his own private rock to eat on as he overlooked the waterfall behind our camp. The night hit a high when Karen's parents, Rick and Sue, surprised everyone with homemade brownies. As the night began to close everyone was growing so we crawled inside their warm sleeping bag.
The morning got off to a later start that was earlier planned when the watch broke and left the leaders of the day JT and John sitting in their tent thinking that it was time to wake up but the alarm never went off. But, no harm done because the group got together to climb up to Palmer Lake. This would indeed prove to be the most challenging day for the group as we ascended around 2,500 feet to get there. Though the hike was tough, Snickers and snow can cheer anyone up so the gang plowed to the top as an unstoppable force. Once we got on top the lake sat like a diamond nestled in the five peaks that surrounded it like a hand.
While the group was on top there was a quick game of rock skipping before everyone had to descend back down so we could make dinner. But, on the hike down everyone was so excited to get to see two moose off in the distance.
When the group got down, Margaret Anne, Sam, Sims, and Jeremy all gathered together to make Quesadillas with onions, Mexican rice and chicken. Though the bugs were wretched everyone was cheered up to be having such a cheesy and delicious meal. The group all went to bed in a heartbeat after Moon-up due to the tiring hike.
Yet, in the morning everyone was back up and chipper as Francie, John Rex and Carson made some tasty pancakes. It was great how Moondance provided John Rex with the confidence to flip a pancake without even using a spatula.
Everyone packed up; however they were sad to leave the beauty of the meadow. The hike back was all downhill so the group flew threw it as we set up camp closer to the trail head so we could sleep a touch later. Once we set up camp everyone went down to the river for a swim. The water may have been bitterly cold, but that did not stop the gang from washing the dirt off their hands.
Once everyone got back to camp from the swim everyone took naps, read, or played some cards. Everyone was perplexed at how Jeremy could have already finished two books this close to the start of the trip. Once night time began to roll around, Margaret Anne and Blair made sure that the cook crew went down to make dinner. So, Carson, Francie and John Rex all went down to make a delicious dish of Curried Fried Rice.
As the night drew in on us everyone was getting sad that they had to say goodbye to Karen in the morning, but they were getting excited to head over to Idaho for the rafting.
In the morning the hike out went by in a flash. We drove Karen back to Pinedale to her house where her parents surprised everyone with ice cream. It was the perfect way to end the backpacking segment of our trip. It left everyone replenished of sweets and gave them high expectations for the rest of the trip.
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