The Explorers arrived at Samish Woods Montessori with a healthy mixture of excitement and nervousness for their journey ahead. After the cars were packed and goodbyes were made, we headed south to the Sedro Woolley Ranger Station in route for the Anderson & Watson Lakes Trailhead. Passing over the Baker River Dam we bumped up the nine-mile dirt road stopping a few times to take in the expansive views of Mt. Baker & Mt. Shuksan, and once to remove a rock that got stuck in the wheel-well of the truck. The boys coined the rock “The Chipmunk” due to the high pitch sound it made as it rattled around.
Once the Chipmunk was out of the wheel-well we circled up at the trailhead and divvied out the group gear. With only six Explorers on the trip it was an excellent opportunity for each boy to carry a fair share of gear. The Explorers found there is always a little more room in a backpack. Lining the packs up each member of the group lifted each other’s packs to check if the weights were comparable.
As we compared and contrasted, it brought up a great conversation around what would become a strong theme of our trip, Expeditionary Behavior. Simply put Expeditionary Behavior is caring for the needs of individuals and the group, as you would care for yourself. Good “E.B.” is not only one of the foundations of a successful trip but is also a critical skill in learning to be a caring member of a community.
One of our favorite mottos is All Things Are Connected and is apparent within the interpersonal dynamics of an expedition. Being in the wilderness exposes our base need for human connection and community. Unlike our front country culture, which can be tricky to navigate, our Wilderness experience allows the group to create a culture built around trust, care, and support. A climate in which any disagreement or breakdown is dealt with openly and honestly.
Our aim for Wilderness Experiences is to create a group climate where the boys are not employed to help one another because of the benefit to the group, but called to help one another because they recognize the intrinsic worth of other individuals; that they are deserving of care and support. That helping and anticipating what others needs are is intrinsically tied to their own happiness and wellbeing. These boys discovered that the community work is the reward; an endless source of nourishment and belonging that strengthens character and builds socially just leadership.
Shouldering our packs we climbed our way up into the alpine. Passing by a babbling brook the boys took a moment to dunk their heads and cool off from the 85-degree weather. Overheated and sweaty we descended down into the Anderson Lakes basin where we were greeted by meadows laden with Heather and clustered with Mountain Hemlocks and Sub-Alpine Fir. The views of Mt. Baker were spectacular! The boys were anxious to cool off in the water, but there was work to be done. The group worked hard to pump water, set up a backcountry kitchen, bear hang the food, and pitch the shelters.
Once camp was in order the boys spent the rest of the afternoon swimming in the lake and scrambling up the talus field that led to Anderson Butte. Gathering back up for dinner, we cooked a hearty meal of ramen, avocados, and sweet potatoes and shared some thanks. Cooking is a skill that requires a great deal of focus and safety in the backcountry, especially preparing fresh veggies, but the boys were eager to learn. As mentors we love to teach cooking techniques because these skills transfer so well to life in the front country.
After dinner the boys tidied up camp and bear hung their smellables while the mentors, who graciously offered, did the dishes. As the twilight hours settled in the air got cool and crisp, we bundled up, brewed some tea, and star gazed until we could keep our eyes open no more. The moon’s crescent sliver hardly lit the sky making the array incredible.
Waking up a little after first light we had our traditional Explorers Club Oats, got camp in order, and packed our daypacks for a full day hike into the Noisy Diobsub Wilderness. After an impromptu session of rock skipping we began hiking up the steep drainage towards Watson Lakes. The group was thankful to be hiking through the shady stands of mature Hemlock and Silver Fir. It is not too often that the Alpine environment reaches the mid-eighties and we certainly felt the full exposure of the sun.
Pushing onward the boys found the junction to Watson Lakes and motored up over the small pass that separated the Western and Northern drainages of Mt. Watson. Breaking through a tree line gave way to a drainage of Sitka Alder and Alaskan Yellow Cedar that offered stunning views of the aquamarine lakes framed under Mt. Watson and Bacon Peak. The Noisy Diobsub Wilderness looked rugged and steep and beckoned us onward.
Descending down to the first lake we stopped to snack and orient ourselves to the topo map in order to make a group decision on where we wanted to go. With some collaborating and compromising the group decided to continue on to the Upper Watson Lake for some lunch and a swim. Hiking to the junction between the Watson lakes the boys found a primitive sign with a not so privative outhouse symbol. It was not until the last day that we found out that there was a latrine at Anderson Lakes, so the boys were all inclined to take advantage of the opportunity. As they waited their turn the boys looked like a group of hungry black bear cubs feasting on the Mountain Huckleberries and Blueberries, which were perfectly ripe and juicy.
Upper Watson Lake was gorgeous with large slabs of granite that funneled streams and waterfalls directly in the crystal clear lake. As we submerged ourselves the upper layers of the lake felt refreshing and warm enough to float in and swim. Diving down the boys were enamored by the visibility under the water, discovering that the low layers of the lake were still quite cold. The mentors would like to thank the Explorer who shared his goggles with the group; we think he may have invented new the recreation of alpine lake snorkeling.
In the heat of the day a gentle breeze blew in refreshing us and drying our swimsuits. The boys reveled in how luxurious backcountry living can be. Leaving the lake we felt light and free as we played rounds of hide and carved. It was at this moment one of the boys sliced his thumb. With some careful sterilization and some creativity the cut was bandaged and immobilized. It is experiences like these that present what mentors have coined “the gentle reminders from the wilderness”. Paying attention and being deliberate in the backcountry is generally the best practice and this experience was a great opportunity for the boys to shift their focus back into their Expeditionary Behavior.
Climbing back up the pass we were again in the shade, which the group was thankful for. Passing by talus fields on the way down to Anderson Lakes the Pikas cheeped out their alarm calls as they darted from rock to rock. Getting back to camp we took a moment to rest and mustered our energy for one final push for dinner. Once the veggies and cheese were prepped, we poured our dehydrated beans into the boiling water and found ourselves with a massive quantity. After second and third helpings the mentors were glad they had chosen to sleep under the stars! Dinner clean up was done by the whole group and after our work was done we laid out in the Heather and gazed up at another amazing night of stargazing. As our minds drifted our conversations wandered from laughter and silliness to introspection and reflection. Through all the logistics, permits, and hurdles it takes to run our Wilderness Experiences, all is forgotten in these powerful moments of mentorship. It is our hope for every seven-year-old Explorer that he might one-day stick with the program long enough to be able to share what is on his heart during a wilderness experience. 
The mentors awoke the morning of the last day to sunlight creeping over the ridgeline. Walking over to let down our bear hangs they spotted a dark shadow 300 feet away moving through the high alpine meadows. Calling the sleeping Explorers they scrambled out of their tents to catch a glimpse of the Black Bear. The group was in awe as two cubs emerged from the Hemlocks, sticking close to their mother as they foraged through the meadow roots. This safe and rare moment was the Boys EC’s first encounter with a bear on a trip. It was powerful to see the boy’s excitement for the encounter and they shared their thanks before we ate breakfast. They stood quietly observing the trio until they disappeared into a cluster of Sliver Fir.
Shouldering our packs we made a last sweep of the campsite and cleared it of any micro-trash. Climbing out of the Anderson Lake Basin was a struggle for a few of the boys who stopped quite a few times on the way up, but persevered and stretched their edge. At breakfast the group had decided to pack up and get out of camp early so that we could drop packs and day hike up to Anderson Butte. Arriving at the junction half the group was energized and ready to climb, while the other half lay over their packs tired and in need of some rest. Recognizing our need the boys circled-up around the topo map to make a game plan. The group determined that there was in fact time to make it up to the bluff, but we would be pushing it and could be in risk of exhausting the some of the group. Through an outstanding self-directed group-decision making process the boys weighed in on the options, checked in on how each other felt both physically and emotionally, and considered the logistics and back up plans necessary determining that it was to risky. Not only did the some boys make a sacrifice on behalf of the other group members, they did so with selflessness in their hearts and saw it as an honor. This was Expeditionary Behavior at its finest and these Explorers should be proud.
Arriving back at the cars we handed back group gear and shared lunch together. Bumping down the dusty logging road we stopped for one last sit spot on a pull out that over looked the Baker River Valley. As the group looked across the valley at Mt Shuksan and Baker the wind made music through the Fireweed and Alder. In the background the words of Walt Whitman echoed through one mentors head, “All forces have been steadily employ'd to complete and delight me, Now on this spot I stand with my robust soul”.
What a gift it was to spend three days in the backcountry with these boys. It is experiences like these that call us to dig deep and venture into the unknown. These experiences bring the best in us and realign us with what is important, strengthening our internal compass and identity. The Noisy Diobsub Wilderness is indeed rugged and vibrant and we are so thankful for the mysteries and wonder it revealed in itself and the group. We are thankful for the wonderful weather to give us warm days and cold clear nights and for stars and vistas. We are also thankful for this group of boys who are growing into whole and caring arriving adults. Lastly we are thankful for the support and encouragement of the parents. Our programs are built with a sturdy safety net, but lie on a foundation of trust formed by our parent community.
For more photos from the Anderson & Watson Lake Backpack please visit the summer photo gallery.
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