BEC: Baker River Ramble

It would be easy to ramble on about this trip, but the best stories contain gaps that are the perfect size for your imagination to fit in.  Good stories are more like constellations than they are like still lifes. On this backpack, there were plenty of wonderful points of light, plenty of expanses of darkness, and plenty of minds to create ways to weave them all together.

The backpack itself began with our questionnaire so many months ago.  Participants were asked questions about their skill level, about the challenges they might encounter, and about how they might get through them.  The mentors received this information and it became the subtle ground upon with the trip was built.  We recognized that this trip was a perfect opportunity to enjoy some true backcountry wilderness, teach and refine some backpacking basics, and to stretch edges of becoming an adolescent in the world.

In the pre-trip meeting, we delved a bit deeper into the logistics of the trip and got ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared.  We learned more about the Explorers Club motto: Be Prepared.

Then came the day of the outing.  After saying goodbye to parents, we practiced a strong beginning by loading up the bus properly, making sure we had everything we needed, and then gathering for the opening circle.  We shared names, a bit about ourselves, and played a quick silly game.  Then Drew and Matt asked each person to gather two sticks of nearly equal length and thickness.  Each came back, shared his name again, and presented his thickest stick to the group.  After a full round, we each held our sticks out and easily broke them in half.  Then we gathered the second sticks into a bundle.  Each participant was encouraged to break the bundle.  Eyes and muscles bulged as each struggled, but not one of us could do it.  A backpack, we learned, is like this.  If we work together, as one, we have enormous strength.  If we work as eleven individuals, we can easily break.  We also noted that some sticks cracked as we tried to break the bundle.  This inevitably happens in a group of people as well.  At times, some stressor might cause a person to “crack” or weaken under strain, but the power of the group holding each other up allows that person to get through his challenge and remain intact.  With this lesson, we boarded Stubbs and headed for the wilderness.

We stopped at the ranger station and gathered important info, including the good news that fires were allowed.  Then we made our way up Baker Lake Road until we reached the end.  Taking out our lunches, we circled up in an impressive landscape.  A vast wash of riverbed all around us.  The high mountains calling.  Distant scree slopes and high glaciers promising the potential of years of adventure and learning. We were truly in the wildlands.  We talked about some safety and logistics basics.  Then everyone stopped and remained motionless. There was not a human noise around us.  Only the wind and water, the trees, the bugs, the sounds of our unfettered planet.  We gathered back into meeting, recognizing that we really were in a place where we had to rely on one another.  We then gave out specific jobs that were centered around the needs of a backpacking community.  Explorers gladly received their tasks.  After a few games of Hide and a little exploring, we donned our backpacks and headed for the trail.

The spirit of adventure was strong.  None of us, including Matt and Drew, had been in this location before.  With a map, beta from the ranger and others, and our own senses to guide us, we navigated the trails.  Gigantic old growth cedars surrounded us, mysterious fungi, some confusing animal tracks, the occasional call of a water loving bird, and myriad plant life offered us endless lessons.  After some time, we came to a large suspension bridge.  Explorers charged onward, confident that they should keep walking, that the way would be pointed to them by the adults in the group.  Conversations flew around about school, games to play, and other topics.  Eyes stared intently at the ground or in the face of companions.  Feet moved onward in mechanical constancy.  Another bridge came, and still Explorers charged.  Then, finally, one of the mentors made a small comment, “hey, where are we going?”

Explorers looked at him, looked at the other adult, then at each other.  “I don’t know,” was the answer that finally came out.  A few questions came forth, “what was it that the ranger said?”  “What did the trail look like after the bridge?” Many competing theories poured forth, and soon it was apparent that not the adults, but the group itself was in charge.  As such, the group needed to do the work to find our way.  We looked at the map and learned a bit about reading it, then came up with a plan.  We turned around and made our way back to the suspension bridge, assessed the area, and then came up with an amended plan.  Finding another trail, we forged ahead, this time with Explorers as leaders, navigating the terrain and making the decisions as a group.

This introduction speaks volumes of the full three day experience.  So much of our work was based on empowering the group and individuals within the group to learn the necessary skills to make the decisions and take charge of the situation.  We ended up with a wonderful camp spot, and Explorers did a great job scouting it out.  Much of the first day revolved around getting used to being in the backcountry- learning how to take care of food, fire, water, and shelter in this home- learning how to make home.  This was, indeed an edge for all in different ways.  Each person found out something new about himself, and each person came upon a challenge.  One wonder of this fine group was that they managed to be impressively inclusive and supportive of one another.  Yes, they were a goofy crew, a rambunctious lot, a novice team with big heart.  Yes, we cooked in the dark on the first night.  Yes, we were all too tired to see the wonderful Perseids.  Yes, Drew and Matt stayed up very late making sure all was set, the bear hangs hung, and the camp secured.  And yes, it was a great learning experience all the way around.

This backpack offered the wonder of staying in the same campground for the second night.  That being the case, many of our survival needs were well tended to on the second day.  This allowed us time for exploration, for unfettered connection, for a big, fun game of Spider’s Web, for some team challenges, and for alone time.  Each Explorer did his part to make sure the camp was in good order and we were all fed and clean.  On the second evening, we made a big push to gather firewood and a fire by friction set.  We learned that we could make fire completely from what was right around us.  From a plank of cedar, we made a spindle and hearth; we found a top rock; we recognized that, in future outings with more of a skills focus, we could make cordage from the nettles just up the trail and we could gather a proper bow.  We found good nesting materials, and made a fire that lasted the night.  Some went to bed early, but the hardy few even stayed up late to play a game of Fire Stalk.

The final day came with Explorers taking more of a role in camp chores.  We had a good hardy breakfast and broke down camp.  Leave No Trace was thoroughly considered as we assessed the camp.  Is it possible to live and have no impact?  Explorers examined this question quite physically as we prepared to leave.  We found a few major points of our impact, and considered how they might affect the land.  We then considered that wonderful human gift of choice, and how we have the power to direct much energy.  Explorers turned their work toward leaving the place better than they found it, healing a few young cottonwoods who were having a tough time.  We ended our time on that land with a circle of thanks, and an opportunity for each Explorer to leave behind a gift to the place that took such good care of us.

Of course, the way back was its own journey.  Of course, there is only one journey, and we are in the midst of it.  All of the lessons learned on this outing continue even now, and there is much ahead of us.  As one “star” in the constellation of a lifetime, this Baker River Ramble shines beautifully and brilliantly.  Much thanks to all Explorers for your fine work.  Much thanks to the land and all the people doing such hard work to keep it safe and healthy.  Much thanks to that River that provides such clear and clean water for us all.  Much thanks to all parents for your enduring love and support.

Please check out pics from the outing in our Summer Photo Gallery.

Thanks so much and enjoy this and every day!