Cave Dweller do some real wilderness travel along Smith Creek

Expect the unexpected! directs one of our Explorers Club mottos. The Cave Dwellers are certainly living that axiom recently. You might remember that our early November Chuckanut Ridge traverse was relocated to N. Chuckanut due to snow. Our day’s plan was then derailed by the Chuckanut Trail Marathon! Well, a week ago Sunday the Cave Dwellers had a smaller than expected turnout, encountered the Short Tailed Weasels (a slightly younger EC group) and learned last minute of an exciting new exploration easily accessed from the trailhead. 

We’re working this fall on wilderness travel with a focus on locating and purifying water, building tarp shelters, using backcountry stoves and the like. As it happens, one of the important learnings is the resourcefulness needed when things sometimes go sideways. We didn’t erect the tarp shelter at Stewart Mountain as planned, but we did once again practice adapting to the situation while staying safe and capitalizing of the wondrous possibilities nature has to offer.

The combined group first worked hard at the 4 C’s of group decision making - Circle/Collaborate/Compromise/Consensus (motto - collaborate and compromise). In this case, they chose to combine groups for an epic game of Spider’s Web, then part ways to pursue our respective plans for the day. For the Cave Dwellers, this meant exploring Smith Creek (runs under the bridge you cross just before you reach the N. Lake Whatcom trailhead) in search of, what else, a cool cave. One of the Short-Tailed Weasels’ mentors had taken a group up along the creek and discovered just such a site. Given the Cave Dwellers’ name and shared cave exploration experience, we couldn’t resist! This option also presented unknown and unplanned wilderness exploration potential (motto - stretch your edge). 

It wouldn’t be much of a stretch if there was a well-traveled trail to follow. Not to worry - much of what turned out to be a real short hike involved hopping from rock to rock amid white water. There was also some bushwhacking creekside. After a bit, we found a nice shelf about six feet above the creek for our base camp with a tantalizing view across the creek of what we suspect was our objective. Too much water, though. Exploration of that cave will have to await a future outing.

While several of us rested, Mentor Tim and a few Explorers searched for a return route that didn’t involve the real chance of falling into a cold, rushing creek. But no such luck. We’d need to return the way we came. So, we set up a few backcountry stoves and prepared hot chocolate with mini-marshmallows. This simple snack substituted for apples as our shared “meal” over which we gave thanks, as is our practice. 

As I imagine your realize, consistent groups and mentors is a constant goal of our program. We try to create the environment for groups to grow into a cohort of friends with a shared ethic of connection to nature. The Cave Dwellers seem to be well on their way to this sacred place. Tim and I are excited about the comradeship and maturity we see in this group. Great things are in the offing!

Next up: Saturday, January 6, 10:00AM-3:00PM EXPLORATION: North Lake Samish. Check out the rest of the photos from Sunday’s outing here.

The Cave Dwellers navigate N. Chuckanut

We have several wonderful navigation tools at our disposal these days. Compasses, topographical maps and global positioning (GPS) technology have saved many lives over the past few decades. And we need to be conversant in their use as we venture into the backcountry.

However (‘fess up, you knew there was going to be a “but”), any tool is only as good as the awareness, the attention, the focus we bring to its use. We learned that early in our relocated, snow-enhanced, navigation-focused Cave Dweller outing on November 4. After an impromptu snowball fight in the parking lot...

A forest of white...spectacular!

we checked the trail map and decided to navigate (our skills emphasis for this outing) to EMS Checkpoint A, then B, then C and back to A. With this ambitious plan in place, we started up the trail and quickly got “lost”. Admittedly, the mentors hadn’t yet provided the map and compass we had in our packs, but a closer study of the trailhead map would certainly have helped us decide which way to go at that trail intersection. Mentors Tim and Brian couldn’t resist mentioning that, when trying to find your way in the backcountry (as in many situations in life), fast is slow and slow is fast (motto).

With that point made, we checked the topographical map and set a course toward checkpoint A. Our improved focus helped us decide our direction at the next junction, but didn’t help a whit when we soon encountered runners participating in the Bellingham Trail Marathon/Half Marathon. Note that the best GPS wouldn’t have helped either. While this was a risk free dilemma, it did provide a challenge similar to a washed out bridge or other unpleasant surprise that is all too possible when hiking in the backcountry. As we would do in the face of an actual backcountry surprise, we circled up and decided to abandon our checkpoint goals and head to a site away the marathon route to regroup and have lunch.

Weather reporters would have you believe that it wasn’t snowing for our first several hours in the Chuckanuts, but we were consistently experiencing falling snow. Be it a scampering squirrel or the slightest breeze, the snow layered on almost every branch was liberated little by little to simulate the real thing. We ate lunch in this most beautiful of winter scenes, then teamed up with another Explorers Club group, the Sculpins, for an epic snowball fight.

While that was going on, a few Explorers made tea for the cold and wet combatants in a preview of another of the wilderness travel skills we’ll take on this year — the backcountry kitchen. Hot tea warming our bodies and souls, Mentor Tim taught the Cave Dwellers how to find a bearing using a compass. 

We’re a lot about skills this year. We took a pass at purifying water in September. Navigating was our focus on Saturday. Next will be shelter, then fire and finally cooking. We’ll layer the skills as we go along so that the Cave Dwellers will be better prepared for hiking/camping/backpacking come June. Along with these skills, we’re challenging them to lead their peers in building their self-reliance. A tall order, no doubt, but the Cave Dwellers are embracing these challenges with their usual humor.

Next outing: Sunday, December 3, 10:00AM-3:00PM; Stewart Mountain. Have a look at the rest of the photos from Saturday’s outing. 

The Cave Dwellers Traverse Up Whatcom Creek

The Cave Dwellers kicked off their 2017/18 year of Explorers Club with a traverse from Civic Field to Bloedel Donovan. Utilizing the tremendous Interurban Trail system we cruised along beside Whatcom Creek, following it upstream to Whatcom Falls Park. During the first part of our outing we paused at a bridge over the creek to discuss which creek we were following, where the headwaters were and where it ends, and what the significance of this creek was to the residents of Bellingham. We found a good location under a stand of spruce trees to hold opening circle and play a few games of HIDE. Another interesting thing we discovered in the early portion of our outing was at least four separate rodents that had presumably been run over by bikes. This seemed like a strange thing and was a good murder mystery for us to ponder while we walked along the trail (be warned the Cave Dwellers requested photographic evidence of the crime scenes so be prepared when you look at the photo album!).

Looking downstream above Whatcom Creek

Gathering for opening circle

Following Whatcom Creek we soon arrived in the ever magnificent Whatcom Falls Park. It is always astounding how such a beautiful expanse of forest is able to remain in the middle of a bustling city, but we are forever grateful for those who had the foresight to save this gem of nature for future generations. However, due to the proximity to urbanization, we continuously found ourselves stopping to take care of our jobs as Earth Keepers by picking up litter as we found it. Although we are careful to avoid any hazardous trash like broken glass, dog poop bags, etc. we still managed to fill two grocery bags full of trash and even then had to stop picking up garbage as we no longer had a way to carry it out. We did however figure out that the further we got away from roads, trails, and the perimeter of the park, we found substantially less trash. This was good news for us as it was time to play Spider’s Web!

A lone fly stuck on the web waiting to get waved off

Finding a nice valley full of Sword Ferns, Vine Maple, Red Huckleberry, and even a stand of Devil’s Club, we had the perfect arena for our game. Despite a strong effort from a predatory spider that cruised around the playing field relentlessly, the flies made a strong push to get the food source. As the game drew to an end, the flies got the food source back to within 50 yards of the web before the game clock ran out. This was an impressive feet for the flies, and a strong showing from the spider who tried to win instead of settle for a stalemate.

Taking a dip in the creek before heading to Bloedel for pick up

With our game out of the way we pushed along the trail to find a place to go for a swim. Despite the fall weather, this group was set on getting in the water. Luckily the sun came out and offered some warmer weather as we splashed around in the creek. Some of the group who decided not to go swimming took on the mission of catching a crayfish. After being unsure how to accomplish this, ingenuity and creativity prevailed as a spindly Snowberry branch with a bit of pepperoni stick tied on the end proved to be an effective crayfish catcher.

Gathering around to try and catch the crayfish

Success!

Time for a close up before letting the crayfish go back into the creek

Finally, with our time running short, we gathered for closing circle sharing thanks and apples. We had to hoof it back along the trail to make it to Bloedel. Despite being a bit late, parents were happy to see the Cave Dwellers return with smiles on their faces and plenty of fond memories from this day. Although we didn’t get to our Earth Skills focus of learning how to properly gather water and treat it for drinking, we managed to have a great time. It was great to see the Cave Dwellers get back into the rhythm of exploring together, playing games, and making the most of the opportunities presented to them. This was a strong beginning to the year and we are excited to see what else we have in store for the fall.

Make sure to check out the rest of our photos from the day here!

Cave Dwellers revisit Fragrance Lake trail

As the first few Explorers arrived for Sunday’s Cave Dwelling, Hairy-legged Vampire Bat (Cave Dweller) outing, I started to get concerned hearing the boys remembering their prior experiences at this location. Thoughts of, “Will they be disappointed because we’d already been here?” and “How will we make it new for them?” ran through my head.

I needn’t have worried. Throughout the outing, Mentor Tim and I heard repeated exclamations of “Hey, remember when…….” Their reaction brought back to mind the power of place. In Explorers Club, we get to experience a place with all our senses, and like the smell of that cabin you stayed in as a child or the feel of a lady bug crawling on your skin for the first time, the connection you make is deep and abiding. 

So we got to build on memories such as the deer skull Mentor Tim found a few years ago and the shelters we built near the root-bound boulder last year. This time, we headed first to the view point, where the Cave Dwellers gave voice and motion to their desire to have a pine cone “war”. This distinctively male need to compete and strategize has long been a hallmark of the Cave Dweller cohort. Interestingly, we see maturation even in this most primal of activities. A few years ago, one could safely predict one or two breakdowns in protocol involving actual fighting; not at all this day. 

Another, possibly more significant measure of progress for the Cave Dwellers; their sensitivity to the needs of each group member and willingness to adapt their activity to include all. This focus on inclusion has become a group norm. You can be proud of your Explorer’s caring attitude!

The “wild” in the boys released, it was time for some carving. The boys are past the initial flush of excitement at getting to use a knife and showed mild interest in creating a finished product. They have experience and a degree of skill, though, that we’ll work to integrate into future activities.

Following carving and lunch, we hiked part of the way down to the root-bound boulder for a few games of Spider’s Web. The first game was very short as our focused spider made quick work of getting all flies back the web for a rare spider victory. The second game saw the flies work a little harder to achieve a draw.

Our last circle of thanks for this year was expanded to include a discussion of desired places for us to explore next year. As if to reinforce my point about the power of place, Fragrance Lake was high on their list. They also called out the mud flats (usually a Summer Camp location), old growth forests out SR 542, Clayton Beach, Mount Baker and more. They liked the idea of traverses and of more distant outings that would require bus use. I can’t promise anything at this point, but expect a mix of familiar and new in 2017-18!

Tim and I are deeply grateful for the opportunity to spend quality time with your Explorers. We feel privileged to do this meaningful work; thank you for welcoming us into your lives. Check out the rest of our photos here.

Cave Dwellers lead the way to Racehorse Falls

With the creek rushing by, you're beginning to feel a very long way from civilization. It's raining softly, a bit of a disappointment given the forecast, but not really surprising given your location in the foothills of an area known for wet. 

The setting is one of stunning natural beauty. A quarter mile upstream is the 139' Racehorse Falls, cascading energetically over four drops. Perhaps you've gotten your feet wet in the cold, clear, noisy creek; or you just absentmindedly tossed stones across to the alluring but unapproachable far side. The clouds brighten a little; the rain abates. Will the sun acknowledge your carving project?

A perfect time and place to talk about leadership, no? Based on their responses to the mentor's prompt (What are two traits of a good leader?), the Cave Dwellers are indeed ready to project themselves into the role of leader when given the opportunity. One theme that emerged from our conversation of leadership characteristics was that of teacher. This melded most excellently with our mottos for Saturday's outing: "We're all teachers." and, "The trail is the teacher." 

Our attention to this topic was interwoven throughout our time at Racehorse Falls. After "de-bussing", we hiked the short but challenging trail that involved high-stepping over scores of fallen trees to the creek side site where we dropped packs and struck out to explore. We've had lots of rain; the creek was running high. Not long after our arrival, rain disavowed us of whatever fantasies we might be harboring about blue sky and warm sun. Ever confident that a good day awaited us, however, we harvested wood for skills work. Before long, Atl-atls,digging sticks and other objects were forming out of the raw material of creation that nature provides. 

Learning to carve well, as with any skill, takes patience, persistence and focus - all leadership traits as well. After a while, the boys tired of their work and the rain eased; time to shift gears. Keeping with our theme, we played Guess the Leader a few times, then challenged your Explorers to look ahead to situations in which they could see themselves leading; the boys called out soccer referee, big brother and older classmate as situations in which they see themselves leading others.

A few years ago, these Cave Dwellers (then known as Raccoon Kits) weren't ready to sit on wet dirt and talk about heady topics such as ours this day. With age, experience and your good work, they're changing, literally before our eyes, into tomorrow's leaders. Tim and I are ever grateful for the opportunity to know your boys and observe the magic of this transformation.

Now we switch from exploration to service. Our next outing: 

Sunday, April 23rd, 10:00am-2:00pm

Service: Boys E.C. Connelly Creek Restoration Site, Happy Valley Park

Cave Dwellers "rain" over Stimpson Family Nature Reserve 3/11/17

In our opening meeting, we talked about carving, but
our outings don't always go as planned.

There are several consistent, or “core”, routines that we practice during outings and encourage our Explorers to do on their own. Giving thanks is a good example…we give thanks and share apples at the end of every outing. Questioning and tracking are skills we work on regularly and address more intently when we focus on Tracking and Bird Language. It may seem sometimes that we’re a bit lost or without a destination; we’re actually Wandering, following where our curiosity leads. Each of these is a core routine that we incorporate into our time with the Explorers as appropriate (sometimes what we end up doing isn’t in the plan because the mentors seize on a chance to practice a core routine!).

Wildlife observation is one of the many potential benefit of a
nature based contemplative practice such as a sit spot. 

The Sit Spot is a core routine that we employ more often than some others. This is quiet time alone (but always within “crow call” distance) in a natural setting with no purpose other than to connect. The usual way we connect is through sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. In fact, Senses is one of the 5 S's of a Sit Spot. The others? Solo/Silent/Safe/Still. With the younger boys, we ask them to sit for about 10 minutes. The Cave Dwellers are more capable so we set the time at 15 or 20 minutes. 

A big thanks to the Stimpson family for setting aside
this wonderful site.

I bring this up now because your Explorers sat in a steady rain at Stimpson Family Nature Reserve on Saturday. They gazed through the raindrops at the moss covered logs and irregular pattern of growing circles on the surface of Geneva pond, all the time showing an impressive interest in deepening their relationship with the natural world surrounding them. I was proud of each of them.

Trying to fit close to a dozen boys under a tarp
to carve brings new meaning to the term
"blood circle". We decided against testing it!

Our skill for the spring is carving; our intention was to begin work on carving projects that will run throughout the season. However, the rain got the better of us. The tarp shelter that mentor Tim constructed wasn’t large enough to accommodate a cadre of boys with knives! Likewise, the thought of carving in the rain was unappealing and potentially unsafe. So, in the spirit of following the inspiration provided by the weather, we played an awesome game of Spider’s Web and several rounds of Hungry, Hungry Marten. 

The rain didn't deter the Explorers from playing Spider's Web
and Hungry, Hungry Marten, seen here.

A few boys were bothered by being cold and wet, but all persevered. Soaked to the skin and more than a little muddy, our hike out felt a good bit longer than the walk in. Again, these boys showed resilience and persistence. We were quite late (sorry about that), but left the Reserve a little more connected than when we got there.

The rest of the photo gallery is a portrayal of boys and rain and boys and rain….

We next venture out on Saturday, March 25th, from 10:00am-4:00pm. Note that this is an *EXTENDED OUTING*. We're going to hop in one of Wild Whatcom’s trusty buses and motor out to Racehorse Falls, a beautiful site and a great place for a Sit Spot!

The Cave Dwellers search for sn.....err, the Two Dollar trail?

It’s about the journey, not the destination (Boys Explorers Club motto). Our intent to search for snow in the Chuckanuts was a non-starter after last week’s instant snow melt, so with this motto in mind, we switched to a Two Dollar trail hike to Fragrance Lake. In an attempt to preserve the spirit of timeless wandering underlying the search for snow idea, mentors Tim and Brian asked the Explorers what they were interested in doing: lots of games was the strong response. 

So off we went. Almost immediately, we found a side trail; I could swear I heard a disembodied voice whisper, “This way for timeless wandering”. So off we went. A few hundred yards later, in a small opening, we came upon a pile (gaggle? bunch?, pride?) of rocks and an adjacent “crater”. To the Cave Dwellers, this formation was tailor made for a “pine cone war”, so they divided into two groups and began pelting each other. Before long, however, one of the boys got caught up in the heat of battle and picked up a rock instead of a pine cone. In an instance of very good aim and extremely bad luck, his throw found in unintended target - another Explorers head! 

The good news is that the injury, as of Sunday evening, involved a cut that had to be glued together, lots of pain and some bleeding, but nothing more. He should be fine soon.

That put a stop to that activity, of course, as Mentors Tim and Brian attended to the injury and contacted the injured Explorers’ parents to come pick him up. In an example of taking responsibility for his actions, the boy who threw the rock was contrite and apologized to the injured party. The mentors gathered the Explorers and spoke with the group about taking care of each other and learning from our mistakes. In all, the incident exemplified another motto - 

The Trail is the Teacher On the trail, as in life, the lessons emerge as we walk our individual and collective journeys. Everything that appears and unfolds along the way – whether happy or sad, joyful or difficult – is a teacher. Lessons are often unexpected (and sometimes unwelcome) but we learn to use them as opportunities to learn and grow.

After lunch, we decided to settle in and play games rather than strike up the trail for the lake. It wasn’t how I’d envisioned it, but through a few games of Spider’s Web and Hungry, Hungry Marten, we achieved the timelessness, if only for a while, for which mentors Tim and Brian were hoping.

It's easy to see why the Cave Dwellers were attracted to this spot for their "pine cone war". 

"Happy or sad; joyful or difficult..." the motto proved out on Sunday. We had difficulty with an injury to one of our number and we had quiet reflection in mottled sunshine. 

After we administered to the injured Explorer, we decided to regroup over lunch. 

The Cave Dwellers (formerly Raccoon Kits) have been together for several years now. They have "signature" activities such as pine cone wars and joke telling that indicate group identity and cohesion.

Here we're deciding what games to play.

Hungry Hungry Marten is a current favorite after a rousing series of games at Lookout Mountain a while back. The boys really get into it, sometimes diving at a tree to avoid being "eaten" by the marten.

There is a lake further up the trail...really, there is. This is the place that called out to us, though, and it's where we compressed several emotions - compassion, joy, anxiety, reflection, reconciliation, and more - into a few hours together in the outdoors. 

Our journey was quite short as measured by the steps needed and our intended destination proved elusive, but our experience was rich nonetheless. We worked and played together; we got dirty, made mistakes and were keen to discern the distinction between intent and outcome. Mostly, we took care of each other and connected...to each other, to nature, to our inner maturing selves. With best wishes to a full and fast recovery for our injured brother, we look forward to our next opportunity to hone our positive social behaviors.

Check out the gallery of photos here. We're looking forward to our next gathering - March 11 at Stimpson Family Nature Preserve.