Tuesday, December 12, 2017

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.