Day 5 - Homeward Bound

Day five - homeward bound

I get up and mosey out of my tent.  Next to the embers of our last night’s fire I find 3 spooning boys.  Must have been warm before the fire died.  Can’t be comfortable, but they are soundly sleeping. 

We were told to be up earlyish to be ready to go. Wow, it is sort of amazing when this group is motivated how quickly they can take down a camp. Add on the fact that many of us are still full from last night and don't feel like oatmeal again and turns out breakfast is quick as well. We are ready to go 30 minutes ahead of schedule and that is probably 60 or more minutes ahead of

any other day of camp. They might be looking forward to getting home almost as much as I am.

After a brief discussion (upon which I was on the losing side - but remember 2/3rds chose wrong in the pre-existence as well, it just wasn't a democracy) we decide to walk to the parking lot rather than have devotional in our lovely creek side camp. As we stand around bishop fords truck we ask everyone to tell us about their favorite part of the trip.

Your boys can share with you theirs, mine was a moment, in the rain, at the top of the big schloss cutoff trail. We had 20 feet sooner decided to head down and set up camp with the plan to climb up the next day to see big schloss. As I was in the lead and walking my mind was doing mental calculations about how hard it was to get up there and how it would be another 7-8 mile round trip the next day to get up there and down and knowing that while they were agreeing to do it now that come tomorrow there would be some who would be somewhat less receptive to said plan. I stopped and said - maybe we should reconsider. After some discussion we turned around and continued across the ridge to big schloss. I think that decision impacted a lot of what went on that afternoon and the next day as well. We make a lot of decisions in life and sometimes it is hard to know what to do.  But sometimes we get a glimpse back and get a feel for how a decision impacts our experiences in life. That was a decision I was glad we made - I'm not sure I would have made big schloss otherwise. Sorry for the tangent.

 

We get to the parking lot and load onto the two cars and bishop ford heads out in the lead, but he proceeds to turn the wrong way out of the parking lot so we quickly scuttle that plan and head the other direction.

After a somewhat uneventful drive (at least in my car) we arrive at Harpers Ferry Adventure Park. Turns out that once we get to a place we have cell signal the park isn't 60 minutes away but more loke 90 - so it's a good thing we got away early because ontime would have been late.

We head to the check in and are told that the water is too high and they can't let the white water tubers go out. We have the option to reschedule or to do the flat water tubing which they told us was moving so fast it would seem sort of like white water. We again go back to the crew and it's quickly determined that our odds of rescheduling when all can go is almost zero so flatwater it is.

Jacob Adams has come along for the adventure as well. The bus only leaves on the hour so we quickly make our way down to the bus. We each grab a life jacket and mine smells terrible. Wow. But hey, I've been to Summit and worn the motor cross gear so this is nothing. As I'm sitting on the bus I'm thinking something isn't right and I realize that only one side smells and it's a barf smell. I quickly get off the bus and grab another one - this one stinks but it's normal stink.

The bus is your typical circa 1950 school bus that should have retired by now but due to apparently poor 401k investments manages to eek out a living hauling wet bottoms back and forth from the river. It's a much longer haul to the river than I had anticipated but we finally arrive. We drove past the exit point and are told that is it and to get out when we see the yellow tube tied to a tree. We then move not a lot further down the road and disembark the bus and grab our tubes.

Before the bus left the staging area we are told by our wizened bus driver that most of the accidents they have are either getting into or out of the river at either the start or end. Given that I have to wonder why they haven't made some improvements. Seems like liability to me but might be the lawyer in me.

Bishop Ford lead the way with a perfectly executed jumping entry to avoid the slick spots. Spencer tries the running face first jump and gets high style points but loses some in execution. We all eventually get in and drift off.

This paragraph should be full of exciting tales of the adventures going down the river.  However, honestly, there were none. I find more waves in the bath tub. It is indeed flat water. There is some horse play. We get everyone linked together as someone holds onto a rock and there was a lot of water flowing and it takes a strong grip. At portions some folks sort of walk along the bottom.

After 38 minutes, we come to a spot where there is a tree that has a flat intertube – which looks like it may have been yellow but which has bleached into a sickly white – tied onto the tree like a bullseye.  Thankfully there is a guy there telling us to get out – otherwise we may have missed the exit. 

The whitewater tubing is a one time only, but the flatwater tubing is as many times as you want.  I figured we already paid for it, why not take one more trip down and see if there is another channel we can follow or cross to the other side but most the boys didn’t eat breakfast and while another vote is taken, I’m feeling like a republican in San Francisco as we load up the bus to head back to the center without another tube trip. 

We get back and have to decide where we will lunch.  The boys want all you can eat.  CiCis is about the only place on the way home but that doesn’t hold much appeal.  There is a Golden Coral in Fredrick.  Initial calculations indicate that it will be an extra 40 minute drive.  Hmm.  But additional calculations show everything considered it is probably more like 10-15 extra minutes is all.  So GC wins the day and we head off.

Golden Coral is as anticipated – delicious rolls, an extensive dessert buffet including unlimited softserve, and a wide variety of other viddles.  Some YM clearly get their money’s worth (3 big plates and 2 small plates – not including any desserts) and others not quite so much.  When we come in I ask if they have a room for a large group and she quickly points to the back room where we can all sit – and I realize also strategically places us away from the other patrons and the food as we must be pretty smelly after a week on the trail!

We waddle out to our cars and before 4pm we are home.  Great trip and always glad to be back and enjoy a warm shower and a comfortable bed.

Scott

Day 4 - this is camping

Day four - this is camping

I'm up late. I'm up first. It's a little before 7 as I leave my tent. I think about going over to the hammock/ground group and talking to them in a loud voice - like the ones they were using last night while I tried to sleep. But I'm my better self and don't.

Little more of that story. Last night - not sure why, but Spencer decided not to set up his tent. So Robert's hammock is supposed to be a double. Now, I'm far from a hammock expert, but I did spend quite a bit of time researching them before buying one for my son and most folks said buy the double as it gives you a little more room. But they generally also said, and I'm paraphrasing here - don't even think about trying to sleep two people in one. Fa-get-about-it. Well they tried. Eventually Spencer ended up sleeping on the ground below the stack and said he slept well - I can't refute it since he was asleep when I came out today.

It is a beautiful clear morning, just a bit crisp. Couldn't be much better. Everyone is slow to get going today given the last three days and the fact that the plan for today is... let's call it fluid. Folks excitedly eat their oatmeal. That's not so true - more like they are hungry so they eat what they have.

As that is going on, some folks have started to enjoy the creek. And by enjoy what I mean is they have realized there are living things in there and are devising things to capture them with. The first minnows are caught in a Tupperware that wasn't cleaned prior to dipping into the river - they apparently like oatmeal even more than the young men. A crawdad is then caught as well using some beef jerky as a lure inside a gallon ziplock fashioned by josh. Zac fashions A hook out of copper wire and dental floss and a fruity snack (blueberry) to complete a fishing tackle that doesn't find success unfortunately. Thomas, who was misnamed because he is showing the patience of Job and the persistence of (insert name here of very persistent person, my google doesn't work here) _______, holds a piece of jerky in his cupped hands with both legs up almost to his knees in the cold water and his arms in up past his elbows with his face nearly touching the water as the minnows come to nibble the beef and after several unsuccessful attempts, he succeeds in capturing a fish with nothing but his bare hands. I take a brief dip in the creek while bro Mitchell works on a stream crossing on the falls. And before you know it, it's lunch time. After lunch the three hikers (can you guess who they are?) decide to head up to small schloss to see what they can see. Our calculations are it's about a 6 mile trip and at least 1000 feet up. The other three head down to the reservoir where they plan to get into the "shower" at the bottom and then jump off the dam. As the three hikers leave they fortuitously see Bishop ford who has come to join us. That makes us happy - especially since he brought stake and treats. What a guy. The hikers help him bring his stuff to the camp and then they are off again.

The rest of us head to the dam. Gives us a chance to show off the trail handiwork off to bishop. Not much has happened at the reservoir apparently as everyone is still dry. That changes quickly as the leader leads and I can neither confirm nor deny a perfectly executed backflip by said leader.

We head for home and at camp Thomas has gathered up some wood and we begin making coals for the cooking.  The hikers return have been successful in summitting and having great pictures to prove it.  The route was a little shorter since they decided on a frontal assault and return by way of "careening" down the mountain full speed.  They have a few leg lacerations they present as proof.   

Bishop Ford battles smoke inhalation (for whatever reason, the smoke from the fire here seems to swirl quite a bit and most of the time blow towards the only split log bench they have here - I'm dropping the star number for the camp). He preps steak and chicken and even brought some left over bbq beef bishop lan had cooked for yw camp. It's all good and we all pack away as much as we can eat.  Tyler even eats a crawdad that was caught and cooked up.

At this point everyone wants to go to the reservoir so they load into bishop's truck and head out. Little chilly now, glad I'm not getting in! 

When they return we find more wood from a recently downed pine and lumber jack Tyler brings back what look similar to two by 12s. We have a roaring fire that I'm sure can be seen front the space station. Bishop Ford presents devotional and we have cheesecake with homemade strawberry jam on top. This isn't even camping, this is living!!

Scott

Day 3 - Downhill ain't all it's cut out to be

Day 3 downhill ain't all is cut out to be

I was hoping to be on the trail early today since the rain is coming (which last we saw was to show up around 12-2) but folks are slow to get going. And then there is the bear bag issue.

Due to potential/theoretical/actual black bears in the forest, we each take our food every night and put it into a bag. Then using some paracord and a rock you throw the rope over a 15 or so foot branch and hoist your food up the tree. Of course bears can climb trees so you don't want it too close to the trunk either. For some of the boys this isn't much of a chore, for others, a little more so... Last night Robert and Spencer begged josh to let them tie up with him since he had already thrown his rope up and they were struggling, again. He agreed and they were up. This morning when they tried to get it down it was stuck. Somehow the rope was stuck in the tree. So we had some "boost me up" and tree climbing to start the day.

We are barely out of camp at 10 am - when the rain starts. It rains on us for the next mile and a half until we reach the cuttoff. For the most part it isn't a drenching rain, but it does get quite heavy as we decide whether to go down off the hill or to go across to large schloss. Josh tells us Big Scholss is why people come here and we can't miss it. So they decide they will go down now and then come up tomorrow since the rocks will be wet today. 

We get about 10 yards down the trail and I stop. The rain is making the trail pretty slick. Can someone explain this to me again? We can walk about a mile or 1.5 across the ridge to see Scholss and the rain should let up or we can hike down to a camp - my guess is 4-5 miles and then tomorrow take a 8-10 mile hike all the way back up and down?!! We turn around and head back to large schloss. As we hike the rain abates, some boys pick berries, and we get there and there is a quarter mile hike up to the top. The old guys leave their packs at the trail head under a dry rock ledge - any step without a pack is a good step.

We reach the top and it is very cool. We also have the place to ourselves - which isn't unusual given we have only seen about 2 groups up here so far, but is apparently unusual for Schloss

. The view would be spectacular but the cloud cover prevents more than an occasional glimpse. We eat an abbreviated lunch and thankfully the rest of the summer sausage is finished off (or thrown down...).  Before we leave we see three other groups join us. There is no rain but we are still concerned about the afternoon rain so we head down a little after noon to start the decent.

I've already told you about the trail. This one is similar only gravity enhancing the steps down. During the trip I keep having to tighten my hat. Either my head is shrinking or my band is stretching. I'm guessing the first. We make it down and are happy to be so. We are even more happy that we don't have to do it both ways tomorrow.  At the bottom I think most of us have some blisters that are giving us some trouble.  Downhill is bone jarring.

We walk down a road and find the trail head that goes to the reservoir and look for a camp. We see a couple potential sites but want to be closer to the reservoir. A few YM go ahead as the rest check out a potential camp. They take a long time. We start after the first group but we can't see them and to call this a trail is a an overstatement. This reminds me of the path in beauty and the beast that leads to his castle - there are thorny bushes, large logs across the trail, washed out parts with water cascading down the path, boggy parts, and trees crowding around and over the path. It is hard to imagine this trail has been maintained in years. We finally make it to the reservoir and meet the first three. Down below the dam there is a camp area. We are also supposed to meet the bishop there tomorrow night. But the camp is loud due to the dam and it is sort of like car camping as it is a mowed grass field. It is 4 pm. In a vote that was only slightly less divided than the US electorate generally, it is determined that we will go back up by the trailhead to camp for the next two nights. We decide that we will do trail improvement on the way back up. I'm still concerned about the thunderstorms. We split into two groups (since we have two saws) and leapfrog going up. One group appears a little more particular than the other. But there is a lot of "I can do this" and lifting where we stand, muscles flexing and grunting. And when we finish I'm amazed. What a great looking path! I can recommend this hike to folks looking for a nice walk along a beautiful creek with waterfalls. The reservoir isn't a great end in my mind, but not terrible. Wear bug spray!

We arrive back in camp and set up and it's already 7:30pm before most of us have dinner as we eat around the fire. Then it is bear bag time. We are waiting on our favorite bear baggers who we worry were eaten by a bear since they have been gone so long when we hear thunder. The rain is approaching as Bro. Mitchell leads devotional and we scatter to our shelters/hammocks/tents as the rain starts just before 10. What a blessing the rain held off all afternoon and we didn't so much as see a bolt of lightening.

I think it was Thomas who said he was glad it rained while we hiked so we could say we did that and a few others agreed. In the end it wasn't bad and we set up camp nice and dry.

It was another successful day. Thanks again for the prayers! They were answered in the best way.

2018 HA - Wolf Gap day 2

Day two. The longest day.

When I confirm I'm not really a backpacker. We started the day with oatmeal and a prayer and hit the trail around 9-9:30. Old guys at the front again. I have to say, this part of the trail was pretty nice. It was mostly flat and through nice country. We crossed some rock slides where we walked from large rock to large rock which was sort of fun. The plan for the day is to finish off the long mountain trail then head up to the ridge along the bucktail cutoff trail to half moon trail to Tuscarora. We will look for a camp and camp somewhere up on the ridge.

As I indicated. Things went pretty good before lunch. We stopped to lunch at a nice bridge. We were about 2-2.5 hours in and had covered about 5 miles. Josh, zac, and Tyler decided to climb a set of rocks off to the side of the hill. About half way up the thorns got thick and Tyler turned around. The other two summited the top and then started down. You would have to ask them what took so long, but let's just say if they are running a business sign up because they apparently provide 1.5-2 hour lunches. There were a number of large boulders that also found their way down the hill as well.....

We hit the trail again and the next 3 miles aren't too bad. We stop to fill up Tyler's water - again. At this point (~8 miles into the day) the functioning GPSs in the group are out of battery and so we have to rely on trail markers for mileage. In some ways it's a good thing. One hiker asks about every half mile how much further, where is camp or what time is it.
But it could be that I'm just getting cranky.

You see, the trail has turned more upward and it has been long day and looking at the map I can see we still have a long ways to go. And about the trail.... I didn't do it justice yesterday calling them marbles. Let me try to explain. Imagine rocks the size of your fist to a few times the size of your fist. Don't think of smooth river rock, think about mountain rocks - smooth but jagged, with uneven surfaces. Now take those and lay them out along the trail. Now partially cover them with dirt and some grass so they don't move and can't fully be seen at times. Now hike across them. For 10 miles. Imagine that if you step wrong and put all your weight down how you feel it through your boot. And how if you don't land right how you slide just a bit and the side of your feet where the toes connect hit into the rock - after about 50 times it's a little sore. Imagine that occasionally your toe doesn't quite clear that rock you passed and so you have to quickly swing it forward to prevent a face plant while doing it with a 40 lb pack. Each foot step becomes a crucial decision! I walked miles and can't say that during the actual hike I saw a lot as each foot placement was too important to miss. When I looked up to see the blazes (they were yellow for our path and they look like a small i - made me feel just a little like Mr. Incredible since they looked like that symbol) I would often misstep. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't terrible, but when your feet are sore and you are getting tired and you have logged over 10 miles already, trail sections with those rocks are not a welcome sight.

We stop so I can gather my breath and the bill of my hat is dripping off the front. I can't figure out what is going on since it isn't raining until I realize there is so much sweat coming off my head it's completely drenched the bill. Not sure I've managed that before. But it keeps it from dripping onto my glasses so it's a bonus.

We reach something like the top but there was no water so we had to keep hiking. We find another camp with water. Too much standing water and these mosquitoes are bigger and thicker than before so we realize as much as we would like to stop we need to move on. We finally reach sandstone spring. As brother Brigham said - this is the place. It is sort of cool as clouds are moving in and we are in them. There is a tree with water coming out from under it which also adds to the magical feel of the place. In fact, most the campground feels like walking on ground that is hollow underneath. But we all find places to set up camp and since we think rain is moving in we try to find places that will work if that happens.

Mountain house beef stroganoff is delicious - but it was a long day so don't hold me to that. We have devotional around the fire and head to bed as rain starts to fall. Ty cooks up some amazing jiffy pop popcorn - wow it is consumed rapidly. He carried it with him even when he wasn't going to eat any. In the end he can't resist having one piece just to see how it tastes.

There was a lot of mole skin being passed out today. The sandal experiment starts to show some issues. Sorry there isn't much more to share today. It was a lot of walking.

Dry bed, good food, good company, and at the top of the ridge. We have some cell signal so I get to send an update and text my wife. My feet are sore but I think blister-less so far. Tomorrow rain is an concern as it is supposed to rain from noon to two or so all afternoon with thunderstorms - we need to be off the ridge by then. Praying for good weather. Thank you for your prayers in our behalf.

Scott

tree of life?  Notice the water coming out from the spring from under the tree.

Brambleton Priests Quorum High Adventure: Wolf Gap Recreation Area Backpacking (June 2018)

Day One  - The "fun" begins.

We meet at the church at 7. We are a pretty small group - just 6 boys and two leaders. Josh, Thomas, Tyler, Spencer, Robert, Zac and myself with Bro. Mitchell to round out the crew. Each of the youth has a parent there - they each thank me for going and assure me that they have instructed their kids to bring my body back rather then leaving me on the trail in case I don't make it.

We arrive at the trailhead and the last chance to use an outhouse before heading to the woods but most of the YM choose to go out doors - its a good choice as the only option to avoid the flies.

I must admit some concern. I haven't been hiking since I was a 13 year old with my teacher's quorum. I'm already carrying 30 extra pounds around every day. Add onto that my 45 lb backpack and that's a lot to carry at my advancing years.

Fortunately the priests take pity on the old guys and rather than literally spiriting up the hill, they are only at a near jog. We have to remind them a few times that their caboose is lagging. The master planner of this route must be somewhat sadistic - rather
than working into the hike we head straight up the hill. Why work into it.  There are two rock scrambles where I'm nearly crawling on my hands and knees to get up. Glad that if I fall backwards I'll be able to fall into bro. Mitchell and hopefully he'll slow me down enough that I can stop. We reach the look out knob and sit for lunch. We are 1.6 miles in and I'm ready to quit. I text (we have service up here) and offer Bishop Ford large amounts of money drive here and swap me places and I'll go to girls camp all week. He apparently thinks I'm joking. Lucky for him we get out of cell service so he doesn't hear the things I call him.

Fortunately the next 6 miles are more reasonable. We walk through some nice woods, along a gravel road, and ford a few streams. The most unpleasant portions include a section where it's like walking on large marbles and a stop by the bogs of Mordor where hoards of giant mosquitoes who view us large walking smorgasbords. Tyler consumes more water than a camel and we exam him to see if he has developed a hump. The great Zac sandal experiment has thus far been successful (he is wearing Chaco sandals rather than hiking shoes - someone apparently walked the entire Appalachian trail in them so I he figures why not).

We look for a camp and manage to find a nice camp with a fire pit and an alter. We discuss things we might be able to do with said alter. With the law of Moses having been fulfilled we come up with nothing. We set up camp and walk back to a stream and refill our water. Fred Flintstone would fit right in as shirts are removed and a primitive gym breaks out as rocks are used for bench pressing, biceps curls and other lifts. It shuts down when too many "weights" break after being dropped and there are no more large weights.

After mountain house for dinner (yep, taste like camp food). We have FHE led by Robert. We then put the bear bags up and got ready for bed. There is a bright nearly full moon out and with the fire cracking and a log bench to sit on, I can almost forget the bad parts of the day.  

Tomorrow we are shooting for 9 miles. Pray for me. I'm worried about being able to move any part of my body tomorrow. Wish me luck. No, pray for me. 

AP Encampment Day 4 - End of Droughts

Day 4 – The end of droughts

So this morning 300 of us headed to Ace Lake – on Blue ACE buses which were probably being used by school districts when I was in elementary school.  We were following a group of 300 which had gone ahead of us by an hour.  In case you can’t tell by the pictures there were a number of inflatables in the lake including “icebergs”, slides, etc.  There was also a lily pad run.  They had a water slide and a zip line into the water.  They also had a blob – one person sits on the end and the other jumps onto it and sends the other person high in the air.  We arrived and there were no lockers so all our stuff sat on a table.  We then went down to the dock to get a PDF snugly put on.  I was somewhat concerned that I might pass out from not being able to breathe when I went into the lake.

There were 600 scouts in there. The dichotomy between swimming at a BSA facility – with swim checks, buddy tags, buddy checks, etc. and the ACE lake was shocking really.  There were only two boats with a single lifeguard in each and one or two on the docks – seemed like the whistles never stopped as there were only supposed to be 4 on most of the items at one time and the scouts either can’t count so well or forgot….  After an hour or two the first buses left and then it wasn’t near as crowded and people who wanted to do things mostly got to do them.  It was fun.  I heard a number of comments about how it was one of the best things they had done this week.  Well done by the folks who came up with the idea and made it happen.   Thus ended the drought of fun and especially fun without any lines!

It worked out well for those advancement boys as well who had less people in camp as they were able to do some activities as well.

Of course, nothing goes without so hitch and the buses which were supposed to pick us up at 1 showed up at 2 but the boys watched the blob in action while we waited (and chanted “Big guy! Big Guy!” when a smaller person was at the front – hoping for a huge launch).  That afternoon the older boys mostly went paddle-boarding while some of us rock climbed.

That evening Bishop Lan drove up to talk with the boys.  As I have mentioned, there are a number of ways to get to the dining area.  If you come across the lower dam, there is what I call the “Joe versus the Volcano” trail.  If you have seen the movie you know I mean, if not, please don’t that will be over an hour of your life you can’t get back and I can’t recommend using it that way!  Anyway there are occasionally camp vehicles (we called them gators) that you see but not sure I ever saw a car on it and then we see Bishop driving his accord up the trail!  That was funny.  The drought of cars on the volcano trail ended as well…

The Bishop talked to us about keeping our lives properly centered like his Chinese yoyo.  That trials in life are going to come to everyone and that it is our response to those that can determine who we become.  Then he gave us ice cream – thus ended the drought of ice cream!

Just before the Bishop spoke the rain came.  We had both Bishop time and a camp devotional and   I for one didn’t want to have to walk back and forth twice that evening.  So we found a spot near the dining area we could meet.  There are lots of random large “party tents” (think wedding reception size) that they will be using at the jamboree soon.  So we picked one with tables to use.  As luck would have it, the truck to empty the port-a-potties next to the dining hall showed up part way through the Bishop’s discussion.  The wafting odors of the remnants of thousands of folks over the last 4 days was somewhat distracting.  The motor running and doing its thing wasn’t particularly conducive to our discussion either.  However, despite the issues, the boys listened and we felt the spirit.

Fortunately when the rain did come it was just a steady rain – not too heavy (i.e. all the tents stayed dry).  It helped keep down the dust and ended the rain drought we had since Monday.  Sometimes ending a drought isn’t such a good thing.

The speaker tonight was Mark Pendleton, a member of the YM General Board – he talked about when he was a deacon and a new kid moved into the ward and him ending up having to fight him and punching him hard winning and then being guided by the Holy Ghost to chase him down to apologize and how they became friends and united a dysfunctional quorum.

Always a little bitter sweet as we near the end…. But mostly sweet!

Day 3 – The longest day. Shortest blog?

We bid fond farewell to Pres. Holtom and to Bro Baker this morning.  Time off for good behavior I believe.  Bro. Evans is reading a book on addiction – says 40% of people ages 18-65 have some sort of internet addiction.  So we took the quiz.  No admitted addicts, but we are in the warning zone.  

Also turns out the average attention span of a human is now just 8 seconds.  By comparison, a goldfish is 9 seconds.  So…. This is what happens when the schedule changes and now you have little to nothing to do all morning.

Due to the lines and people being turned away after waiting for an hour or more, there was a new edict today.  Today the advancement kids got free time to go to activities and the adventure folks were to avoid those areas.  So that gave us not much to do for the morning.  I’m not sure what most of us did to be honest. 

However, this afternoon was good for the adventure guys as some got to mountain bike, bmx, canopy tour, and skateboard.  I think I also heard the advancement boys got to the rock wall.  So there was some serious high adventure this afternoon. 

After dinner tonight they held an “Appalachian Celebrachian” – there was a cook off (we did not participate) and games on the field (we did participate – and lets just say that after going down John Evans and I acted like the 2016 Cavs and stormed back for the victory).  It was pretty fun, then we went to the fireside with Brother Douglas D. Holmes – 1^st Counselor in the YM General Presidency.  He talked about going mountain biking with his son and his troop and how they learned to do hard things.  And that our boys can do hard things as well.

Tonight they announced that tomorrow the leadership group is going white water rafting.  The also announced the adventure guys are headed to a big water park at a lake for 3 hours if they want.  Alternatively they can stay here and lines will be short so they can do what they want.  So there was much rejoicing.  I'm trying to gather more pictures but others have not been too forthcoming with those.  Sorry parents - don't shoot the messenger and yell at them to provide pics and I'll post a couple

 Day 2 –

When I was a boy we would wake up and pass out trying to blow on the coals from last night’s fire to get it going.  We than sat around the fire.  This morning I see a group of young men circled around – the power box to charge their phones…..  Times they are a changing. 

So it appears that there is some training going on to get them ready for BYU where standing in line was practically a minor.  There are a lot of youth here.  There are not really enough staff here.  When those two collide it gets a little frustrating at times. 

Just a little update.  It is hard for me to keep track of folks because we have 33 youth and they are split into three groups – advancement (they work on merit badges 3 hours a day and high adventure the rest), adventure – they are doing high adventure all day, and leadership (and I’m not sure what they do all day but I did see them sitting in a large tent today).  Given the size of our group and the age differences we haven’t really done much as a troop.  Ok not much – anything.  At Goshen I could at least wander around the camp and get some pics.  But it is so far to walk around here that I’m just too lazy to walk the extra mile (or ten) to get pictures – especially when I’m not sure I even know where they are.  So, my apologies.

I can tell you that there are variations of three ways to get from camp to meals – they are 1.46 miles, 1.24 miles, and 1.07 miles each way.   You can probably guess which way we take now….  It is about 1.9 miles to the “adventure zone” area where many of the activities are at.   Most in camp walked between 15 and 20 miles today.  There are a number of scouts with some blister problems.  The paths are dirt and gravel paths and I know in my tennis shoes I can feel those big rocks sometimes.  (Cue Mulan – “mister I’ll make a man out of you” soundtrack)

Some in the adventure group did mountain biking and the big zip today.   The showers are wet and in good condition, but they are also “ambient” temperature.  I wasn’t sure what that meant but as near as I can tell it means “just warm enough to keep from freezing in the pipes.  Boys and leaders embrace the concept with varying degrees of enthusiasm. 

The speaker this evening was the world record box jumper.  He told an amazing story of how his life has not gone as he planned and how he has dealt with the hand he was dealt.  Pain from an accident when he was 9, broke his knee at 18, cracked his neck and head while on his mission and was paralyzed for a time.  And now he can jump higher than anyone – 105% of his height.  He even did some jumps for us.

So far no major injuries.  No major melt downs.  We did have one scout lean out of his tent and barf – *careful* stepping into that tent… but at least he made it that far!

AP Encampment - day 1

Day One: Summit Sum it up – not much to see yet     

    

So we are once again heading into the wood. But in all my years doing this we have an unprecedented trip this year – all 3 quorums are heading out to the same camp – Bechtel Summit Reserve for an Aaronic Priesthood Encampment.  There are over 30 stakes worth of YM here this week – about 3,000 if my memory serves me correctly.  That is a lot – but in a few weeks for national jamboree they will have 10 times that many!  Good luck with that….

So we met that the leisurely time of 7:30am to head out.  We took the obligatory picture – we were missing at least 2 folks from the picture but think we managed to get most of the 33 YM who are accompanying us. 

We are one of the first cars to leave the lot.  I have my two sons and Logan, Hunter and Robert.  Before we reach Leesburg Evans pass us.  Before Round Hill two black pickups fly by at speeds that I assure the YM in my car simply can’t be reached with 6 us in the van (only one of them drives yet, so it went unquestioned).  The trip is generally uneventful as long as we can keep one from yelling too loudly (inside voices please).  As we pass the “West Virginia” sign we play “Country Roads” and I’m pretty sure most of them sang.  Just before we get to the restaurant (using that a little loosely as we are talking chick fil et there is a down pour!  Wipers are on high and we are moving at city speeds and you can barely make anything out.  Sure glad my gear is inside…  Fortunately the tarps over the trucks worked fairly well – depending on your perspective.  Some of your YM who slept on soggy pillows may have a different take on it!

We are passed by one or two more cars on our way down and so I figure we will be one of the last into Chick fli et but what I failed to realize is that by having a full tank of gas and not offering to stop for a potty break we manage to arrive ahead of most of the others who did not. 

We arrive in camp.  We are happily surprised as President Holtom is there to help us get checked in.  We each get a map, two patches and a shirt I believe was designed with the thought that if it was unattractive enough, then no one will be tempted to steal it.  Mission accomplished. 

When we were here 3 years ago we arrived, parked at C camp (very close to dinner and activities), tents were up and we simply moved in.  This year - not so fast my friends.  This year we are in the serve yourself camp – we have to stand in line to get tents we set up in the soggy grass.  These tents are not the big nice tents we had last time either.  They are nice, but a step down.  Then we put up our cots and the dining flys and tables.  Our camp is up on top of a ridge and from here you can nearly see where meals are provided without binoculars– it is about a 20 minute walk if you are walking pretty fast.  Reports are that fit bits all over camp are confused by the sudden new exercise regiments of some in our troop!  We now wonder why President Holtom didn’t manage to get us a little closer in….

We are told activities are open – but truth is that there are just a few open and little indication of which are and so some folks get in some high adventure and some return less pleased, except for their step counts which are ecstatic!

Fireside that nigh is sort of long – there are two speakers who do a fine job but after nearly an hour of that most of the boys are getting short on attention.  When the staff then starts skits the Priests bail almost instantaneously, while the rest of us endure a bit longer but not to the end.   We then enjoy the 1.4 mile walk back to camp. 

That is all for today.  Hopefully more adventure tomorrow!  Did I mention that Deacons are really young… I had forgotten.  Sorry I don't have more pics.  With so many different groups and everyone picking what they want to do, it is tough.  Fortunately, we have a number of leaders taking pics and hope to have a dropbox or similar where you can go look for them!

Middle adventure

“Was that today?”  

This was the answer when we called one of the missing boys to see where he was this morning.  Not exactly the answer you were hoping to hear.  We gathered for the obligatory pre- departure photo and loaded into vehicles.  I watched the thermometer in my vehicle as we made our way north.  By the time we arrived the windshield wipers were on and the temp registered at 59.   Ouch.

Once everyone arrived we moseyed over to the mountain bike check in.  They needed paperwork in order to check us all in.  Remember the hundreds of pages of waivers that Jason and Bryce had sent?  Those are the ones.  And what do you suppose are the odds of them having each form for each boy (and adult)?  Well, I’m not much of a gambling man, but let’s just say I’m comfortable that they were very long odds and the odds makers would have been correct.  There were two additional complications – first, not everyone was doing the same activities and some activities took different waivers.  Secondly, they had been filed by boy rather than by activity.  So with a speed that would have rivaled any Xerox product, Jason began collating.   In the end it turned out that we had many of the forms we needed.  [The rest of this particular incident has been edited out for 5^th amendment purposes]

So three leaders and two youth decided to go mountain biking.  The other 10 youth needed two vehicles to two leaders as they opted for rock climbing and repelling which was up on top of the mountain.  I was part of that group.  The mountain biking crew told us it was a blast and Jason Jensen even has the oozing red forearm to prove just how fun it was.  We came back from checking in to get our extreme passes and Justin Schafer had been transformed into some sort of superhero.  He looked more like Iron Man than Justin.  I had to admit some jealous for the cool equipment they were wearing.  Fortunately, it was a cool enough day that it wasn’t insufferable to wear it.  I hope it smelled better than the equipment at BMX last year.  Wait, I know it did because I was within 300 feet and didn’t get a whiff which was no the case last year. 

The rest of us cruised up to the top of the mountain and met our guide and headed a few miles down the road.  We got out and walked a hundred yards or so into the woods and there was a shed.  It didn’t look like a insidious house of torture from the outside.  But maybe I was just blinded by the anticipation of the climb.  Our guide asked each person what size shoe they took.  It was actually a little frightening how many either had to look at their shoes or made a guess.  Then again, I suppose that when your foot size changes every month and you get shoes every 6 or more, you might not know. He starts with 4 at a time.  The boys tell him their sizes, he disappears into the shed, we hear some banging around and muttering and then in what seems a much longer time than necessary he comes out with a somewhat maniacal glint in his eyes with 4 pair of climbing shoes, repeats the size they ordered to them and then hands them a shoe which is at least a half size different.  He takes four more orders disappears, returns with and repeats the process.  At first I was giving him the benefit of the doubt, but when someone asked for a 9.5 and got a 9, and the person who asked for a 9 gets a 10, the hair on the back of my neck starts to stand.  Are we headed deep in to the deep creek forest with a deeply disturbed individual?! 

Climbing shoes, if you haven’t seen them, are sort of like moccasins on top with a stiff thin bottom and then a narrow toe area to allow you to jam your little piggy’s into the crevices and holes to help you climb.  The shoes ain’t made for walking.  When after following his instructions to try on the shoes, he tells us we can take them off for the walk which is about a quarter mile.   Then he gets us our harnesses.  Let’s just say that we are not all larges and that there were some among us who were fortunate this wasn’t a co-ed activity.  #thingsI’drathernotsee.  We then get helmets and proceed the walk/hobble to the rock.  I wonder if it would be more comfortable for Courtney Hicks or Amanda Mangum given their ballet experience.

When we arrive we are greeted by two other folks who are already there to assist.  Well, one is to assist, the other we are told is training.  I’m not sure how their training program works, but hands on experience must not be included as  she didn’t do anything but watch and chat it up.  They have three climbs set up.  But they only have two belays.  And there are 10 of us.  So what it mostly involved is standing around and watching.  But the climbing was fun.  Many of the youth hadn’t climbed a real rock face before.  The stone was a sandstone which was a little difficult on the fingers.  Bishop Lan had a nice bleeder on his shin.  I think everyone made the first and second climbs.  About half or more made the third one and everyone got a chance to repel as well.  We had been expecting rain all afternoon and then only time it really rained was when the maniacal guide said “we were expecting more rain.”  Maybe this demon controls the elements.  Just a theory.  The roughness of the stone made it ok to climb even in the rain.  The walk back to the shed was 10 times more difficult than the walk to the rock.  The relief as those shoes came off was palpable.

For dinner we headed to the pizza place. We slightly over estimated how much pizza we needed and inadvertently bought pizza for both nights and a midnight snack.  We were glad there was a fridge in the hallway downstairs (and a microwave!).   

We then convened in the boardroom for devotional.  It is an awesome thing to see these young men share their testimonies.  Some will be full time missionaries in a little over 3 months and all in less than 3 years.  Bishop Lan concluded with his presentation about a world class rugby player who left his career to serve a mission.  It was great.

After devotional games broke out.  I watched as Jacob Holtom started with no real estate in monopoly and then before you knew it (which is saying something for monopoly) won the game.

We are checking the weather and have serious concerns as it appears that tomorrow will be all rain after noon.  We are hoping that it will hold off long enough for us to do our white water trip first.  

Tuesday Torture Day

With dawn comes realization that I have been bitten by some creatures yesterday.  I begin to doubt the efficacy of the smoke repellent methodology.  As the scouts fall out of tents I inquire as to how the 5 man tent fared.  They say it was great, after which they immediately back track and with stories of how someone fell out of the tent, how there were someone’s hairy legs in a bad spot and that at some point in the early hours they had devised a much better arrangement.  I only regret I won’t be there tomorrow morning to ascertain the success of the new method.

I’ll be honest, I have low expectations of the Marriott food.  Most times I’m not disappointed, but it isn’t terrible and it feeds the machine so to speak.  The eggs were typical. The sausage wasn’t too bad.  The oranges were very good.  However, the pancakes… well, if they hadn’t burned all the cardboard the previous day I would have accused the food picker uppers of pranking the troop.  But the blood shot eyes from the smoke tell me there is no cardboard left.  They provided no butter, but given the disks are cold they wouldn’t have melted it anyway.  I pour the syrup over them and let them sit a bit to see if they will soften to somewhere to where they might fall in the Mohr’s scale at somewhere south of diamond.  But the “pancakes” must have seen that coming and like water from a ducks back shed the viscous substance.  I eat two of them anyway.  I can’t let them get away with it, but I don’t count it as a win.

At 9am the scouts head off to class.  For you rookie parents, the first day is a terrible day to be at camp to take pictures.  Almost every merit badge involves sitting around listening to someone talk to you about something.  It’s a lot like school, only bugs are biting you.  I have a few pictures and you should be proud that they stayed awake pretty much the entire time.  The best heart break story comes from the waterfront.  The 9 o’clock canoe and kayak classes both got into the water.  The 10 o’clock kayak class (including Tyler F, Logan, and Mason) stood in the hot sun wearing their PFDs while shouting the parts of the paddle.  For those of you who have forgotten, those PFDs don’t really breathe….  They did not get in the water.  The 11 o’clock classes, including the canoe class with, yep, Tyler, Logan, Mason, and a couple other members of the troop, spent 50 minutes, yep, standing in the sun, wearing PFDs while shouting the parts of the oar.  They didn't get into the water.  I’m not a sympathetic person by nature and torturing the scouts just a little is a hobby, but even I’m feeling bad for them.  

As we ate lunch choking on smoke from the bug defenses (which was ok, I prefer my lunch meat a little smoky) we realize that at scout camp there is so much to do and so little time.  Folks are trying to decide if they can do the canoe campout, the wilderness survival campout, and the mile swim.   Given they are offered on two nights and there are three activities, it doesn’t look promising.  But they are pretty smart and creative boys (I mean they have 5 folks in one tent) so I’m interested to hear how it all turns out. 

It was a pleasure for me to be at camp again.  I’m really thankful to Tim and Dermot for being there all week.  I’m really proud of the boys who are all pitching in and showing kindness to each other.  It is always a blast for me to be there. I wish I remembered more of the quotable quotes, they were legion.   I’m pretty sure I spent the only money I’ve spent in the store for a t-shirt.  Note, not the only money of mine that has been spent there, but the only money I’ve spent there!

Thanks for sharing your kids.  Give them a quick hug when they get home, make them shower and then ask them to tell you all about.  If you think my write ups are long and tedious, you probably haven’t heard anything yet.