After digging gear out of our closets, reviewing some fire making techniques, and clearing up a scheduling mistake; the Mentors were ready to kick off spring season with the Vespula Veterans. Reuniting at North Galbraith Mountain Trailhead it was clear to see that it had been too long since our last outing. Circling up we took a moment to introduce a few new Explorers to the group and each share a little about our winter season. As we talked the group started to bundle up in their rain gear. I think we all knew that we were in for a rainy night. It was encouraging to hear that so many of the Vespula’s were getting out in the snow and rain over our sabbatical.
Heading into the woods the group noticed that Indian Plum and Pink Flowering Currants were starting to bloom; this is one of the first signs of spring. The group also noticed a large number of downed trees littering the lowland forest. The Explorers tracked the carnage back to the heavy snowfall we had received a few weeks earlier. The snow loading on the trees and heavily saturated soil caused massive downing. As we hiked Greg pointed out that most of the downed trees were Alders. Knowing that there was a slight wind advisory for the evening we would need to be on high alert for partially fallen trees and snags. Alders have very shallow root systems and also thrive in saturated soil, putting them at risk of toppling. Hiking along we tracked the potential hazardous locations remembering that in the dark these obstacles would be tricky to navigate.
In a grove of mature Cedars on a little higher ground the boys found a great location to build a fire. As soon as we dropped our packs the rain started to pick up and we noticed the light fading through the canopy. The Vespula’s thought back to their night outing at Arroyo where they had noticed that as night sets in the bright colors fade last. Already some of the less vibrant colors were looking grey.
Calling the group into action Greg challenged the boys to make a fire in ten minutes using only a bow drill or flint and steel method. At the end of the ten minutes the Vespulas had created a rock ring, gathered half wet and half dry firewood no bigger than the size of their wrist, had started working with a bow drill kit, and were making a cedar nest for the coal. All in all it was a good effort. To show the Explorers that it could be done Greg and I had been gathering dead Western Hemlock branches and preparing our bow drill kit while the group worked. The Mentors managed to create a humble but hardy fire in about twenty minutes.
By this time the sun had set and we sat around watching the fire as it illuminated the canopy above. Greg demonstrated to the group an old mountain man method of using a char cloth with flint stone and steel rod. The group practiced keeping the fire tidy and keeping enough oxygen flowing through it so that it would burn through the materials completely. The Mentors had also brought along seasoned Cottonwood, Maple and Cedar for the boys to experiment with.
As the last of the Maple started to burn we discussed ways to put out the fire ethically. Our newly cultivated ability to create and maintain fire comes with great responsibility. The Explorers not only have an obligation to control and put out fire they also have an obligation to leave the space where they had the fire as they found it. Gathering rainwater in an abandoned bucket we put out the fire and churned the duff, leaving minimal signs that we were ever there. Once the fire was out it was pitch black and the only sounds were the wind and the rain hitting the trees.
Circling up the Explorers hashed out a way to navigate through the darkness while staying together. Heading south through the wood the group came to a power line clearing and scrambled up the steep embankment. Once we reached the top of the embankment some of the Vespulas realized we were on the ridgeline trail. Following the ridgeline the group hiked in a maze of young Alders. In the low light reflected from Bellingham it was hard to tell the swaying Alders apart. With about an hour left in the outing the group arrived at a vista that looked overlooked Bellingham. There was a noticeable contrast between the dark forest of Galbraith Mountain and the bright city lights of Bellingham. One of the Explorers mentioned that the people in the city probably didn’t even know what the weather was like. This brought up an interesting discussion based around the isolating and disorienting structure of our city lifestyles. The cultural and physical wildernesses that these two seemingly opposite but connected landscapes share will be a question that the Vespula Veterans will continue to explore as they step into adolescence.
Hiking back down the ridgeline trail the group laughed and joked, feeling a little more at ease in the dark and unknown. Making it back down to the power lines the Mentors called for a sit spot. It is important for the Explorers to build comradery and spirit on adventures, but it is just as important that they get quiet and listen to the land. As the group spread out it was very empowering to be able to see clearly in the dark without the use of flashlights or headlamps.
Coming back in for one final circle we shared a little about our sit spot and gave some thanks. The group gave thanks for the group challenge, for fire and warmth, for food and warm drinks, for the ability to navigate without light, for wild lands, and a home to return to.
Before heading back down the trail the Mentors took a valuable moment to talk to the group about this idea of navigating in the darkness. The Vespulas are gaining autonomy and power as they journey into adolescences. This journey will sometimes lead them far from home and even at times lead them to places of darkness and the unknown. In their unknown trials the boys will need to rely on the skills, wisdom, and knowledge they have cultivated. In this time the Vespula Veterans will also find their gifts and hone their moral compasses. Setting them up for the journey and being there for them in the coming years is what we as Mentors are here to offer.
Hiking back down the group decided to use their headlamps on account of the formidable cliff bands along the way. What a pleasure it was to welcome in the spring season with a journey through the wildlands with the Vespula Veterans. Emerging from the woods one by one we greeted the parents with our cups full and our spirits high.
Please check back on Thrusday for pictures from the outing in our photo gallery.
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