The Gray Wolf Pups climbed up Cleator Road on a misty Sunday
morning to meet up for the Chuckanut Ridge Traverse. With the hazy weather all
about, it set the scene for a perfect metaphor regarding our skills focus of
the spring season: The Art of Navigation. Joining us today was a former Boys
Explorers Club participant and current Four Shields group member who was taking
advantage of his opportunity to join BEC outings as an Explorers Mentor
Apprentice (or EMA). As the Gray Wolf Pups continue to grow over the next few
years as a group, and as individuals, they too will one day be provided the opportunity
to be EMAs and volunteer their own time to help guide younger groups as an
assistant mentor. Not only was it nice to have a veteran Explorer with us who
already has some navigation skills of his own, but it was quickly discovered
that the EMA was an alum of Kulshan where a handful of Gray Wolf Pups go now!
This quickly formed a bond and we all became fast friends.
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| Every journey must begin somewhere! |
With everyone present, we had our regular opening circle,
discussed our plans for the day and handed out jobs. Hiking along Chuckanut
Ridge, we would follow the ridgeline north before dropping down onto Lost Lake
Trail which would take us further north into Arroyo Park and eventually to
North Chuckanut Trailhead where we would rendezvous with parents for pick up.
The Gray Wolf Pups were notified that they would be responsible for getting the
group there and making all the primary decisions regarding which trails we took
at each junction. Starting things off we cruised up the Lower Ridge Trail to a
view point where we paused to look out across at Bellingham Bay and the San
Juan Islands. The water would be our first natural landmark we encountered to
help us gain our bearings and develop our internal compasses. Once atop
Chuckanut Ridge we had to decide to go left or right. Now being able to look
out towards snowy foothills, we had our next landmark. In addition to the bay
and the snowy foothills, the sun decided to poke its head out of the clouds and
offer yet another indicator to tune our internal compasses. Gauging the orientation
of the water, snowy foothills, and position of the sun at mid-day (while we
stood in the northern hemisphere) we began to put the pieces of the puzzle
together. Tapping into our knowledge of place, the boys slowly but surely
figured out the snowy foothills would give way to the Cascades to our East. The
water, islands, and Bellingham Bay were to the West. The sun took its place to
the South given our global position in the northern hemisphere. With this
information we were able to conclude we must go left at the junction, and
continue following Chuckanut Ridge to the North.
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| Looking out at the San Juan Islands |
Along the way we encountered some cliffs that afforded us a
brief glimpse of a city of subdued excitement. Since we had established our
bearings we knew this cluster of buildings must be Bellingham to the North!
Another good sign we were headed in the right direction. Continuing along the
trail we dropped down into a valley where we hit a rather confusing junction.
Luckily there was a great sign with an accurate trail map for us to utilize.
Checking the orientation of the map with the arrow in the bottom left corner which
pointed up with a “N” we knew this map was oriented to have North be “up”.
Taking a moment to double check our previous deliberations, we quickly found
the best path to guide us along our way to Arroyo Park and in turn North
Chuckanut Trailhead. Each of the boys
took some time with the mentors to make sure they understood how to read the
map, what route we were going to take, and make a quick mental note of the
directions we would turn at each junction along the way. With our path laid out
ahead of us we continued journeying along the trail.
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| Gazing north to Bellingham |
As we hiked the boys naturally settled in with one another
forming groups of twos and threes. This is natural for any group hiking, but it
was good to see all of our newer members finding their comfort with the older
members of the Gray Wolf Pups. Despite these particular members of the Gray
Wolf Pups having only been together for one full season, they already seem to
be developing quickly as a group and taking strides towards higher functioning and
a deeper sense of comradery. As we hiked, the sun continued to shine down
through the trees illuminating the path before us. As our internal compasses
developed, our awareness of the surrounding landscape melded with our knowledge
of the geography of Whatcom County to enable us to navigate without ever
pulling out a compass. Of course the trail map was a big help when deciphering
which trail to trek down, but in the end, if we had to I’m sure the Gray Wolf
Pups could have figured out where to go all on their own.
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| Gathering around the trail map to find our path home. |
Finally arriving at Arroyo Park, we had just enough time to
drop down a hillside off trail and set up shop at an old Explorers Club
stomping ground. Revisiting old shelters constructed in the summer, splashing
through the stream, and eating what food we had left to fuel ourselves, we were
ready for a few rounds of Spiders Web before calling it a day. Not only did the
Gray Wolf Pups navigate their way home, but they did it fast enough to have
time to relax and play three rounds of Spiders Web before meeting up with the
parents for pick up. Just as the mist gave way to sunshine to illuminate our
path while we hiked today, the boys took a big step in developing an internal
compass that will guide them based solely off of their surroundings and observations.
Furthermore, as the Gray Wolf Pups takes strides as individuals, they also
continue to come together and form ever strengthening bonds as a group. All of
these developments will play a key role as they enter adolescence over the next
few years and have to rely on their internal compasses to not only navigate
landscapes, but social situations, school, and many more obstacles they are
bound to face in their journey towards becoming young adults. If today was any
indicator of how they will fare, then I have no doubt they will have all the
skills and abilities to flourish as each Explorer discovers and follows their very
own paths in life.
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| Gazing out to the east along Chuckanut Ridge |
Make sure to check out the rest of our photos from the outing here!
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