For the Mountain Goats second to last outing of the season
we met up at Lost Lake Trailhead along Chuckanut Drive. We weren’t going to
Lost Lake, or Clayton Beach, but to Fragrance Lake. Although our intention was
to make it to Fragrance Lake, rarely does an Explorers Club group make it all
the way up before getting side tracked with games, skills, or exploration of
the many mysteries along the way.
Starting things off we were immediately side tracked by a
rustling in the Salal bushes beside our opening circle. Having tuned in to that
specific rustle, one of the mentors paused everything to investigate. Reaffirming
what was heard, returning out of the brush the mentor had a squirming Garter
snake in his hand. Taking a moment to examine the animal and talk a bit about
the anatomy of why a snake has a forked tongue (ask your Explorer to see if
they remember!) we were soon distracted by yet another rustle in the brush. To
our surprise there was another snake! Not only was there one more, but half a
dozen other Garter snakes hiding in and amongst the brush. The Mountain Goats
proceeded to spend the next half hour poking around through the bushes and
trying to catch the newest snake to try and sneak away from us.
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| Checking out the first snake |
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| Catching Big Bertha! |
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| Searching for more! |
Foretelling how the rest of the outing would go, we finally
got on the trail and within a few minutes paused to play some rounds of HIDE
while tending to a minor injury to one of the Explorers who knocked his toe on
a rock. Finally, we pushed further down the trail but yet again got distracted
by a cool ledge to explore. Then we barely made it past the entrance to the
trailhead before the group decided to scout through the thick Sword Fern for a
good place to play Spider’s Web. Whatever glimmer of hope we had to make it
even to the lookout, let along the lake was lost when we set up base camp only
a couple hundred yards away from the trailhead.
Spreading out we discovered a well-used deer trail with old
hoof prints, deer scat, and a log with moss knocked off from deer repeatedly
knocking their hooves into it while stepping over. Additionally we discovered a
queen Bald Faced Hornet still hibernating in a rotten log who was luckily
rather lethargic and unable to do much than cling onto a stick for relocation.
With a better understanding of the landscape and a hazard removed it was time
to play Spider’s Web. The game we always get excited for was quickly set up by
the Mountain Goats with limited assistance from the mentors. While playing the
game one of the mentors prepped some materials for skills work while the other
tried to help navigate a few challenges with our game.
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| Setting up base camp and eating some lunch |
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| Re-locating the queen Bald Faced Hornet! |
Finally wrapping up Spider’s Web the group naturally
transitioned into some skills work. Despite being their first year, the
Mountain Goats are a few years older than the usual “first year” groups.
Because of this they not only have worked on the Art of Camouflage but also
thoroughly took on the Art of Shelter and are hungry for a new skill. Given
their growth and development as a group, demonstrated maturity and focus, and a
year of safely using sticks around one another the mentors decided to see if
the group is ready for the Art of Carving.
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| Learning the basics of carving |
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| Practicing the Bow Drill |
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| Technique and form are key in being successful! |
Not wanting to jump right in, the mentors split the group up
into two groups. One was working on some basic carving safety and techniques
while the other group practiced with a Bow Drill (or primitive means of
starting fire with friction). Both skills require immense focus, patience, and
dedication to learn and become proficient. Despite the challenge, the Mountain
Goats stepped up and proved they are ready to take on more responsibility and
delve into the Art of Carving. Despite hiking roughly 200 yards down the
Fragrance Lake trail, the Mountain Goats proved that all they need is a small
patch of woods, good friends, some snacks and water, and a little bit of
inspiration to stay occupied for hours and hours. We caught snacks and hornets,
explored a deer trail, played a number of games, began learning the Art of
Carving, and even had some left over energy to practice using a Bow Drill. All
in all I would call that a pretty good day.
Make sure to check out the rest of the photos from our
outing
here!
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