Navigating Risk at Whatcom Falls with the Mountain Goats

Meeting up on a cool and clear Thursday afternoon the Mountain Goats arrived at Whatcom Falls Park for an afternoon of exploration. We started our day off with a walk along Whatcom Creek stopping to check out the thunderous waterfall and impressive flow of water near the outflow of Lake Whatcom. Navigating alongside Whatcom Creek we enjoyed getting to catch up with our fellow Mountain Goats while those who have spent time in Whatcom Falls Park led the way. 

Checking out the immense amount of water flowing over the falls

Before we knew it we were at the “jumping falls” where people sometimes congregate in the summer to jump off cliff into a pool of water below. This was a great opportunity for us to revisit risk management. The mentors introduced a tool for the Mountain Goats to use called “S.T.O.P.” or “Stop-Think-Observe-Plan” to analyze how best to navigate risk. Looking at the jumping cliffs and thinking about S.T.O.P. the Mountain Goats determined it would not be smart to ever jump off these cliffs. This was a relief to the mentors as over the years dozens of individuals have seriously injured themselves on these cliffs by jumping in without knowing the depth of water, potential hazards of rocks under the water, lack of proper medical training and water rescue skills to help someone if they did get hurt, and a myriad of other variables that make this a very risky area. 

Applying what we learned about mitigating risk

Safely scooting out on the rock to get a better view

Moving on, we picked our way down a trail playing games along the way before settling in to eat lunch at a bend in the creek. After getting some food in us we took the opportunity to apply what we learned about S.T.O.P. to navigate climbing on a precarious rock beside the creek and exploring a steep hillside. The Mountain Goats proved adept at analyzing the situation and coming up with thoroughly thought out plan to mitigate risks they observed while still allowing us to explore an incredibly cool place. We even got to gaze along the creek and peer up at an osprey nest perched atop an old tree.

Admiring the osprey nest

Hanging out around the flooded pool

With our lesson on risk management complete and our bellies full of lunch we scaled a steep hillside to reach forested area for games. Of course we decided to play Spider’s Web and the Mountain Goats jumped into group decision making to lay out boundaries, determine a Spider, and clarify rules. By using “The Four C’s of Decision Making” the group Circled up, Collaborated, Compromised, and came to a Consensus in a surprisingly efficient manner. Before we knew it we were lost in play trying to secure the food source and win the game. After two solid games of Spider’s Web it was time for closing circle to share some thanks and hike back to meet the parents.

Embodying our namesake as the Mountain Goats climb up the steep hillside

Sneaking through the forest during Spider's Web

It was remarkable how much this group fit into two and half hours. This is half as long as our typical outings, but the mentors and Explorers alike felt like we fit a whole day’s worth of Exploring into our short time frame. Not only did we get to learn a bit about risk management, but we adventured through a beautiful landscape, joked around with friends, and got lost in the timelessness of play. The mentors have been very impressed at how quickly this group has formed together and the level of their performance not only learning skills, but making group decisions, and cohesion felt during free exploration and games. With such a successful fall season we can only wait to see what is in store for the Mountain Goats come 2018.

Getting a little goofy!

Nothing like a good day of exploration in games in the company of friends

 Check out the rest of the photos from our outing here!