Art of Snow Cave Building with the Branch Hoppers

The Branch Hoppers Explorers arrived at Cascades Montessori full of energy and excitement about the extended outing in the Mt. Baker Wilderness. Driving out the 542 the boys spotted Bald Eagles along the North fork of the Nooksack River and marveled at snow walls that started in Deming and grew ever deeper as we slowly gained elevation. The mentors pointed out the significance and importance of the low elevation snow pack for our glaciers, salmon, fire season, and drinking water.

Arriving at the upper parking lot of the boys geared up and we headed towards the backcountry gate. In our opening meeting the mentors let the group know that backcountry travel in the winter is a lot different than an outing in the front country, and although we wouldn’t be venturing out too far from the parking lot it doesn’t take long to be out in the deep winter wilderness.

The mentors went on to explain that knowing the snow pack was of the upmost importance, and that it was another form of tracking. Last weekend it had snowed three to five feet, but on the following Thursday it had rained over four inches, consolidating the layers in the snow pack. However, on Friday it snowed fourteen inches with thirty-five mph winds which added storm slab and wind loading on North to South aspects with subpar bonding to the previous layer.

One mentor passed around a special compass rose that modeled the three different elevation levels and the danger each directional aspect presented. Together we discussed: winter backcountry travel and etiquette, avalanche prone slopes and terrain traps, defined wind loading and storm slab, and located and identified tree wells.

Feeling oriented we headed out in search of the ideal location to build a snow cave. Trudging along the mentors pointed of some of the prominent peaks and backcountry ski runs in the area. Those who were not wearing snowshoes post-holed up to their waists in the snow. This was a challenge for both the Explorers and the mentors!

Arriving at a Northwestern-facing slope we pulled out an avalanche probe and found snow depth at roughly 240cm or 7.8 feet.  This was as far as our probed reached, but from the NWAC meter data at 5,100 feet elevation the snow depth was most likely 16 to 20 feet! Being careful not to compact the snow the group excavated a four by four foot section down five feet before making an entrance to their cave.

The shoveling was difficult with the recent consolidation and the going was slow, but the group persisted. Our goal was to dig into the bottom of the well about three feet then dig slightly upward before we started to excavate out the sleeping area. Having a stair like entry inside the start of the snow cave traps heat within in the structure’s insulating walls. One of the mentors gave an example to the group of sleeping in a snow cave and lighting one emergency candle which brought the temperature up to sixty-five degrees!

Our mentors would like to commend the Explorers for working well together and for their engagement with the place and skill. The boys traded off with the limited amount of shovels and collaborated on each step in the snow cave process. If they were not working on the snow cave they were digging tunnels, side shelters, or creating a sledding track. Over the last few outing the group has really been harmonizing and collaborating, treating each other with respect and care, and listening and being present in the explorations.

The group spent the last part of the day learning the art of shovel sledding, making snow cones with red Power Aid, soaking up Vitamin D and spectacular mountain views, and rejoicing with their peers in the moment. It was truly a pleasure to spend a day in the mountains with the Branch Hoppers. We live in an amazing place and this day was a great way to reinforce this truth. Before heading out we gave some thanks and each Explorer shared about what he had learned and what had challenged him about the process.

For more photos of our winter exploration please visit the Branch Hoppers’ photo album from the day.

Branch Hoppers Explore and Create at Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve

The Branch Hoppers were visibly excited as we headed out to Point Whitehorn to have an opportunity to explore along the coast. Pulling up at the marine reserve we piled out of the bus and circled up. The mentors let the group know that we had observed a trend over our last few outings that if we left the plan up to the group we would generally squirrel out instead of actively engaging in something productive. Our aim for the day was to explore to the beach at high tide, possibly do some carving, and have a nice long sit spot to listen to the migratory shore birds that frequented the area in the winter months.

Turning the meeting over to the group they decided to get out of the steady 15 mph wind and head into the forest to find a sheltered place. Nestling under a predominately Sitka Spruce forest the boys looked around and observed that the ecology was slightly different than we were used to in the lowlands around the Chuckanuts.

The boys did an excellent job of holding their focus and making a plan. We would first head to the beach and spend some down time following our interests, then try and build some sort of driftwood structure while some of the group carved, leaving enough time to hike the mile long preserve to the end of the point for a sit spot and a closing meeting.

Traveling a quarter mile through a dense coastal wetland of Salmonberries, Rose, and Salal the group arrived at an overlook. Although the weather forecast called for heavy rain we were in the perfect micro climate for mild weather. The light cast amazing shadows over the northern Salish Sea and we could see the Canadian Gulf Islands shrouded in shades of gray. What the mentors did not anticipate was the wind blowing due West, creating four to five-foot wind generated swell that crashed on the beach’s high tide line.

The Explorers were immediately captivated and spread out on the cobbled beach playing games of chance as the waves crashed at their feet. It was clear to the mentors that at this moment the land was speaking to the group and the boys were deeply present with it. Following inspiration they gathered beach logs and began to create a giant wind block. The immense power of the wave energy

brought in all sorts of wonders from the intertidal zone onto the cobbles: Decorator and Dungeness crab shells, massive clumps of Bull Kelp and Turkish Towel seaweed, bones from shorebirds and Sculpins, and straight grained Cedar perfect for splitting and carving.

Gathering flat smooth stones one Explorer made a perfect circular fire ring and began to split Cedar for kindling. The mentors brought the group together and asked if anyone noticed the sign at the beginning of the trail. One boy responded “yes” and informed the group that there were no fires allowed at the preserve. The group did a great job of holding to that rule even though they knew they could have a sustainable fire and cover it up without anyone knowing.

Following the Explorers’ inspiration one of the mentors cut a length of Bull Kelp and remembered a story he had read about the Makah Nation sewing together the mouth of a Humpback Whale after the hunt with Bull Kelp so it wouldn’t sink as they paddled it back in. Enlisting a few boys to help, the

mentor lashed three straight poles together at the top with a Bull Kelp and raised a teepee like structure. The Explorers searched the beach for plank like shapes of driftwood and lashed them to one side of a teepee, creating Salish style back rest.

With some wild success at their first creation the group strategized together and wondered if we could make a giant teepee like structure. The boys asked the mentor how many times he had built a teepee. The mentor replied “never”. It was a great learning moment for the group that sometimes trial by fire and experimentation are the best methods for learning a given skill. We tried three times to raise the teepee and found that straight ridgepoles of medium weight gave us the best structure. The teepee must have been 12 feet tall when it came together!

The boys sprang into action wrapping at least one hundred lengths of Bull Kelp horizontally around the ridgepoles. Then something miraculous happened! The group figured out that they could split shingles out of Cedar and weave them throughout the kelp to create a cedar shake style siding. The group worked for an hour with each Explorer entirely focused on the task. Three-fourths of the way through they finished with their creation; the mentors looked at the clock and realized if we wanted to head to the point we would need to leave immediately. This was a tough leadership decision for the mentors. We wanted the group to connect deeply with the place through a sit spot, but we also recognized that they were already connecting with the location through their Earth skills.

Making a triangular decision to head down to the beach the boys seemed frustrated and confused. As they packed up the mentors called the group back together and revisited the decision, recognizing that even we make errors in judgement occasionally. The group unanimously decided to stay and work on the shelter with the mentor’s caveat that we need to hold to a sit spot at the end of the outing.

Through some focused effort and perseverance the group completed their shelter and reveled in their accomplishment. Calling the group back in we packed up and spread out on the beach for a sit spot. As the boys settled in a sun beam broke through the cloud ceiling and illuminated the thriving Eelgrass beds, revealing their aquamarine blues and emerald greens. Common Mergansers, Surf Scoters, Grebes, Loons, and Buffleheads foraged through the beds and rode the wind swell with grace and ease.

The Explorers were present and calm in that moment and did not want to leave, but leave we must. Circling up one last time the group reflected on the season and shared their highlights. We passed around apples after sanitizing our hands and transitioned into the sacred portion of the meeting. The mentors reminded the boys that life is a dance between the sacred and the profane. That a balance of both are important and that our circle of thanks was sacred moment. Reverence for this practice has become deeply engrained in the BH’s culture over our last five years together.

The Branch Hoppers’ thanks gravitated towards heartfelt connection with their peers, the power of the land to inspire, and the sense of craftspersonship that comes with hand work completed in the natural environment. What a pleasure it is to explore and grow with the Branch Hoppers. If there is such a thing as hitting the mark on outings, I would say this was one.

Parents thank you for your support and dedication to the program and for raising your boys with the ideals of love, truth, health, and connection. It is an honor to walk alongside them as they step into Middle School. For more photos from the outing please visit the Branch Hoppers’ photo album and if you have not already checkout the second half of the BH’s 2016-17 schedule posted on their group’s page.

Branch Hoppers Explorers Explore Plants and Fire

The Branch Hoppers Explorers gathered for their last outing of the season this Saturday. It was a fine June day: the salmon berries ripening, the thimbleberries in flower, the Wilson's warblers chattering, the sound of the wind dancing through the thick foliage above. It would have been enough to simply be in that environment for four hours. So much medicine surrounded us. Our little bodies rejoiced at the increased oxygen content; our eyes gathered the unique green of chlorophyll and sunlight. Did you know that when the human eye simply sees the green produced by chlorophyll and sunlight, the blood pressure drops?

That said, more knowledge and connection lead to even greater benefit. As we gathered our surly crew together, everyone was rowdy and excited to explore one last time before summer started. Steve and Matt were just as excited, and they were holding loosely onto some plans for sharing knowledge about plants and fire. Finn, our volunteer mentor, was equally excited to be out with us for the day. As we are prone to do, the exploration did in fact begin with a game of Hide! We scattered and dug right in to the earth as we hid from the caller, embracing the simple Explorers Club motto, “get dirty!” After a couple rounds, we walked down the trail. Matt paused the group and gave a challenge: splitting Explorers into teams, he asked them to spread out and find three edible plants a piece. Steve then spotted a good starting point and lead our group further into the woods.

Making sure we had enough water in your systems, and after sharing a couple impromptu stories, we set out. Explorers put a bandanna or some other marker on every plant that they saw that they knew was edible. When the time was up they all gathered back together and we got up to take a look at what we had all found. Plant by plant, we looked at who the plant was, what made that plant edible, and any dangers we should consider. This was an edge stretcher for Explorers and we all knew it, but such foundational information is vital for being connected to our land. We checked in after a decent amount of plants and asked the Explorers if they could stretch that edge just a little bit further and learn a few more plants. We reminded them that this is
 their group, and sometimes learning requires the discipline to stick with something longer than we want to. We actually and genuinely gave them the option, and they decided that we could look at a few more plants. When we were done, we recognized that we had only walked the size of a footprint of an average house and we had identified a dozen edible plants. Even more amazing than that, was that we had not even scratched the surface of medicine or tools, and there were other edibles in that area that we have not discussed.

Reading the field is vital in community. One can read the physical field, as we were doing while getting to know the natural landscape and communities. One can also read the field of the group, which can include knowing when the group needs to just run around in order to regenerate and revive. So we found a large tree and decided to play a game of Hungry Hungry Marten. Explorers were cautious and sneaky and used some interesting natural tactics to try to get to the tree. With our noses to the ground, we got to know the plants in a different way. We did play one more round and then regathered to check in and see what the group needed.

Food and water was the verdict. Amazing how similar we are to plants and all the other living beings. We went to the backpacks, ate and drank, shared stories, and then put our minds to fire.

Steve brought out his bow drill kit and told the Branch Hoppers Explorers that, in the fall, they will be learning to use knives. This group has shown amazing growth and they are ready to go on this journey together. Steve showed his his knife and demonstrated how had carved his bow drill kit. Then he went into an elegant and clear demonstration of how to make a proper bow drill fire. Steve, Matt, andFinn spent a good amount of time talking about the power of fire and the danger of not being responsible with fire. We looked at fire hazards and fire safety and good fire etiquette. Someday not too far from now these boys will be making fire with their own bow drill kits, and they will do it in a good way.

After the fire, not much time was left, but we knew the importance of keeping that spirit of playfulness and youthfulness in all of our work. So we played a lightning fast game of Spider's Web and had a good closing meeting. Explorers eloquently share their thanks as did the mentors.

This Explorer is so deeply grateful for every single one of these boys.
 These boys have grown so much and have been powerful teachers for this Explorer and each other.  It is an honor to be in community with them. It is another to be in community with the other mentors in Explorers Club and all of the volunteers that care so much about our human and natural communities. It is another to be in community with all of the parents who care about their sons, the land, and the future of our wonderful, wild planet.

Don't forget to check out pics from our outing in the photo gallery.

Finding Shelter with the Branch Hoppers Explorers

The dappled brown on the cedar trees, the necrotic bracken ferns, and the ample big leaf maple tailings on the forest floor indicated our place in the circular story of the seasons as we entered the 100 Aker Wood and began our second year as the Branch Hoppers Explorers.

As we gathered, it was apparent that there was no need to rush or doanything. Explorers plopped down on the ground and expressed that they were tired, so we went with the flow and had a little conversation before we even entered the woods. Though tired, spirits were high, and soon enough we built up sufficient energy to foray into the green and start our exploration. We had one new Explorer to meet and many connections to reestablish. Mentors asked the Explorers how they would start this new outing. Led by each boy in turn, we formed a circle, brought our minds toward the vision of the day, discussed hazards, and gave out jobs. Our new Explorer, Miles, fit into the group perfectly, and proved truly skillful at the game of hide. After a few rounds of this game to warm up, we donned our packs and went further in.

Many hidden things unveiled themselves as we explored. Fall is the season of fungus: the decomposers. We touched into this world and discovered many wildly different forms all around us. Explorers also found a giant pile of broken glass and trash. After assessing the risk and considering what a shard of glass might do to a hoof, a hand, or a foot, we decided to safely clean it up. Pretty impressive to see how quick the Branch Hoppers were to do some service.

Afterword, we sat down to have a snack while Dave told us a story. If you are curious about the story, you are highly encouraged to ask your Explorer about the story of “go ask the squirrels.”  If he needs a further prompt, it's the story about learning how to build shelter through trial and error and finally realizing that the best teachers are the squirrels.  With inspiration, we set out to try building our own shelters. The first mission, however, was to decide where we could do it.

We moved down the trail a bit and came to a fork in the road. Drawing on our knowledge of place, we remembered that the road to the left surely had nettles (which we could use to learn cordage) and it had wasps. We also remembered that there were some good spots for shelter. So, considering the hazards and our own responsive abilities of awareness and naturalist knowledge, we decided to head that way. We paused to do a watershed assessment. Imagining a giant emptying a gigantic cup of water on the hillside nearby, each Explorer was challenged to stand in a spot where he would not get wet. We looked at each others’ spots and recognized a few things about water. We then recognized that many of these dry places were the same places where we would want to build a shelter.

Explorers split up and began the quest to build a shelter. In a very short time, we did discover a wasp nest, and we got a good chance to look at it closely and admire their handiwork. Almost every animal needs some form of shelter, and many create their own. We stumbled on some old human shelters as well, and got a chance to assess how well they might keep us warm and dry. With these as examples, we learned about the ridge pole, Y-sticks, and just how much debris it would take to stay warm and dry under the fiercest conditions. Many of us teamed up, and after a good while of stick gathering and breaking, debris collecting, and sporadic exploration, we ended up with the foundation of an excellent debris hut. Some explorers had created their own structures, so we had the opportunity to admire and assess different design options.

At the end of the day, we circled up, ate some apples, and gave thanks. Adventure was had and lessons were learned. Great group work today, Branch Hoppers Explorers! We are looking forward to seeing you next time. As we discussed, our next outing will be a challenge, so please come prepared with the right clothing and a good night’s sleep. We are very excited that you're ready for a big edge stretching exploration. Thanks so much to each and every Explorer for your spirit of adventure and willingness to try something new. Thanks so much to all you parents for your enduring support!

Don't forget to check out pics from the outing in the photo gallery.