| Rocky Mountain Way log (2003-07-14 -> 2003-07-27)
Leaders: Will Elliott & Dana Messick
Students: Anna Dickerson, Ford Kinzey, Carter Pope, Mary Catherine Sheats, Caroline Tanner, Jim Shaub, Reece Mealy, Michael Dunn, Tate McNeilly, Ben Lewis, Mike Fowler
Update, 7/16
Will called today to check in and says that he and Dana are having a great time with the group. They had an exciting day on the river and were in Telluride for the afternoon preparing for the next section of backpacking. They are gearing up for the backcountry portion in the San Juans and the group is ready to hit the trail. We will hear from them when they finish up the backpacking section in a few days and look forward getting the trip details.
Backpacking Update, 7/21/03
Here's the update for RMW 6, the burliest group of 14 year olds to ever hike the San Juans...
Rocky Mountain Way just finished a fantastic six day backpacking section in the San Juan Mountains. We have an incredibly strong group of hikers, which meant getting to camp early some afternoons for swimming or fly fishing! The group arose at 4:30am one morning to summit Centennial Peak, and all eleven members successfully hiked to the top and made it back to camp for afternoon naps by 1:30pm. After the summit the group chose a difficult route hiking high along Indian Ridge for the last three days. Here are some individual updates:
Caroline has been a source of constant cheering and encouragement on the trail, keeping everyone moving on difficult days.
Anna pushed the group to take on the more challenging route even after a difficult summit day.
Reece has accepted every challenge with a great attitude and happy smile.
Mary Catherine is enjoying the return to the frontcountry and spending an afternoon in Telluride on today, her birthday!
Tate is a great navigator and has kept the group following the right path multiple times (not to mention carrying a heavy load).
Jim has been a strong leader of the day, and with him in charge we had our fastest morning breaking camp of the trip.
Mike Fowler has proven to be a fast hiker even on difficult uphill days, and led the group up to Indian Ridge.
Mike Dunn battled blisters but climbed Centennial anyways, and proved a great trail pizza chef!
Carter was leader of the day on our summit day and without his leadership we wouldn't have made it to the top.
Ford is a strong hiker and really appreciated the simplicity of backcountry living.
Ben was always ready to take on more group gear in his pack, and his sense of humor and comedy routines kept the whole group laughing out on the trail.
Rocky Mountain Way 6 dominated the backpacking section and we're all looking forward to our last activities of high ropes, rock climbing, and rafting!
That's it from our end...
Dana and Will
Final Update, 7/27/03
Appropriately enough, this great group has had an amazing final three days to their trip. After ending our backpacking section we've enjoyed an afternoon in Telluride, and a day each of a ropes course, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting. The variety of activities allowed individual members to challenge themselves, find strengths in new areas, and become closer as a group. Here are some last words from Rocky Mountain Way 6!
Reece: Mommy and Daddy, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to do Moondance! I had such an awesome time, learned a ton of new stuff, and made really good friends. Thank you! I love you, Reece. Mal- Thank you so much for filling me in about Moondance-- it was awesome! I love you! RAMS-- Reece
Caroline: Moondance has been so much fun and a great experience! Thank you Mom and Dad! To my group and Dana and Will: I couldn't have asked for better! Y'all are great friends. Love xoxo Caroline.
Mary: Moondance was so much fun! I had so many good times. Thank you Mom and Dad for sending me on this trip!! I made so many good friends and I'm going to miss you so much. Love, Mary
Anna: Moondance has been an awesome experience-- I have had so much fun! Thank you so much for sending me Mom and Dad, I love you.
Jim: Mom and Dad, I am having such a great time. Thanks for sending me on Moondance.
Carter: Mom and Dad- Thank you for letting me come on this trip. It was so much fun. I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to get back home and see ya'll. Except I have FOOTBALL the next morning :(
Ford: Mom and Dad, thank you so much for letting me come to Colorado for Moondance. I have had so much fun over the past 2 weeks. I can't wait to come home and cook dinner for you.
Mike D: This was a great experience, it will really help me. P.S. Mom and Dad, I love you.
Tate: Mom and Dad- Thank you for letting me go on Moondance. I'm having a good time in Colorado.
Mike F: Mom and Dad- Thanks for letting me go on this adventure. In the last two weeks I have learned so much, been challenged, and had lots of fun. Can't wait til next year.
Ben: Mom and Dad, thanks you so so much for letting me go on Moondance. It was so incredibly fun. I'm really glad that I came but quite sad that it's over.
Will and Dana: We couldn't have asked for a better group to finish up our Moondance summers with! We want to thank the group for your positive attitudes, willingness to work hard and taking the hard road (literally up Indian Ridge) and for all the laughing and fun times. We hope you had as much fun and learned as much from us as we did from you!
While the group is definitely anticipating their first fast food in 2 weeks tomorrow at the airport, this trip flew by and everyone is a little sad to see it end. Tonight we'll be going out in style for our final banquet and then have one last night to sleep out under the Colorado stars before an early departure for the airport!
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