| Moondance Leadership log (2006-06-20 -> 2006-07-10)
Leaders: Laura Musser and Mark Keim
Students: Billy Parr, Kelsay Best, Katie Kohn, Carson Hill, John McClelland, Garth Gray, Laurens Bujold, Anne Morris Hackney, Kyle James, Margaret Cheatham Williams
June 20, 2006
All have arrived and are making preparations for Backpacking the Olympic Coast tomorrow. Stay tuned!
Greetings from Pacific Northwest.
Keim and I, the wonderful, trustworthy, fun loving, open minded and awesome leaders of Team Leadership up here in Washington are beyond impressed with our group, plus the successful backpack we have completed. Our expedition began with Katie and John, a couple of our veteran students leading us into the back country from third beach. A few miles through giant trees and lush overgrown forest we were at our destination, the northern most part of undeveloped, untouched beach in the US.
Kelsey and Billy, other Moondance veterans, helped everyone set up their tents next to the crashing waves, Campsite selection and beach front property was among the desired find. In the meantime Laurens, John and Anne Morris created a great stir fry to warm us up for the night. The most exciting part of third beach was the first sightings of bald eagles, or as Keim called them “my baby baldy's”.
Kelsey and Kyle, our leaders of the day took us south along the beach. Having carefully read our tidal charts, we successfully hit the coastal crossings during the low tide. Part of our journey between third beach and Toleak point took us up rope ladders 75 degrees high into the forest. Although quite a challenge, it was an adventure as well. We set up for the night at Toleak point where Anne Morris and Keim did some tide pooling. They saw starfish, enemones and sea otters in the distance. Carson, John and Billy showed off their Frisbee skills and Kelsey taught us some awesome games.
Laurens and Garth lead our day three from Toleak point to Mosquito Creek. Another awesome day filled with bald eagles, crazy rope ladders in and out of the woods and some cold water swimming. Carson and Kelsey cooked up a great pesto pasta, which we ate watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean to the west. What an amazing sight to see the group come together with the sun shining down. We had our best moon up yet under pink skies and under the watchful eyes of old baldy.
Day four our hike out from the coast, although sad to say goodbye to the ocean and the baldy's, we were happy to see the van after the hardest day of hiking 8 miles through coast and trees. Margaret Cheatham cracked us up the whole day taking the lead from both the both the front and the back of the group.
Over the past four days, Team Leadership has grown quite close. We are ready to face our next challenge where the leaders will take a back seat to all the rising leaders. Hope all is well to the folks sitting at home reading, we are taking tons of pictures for "y'all".
July1, 2996 update
Once again, greetings from the Hoh Rainforest. Keim and I, the leaders of the leaders paving the way for future generations of leaders, an overall amazing duo have successfully brought all 10 leadership students out of the backcountry. This trip was quite a change of pace for team leadership, going from bald eagles and sand, to bears, elk and glaciers. The Hoh River trail led us directly to the center of Olympic National Park. Anne Morris and Billy brought us into the Hoh five days ago lead in with heavy packs, park required bear canisters and a full blister kit was provided by each student. Our first night was spent on a gravel bar on the middle of the Hoh River. Laurens, Garth, John and Anne Morris are awesome cook crew for the first night created a masterpiece meal of mac and cheese with chilli, claimed by most to be the best they have ever had. Day 2 was the hardest day, hiking about 10 miles further into the Hoh and gaining a few thousand feet in elevation. Katie and John were the chosen LOD's for this day, not only because they are strong hikers, but also to keep the group moving and attitudes positive. Towards the very end of the day we rounded a corner to find the group resting in the middle of the trail cracking up, all smiles, having an awesome time despite blisters and a tough uphill hike. Pretty much all we could ask for! Kyle and Katie prepared some awesome backcountry burritos and we hit the sack to get some sleep for our final push. Day 3 Carson and Laurens brought us up to Mount Mathis and views of Blue, White and Hoh Glacier spilling off Mount Olympus. It was truly amazing to be sitting on a peak in the very center of Olympic National Park, a place most have only heard of. Day 4 was another 10 mile day led by Kelsey and Kyle. We came down from Elk Lake and back to the gravel bar all in good spirits. The climb down was a little easier, so we had time to make some of the best backcountry pizzas ever! Still a little delirious from the long days of hiking, moonup gave us a chance to share places we would like to travel in the world. As strong advocates for traveling and exploring we were so excited to hear these great destinations, places ranging from Africa, to Asia to the Mediterranean. Day 5 Margaret Cheatham and Billy brought us safely out of the backcountry, although not a strenuous day, our tired legs and blisters needed to rest. Being in the Hoh Rainforest with these 10 students has been one of the best backpacking trips we have ever been on. We are all ready to switch gears and put on our climbing shoes down at Smith Rock in a few days. Until then we wish you all the best at home in front of your computers and TV’s, go outside and look up at the stars and know that we are looking at the same ones thinking of all of you.
Student quotes.
This trip has been amazing thus far. The coastal views were awesome and it was so nice to sleep on the beach. I love our group and I can't wait to climb and ultimately attempt our Rainier summit as a group.
Margaret Cheatham
I loved going from beaches to dense rainforest to glistening glaciers in one week. John
The coastal beaches, lush rainforest and blue glaciers have allowed me to experience fun friendships, good times and rewarding views. All this being said, it has turned out to be one of the best adventures of my life. Kyle
The views of the Pacific were amazing and the rainforest was so lush and beautiful. 3 weeks doesn't seem long enough to experience and take in half of what is out here. Anne Morris
It's been an awesome time thus far, from spending nights on the beach under the stars, to hiking rough terrains of the rainforest. We've all gotten really close and had some good times. The best is yet to come on Smith rock and Mt. Rainier. Garth
The coast was awesome and the rainforest was amazing. We have an incredible group. I can't wait for Smith Rock and Rainier. Katie K
I have absolutely loved being in the backcountry with 11 of the coolest people I know. The scenery was some of the prettiest I have seen and the team work was amazing. Bring it on Rainier... Laurens
Seeing a bald eagle in captivity is one thing, but to have one perched above you on the beach with the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean is what my Moondance trip has been about. My newly found friends and the scenery have made my trip awesome! Carson
So far this trip has been full of awesome surprises and challenges. I couldn't have asked for a better group! I love everyone here and can't wait to summit Rainier with them. Kelsey
This is a great experience; I have never gone from beach to rainforest to glaciers in a matter of days. I am so glad I am in a great group. Billy
It is hard to sum up how we feel about this Moondance experience. This group came ready to step into Leadership roles, challenge themselves and have a good time. Our spectacular surroundings are a bonus. We couldn't be happier or more proud to spend these 21 days with these individuals.
L-Kam and Keim
July 5, 2006 update
The days have been filled with sunshine and happiness as ML I has proved their climbing dominance upon Smith Rock. We rolled into Smith from Olympic N.P. in anticipation for hot weather, amazing rock formations and unbeatable sunsets and we were not disappointed. Katie and Carson awoke us to an early morning as our Leaders of the Day. We received climbing shoes, helmets and harnesses and hiked towards our destination. Smith rock sis a geological wonderland of volcanic activity millions of years ago. The multicolored formations are composed or rock known as “welded ruff" - volcanic ash eruptions condensed under extreme heat and pressure. The climbing was fantastic, we each challenged ourselves and accomplished great goals. Margaret Cheatham led by example in providing full effort and determination with each climb, and Kelsay worked hard in inspiring the entire group throughout our time climbing. We climbed for nearly 5 hours, conquering 5.8's, 5.9's and 5.10's. We greatly enjoyed a delicious meal of BBW sandwiches to satisfy our hunger, helped created by Billy our happy self sumper. Moon-up focused on our positive group dynamics, leadership capabilities and our expectations for the remaining days of the trip, it was awesome to hear everyone’s thoughts.
Day 2 was another early start, led by our LOD's John and Laurens. They were certain to help the entire group pack, prepare and create lunch for the day on the rock. Our guides made 4 top rope routes and everyone had a shot at success. Anne Morris proved herself as an amazing climber, conquering a 5.10 route in 6 minutes flat. The guides were very impressed with every climber on our trip. They were all great belayers, communicators and inspiration. As the day rounded out Kyle, Anne Morris and L-Kam wanted more rock time, and so they moved on to conquer more routes. Kyle scaled 3 more routes, furthering his prior expectations of rock climbing. The remaining group was seeking waterfalls and cooling from the desert heat. We hiked down to steelhead falls, a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole. This provided smiles and salvation from the sunshine. Garth impressed us all with his passion and determination to jump from a 20 foot cliff and his creativity in the air. Dinner was a delicious serving of chicken, tofu, vegetables and pasta to the delight of all. The evening rounded out with a light thunderstorm to light up the sky with lightning and a sunset to be rivaled among all fireworks lighting up the sky this 4th of July holiday. Climbing at Smith Rock was a great build up of group building dynamics, leadership, trust and communication for out climb to Mt. Rainier on July 7th. Think of us on our summit bid, waking at midnight to summit for the sunrise overseeing all of Washington. Thinking of everyone and looking forward to seeing you in less than a week.
Keim and L- Kam
July 7, 2006 – 10:43am Eastern
Summit Update
Under and above clear skies and beautiful conditions: Moondance Leadership made the summit of Mt. Rainier. Their decent back to mother earth is currently underway. Stay tuned for updates!
GO MOONDANCE LEADERSHIP!
July 11 - Final Update
Good morning leadership gang friends and family,
Wanted to take a few minutes to sit back and think about what an amazing past three weeks we have taken part in. The time flew as we moved throughout Northern Washington and Central Oregon. On the final night of our trip each student of Moondance Leadership said what their favorite moments of the trip entailed. The following are just a sample.
Many opened up the moon-up with statements regarding our coastal trip section. The bald eagles, tide pooling, crashing waves and beautiful sunsets were a highlight among all. Many also enjoyed the great climbing down at Smith Rock. Each student pushed themselves as they climbed various routes of difficulty. The Hoh Rainforest trail was also a highlight among many, with the summit of Mt. Mathis overlooking the Olympic Mountains and Blue Glacier. And of course, the highlight amongst all was the summit of all 12 of us atop Mt. Rainier. The entire climb, from base to summit encompassed valuable life lessons of pushing ourselves and supporting others. It was a sight unforgettable to many eyes as the alpenglow sunrise of orange and yellow colors came about around 4 AM half way up Rainier. And of course, the weather was unbelievable, sunny skies and 70 degrees everyday with only 10 minutes of rain, something to be attributed to the group karma. The list is endless, of amazing sights, events and places we found ourselves surrounded by. Yet, as each of us learned the most amazing thing we were surrounded by the entire 21 days was each other.
Our group had an amazing dynamic of communication, trust, happiness, and comfort with one another the entire trip. Each of these students are destined for wonderful years ahead of them and we wish them the best of luck as they move forward with these memories engraved in their minds. The exploration, journey and destination have all culminated and the feeling inside is now of elation and excitement for each of us as we move forward. We anticipate keeping you close within the Moondance Family. Stay in close contact in the coming days.
Take care,
L-Kam and Keim
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