Monday, September 27, 2010

Monday, August 9, 2010

Girls Camp 4th year hike
















Girls Camp 4th year hike at Mt. Baker
So last week we had Karalee and Josh come into town and they went to girls camp with Brad, Kaliana and I. Kemiella was at regular girls camp at Cascade park, but the 15 year olds ( 4th Yr campers) do a 4 day back packing trip up to the Mt. Baker Glacier. We had 6 couples ( adults) and 12 girls. There are funny rules about hiking in a National forest. One being that your not supposed to have more than 12 people in a group. Which to us meant we headed in from 2 different locations. As the 8 mile group headed to our trail head we got a flat tire and not known to us, the car ahead , with us ,also get a flat about 1/2 mile ahead of us. We wondered why they never came back looking for us while the tire was being change. After tire changing and arriving at the trail head. The backpacks were thrown out of the car and we took a "before" picture , put on our back packs and headed toward the trail when Brad said, " Umm, who's back pack is that?" Kate Atkinson's bag had accidentlay been thrown out with our group and she was at the 5 mile trail head waiting for the drivers to get back so they could head out. Consensus was taken and the vote said, we take the bag with us.......So Kara's husband Josh carried the extra back pack on his front and his own on his back! He' s so strong, I truly don't think it slowed him downa bit. He did half the day and then Brad carried it an hour, Ben carried it an hour and a few girls took 10 minute increments. Josh could have done it all day. I didn't think it would have been fair though. Our group consisted of Tiffany, Kaylee, Morgan, Shantel, Hannah, Ashton, Jennifer, Elysa, Ben and Jen McKay, Josh and Karalee Smith and Brad and I. Kaliana was placed in the other group. I was bummed about that. I guess she lead the group all day as well. So we heard, they said " we should have sent Kali with you" I agree.
We hiked the 8 miles in it took 6 1/2 hours. Seeing as it was up hill and we were caring 35 pound backpacks I think we made good time. We set up camp at Mazama Camp. When we arrived we found out the 5 milers were just arriving as well .The cars on the way to the 5 mile trail head had gotton 2 more flat tires! So a couple of men headed to get the tires fixed and everyone else hiked in. They met us at camp later that evening. Both groups camped together.
Day 2:The next day I gave a devotional on the girls camp theme " Princess with a Purpose" I used each letter in the word PURPOSE to represent something that would help them achieve their pupose in life. P was Prayer, U unity ( one heart one mind) R repentance, P prophet, O others ( missionary work) S scriptures and E eternal perspective ( temple work etc). It was fun I laminated cards with a picture of Mt Baker on one side so it would remind them of their time on the mountain. We day hiked up to the Look out (abt a 4 mile hike, again up hill for half of it). There was snow so that was fun. Kara didn't wear sun screen, I'll explain more on that later. We slid in the snow on sleds that Ben and Brandon had brought , hiked up to the look out ( 4 miles round rip) and some including Kali hiked down to a frozen glacier lake. Over big boulders, they were so ruff, Kali's hands peeled later.
The other group that hiked in on the 5 mile route, 1st day,consisted of Brandon & Kate Atkinson, Dan & Renee Crandell, Chris and Lisa Johnson, girls were Kali Q. , Jessi, Rebecca, Marne, Umia. I should have mentioned it earlier.
We trougged through the snow, in tee shirts, it was plenty warm and beautiful. I also took Coda my dog. He 's 9 years old so he did amazing. Was soooo happy, he and Josh were the perfect hiking companions.

Day 3:The next day we got up and Kara's face was swollen and red. If I pasted her on the street I don't think I would have recognized her. She'd had an allergic reaction to the sun. it was prety bad. Should have worn the sunscreen.... LOL we got a picture but I won't post it, you'll have to talk to her about it. So she and Coda, who had very tender paws by this time, and Dan Crandell stayed in camp and we headed up to Mt Bakers glacier about 6 miles round trip, 3 up) We hiked across the snow to get to the ridge that you hike up. At the glacier we took a photo and had a devotional. That afternoon back at camp . Brad taught first aid, Kara taught part and Josh taught CPR. It was nice. The testimony meeting that night was awesome too.
Day 4: The next morning, Thurs, we packed up camp and headed out a 5 mile hike. Our group this time included Kali. We made excellent time. We took cars back to Kate Atkinsons and had pizza and water melon and pop, all heavenly after camp food for 4 days . It was an awesome week. Had a chance to get to know Josh better, had some great talks together. It was great!
This was mine and kara's second time doing this hike. The first year they did it she was a 6 yr camper and came as a youth leader, we've both been wanting to do it again . Maybe I can do it again in 2 years when it's Kemis' turn.!