Cross 2 Ross '13 {Day 1: Hannegan Pass to Copper Creek}

Zac, me, Tim, Caleb, Peter, Joseph, Judah and Enoch at our Hannegan Pass departure for Cross to Ross 2013

Our 6AM departure for Cross to Ross (C2R'13) came early, especially considering that half of the guys on our crew recently returned from various international mission trips and scholastic adventures: Judah from Zambia; Caleb from Nicaragua; Zachary from Germany.  But this BSA high adventure trek, in the works and on the calendar for the better part of a year, has been so highly anticipated that the hour of departure was a cause for celebration rather than consternation, despite the oh-so-early alarms.

All of our preparations and planning finally paid off, and the journey began in earnest with a bumpy, windy 5.2 mile stretch on a mountain road with Mr. B at the helm of his good old 15 passenger van.   Mr. B's shuttle to our departure and Mr. H's pick up at the end of our trek meant we did not have to leave any cars parked for days at the trail heads.

In lieu of sweeping panoramic vistas, we spotted a phenomenal rainbow reaching out from the rainclouds above.

Enoch, Peter, Judah, Zac, Caleb, Joseph and Tim at the one-mile mark

With pack covers on to guard against the sprinkles, the guys head toward Copper Creek Camp; a 7 mile journey.

The early 'gentle climb' gave way to a more grueling stretch, but before long we had ascended Hannegan Pass and stopped for our day one lunch break featuring salami and mozzarella chunks, with freshly picked wild mountain blueberries for dessert.  In those first few miles of our 50 mile trek, the two most sensitive to stings (Joseph and Tim) took the first of many yellow jacket 'hits' each suffering three stings below the knees and requiring topical salves and Benadryl tabs before lunch.  My Eagle Scout back-trekked to meet me along the final ascent to our first break at Whatcom Camp and carried my pack for a stretch, a habit soon emulated by Judah, Joseph and Enoch, who regularly aided my approaches.

Harvesting dessert, the boys pick away at the delicious blueberries along the trail.

Alternating between pounding rocky trails with sweeping valleys of endless wildflowers and winding woodsy trails with the occasional fallen tree to negotiate, we reached our designated campsite at Copper Creek before 3PM.  Soaking my sore feet in the icy creek, I missed the side show featuring Caleb attempting to ascend to a hilltop kybo (outdoor toilet) along a very steep off-trail 'route' on a timed challenge with Peter at the stopwatch.  Unfortunately for Caleb, the wasps scored the victory, stinging him five times below the knee.  Caleb's descent to flee the wasps was apparently very impressive.  I was called in to administer the salve and heard the play by play from a few different angles during the first aid session.

Zac and Joseph check the map at the entrance to North Cascades National Park.

Tim and Zac set up camp along the banks of Copper Creek.

Peter and Enoch scope out the water supply and look for the best area to hang our bear bags.

The Copper Creek campsite we claimed could rightly be deemed 'intermediates only,' given its hilly terrain and tricky creek access for water collection/filtration.  But the kybo (latrine) would easily earn a double diamond 'experts only' rating.  Steeper than an old fashioned playground slide, and about as long as a double escalator ride, the 'trail' to the toilet required proper footwear and a hiking pole or two.  This rugged loo was certainly not constructed for use by the faint of heart or anyone with altitude issues.

Burn ban lifted; fire building season begins

Enoch at the campfire on night one

A Mountain House (freeze dried) feast followed by a simple campfire rounded out day one of our five day adventure.  Most of us were sound asleep and cozy in our sleeping bags by 9PM, with one exception ~ our Eagle Scout ~ whose ultra light sleeping system did not measure up to the expected degrees of comfort.  Zachary's first night, therefore, was less than optimal in his hammock with foam pad, liner and bivy sack, but he survived.

Day 2: Copper Creek to Whatcom Camp follows.

Cross 2 Ross 2103 {Preparations}

 

Twenty four hours before C2R'13 departure, we drove to Glacier to apply for our back country permit.

Who?
Our family of 5 + 3 additional Boy Scouts from Troop 3
or
1 Eagle Scout (Zachary), 3 Life Scouts (Caleb, Joseph, and Judah), 2 Star Scouts (Peter and Enoch), 1 Scoutmaster  (Tim) and 1 Assistant Scoutmaster (me)

Joseph, our crew chief, made sure each crew member's daily intake added up to about 3200 calories.

What?
High Adventure Trek called 'Cross to Ross 2013'  {C2R'13} over three mountain passes

When?
August 18-22, 2013
4 nights + 5 days

Pre-departure equipment checks

Where?
On this 50 mile backpacking adventure, we trekked through the Mount Baker Wilderness, North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake National Recreation Area; in the far Northwest of Washington State.

Careful packing and double checking lists helps us "Be Prepared."

Why?
Silly question ~ a better question would be, "Why NOT?"

Weighing packs at departure (primarily for bragging rights)

Stopping to study up on our bear facts before departure

Speaking in Tongues

Zachary crosses a stream near Maple Grove campsite along Baker Lake.

The longer the hike, the more I pray along the way.  How else could I possibly keep up with a group of teenage boys and grown men?  Some of the prayers are formal; others are spontaneous.  My little prayer at each stream crossing on our recent trek was a simple, "Come Holy Spirit," as the flowing water inspired me to recall the waters of baptism and the power of the Holy Spirit.

As we hiked along, a Protestant friend and I were discussing prayer and I asked him if he prayed to the Holy Spirit.  "No," he replied, explaining, "I try to base all of my praying on the Lord's Prayer.  Not so much word for word, but in the general meaning of my prayers."

In another discussion about the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, my friend revealed a great curiosity about what the benefit of praying in tongues might be in today's world.  He reasoned that on the day of Pentecost, speaking in tongues would have been beneficial for preaching to the people assembled from many lands and many tongues.  But to hear someone speaking in tongues today, he said, just sounds like a made-up language and many speak in tongues without an interpretation of tongues to validate or translate their tongues legitimately.

St. Anthony of Padua, whom we remember in a special way today, discussed speaking in tongues in one of his many notable sermons:

The man who is filled with the Holy Spirit speaks in different languages. These different languages are different ways of witnessing to Christ, such as humility, poverty, patience and obedience; we speak in those languages when we reveal in ourselves these virtues to others. Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak. We are full of words but empty of actions, and therefore are cursed by the Lord, since he himself cursed the fig tree when he found no fruit but only leaves. Gregory says: “A law is laid upon the preacher to practice what he preaches.” It is useless for a man to flaunt his knowledge of the law if he undermines its teaching by his actions.

But the apostles spoke as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech. Happy the man whose words issue from the Holy Spirit and not from himself! For some men speak as their own character dictates, but steal the words of others and present them as their own and claim the credit for them. The Lord refers to such men and others like them in Jeremiah: So, then, I have a quarrel with the prophets that steal my words from each other. I have a quarrel with the prophets, says the Lord, who have only to move their tongues to utter oracles. I have a quarrel with the prophets who make prophecies out of lying dreams, who recount them and lead my people astray with their lies and their pretensions. I certainly never sent them or commissioned them, and they serve no good purpose for this people, says the Lord.

We should speak, then, as the Holy Spirit gives us the gift of speech. Our humble and sincere request to the Spirit for ourselves should be that we may bring the day of Pentecost to fulfillment, insofar as he infuses us with his grace, by using our bodily senses in a perfect manner and by keeping the commandments. Likewise we shall request that we may be filled with a keen sense of sorrow and with fiery tongues for confessing the faith, so that our deserved reward may be to stand in the blazing splendor of the saints and to look upon the triune God.  ~From a sermon by Saint Anthony of Padua, priest (1231+)

Looking back with fond memories on our pilgrimage to visit St. Anthony's grave in Padua, Italy and on our little backpacking trek in the mountains, I am grateful for virtuous Christian friends who speak in tongues every day, even if they don't realize it.

St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us!

Backpacking Adventure {North Cascades}

Peter, Tim, Joseph and Zachary at departure, ready for the 9 mile trek to camp

Our family's outdoor adventures often intersect with troop trips, and this weekend's trek along the shores of Baker Lake was no exception.  This particular backpacking route finds its way onto the annual must-do list most years, but this was the first year that our whole family made the trip all together.  Our boys and Tim took the long route to camp (9 miles) with a group of Scouts and dads, and I shuttled the Baker's Dozen 15 passenger van to the south end of the trail and hiked the 4 mile trek with the younger set. 

Tim and me along the shores of Anderson Creek

Ice cold creeks and the chilly Baker Lake provided for our drinking water, recreation, and therapy for sore feet.  We could not see the glorious Mount Baker on this trip due to cloud cover, but the weather was perfect for camping.  Swimming weather?  Depends on whom you ask.

Two cooks at supper time

Camp life on the shores of Baker Lake

Old School Scouting

Peter prepares for a very cold swim in Baker Lake.

Joseph secures his hammock on the trunk of an old growth cedar tree.

Bragging rights

Fire building always makes it to the very top of the to-do list at our Boy Scout camp-outs, and this was certainly no exception.  At one point in the afternoon of day one, there were four fires burning with various levels of success simultaneously.  The grand finale came after dinner when the successful hunt for dry wood fueled a giant tee-pee style fire along the shoreline.  Years of dreaming and plotting for a floating fire were finally realized, and the spectacle at dusk drew a crowd of onlookers from the adjoining campsites at Maple Grove.

A dream come true~the boys finally secured adult permission to launch a floating fire onto the lake.

Floating fire at sundown on Baker Lake

Hiking out on day 2, the boys doubled back to offer assistance with our packs.

The boys' physical strength, endurance and super competitive natures means that the hiking pace they prefer often leaves us in the dust.  However, after completing the hike out on day two, they doubled back in comfy shoes and offered to haul our packs for us on the final stretch of the trail. Sherpa service on the mountain trails ~ doesn't get much better than this!

On High {Summer Backpacking Trip}

View of Mt. Baker from the steep trail to Yellow Aster Butte

Just when we thought we weren't missing Zachary too terribly, a trip with the Boy Scout troop to one of his favorite local haunts brought home 'wish you were here' feelings, and great memories of our Scouting adventures together.

A break along the hike to Yellow Aster Meadows

Hiking without Zachary in the crew intensified the reality that he's missing, although he's not really missing, since we know right where to find him.  Wonder if he's missing the mountains yet...

Mr. B at dusk

Yellow Aster Butte has been the site of many grand adventures over the years with our BSA troop.  Tales are told of the time when Mr. J hiked the strenuous grade loaded down with a 70 lb. pack, which included fresh potato pancake batter and a gallon of orange juice for breakfast on day 2 {not your average backpacking fare!}.  I remember the night I nearly froze in my tent and pulled out my emergency blanket to cover my sleeping bag in the wee hours.  I awoke to find myself covered in condensation in a soggy sleeping bag, having warmed up so well under the non-permeable layer which simply collected the warmth and let me have it right back, drip by drip.

Three years ago on this trek, Joseph and Tim experienced serious mountain weather, but this year's trip fell in the middle of the longest dry spell on record.  Sunshine and clear skies on day one made for a sweaty hike and allowed for a few brave fellows to take a dip in the glacier fed tarn.  Day two opened with cloud cover, or rather, the campers exited their tents in the morning into the clouds which socked them in.

Their descent provided an opportunity to get to know one of the park rangers a little better, as an anonymous source had complained about the noise level in the Scouts' vicinity.  Threats of a citation, a need for contact information to 'follow up' and a good finger wagging were all on the agenda for the mid-trail mandatory (surprise) meeting with the ranger.  We all know the inherent risks involved with taking a group of teenage boys into the mountains! 

Caleb, Isaac, Nate, Mr. M, Enoch, Peter, Nicholas, Nathan and Connor on the summer snow

Another First

This was Peter's first time carrying all his own gear on a backpacking trip.

He's been backpacking a few times, and on many backcountry adventures, 

but never with all his own gear on his own back!

Judah, Joseph, Collin, and Peter are ready to hit the trail.

Their campsite required a 9 mile hike... each way!

Here the guys are seen enjoying a game of cards in the campsite along Thunder Creek.

The river bank was a favorite place to hang out.

Rock skipping and rock art were on the program.

Peter managed to use 20 rocks in these sculptures.

The bridge crossing on departure...

The bridge served as the hanging location for the bear bags at night, which is

much easier than the hanging in a tree method.

The boys also took very quick dunks in the creek, in a shallow area near the shoreline.

The water (snow melt) was extremely cold and oh so refreshing!

They were joined by about a million biting flies, but the mosquitoes weren't bad.

All in all, a great trip and a destination worth all the effort.

Thanks to Tim for taking all the photos and taking the boys!

Backpacking Season Begins

The weather cooperated for the season's first backpacking camping trip.

Joseph was able to take his buddy, Charlie along on this trek.

Charlie loves hiking with Joseph.

Zachary hiked the 4 miles (x2) with a dutch oven in his pack... well most of the miles anyway.  Help was secured for the final leg of the journey, to prevent "his vertebrae from snapping."

Pretty extreme, but it made baking (and eating) a birthday cake for Ezra's 18th

possible for the evening's entertainment and enjoyment.

They fixed potatoes and steak for dinner, not your average backpacking menu to be sure!

The views of Mt. Baker from the campsite are spectacular.

Here's the crew, pre-departure, ready to hit the trail (all but Tim, who took the photo).

Backpacking {Yellow Aster Butte}

D, Joseph and Joey atop Yellow Aster Butte

Happy camper, Joseph, with his gear in Yellow Aster Meadow

Joseph and Tim went backpacking with 2 fellow Scouts and their dads.  The weather did not cooperate, and they spent most of the time at Yellow Aster Butte in the rain and wind, with a hail storm that left the tents looking snowed upon. High winds all night made sleeping rather difficult, and even tore a fly line off the stake.

The gorgeous views from the peak, which the boys and Tim ascended on Sunday morning, were spectacular, briefly, until a very thick fog rolled in.  They were able to slip and slide on a snow field and communicate with marmots; eat tons of wild blueberries, and enjoy the satisfying feeling of living and surviving in the wilderness.

Snow play

The gear will take a few days to dry out, but the memories will last a lifetime.