The Storm Wolves arrived at North Lake Whatcom Trailhead on
an overcast day. We were getting ready to practice Wilderness Travel skills and
taking the next step on our journey learning the Art of Fire. Hiking the trail
leading up Stewart Mountain we crossed through the power line clearing and got
off trail to settle in for the day. Since we spent so much time on our first
outing of the season hiking up to Lizard Lake and the North Butte, we decided
to set up a base camp and hunker down in the same spot for the day.
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| Exploring and hanging out before practicing skills |
Starting off we spent some time exploring our surroundings
and getting oriented to the area. The mentors took this time to prep for our
skills lesson and let some of the Storm Wolves get a head start on fire
starting with a ferrocerium rod (aka “ferro rod” or “fire steel”). With
everyone getting enough time to explore we gathered together for our opening
circle. The group had a discussion around what materials are important to have
with you for “surviving” in the outdoors. A simple method of the “Five C’s” is
an easy way to help prioritize; Cutting, Combustion, Container, Coordage, and
Cover. All of these items are prioritized by what is the most beneficial in
maintaining your “Rule of 3’s” (3 minutes without air, 3 hours exposure to
inclement weather, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food) and what is the
most difficult to reproduce in nature.
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| Starting a fire with a Ferro Rod is much easier than making a bow-drill kit! |
To mix things up, the mentors wrapped up the lesson and
tossed out a tarp for the Storm Wolves to try and set up. This was a pop-quiz
of sorts and as the mentors stepped back the Storm Wolves took a minute and
quickly formed into a circle and began to collaborate and compromise on how to
set up the tarp. It was great to see this group draw on their group decision
making skills that they have been honing for the past few years. With a little
bit of a struggle they got the tarp up and tried to all squeeze under it. After
reviewing their strategy, the mentors shared some tips, taught how to tie a
“trucker’s hitch” and set up the tarp in a basic ridge-line set up.
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| Circling up to Collaborate and Compromise on how to set up the tarp |
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| The finished product was creative but managed to fit everyone in despite the close quarters |
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| The mentors then demonstrated a "ridge line" set up which offered up a bit more space! |
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| The simple yet effective "Trucker's Hitch" |
After our tarp excercise we transitioned to basic fire
starting methods focusing on using the ferro rod, and cedar bark processed into
a tinder bundle. Additionally we learned about “fatwood” that is the resinous
wood you can find in old stumps.
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| Working together to learn how to use a ferro rod |
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| Success! |
Finally, we rallied to get in a few rounds of Spider’s Web.
It was great to see this group get out playing games again, laughing, sneaking
through the ferns, and even getting creative by engineering a portable fern
blind to hide behind.
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| Making a portable Sword Fern blind for Spider's Web |
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| Where did he go!? |
This was a great outing for this group to get grounded back
into the basics of Explorers Club. We got off trail, explored, learned some
skills, and played some games. Most importantly we collaborated and compromised
and managed to continue developing group comradery incorporating our newer
members. This group is always a ton of fun to be a part of on outings and a
breath of fresh air for the mentors who are trying to break in some new groups.
Their resiliency, creativity, ability to focus when needed yet get lost in the
moment, and overall perpetually positive morale makes each outing not only fun
for the group, but something the mentors look forward to each month.
Make sure to check out the rest of the photos from our day
here!
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