Adventures at Galby Lane with the Grey Fox Kits

It was a blustery Sunday afternoon as the boys gathered at the Galby Lane parking lot. It was no secret this was a beautiful day as numerous cars packed the tiny parking lot and many mountain bikers made their way over to the Galbraith trails. However, for the explorers, all our adventures awaited us just beyond the stand of young alders that separated the parking lot from the mature forest wonderland full of mystery and adventure. With all the boys present and accounted for we were ready to begin the outing.

The outing began as all good outings do: with an opening circle. These opening circles are of the utmost importance to set our intentions for the day and get us all back into the Explorers Club mindset. We chatted for a bit about our earth skills focus for this season; The Art of Carving. Each boy either brought their carving project from last outing, or picked out a fresh piece of wood to begin a new project. In order to get the boys in the right state of mind for carving, we decided to begin the outing with a sit spot.

Once we got a ways back into the woods, we hopped off trail and found a cozy place to set up shop. Each boy shared what they wanted to carve, and then all the boys found a quiet place to settle down, calm their minds and bodies, and begin envisioning their masterpiece. It was a great thing to see this group of boys so calm, quiet, and focused. They set strong intentions for their carving time and transitioned seamlessly from sit spot to confident and composed carvers exhibiting superb technique and concentration.

Everything was going well until we heard a loud CRACK off in the distance, followed by a rush of rustling leaves and resounding boom as a large tree was brought down by the persistent winds. It was a ways off, but still a strong reminder to this group of boys of the power of the forest. The Grey Fox Kits are no novices when it comes to widow makers having had a close call last fall with a tall cherry tree. All the boys came together with the mentors and upon inspecting our surroundings, felt it best to find a better clearing to carve, away from any potentially hazardous trees.

We were faced with two options: return to the parking lot and carve beside the cars and mountain bikers for another three hours, or hike further into the woods to a deforested strip of land that had been clear cut to create a tree free path for the power lines. Both options were not ideal but we decided it was time to move and we’d rather remain surrounded by the green of the forest and ferns than the grey of metal and gravel. So we headed out down the trail towards the clear cut where we hoped to resume our carving without the hazards of our current location.

Along the trail we marveled at the beauty of the forest with a keen eye focused on the trees. Although we were scanning for widow makers and other hazards, we began to notice more patterns and intricacies within the trees than we ever had before. It’s beautiful when the old adage holds true: the more you look, the more you see. But despite all our looking and seeing, it was what we heard that caught our attention.

Another loud crack, but this time not off in the distance, a sound that was felt as much as it was heard. We all looked up in unison as a large branch from an alder burst from the canopy and began descending upon us. There were only moments to take action but the boys drew upon their past experiences and reacted with the swiftness of a sparrow to swoop out of the way. When the branched landed on the trail next to us it was a moment filled with adrenaline, emotion, and amazement. There is a lot for a person to process when faced with such an experience. Many of the boys were scared, as they should be, because they were faced with the reality that bad things can happen to anyone, including themselves. Many of the boys were overcome with a flood of emotion as would anyone, young or old, in such a situation. And many of the boys were filled with an exhilaration and rush of adrenaline that left them bubbling over with excitement because they were touched by the vast awesomeness and immense power that is imbued within the natural world. No matter how the boys reacted, however, it was time to get out of the woods, and fast.

We all hustled back down the trail headlong for the parking lot. Despite the chaos, something magical happened in this moment. All the boys were running. Some even still had tears on their face; evidence of the extreme emotions within them taking physical form and being released through their tear ducts, but all the boys kept looking back. They may have been excited, scared, or flooded full of so many other unexplainable emotions, but they still looked back. They weren’t looking back to see if more branches were falling, or if something else was coming to harm them, no, they were looking back for their fellow explorers. They were looking back for their friends, their brothers, their family. It was in this moment that it was undeniably apparent these boys care deeply for each other. Perhaps they won’t admit it, or even be fully aware of it themselves, but it was clear to the mentors that these boys share a deep bond with one another. They may all be incredibly unique individuals but they will forever share experiences like the one they shared today and will forever be able to come together as the Grey Fox Kits, or perhaps the Widowmaker Warriors would be a better fit.

Upon arriving at the parking lot we rallied together, checked in with one another, and formulated a game plan for the rest of the outing. We decided to ferry the boys carload by carload to the big field next to the Lake Padden dog park where we could finally relax and revel in the glorious wind. We laughed and played and celebrated our wellbeing. Our circle of thanks at the end of the day was filled with a sincerity that can only be felt while reflecting upon such a powerful experience. All in all it was an incredible day. Incredibly focused carving, incredibly emotional experiences, incredibly relieved to be alright, incredibly happy to get lost in play, and incredibly thankful for our well being, the well being of those close to us, and the powerful experiences mother nature provides us.

Exploring Fragrance Lake Trail with the Grey Fox Kits

After the Grey Fox Kits adventurous outing at the 100 Aker Wood, the Explorers got just what they needed and spent a relaxed day exploring the magnificent trails on the way to Fragrance Lake and basking in the sun breaks between the forest canopy. As these boys develop their relationship and connection with the wild places of Whatcom County, it is essential that they experience moments where they are forced to live deliberately and other times when they feel joyful and connected. In times of crisis wild places will call them to build their leadership and problem solving skills while learning to cope with stress and resilience. In lighthearted and joyous moments the landscape will allow them to feel a sense of connection and comfort while giving them a deep reverence for all life. It is the blending of these layers of experience that will create well-rounded males who can lead with integrity, courage and authenticity while being sensitive, interdependent, and compassionate.

We left the Fragrance Lake parking lot and crossed over the interurban trail entering into the lush valley at the base of the sharp rise into the Chuckanut Mountains. The group started up the steep grade to Fragrance Lake and after a few switchbacks we found a giant Cedar tree. Linking arms around the Cedar, it took eight of us to bridge its circumference. We could truly feel the strength and stability of the roots that have held this giant for centuries.  Hiking along, the Explorers started to notice the towering secondary growth forest. We took a moment to compare the sturdy stands of Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar against the young Cherry and Alder of the 100 Aker Wood.

After hiking for a short distance, we found a nice little patch of mossy forest floor to hold our opening meeting. We opened our discussion calling attention to the small snag twenty feet a way from us. Mentors used this snag to refresh the group’s memory and checked in about our experience on the last outing. Today we would investigate and deepen our knowledge of forest succession, snags and widow makers. Some of the boys still seemed shaken up about by the experience and other said that they were not afraid at all. Mentors told the group regardless of their stance on the matter the landscape created our need recognize and identify these hazards and to understand their importance within the ecosystem. Mentors explained to the group that often times dead or dying trees provide more habitat than living ones.  Each Explorer was given a new job in addition to their normal exploration jobs. All twelve of these jobs were specifically designed to help the group get to know an aspect of a snags role in the forest.

After our meeting one of the explorers called Hide and everyone went diving into the bushes. One explorer managed to hide right behind the seeker disguising himself as a pile of backpacks utilizing an Explorers Club Art of Camouflage skill; being able to hiding in plain sight.

Switchback after switchback the group’s Widow Maker Watcher pointed out all potentially hazardous branches and snags that we needed to circumvent. As we rounded a bend we came across a beautiful old Cedar snag. Our Tree Naturalistidentified it as a Western Red Cedar.  Once the Decay Detector had determined its stability the group got close and checked it out.  The Hard Snag and Soft Snag Scouts examined the trunk and found that the sapwood layer was still firm. It turns out that the Cedar was still a hard snag. As we examined the tree further theSnag Habitat Locator examined all the holes in the trunk and identified that they were rectangular. With this information and a little help from a field guide he determined that these holes were in fact made by a Pileated Woodpecker. The Pileated Woodpecker is a primary cavity nester that prefers to make its nest in a snag with hard sapwood that protects soft inner heartwood; it is ideal for nesting. The explorers were full of wonder when they realized that if they took time to slow down and observe they could track the animals that have been living and moving through this landscape.

Hiking on a little farther the group was stopped in their tracks by a mighty Douglas Fir. Although this tree was still living it had sizable widow makers about 75 feet up its trunk.  As we looked up in amazement someone called, “over here”. The group crowed around to see what the Secondary Cavity Tracker had found.  It looked as though some time ago a Woodpecker had drilled deep into the fir bark looking for insects.  The primary nester left the perfect opportunity for a secondary cavity nester to come in and colonize.

Rounding the crest of the trail the Explorers found yet anther great mystery of this landscape. On a large sandstone rock stood two Cedar trees that looked as though they grew right out from the rock. This provided a perfect opportunity to see how tree root systems grasp the land and rock to hold the soil together. Looking through the woods, a little ways off the trail, the Explorers could see another formation of sandstone much higher than the one they were on. As a group we safely explored the rock, climbing through its narrow, cracked passageways. On top of the formation a toppled Cedar stuck out over the forest floor. All along the top side of the tree, Cedar saplings were sprouting out. It was clear to us that this decomposed tree had a direct role in enriching the soil.

Leaving the rock we pressed on towards a location that Rowen called the bouncy tree. As we crested the top of a ridgeline we found ourselves in a swath of Salal and Douglas Fir.  Rowen led us off the trail and we came upon the bouncy log, which was so large it could support the weight of the whole group. As the boys waved back and forth on the log the group got a feel for just how much a tree can sway in a storm. Circling up back on the trail we only had a little over an hour left and the group had to make a decision. Should we keep going on the trail and possibly find a spot to make an earth shelter or turn around and use one of the other locations we tracked to find shelter materials? With quick deliberation the group decided to turn back. I congratulated them on their quick decision and they responded saying, “Yeah we know, can we go now and stop wasting time.” I promptly got out of their way and headed down to the lush valley where we had begun.

The boys sprung into action finding the essential components for the earth shelter frame. Others set out to find the ribs for lining the sidewalls. By the time they starting piling on debris it was time for our closing meeting. It was hard to pry the Grey Fox Kits away from their shelter, but mentors told them that our last outing of the fall season at North Galbraith Mountain Trailhead will be another excellent spot to build shelters. As we passed around our snack the boys gave thanks for the magnificent trees of the Chuckanut Mountains and for a great group to explore them with. After we broke circle, being good stewards of the Earth, we dismantled our earth shelter and left treading as lightly as possible. Every time these boys step out into the woods they rekindle their relationship with the landscape and grow in insight and leadership. The mentors are thankful to have opportunities such as this to explore with the group and for the parents support and encouragement.

Don’t forget to check out pics from the outing in our photo gallery.