Adventure Trip Recap: Our Most Advanced Trips of the Summer
During the 3rd week of Main Camp, the longest and most challenging trips of the summer head out on their multi-day expeditions. After time in the beginning of Main Camp to hone their skills and learn necessary progression skills, boys work up to these advanced trips to test their knowledge and endurance.
Mountain Biking: Ride or Die 5-Day
Chestnut Mountain, Pisgah’s Ranger Station District, Pisgah’s Wilson Creek Area, Old Fort, and Dupont State Forest
Usually, boys return from their trips in a van, having completed their adventures “out there” and driving back after the trip is over. Yesterday though, the mountain biking 5-day expedition, “Ride or Die,” finished the trip by riding themselves back to camp on bikes!
The day started in Dupont State Forest, and they rode nearly every trail there before biking to Falling Creek, totalling an impressive 36 miles in one ride. “It was my biggest day on a bike ever,” said Bry J. from Lake Forest, Illinois. “Me too,” echoed several of the other guys. Bry is only 7 miles away from joining the “200 mile club,” where you ride at least 200 miles in a single camp session. With his plans to go on a Dupont day trip next week, he’s sure to reach his goal.
Charlie F. from Charlotte, NC reached his goal of becoming a Warrior in mountain biking, the highest level in the activity progression system. He had checked off every trip requirement, technical skill proficiency, and bike maintenance knowledge needed to earn the level. All that had been left was finishing a 5-day trip. This trip was no walk (or ride) in the park either. The “Ride or Die” is infamous for being a series of long days on the trail, big climbs, and huge mileage for the most advanced riders at camp.
“There were definitely times on the trip when I thought about wanting to call Stick and have him come pick me up,” admitted Griffin S. from Charlotte, NC. “You just have all this time to think about stuff when you’re alone on the trail on a long climb.”
He said it was all worth it though, and the pride of accomplishment shone through the faces of the boys (even shining through their 5-day-layer of dirt and grime!)
Rock Climbing: 5-Day Epic
Breaks Interstate Park, Stone Mountain State Park, Rocky Face Recreation Area
This group climbed the “great arch” at Stone Mountain State Park in North Carolina. Counselor Gary Storm said the rappel down this massive rock face was his favorite part. “Everyone climbed up 170 meters (~550 feet) and it was a huge day on the wall. The boys all rappelled back down that same distance too. The highlight was definitely having a cooler full of cold gatorade waiting for us back at the van,” said Gary.
Weyman W. from New York, NY, Parker S. from Alexandria, VA, and Mack E. from Rye, NY all earned their “Warrior” in rock climbing after this trip. Many boys work towards the Warrior level for multiple summers, but the long trips available during Main Camp are sometimes the only chance for them to learn and practice the more difficult aspects in the progression system so they can earn those higher levels.
“Climbing is by far the hardest Warrior to earn in my opinion,” said Eli Sevensma, one of the rock climbing counselors on the 5 day trip. “There’s just so many technical things you have to learn and demonstrate.”
“For me, the hardest part about earning Warrior was learning how to do trad placements,” said Parker S. “It’s when you’re climbing a route with no bolts, so you’re placing your own pieces and creating your own checkpoints.”
In trad climbing, the lead climber inserts spring-loaded cams and wedges into natural cracks in the rock as they ascend, so they will have something to catch their rope in case of a fall. This is different from sport climbing which relies on permanent bolts drilled into the rock.
Trad climbing takes a lot of practice to be able to “read the rock,” as well as technical knowledge of how to safely place the anchors. Our experienced climbing instructors are there to show the boys how to place secure anchors, and Parker was able to practice while climbing at Breaks Interstate Park this past week. The group went there during their 5 day expedition, which is filled with beautiful sandstone on the VA/KY border.
“Honestly as much fun as the climbing was, chilling at the campsite with everyone was probably my favorite part. It was a great group of guys.” said Parker.
Spending 5 days camping, cooking meals, and challenging yourselves together creates close bonds, and as much as the boys enjoy the excitement and adventure of the long trips, they also enjoy the friendships that grow stronger from these experiences.
Paddling: Big SKITA 5-Day
Wilson Creek, New River Gorge, Gauley, and Kanawha Falls
When asked what the coolest part of their 5-day trip was, the New River was the near unanimous answer. “The flow rate was running at 20,000 cfs (cubic feet per second),” explained DASH counselor Max Albright. Thanks to the heavy rain at the beginning of the week, the rivers were running higher than normal. “Big water just feels different. There’s no rocks and you’re riding these huge 10-15 foot waves,” said counselor Lee Fickling.
They ran the New River in West Virginia on the second day of the trip when the water was high, but returned to run it again at a lower level later. The group was able to fit in a sunrise paddle on the New during the morning of the trip’s final day.
“I’ve been paddling at Falling Creek for 8 years and have been on Big SKITA 3 times, but this was the first time I’ve been on the New River,” said Davis M. from Telluride, CO. “It was definitely a highlight.”
Backpacking: Mystery 3-Day
Mountains to Sea Trail, Mt. Mitchell
The highest point east of the Mississippi River is Mt. Mitchell, at 6,684 ft (2,037 m). It’s located just outside Asheville, off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and it was the destination for this past week’s “mystery backpacking 3-day.”
“The first day was definitely the hardest,” recalls counselor Luis Marquez Estrada. “We got to the campsite late because the trail was very technical. The view was prettiest on the summit of Mt. Mitchell though. It was very worth it.”
After this trip, Luke J. from Mount Pleasant, SC earned his Warrior. “He already led a Scout level overnight trip, and this was the last thing he needed to reach Warrior,” said counselor Jack Lawless.
Yesterday, boys also returned from trips to…
- Paddle Lake Fontana (4 days)
- Paddle the French Broad River (overnight)
- Climb Gilbert’s Rock (overnight)
- Backpack/fly fish in Panthertown (overnight)
- Mountain bike at Tsali (overnight)
These trips are challenging, but the boys look forward to them all year, and work up their skills to be able to go. When they return, they’re tired, sweaty, stinky, and smiling. They have more memories and stories than can fit in a short blog post, and closer bonds with the guys they went on the trips with. What better way to spend your summer than challenging yourself with friends in beautiful outdoor places?
You can give someone a lot of things, but you can never give them a sense of accomplishment. That feeling of pride, satisfaction, and accomplishment can only be earned, and the boys who returned from these incredible trips are sure to be feeling that way now.