Rock Climbing/White Water Canoeing

10-14-07

Hey Mitch,
It is us once again the illusive Outward Bound students just letting you know what we have been up to. At the beginning of our third section we broke off into two groups, one going out on a whitewater trip, and the other heading for the rocks to climb.  This starts the main part of our semester which means that we are given more responsibility to take a step forward into a leadership role as the leaders begin to take a step back.  This phase was more technically skill oriented.

The rocks group headed out of Maine into the White Mountains straight for our first cliff. After our first climbing experience on expedition we drove around looking for an open campground.  This became a difficult task on Columbus Day Weekend. From that point on we became very comfortable in our rain gear because for the next six or so days it rained and rained and kept raining until the last two days.  While the rocks were “smarmy” (as Andy, our Course Director would put it) we lurked under overhangs to practice building anchors, rappel set ups, and belay escapes.  We had about three days of solid climbing where our instructors showed us many techniques such as hand/feet jams, mantles, and the importance of using our feet when climbing.  Throughout the trip we tried a variety of different styles of rock climbing such as crack, friction, and face climbing. Overall the expedition was a success, everyone had a chance to learn a lot and apply what we learned. It was a blast.

            The Whitewater group headed for the Moosehead Lake region and the Greenville base to pick up some solo and tandem whitewater canoes.  They practiced some whitewater rescue skills and rapid swims on the first day.  Early the next day they headed for the North Maine woods and set up camp at Roll Dam.  This is where they stayed for the next five days, next to the Saboomick River.  They ran the Saboomick many times over those five days and it became our “home run”.  Once they felt comfortable in the solo boats and grasped the new paddling skills (like the cross bow draw and the cross bow forward strokes) they moved on to new rivers. They went to the south branch (of the Penobscot) and the lower west branch. Eventually, Beth was able to catch up to them after a series of bad Satellite phone messages and changed plans.  Over all whitewater was fun and everyone learned a lot about eddy turns and ferrying and everything else that is whitewater.  However, it was decided that next time they go run some rivers they are going to go when it is warmer.

            We hope everything is running smoothly back on campus and are all missing the “Unit” quite a bit. So, until next time - Peace.

From, Naomi Caywood and the Drifters

Camp Susan Curtis Service Project

10-4-07

Hey Mitch,
We just said goodbye to our newly found 7th grade friends and camp Sue is quiet again.

Camp began on Sunday -the 30th – with a staff orientation. This was an awesome transition from full on expedition mode to basically fun ‘play-time’.  After an awesome buffet of non-powdered food and the company of other Unity friends – we enjoyed a staff campfire. This was a great opportunity to relax and connect before the campers showed up.  The next morning the campers arrived at 11 a.m. and the chaos began.  We met our campers, got them settled in, played some “get to know you” games and then after lunch moved into some sessions.  These periods, which  were the main focus of the second and third days, were hour long environmental lessons providing a great structure to the whole event. After dinner and a little free time most of the kids played high energy “jail” ball.  But there were also chill games or the option to go on a night hike.  Back in our cabins we debriefed the day with our kids and rested up for the next day. Waking up bright and early we ate breakfast and went onto our activities.  The day ran fairly the same as the previous one but just longer with more periods.  Free time was taken up with games of Yee-haw and other fun games.  After dinner this night we prepared for a campfire. We got to the fire, sang songs, heard stories and had a grand old time.  The next morning was hectic before breakfast as we cleaned the cabin and packed our bags to get them to the loading zone before we had the word for the day.  We debriefed the whole camp, got the lunches for the students and they loaded the buses and were off.

There was a new found stillness over camp as we went about our jobs of cleaning and organizing our own luggage before our own debrief.

Just to give you some background the Unity/Mt View program is structured so that the incoming 7th graders can gain a sense of interconnection early in their school year.  Coming from different elementary schools – it was important for them to have time to get to know each other and the have a sense of unity among themselves.   We provided just that for these kids and gained a fabulous experience for ourselves.  Seeing the transformation and progression of a group of young kids over the course of 48 short hours is a priceless thing.  Knowing the influence and impact you have on their lives is empowering and will last a lifetime.

From Nate Miller and the Drifters

Backpack and Canoe

10-13-07

Hey Mitch,
To summarize up the Backpack/Canoe section of the expedition, we strapped up with 60 pound plus backpacks with our food and gear suitable for the next five days and carried them over mountains, peaks, rivers valleys, and more.  Then we loaded up gear into our canoes after a day of rock climbing and resupply.  From there we paddled on through lakes, down rivers, and occasionally portaged the canoes and packs, until finally we got to the white water section on the Androscoggin river.

To begin the backpack phase we had to pack light, knowing that anything we bring out there would be on our backs!  After ditching some gear and spending the night on base we finally hit the trail.  The trip started at Basin Pond in New Hampshire, already halfway into the day with a lunch - we were still in sight of some construction.  The day moved on slowly and we got to a ledge overlooking the pond, and back at the days progress, before getting to camp at about 1900.  The next few days were easier as each day we lightened our packs of food and got use to the weight.

One of the main things that we were being taught on both sections was navigation through map and compass.  To put this to the test was we bushwhacked through some pretty thick stuff.  All of us got pretty scraped up.  Another thing that we did in both sections was somthing called "Alpine starts" which is starting the day really early. On the canoe section we woke up at 3:30 and had a silent paddle for a while.  To top this whole experience off it was a full moon.
 In conclusion we feel that we learned many valuable technical skills in both backpacking, canoeing, and LNT practices.  We learned from numerous student taught lessons  the policies and theories of LNT.  In canoeing we learned several valuable paddle strokes such as cross bow, the pry stroke, and a sweep.  We also had many chances to take in the great scenery, whether we were on a calm moonlit lake only disturbed by the methodical and smooth strokes as our canoe traversed it, or on mountain peaks.  During our backpacking we had an opportunity to look out over five peaks in one day.  And we can't forget the view of Washington while picking the best route up several climbs on square ledges.  Overall, not only was this trip a great experience to learn, but simply a great experience.

Reporting for the Drifters - Josh Ascani, Tim Masselle and Austin Cannaday

Sailing

09-19-2007

Hey Mitch!
Today is one of the last days of sailing and it is so hard to believe it is almost over. So, how every other morning has started, we prepare for our dip in the ocean. Today it is freezing! One of the coldest days yet! It was quite hard for the crew to get up, except for Alyssa and Quinn , the “Water Babies” of the group. After the dip we began to prepare our hot drinks and realize that we had run out of propane.  Thank god we are traveling in convoy. Our pulling boat #12, dubbed as the “Radio Flyer Nestas”? Quickly packed up our boat and went to raft up with the “Bohemian Brass Knuckles” pulling boat #10.  We enjoyed hot drinks together and began our Captain and Navigators meeting for the day.

We began organizing our route based on weather and tides, while the other crew members socialized. The captains and navigators decided on traveling to Burnt Island so that the convoy could enjoy lunch and beautiful views together. The convoy started the 5 nautical mile journey planning on arriving at 12.15, but arrived at 11.40 tides and weather were in our favor. There was a very unique way of anchoring at Burnt Island. First we had raft up the boats, stand next to a dock, then use a pulley system to pull 4 people at a time to shore. Once we were all on the island we started lunch.

After enjoying two wonderful meals of either tuna or peanut butter and jelly, the convoy split up and many did their own thing. Some layed on the rocks like lizards, others explored the rocky coast, and some went for a walk to the South Side cliffs. After spending 3 hours, the convoy left with the tide and wind changing to our favor. We saw two seals  and beautiful sea spray on the shores.

Our anchorage for the night was Tennants Harbor. We planned on arriving at 21.00, traveling 9 nautical miles. After having the weather still in our favor, thanks to the Captains and Navigators (Aaron, Alyssa, Nicole T, Adrienne, Dana and Austin) we arrived at 19.30. After the Bohemian Brass knuckles anchored, the Radio Flyer Nestas rafted up next to them we started to cook an awesome meal together. The DRIFTERS ( Developing Random Interconnected Futures Through Eighteen Righteous Souls) were once a gain reunited. The Drifters is the name of our OB semester group.

After enjoying two meals of burritos and corn chowder the Radio Flyer Nesta took off to anchor in the dark. Upon completing out anchorage, putting up the tarp and scheduling anchor watch, we were sound asleep at 23.45. Dreaming of waking up at 0530 ready to do it all again.

The Drifters would like to thank everyone for keeping us in their thoughts and UNITY community circle.

By Mary Alyssa Marvel & Quinn Boyle

09-17-07

Hey Mitch,
Life is good out on the Maine coast.  The students have just returned from 10 days sailing in Outward Bound's pulling boats.  The Service Project was great. They helped out an organic farmer with some of his 'chores' up on MDI. 

They had one huge day of wind and it was the best day of sailing on the whole trip.  Today they cleaned gear, did laundry, worked on some self-assessments and had great conversations about the role of the Adventure Educator in wilderness settings.

All in all it is a good, safe start to the semester.  They head onto Newry - and the L.L. Bean Mountain Center - where they will switch into backpacking and canoe gear.

Keep an eye out for pictures and articles from the field - as students will be submitting different articles after each phase.

Send us 'warm' thoughts!  Beth, Nicole and the gang