Red Tailed Eyas Explore A Nameless Ravine

Many old faces and a few new ones gathered at the north side of Galbraith mountain for the first outing of the Spring season with The Red Tailed Eyas. The warm weather heated our backs and the feeling was more of a summer outing than the first week of March.We soon had the whole group and quickly headed into the deeply forested lowlands of Galbraith mountain.

 We were all excited by the leafing Elderberry, the small Nettle sprouts, and the budding Red Huckleberries.  As we hiked through the warm forest we looked for a spot for closing meeting, some of the boys running ahead to scout for a spot. We soon found a suitable location on a small ridge sitting above a steep ravine. The sun hit our faces on this ridge and we took a few minutes to shed some layers and grab snacks as we formed a our first circle of the season. Since we did have two new faces we decided to go around and introduce ourselves along with a little ice breaker. I posed the question; “what kind of dog would you be and where would you poop?” Soon we were all laughing and any dissolving any small inhibitions that had once been there.

 From our opening circle spot we kept heading South up the valley. With no trail to follow we simply let ourselves wander. Affording us the time to delve into our curiosity about bones on the ground, tracks in the mud, a cedar that looked different, an old christmas tree, new nettles, logs like teeter totters, Hide!, rotten stumps, Yew trees, and bird calls we did not recognize. This valley was a new area for everyone including Steve and I. It is such an exciting opportunity to explore land that no one in the group knows. The Red Tailed Eyas facilitated a great balance between letting our wandering spirit thrive, but also making good navigation choices. The ecosystems we wandered through were incredibly diverse; dense cedar and douglas fir forests, open alder stands, and steep sunny hillsides covered in sword fern and salmon berry.

 After a few hours of navigating up this ravine we arrived at the base of a steep sand stone cliff. Here the group became divided some of the boys continuing upward toward the cliff, and others voicing concern about the route. We gathered the boys in the sun at the base of the sandstone cliff and opened up the decision for them. It may have been faster for one of us to simply make a decision for the group but it is an immensely powerful thing for these boys to come to these decisions through their own conversation. Most of these boys will be backpacking with Boys Explorers Club soon and the skill set of assessing risk for not only yourself, but the group is essential when traveling deep in the backcountry. We soon decided to send steve up to explore and easier route. The rest of us waited in the sun enjoying the heat coming from the rock face behind us. Soon Steve returned bringing new of an easier and safer route around the corner.

We reached the top of the cliff and were welcomed by one of the best views of Bellingham. Mt baker stood out against the blue sky to the East and to the West downtown Bellingham stretched out into the bay and the San Juan Islands beyond. we spread out and across the sandstone and settled into some time working on our earth skills focus for the season; Fire by Friction. Some boys worked on their bow drill kits, others used pieces of my kit, some boys worked on tinder bundles and others tried to start a fire using flint and steel. It was perfect to see the boys own curiosity take them right into the earth skill we had set out for the season. After some really focused time working on different elements of fire by friction we realized it was time to have our closing meeting.

We could not have had our closing circle at a spot more beautiful. All the boys spoke from the heart when giving thanks and sharing apples. We all felt a sense of accomplishment from our day spend wandering up  nameless ravines and the good work we had done making a group decision and assessing the risk we were willing to take. We ended the day by setting the intention to all make a bow drill kit by the end of the season. Thank you Red Tailed Eyas for another great outing and thank you parents for your continual support! please check out our photo gallery to see more pictures from this outing.

Red Tailed Eyas Learn Fire Basics at Galbraith Mountain

“And that is how coyote took fire from the Firekeepers and why we can find it in the trees,” Dave said as he ended the story. Parents, you can ask your Explorers how the rest of it went.

We'd like to thank Jordan for joining us as a volunteer for the day. Your presence was a nice guiding force for the boys.

The goal for the Red Tailed Eyas’ last outing of the spring season was to learn how to create and protect fire and to prepare the materials to harness it. So we avoided the gauntlet of dog poop and mountain bikers and found a protected nook on a ridge near the main trail. We dropped packs and Steve showed us the whole fire process. Whereas Explorers saw Steve light his first fire in November at Lake Whatcom, this time they paid more attention to the multiple steps.

But we can’t have fire without the right wood. And we can’t have the right wood unless we identify and harvest the best wood and have the tools to process it into a useful form. Fortunately, Mentors brought some milled alder and a saw. Explorers learned how to “baton” wood into good sizes. Please ask your Explorer if he had the chance to practice this skill.

While half of the group tried carving spindles out of red alder (rather difficult to do) the other half fell in love with a herd of tent caterpillars. Explorers in the Caterpillar Patrol collected a bunch of their wriggly friends and created living spaces for them. At one point boys sent them down the creek on leaves and other natural rafts.

Some boys needed a break from carving so they took to the forest of stinging nettle to make cordage. We harvested a couple of nettle stalks (and got zapped a couple of times!) and then boys began the process of making their own rope. The Caterpillar Patrol had finished their work with the tent caterpillars and had begun to set up the props for Spider’s Web. All boys wrapped up their projects and we gathered on the ridge to determine the boundaries of the game.

Suddenly we heard a snap, crash, and tumbling. We looked west to see a branch coming down the side of a huge Cottonwood Tree. Stunned and quiet, the group was nervous about going anywhere. Finally we decided that it might be a cool opportunity to check out the damage.

We were extra cautious as we approached the area and our awareness skills, especially our deer ears, became alert and ready for use. We spend years practicing awareness in our games and activities and when it was time to utilize the skill, the Red Tailed Eyas met the challenge. Well done, guys!

A huge old arm of a cottonwood branch had indeed come down. Wow. We saw how big and heavy it was and decided to change the boundaries of the game.  On the way back to the ridge, we found lots of cottonwood seed and some boys wisely picked up the cotton to keep for future “nesting” material in their fire kits. We also came across a dead and partially-eaten bird that we decided was probably a sapsucker or small woodpecker. Using our naturalist knowledge and some practical application, we determined who the killer might have been. Ask your Explorer if he remembers.

Spider’s Web was a great chance for everyone because the spider was very quick and the flies followed the rules. Sam, the spider, nearly won the game on a couple of occasions but the flies managed to escape and move the flag, impeding his victory. The game was drawing to a close when we heard, “Ewww, gross. Wow. Hey guys, you gotta see this!”

Explorers rushed down the hill to find Dave hovered over a dead and decomposing raccoon. Some boys were immediately repulsed and climbed back to their backpacks. Others took to wanting to study the carcass and eventually the top half of the skull came loose. We admired this animal and started the forensics process that we completed with the bird. We asked questions like: How did this animal die; what are possible predators; when might this have happened; and so on.

Of course we were late and we fit in a rapid circle of thanks as we held closing meeting. We hiked out having started the basics of fire and a great, early-summer day of exploring under our belts.

Thank you for a great season Red Tailed Eyas. It is always fun to be with you guys because you work so well as a group. Your leadership, following, and group process skills are incredible to watch. Thank you parents for supporting these boys and the program. We look forward to seeing you all at the Summer Solstice Gathering on June 14th from 5-7pm at Tenant Lake/ Hovander Park, at summer camps, and around town this summer.

Please see more pictures from this outing on the photo gallery. Have a great summer -- See you in the fall!

Art of Carving with the Red Tailed Eyas in Fairhaven Park

Sunny weather was nature’s way of saying that the Red-Tailed Eyas were prepared to begin their Earth Skills Journey along the Art of Carving. As such, the day focused on stories, attitudes, and practical knowledge about safe and focused knife usage.

We played a game to reacquaint ourselves with one another after a long winter and to meet a new member to the group. Saxen, welcome to the Red Tail Eyas!

Matt shared a powerful story about his teacher who taught him themotto, A Tool Is An Extension of the Body. Ask your Explorer for details about the story including what Matt was doing during his teacher’s demonstration!

That led us into practice using other tools as extensions of our arms. Stealthily, Red-Tailed Eyas were to use long poles to retrieve items in a forbidden area. All the while, the blindfolded guardian could point them out if he heard them approaching or trying to get an object.

Using these tools laid a strong foundation for how we should consider all tools. Explorers discussed a critical Explorer’s Club motto, The Difference Between a Tool and a Weapon is You, and recognize that their intention is very important when they decide how and when to use a tool like rocks, sticks, and knives.

Then, we marched through the mud to find a suitable carving place in the 100 Aker Woods. Sure enough we found the huge cedar tree which provided a nice sheltered area for us to learn about knife safety. Though Explorers were eager to start using their sharp tools, they stayed focused and patient enough to listen to the entirety of Dave and Matt’s lengthy explanation about knife safety. Great work guys!

We looked at different knives: some serrated and others straight blades; some with locking mechanisms and others without. Some knives had other gadgets besides blades for carving. Red-Tailed Eyas were introduced to various types of knives and each person showed the mentors that that he could safely open and close his knife.

Thus, the projects began! Some boys worked on close, short knife technique by making fuzzy sticks. Others went to the primal sensation of carving a pointy stick… and then double-pointed sticks! Some Explorers were inspired by the samples and went to work carefully crafting chopsticks and butter knives. Ask your Explorer what he was carving and see if he still has it to show you.

Other initial discussions included sanding our carved items. We felt the difference between rough and sanded items and then practiced sanding out wood with sandpaper and Chuckanut Sandstone. Explorers were empowered to know that they could find all of these carving and finishing materials in the environment.

Lastly, we learned that in carving is actually the preliminary skill for effective fire-making! We have to carve good spindles so that we can use a bow-drill. Moreover, any shavings and carving “leftovers” make for great kindling and fire-starting material.

No one cut himself during the outing which was both surprising and a welcome relief to the mentors and undoubtedly parents also. As Explorers practice at home and in the field, it is likely that they will cut themselves accidentally. We should all be prepared with the right first aid items accessible when boys inevitably learn about inattention with a blade in hand.

Explorers, thank you sincerely for your focused attention and diligent behavior during this skills outing. We mentors recognize that it can be grueling to sit and listen when you want to explore your tool but you are going to be better knife-wielders as a result of that lengthy preparation. Thanks to you parents for supporting this work and for encouraging your boy to safely use his knife. Your supervision is a vital extension of the skills we practice in Explorer’s Club.

Please look on the website for information about next outing on April 14th, from 12-5pm at Arroyo Park. You should also peruse the photo gallery for more pictures from this outing. And don’t forget, summer camp registration begins on April 8th. See you next month!