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!

BEC: Red Tailed Eyas Explore North Lake Whatcom

On a warmish late autumn Sunday the Red-Tailed Eyas met at Samish Woods Montessori to board Stubbs for their final outing of the season. With Kai from the Alevin joining the group, we welcomed the nice weather and set course for the end of North Shore Road.

Upon arriving boys immediately declared their intent to play Spider’s Webas a focus for the day. Without further ado we entered the woods and immediately found a cozy nook off-trail to eat lunch and hold opening meeting. Opening meeting was challenging to get through because boys were antsy and eager to play the game. Despite being a fun, high-functioning group Red Tailed Eyas, you must learn to harness some focus during opening meeting- that focus will help you with other skills and wilderness observation.

We were honored with two guest mentors for the day. Randy, the Wild Whatcom executive director, joined us for the day. Along with her came Mulder, who served as the elder for the day. Mulder (Randy’s dog) let the boys pet her through most of the day and only a couple of times did her snooping give people away during Spider’s Web!

Mentors let the Explorers decide the rules of the game and the first round started. Within five minutes, however, flies and spiders began to argue about the rules. Spiders got fed up and simply quit. This is an important learning opportunity for the Red Tailed Eyas. When we come up with rules, it’s important that everyone understand and adhere to them. In the end, our enjoyment and challenge comes from all members holding to the same guidelines. Randy helped us to see how we should learn from this experience and determine a fair way to play.

Round two went much better. MUCH better. Lucas volunteered to be spider. And after an hour and fifteen minutes the flies were still scrambling to get the food (bandana). Explorers and mentors alike disappeared into the woods in teams and on solo missions. One mentor even remained undetected for 45 minutes! Boys learned from the previous round and tempered their desire to win to make sure, firstly, that they played by the rules. We all had a lot more fun because the focus shifted from “winning” to “playing right.”

At this point much of the outing had elapsed. Mentors led the boys towards the lake to have closing circle by the water. In the ten minute walk we played two rounds of Hide and learned about an important shrub, Vaccinium parvifolium. Please ask your Explorer if he remembers the common name and one way to identify this plant.

When we got to the lake, we had to bid Randy and Mulder farewell for they had a meeting to attend. Thank you Randy and Mulder for joining us during this great day!

Being the last outing of the season for the Red Tailed Eyas AND the entire Boys Explorers Club program, boys held the honor of having a strong finish to the day. They explored the beach and threw rocks into the water. Some boys continued the carving journey and others found an old lighter and broke it open. Mentors also practiced their earth skills. Steve took out his bow drill kit and showed a handful of Explorers how to make fire by friction.

From carving the right notch and forming the spindle, to using the right drilling technique and amount of friction, making fire is a journey that requires skill and practice (and patience!) By getting more skilled with their knives in this second season, the Red Tailed Eyas have already begun this art. Steve talked through the steps and set to work. With an alder kit, he spun the spindle, powder filled up the notch, and a coal was lit.

Using a cedar nest from the Branch Hoppers group who made it the day before, Steve transferred the coal and cradled it gently. He slowly but firmly blew the coal into fire in his hands and we had a fire for our closing meeting. Boys gathered to the flame and we sat in circle, sharing apples, and giving thanks. Indeed it was a great way to end the day, the Red Tailed Eyas season, and the Boys EC season. This was Steve’s first fire and it is cause for celebration in the community. Congratulations Steve! You are an inspiration to both boys and mentors. Thank you for your focused skill and teachings!

Being the eve of Thanksgiving, mentors would especially like to thank Explorers and their parents for a great season. We had a lot of fun and did good work too! With two new boys in the fold we cemented a strong group with our connections to the land and each other. Thank you everyone for your support and your commitment to this BEC community.

Please check out more pictures from the outing in the photo gallery. Please excuse the sideways uploading… my computer hasn't recently been compatible with the website :) I hope that you can download them and flip them on your own computers. We look forward to seeing you at the Winter Solstice Gathering on December 14th, at Winter Programs, and in Spring season too. Enjoy the holidays!