Snake River High Adventure!

I had the opportunity, along with 5 other adult leaders and 13 Scouts ages 14-17 to go on a whitewater High Adventure on an 8 mile section of the Snake River just West of Alpine, Wyoming.


We traveled on Thursday in 4 vehicles about three hours, including a stop or two along the way.


We entered the Snake River Canyon West of Alpine, WY, and then located a campsite at Wolf Creek Campground. After setting up camp and a quick lunch, we all pitched in to inflate the rafts and get ready to run the river. Teamwork was the Key!


After a river safety talk, we loaded up and drove to the boat launch at West Table Creek. The nice river-Ranger-lady informed us that groups over 15 people must have a permit, to reduce the impact on the river and ease bottlenecks at put-ins and take-outs. Because it was a not too busy Thursday, she agreed to allow us to run together today only, but said we must divide into two separate groups with an hour between launches on Friday and Saturday.


So we didn't argue, but quickly unloaded our rafts, people and gear, and prepared to launch while four of us shuttled vehicles to the Sheep Gulch boat ramp takeout.


Then we launched between the other big commercial trips and were on our way! The weather was perfect - sunny and warm in the 80's. Just the right temperature to warm you up after a dip in the icy waters or getting soaked in the rapids.


We had three nice self-bailing 6-7 person paddle boats - just the right size for a wild ride through the rapids, without sacrificing too much stability. The river was running between 11,000 and 12,000 cfs during the 3 days we were there, which is moderately "high water." This results in some rapids, such as Big Kahuna, being washed out and wimpy; But other rapids,


such as the famous Lunch Counter, were amplified!


The entire 8 mile daily run includes mostly Class II and III rapids, although some can become Class IV depending on water levels.


There are sections of "flat water" between numerous rapids with names such as "Three Oar Deal", "Taco Hole", "Big Kahuna", "Lunch Counter" and others.


The scenery is beautiful with the surrounding pine forests and high mountains in the distance. We also saw deer, bald eagles, hawks, squirrels, rockchucks, camp robbers and other wildlife.


Anxiety was high on the first run, as the younger Scouts had already been filled with tales of the last trip to this same canyon three years ago. The river and rapids did not disappoint, as a great ride was had by all.


Nearly everyone got in the river at some point - some by choice...


...others "involuntarily." *(Yes - both of these adult leaders fell in here!)
Because of the fast flowing river, the entire trip took about an hour and a half.


We returned to camp, and then made the half hour drive to Jackson, WY for dinner at Bubbas!


After dinner we explored the town square.


The main purpose of this trip was to allow everyone to have some good, safe, mostly sane, high adventure FUN, while practicing Scouting skills and principles, and helping everyone learn some valuable life lessons - which we definitely accomplished.


As leaders we also planned some spiritual river-guide based "life lessons" - focusing on different types of guides each young man can use to help navigate the challenges of life. These included: teacher/leader guides, our self as a guide, peer guides, parental guides, and spiritual guides. It was the perfect setting and opportunity to teach some important lessons that will hopefully make a difference sooner or later in their lives.


The next day, after a good breakfast, we made a plan for the day. We considered how we might somehow be able to bend the river rules and stay together as a group even though we did not have a permit. We decided instead that we should set an example of integrity and obedience for the young men, so we divided into a group of 13 in two rafts and a group of six in the remaining raft.


One group launched at the Elbow boat ramp while the vehicles were shuttled down to the take-out. Then the second group launched at East Table Creek boat ramp, allowing for plenty of time between our two groups so that we would be in compliance with the river regulations.


It turned out to be a good thing that we did abide by the rules, as the river Rangers were stationed at the take-out ramp! Staying together without a permit would have resulted in an expensive ticket, and being sent home early. It all worked out just fine, as we got better at the logistics of the shuttles with each run, and the Scouts rotated between boats and leaders with each trip. I know the "boys" learn much more by example, versus just what they are told. With six adult leaders, we had two leaders per raft, which was a nice ratio - especially when one - or two leaders on a boat got thrown in the river at Lunch Counter! Part of what we also wanted to accomplish was each Scout having an opportunity to practice river rescue skills - which they had plenty of opportunity!


We had our third run of the river on Friday afternoon, and encountered more wet & wild rapids...


...and even some rogue (and inebriated) Pirates!


We made it safely through the second day, and had a yummy dinner of dutch oven potatoes and chicken.The USFS campgrounds make it very clear that we are in "bear country" in this canyon. Each campsite has it's own solid steel "bear box" - where all food and toiletries must be secured when they are not being used. Any trash, food or debris left out could result in an expensive ticket from the Ranger - and a scary, dangerous visit from a bear! Of course, four curious Scouts found other creative uses for the bear boxes!


We had an early campfire and reviewed lessons learned on the river that day, as each participant had been encouraged to look for analogies between our experiences on the river and our life. Many of the comparisons were very insightful and well thought out. After a long hard day of play on the river, most people went to bed earlier than the first night.


We arose by 7 am on Saturday, had breakfast, broke camp, and prepared for our last run on the river. It was a cooler morning, but about halfway through the run the sun peeked out and warmed us up. It was another fun run to cap off an awesome adventure.


The surfers were out in force at Lunch Counter, surfing the standing waves between each raft that came through.


We then stopped for some cliff-jumping,


or back-flipping!


After taking out for the final time at Sheep Gulch, we returned to camp to put away rafts and gear, have a quick lunch, and depart for home.


On the way home most passengers slept - although some stayed awake and found new ways to entertain themselves (and others) with duct tape,


fishing line and a tennis ball!

We all made it safely home to hot showers and warm beds, where we drifted off to sleep to the rocking of the river waves.

Short Divide Saturday!

It had been over a month since I have had any appreciable airtime, so when the forecast for Saturday shaped up nicely, I jumped on the opportunity to fly Short Divide. I launched at about 3:45 under sunny 85 degree skies into SW winds 16-18 mph.


Short Divide is mostly a low thermal launch, but there is a short ridge which can be soared if you have to "hang out" between up-cycles while waiting for a "ride to the top." Over the years, I've noticed a bit of a pattern for our flights here, which was obvious in today's flight:

Pre-planning: A forecast with moderately strong SW winds, along with a reasonably optimistic soaring forecast indicates good to excellent potential at Short Divide. A last minute check of the mesonet current winds before the 25 minute drive will generally confirm that conditions on launch are good.

Launch Window: Generally speaking, there will be an optimal launch window which will allow for "benching up" over Clarkston and Gunsight Peaks. Weather Underground can be helpful to determine the time of day that the winds will peak - which is usually around 3 pm. I try to be set up by peak anticipated wind time, and then assess the conditions. Going cross country will generally require launching a bit earlier - around 1-3 pm, to allow for more flying time when the lift is strongest. Launching earlier requires a higher "bump tolerance" - a willingness to fly in some turbulent "rodeo air", and do battle with some strong thermals.

If I am just looking to bench up and catch the glass-off, or maybe have a nice extended tandem flight, I will launch just as the winds peak and begin to stabilize, indicating a slight mellowing - still good lift, but not as "rock'n roll." This was the window that I chose today, launching at about 3:45 pm.

Launch Timing: Exactly when to launch is also important - especially because Short Divide is a lower elevation launch. Even on a day with good lift, there can be up & down cycles. I try to watch the wind through one up, then down cycle before launching, so I can time it well and launch just as an up cycle is starting, to allow me to immediately climb above launch where I have a better chance to bench up. Today I timed it well, but didn't get quite high enough to go back and climb the mountain before the "down cycle" came through. I quickly found myself below launch, struggling to find lift.

Benching Up: Years ago I would have given up and landed, but experience has taught me to be patient, find the lift, and work it! I used my vario to help me stay in some zero sink over the cedar knoll below launch, more than once only one turn away from setting up to land. I focused on making very shallow turns to maximize my sink rate, and soon the zero sink turned into 600 fpm up, allowing me to continue climbing. I stayed in the drifting lift, and before I knew it I was on the face of Clarkston Peak where the lift was plentiful, allowing me to continue my ascent until I was over Gunsight Peak at 8,800' and climbing!


Generally speaking, once you bench up, the lift is much more plentiful, consistent and reliable. One of the great rewards of Short Divide is using your experience, skills and a little luck to climb out 3,000'+ over your launch elevation. I have always enjoyed climbing mountains on foot, but making the ascent in a hang glider results in a similar satisfaction - with even better outrageous views!

Go for Cloudbase: The next phase of most flights involves the "cat and mouse" game of coring the thermals and climbing as high as legally possible. This is one of my second-favorite parts of flying, because often times the lift just gets better and better the higher you get! The views just open up with each 360, until the patchwork valleys take on a Google Earth quality. At this point I am often joined by various raptors - today they include 2 Golden Eagles and 4 Red-tailed Hawks. On some days, the lift will only take me so high, until I bump up against an invisible ceiling. Sometimes persistence will allow me to break through this ceiling and continue to climb.


Decision Time: When I get above 10,000' the option of flying cross-country presents itself. I ask myself some key questions to make this decision: "Am I still climbing?" - Going XC in Utah generally (but not always) requires being able to climb consistently to at least 12,000' if not higher. "Am I physically prepared to go XC?" - Do I have warm clothes, water, food, radio, oxygen etc that I will need for climbing high and landing out? Am I in good overall physical condition? "Am I mentally prepared? - Is my head "in it", or do I have any distractions. Going cross country requires making a series of good, sound decisions in order to fly far and stay safe. "Do the conditions look good along my planned route?" - Is there a nice cloud street, or will it overdevelop and shut down? Are the winds aloft conducive to my planned route? Is the lift consistent enough - or is it one of those rare, "magical" days? "How will I get back?" - Do I have a chase driver below, or am I prepared to self-retrieve if needed? Can I afford to get home after midnight? Today I was prepared to go XC, but I could not climb any higher than about 9,600' over the top of Gunsight, so I decided to relax, explore and enjoy the flight.

Glass-Off: Most sites, generally in the summertime, to one degree or another, produce an afternoon/evening phenomena known as a glass-off - my favorite time of most flights! This is the time - usually between 2-4 hours before sunset - when the sun gets lower and the valley releases all of its stored heat, resulting in widespread abundant lift. The sharp-edged strong thermals soften, and what was a somewhat narrow lift band extends out over the valley - sometimes for miles! Some of these "wonder winds" will extend past sunset, even making it a challenge to get down. This time of the flight allows me to relax my grip on the control bar - or even fly hands-off - and just enjoy the magical air. These are the moments that are etched in my memories, which recharge my batteries for the coming ground-bound days ahead, as I have time to reflect, - and occasionally pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming!


Today was just such a day. At about 5:30 pm I left the peaks, pulled on full VG and flew straight S/SE over the valley, as my vario chirped a smooth and steady 300 fpm up without even having to turn.


The view to the south of the Wellsville Mountains and Willard Peak was spectacular. The mountains, fields and valleys were all a vivid green from the recent Spring rains.


I topped out at about 10,600', and continued my southward course.


A couple of miles away from launch, the lift finally abated and turned into very mild sink, until from about 9,800' I was looking down on Cutler Dam


and Boy Scout Camp Fife.


I turned downwind, paused to enjoy an incredible view of the upper peaks from a new perspective, and then quickly made it back over Clarkston Peak with room to spare.


I watched some paragliders kiting in the LZ before I decided it was time to head for the barn.


Landing Time: When flying XC the available lift and your ability to find it generally dictates landing time. A big part of a safe cross country journey is being able to determine conditions on the ground and select a safe landing zone from a thousand feet up, in often unfamiliar territory. When flying local glass-off conditions, we usually have the luxury of choosing landing time and location. I generally like to land well before sunset, to allow daylight to break down, retrieve my vehicle, and get home at a decent hour. Sometimes if I land too close to sunset, the winds on the ground will be zippo or switchy, making it trickier. If I land an hour or two before sunset, there will usually be a nice breeze to make landing easier. If I am high enough, I like to land on the Clarkston side because the LZ is uphill into the wind, all on a paved road, and a shorter drive back home for me.


Today I was plenty high to go over the back, work my way down through the lift over Clarkston, and come in for a nice stand-up landing.

I broke down and then made the 25 minute walk back to launch to retrieve my pick-up. I loaded up my glider, and was home by 8:30. What an awesome day and flight!


Airtime: 3 hrs 5 minutes!

From Eaglet to Eagle!

The long awaited day finally arrived for Landon. The official date of his Eagle award is February 21st - the date when he passed his Eagle Board of Review. The Eagle Court of Honor is a formality, but a neat ceremony to celebrate Landon's accomplishment, and recognize leaders, family and friends who helped along the way!


Landon wanted to have the ceremony in our back yard, in spite of the potential for rain. The weather cooperated and it was neat to have it outside - but it was a lot of work to get the yard all ready. About 40 people attended the program, which began with brief remarks from Dad regarding the significance of the Eagle.


Then Landon was presented his Eagle award by the Scout Committe Chairman, and Mom had the opportunity to pin it on his shirt.


Next Landon presented Dad,


and Mom with their respective parents' pins too.


Scoutmaster Scott then gave Landon the Eagle Charge.


Landon then gracefully fielded a few questions from the audience - such as "What was your favorite merit badge?" or "What was your most fun campout?"


Landon was then escorted to the "Eagle's Nest" - where he joined all other Eagle Scouts in attendance.

Then everyone viewed a brief powerpoint presentation (created mostly by Mom, but with some technical assistance from Dad) which told a story in pictures of Landon's trail to Eagle.

The entire ceremony lasted about 45 minutes, after which we had refreshments, mingling, congratulations...

and time to check out the treehouse!


Keri made the comment, "Now our Eagle's nest is full - all four men in our family have made it!"

A special Thank You to everyone - including teachers, scout leaders, extended family and friends who have helped, encouraged, supported, mentored, guided, and shown the way to all three of our Eagle Scouts!