High Adventure

Jourdan's scout troop took a 54 mile backpacking trek on a portion Mt. Hood's Pacific Crest Trail for their High Adventure from July 23-27th. (Yes, I know I'm behind!) The trip took 5 days. The leaders all commented on the attitude of the boys by saying that although the boys had heavy packs, blisters, and were often over-heating, not one of them complained during the hike. This is a great group of boys. This is Jourdan taking a plunge in Burnt Lake:

 

Lunch (one of many) courtesy of Burnt Lake:

 

Not a bad view for the week:

 

The troop with their gear:

 

Lunch beneath Ramona Falls:

The boys stopped for some playtime on the glacier.  If you look closely, you can see one of the many snowballs tossed at their Scout leader in the air.  (Just in case you're wondering....NO snowballs hit their leader - even though he didn't move at all.  Perhaps their marksmanship on the rifle range does not translate to snowball throwing.)

 

How's this for a campsite?:

 

This place is called Paradise Park.  Gee, I wonder why!!  Oh, and that tiny dot midway up the right side of the picture is Jourdan.

When they finally reached Timberline Lodge, the boys were grateful for two things:  real bathrooms and real chairs.  (probably in that order):

The Historic Barlow Road was built in 1846 to help wagon trains reach the Willamette Valley along the Oregon Trail.  Prior to this mountain road, wagons had to float down the treacherous Columbia River.

After the first few days, the troop was down from 6 boys to 4 (due to a trip to EFY for the other 2).  The remaining 4 continued on their hike stopping at Twin Lakes - this is the upper of the twin lakes.

This is called Little Crater Lake.  The lake is crystal clear, fed from the bottom by an artesian spring, 45 feet deep, and 100 feet across.  The trees are beautifully reflected in the water.

To quote a blogger: "..the other surprising thing about this lake is that you will not find any swimmers in there.  While it looks very inviting, it would be an almost certain death, as the water is a constant 34 degrees Fahrenheit."

Well, apparently, that blogger underestimated the bravery/stupidity of a certain Boy Scout and his leader.  Here's a picture of said scout reemerging after taking his version of the "Polar Bear Plunge": 

Now, because there is not a video to accompany this photo, you'll have to imagine girlish screams, flailing limbs, and shrieks of pain.  Even though I am frustrated that there was no video recording of this experience; I love this action shot...it captures the moment almost as well as a video....almost!

It was a great trip.  Jourdan came home with HUGE blisters which he added to on his next 3 weeks of summer as a staffer at the BSA Camp Meriwether on the Oregon Coast.