(Written 8/14/2021 by Dave Keen, Scoutmaster)
After returning late yesterday afternoon from another astonishing 50-miler, I sit here with a creamy almond latte, kayaking gear drying out all over my backyard, a few sore muscles, a 7-day growth of facial hair and some incredible memories! This was my 6th 50-miler with John Bartlow and it was kind of him to point out yesterday that my beard has become “much whiter” than it was on our first 50-miler back in 2013.
How do you begin to describe the beauty of Ross Lake? Imagine yourself transported into a Norwegian fjord with crystal clear water, rugged shores and lush mountains rising up 9,000 feet that cup ice blue glaciers towards their rocky peaks. As you paddle on the 23-mile long lake, the only two words that distinctly describe this experience is “pure serenity”.
Three years ago, when we took our inaugural troop outing on Ross Lake, we paddled 65 miles in order to cross the Canadian border at the northern most tip of the lake. This year we decided not to go so far north and instead, incorporate some hiking into our kayaking trip to ensure ALL our muscles got a workout. Joel Martin was our official GPS tracker for our daily treks. It was fun to hear our progress after each day was completed. Unofficially, we traveled about 60 miles overall. 47 miles were paddled by kayak and 13 miles were on the hiking trails.
On day four, we got up at 5:00am, cooked a quick breakfast, packed up and had our boats on the water by 6:45am. We paddled 3 miles to the Desolation Peak trailhead and had to carefully lift our full kayaks over the rocky shore and place them up on the sloping bank. We then began the 10-mile roundtrip hike up to Desolation Peak. With an elevation gain of 4,500 feet (50% more than Mt. Si), you reach the top at 6,088 feet. At the summit, you are granted 360-degree views that include the Canadian Cascades, Hosomeen Mountain, Mt. Baker, Jack Mountain and of course, beautiful Ross Lake shimmering below.
With all the beauty and our amazing activities, they still pale in comparison to the real highlights as a Scoutmaster. None of these scouts had been on a 50-miler or other high adventure activity prior to this event. I saw these young men work together and over the course of 6 days, become a synchronous team that embodies the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan and Outdoor Code. They took turns being the navigator, “beach boss” and daily leader. They paddled long distances and hiked a difficult mountain, each day having to reach deep within themselves to discover their untapped intestinal fortitude. I am so proud of each of those 6 scouts for all that they accomplished and learned along this fantastic journey. For all 10 of the participants, Chris, Graham, Max, Drew, Andrew, Rylan, Mr. Said, Mr. Martin, Mr. Bartlow and myself, this will be indelibly imprinted for us to cherish long into the future.
My final highlight was gifted to me as we had just finished loading up the kayaks and the lake was still in our rearview mirror. Graham had been quietly reflecting on his experience and from the back seat spontaneously exclaimed, “I didn’t realize how many great opportunities Boy Scouts gives you!”
This reflection always reminds me that it is about the journey and not just the accomplishment of completing a 50-miler. As I write this with joyful heart and a little tear welling emotion, I hope for the following:
- If you have been on a 50-miler before, you will take time to reflect on those wonderful memories.
- If you were on this 50-miler, you take in how God blessed us with such an amazing journey and appreciate the everlasting bonds and friendships that were developed.
- If you have not been on a 50-miler, you will consider the next opportunity because it will be a life changing event that you’ll never regret putting in the time and effort for.
Please ask those that were on the 50-miler to share their experience at Charlie’s Eagle COH tomorrow evening or at any of our events over the next few weeks. As for me, the tide has peaked and my kayak is calling.
