Here is a small list of supplies you will need:
1. sleeping bag - one that packs down and not just rolled up (you may want a pad - or thermarest too)
2. hiking boots/shoes - these are for the hike - waterproof is better
3. strapped sandals for crossing the river
4. shorts and pants - preferably ones that dry quickly (not jeans)
5. short sleeve shirts and at least one long sleeve shirt - again, not cotton, rather synthetic
6. wool socks (several pairs)
7. flashlight/headlamp
8. your Bible and journal and pens/pencils/highlighters
9. sunglasses
10. hat/bandanna
11. toilet paper if you want/need it (if you bring tp you need to pack it out...meaning you need to put used tp in a ziplock to throw away once back to civilization) or you can bring biodegradable tp.
12. a watch
13. a rain jacket that's packable
14. a sweater/wool shirt for night time
15. stocking cap/gloves
16. Nalgene's/waterbottles - as many as you can
17. Camelback/Platypus (if you have one - or borrow one)
18. Backpack (a daypack is good for the hike up but if you want to bring your backpacking bag great)
19. sunscreen
20. any meds that you think you may need - I will be unable to offer anyone Tylenol, IBprofin, etc.
21. you may want ear plugs to help you sleep at night
22. toothbrush and toothpaste
23. chewing gum can help your ears at higher elevations
24. a great attitude
25. to round it to an easy 25 - bring anything you think you'll need that i didn't list :)
What not to bring:
1. cell phone
2. ipod
3. computer
4. food (we're providing it) - let me know if you're allergic to anything
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Backpackers Unite!!!
I'm so excited for this weekend! What a way to celebrate the fourth of July! I'm pumped to get some great time in God's word and in his creation. It will be challenging physically (I guarantee it!), emotionally, mentally and of course spiritually! Make no mistake, this is not a light-hearted trip. It's designed to get the most out of students. Don't come expecting to sit every five minutes. There will be NO COMPLAINING on this trip. All talk will be encouraging and uplifting. You will be challenged. We will push you. But all of it is to see as many as possible make it to the top. It's been my experience that accomplishing feats like this together bond us to God and to each other in a way that no other trip can. It's not a trip filled with "fun" - but rather it's a trip filled with the "beauty" of God's creation. Where did Jesus go to pray? He didn't go play mini-golf that's for sure! He went to the mountains! Being made in the image of God ourselves, there is something intrinsically tied to our very souls that prompts us to be in and rule over God's creation. Please know that our trip will be filled with encouragement and love, so should you need to stop...it's ok :) Should you need to quit...it's ok. But know that we'll push you until you're at your limit. Should push come to shove, we'll not make you do more than you can. We want this to be an encouraging and yet challenging time for all of us...myself included.
Please remember that as a requirement for this trip each student should memorize as much as possible John 15:1-17. It's crucial that everyone prepare beforehand, meditating on what it means to "abide" in Christ as we partake in an adventure to help us understand in a deeper way just how much Jesus loves us and how we can respond by loving him and loving others.
Ok, here's some more info on our fast approaching trip! Initially we had plans to hike up Notch Mountain to see the naturally shaped snow-filled cross in Holy Cross Mountain. This proved to be more difficult as the northern road (Tigiwon Rd.) is closed for the year due to an infestation of beetles. The only other access is south of the Mountain via Holy Cross Jeep Road. As it turns out, the heavy snow fall the past month has deemed the Jeep Road still impassible...I know, dumb right!!! Ha. We would have had to hike in to get to the trail head to even be ready to backpack the nine miles north to Notch Mountain. That said, the snow is melting quickly this week due to nicer weather. You may say, "that's great!" It's really not. The problem is that the route requires that we cross a river a total of five times (just one way!), and with the snow melting the river gets higher and faster! Were I marching into this trip myself with just other experienced climbers I would...but we think it best to not try such a feat this time (I can hear your sighs of relief).
So what's Plan B? Great question! Mount Massive. Mount Massive is the second highest 14er in Colorado to Mount Elbert. Crazy enough, climbing Massive will actually prove to give us more spare time to enjoy creation as we can drive to the base of the mountain rather than have to spend our time backpacking in. While I would love (and prefer) to backpack in, the issues of the river and distance make Massive much more viable (ironically).
Massive rests in the middle of the Sawatch Mountain range, which is located in the center of the Rockies (closest village is Leadville, CO). Massive is more than a mountain. In fact it's a whole region, with five different summits over 14,000 feet. It contains an entire half a square mile over 14,000 which is more than any other mountain in the 48 states. While Massive may seem intimidating, parents be assured, that while it boasts a summit 14,421 feet in the air (only 12 feet lower than Elbert!), it's not a difficult climb. In fact, by Mountaineering standards (and its rating system), Massive ranks as a Class 2 (actually, much of the route is a class 1 and is only a class 2 whilst walking the ridge) with an RP value of 267.
So what is a Class 2? Another great question. All climbs are ranked on a system with 1 being the lowest (trail hiking) and 5 being the highest (1-4 are single digit while 5 can go up to a 5.14 decimal - an extremely technical climb. The hardest I've climbed is a 5.10). When a mountain has a class 2 it is equivalent to bushwacking or hiking on a talus slope. So rest assured, Massive's class rating is very low.
So what is an R rating? R's are "points" by which Gary Roach (the most looked to source on mountaineering and the source of the information for this post...) uses to evaluate both the "effort" and "difficulty" of a given route, or as he likes to call it: the "efferculty" of a route over a given distance and elevation change, etc. Our route will be on the eastern slope which is the easiest way to the top (267 R points). We'll be on the trail by 5:00 AM in order to give us time to summit and enjoy some time at the top. We want to be off the summit by noon if possible though it can be delayed should there be no imminent weather.
Apart from weather and the mountain itself, the only difficulty will be crossing South Willow Creek (twice). We have to cross it twice at the front of our journey and it is higher than normal. All students will want to bring waterproof shoes if possible. If you do not have any bring a pair of sandals that strap to your feet that you can get wet. I have two pairs of Chaco's that guys might be able to wear. You can wear your sandals across and then put your shoes back on at the other side. If you have gaiters for hiking please bring them! And if you have extra that would be awesome. For crossing the river you'll want shorts on (it will be cold!!!) or fast drying pants. As we mentioned on Facebook you'll want to wear as little cotton as possible as it absorbs and sticks (if you're not an avid climber/hiker please trust me on this). This goes for shorts/pants as well. Wear clothes that can get wet only to dry quickly. Sweat-wicking shirts are best and pants/shorts made specifically for hiking. We'll take a rope and tie it off on either side of the creek to lock in students with carabiners (and a harness if necessary) in case the river is high and fast. We'll always have a leader cross with a student as well so as to help prevent anyone from taking an unexpected swim.
Rest assured, myself along with two other key staff are very capable with plenty of experience in this arena (I've also climbed Massive before...though off trail and much more difficult). Further, my fiance Nikki is a certified athletic trainer (with CPR) and will be carrying her supplies in case of an emergency. We'll also have a GPS, water purifiers, compass, maps, first aid, etc. We are well equipped for this trip!
Each student should look at the list posted on our facebook page (www.facebook.com/encounterym) for a list of what and what not to bring.
My cell number will also be listed should you need though our reception will be poor at best.
Looking forward to a great time in the wilderness!
Please remember that as a requirement for this trip each student should memorize as much as possible John 15:1-17. It's crucial that everyone prepare beforehand, meditating on what it means to "abide" in Christ as we partake in an adventure to help us understand in a deeper way just how much Jesus loves us and how we can respond by loving him and loving others.
Ok, here's some more info on our fast approaching trip! Initially we had plans to hike up Notch Mountain to see the naturally shaped snow-filled cross in Holy Cross Mountain. This proved to be more difficult as the northern road (Tigiwon Rd.) is closed for the year due to an infestation of beetles. The only other access is south of the Mountain via Holy Cross Jeep Road. As it turns out, the heavy snow fall the past month has deemed the Jeep Road still impassible...I know, dumb right!!! Ha. We would have had to hike in to get to the trail head to even be ready to backpack the nine miles north to Notch Mountain. That said, the snow is melting quickly this week due to nicer weather. You may say, "that's great!" It's really not. The problem is that the route requires that we cross a river a total of five times (just one way!), and with the snow melting the river gets higher and faster! Were I marching into this trip myself with just other experienced climbers I would...but we think it best to not try such a feat this time (I can hear your sighs of relief).
So what's Plan B? Great question! Mount Massive. Mount Massive is the second highest 14er in Colorado to Mount Elbert. Crazy enough, climbing Massive will actually prove to give us more spare time to enjoy creation as we can drive to the base of the mountain rather than have to spend our time backpacking in. While I would love (and prefer) to backpack in, the issues of the river and distance make Massive much more viable (ironically).
Massive rests in the middle of the Sawatch Mountain range, which is located in the center of the Rockies (closest village is Leadville, CO). Massive is more than a mountain. In fact it's a whole region, with five different summits over 14,000 feet. It contains an entire half a square mile over 14,000 which is more than any other mountain in the 48 states. While Massive may seem intimidating, parents be assured, that while it boasts a summit 14,421 feet in the air (only 12 feet lower than Elbert!), it's not a difficult climb. In fact, by Mountaineering standards (and its rating system), Massive ranks as a Class 2 (actually, much of the route is a class 1 and is only a class 2 whilst walking the ridge) with an RP value of 267.
So what is a Class 2? Another great question. All climbs are ranked on a system with 1 being the lowest (trail hiking) and 5 being the highest (1-4 are single digit while 5 can go up to a 5.14 decimal - an extremely technical climb. The hardest I've climbed is a 5.10). When a mountain has a class 2 it is equivalent to bushwacking or hiking on a talus slope. So rest assured, Massive's class rating is very low.
So what is an R rating? R's are "points" by which Gary Roach (the most looked to source on mountaineering and the source of the information for this post...) uses to evaluate both the "effort" and "difficulty" of a given route, or as he likes to call it: the "efferculty" of a route over a given distance and elevation change, etc. Our route will be on the eastern slope which is the easiest way to the top (267 R points). We'll be on the trail by 5:00 AM in order to give us time to summit and enjoy some time at the top. We want to be off the summit by noon if possible though it can be delayed should there be no imminent weather.
Apart from weather and the mountain itself, the only difficulty will be crossing South Willow Creek (twice). We have to cross it twice at the front of our journey and it is higher than normal. All students will want to bring waterproof shoes if possible. If you do not have any bring a pair of sandals that strap to your feet that you can get wet. I have two pairs of Chaco's that guys might be able to wear. You can wear your sandals across and then put your shoes back on at the other side. If you have gaiters for hiking please bring them! And if you have extra that would be awesome. For crossing the river you'll want shorts on (it will be cold!!!) or fast drying pants. As we mentioned on Facebook you'll want to wear as little cotton as possible as it absorbs and sticks (if you're not an avid climber/hiker please trust me on this). This goes for shorts/pants as well. Wear clothes that can get wet only to dry quickly. Sweat-wicking shirts are best and pants/shorts made specifically for hiking. We'll take a rope and tie it off on either side of the creek to lock in students with carabiners (and a harness if necessary) in case the river is high and fast. We'll always have a leader cross with a student as well so as to help prevent anyone from taking an unexpected swim.
Rest assured, myself along with two other key staff are very capable with plenty of experience in this arena (I've also climbed Massive before...though off trail and much more difficult). Further, my fiance Nikki is a certified athletic trainer (with CPR) and will be carrying her supplies in case of an emergency. We'll also have a GPS, water purifiers, compass, maps, first aid, etc. We are well equipped for this trip!
Each student should look at the list posted on our facebook page (www.facebook.com/encounterym) for a list of what and what not to bring.
My cell number will also be listed should you need though our reception will be poor at best.
Looking forward to a great time in the wilderness!
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