Over the weekend I had the most extraordinary opportunity. I was invited to go with a group of 13 to 18 year old students and two coaches for an outdoor pursuit hike along the Cowichan River near Skutz falls on Vancouver Island. These students are amazing and I absolutely enjoyed the pleasure of their company and the opportunity to be their guest.
The Cowichan River is fast and high this time of year.
There is little time to capture its beauty because I am keeping pace with these young bodies as they leap and skip along up the south side of the trail heading west. They are quiet, talking softly in small groups as they walk single file with the river glimpsed through the trees and over the steep edge of the narrow trail. I sense a relaxed intrigue rather than boisterous, frenetic, silliness I might have anticipated. For some, this is their first semester of outdoor pursuits. They may have spent very little time before today walking on the earth’s soft uneven surface. Through the soft steady rain, low cloud coverage and mist we walk together – as if we have been doing it for years.
A smaller group of older students had separated from us before we crossed the first bridge and gone up the north side trail to practice making stretchers. They will lead teams in stretcher exercises when we meet up with them later on our return. I will cover this in more detail tomorrow.
There are protected groves of Gary Oak in the park where we are hiking. My daughter, Ms. Herman, is one of the two coaches. She waits while I grab a couple of quick photos (with no idea that the camera is pointed in her direction).
We move swiftly to catch up to the rest who are gathered for a lesson on the river bank.
I snap a couple of river shots and totally miss what this particular lesson was about. Sorry Mr. Norman.
View image in full resolution and purchase here.
Next I see a series of switchbacks in front of us. A hill – this is where the 15 year olds are separated from the 51 year olds. I am thrilled to reach the top still being able to talk and not having had to stop and rest part way up. The view was worth it.
View image in full resolution and purchase here.
It is a perfect spot to give a quick lesson on using a compass. The students learn how to gather all the information they already know and begin to locate themselves on a map and learn how to read and set a compass direction.
We continue on. The strength of the trees as they withstand the water flowing around them is amazing.
View image in full resolution and purchase here.
Tomorrow, more about how stretchers are can be made from coats, backpacks and tarp as creativity is applied to survival skills.
Sprout Question: When was the last time you got fired up, along with a group of teenagers, on a creative adventure?
© 2010 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.
Liberal usage granted with written permission. See “About” for details.
Purchase photography at http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch
Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.
Creative Potager 
these are wonderful shots.
we can never tire of nature
And poetry and sandwiches – thank you for coming by Kseverny. I’m honoured and just might need to take up one of those seats over on Kseverny’s Blog – A creative production.
Sprout Question: When was the last time you got fired up, along with a group of teenagers, on a creative adventure?
The last time I was fired along with a group of teenagers on any type of adventure was when my son (who is now 26) was a teenager. He was a competatitve outdoor climber and we’d go to cheer him on.
Ah Laurie, our first Sprout reply of the day goes to you. My daughter (now 29) outdoor climbs as well though not competitively. I have never seen her climb and can hardly look at the photos. Puts my heart in my throat just to think about it. She loves it though and says it is all about physics – her first passion.
Terrill – When we first moved to the midwest, Even (our son) became fascinated with silos. He would climb them (like spider man) on private property which is totally illegal. I’m amazed that he’s still alive today. So while it was scary watching him boulder outdoors on the faces of sheer cliffs, it was better than silos.
I can’t believe I misspelled my own son’s name. Here the the states he’s called Evan. His Gaelic name is Eoghan (pronounced “You When”).
I could correct it Laurie but I like the longer story:) It is so fascinating where our names come from. Yes, I agree sheer cliffs are better than silos where no one is watching. Good choice.
omg they are amazing..
hm.. wanna go there and enjoy the beautiful river..
i like photograpy too anyway..
and thax for ur comment and thax for following my twitter..
cheers
Wulan, your Wholzy’s Blog is amazing. Your photography is skilled and refreshingly unique. I am delighted to follow you and look forward to more of your work.
The river was incredibly beautiful even on this rainy day. Maybe someday you will get to come to Canada and take that hike. Or you migh be like me and enjoy much of the world through other peoples photographs. Thank you for coming by.
That looks like so much fun. For your question, it would go back to when I was a young person at a leadership camp–too many years ago.
Thanks slamdunk… it was a whole lot of fun. If you remember this post in relationship to leadership camp you will really like today’s part 2 post about building stretchers.
Terrill, thank you for this and the beautiful photos. I have done that hike, but only in the summer, I’ll have to try it in winter sometime. Awesome at any time of year.
Ruth
You are welcome Ruth… as you can see it is a delightful winter hike as well.