Archive for the 'NWX' Category

Hello!

Nate and Maggie checked in with me on Thursday and their NWX 2 trip is still going great! Since our last conversation, the group had an awesome sea kayaking trip in the San Juans with their guides, Nick and Chase. The group saw Orcas 3 times (!), lots of harbor seals and they had an epic seaweed fight on the second day which was the highlight of their days out on the ocean. The guides also told the leaders that the group was their best trip in four years because of how well everyone worked together and how supportive they were which was great to hear. The guides also taught the group some sweet Frisbee games and Nick was full of lots of nature knowledge to share with everyone. Luke Madden, Overland’s staff photographer, also joined the group for their kayak trip so once he returns to Williamstown in early August he should have some good shots to share with everyone on our SmugMug site. After kayaking, the group hiked up Mt. Constitution wicked fast and even though it was completely socked in at the top, everyone still had a lot of fun. On Wednesday, the group woke up to pancakes in the morning and then jumped (safely and legally) off a nearby bridge before driving to Marblemount and doing some grocery shopping for their backcountry. That night, they had BBQ on the beach with french fries, played some games and were getting stoked for their five days of hiking in the North Cascades. After the backcountry, the group travels south to Leavenworth for some whitewater rafting before heading back to Seattle to finish three great weeks in the Pacific Northwest!

-Conor

Hello!

Northwest Explorer 2 is off to an awesome start so far out in Washington state! I talked to Nate and Maggie on Thursday and they said that the group is having a lot of fun so far. They spent their first few nights at Salt Creek and when they weren’t exploring the coastline or the tide pools at their campground, they were having fun on day hikes in Olympic National Park. They hiked to Sol Duc Falls on Monday and the Hoh Rainforest on Tuesday which were great hikes that afforded the group views of waterfalls and incredible vistas. However, the favorite day hike was on Wednesday to Hurricane Ridge where they got to see marmots, deer and also go sledding on their rain pants down a snowy hill. The leaders said it was definitely the high of the week so far because everyone was enjoying doing tricks on the snow and laughing a lot. The weather so far has been on the colder side but everyone has been in good spirits and the forecast looks much warmer for the weekend too. On Friday the group met up with guides from San Juan Outfitters in Friday Harbor and also Overland’s staff photographer, Luke Madden, for their three days of sea kayaking in the San Juan Islands. Nate and Maggie sounded awesome on the phone and they assured me that everyone is really enjoying themselves out there. I’ll have another post in a week before the group goes backpacking and here’s a group photo!

-Conor

Hello!

Maggie and Nate gave me a call earlier this evening and they sounded awesome! They apologized for not being able to reach me before starting their backcountry in the North Cascades but they ran out of cell service sooner than expected. (They did attempt to send a detailed satellite phone text message to their credit.) Anyway, the group had a great time with San Juan Outfitters during their three days of sea kayaking early last week. They had two informative and entertaining guides, Nick and Phillip, who showed them around various islands and pointed out wildlife such as red rock crabs and harbor seals. The students saw a lot of different kinds of starfish, learned a new favorite game–Street Fighter–and everyone also sampled some scrumptious seaweed. On the 4th of July, the group had an “awesome time” hiking up Mt. Constitution on Orcas Island where Nate surprised everyone at the summit with a watermelon that was hidden in his pack. The group of ten also loved the fireworks that they saw that night in Eastport. After their time in the San Juans, the group had five days of great hiking in the North Cascades where it only rained for five minutes the whole time. They almost made it to the top of Goode Ridge but had to turn back because the snow was too deep. When we talked, the group was in Winthrop and about to get some pizza after four nights in the woods. Maggie also sent me a group picture!

Sorry again for the delay!
-Conor

Hi again!

I chatted with Ramsey and Hannah on Thursday afternoon and they were doing great! They had just come out of their 5-day backcountry in the North Cascades and had a superb time. During their five days, they had absolutely gorgeous weather– it’s been sunny and warm (but not too hot) and they’ve had great views of the snow-capped Cascades and flower-carpeted meadows along the way. The group’s favorite backcountry meal was a delicious chicken stir fry with bean sprouts and carrots with soy sauce which they had on their first night out. On their second day they had an amazing day of hiking from South Fork to Bridge Creek which included a crossing of a roaring brook on a cable bridge which everyone thought was really exciting. Each day of hiking in the Cascades was physically challenging but the group truly bonded during their time away from civilization. Ramsey said everyone has enjoyed the quiet and peaceful nature of the backcountry and that the students spoke of how they’re more aware of their own possessions and also more appreciative of the comforts of home. On Friday the group went rafting on the Wenatchee River with Osprey and today they head out to the San Juan islands via ferry to enjoy three days of sea kayaking! Here’s also two pictures of the whole group that Ramsey was able to send me!

-Conor

Hello!

I spoke with an effervescent Nate and Maggie on Thursday and their Northwest Explorer 1A trip is awesome! They said their group hit it off really well right from the start and everyone seems to be best friends already! They’ve enjoyed their day hikes in Olympic National Park as well as exploring around their campsite, including finding a path to an island nearby where they took some pictures. In terms of wildlife, on their 7-mile day hike in the Hoh Rainforest, the group saw a moose which was super exciting for everyone. They also had some raccoons at their campsite, which left the group alone after a while but not before teaching everyone the importance of food storage while camping. They said that the best meal so far was undoubtedly quesadillas which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Instead of hiking on the snow-covered Hurricane Ridge, the group went sledding using their rain pants (safely, of course!). The weather has been great; a little overcast and cold at times but not too much rain so they’ve considered themselves lucky. When we were on the phone, the group was on their ferry to Friday Harbor where they’ll meet up with sea kayaking guides and then explore the San Juans for three days which the whole group can’t wait for!

-Conor

Hello!

I talked to Ramsey and Hannah on Thursday and they’re having a “mystical and beautiful time” so far on their Northwest Explorer 1B trip! To recount some of their favorite things: the group’s favorite meal so far was chicken tacos with a homemade guacamole and their favorite hike was a walk along Hurricane Ridge. Although the snow drifts in Olympic National Park prevented them from hiking in along the trail, they were still able to spot some black-tailed deer and were also able to see the Juan de Fuca Straight (the body of water separating Washington state from British Columbia) and Mount Olympus at the same time when the clouds and sun cooperated. The group has been thoroughly impressed with the plentiful wildlife they’ve seen along the way, notably the flora and fauna in the tide pools by their campground, a couple Roosevelt Elk which still had their fuzz on their antlers in the Hoh Rainforest and a golden eagle snatching a fish out of an otter’s grasp! The rain has been on and off so far which has created “really dramatic lighting effects” on the mountains nearby and given the group a number of beautiful rainbows too. Next up for the group is their backcountry trip in the North Cascades!

-Conor

Our fourth leader interview is with Catherine Klem who joined our full-time Overland staff in November 2010.  A former participant on Prince Edward Island & Acadia and the American Challenge, Catherine returned to Overland to lead Northwest Explorer in 2010 and now works full-time in the office.

1.    How did you first hear about Overland?

I first heard about Overland when I was in high school.  Growing up, I loved hiking and camping but had never considered bike touring.  However, my freshman year in high school, I tore my ACL in the spring, leaving me with limited summer options.  The doctor encouraged biking to help heal my knee, and so I found Overland and decided to sign up for a trip.

2.    What motivated you to sign up for the American Challenge?

I remember looking at a picture in the Overland catalog of a girl riding her bike through rolling hills on the American Challenge and I was so taken by it.  I’m a goal-oriented person so it seemed like the perfect trip for me.

Catherine on her American Challenge trip in 2005.

3.    What is one thing that you learned from your Overland leaders?

I had two amazing sets of Overland leaders both of whom taught me so much, but what really stands out was their ability to make every moment so much fun. As a leader, I realized that there was a ton of behind the scenes work they were doing every moment, but they never let on.  Looking back on the American Challenge, I don’t think about long days of riding, but rather the games we played along the way, the group jokes we had, and all the times I was doubled over with laughter.

4.    What part of Overland’s 10-day leader training was most useful?

Speaking with past leaders—especially the former Northwest Explorer leaders—and absorbing all their tips and insights was very helpful.

5.    Did your experience as leader of Northwest Explorer live up to your expectations?

It exceeded them!  I was blown away by the Pacific Northwest, had two amazing groups of kids and a phenomenal co-leader.

6.    Many Overland parents comment on the maturation of their children during Overland programs. Please share a story of growth that you witnessed in one of your Overland students.

I always love seeing the students who come to Overland a little apprehensive about the next three weeks, but who leave with tear-filled eyes, not wanting to part with their amazing new friends.  Last summer, we had a girl with no camping experience who came on Northwest Explorer.  She was worried about leaving the comforts of home behind.   About half-way through the trip, we had a particularly challenging day, as we slogged through the rain on narrow paths in the Cascades.  Group morale was starting to wane, and it was this girl who spoke up and said, “I’m having an awesome time. I love the rain, and I’m not even tired from hiking.”  These words had such a huge influence on the group and were so much more powerful in improving group morale than anything my co-leader or I could have said.

7.    What are your responsibilities in the Overland office?

I mainly work on the student enrollment side of things, but I also plan two trips, help with leader recruiting and am focused on getting Overland more involved with trail work in the area.

Catherine with her co-leader Steve on Northwest Explorer last summer.

8.    What do you like about living in Williamstown, Massachusetts?

I love all woods and forests available for trail runs, bike rides and ski adventures.

9.    What are two things that you learned through leading Overland programs?

I learned to always have a plan but to never get frustrated if the plan doesn’t work out. I also learned how to strike a good balance between having a ton of fun and being safe and accomplishing our group goals.

10.   What are your top three Overland moments?

1.    Getting to the top of Goode Ridge with my first Northwest Explorer group and then watching them slide down in the snow.

2.    Watching my second group burst into smiles as it started to pour on one of our day hikes.

3.    Every time a student stepped up and went out of his/her way to help a fellow camper or give props to a group member when he/she needed it most.