Chattermarks

What is a summit experience?  For the 10th cohort of graduate students  in NCI’s residency program, the 9-day backpacking trip that culminated their first quarter of graduate school was a summit experience, both literally and figuratively.  This year the cohort split into two groups, with six students and one instructor with each group.  Team veg started on the East Bank Trail of Ross Lake, climbing Desolation Peak on their fourth day.  Team bourbon started on the west side of Ross Lake, hiking through old growth forests and over Big Beaver Pass.  On the 5th day, Gerry Cook of the National Park Service met us with the MULE to transport each team to the other side of the lake.  Team bourbon then hiked Desolation Peak and backpacked out along the East Bank Trail.  Unfortunately, an injury on team veg necessitated an evacuation.  The team decided to stick together and continue learning about the North Cascades through front-country camping experiences in the Methow Valley.  While the two groups had very different experiences, all students finished their trips elated, exhausted and in desperate need of showers!  Here are reflections from each student about the experience….

» Continue reading Summer’s summit

Summer has finally arrived at the Environmental Learning Center! Diablo Lake has regained its characteristic green color, peregrine falcon fledglings are learning to hunt near the dam, a new fawn is sporting spots around campus, and the tenth cohort of graduate students have begun their academic journey.

Cohort 10 at Diablo Lake.  Field journaling with Libby Mills (above).

Cohort 10 began classes in Bellingham on June 22nd. The eleven students who are enrolled in the graduate program come from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from education to environmental science to multi-media studies. Their summer coursework consists of three classes: Introduction to Place-Based Education, Resource Issues in the North Cascades, and Cultural History in the North Cascades. These courses are interwoven into a series of field excursions in the region, supplemented by readings, projects, and discussions in classes at Western Washington University.

Students learn about mycorrhizae from Brandi Stewart, cohort 9

» Continue reading Welcome graduate cohort 10!

Oh, to be young and wild and free. That common saying, which most of us recognize, is wholly applicable to the wilderness of the North Cascades and of the youth adventures carried out by the first two trips of this summer’s North Cascades Wild program.

After spending 12 days exploring North Cascades National Park (NOCA) by boat and boot, through canoeing and backpacking, 17 students and six instructors, each divided into two trips, had quite the journey to recount.

(Title) Canoeing is a core component of the youth program North Cascades Wild (Above) Trip 1 dressed to impress at Ross Lake Resort

Trip 2 goes wild for NC Wild at Ross Lake Resort

» Continue reading Young, WILD and free

Summer is officially here, despite the gloomu weather’s persistence otherwise, and North Cascades Wild is near.  With training and packing behind us, this summer’s crew leaders embarked upon our recon trip giving us a taste of what adventures the future holds.

We set out Monday with the help of the Cascade Climate Challenge folks and a few happy NCI employees. Loaded down, we paddled all the gear and food – enough to feed one person for two years – to the base of Ross Dam.  After walking our canoes up the emerging replacement road we settled down for a snack while waiting for our friends at Ross Lake Resort to portage and taxi us up to Ross Lake.  Once our food was stored and tucked away we headed off in the direction of Big Beaver campground.  With help from the wind we made excellent time and arrived at camp for Gallo Pinto – a traditional Costa Rican meal – and our evening meeting before dusk.

» Continue reading North Cascades Wild Recon 2010

Backpacking in the North Cascades is great, but last weekend I wanted to do something different. I decided to try canoe camping. The Environmental Learning Center on Diablo Lake was the perfect starting point for my three-day trip.

» Continue reading A long weekend on Ross Lake

The first two North Cascades Wild trips of 2009 have returned home after 12 days of backpacking, canoeing and service projects on Ross Lake.  Eighteen students and six instructors, divided into two groups, embarked on what has become an annual adventure at the North Cascades Institute.  The following is a chronicle of one of those adventures, North Cascades Wild Trip 1.

» Continue reading Twelve days on Ross Lake

Guest Post by Bob Valen, National Park Service Public Information Officer

Smokey bear is renowned for a few simple 1950s quotes, all of them are asking you and me to “prevent wildfires.” The message is straight-forward, sensible and appropriate in specific situations.

Well, the world of wildland fire management has grown in scientific sophistication. Our understanding of fire and its essential role in ecosystems has increased exponentially. It’s no surprise that some people become confused and frustrated when a wildland fire continues to burn with the blessing of fire managers.

One such fire is the recent Panther Creek Fire. Not large in size, this blaze is currently burning in a fire-adapted ecosystem in Ross Lake National Recreation Area. The Panther Creek fire is a lightning-caused fire burning in a heavily-forested area on steep terrain on the east flank of Ruby Mountain above Panther Creek. Due to steep, dangerous terrain, firefighters are not on the mountain at the wildfire.

View of smoke from Panther Creek Fire above Ross Lake; photo by Kerry Olson

» Continue reading Essential Fire: Blaze on Panther Creek

The NC Wild crew headed to Ross Lake early last week for a five day recon trip.  The goals for the week were to transport food and gear to the Ross Lake Resort, scout out the camps, build up our canoeing muscles, use our camping gear, learn the curriculum, and have fun!  On all accounts the trip was a success.

» Continue reading North Cascades Wild Recon trip

Recently I have been experimenting with new outdoor activities.  Well, new to me.  Over spring break Ian and I spent four days hiking along the Olympic Coast, from Rialto Beach to Shi-Shi, and this weekend we spent two days canoeing on Diablo and Ross Lakes.  You see we are primarily mountain people.  We like the alpine, climbing, backpacking, huge vistas; I like the way the world looks when I’m above tree line.  We wanted to try something new, and along the way realized that this mode of travel has its own highlights.

» Continue reading Paddling on Ross Lake

The first days of October and already there are amazing leaves and even snow! A friend of mine, driving cross-country, stopped in to visit me at my new National Park home. I took her and her three dogs on a hike to enjoy the beautiful new fall leaves on the East Bank Trail. It was the first snowfall of the season, the snowline was above 4,000 feet but still beautiful and snowy to look at from below.

Pyramid Peak with new snow on top!

» Continue reading East Bank trail