Update: 9-22

Scotchman's Peak Hike

Boys in matching pants, girls in matching shirts. Hanging at the trailhead after a great hike. 

Joe Bopp taking a break on the way down. 

Joe and Wes and I as far as we made it.  Behind us  (to the east) is the summit. We got so close!  

Joe and Wes and west (southwest-ish) to some awesome views. 

Enjoying a well earned snack break (but only a minute or two because we had to head down!). Near the top.   

Wes standing in front of the portion of trail Outdoor track helped decommission last year before we headed up the new section to try to make it to the top!

 

Bear grass meadows... getting closer.

Bear grass meadows with some views of paradise opening up. 

Snow! Plenty of snow. Early season snow ghosts forming.

The snow was deep up high. We took turns breaking trail with some couples from Spokane. Wes took more than his fair share of the trail breaking duties in the deep snow.  

Joe Bopp, king of the mountain. 

Update: 9-15

Outdoor track joined the Junior High tracks and went to "Judy's Place" for the day with Kaniksu Land Trust (KLT) to participate in some service projects.

-They built benches out of logs using hand tools with Dave from KLT.

-They learned orienteering skills using a map and compass.

-Sandy Compton from the Friends of Scotchman's Peak volunteered his time and expertise    for a second week to instruct us in trail building. 

-And we pulled noxious weeds (primarily thistle and spotted knapweed).

-And they learned to prune white pine.

For more pictures, go to the JH Track blog.

Back In Session!

(Note: lots of material below)

The very first Great Outdoors track day was spent indoors, as the outdoor conditions were unhealthy. The county has been deluged with smoke from area forest fires and all outdoor activities for students, including sports, have been curtailed. As you can see in the photos below, even the surrounding mountains have disappeared from view.

So the JH track students and the Great Outdoors track students combined to share guest speakers. Here is Sandy Compton, a member of the Friends of Scotchman Peak, discussing wilderness trail building and maintenance. 

And some opportunities to give off some energy until the other guest speakers arrive. Here's Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Olmstead leading a game of indoor soccer baseball.

Lori Williams, a former hot shot (parachuting) forest fire fighter shared her experiences.

A conservation officer, Officer Haag, shared about his work and how he got into law enforcement. He also brought along his dog, who works with him at crime scenes. 

Combined Outdoor Track and JH Track students

Officer Haag with his wife Becky Haag (who is the CFHS science teacher and the Great Outdoor Track leader) with the now family pet