Hilgard Mountain Adventure

On the northern edge of Legacy’s course area, is a mountain whose summit reaches eleven thousand five hundred feet in elevation. The mountain slopes up gently on its southern side from a small valley near Tidwell pond, and then from the top drops off dramatically on the north face, to provide one of the most amazing 360 degree views imaginable.

Our adventure this week started off at the trail head at tree line above Tidwell pond. Our plan was to spend the week traveling to and summiting Hilgard Mountain. You can’t drive a car or a jeep there; in fact an ATV would not be able to follow the trail we took through the heavy fir forest with all the blown down trees across the trail.

At the trail head, we took all our supplies out of the vehicles and looked them over carefully to see that we didn’t take anything on our backs that we didn’t absolutely need for the week. Trekking up a heavily forested trail to a beautiful mountain can be a lot of fun. Carrying a lot of weight up a mountain is not. We planned our meals carefully, and took what was needed. Then the strong young men with me decided to take some of the non-essentials – mayonnaise, and extra vegetables. It was afternoon when we reached the trail head, and an hour later when we were packed and had eaten lunch, and were stepping off to start the hike.

After a few hours of uphill climbing, we entered the bottom edge of the meadow of Porcupine spring. In the meadow were a group of bull elk with partly grown antlers which were still in velvet. Some of the bulls were young, some were huge. They watched us for a while, and we watched them, then they decided it was time to go, and exited to the forest on the right.

We set up camp for the night. Each person in the group doing the chore he had volunteered for the week, whether starting fire with his bow drill set, or cooking dinner, or digging the latrine, it went smoothly, and the spring provided us with all the water we needed.

We were on our way again up the mountain early the next day which would have been Thursday. We topped out at Willies Flat, and walked around the north side of a small lake to camp near a small meadow with another great spring. This week was special beyond just the adventure of summiting the mountain, (which was still to come) because one of the clients had requested a “vision quest” A vision quest is Native American tradition which actually is not strictly Native American. It goes back in time to Abraham, Jesus, and so many leaders of men who went to the wilderness to spend time alone there in preparation for their life’s work. At legacy a vision quest is usually three days and three nights spent in a circle that the client helps to identify. It’s a natural circle that seems to invite the person to be there, and to be with himself.

Thursday afternoon our vision quester began his journey, after stating his clear purpose for the quest, and again asking to go. Friday morning most of the rest of us began the final leg of climbing to the top of Hilgard. Guide Brandon stayed in camp in case our young man on the vision quest had any needs. There isn’t much of a trail up the last ascent of Hilgard. It’s mostly volcanic rock and a bunch of firs and spruces that seem to thrive in environment. Once in a while we’d come across trail markers, mostly we went where the traveling looked the least difficult. Even from our base camp it’s a long ways to the top of Hilgard, but it is so worth it. As we reached the peak, with the wind howling around us, we tucked into the large volcanic basalt boulders in the wind shadow of the north face, and had a group led by a client about what their purpose would be for their upcoming solos.

A solo is similar to a vision quest but it is twenty four hours instead of three days long. Five of the clients had requested the opportunity to experience a solo. Neither solos nor vision quests are required in the legacy program. They are permitted only by request of the client, and after the treatment team feels the young man is prepared. These men had some compelling purposes for their solos. They would begin their journeys within the next day, Saturday.

Saturday was the coldest day of the week. It snowed on us. The wind blew. The five men who had asked to go on solo didn’t even flinch. I don’t mind saying I was impressed. They left after lunch, each led to the circle of his choosing by a guide. We checked on them periodically to make sure they were alright, and the next day, after noon, we went out to bring them back to camp. They didn’t look the same coming back as they had going out. It was obvious that they had each had some profound experience. They looked like men.

These clients came back through a symbolic threshold into camp to a standing ovation, followed by a feast of Navajo tacos, after which they sat in a circle with the rest of us and shared their stories. It would not be appropriate to share details of those stories here. Let me just say that I have never had five clients go out on solo, and then heard five such powerful experiences related to me. I encourage family members to ask your young men about their solo journey.

Interestingly, as the men returned from their solos, the clouds cleared, and the wind began to calm down. The night was cold but calm, and the next day was quite pleasant. It was a privilege beyond what I can express, to be out with your sons on this adventure. You can be very very proud of their progress and growth. I don’t say that they are changing. It’s more that they are becoming their true selves. It’s a rare and beautiful thing to witness, and to be part of.

Michael Porter, Senior Guide

Lookout Peak, the Search of Lost Treasures or, a Week in Flux

There were two new faces among the clientele as the week began, and the promise of more coming.  It would be my final week before a indefinite leave of absence, and three of our seasoned clients were yet hopeful that this would be their last week.  All of this lead to an emotionally charged adventure.

I found it difficult to select an event.  I saw my hope of going into the Fish Lake Range to climb four peaks dissolve when I entered the group space and realized that with so many variables floating around we’d require a gentler itinerary.

We spent the first few days camping near the flowing water of Pine Creek in a spasming knot of feelings that accompany entry and departure to and from the wild country.  The dull roar of the creek coming in and out of awareness alternated its’ medicine on the consciousness and much deeper below.  It was erosive, working our sensitive hearts with the kind of relentlessness that had formed its jagged, magnificent canyon walls.  Speaking with such intensity that it was difficult to communicate with one another, like a sage or saint nobody could silence.

It would be circumstances that precipitated or departure more than some capacity for proactive decision making. We packed up and moved deeper into the wild where an alpine meadow lay divided by the flowing ribbon of Birch Creek who springs from a pile of rock a quarter mile up the steep slope on the west side of Boulder Mountain, whose sparkling body is studded with emerald, mossy rocks sprouting with water plants etching a complicated surface that echoes subtler worlds.  This water, too would have much to say, but in far gentler tones.

Elk inroads coughed up a couple of shed antlers before the Suns’ light exploded into a resplendent setting then sank on our new camp.  Followed by our moon approaching its fullness glowing onto the dense aspen and spruce forest that hosted our bright meadow here at 9,200 feet.

We held group to introduce the adventure which shaped into the hiking to a couple of prominent points on the Boulder top at the edge of its massive Aquarius Plateau, especially Lookout Peak.

On Saturday we were joined by the field manager (Derek) to climb on a well-defined trail whose ascent would carry us to the rim, but a poor rout to Lookout with the snow.  We did find a magnificent view, and seized to moment to take pictures and some personal time to sit in meditation.  When the group rejoined the staff assisted Derek in invoking a ceremonial space leading into a silent “Awareness Hike” for our return trip.

In avoiding some of the deep snow we’d encountered in ascent we spent some time bushwhacking through the dense forest.  We moved through the timber in a quiet row like tribal warriors blossoming primal awareness of land and brotherhood.  When we found the trail again we spread out so each had their privacy leading to a debriefing near our meadow of some significant spiritual awakenings, and the realization of the loss of a radio and camera during the trek.  The latter would cause a return trip on Monday during which the camera, but not the radio would be recovered.  So much for Lookout Peak!

The group was joined by a new client Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.  The first came into a graduation ceremony for the one client who did depart.  It was a powerful ceremony and I would be suspicious of anyone present who claimed to have a dry eye throughout.

On the return hike in search of the lost treasures the metaphor lay in maintaining prior to new vistas.  The discovery of the camera was in par with the miraculous, since we’d lost it on the long section of bushwhacking rendering it like that of a needle in a haystack.  That hike had begun in high winds, chill, and falling snow and would end in sunshine.

We the broke camp and moved to a lower elevation to end our week.

In the conclusion of our “Lookout Peak Adventure” as the treatment team with the exchanging guides encountered us in a camp now eerily silent of running water; the sense of healing in the air was described (by our wise-man, trickster, and cook: just one man) as palpable.

May my road lead me soon again to this brotherhood of gentle, wild men who walk in the palm of the Almighty referred to more often as South Central Utah.  And thank you all for the opportunity to live for a while such a privilege.

All My Relations,

 

Charlie Hopper.

April 24 – May 1, 2012 Cowboys and Indians Adventures

In 1897 the famous outlaw bank robber, Butch Cassidy, left the now famous hideout of the “Wild Bunch” called “Robbers Roost” and robbed the payroll of a mine near Castledale, Utah. After the robbery, they returned to Robbers Roost far out in the San Rafael desert, on the eastern side of Utah. There are only a few places on the western edge of the desert where the mountains do not end in several hundred feet of cliffs. One of these spots is in an area which overlooks the desert, and is known as Garden Basin. It is a place of many springs, berry bushes, grassy meadows and many pinyon pine nut trees. In one particular meadow, a clear cold spring flows right out of a shallow hole in the ground, and just to the side of the spring is a stand of very large, quite old, quaking aspen trees. On one of the trees, about chest height, is carved into the bark, the words, Butch Cassidy, 1897. Whether he left it as directions for others of his gang, or as a taunt to the lawmen who never found his hideout is a matter of speculation.

If this beautiful meadow with views of the mountains to the west, and the San Rafael desert to the east, only boasted a nice spring, green grass, and big mature trees with Butch Cassidy’s signature, it would be reason enough to camp there. But there is still a more compelling reason. On the edge of the meadow is a south facing hill with perhaps 25 to 30 stone circles which were the foundations of Native American houses. The area is littered with stone chippings and broken arrow heads and spear points, along with some pottery shards. It is a place with thousands of years of human history, and deserves to be treated with respect and reverence.

We hiked into the site Thursday, after spending Wednesday night at another spring up the mountain. The group was in such a good and respectful state that I didn’t hesitate to show them the ruins, and also Butch Cassidy’s carving. We all took a picture with the Butch Cassidy tree, and the group showed great respect and interest in the stone foundations and stone tools.

Two of our group members had requested the opportunity to do “Vision Quests” in this area. A vision quest is a Native American tradition of transition to manhood. In the Legacy program, the quester finds a circle of earth that seems the right spot for him, and stays in this sacred circle for three days and three nights, searching for direction in his life. As guides we check on them often to make sure they are safe, but disturb them as little as possible. On the last day of the quest, the rest of the group requested solos, which is a similar thing, but only lasts twenty four hours. The vision questers have the choice to eat or fast during this time, some choose one, some the other. The clients are not encouraged to fast, but surprisingly many do. Drinking water and staying hydrated is not optional, that’s mandatory for safety reasons.

We had some great hikes during the week. Derek came in to spend Saturday night with us, and we had two new clients join our group this week. Both of whom are welcome and pleasant additions to our group.

Sunday evening, we brought everyone back from their sites and listened while they shared their experiences. Some events were blatant and amazing, some were subtle. All were powerful. I have been privileged to go on vision quests myself, and can say with confidence, that a quest changes a person’s compass by at least a few degrees toward the positive, and one can never be exactly the same again.

Two of our clients also had family workshops at the end of the week. What wonderful, caring people these families were. It was a privilege to be included in the sessions with the families.

It is amazing to work with your sons. It is amazing to work with the rest of the treatment team at Legacy. I may possibly have the best job in the world. No brag, just fact.

 

Michael Porter,

Senior Guide

Peak Experiences Where the Buffalo Roam

The Henry Mountain Range was not snow capped as it usually is for the time of year on account of the delightfully mild winter.  We decided to seize the day and push the group to the kind of limits that climbing peaks will do.  Particularly exciting giving the opportunity to encounter members of one of the last of the free roaming buffalo herds.

 

I cannot tell you all how grateful I am to have been a part of this particular adventure which would ultimately push us each to some physical and emotional limits.

We embarked on Thursday to Nasty Flat a couple  thousand feet below Mount Ellen’s 11,5?? foot peak that we would climb on Friday.  As luck had it we found ourselves viewing five bison grazing about 400 meters below the peak itself.  In my experience of a conservative hundred days spent in the area I had never witnessed a living buffalo or managed to summit Mt. Ellen.  Here we were doing both.

In the weakened state of our bodies emotions rose time and again to the boiling point and we used the emerging conflicts to dig deep into the healing.

Staff and clients alike were experiencing great timidity in climbing Mount Pennell on Sunday.  We opted to push forward and found a much greater challenge in climbing Pennell.  There was a moment on the return when two clients were immobilized in a snow drift and experiencing panic in the sudden loss of control.  The group itself responded to the crisis, with newly discovered compassion and calming presence.  It was awesome to see the capability of these men in solving the problem.  Those who had been stuck seemed to find the ability to accept the kinds of momentary loss of control that comes in life, and their assistants, how to work with the kind of harsh feedback that would attempt to shirk their camping influence.

By the time we finished the adventure it was clear that the growth experiences both in he group culture, and for each individual was profound.

Thank you to all involves for these opportunities.

 

Self-Efficacy… Fishing at Round Lake and Forsyth

At Legacy Outdoor Adventures we want our clients to develop the skills to make healthy choices and take positive action. This week we planned on helping the clients to focus more on their strengths and to come to understand and see them in new ways, thinking they will feel better about themselves and be more successful while focusing on their strengths. The plan was to use fishing as a metaphor of building skills. Little did we know, that to make this week a success we need lots of other skills as well.

Our adventure got off to a fast start when we took off for our trail on Tuesday night instead of our usual Thursday morning departure. When we pulled into our camp ground at Round Lake the skies were so clear we could see every star in the sky. The next morning the fish were biting and sun was warm, but that evening the weather came in fast and hard. Wind and snow blasted us hard. Emotions boiled up as people’s shelters were tested and gear got wet. The group then quickly rallied together and set up a large tarp as a group shelter, and then quickly turned to help each other in setting up better individual shelters. It was an awesome thing to see when the gifts and talents of each member of the group came to the surface in a moment of urgency. That night our main focus as guides was to keep each member of the group safe, warm, and dry and even though the weather was intense we were successful as guides and each member of the group was able to sleep well and warm and most importantly dry.

The weather continued to push us mentally, emotionally, and physically but the group took on an attitude and mantra of “let’s kick this storms’ butt.” Saturday we moved our camp to a slightly lower elevation and more accessible location. We camped below a beautiful 50 foot waterfall along a stream filled with trout. The weather persisted that day but by Sunday it had become very nice. All but two members of our group started to catch fish and we once again had a trout feast that night. One very cool part of our trip was the diversity of the fish we were catching. We caught rainbow, brown, tiger, and brook trout and splake and even a perch. The change in weather and big meals of fresh fish after being blasted by the storm had us all feeling accomplished and proud with how we came out on the other side.

In our groups and meetings this week we focused on talents, gifts, skills, and our self-efficacy. In one group we had each member of the group write down their own gift, talents, and passions. Then we passed around a hat with the names of the group members in it and each member drew out a name of another member and wrote about their peers gift, talents, and passions. I was amazed at when we shared these out loud how well what each client wrote about themselves matched what others said about them. It was obvious this group had come together to know each other well and are functioning at a high level.

Thanks,

Mike, Brandon, and Kyle

Goblin Valley week of March 27th to April 3rd Written by DS a Client at Legacy

Since we somehow failed to see goblins at Goblin Valley. We had to act the part, and we did it well. Our first adventure took us through Little Wild Horse and Bell Canyon.  The canyon walls became our playground; we climbed as high as the guides would allow in search of big and small “Goblin Holes” that peppered the canyon walls.  Our greedy eyes budged wide as real live humans, when  human smells greeted our deprived nostrils.  You see some; goblins don’t recognize how terrible they smell until they came across an old lady with freshly shampooed hair. The space in some places was so narrow between the canyon walls one of the blue shirted goblins about fainted from the perfume smell of a hiker going the opposite direction. We would have to turn sideways to accommodate the other hikers in the tight canyon.

The next day our weekly time of community brought us to a few “initiatives” the first, as you see in the pictures, involved a blindfolded human wheelbarrow race for speed and stamina. It was tough but everyone finished. Next was the blindfolded line-up from oldest to youngest, and who we thought were the strongest leaders in the group.  The most challenging test found everyone in the group on a skinny log having to rearrange ourselves without falling off. It even one of us fell off we had to start over. Due to our comfortableness and closeness, the group finished on the first try.

On our third day our goblin alter egos resurfaced in Dina and Dang Canyons. The canyons were very technical, including frequent scrambling up slick rocks. At one point we were forced to shimmy down and across two canyon wall with deep cold water beneath us.  The walls slowly got wider as we progressed, so the shorter of the goblins of the group struggled, but prevailed.  We showed our community came first by helping each other down the difficult sections of Dang Canyon and waiting for others to catch up, so nobody got left behind

The last day and a half involved unreasonable amounts of sand and wind, while this make cooking a nightmare, we still had fun, jumping off of little sand dunes, playing a variation of hacky sack called pelt, and discussing how we could be a better and more effective community.

Other adventures this week included rappelling, finding and befriending giant insects, playing a hilarious continue the story game and singing a bunch of popular tunes on the long drive back to the yurt.

Survival Skills for Wilderness and Recovery

The week began with the spring equinox the early spring weather still reflected winter at the yurt.  Soon it warmed up during our backpacking adventure and by the weekend we were all wearing t-shirts during daylight hours!  We had an even blend of backpacking through rugged terrain, primitive skills, and recovery skills.  Considering the growth of the group, I’d say our instincts for this mixture were on the mark.

 

On Thursday, the first day of our adventure we left the yurt with backpacks and walked out into the Fish Lake National Forest west of a little section called paradise amid white sandstone slabs and ponderosa pine trees to a magnificent campsite.

The following day we maintained our camp, had a powerful group regarding how each member of the group needed to take hold of their recovery and stand up for a positive group culture, then took a day hike down below the limestone cliffs where we each made a small net carrying bag from jute twine.  There were eleven of us in the wind on a steep slope of pinyon-juniper forest overlooking the magnificent San Rafael Desert and beyond into the fringes of Colorado and Arizona.  The intensity of the net making activity was palpable, never have I seen a group so uniformly intent on accomplishing the finished product, which we each had before a steep ascent return to camp.  We held group on the Anatomy of Peace that would set the pace of our emotional growth.

 

The next morning we awoke and ate a huge breakfast including five pounds of bacon and scones fried in the grease thereof.  We put on packs and group members lead us on a long hike through rough terrain.  Quite a few of the men had expressed anxiety about backpacking, but by the end of this jaunt it was clear to all that the body is designed for this kind of duress.

 

We set camp on Last Chance Creek and had a group on clarifying values and setting boundaries: this surely is a recovery survival skill.  We ended the night with affirmations and it was amazing to hear just how positive the men were becoming:  keeping a positive attitude, is another recovery survival skill.

Sunday, we woke up and did our morning routine, a talk on the science of meditation, meditated for 20 minutes, read from an inspirational book, then concluded with comments from group members about the reading.  We do this almost every day, but I mention it here because a shift in the depth of insight in the comments showing a new range the group was finding after a week of considerable efforts.  The peace of the group was expansive and the day unfolded into a series of primitive tools and deep life lessons.  The Piute Deadfall Trap was learned by all, next a sling shot was crafted by the cooperative effort of a couple clients, and finally four or five slings were created.  The traps were set and reset by all before an afternoon of absorption into the focus demanded by projectiles, a Paleolithic driving range of sorts.

 

Monday we returned to the yurt for celebratory chocolate, sun-showers, staff exchange, and meetings with Ray and Troy.  Words fail the extent of the growth and the experience of joy we have shared.  This, of somewhere around 125 weeks in the field truly stands out as a great experience.

A tremendous pleasure,

 

 

Charlie Hopper.