NorCal 2020

Friday, July 31

Crew 27 met this morning at Dave and Pat’s house at 9am.  We quickly loaded the vehicles, being careful to wear masks and stay socially distanced.  After quick goodbyes and a group photo, We left by 9:15am and drove to Don Pedro Lake.  We all wore masks in the vehicles, kept all middle seats open and flowed outside air through the cars.  Due to various traffic issue we arrived 4 hours later at 1:15pm to a beautiful 104F campsite.  

After lunch we got down to training in river rescue techniques.  The crew and adults learned multiple ways to prepare, coil and throw heaving lines and multiple ways to accurately heave rescue throw bags.  We practiced and tested everyone before going on.  We practiced multiple ways to set strong rescue anchors and how to build and use a rescue system called a z-rig.  Each group had to set up, demo and tear down the anchors and z-rig twice and perform a practice rescue.  

We worked until 6:30pm then broke for dinner… it had cooled off to 99F.  The crew made grilled ham & cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, carrots, and fresh fruit with chocolate fondue.  Vespers were at 9:30p (it was a chilly 83F at ~10pm).

Saturday, August 1

The low temperature last night was a beautiful 72F.  Breakfast was blueberry pancakes, clean or dirty eggs and sausages.  

We headed to the Don Pedro canoe launch area a little after 9 and practiced more advanced white water canoe skills.  Lunch was at 1 with sandwiches and then we headed to the Stanislaus River south of Knights Ferry.  The river was over run with people so we stayed away from the water and taught advanced rescue techniques for a few hours.  When the crowd finally thinned we did training at waters edge and then had a swim call.  

We headed back to our camp and had an amazing dinner, Caesar salad, chicken pot pie and baked bananas with chocolate, marshmallows, nuts and whipped cream.  Dishes were done “karaoke style”  with distancing and masks to the soundtrack of Frozen.

Sunday, August 2

Today we rose early and broke camp. We had oatmeal and applesauce for breakfast and a few leftovers from the night before. We had camp struck by 7:45 a.m. and Dave gave a nice Scouts Own.  Nathan arrived today shortly after 8:00 a.m. and we left a few minutes later to put our canoes in on the Stanislaus River. It was much less crowded Sunday morning although it was clear the rafting companies were getting ready to put another 50 plus rafts on the water later. 

We launched our canoes from Knights Ferry, did some canoe control drills where we ferried across the Stanislaus and then took off down the river. All 10 canoes made it through the biggest rapid which is the Russian rapid but we did have a few (meaning three) canoes that rolled in the water on other rapids. The temperature was 100°, so all of those people that went for an involuntary swim were actually grateful for it. Halfway down the river we practiced swift water rescue using line and v river walk techniques.  We were on the water until almost 1:00 when we pulled out and then had a fairly quick lunch and started our drive north to Lassen. 

When we were almost to our campsite we saw smoke on the hillside which we discovered was the Stump fire, but we talked to authorities immediately and were told that the fire was contained.  Dinner was ham steak, mashed potatoes and carrots.  

Monday, August 3

We allowed the crew to sleep in until 8 but woke up to small amounts of ash and smoke in the campground.  The Stump fire was still in it’s containment area and we were told there was no danger, but, it was too close to us and higher winds were expected later in the day.  We made the decision to strike camp before the winds came up and abandoned our lovely camp spot.

Breakfast was Monkey Bread and sausages.  We had a quick hike to Mill Creek just below our campsite while breakfast was cooking.  We all struck camp and got a chance for a 6 min shower!  We left by noon and took some pictures of the fire area as we departed.  

We entered Lassen National Park, had a quick picnic lunch and then drove partway thru the park to try to snag camp spots by Summit Lake.  We were successful in getting 3 of the last spots together.

After getting registered and setting up, we dashed back and hiked to Kings Creek Falls.  The trail was moderately challenging but beautiful.  We got back to camp about 7 and the crew prepared stir fry beef with rice and vegetables.  The night was cool enough for a campfire, so s’mores were enjoyed.

Tuesday, August 4

Lovely campsite at 7000ft in Lassen last night.  Most of the kids slept in until 7:30.  Breakfast was pizza!  Combo or cheese, baked in Dutch ovens.  It was amazing.  We broke camp and headed for Manzanita Lake in Lassen Park.  We hiked completely around the lake enjoying the cool weather and smoke free environment!  Spectacular views.  

At noon we headed for Subway Cave (lava tube) grabbed a quick lunch and headed into the very cool (literally and figuratively) cave.  We hiked the cave with flashlights.  When done we drove to Burney Falls and hiked to the base of the falls.  When we reached back to the top we were all treated to a giant soft serve cone (chocolate, vanilla, or twist).  

We piled back in the cars and drove to Redding for gas and groceries. It was 106F in Redding. From there we went to Skunk Creek group campground on the Trinity River in the Trinity Alps, where we stayed for four nights. Dinner was Mac n Cheese with ham.

Wednesday, August 5

Daytime temperatures were in the mid 90s.  The setting for the camp is mostly oak trees with a few pine.  We all got up about 6:30 and had breakfast of bacon, strawberries, and pancakes (chocolate chip or plain). 

We prepped for a White Water raft day on a class III+ section of the Trinity River.  We drove to the raft company, Trinity River Rafting, in the town of Big Bar and got outfitted with PFDs, helmets and paddles.  

We were transported to Pigeon point camp area and launched about 10.  We spent about 6 hours on the water with dozens of rapids.  The highlight was Hell Hole, a class 3+ rapid with an 8ft drop.  This was one of the most technical rivers we’ve ever run.  One of our guides was a retired school teacher and a long time scouter… So, we were able to have many fun “extras” for the crew to try, like tube walking.

After rafting we found a store with soft serve ice cream for the youth to enjoy while we picked up our rafting pictures.  Dinner was lasagna, garlic bread and Death by Chocolate.

Thursday, August 6

For breakfast we had a wonderful dutch oven Mountain Man breakfast and cantaloupe.  We spent the day on climbing training. We started with belay commands and then set up a short vertical ascent using climbing harnesses and 3 prussic loops.  We also had everyone on safety belay.  Everyone tried it and was successful. 

After lunch we had swim call and swift water rescue in deeper water .  It was eye opening for many of the group.  Following swim call we set up a short climb and repel on a rock near camp. 

For dinner we had savory and sweet crepes with grapes.  Everyone was tired so we called it quits about 10:00.

Friday, August 7

Today we were up at 7 and had bacon and scrambled eggs either plain or with spinach and cheese.  We prepared for a day on a class II section of the Trinity River.  The white water rafting company came to our campsite with 14 K1 inflatable single person kayaks and 2 K2 – 2 person kayaks.  We carried the kayaks to the river and headed down river for 5 hours of the best class II white water we have ever run.  The now river-seasoned youth handled all the rapids well and had fun running big rapids, splashing each other and swimming.  While on the river we saw an osprey, a bald eagle, river otter, hawks, falcons, frogs, fish and even a bear carcass.  

We returned to camp and most people participated in a chess tournament.  Dinner was dutch oven pizza and watermelon.  At dusk we had a Court of Honor for Callie and Jarod as they received Venturing Leadership Awards.

We ended the evening with a group sing (in masks) followed by Astronomy. 

Saturday, August 8

We had to break camp.  Breakfast was french toast with chicken apple sausage.  We had all the vehicles loaded by 9:30 and drove away from Skunk Point camp, our 4 day home.  We drove the long windy road down to the coast, filled up with gas in Eureka and headed south on 101 until we reached Avenue of the Giants in the Humbolt Redwoods. 

After lunch we hiked 3 hours on one of the most beautiful trails.  The Crew had fun climbing on, in, and around all the giant redwoods.  Dave gave two nature talks. 

We then drove another hour to our campsite in the Standish Hickey state recreation area, which had showers.  Dinner was carrots, cucumber, zucchini, leftover mac n cheese with ham, rice noodles with pasta sauce and hamburger.  Dessert was brownie bites (some added chocolate bars and whip cream).

Sunday, August 9

Breakfast was Breakfast Burritos, made with baggie eggs, bacon, cheese, sausage, avocado, salsa, or any combination.  We then took off for a 90min drive to the coast and Van Damme State Beach. 

We met up with an ocean kayaking company and got outfitted for either single or double kayaks.  We launched in the surf and took off for a cove with a buoy to make sure everyone was comfortable in the kayaks.  After some instruction we paddled into the ocean around a small island and around a point.  We got to kayak thru a cave multiple times, around other islands and near harbor seals.  The sea started getting a little rough so we ended the trip a little early.  Everyone made a great beach landing.  

After lunch we headed further south to a wild animal sanctuary, B.Bryan preserve.  Our tour started at 4.  It was amazing and we all hand fed giraffes sweet potatoes!  

We stopped in Bodega Bay for gas and a quick restaurant meal at the Boat House.  We were back at Pat and Dave’s house by 9:45.  Everybody wanted to hangout a little longer before heading home.