Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
4 Days of Winter Camping
Hello again,
It's been another great week in California. Sunday morning, bright and early, Bekah, Tom, Kelli and I set out for four days of winter camping! We spent all of Sunday, cross country skiing towards Ostrander lake. Which was about a 15 kilometer trek thru Yosemite National Park. The terrain was very rugid. At different points the hills were to steep and icy for us, "beginners". It didn't help that we were carrying 50 pound packs. So all of us walked except Tom, who calls himself a "Guru" in skiing. We finally came to a valley with a wonderful view about 2 kilometers from Ostrander and decided that we should camp there because it was getting dark and we were exausted. That evening we dug out a flat sleeping area and kitchen. I learned how to use the outdoor stove and we boiled snow for water for the next day. After everything was finished being set up, we had supper under the stars. The following day we left most of our gear at our new campsite and headed out to Ostrander lake. Skiing got a little easier with very light day packs! We had lunch around the lake and then Tom taught us how to do complex teleturns on a really steep hill. After getting some more bruises we decided to return to camp.. Our last day in the snow we learned to use a compass and map and Tom taught us about avalanches conditions. We had beautiful sunny weather all four days. The evenings would get to about anywhere from 0 to -5 and during the day it was plus 7-15! Our last evening, Bekah and I decided to build a Quinzee. A Quinzee, for those who don't know, is basically a bunch of snow piled up and then dug out. It took us about 2 hours of moving, packing and hollowing snow to finish. We made it big enough for the two of us to sleep in. Bekah by accidently poked a hole thru the side, making a window. Which later she claimed, it would be "safer" because she could see outside. I was a little scared that the window would cause the snow to shift and collapse. But when morning came around, we were still alive. Finally, it was time to make the decent home. We ended up walking our ski's down two of the very big hills. By midafternoon we made it back to the Ski Pass. In the evening we decided to celebrate our safe travels with Tom's family and a few other people at El Sid's, a mexican restaurant. These last two days we've been completly switching gears. We unpacked all the winter gear on thursday. And today, we had a little debrief and now we're packing for Ecudor. There has been an unexpected flight switch. We were supposed to leave tomorrow but due to weather we aren't leaving until sunday morning. Well it's getting late, I should finish packing and enjoy one more day of beautiful sunshine in the state of California tomorrow. I hope to continue to blog when I am in Ecudor. Pictures are coming soon!
It's been another great week in California. Sunday morning, bright and early, Bekah, Tom, Kelli and I set out for four days of winter camping! We spent all of Sunday, cross country skiing towards Ostrander lake. Which was about a 15 kilometer trek thru Yosemite National Park. The terrain was very rugid. At different points the hills were to steep and icy for us, "beginners". It didn't help that we were carrying 50 pound packs. So all of us walked except Tom, who calls himself a "Guru" in skiing. We finally came to a valley with a wonderful view about 2 kilometers from Ostrander and decided that we should camp there because it was getting dark and we were exausted. That evening we dug out a flat sleeping area and kitchen. I learned how to use the outdoor stove and we boiled snow for water for the next day. After everything was finished being set up, we had supper under the stars. The following day we left most of our gear at our new campsite and headed out to Ostrander lake. Skiing got a little easier with very light day packs! We had lunch around the lake and then Tom taught us how to do complex teleturns on a really steep hill. After getting some more bruises we decided to return to camp.. Our last day in the snow we learned to use a compass and map and Tom taught us about avalanches conditions. We had beautiful sunny weather all four days. The evenings would get to about anywhere from 0 to -5 and during the day it was plus 7-15! Our last evening, Bekah and I decided to build a Quinzee. A Quinzee, for those who don't know, is basically a bunch of snow piled up and then dug out. It took us about 2 hours of moving, packing and hollowing snow to finish. We made it big enough for the two of us to sleep in. Bekah by accidently poked a hole thru the side, making a window. Which later she claimed, it would be "safer" because she could see outside. I was a little scared that the window would cause the snow to shift and collapse. But when morning came around, we were still alive. Finally, it was time to make the decent home. We ended up walking our ski's down two of the very big hills. By midafternoon we made it back to the Ski Pass. In the evening we decided to celebrate our safe travels with Tom's family and a few other people at El Sid's, a mexican restaurant. These last two days we've been completly switching gears. We unpacked all the winter gear on thursday. And today, we had a little debrief and now we're packing for Ecudor. There has been an unexpected flight switch. We were supposed to leave tomorrow but due to weather we aren't leaving until sunday morning. Well it's getting late, I should finish packing and enjoy one more day of beautiful sunshine in the state of California tomorrow. I hope to continue to blog when I am in Ecudor. Pictures are coming soon!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Another week in California!
Hey yall,
Time is flying out here in California! It's been another wonderful few days at Summit. Classes are going well and i'm beginning to get a handle on all the busyness.
On Wednesday, we volunteered at the Boys and Girls club, once again. It was a blast. I played basketball and soccer with most of the younger kids. I remembered a few of the kid's names from last time and met even more.
Thursday was our last day of classes for a week or two until we are settled in Ecudor. In the morning, me and Bekah both lead discussion for one class, each. And we wasted most of the afternoon class with questions and plans for winter camping. In the evening, the girls had a night out playing Bingo. So, me, Tom and some of the other Summit guys decided to have a movie night. We ate way to much and watched Live Free Die Hard starring Bruce Willis.
Friday morning, we had Chapel with another outdoor program called APU, just a few minutes up the road. There are 40 students enrolled in APU's outdoor program. Alot more chaos then just 2 students, thats for sure! That afternoon, we spent pulling food and equipment from storage (they call it "log") for our trek. We had to check off what equipment we took and measure out all of our dry and canned food.
Today, we had a much more relaxing day. I slept in, took a 2 hour bike ride by the lake and had a little work out after. This evening we packed up everything into our backpacks. It took me a few trys before I was able to fit everything in. The packs weigh close to 50-60 pounds. It felt like I was back at home, lifting feed bags. I was still able to do pushups with it on my back, so that gave me some ressurance that these next few days shouldn't be to hard. Except, I think learning to ski with the backpack might have a few challenges.
Anyways, we leave early tomorrow morning! I'm really excited to see how things go. Thanks for reading!
Goodnight,
Brendon
Time is flying out here in California! It's been another wonderful few days at Summit. Classes are going well and i'm beginning to get a handle on all the busyness.
On Wednesday, we volunteered at the Boys and Girls club, once again. It was a blast. I played basketball and soccer with most of the younger kids. I remembered a few of the kid's names from last time and met even more.
Thursday was our last day of classes for a week or two until we are settled in Ecudor. In the morning, me and Bekah both lead discussion for one class, each. And we wasted most of the afternoon class with questions and plans for winter camping. In the evening, the girls had a night out playing Bingo. So, me, Tom and some of the other Summit guys decided to have a movie night. We ate way to much and watched Live Free Die Hard starring Bruce Willis.
Friday morning, we had Chapel with another outdoor program called APU, just a few minutes up the road. There are 40 students enrolled in APU's outdoor program. Alot more chaos then just 2 students, thats for sure! That afternoon, we spent pulling food and equipment from storage (they call it "log") for our trek. We had to check off what equipment we took and measure out all of our dry and canned food.
Today, we had a much more relaxing day. I slept in, took a 2 hour bike ride by the lake and had a little work out after. This evening we packed up everything into our backpacks. It took me a few trys before I was able to fit everything in. The packs weigh close to 50-60 pounds. It felt like I was back at home, lifting feed bags. I was still able to do pushups with it on my back, so that gave me some ressurance that these next few days shouldn't be to hard. Except, I think learning to ski with the backpack might have a few challenges.
Anyways, we leave early tomorrow morning! I'm really excited to see how things go. Thanks for reading!
Goodnight,
Brendon
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
I can’t believe I’ve already been in California a week! This weekend flew by. Friday, me and Bekah spent the day with Tom his wife Carrie and their 5 year old son, Brady, at Badger Pass. Badger pass is a ski resort in Yosemite national park, about an hour from our home. We were on Brady watch, as we cross country skiied, for about the first hour while Tom and Carrie decided what they were going to do. It was fairly slow going because Brady wasn’t in any sort of rush. Although he managed to stay on his ski’s most of the time! Finally Tom and Carrie came to the rescue, took Brady, and we took off on our own adventure. After skiing on the very wide trail we found a new man made trail that went off of it. We skied about 10k to an insane lookout point. The peak overlooked most of the rugged mountain ranges and valleys close to home. Almost immediately after seeing the mouth dropping view, we had to ski as fast as we could back because we promised to be back by mid afternoon! We made it back just as Carrie, Brady and Tom were rapping up there skiing for the day.
Saturday, Kelli and Bekah went skiing and snowboarding again and I decided to stay around base camp for the day. It was nice to have a day to myself. I slept in, went for a jog and walked up to the local store. That evening we decided to go watch a bluegrass band play at a local coffee shop. There were tons of young people there from a different outdoor program just a few miles up the road. We danced, sipped coffee and watched the band. It was a blast!
Sunday, we went to church in the morning and then had a pizza lunch with a few of the young people. It was good to get to know a few more people around the area. After lunch it was time for our weekly venture to the Grocery store. Me and Bekah have been a pretty good combination for keeping some health gluten free food around here. Our grocery lists always include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables! Although I usually cheat daily with a peanut butter and jam toast for breakfast or sandwiches for lunch.
Tom informed us today that this is our last week of having any sanity. Next week our schedule begins to get a little crazy with winter camping and then prepping for Ecuador for 6 weeks. And I thought we've been busy the past week? Guess i'm in for a suprise.
Anyways this evening we are having our 2nd family night with the Summit families. Pizza is for main course! I should get back at my reading now. Thanks for your continual thoughts and prayer! I hope I can continue a blog throughout all of it!
Brendon
Saturday, Kelli and Bekah went skiing and snowboarding again and I decided to stay around base camp for the day. It was nice to have a day to myself. I slept in, went for a jog and walked up to the local store. That evening we decided to go watch a bluegrass band play at a local coffee shop. There were tons of young people there from a different outdoor program just a few miles up the road. We danced, sipped coffee and watched the band. It was a blast!
Sunday, we went to church in the morning and then had a pizza lunch with a few of the young people. It was good to get to know a few more people around the area. After lunch it was time for our weekly venture to the Grocery store. Me and Bekah have been a pretty good combination for keeping some health gluten free food around here. Our grocery lists always include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables! Although I usually cheat daily with a peanut butter and jam toast for breakfast or sandwiches for lunch.
Tom informed us today that this is our last week of having any sanity. Next week our schedule begins to get a little crazy with winter camping and then prepping for Ecuador for 6 weeks. And I thought we've been busy the past week? Guess i'm in for a suprise.
Anyways this evening we are having our 2nd family night with the Summit families. Pizza is for main course! I should get back at my reading now. Thanks for your continual thoughts and prayer! I hope I can continue a blog throughout all of it!
Brendon
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The First Few Days!!
Well as most of you know I made it to Bass Lake, California safely, late saturday evening! It's been a wild ride already! We started classes monday, in our living room with just the four of us. Classes usually starts in the morning at 9am till 2pm with a lunch break some where in between. Tom, our teacher, has been taking us through four books that we are currently reading. Monday afternoon, after class, we had the oppurtunity to hang out with a Boys and Girls club. There are typically 80-120 kids at this club. Its a club, where kids anywhere from kindergarten to youth around the area come after school to hangout, do school work, crafts and a bunch of other various outdoor activities. We played basketball, football and dodgeball with them. I ran around with little girls hanging on my shoulder. We had a great time and we'll be going back on mondays when were around the area. Another evening this week was scheduled for Family night. Alot of people orginized in Summit Adventure came out with their husbands and wifes. And we had a "mexican" supper and spent the evening with them at Tom's house. On top of all our busy evenings during the week we have to find time to read and journal. I have already began to feel a little overwhelmed and nervous for what lies ahead. But I also am looking forward to all the new things I learn and experience. Anyways I should get back to cooking. We are cooking chili and corn bread for a homeless dinner at church tonight. This church hosts around 25 homeless people for supper and a place to sleep. So we get to be apart of serving the meal and meeting these people. Oh, also. I will post pictures of our log cabin and the sourrounding base camp where I am staying. Until next time!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
A new beginning
Good evening,
This blog is now currently up and running. I thought it'd be best if people could have a better idea of what I'm doing and where I am. I fly out Saturday to Bass Lake for a 4 month immersion service adventure semester. If you would like to talk further, email me at brendonkmartin@gmail.com
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
This blog is now currently up and running. I thought it'd be best if people could have a better idea of what I'm doing and where I am. I fly out Saturday to Bass Lake for a 4 month immersion service adventure semester. If you would like to talk further, email me at brendonkmartin@gmail.com
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
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