Salamander Efts Traverse Chuckanut Ridge

For this outing the Salamander Efts met on Cleator Road, alongside blooming Coltsfoot, to make the trek along Chuckanut Ridge to Arroyo Park. The morning was chill, but sunny, and after a long winter the weather was refreshing. We would be doing a traverse for the first time since fall and this was also refreshing in a way. Many of our exploratory outings are relatively unstructured and going for a hike to a known destination is therapeutic in a way; it gets the circulation up and removes any burden of decision, allowing us to sink into the land a bit, enjoy our surroundings, and make conversation along the trail.

Taking in the view over the islands.

Nearing the end of their final season with Explorer's Club, the Salamander Efts are now a relatively small group. With only four Salamanders out, however, it is easier for us to delve into the natural history of this beautiful region. As we traversed the ridge we had ample time and opportunity to stop and investigate the flora and fauna we passed. The spring season delivered us the new growth of plants and song of birds. We brushed up on our tree identification, discussing the differences between Red Alder, Big-leaf Maple and Cottonwood. We saw and smelled fresh Skunk Cabbage displaying its brilliant yellow flowers from the mud. We walked through groves of blooming Salmonberry and took the time to notice the butterfly shape of its leaves. We even found a salamander while poking around for signs of life beneath a log on the forest floor.

An Oregon Ensatina found beneath a moist log.

Reaching the ridge with the sun overhead we stopped to have lunch and take in the view. With swallows, Ravens, and a pair of Eagles floating in the early afternoon updrafts, we surveyed the landscape with binoculars. Chuckanut ridge, which runs roughly north-south provides sweeping vistas to both the east and west. With this in mind, we took a moment to revisit the orientation and navigation skills we learned when still new to Explorer's Club. Looking at the position of the sun, the ocean, mountains, and local terrain features we determined which direction we were heading down the trail. After lunch we took off along the ridge until we came to a trail junction. At the intersection of the trails there was a checkpoint map and we stopped to look at it and compare what we had determined by observation to the information on the map. We came to a decision about which direction we needed to go to get to Arroyo Park, but also discussed what we we would do if we lost our way and there was no map.

Digesting the view with our lunch.

We ended our traverse with time to spare at Chuckanut Creek in Arroyo Park, a long time Explorer's Club favorite. We decided to spend the remainder of our time along the creek, exploring up and down its length and enjoying time with friends in the sun. Winding down the day, we looked back at our time with Explorer's Club, but also forward to the end of our season and graduation, and although our day was relaxing, we didn't forget our goal to master Fire by Friction. After service, our next outing will be an overnight campout at Racehorse Falls and our goal is for each of the Salamander Efts to get a coal and flame with the Bow Drill.

Enjoying the Creek

Be sure to check out the rest of the photos from this outing here.

Salamander Efts Begin Learning Fire By Friction at North Galbraith

The Salamander Efts met up at North Galbraith Trailhead on a chilly, damp Sunday morning. This was perfect weather for us to begin the journey along discovering a timeless skill: The Art of Fire by Friction. Taking advantage of the recently altered landscape, we had a treasure trove of materials to harvest after the recent deforestation a half mile down the trail. But before we jumped into harvesting, it was time to get an introduction into what it takes to make a “bow-drill kit” and what it means to learn this skill.

Gathering under an cave-like overhang just felt right to begin learning this skill

  

Spreading out near the bike jumps, some of the Explorers discovered an small cave like overhang that would be just the right size for an opening circle. Squeezing in, we formed a circle and after some squirelliness from a few group members, we settled in to learn about the bow-drill. It was fitting to be doing this under such a prominent natural shelter and added to the timeless nature of this skill. Examining the kit the boys learned about each piece and its purpose. From the obvious bow, there was also the spindle, fireboard, top rock/block, and items to create a tinder bundle. A quick demo from one of the mentors showed how all these items worked together to create an ember through friction. This ember is then transferred into a tinder bundle and with the addition of oxygen blown into the mix of ember and tinder, a flame is produced. 

The bow, fire board, spindle, and top block/rock, with cedar bark for tinder

Not only is this a fun skill to learn about, but it also holds incredibly significant place in the development of humankind as we know it and the technology we have developed over thousands of years to allow us to live all across the world, explore the depths of space, access an endless wealth of information online, and basically do anything beyond basic survival day to day. The ability to create fire on demand, cook food, and even preserve food enabled early humans to not only survive, but thrive and begin developing the early forms of culture and technology that are now the basis of our everyday lives. There is something almost magical about learning this skill and once you can create fire from a few easily gathered materials in the forest, fire almost becomes a part of you that you can carry with you wherever you go.

Investigating the deforested lands where this group played Life and Death in the Forest a little over a year ago

It was now time for us to indulge in this ancient skill as we moved through the forest and out into the recently deforested lands where we could gather materials and find a location to begin learning this skill for ourselves. This group has always been one to get lost in the art of goofing off and their focus hard to wrangle at times. Initially it was looking like our outing was going to be a wash and despite a lot of fun and exploration when the mentors gathered the group up to rally and get going on gathering materials and putting together their own fire kits. Spreading out Explorers searched for potential spindles to harvest while mentors cut and processed some downed Western Red Cedar to use for fireboards. Everyone was able to track down a few materials and we gathered up once more to start carving away and refining our materials into something that could produce an ember.

Practicing with a fresh bow-drill kit

Despite a wandering focus and plenty of good times to be had, the Salamander Efts managed to gather up the basic materials for a bow-drill kit. We hunkered down for the remainder of our outing and a few of the Explorers actually had a go at getting an ember. Despite their fruitless labors, they honed their technique and began acquiring the muscle memory required to become proficient enough to get an ember. Of course learning such a skill will take many hours of practice, the Salamander Efts not only got off to a good start, but as always, had a good time doing it. The mentors are looking forward to practicing this ancient skill with the Salamander Efts as we progress into spring outings and their final season together before graduating into the Four Shields. This is an exciting time to be working with this group, and as they grow into arriving adults, the mentors hope they can begin learning not only the basics of the bow-drill, but the concentration, determination, and patience that is inevitably required to become proficient at this skill. These traits can then permeate into other aspects of their lives and hopefully give them a head start over their peers as they journey through adolescence and beyond.

Make sure to check out the rest of the photos from our outing here!

Gathering together for closing circle to give some thanks before heading home