The Making of a Team on Juan de

by the 11th Richmond Scouts

ometimes the most difficult challenges can lead to the most satisfying journeys of self- S discovery. So it was for Scouts from the 11th Richmond Group (Coquitlam, BC) when they embarked on a seven-day voyage of excitement, beauty and adventure on ’s Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. The trail is 47 kilometres long, and stretches along the western shoreline of southern Vancouver Island, from China Beach to Botanical Beach near .

As the Scouts found their way on the trail, they discovered in themselves a true Scout team. Here is their story:

Day 1: Hiking in the Rain seals in the surf made this place Everyone maintained a steady Our trek began quite ominously at incredibly beautiful. pace all day without complaint. Con- the China Beach trailhead. It was Augustine: “This is a beautiful stant chatter, touching on subjects overcast and threatening rain. Of campsite. We rushed to get the fly on like genetic engineering and world course, once we left the cars, the skies our tent before it started raining, and peace, provided an interesting opened up and rain poured down. we succeeded. Teamwork is sure some- distraction from the physical task Rain gear on, we headed for Mystic thing we can count on.” at hand. Beach and got a taste of west (or is it Jonathan: “Today I was feeling con- “wet”) coast hiking — roots and rain, Day 2: Mystic Beach to Bear fident. I knew I could make it up the mud and hills. The first two kilometres Beach (7.5 km) gigantic hills. Eventually we could took roughly two hours as we slowly The scenery on the trail amazed see the beach from the log stairs; it was worked on getting our hiking legs. us: panoramic ocean views, forests, really sweet.” At Mystic Beach, we found a beau- creeks, waterfalls, and beaches. The tiful campsite. In no time we had our ups and downs are challenging with Day 3: Bear Beach to China tents up and supper made. At the lots of stairs that are almost too high Beach (12 km) same time the rain stopped. Time to to manage. The trail is constructed This section of the trail is as explore! The tide was out, and we from natural objects like a fallen tree difficult as the West Coast Trail. We saw unique caves carved into the cliff cut into a staircase or a bridge, and started with an awkward stroll along face. These sights, along with the exposed tree roots that create a lad- the sand and rocks of Bear Beach. power of the ocean, waterfalls and der to climb up and over obstacles. The trail moved off the beach on

Taking a brief rest along a boardwalk beside the ocean.

Starting out at the trailhead.

8 THE LEADER, May 2003 Fuca Marine Trail TIPS FOR LOADING A BACKPACK Here’s how to load gear into your backpack before setting off on a trip. upward terrain and never stopped. was almost as hard as yesterday’s, with The scenery was amazing: planks, lots of obstacles. Toward the end of a ✓ Put heavy gear close to your back bridges, ocean views, rock pools, and climb called ‘the Big Hill’ I was getting (see diagram). huge old growth trees. The trail was tired and thinking we would never get ✓ Medium weight gear should be really tough; our legs burned from lunch, and that the hill was never positioned further from your back, climbing and our toes were bruised going to end. The trail today was hard, while light or bulky equipment from going down. but I enjoyed it just the same.” should be rolled and stored outside and below your pack. Day 4: China Beach to Sombrio Day 5: Sombrio to Kuische Creek Beach (8 km) After a trip to explore West The difficult terrain didn’t scare Sombrio Beach, we regrouped for us, because it covered such a short the three kilometre trip to Kuitshe distance. Our guidebook advised that Creek. As usual, we were behind there was one long climb, and then schedule; we arrived just before dark. the trail got easier. The term, “long Torsten: “The hike was not too diffi- climb” was an understatement. The cult. We hiked across a boulder field, hill finally ended, but we still had to but that was kind of fun. We played at traverse some very scary sections of the beach and everyone went in the trail. These were mostly along high water except me. After the beach, the cliff edges, with a 1/2–metre wide trail, hiking was rather easy.” and a sheer drop to the rocks below. Chris: “The hiking was hard, but Day 6: Kuitshe Creek to Payzant fun. Lots of deep mud. We were filthy. Creek I’m glad we have succeeded this far, The trail was interesting, with and I can’t wait for tomorrow.” about 1 1/2 kilometres along the reef By this point the Scouts formed shelf; the remainder consisted of a tightly-knit group, helping, support- boardwalks, log bridges and stairs. ing and encouraging each other. The reef was a unique experience — Even though the hiking effort was sea life mini-worlds contained in the great, they were helpful and courte- tidal pools, combined with the sheer ous, kind and cheerful, and learned power of rock and waves. It created to make wise use of their resources. a wild feeling of hiking on the edge really fat and one was really thin. Torsten: “We had to hike along the of the world. After a few kilometres we saw a seal’s beach again, which I didn’t really like Paolo: “We saw seals sun-bathing head pop up and swim towards us, — not that I had a choice. The hike on a rock near the ocean. One seal was but it went back down again.”

Scouts watch a group of seals playing in a gully near the sea.

Fog hugged the coast and sometimes limited visibility.

THE LEADER, May 2003 9 Day 7: Payzant Creek to Botanical Beach This morning we made a side trip FIELDBOOK FOR to Providence Cove — a beautiful, rugged cove with some very interest- CANADIAN SCOUTING ing caves that we could actually Before heading out on a wilderness safer. Interesting topics covered in the explore. Then we went to Tom Baird backpacking trip like the one described book include: Creek, which was also unique. The above (or any other outdoor adventure), ✓ Backpack loading tips remainder of the hike was mostly read the ✓ Sleeping bags easy boardwalk through jungle-like Fieldbook ✓ First aid treatment forest, with breathtaking views. In for ✓ Tents high spirits, we climbed the last part Canadian ✓ Winter camping of the trail towards the parking lot. Scouting. ✓ Equipment checklists The end of the trip was in sight and It is full of ✓ Bear bags we eagerly awaited the 47-kilometre tips that ✓ Flora and fauna marker — the finish. We climbed will make ✓ Canoeing steadily upwards toward it. your ✓ And much more. expedition more fun Pick up your copy at a local Scout Shop and today. “TIME TO QUIT. LET’S GET OUT Late in the day we gathered for and broke camp, and carried all of a Scout’s Own and to discuss what their gear. They smiled through the OF HERE!” our adventure meant to each of us. most difficult parts of the trail, and We also talked about things we were were always willing and eager to pose Just because your group plans a trip thankful for. Our leaders awarded for photographs. and spends lots of money to get to an badges and a new knife to each of the One source of constant amazement adventure trailhead, doesn’t mean you very deserving Scouts. to adult leaders was the incredibly shouldn’t call it off if you find conditions intense team spirit that the Scouts have deteriorated to dangerous levels. Day 8: Payzant Creek to Parkinson demonstrated throughout the hike. The wisest, but often most difficult, Trailhead to Richmond All members helped and supported decision a leader can make is to “pull All good things must come to an each other through laughter and the plug” on a trip if the weather turns end. We all felt a mixture of happi- tears. These young people accom- really nasty or if members aren’t pre- ness and sadness, elation and exhaus- plished something that many people pared. Winter especially is a time for tion with the completion of this never get to experience. They were caution. Hypothermia can kill very incredible hike. It was difficult not to challenged, but succeeded. quickly, but it can also kill in summer, dwell on the hot shower, clean cloth- especially if a cold wind is blowing. ing and soft bed ahead, but it was — Scouts from the 11th Richmond hard to say goodbye to the amazing Group live in Coquitlam, BC. Be prepared for the unexpected, but team members who we have learned Photos: Colette Millar. also be prepared to turn back. to trust and depend on. The 10-, 11- and 12-year old Scouts did all their own cooking; they set up

“Sometimes it seemed “I can’t believe we really as if we were climbing finished the trip.” upwards (or downwards) forever.”

10 THE LEADER, May 2003