Capital Forest Mima Falls Day Hike

This year the Venture Crew is going on a 20+mile Canoe trip. To get ready for this, training must take place. On April 24th, we had an opportunity to go to Capitol Forest to practice some skills needed for our High Adventure. Map reading, leave-no-trace, wilderness first-aid, water filtering, and stretcher building were on the list. We are also learning that it isn't about how nice the weather is or about reaching the finish line, it is about the journey and the experiences along the way.

Jamee and the boys waiting at the church for more willing participants.

The pre-trip briefing and map review at the Mima Falls trailhead.

As part of their Wilderness Survival achievement, the boys are required to learn and demonstrate wilderness first-aid. This is our first time using these skills that we have been working on over the last few months. The scenario - two young boys with identical broken legs (go figure) found in the forest who needed medical care and transport out of the wilderness. The equipment - whatever we were carrying and anything that grows in the forest.

Brady building a stretcher out of parachute cord and saplings to carry our injured victims out.
Tim enjoying the outdoors realizing he has to give a talk in Sacrament meeting the next day.
The scenery was beautiful even through the intermittent pouring rain and bright sunshine.
Our crew was a little short, missing several of our team, but we still had a great time.
Will trying to impress the boys with his tremendous knot tying ability. NOT.
Jamee showing the boys how to place the backing on the stretcher.
Carrying the injured to safety. Notice the broken leg! The boys had to splint and build with whatever they could find in the forest and in our backpacks.
The boys who came did great. We hiked in total of 7 miles through some pretty muddy areas. We learned some cool skills and gained more appreciation for the outdoors while hanging out with friends.