Written by Christy Pelland
On Thursday, August 10th, girls ages 6-18 and their families joined us for a Wild Skills Adventure at Crystal Mountain. SheJumps’ Wild Skills Adventures are open community events where parents/chaperones participate with the girls. Throughout the adventure, participants are introduced to a range of technical and survival skills girls need to get out and adventure.
The event start was a rolling one with groups showing up as they want between 9 am – 11am. At registration they received a specialized Wild Skills Adventure map which guided them throughout the event. Here’s a look at the event starting at the base area with the gear check:
The Wild Skills Adventure Map for Crystal Mountain.
10 Essentials & Leave No Trace Station Location: Base Area Partner: Clif Kids
First stop of the day was 10 Essentials & Leave No Trace at the base area presented by Clif Kids. SheJumps ambassador, Cheryl Kochevar, a 10 Essentials pro at this point, did a gear check with each group, loaded them up with Clif Z bars and a journal as well as taught them how to protect the beautiful places they visit along the trail. After completed, they found their way over to the gondola for a ride to the summit.
Mt. Rainier Natural History Station Location: Summit area Partner: Mt. Rainier National Park
After the laid back gondola ride, participants were treated to a full view of Mt. Rainier from the summit of Crystal Mountain topping out at an elevation of 6,872 feet. After soaking up the view, they traveled the ridge to the top of the Green Valley chair where Ranger Annie was waiting to teach them all about wildlife in our area. This station was presented by Mt. Rainier National Park.
Ranger Annie teaches participants about wildlife viewing at the top of Green Valley.
Mountain Safety & First Aid Station Location: Lucky Shot/Powder Pass Partner: Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol
After completing the tasks at the Mt. Rainier Station, girls followed the summer trail route to the next station Mountain Safety & First Aid presented by Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol. Professional ski patrollers, Michelle and Corey, helped the girls understand what they can do to stay safe on the mountain as well as what to do in an emergency.
Mt. Rainier is all her beauty.
Crystal Mountain Ski Patroller, Michelle, teaches the girls trail safety and first aid techniques.
Water Purification & Outdoor Gadgets Station Location: Elizabeth Lake Partner: Yukon Trading Company
Halfway down the summer trail, groups encountered a small trail leading up to Elizabeth Lake where the Water Purification & Outdoor Gadgets Station presented by Yukon Trading Company was located. When you first arrived, Kevin Rinderle, gave you the breakdown of why we filter water and clearly represented all the bad stuff that can reside in water. Next, the girls got to filter water with Ultra-Light purification water bottles, a new product from Grayl that easily does the process for you. After filling water bottles, the girls learned how to use Jet Boil stoves to boil water and create their own hot chocolate treat. Special thanks to Yukon Trading Company for going above and beyond with this rad station that was a favorite of many I talked to!
Purifying water at Elizabeth Lake.
Learning about diseases you can get from contaminated water with a little creative incentive.
Even on a 80 degree day – hot chocolate making was a hit!
Camping & Shelter Building Station
Location: Henskin Lake Partner: Arc’teryx
Camping & Shelter Building located at Henskin Lake and presented by Arc’teryx Seattle was the last technical station the girls came across. This ended up being a great place for many groups to take an extended break – enjoying lunch and even some swimming. After recharging with snacks, they were greeted by the volunteer team who handed them a mixed bag of items and tasked with building a survival shelter. Each group was supervised by a volunteer team member and given tips & tricks throughout the building process. There were many creative solutions!
Henskin Lake the site of Arc’teryx’s Shelter Building station.
Lunch break in an alpine lake on a perfectly sunny day.
Wrap Party! Location: Base Area lawn Partner: Crystal Mountain & SheJumps
The remainder of the trail passed through old growth forest, an old mining cave, waterfalls and even traverses a ski run called Gold Hills which participants could catch a glimpse of the wrap party. After completing the trail, girls were greeted with a high five, face painting, bracelet making, water balloons, treats, lawn games and a pinata smash! Upon completion of stations, girls received a sticker marking they did it, at the end of the trail girls showed their completed maps to volunteers for chance drawing ticket. The free drawing included fabulous prizes such as SheJumps swag and a skateboard!
Wild Skills at Crystal Mountain was made possible thanks to our generous partners and by our dedicated and hard working PNW team of volunteers who gave their time to help make this an event the participants will never forget. Thank you to all who helped make this such a special event for these young ladies!
Special Thanks to our Adventure Stations Partners: Clif Kids Mt. Rainier National Park Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol Yukon Trading Company Arc’teryx Seattle Crystal Mountain Resort
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