Climbing Mount Pilchuck

On the day we hiked up Mount Pilchuck we left school at 8:00 and took a very long bus ride to the mountain. We traveled across the ferryboat and got a snack while enjoying the sights on the water. Once we got close, the road started to get bumpy and we all went, “Ahh” because it sounded funny. We all were getting bored and started singing songs, I don’t really know who was the first to start singing. It was a good idea though. When the bus stopped everyone got all excited and then Mr. “B.” said, “We’ve only stopped to check in with the ranger.” Finally we arrived at our destination and began our adventure of climbing Mount Pilchuck.

We first had to walk a short gravel road up to the trail that lead to the top of Mount Pilchuck. As we were walking it looked very forest-like and I thought to myself, “this doesn’t look like the pictures I have seen.” But as we continued our hike up the mountain it started to get rocky and look more like the pictures. There were beautiful views at the spots where we stopped to rest. While at our stops some people ate food and talked and some people took pictures of the scenery. I could tell when we started to get close to the top because it started to get very rocky, with huge boulders all around us. Then it started to get steep and I could see the tip of the fire lookout tower. I couldn’t wait until we got to the top. As we climbed the rocks that the ladder to the lookout was on, all I wanted to do was eat.

Finally, we had reached the fire lookout tower and everyone was anxious to devour his or her snacks. I was one of the first into the tower and start munching. I talked to Zach, Jimmy, and Patrick about the hike up, and when we were going to go explore the mountaintop. When everyone was done eating we went out in search for the letterbox. We had found the stump that it was in before, but when Mr. “B.” came over there we couldn’t find the letterbox. We came to the conclusion that someone had stolen the letterbox. Don’t ask me why.

Later, Chris and I were climbing the cliffs at the top of the mountain, and on this one cliff Chris saw something and said, ”Hey Daniel, what’s that big crate thing?” That was when I saw it. I told Chris to stay there incase I needed help to get back up. I climbed over to the box that was sitting under a rock. It was huge, probably four feet long, a foot in width, and a foot high with a big gold lock on it. I yelled, “Chris you gotta come see this!” When he made it down to where I was he was speechless. He told me we had to show more people. He climbed back up and got Sam, Zach, and a few other people. When they got down to me we all tried to lift it, but none of us could. I imagined it was about 300 pounds. Unfortunately, we couldn’t do anything to get the crate out of there, so we had to leave it. Finally, it was time to make the long hike back down the mountain.

I was relieved at how much shorter the hike seemed because it was all downhill. We only stopped one time on the way down and Chris and I saw a monstrous rock that looked to be about fifteen feet high. We decided we would try to climb it for something to do. It was actually a lot easier than we thought it would be, and we climbed it a second time with Patrick. After we climbed the rock it was time to continue the hike down the mountain. The view was just as amazing as it was on the way up; it just didn’t last as long. As we got closer to the bottom it began to be more of a forest again. That’s how I knew we were getting close to the bus. Once we got down to the bottom I was happy to be done with the long hike, but I wished I were still on the mountain. This hike was a challenge that I felt was worth it every step of the way.

On this trip I learned that you need a lot of equipment to hike up a mountain. Not to mention a lot of food, because I was starving at the end of the hike. Also, many people found the letterbox, even though we didn’t, and I learned it’s important to leave something and write a small entry about how it was found. I will always remember this if I go hiking again. I also learned that you should take pictures of the nature and wildlife so you will always remember that specific hike. I feel proud f myself for finishing the hike, even though it was challenging at times. I learned that I have the determination it takes to do something like that and succeed in something I set my mind to.

I’m so glad I have taken this class because on this hike I have learned so much about having adventures in the wilderness. I wish I could take this class again in high school, because I love it so much. I know that as an adult I will go hiking and be prepared for the obstacles that I will face. Now that I look back on that adventure, I am glad I can say that was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.

Cougars and Wolves

Today is the battle! At 3:45 this afternoon is the kickoff the blood pouring battle between the Coupeville Wolves and the Langley Cougars. If we win today we will be on our way to another undefeated season. Even if we do win we will be far from there. Last game was a close call, we were lucky we got it together in the second half or it would have been a long game. Today should be different; we’ve gotten more practices on blocking and on extra points. Our starting offense is consists of Sam Lee at quarterback, Mason Shoudy at tail back, Avery Buechner at fullback, and Daniel Sage at slot back. On the line we have Sam Denka, Shane Ball, Seth Eckert, Tommy Mozingo, Matt Danner, Ammon Christenson, and Casey Andrade. We have a big offense I just hope we can get the job done. Last year when we played Coupeville we killed them. I can’t remember the final score but we beat them by at least 30 points. This year shouldn’t be much different but they might have new players. I already know they have one new one. But we can’t say what it will be like until it happens.

new blog

Enjoy my brand new blog, its daniel time.