LakeLucerneYouth

(email from 4/8/2024)  Hello Lake Lucerne YM and Parents, This email will lay out the LL YM camps and preparation trips leading up to them. Please continue to check our website for this information and more to come in the future: https://lakelucerneyouth.blogspot.com/ Here are the dates: Fri-Sat, April 26-27 - All YM Campout Fri-Sat, May 17-18 - YM Campouts - DQ at Ensign Ranch, TQ/PQ Backpacking Fri-Sat, June 7-8 - All YM Combined Backpacking trip Tues-Sat, July 30 - Aug 3 - High Adventure Trip (TQ and PQ) Thurs-Sat, Aug 1-3 - DQ Camp September - 3rd weekend - another wonderful backpacking trip (all YM) to Sheep Lake at Chinook Pass (hopefully a repeat of the wonderful trip last year) The High Adventure Backpacking trip will end near the DQ camp location and all YM will be together for Friday night and Saturday.  More details to come. But these dates are set and you can plan for them.  We could use parents' help on the DQ Camp, especially on Thurs-Fri before the Hig...

 2023 LL High Adventure Trip Plans - YM Date : Tuesday - Thursday, Aug 8-10, 2023 Who : Lake Lucerne Ward Teachers and Priests Quorums What : 3-Day, 2-Night Backpacking Trip to Waptus and Spade Lakes Where : (See above and below) Map Link :   https://caltopo.com/m/FBF9Q/TLE190MDCVJDU48R Helpful Trip Report :   https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report.2019-08-21.6128057679 Packing List : See the General Backpacking Trip Packing List post. The intent is to teach the youth how to prepare for the typical backpacking trip. One addition - there will likely be a river crossing around 8 miles in. Sandals or water shoes are recommended for this trip.  Trip Specs :  TH to Waptus Lake (9.5 miles one way, 1000 ft gain), Waptus to Spade Lake (4 miles one way, 2700 ft gain) Detailed Trip Plan: Tuesday, August 8, 2023  (Hike to Waptus Lake and spend the night) 8am - Meet at the Smith Home, load up, hit the road by 8:30am 10:15am - Arrive at the Sa...

 2023 High Adventure Training Guide For specific information on the 2023 High Adventure trip, please see the slide show here: 2023 Lake Lucerne High Adventure Trip Slideshow This is a guide that will help prepare you for our summer adventures. The more effort you put into your preparation and training, the more you will enjoy these trips. This guide can also give you a glimpse into a great way to live.  Everyone has the ability to be in good enough shape to do the trip. All of you have this trip within your reach. The number one most important thing that you need to start with is a belief in yourself and your abilities. This trip is not reserved for elite athletes only. Each one of you have the capacity to succeed with this trip and even enjoy it! All are starting at different fitness levels. Some of you may be in good enough shape to do this trip today. Others may need to make some changes in their daily schedule for improvement.  Below is the short list of action items ...

 A Guide to Snow Camping Started on 2/13/2023 (This post is currently geared towards the Stevens Pass Snow Cave Trip planned for Feb 24-25, 2023. But the principles could apply on any similar snow campout) Camping in the snow is a fun and unique experience. The cold, white stuff provides very different opportunities from other times of year.  A few things about snow caves -Digging a cave is not easy. It is hard work and takes several hours. Experienced cavers can dig one in 1.5 - 2 hours. First time cavers can take 5-6 hours.  -When done correctly, caves can be much warmer than a tent.  -Digging a snow cave is a lot fun. We don't many chances to do this! Gear: Snow Shovel -  this is required to dig a cave (at least 1 per cave). Garden shovels can work. But the flat-nose, lighter, short-handled snow shovel is ideal. If you want to buy one, that is fine. But it is not required for each young man to have one. Adult leaders will have extra shovels. YM must understan...

A Guide to Day Hike Preparation Started on Jan 15, 2023 Revised on Jan 20, 2024 This guide will help you know what to expect and what to bring on a Lake Lucerne All Youth Day Hike. These trips are typically 4-5 hours long (including travel time), leaving town around 8am and returning by 12:30 or 1pm. For most hikes, plan on meeting at the Smith home to carpool from there. We will start with a prayer, have some quick training/safety reminders/thoughts/tips on being in the outdoors for just a few minutes. Then we will leave for the trailhead around 8:15am.  Each youth should have their own backpack and carry their own stuff. This is a smaller size, school day-pack style backpack. Footwear - hiking boots are fine, but not required. Trail running shoes (with good traction) are ideal. Road running shoes will work for most hikes.  Packing List   (these things should easily fit in your backpack): Backpack Jacket (shell layer) Water Snacks Hat (for warmth - fleece is recommended)...

(Thank you for reading - this is a work in progress. Please refer back often) Started on January 31, 2022 First - a definition - what do we mean by "Cold weather" camping? For this discussion, cold weather camping refers to when temps drop below about 45 degrees F at night. You might adjust this depending on expected wind or rain/snow. Temps near Easton, WA in February could be in the mid-20's and are strongly weather dependent. Check your own favorite weather service and prepare accordingly. (We should be doing this on every trip, right?) Quick Guidance Most critical items for sleeping outside in the cold: Sleeping bag (rated to maybe 30 deg F) Sleeping pad - must insulate you from the cold ground Tent/Shelter - block the wind and rain/snow, trap some warmth around you Proper clothing - see below Dressing for the Outdoors (Cold Weather) Use the 3-layer clothing system Base Layer - inner-most layer Thin, synthetic, wicking layer (long sleeve top and bottom). Should be sof...

 Easy Meals for Backpacking Trips Started on June 16, 2021 Backpacking is a wonderful experience but is isn't all easy. Packing and meal choices can make a large impact on the trip.  Here's a thought - there is no rule saying you must cook your meals. It is very possible (and often preferred!) to venture on a backpacking trip with meals you don't have to cook. This enables you to have your meal much, much sooner/easier and it simplifies your packing needs. Yes, a hot meal at the end of the day at a campsite (maybe in the cold outdoors) can boost spirits and make life feel better. But we don't have to cook dinner every time on every trip. There are more options out there - and trying them out can be fun!  Here are a few suggestions for a stoveless dinner that tastes yummy and satisfying: Tortilla Wraps/Sub Sandwich/Bagel Sandwich Filling Ideas: dry salami, pepperoni, shelf stable cheese spread or peanut butter and honey or... A thought on sauce (mayo, mustard, etc) - bri...