Alive and Well- No News was Good News!

Hello LELTer's-
Just wanted to quickly let you know that the expedition has made it out of the backcountry with successful summit attempts of Mt Harvard(14,420ft)  and Mt. Yale (14,196 Ft), Colorado's 3rd and 21st highest peaks. Chad was leader of the day for Mt. Yale and Maya led the group of the snow riddled Mt. Harvard. We are very proud of this group and look forward to visiting with them later on this afternoon. I know this is a short and picture-less update, so please stay tuned for more details!

Super-Heroic Transformations!

We often refer to LELT as the most transformative expedition we offer. As LELT prepares for the culmination of this experience-(The Student-Led Backpacking trip), I wanted to share with you the recent transformations that have occurred to your son or daughter. Please see below.

Name: SuperStar Birthday Hero Girl 

Capable of scaling high rock walls in a single day!

Name: Dolphin Man

Capable of swimming class III rapids without a raft!

Name: StudKnots McGinity

Capable of tying all required rock climbing knots blindfolded!

Name: Frogger

Capable of protecting all amphibians in Southwestern Colorado while smiling!

Name: Sargent "Sam"son

Capable of summitting 14,000 Ft peaks before noon!

Name: Suave

Capable of stretching arms and legs in "suave-like" fashion while climbing extra tall cliffs!

The Dude/Sandman

Capable of appearing to be asleep while simultaneously busting out insane climbing moves in high locations!

Name: Senor Spicy

Capable of awesome "Heisman Trophy" pose and saying the word "Spicy" in a NYC-Italian accent!

Name: Super Bad (Ethan)

Capable of doing some many things good, he is "Super Bad!"

(Named by 6 year old)

Name: Super Ry and the Family Stone

Capable of ripping on the guitar while conquering the great outdoors

Name: Super Woman

Capable of holding an awesome pose for several minutes and leading students through the wilds of Colorado for 28 days!

Name: Super Ken/ Super Barbie

Capable of doing just about anything at high altitudes in the snow and saving lives in NYC as a NYC FireFighter!

Name: Super Cute

Hope you agree. Go Ducks!

The Miracle Mile, plus 89 or so more!

It was an absolute joy to visit this year’s Leadership Training Team. Future 2018 Expeditioner, McKenzie and I journeyed to Taylor Rocks to meet up with LELT for a couple of days of climbing at Taylor Rocks. We meet the group at Rosy Lane Campground on the banks of the Taylor River. Their was a bit of rain, but smiles were abundant , as the cooks prepared Gado-Gado, other’s tarped the kitchen, Ryan played the guitar and other’s participated in “Stupid Ninja Time”.

The group was fresh off their epic white water rafting journey. Due to the high snow pack and high water levels this year’s trip down the Arkansas River was unlike any in years previous . While the historic runs of Numbers and the Royal Gorge have yet to open this season, the team put-in just above the “Miracle Mile”-an epic mile long of non-stop thrills, Class IV rapids and magnificent canyons. The new course pioneered by this LELTers involved an ambitious and continuous 4-day run that stretched out over 90 miles.  So unusual was this, that 6 -year river guide and LE favorite, Sunshine, reported it was the 1^st time he had ever linked that section together. Working in teams they paddled roughly 20 miles each day, and during the calmer sections, each member was given a chance to learn the professional rafting techniques.  On the river it is known as “Stick Time” and each learned the art of the river guiding. Each night they camped out on the river banks, while the guides prepared delectable treats.

When asked about the rafting trip the entire crew talked about the food nearly as much as the river. The highlight feast involved the following: Dutch oven, biscuits smothered with eggs and cheese, chorizo, bacon, sausage, gravy and I believe maple syrup drizzled on top.  “Food is Love” is a common phrase in Longacre lore and these guides clearly took it to a whole new level.

The LELT Expeditioners also recalled their mountaineering and backpacking section with great pride. Most agreed it was the most intense thing they have ever done. The large snow levels made it equally more challenging and more amazing. On their way down from Mt. Augusta, they kicked steps in single-file formation, with 60 degree slopes and 1000 ft drops off to the side. Leaders Ken and Amanda continued to note that the group really rises to every physical challenge and it really brings out the best of all of them. Next challenge Rock Climbing.

Out of the Blue and into the Back(country) that is!

The 2011 LELT expedition is off to a terrific start. The group hiked out of the backcountry yesterday morning and the leaders reported just an absolutely fantastic start to their adventure. For starters, no one had to use their new wilderness medicine skills during this section. Mother Nature has also been very kind as the group has managed to complete the days activities before avoiding gnarly afternoon thunderstorms on several occasions.

So the group headed out on the Oh Be Joyful trail with backpacks, ice axes, helmets, and the rest of their mountaineering gear. The high snow pack made this section extra adventurous. LE guide Ken, orchestrated a terrific river crossing, with running belays, and 2 large trees on the first day of the trip. They hiked just 3 miles that first day, and were lucky to find some great campsites with no snow. Not sleeping on the snow when you can, is usually a good thing. On the 2nd day they headed up towards Blue Lake, ascending 30 to 40 degree snow fields along the way they established base camp for the next couple of days. The leaders led them in a solid Leave-No-Trace clinic and the group has fully embraced this form of travel. On Day 3, Ken and Amanda led the group through a serious and rigorous snow school. The learned the art of glissading, the self arrest, how to work in a rope team and more. The conditions were perfect with plenty of snow, the group kicked and picked their way through the snow fields, with several of the students taking lead. On Day 4,they had such good conditions they were able to summit the 13,757 ft Garfield Peak. It was a tough hike up but the group made it down in half the time by practicing their glissading with 3 monster glissades. They were so pumped about conquering their first high peak they celebrated with a monstrous snowball fight. (Again no one was injured). Day 5 came with a challenging hike up and over Daisy Pass. There were some very narrow trails, with some jawdropping views and big drop offs. LE leader Amanda said it was "pretty extreme" and the LODs (Leaders of the Day) Ryan and Ethan put in extra special efforts making sure the entire group made it to camp. In one section, they placed 2 pickets, and had thumbpoint is down the side of the mountain for clos to 120 meters. During this exercise Guillermo's thermarest sprang loose and lauched over a cliff. Fortunately, Ken was able to retrieve before day's end.

 After, the way the kiddos had performed Ken and Amanda felt great about making a summit bid for mighty Mount Augusta. They awoke at 2:30 AM and under the cover night began breaking trail around 4:30 AM. Working as a team they reached the summit by 8 AM. The view from the top was amazing, and the group celebrated from the top. High winds forced the group to depart from the summit around 8:45 AM. The next day with their tired and weary legs the group pushed on down the Oh Be Joyful trail and hiked out of the backcountry. While we believe their main motivation was to call their parents, we also believe soaking in the swanky Princeton Hot Springs and eating Pizza in the cool little town of Buena Vista, may have influenced their speedy descent out of the backcountry.

The leaders have reported a very tightly knit group, with absolutely no cliques. Considering they still have many adventures ahead of them we expect the friendships to intensify and the feeling of community to take hold. The next couple of days on the river, will be a great way to recoup from the physically challenging week in the back country. They head out on the might Arkansas tomorrow.

Please note that we will be retrieving photos from the program on the 11/12th and will be sure to share.

LELT-Mountaineering and 1st Backpack Complete!!!!

Hello LELTers-
I heard briefly from LE Leader Ken a short while ago. Sounds like the expedition is going extremely well. They hiked out this morning and will be calling home before soaking in some well-deserved hot springs this afternoon. They did make successful summit bids of Mt.August and Garfield Peak. Other than a few aloe-treated sunburn lips everyone is happy, healthy and safe. I will be getting a full report later today, and will post a full report. Ken was able to send me just a few photos, but there will be more to come. Enjoy!

Following LELT online
Be sure to look for more photos on our LELT 2011 Picasa site.
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LELT HIkes Out Today

Hello LELT families. The team hikes out today. Looking forward to hearing from them today and hopefully getting some photos! I will post and update as soon as I get one!
Bests-
Jason

LELT 22nd Edition!

Owner Jason Eckman reporting:

The 22nd Leadership Training expedition is off to a terrific start with veteran leaders Ken and Amanda reporting that this year's class of students are "All Awesome!" With some students having as many as 4 Longacre summers under their belt, and most having at least 2, our expectations are high for expedition.

We must admit the travel day consisted of some minor snafus-lost luggage and 2 incredibly early and unexpected arrivals, but Ken and Amanda were on top of the situation and have remained so ever since. Upon departing Denver, the trip headed to the banks of the mighty Arkansas and Canyon City. The 2 day Wilderness First Aid course with Remote Rescue was an engaging hands on class with a wide range of topics including: checking vitals, splinting limbs,  evacuation procedures, and "scene" safety. On day 2 they were put to the test. The group boarded their rafts and headed down the Arkansas for the first of many rafting trips. They were enjoying a terrific sunny day on the river when the stumbled upon a rafting accident that had been stage by Remote Rescue, with rafting guides acting as patients/victims. Our fearless Leaders-in-Training bravely came to rescue putting their new found skills to work.  Fortunately, all patients and rescuers survived. Additionally, I am proud to say that everyone successfully passed the written test and earned the coveted WFA status. Additional good news is that I can personally guarantee there will be no more written tests for the next 25 days or so. This day was also trip leader Ken's birthday and the celebrated with song and chocolate cake. 

The group is currently in the midst of their mountaineering section. With record snow pack Ken and Amanda scouted out a terrific course for our kids during the pre-season and they should enjoy all the benefits of the unusually high late season snow. Running belays, picking and kicking, self arrests and glissading will all be a part of snow school schedule for tomorrow. Today the group headed up the trail near Poverty Gulch and have plans to attempt the summits of Mt. Augusta and Mt.Garfield while in the backcountry. They will also make their way to Blue Lake for some alpine swimming. Apparently, there has been talk of forming some type of "Polar Bear Club" which can involve swimming with icebergs.  

Unfortunately, we have not been able to get many photos from this trip due to the remote nature of the program. In fact we have just 2 thus far, and we vow to get more to you shortly. This program usually provides us with the best photos of the summer and with the snow-capped peaks looming over this program area, we expect more of the same.  You can follow the program by: subscribing to this blog, "Liking us" on Facebook, viewing our photos on Picasa, and following us on Twitter. If that doesn't make any sense to you, you are not alone, and can always email or give us a call. Hope you are all well.