Mountain Leadership Institute

Check out some photos from our Oregon Cascades Course…

Follow this link to a slide show of more pictures of this course.

*pictures used with student’s permission

Our course to the Oregon Cascades this summer was a life-changing experience for the students. Our expedition began in a classroom where we learned about rationing and packing our backpacks. We then drove down to Devil’s Lake and hiked in about two miles to our first base camp. For most of the students, this was the first backpacking experience they had ever had. The group was tired yet they learned how to cook a solid supper, put up their tents, purify water and dispose of waste properly.

On the second day we had a couple of classes on leadership and assigned two students as leaders of the day (LOD). These LODs were in charge of departures, leading their group to the destination for the night and scheduling breaks along the trail. We broke up into two smaller hiking groups (each with a LOD) and hiked for 6 miles to our advanced base camp at the base of the Northwest face of South Sister. There we had a sunset worship and held our first feedback session for our LODs.

We spent time at this camp learning snow travel techniques like plunge stepping, hand lines, self-arrests and self-belays. From camp we left early for a summit bid the following morning. The LODs took us on a half-mile loop right back to our camp as we began. In doing so they realized that they were actually in charge and that the instructors would step in all safety issues, but that they were responsible for finding the way–a surprising moment for the group as they saw our tents again!

It was an absolutely beautiful day and after 4,000 vertical feet we stood together as a team on the summit. This was the first mountain most had climbed and the highest peak that any of the students had been on. It was an absolutely powerful transition in the mindset of the expedition. Comments overheard were: “I never knew I could accomplish something so hard,” “I felt like quitting down there, but I am so glad that I kept going, I have never seen anything so beautiful before in my life.”

We had some solo-time there on the summit where students recorded their thoughts and spent time journaling and soaking it all in. Then we enjoyed a scree glissade down to our base camp.

This was an absolutely transitional moment as it was on this day that we had summited the third highest peak in the state. We could see peaks in Washington, Oregon and California from this vantage point. The mood that evening was very fun as students glowed with the feeling of accomplishing something significant.

The following day, we hiked the 8+ miles out in record time. The students were strong, made no complaints and when we arrived at Devil’s lake they were ready for a refreshing bath!

We transitioned to Smith Rocks and had a fantastic time climbing and learning about creation, climbing and courageous leadership. Really strong feedback began to happen with students and instructors encouraging each other to strengthen roles as active followers and leaders. Here the group started to excel at being on time, traveling efficiently and safely and communicating openly with each other; apologizing when needed.

Two students approached Jared and I that evening and told us that they both had been changed by the trip. One student went on to say that prior to the trip she was not sure if she really wanted to go, but felt as though God was calling her to go. “Now I know why,” she said. “I feel so close to God and feel as though He is calling me to be a stronger leader in my community back home. I am glad that I listened to God. This has been an incredibly powerful experience.”

We had great climbing days at Smith and returned to Portland, refreshed and exhilarated. Thank all of you for your support in making this such a great trip! For those of you who donated time, expertise and money you made it possible for these students to experience this powerful journey.