Ice Breaker Weekend and Guide Training
Mike’s Scout Troop on Ice-Breaker Weekend
It was an ice-breaker weekend all right! There was no sign of temperate spring weather (until Monday morning of course!). The snow started falling some time Friday night and continued off and on for the next 24 hours. Guide trainees and guests arrived early Saturday morning to ponder their day ahead. Everyone was psyched…especially the boy scouts! They get the award for the toughest group of the season. Every year they come early and every year they get greeted by chilly spring days. It doesn’t deter them though. The attitude is cold = fun and a great time was had by all!
Saturday morning Mike’s scout troop split up – half the group navigated the Class three whitewater of the Lower Yough and the others challenged themselves on the Cheat Canyon’s Class Four Rapids. Both groups had a blast! Although Mike was disappointed that his raft didn’t flip on the Cheat. Jared’s highly skilled guiding techniques kept the raft upright, but he did take all the good lines to keep the adventure high.
The group reunited at Falls City Restaurant and Pub for some grub after working up some mighty appetites! Sunday they enjoyed a sunny day on the Lower Yough together.
Wilderness Voyageurs newest set of guides-to-be started their new career by learning the inns and outs of what it takes to be a river guide: Some skill, a lot of stamina & safety always comes first. Veteran guides and trainers, Scott Downs (training guides for 2.5 decades) and Rich Rostauscher led the pack with an intro to the Lower Yough, what to expect, what is expected and their first trial run down the river. It gets tougher from here! The group appeared to be a solid pack. Next weekend will be a telling one when we see how many trainees return. They have another 5 weeks to go….
Sunshine for Sunday on the Cheat