Welcome to the Voice of the Wilderness Father Son Adventure II - 2016
You are about to embark on a fantastic journey this summer! Thank you for your interest and congratulations on taking this vital step towards making memories with our sons. You and your son will never forget this trip.
I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce the group and tell you a bit about the leaders. We also wanted to provide you with a chance to ask questions and we have a few questions for you as well. I will also provide a few details about what to expect and talk briefly about gear selection and packing for our trip.
Perhaps the most important aspect of this trip centers around the spiritual and practical questions of how to instill maturity, responsibility and character in our young sons. It is my firm belief that masculinity can only come from the intentional initiation process from older men. As fathers, we speak life into the hearts of our boys. It is our desire to see this week as being pivotal in the maturation process of our boys. Many ancient and modern cultures practice a "coming of age" ceremony, or initiation into manhood. These ritualistic ceremonies were marked by certain "rights of passage" or "vision quest" moments and always involved the mentorship and direction of an older sage and father. Sons would work perilously close to their fathers, whether that be on a farm or in a craft or family business. These apprenticeship relationships are all but lost and our boys are searching for direction, wisdom, advice and leadership. My passion is to help cultivate discussion around these topics and use this week as an opportunity to affirm our sons.
(SPOILER ALERT - FOR FATHERS EYES ONLY) At the conclusion of our trip (Friday night back at the lodge following a trip to the hot springs in Pagosa) we will have our final fireside chat. We will conduct a brief initiation ceremony and I am asking each father to bring a small gift for their sons. Begin thinking now of something that you would like to offer your son as he continues down this road to manhood. This could be something like a pocket knife, compass, watch, ring - anything that might mark this occasion as significant and transformational for him and you. I would as that each father begin to "wordsmith" a short 2 to 3 minute presentation for their son. I would ask that you speak proudly in front of the others about your son's strengths, gifts, skills and successes. This week will provide ample opportunity for instruction and handling adversity.
I will help facilitate discussion about the following areas of leadership. As fathers we will be centering our commitment to our sons around these precepts. As fathers we will model and teach the following:
Dad's - now is the time, if you want, to talk about how we met our wives, the purpose in dating, handling money, landing a job, working on a car, dealing with college or anything else you guys feel these boys might like to hear. I don't want to force any of this but if we pray for God to open the right doors and we are sensitive to His leading, we can have great fireside conversations about stuff that truly matters.
David will lead us through areas of the "Four Spiritual Disciplines" and other fatter/son related topics.
Recommended reading prior to the trip - you don't need to read any of this thats OK but this is just food for thought:
John Eldridge - "Wild at Heart" - also available as an audio book through iTunes (The Way of the Wild Heart is a great supplemental book)
Leonard Sax - "Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys...."
Angela Duckworth - "Grit - The Power of Passion and Perserverance"
David Cook - "Golf's Sacred Journey - Seven Days at the Links of Utopia"
Larry Crabb - "Silence of Adam"
Robert Bly - "Iron John"
All of the Book of Proverbs!
I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce the group and tell you a bit about the leaders. We also wanted to provide you with a chance to ask questions and we have a few questions for you as well. I will also provide a few details about what to expect and talk briefly about gear selection and packing for our trip.
Perhaps the most important aspect of this trip centers around the spiritual and practical questions of how to instill maturity, responsibility and character in our young sons. It is my firm belief that masculinity can only come from the intentional initiation process from older men. As fathers, we speak life into the hearts of our boys. It is our desire to see this week as being pivotal in the maturation process of our boys. Many ancient and modern cultures practice a "coming of age" ceremony, or initiation into manhood. These ritualistic ceremonies were marked by certain "rights of passage" or "vision quest" moments and always involved the mentorship and direction of an older sage and father. Sons would work perilously close to their fathers, whether that be on a farm or in a craft or family business. These apprenticeship relationships are all but lost and our boys are searching for direction, wisdom, advice and leadership. My passion is to help cultivate discussion around these topics and use this week as an opportunity to affirm our sons.
(SPOILER ALERT - FOR FATHERS EYES ONLY) At the conclusion of our trip (Friday night back at the lodge following a trip to the hot springs in Pagosa) we will have our final fireside chat. We will conduct a brief initiation ceremony and I am asking each father to bring a small gift for their sons. Begin thinking now of something that you would like to offer your son as he continues down this road to manhood. This could be something like a pocket knife, compass, watch, ring - anything that might mark this occasion as significant and transformational for him and you. I would as that each father begin to "wordsmith" a short 2 to 3 minute presentation for their son. I would ask that you speak proudly in front of the others about your son's strengths, gifts, skills and successes. This week will provide ample opportunity for instruction and handling adversity.
I will help facilitate discussion about the following areas of leadership. As fathers we will be centering our commitment to our sons around these precepts. As fathers we will model and teach the following:
- Reject Passivity
- Lead Courageously
- Accept Responsibility
- Expect the Greater Reward - God's Reward!
Dad's - now is the time, if you want, to talk about how we met our wives, the purpose in dating, handling money, landing a job, working on a car, dealing with college or anything else you guys feel these boys might like to hear. I don't want to force any of this but if we pray for God to open the right doors and we are sensitive to His leading, we can have great fireside conversations about stuff that truly matters.
David will lead us through areas of the "Four Spiritual Disciplines" and other fatter/son related topics.
Recommended reading prior to the trip - you don't need to read any of this thats OK but this is just food for thought:
John Eldridge - "Wild at Heart" - also available as an audio book through iTunes (The Way of the Wild Heart is a great supplemental book)
Leonard Sax - "Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys...."
Angela Duckworth - "Grit - The Power of Passion and Perserverance"
David Cook - "Golf's Sacred Journey - Seven Days at the Links of Utopia"
Larry Crabb - "Silence of Adam"
Robert Bly - "Iron John"
All of the Book of Proverbs!
Trip Leaders
David Crouch and myself (Brent Phillips) will be co-leading the trip. We each have two boys that will be joining us on our adventure.
David is a medical doctor and an advanced backpacker and wilderness enthusiast. David and I worked together last year on this trip and immediately became friends. David's oldest son Andrew will help lead in a few of the fireside chats with just the sons. David and I will share in the evening fireside chats and we hope that this time becomes a relaxed time of spiritual renewal, easy conversation and makes for great memories.
I will focus more on the logistical aspects of guiding the trip and help keep us on pace as well as instruct you along the way in areas of low impact hiking and wilderness trekking. Dave and I will work together every step of the way and our trip plans may change due to weather, sickness, injury or other unexpected wilderness surprises. Together, Dave and I have significant experience and I know we will all reach our goals safely on this great adventure.
Our personal bios are below:
David Crouch
Brent Phillips
David is a medical doctor and an advanced backpacker and wilderness enthusiast. David and I worked together last year on this trip and immediately became friends. David's oldest son Andrew will help lead in a few of the fireside chats with just the sons. David and I will share in the evening fireside chats and we hope that this time becomes a relaxed time of spiritual renewal, easy conversation and makes for great memories.
I will focus more on the logistical aspects of guiding the trip and help keep us on pace as well as instruct you along the way in areas of low impact hiking and wilderness trekking. Dave and I will work together every step of the way and our trip plans may change due to weather, sickness, injury or other unexpected wilderness surprises. Together, Dave and I have significant experience and I know we will all reach our goals safely on this great adventure.
Our personal bios are below:
David Crouch
Brent Phillips
The trip roster is as follows:
Brent Phillips (Waco TX) - Anderson 16, Keyson 14
David Couch (TN) - Andrew 19, Ben 16
Dean (49) and Karsten Wood (15) - (Houston TX)
Jay (61) and Blake Downs (20) - (Dallas TX)
This looks like a great balance of age. Andrew and Blake will be instrumental in helping lead my two sons and I look forward to getting to know The Wood(smen)!
Brent Phillips (Waco TX) - Anderson 16, Keyson 14
David Couch (TN) - Andrew 19, Ben 16
Dean (49) and Karsten Wood (15) - (Houston TX)
Jay (61) and Blake Downs (20) - (Dallas TX)
This looks like a great balance of age. Andrew and Blake will be instrumental in helping lead my two sons and I look forward to getting to know The Wood(smen)!
Some questions for the dads
Williams Creek/Indian Creek to CDT loop
A few tips on packing and planning for our trip
First of all - if you haven't done so already, please visit the Voice of the Wilderness web site to learn details about our route and specific gear items you should bring. I have included the VOW checklist below. It is vitally important that you plan on bringing only these things for our trip. Directions to the Mountain Light Lodge and other important numbers are found at: http://www.voiceofwilderness.org/important-info
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Remember you will be carrying some group gear in addition to your personal items. Group gear may include: fuel bottles, light weigh stove, water filtration, trowel, breakfast, lunch or dinner (Day 1,2 etc) and first aid.
If you have not already done so, begin working on both legs and cardio. Try to find an exercise that will get your heart rate to 160 bpm or so for at least half an hour and work up to an hour and a half if possible. Also, please remember to consult your doctor and have him sign off on this level of activity - VOW will need this in writing before we can hit the trail. We will be exploring the Williams Creek trail with numerous possibilities for loops and hopefully a jaunt on the Colorado Divide Trail. I am bringing my fly-rod and you are encouraged to bring a light weight spinning rig or fly rod as well. The map is above. There is a potential bushwhack planned and I would like to see Trout Lake (I would like to see the trout in Trout Lake...).
If you have never carried a pack before, you may be surprised at the level of discomfort you feel at the end of the day. If you have never slept on a sleeping pad or on the ground you will also be surprised. Remember the first time you rode a horse or sat on a narrow bike seat? There are many very expensive nice internal frame packs on the market but no amount of money will make the pack lighter and take away pain.
Voice will provide the following: tents, packs, all food, group gear, cooking gear, medical gear and water treatment/filtration/ water bags.
You should invest in the following:
Quality fitted hiking boots
OK - that covers it for now! You will most assuredly have some questions. I have a forum below that we can all post and add comments. Please get to know one another and don't hesitate to ask if you need anything.
David and I are thrilled to be on this trip. We are desperately looking forward to unplugging, being in creation and spending time with you and your sons. We will serve you in any way possible. Let us know how we can help.
Our prayer is that this trip will be transformational for all of us. God bless you and keep you. See you on Sunday July 31st at the Mountain Light Lodge anytime after lunch. We will officially begin that afternoon with a brief orientation and dinner. We will do a gear check that evening before bed. We will make a last second stop on Monday morning at the Ski and Bow Rack for permits and other small items you may need to pick up.
See you guys soon! Strength and Honor!
Brent Phillips
If you have not already done so, begin working on both legs and cardio. Try to find an exercise that will get your heart rate to 160 bpm or so for at least half an hour and work up to an hour and a half if possible. Also, please remember to consult your doctor and have him sign off on this level of activity - VOW will need this in writing before we can hit the trail. We will be exploring the Williams Creek trail with numerous possibilities for loops and hopefully a jaunt on the Colorado Divide Trail. I am bringing my fly-rod and you are encouraged to bring a light weight spinning rig or fly rod as well. The map is above. There is a potential bushwhack planned and I would like to see Trout Lake (I would like to see the trout in Trout Lake...).
If you have never carried a pack before, you may be surprised at the level of discomfort you feel at the end of the day. If you have never slept on a sleeping pad or on the ground you will also be surprised. Remember the first time you rode a horse or sat on a narrow bike seat? There are many very expensive nice internal frame packs on the market but no amount of money will make the pack lighter and take away pain.
Voice will provide the following: tents, packs, all food, group gear, cooking gear, medical gear and water treatment/filtration/ water bags.
You should invest in the following:
Quality fitted hiking boots
- They can be light weight mid level, mid support hikers
- Waterproof and breathable are a good idea
- If the uppers are full leather, you will need to break them in (wearing them for 2 hours a day, every day from now until the trip begins)
- If you have a quality gear shop near you, it would be a good idea to stop in and ask them for help before venturing out on your own and bargain shopping
- A poorly constructed and poorly fitting boot will end the trip for everyone
- Good brands are ASOLO, Vasque, Danner, Merrill, Saloman, Lowa, Keen and maybe Columbia depending on model. I would not spend less than $130-150
- Your bag should be rated to 20 F and be stored in a waterproof stuff sack
- Down is fantastic but the trip guidelines recommend synthetic. If you get a down bag wet you are in big trouble. If you own a down bag and have experience packing with it, then you are welcome to bring it.
- Your sleeping bag will be lashed to the outside of your external frame pack. You are welcome to bring your own backpack.
- This seems like an inconsequential item and is often overlooked
- The popular Thermorest models have come far but remember - they can leak. Bring a patch kit and keep them in your pack and away from the camp fire.
- 3-layer Gortex light weight and breathable is key. No insulated rain gear please. You will layer everything. Pit zips and a good hood are essential. Full coverage (below your butt) and packable
- Please no coated, vinyl or rubberized wader type material. This layer absolutely must be breathable.
- Rain pants too! Don't skimp on good rain pants as you will spend most of your time in the AM and PM around the camp wearing these.
- Gators are fine but we will try to take off our boots and do creek crossing in our camp shoes
- Tevas with a back strap or light weight swim shoes are great - velcro needs to be working and not too old
- Micro fiber/denier fleece or lightweight wool. Do not bring any cotton. Most technical gear is a mix of lycra, polyester and nylon. These materials can wick and keep their loft (insulation) when wet.
- Fleece jacket, full zip or pull over. Fleece head cover (ski cap) and gloves
- Nylon, supplex - zip off pants/shorts. I love these and will usually wear these shorts all week and keep the bottoms in a side pocket of my pack for easy retrieval.
- Socks - bring two pair of thin Fox River Wick Dry Cool Max liners. Always wear these liner socks under your hiking socks.
- Hiking Socks - I love the Smart Wool socks. Again - NO COTTON
- You will need a good base layer of Coolmax synthetic base layers. I have been wearing the Patagonia Capilene mid weight and silk weight for 20 years (yes, the same pair). We will strive to keep dry from inside out. This is our biggest problem with high altitude hiking. Most of the wetness (when not raining) comes from your sweat. These base layers are designed to transfer moisture away from the body and thus keep you warm.
OK - that covers it for now! You will most assuredly have some questions. I have a forum below that we can all post and add comments. Please get to know one another and don't hesitate to ask if you need anything.
David and I are thrilled to be on this trip. We are desperately looking forward to unplugging, being in creation and spending time with you and your sons. We will serve you in any way possible. Let us know how we can help.
Our prayer is that this trip will be transformational for all of us. God bless you and keep you. See you on Sunday July 31st at the Mountain Light Lodge anytime after lunch. We will officially begin that afternoon with a brief orientation and dinner. We will do a gear check that evening before bed. We will make a last second stop on Monday morning at the Ski and Bow Rack for permits and other small items you may need to pick up.
See you guys soon! Strength and Honor!
Brent Phillips