The Alpengirls of the forest embarked on a wonderful horse packing journey after a fun first few days of camp. Starting at the trailhead, the girls each met their horse for the coming week and packed up their belongings. After loading the mules with packs and supplies, the crew was off for a great week in the backcountry mountains. After arriving at the first camp, each camper learned how to filter safe drinking water, set up a safe tent area, and how to take the saddle off their horse. Each camper learned different wilderness skills throughout the day, and Chloe and Brielle soon became masters of filtering their water, assisting others in the group whenever help was needed. After setting up camp, a rap freestyle battle was in place, leaving Addison, Ellie, and Chloe as top rap finalists! We ended the night and prepared for a day ride the following morning.
Up bright and early, the day began after each camper saddled up their horse. Harper and Nikki were especially excited to learn how to bridle the horse, and were eager to help others. A lovely day ride and lunch stop on the Continental Divide Trail followed, with an extra bonus of a great view for lunch! After arriving back to camp, Fernanda helped others and led a wonderful example in caring for her horse. Dinner followed with activities, including a hilarious improv skit led by the amazing campers. The next morning, each camper learned how to pack a mule for packing to the next camp, and Kira won the manny-wrapping race with the fastest and most accurate manny wrap! After moving to the next camp, the girls were excited to set up their tents and engaged in another alpenplymic event – Best Nest! Harper, Nikki, Fernanda, and Chloe won with the fanciest and most creative tent set-up. A delicious dinner of backcountry ramen followed, cooked solely by Vivian in pursuit of her cooking skill bead! She did an amazing job with dinner and demonstrated her cooking skills for everyone. After dinner, dessert was underway and another improv story was performed. Addison and Giada made the audience crack up the entire time with their skit skills, as well as Ellie, Kira, and Ceci with especially hilarious acting skills! The evening wrapped up and it was time for bed.
The following morning, the girls prepared for another day ride to the Continental Divide Trail, preparing for another lunch stop. With Nutella apple wraps for breakfast, the campers prepared their horses for the ride and helped each other out along the entire process while Margaret, Chloe, and Addison helping to wrap up camp breakfast. After embarking on a lovely day ride, the girls returned to camp to rest, play games, and cook a delicious campfire dinner together. We even got the opportunity to try and get on a horse bareback! The next morning concluded our last backcountry morning, and the campers packed up camp, packed the mules with their newly fostered horse packing skills, and were ready to ride back to the trailhead. After arriving back to the trailer and van, the girls said goodbye to their lovely horses and we were off to clean up, look through camp store, and do some laundry! The evening followed with a fresh dinner, clean hair, and excited campers for the upcoming days of rafting, Yellowstone National Park, and adventuring in Montana! The girls have created many strong bonds together, adventured with creativity, and shared countless laughs together so far, leaving them excited to continue the final days of adventure as a bonded and wonderful group!