When stuck in the middle of winter, it's sometimes good to get a little visual reminder of what summers look like at Beyond. This snapshot should be familiar to many of you. (Click on it to get a full size version for your desktop).
Thursday, December 17, 2009
A Visual Reminder
When stuck in the middle of winter, it's sometimes good to get a little visual reminder of what summers look like at Beyond. This snapshot should be familiar to many of you. (Click on it to get a full size version for your desktop).
Monday, December 14, 2009
Bear Grylls on Beyond Staff 2010
Prepare to be amazed.
Fantastical things happen here...
Beyond Malibu is looking for Guide and Base Camp Staff for the 2010 summer. Could it be you? Could it be someone you know? Applications are due by January 1st for Guide Staff and January 15th for Base Camp Staff.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Gift Ideas...Beyond Malibu Limited-Edition Posters
Looking for a few good gift ideas? How about these Limited-Edition National Park Style Posters? The Barn
The Barn has been upgraded from foundation to roof, but now a copy of this treasure in all its former "back-in-the-day" glory can grace the walls of your home or office.
One Eye
Reigning over Princess Louisa Inlet and a stones throw away from Base Camp, the sheer face of One Eye has never been scaled. Plot your first ascent from the comfort of your favorite chair with this detailed four-color abstract.
Image Size: 15-1/8" x 19-1/4"
Sheet Size: 17-3/4" x 22-5/8"
Screen Printed on acid-free paper.
To order, please contact the Beyond Malibu office.
“The Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done”
By Jill, a participant from Lynden, WA
I would say that the hardest part for me was definitely the first day when I literally thought I wouldn't be able to make it and realizing there was no way of getting out. Then each day, even though nothing really got incredibly easier, God gave me strength to meet each challenge at the perfect time I needed it.
There is no way you can't feel His presence when being surrounded solely by His beautiful and amazing nature. Seeing all that beauty and realizing that God called that good - and me great, is still incomprehensible to me. It was by far the hardest thing I've ever done physically, mentally, and spiritually and one of the best experiences I have ever had. I would not trade that week for anything.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Breaking Walls
By Tyler Thralls, Guide 2008-2009
It was my third trip of the summer and I was excited to go with a leader, Ernie Fraser, who has brought trips to Beyond for the last ten years. Right away he told my guide partners and me that life stories took high priority on his trips and would be told and listened to even if we had to forfeit “making it to the summit.” I liked the sound of this from the start.
This trip consisted of three families who were ready to jump into an adventure together. Most folks had never told their life story before, and by the end of the week, I was struck by the incredible depth of love dwelling in each person, much like God’s love for us. God’s love was felt tangibly and everyone walked away from the trip closer to each other and closer to God.
In the wilderness and Beyond context, the walls we have created in previous relationships are quickly broken down, which leaves room for hearts to be touched and impacted by the Holy Spirit and by others on the trip. It is a phenomenal and extremely unique experience for anyone willing to embrace the adventure and live life to the fullest.
From our guide manual:
“On Walls”
-By Mike Wolford
Everybody has them.
It is said that people are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.
I have walls. What do they look like?
They are high, but thin; strong, yet brittle;
And they are transparent. Why are they there?
To keep from being hurt.
But my walls are vulnerable;
Not to a bulldozer or a bazooka or a hand grenade or a hammer.
My walls want to crumble; they will crumble.
At the touch of someone who cares enough to gently knock.
Once the walls have been penetrated, treat the stuff inside with tenderness and care;
For not many have ever been where you are and not many may ever follow.
For your time inside my walls will determine if
And how my walls will be built again.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Interested in hearing more about Beyond?
We've been busy getting some new media avenues together and we'd love to share them with you. One of those is our new quarterly e-mail "Route Notes". We're going to be releasing it next week. If you don't think we have your contact info fill out this form to get clued in on Beyond's Newsletters.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Eight Mountains
Rachel Longton was a first year Mountain Guide this past summer and wrote this reflection.
Eight Mountains
As the Radio Room “duty” of scheduled rest and reflection week 8 provides moments to remember Beyond, there were eight mountains that stood in view. At Beyond there are eight physical routes and in my personal adventure from the summer there have been eight mountains as well.
The first mountain was WAFA (Wilderness Advanced First Aid) where my knowledge of both the human body and God were challenged; words I thought I knew, such as "vasoconstriction" and "the body of Christ" were suddenly questioned, and my personal textbook of both the world and Christian intellect seemed to have errors and imperfections. Maybe this meant it was time to edit. Though WAFA was hard, the seeds of community for our first year guide class were planted that week and our roots are still growing deep.
Down from this mountain and on to the next, we had a moment in base camp, or shall I say “glimpse of heaven”, before the ten day trial: a turn towards truth and testing. This second mountain began with joyful suffering, rain rehearsal, and long trail talk. Before long my pride was broken through a sprained ankle, or so I thought. I thought I was physically fit, but realized God wants real fitness: dependence on Him. Although I slowed everyone down, the laughter ceased to fade and asking for help was one thing I couldn't do without. The attention was drawn to my brokenness. By the time we reached basecamp I was faced with the fear of sharing my life story. Through facing this fear I came to realize the many ways God has blessed my life with joy, tears, and laughter; and the chance to now have experienced them all at once.
The third mountain was hidden in the fog around the corner and didn't seem to be anything but a flat road. As I walked, the rain let loose and the truth of brokenness poured for four weeks. In base camp I came to face the pain of an injury and the impatience that blisters up in the boots of disappointment. Probing to find purpose in work projects and coveting the mountain goats, my positive position began to perish. When I thought I was strong again, I broke even more and was forced to let go of my idolized mountain guide position. My sin stood out and not much was left...for I was a guilty woman whose own strength was my god. When I couldn't see the top and was forced to keep walking my foot became braced by Christ alone. With some rest and the support of Christ and community embracing me, a mountain of hope began to shine in the near distance.
With some disappointment left inside, I walked on towards this smaller mountain number four that was filled with the freedom of God's honest children journeying from Capernaum. On this mountain my burdens were lightened and the life of Christ came through a larger glimpse of clear skies. Servant hood became a theme and helped detach my soul from selfish thoughts, idolatry, and greed. Still struggling, but with new hope, I marched to train for the next mountain ahead. Up the express route and into God's Word my new strength is found, may the Sabbath abound.
Frolicking up Frank, mountain number five, my Jesus was found- a lover who seeks, sings, and sweats even with the bugs. Sickness was the challenge to greet, but with dependence on God our group was never defeated. My opinions and pride hindered my service and speechless with tears I walked to the summit.
Mountain six was a new day of throwing away our sin stones off the top and being baptized in Crystal Ball Lake. Baptism through bathing set a pattern of dipping our hearts into God's endless streams of life, the refreshing streams of water that to our group became God's voice.
Arriving back in the valley of clouded reality, I began to make out mountain number seven while running to welcome my family at the dock. From guide to daughter I learned to pray “Lord, humble me” and soon the tears of truth were released. With my brother Carl on Pearkes, and the rest of us on a canoeing “Combo” to Chatterbox, we all climbed closer to God and walked away with re-fueled engines.
Goodbye to the family and hello to a group from Spokane, lead by Jamie Mann. The longest mountain was covered by the guiding cloud of God and his good Spirit of detail and determination. A glacier rappel and midnight hike brought fellowship further and God’s promised provision for life. And praise God for we were surprised by a new hope for home while hiking down mountain number eight.
Eight Mountains
As the Radio Room “duty” of scheduled rest and reflection week 8 provides moments to remember Beyond, there were eight mountains that stood in view. At Beyond there are eight physical routes and in my personal adventure from the summer there have been eight mountains as well.
The first mountain was WAFA (Wilderness Advanced First Aid) where my knowledge of both the human body and God were challenged; words I thought I knew, such as "vasoconstriction" and "the body of Christ" were suddenly questioned, and my personal textbook of both the world and Christian intellect seemed to have errors and imperfections. Maybe this meant it was time to edit. Though WAFA was hard, the seeds of community for our first year guide class were planted that week and our roots are still growing deep.
Down from this mountain and on to the next, we had a moment in base camp, or shall I say “glimpse of heaven”, before the ten day trial: a turn towards truth and testing. This second mountain began with joyful suffering, rain rehearsal, and long trail talk. Before long my pride was broken through a sprained ankle, or so I thought. I thought I was physically fit, but realized God wants real fitness: dependence on Him. Although I slowed everyone down, the laughter ceased to fade and asking for help was one thing I couldn't do without. The attention was drawn to my brokenness. By the time we reached basecamp I was faced with the fear of sharing my life story. Through facing this fear I came to realize the many ways God has blessed my life with joy, tears, and laughter; and the chance to now have experienced them all at once.The third mountain was hidden in the fog around the corner and didn't seem to be anything but a flat road. As I walked, the rain let loose and the truth of brokenness poured for four weeks. In base camp I came to face the pain of an injury and the impatience that blisters up in the boots of disappointment. Probing to find purpose in work projects and coveting the mountain goats, my positive position began to perish. When I thought I was strong again, I broke even more and was forced to let go of my idolized mountain guide position. My sin stood out and not much was left...for I was a guilty woman whose own strength was my god. When I couldn't see the top and was forced to keep walking my foot became braced by Christ alone. With some rest and the support of Christ and community embracing me, a mountain of hope began to shine in the near distance.
With some disappointment left inside, I walked on towards this smaller mountain number four that was filled with the freedom of God's honest children journeying from Capernaum. On this mountain my burdens were lightened and the life of Christ came through a larger glimpse of clear skies. Servant hood became a theme and helped detach my soul from selfish thoughts, idolatry, and greed. Still struggling, but with new hope, I marched to train for the next mountain ahead. Up the express route and into God's Word my new strength is found, may the Sabbath abound.Frolicking up Frank, mountain number five, my Jesus was found- a lover who seeks, sings, and sweats even with the bugs. Sickness was the challenge to greet, but with dependence on God our group was never defeated. My opinions and pride hindered my service and speechless with tears I walked to the summit.
Mountain six was a new day of throwing away our sin stones off the top and being baptized in Crystal Ball Lake. Baptism through bathing set a pattern of dipping our hearts into God's endless streams of life, the refreshing streams of water that to our group became God's voice.Arriving back in the valley of clouded reality, I began to make out mountain number seven while running to welcome my family at the dock. From guide to daughter I learned to pray “Lord, humble me” and soon the tears of truth were released. With my brother Carl on Pearkes, and the rest of us on a canoeing “Combo” to Chatterbox, we all climbed closer to God and walked away with re-fueled engines.
Goodbye to the family and hello to a group from Spokane, lead by Jamie Mann. The longest mountain was covered by the guiding cloud of God and his good Spirit of detail and determination. A glacier rappel and midnight hike brought fellowship further and God’s promised provision for life. And praise God for we were surprised by a new hope for home while hiking down mountain number eight.
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