Free Heels and Fast Skis

Come on up to Hoodoo Ski Area tomorrow, Saturday,  January 14 for a super-charged event. It’s the annual Telemark, Randonee ski festival. Tickets are only $30. You can expect nearly 300 skiers from as far away as Utah converging on the hill with smiles, costumes and cranking turns like you’ve never seen before.

You can get the up to date schedule of events at:

http://telefest.wordpress.com.

The event is a fund raiser for three groups.

The City of Eugene Alpine Adventures Program

It’s a weekly alpine ski program for skiers with physical disabilities. Wow, you should see them rip it up!

 The High School Nordic Teams in Eugene

This past Saturday was their first race at Diamond Lake. The teams had excellent results with one of the highlights being Herik Morseth taking the gold in his first ever Nordic race. He won the frosh/soph 10 k skate race. Way to go Henrik and the rest of the competitors!

The Backcountry Ski Patrols

These hardy skiers donate thousands of hours of their time to provide rescue services on our local ski passes. A heartfelt thanks to all of them.

Come on up to Hoodoo on Saturday for a day you won’t forget.  You don’t need to be tele-mark skier to participate.  All things that slide on snow will be welcomed!

Colette’s Resolution…You Should Try It Too!

Once again it’s time to make that New Year’s resolution.  The craziness of the holidays has passed, a new year has begun, and it is a time to reflect upon those things that are no longer serving us and bring into our lives those that do.  I know not all of you out there like to do this sort of thing, but I do!  I relish in the opportunities for self-reflection.  Why not find one more way to improve my life?  Life is so short, let’s live it whole heartedly following our passions and create the life we dream of.  Who’s to stop us?  Not me.   I’m going to do my best to not get in my own way one resolution at a time.

This year’s resolution for me is to create more balance in my life with the energy that I put out into the world and that which I put back into myself.  What this means for me is making sure that I prioritize doing the things that keep me healthy – dancing, yoga, going for walks, spending time with my husband, and getting outdoors to play and sometimes saying “no” to the many social invites that get floated my way.  I am a people pleaser and want to have my hand up in the mix of many things which means I sometimes spread myself too thin (hence, that dratted cold that keeps lingering). So, here it is World Wide Web, to take a line from my Wilderness Medicine Institute classes when assessing the scene, “I’m #1!”  To some this may sound narcissist but, I believe that you cannot fully give unto the world until you take care of yourself.

Pure and simple self-love is what my resolution is all about.  You should try it too!  I wish you all a fruitful 2012, that
finds you healthy, happy, with your dreams coming true!

Hot Chocolate

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Hot chocolate (also known as hot cocoa or just cocoa or chocolate milk or cafe au Chocolat in French) is a heated beverage typically consisting of shaved chocolate, melted chocolate or cocoa powder, heated milk or water, and sugar. Drinking chocolate is similar to hot chocolate, but is made from melted chocolate shavings or paste, rather than a powdered mix that is soluble in water, and is usually not as sweet.

The first chocolate beverage is believed to have been created by the Mayas around 2,000 years ago, and a cocoa beverage was an essential part of Aztec culture by 1400 AD.  The beverage became popular in Europe after being introduced from Mexico in the New World, and has undergone multiple changes since then. Until the 19th century, hot chocolate was even used medicinally to treat ailments such as stomach diseases. Today, hot chocolate is consumed throughout the world and comes in multiple variations including the very thick cioccolata densaserved in Italy, and the thinner hot cocoa that is typically consumed in the United States.

History

An early Classic (460-480 AD) period Mayan tomb from the site of Rio Azul, Guatemala, had vessels with the Maya glyph for cacao on them with residue of a chocolate drink.

To make the chocolate drink, which was served cold, the Maya ground cocoa seeds into a paste, and mixed it with water, cornmeal, chilli peppers and other ingredients.  They then poured the drink back and forth from a cup to a pot until a thick foam developed. Chocolate was available to Maya of all social classes, although the wealthy drank chocolate from elaborately decorated vessels. 

What the Spaniards then called “chocolatl” was said to be a beverage consisting of a chocolate base flavored with vanilla and other spices that was served cold.  Montezuma’s court reportedly drank about 2,000 cups of xocolatl per day, 50 of which were consumed by Montezuma himself.

Because sugar was yet to come to the Americas, xocolatl was said to be an acquired taste. The drink tasted spicy and bitter, unlike modern hot chocolate, which is typically sweet. As to when xocolatl was first served hot, sources conflict on when and by whom. However, Jose de Acosta, a Spanish Jesuit missionary who lived in Peru and then Mexico in the later 16th century, described xocolatl as:

Loathsome to such as are not acquainted with it, having a scum or froth that is very unpleasant taste. Yet it is a drink very much esteemed among the Indians, where with they feast noble men who pass through their country. The Spaniards, both men and women, that are accustomed to the country, are very greedy of this Chocolate. They say they make diverse sorts of it, some hot, some cold, and some temperate, and put therein much of that “chili”; yea, they make paste thereof, the which they say is good for the stomach and against the catarrh.

Usage

Today, hot chocolate in the form of drinking chocolate or cocoa is considered a comfort food and is widely consumed in many parts of the world.

North America

Traditional Spanish hot chocolate served with churros

In the United States, the drink is popular in instant form, made with hot water or milk from a packet containing mostly cocoa powder, sugar, and dry milk.  This is the thinner of the two main variations.  It is very sweet and may be topped with marshmallows, whipped cream, or a piece of solid chocolate^{[citation needed]}. Hot chocolate was first brought to North America as early as the 17th century by the Dutch, but the first time colonists began selling hot chocolate was around 1755.  Traditionally, hot chocolate has been associated with cold weather, winter, and dessert in the United States, and is now rarely drunk with meals.

In Mexico, hot chocolate remains a popular national drink. Besides the instant powder form, traditional Mexican hot chocolate includes semi-sweet chocolate, cinnamon, sugar and vanilla. Hot chocolate of this type is commonly sold in circular or hexagonal tablets which can be dissolved into hot milk, water or cream, then blended until the mixture develops a creamy froth. Mexican cinnamon hot chocolate is traditionally served alongside a variety of Mexican pastries known as pan dulce and in Spain with churros.

Europe

Hot chocolate is called warme chocolademelk in the Netherlands.

In mainland Europe (and particularly Spain and Italy), hot chocolate is sometimes served very thick due to the use of a thickening agent such as corn starch. Among the multiple thick forms of hot chocolate served in Europe is the Italian cioccolata densa. German variations are also known for being very thick and heavy. Hot chocolate andchurros is the traditional working-man’s breakfast in Spain. This style of hot chocolate can be extremely thick, often having the consistency of warm chocolate pudding.  In the Netherlands, hot chocolate is a very popular drink, known as chocolademelk, often served at home or at the cafes. In France, hot chocolate is often served at breakfast time, and sometimes sliced French bread or croissants, spread with butter, jam, honey or Nutella are dunked into the hot chocolate; there are also brands of hot chocolate specially formulated for breakfast time, notablyBanania.

Even further variations exist. In some cafes in Belgium and other areas in Europe, one who orders a “warme chocolade” or “chocolat chaud” would receive a cup of steamed white milk and a small bowl of bittersweet chocolate chips to dissolve in the milk.  Particularly rich hot chocolate is often served in demitasse cups.

Health

Main article: Health effects of chocolate

While hot chocolate is generally consumed for pleasure, there are several potential health benefits associated with drinking hot chocolate. A 2003 study from Cornell University found that cocoa contains large amounts of antioxidants that may help prevent cancer.  Also, the Cocoa Bean has demonstrated evidence that it helps with digestion.  From the 16th to 19th centuries, hot chocolate was valued as a medicine as well as a drink.  The explorer Francisco Hernández wrote that chocolate beverages helped treat fever and liver disease.  Another explorer, Santiago de Valverde Turices, believed that large amounts of hot chocolate was helpful in treating chest ailments, but in smaller amounts could help stomach disorders.  When chocolate was introduced to the French in the 17th century, it was reportedly used “to fight against fits of anger and bad moods”, which may be attributed to chocolate’sphenylethylamine content.  Today, hot chocolate is consumed for pleasure rather than medicinally, but new research suggests that there may be other health benefits attributed to the drink.

On the other hand, several negative effects can be attributed to drinking hot chocolate. Hot chocolate contains high amounts of sugar.

Risks

Several negative effects may be attributed to the drinking of hot chocolate. The types and severity of health risks vary between different styles of hot chocolate.  Hot chocolate made from milk also contains the sugars naturally found in milk. Processed cocoa powder usually contains additional sugars.  Some brands also contain hydrogenated oils and fats, the most common of which are coconut derivatives.

The very small amount of caffeine found in cocoa may also be a concern, though a typical eight ounce cup of hot chocolate contains nine milligrams of caffeine, while an eight ounce cup of coffee may contain up to 133 milligrams depending on the brand. As such, caffeine is not a major health concern associated with hot chocolate.

To read the entire article please go to:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_chocolate

Dress for Winter Weather Success!

Wallowa Mountains Backcountry Experience

The idea of sliding, bounding, or otherwise trekking through a snow-covered landscape is appealing to so many of us, even though we know the reality: it’s COLD out there! The best way to ensure that your winter adventure is fun is by wearing the right clothing. Here are some of our suggestions for dressing for winter-adventure success.

Oregon snow is generally wet, so the main idea is to stay dry. Synthetic fabrics such as poly-propylene, Capilene, and Polartec fleece are designed to keep moisture away from the skin and to stay warm if wet. Natural fibers, such as wool and some silk blends, do the same. Cotton does not have these properties, however; in fact, it retains water and gets very cold when wet. For this reason, in the winter, we tend to avoid wearing cotton all together.

The other general rule is layering. We put out a lot of energy when playing in the snow, which means we will sweat. It is good to think ahead about this, and be prepared to stash warm layers away during physical exertion, so they’ll be dry when you decide to take a rest. As someone who likes to climb mountains in the snow, I generally wear a thin base layer and a wind- or water-proof shell during an ascent, and then put on my down coat and hat near the top. For the base layer, I prefer something that fits relatively close to the skin, like your classic “long underwear.”

Wearing good socks is also important. My all-time favorite socks for adventuring are knee-high Smartwools because they have the warmth of wool, but also have synthetic, stretchy fibers blended in, so they keep their shape, are soft, and durable. The thickness of sock depends on the fit of your boots. If you have space, you can wear a thin, liner sock inside a thicker sock, but if your boots are snug, choose a sock that allows you to move your toes for circulation.

Boot choice may be a whole other article, but here are a few tips. Generally, you choose the right boots for the activity. What is important: a fit that allows your foot to flex and your toes to move for circulation; waterproofing if you are in contact with wet snow; and durability & warmth. Leather hiking boots, with a waterproof coating such as SnoSeal, or Sorel boots, can work for snowshoeing, especially if you cover the tops with a waterproof “gator.” This keeps the snow from going down inside the boot. Gators can also be helpful over x-country ski or ski-touring boots, if you are travelling through deeper snow.

What you put on top of your base layers also depends on your chosen activity and the weather. For pants, if you are going to be exerting yourself and potentially sweating a lot—such as x-country skiing, snowshoeing, or back-country skiing or boarding—a lighter-weight waterproof shell on the bottom is probably enough. If skiing with chairlifts, sledding, or winter camping, heavier, more insulated waterproof snow pants are the way to go.

For the top, outer layers, I usually pack the following, and decide at the trailhead, based on the weather: a warm fleece or wool jacket or vest; a down or synthetic “puffy” coat; and a waterproof “shell” jacket. Even if you don’t choose to wear all of this at the beginning, it is usually a good idea to stuff them in your pack. Winter weather can change quickly, and it is always good to be prepared.

As for accessories, you will want a heavy, waterproof pair of gloves or mittens; a tightly woven or lined hat that covers your ears; something for your neck, if your other layers don’t cover it; and a visor, sunglasses, or goggles to keep the snow out of your eyes. If you plan to go really, really fast, a helmet may also be in order.

In your backpack, it is a good idea to carry the following items for an all-day outing: extra socks and gloves; water in a container that won’t freeze; hearty snacks; your extra layers; fire-starting apparatus; and your basic first aid/survival kit. If it is a wet-snow day, placing these items inside a large Ziploc or garbage bag is a good idea. Bringing a thermos with something hot in it adds a luxury you might not have thought possible on a snow adventure!

The key to staying comfortable in a winter setting is preparing before you go out. If you are heading out on a trip with the River House Outdoor Program this winter, know that we have a closet full of winter clothing for participants to use. Sorting out gear is something we do during Pre-trip meetings. If you are heading out on your own, there are a lot of great places to gather winter gear, new and used. Locally-owned shops include SportHill (http://www.sporthill.com/), Backcountry Gear(http://www.backcountrygear.com/),  Berg’s (http://bergsskishop.com/), Boardsports (http://www.myboardsports.com/), and Tactics (http://www.tactics.com/). Second-hand stores Buffalo Exchange, Play-it-Again Sports, Goodwill, & St. Vincent DePaul often have good finds. At REI and Cabela’s you’ll find anything you could possibly need; and, next October, remember the Ski Swap. Stay warm!

Written by: Jessica Land

Backcountry Skiing…

Hopefully we will have lots of snow and be skiing again through the Spring!!

Play in the Rain Day 2011: Everyone Showed Up Except the Rain!

A tree-climber begins his adventure at this year's Play in the Rain Day!

 As often happens when we make the choice to play outside despite a wet weather report, Mother Nature graced Eugene’s Play in the Rain Day with clear skies again this year. Last Saturday’s event at Mt. Pisgah Arboretum was attended by more than 1,500 families eager to play outside, rain or shine.

 Play in the Rain Day is organized by the Youth in Nature Partnership, a collaboration of local non-profit and governmental organizations dedicated to increasing opportunities for youth to spend time in nature. They transformed Mt. Pisgah’s White Oak Pavilion and fire pit into a bustling hub of outdoor activities, interactive games, and outdoor information.

Northwest Youth Corps tended a central fire, where participants roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah offered a hayride and hiking through Mt. Pisgah’s pristine native Oak ecosystem. The Emerald Empire Back Country Horsemen brought miniature horses to demonstrate horse-packing and taught principals of Leave-No-Trace backcountry travel. Children armed with foam-tipped arrows aimed for targets at Whole Earth Nature School’s archery station.

Nearby Nature's Frannie the Frog gets a curious high five from a Play in the Rain participant.

Overhead, young people dangled in harnesses from the limbs of a grand Oak tree at the River House’s tree climbing station. As in years past, the tree-climbing was a highlight. River House staff-members Brendan Currie, Kirsten Kelso, Wendy Maris, Mary Tyson, & Hannah Satein helped climbers into harnesses, and taught them how to use ropes to hoist themselves up the tree. Over the course of the day, approximately 60 adventurous youth climbed the 6 routes that Brendan and Kirsten had set.

Inside the pavilion, River House had one of 13 informational tables that offered resources about outdoor opportunities in our community. Nearby Nature offered crafts using recycled materials and Willamette Resources & Educational Network (WREN) provided an interactive station where participants learned about river drainage and wetlands, by making “rain” with spray bottles and sponges. Smokey the Bear  and Frannie the Frog were honored guests, thanks to the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management and Nearby Nature.

Those seeking more climbing opportunities can tap into River House’s community climbs at ATA, which continue into December on Tuesday and Thursday nights, 5:30-8:30 pm, and throughout the winter on Tuesdays. They’ll have to wait until Spring & Summer for outdoor tree-climbing programs, including Tree-Climbing Summer Camps.

Multiple tree-climbers enjoy the view from above the festivities.

By Jessica Land

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Staff In the Spotlight

The River House Outdoor Program is pleased to announce Ray Cole as our next “Staff In The Spotlight”.  Ray is one of those instructors that is able to establish a rapport with community members, colleagues, and supervisors.  He gains immediate trust by demonstrating his competency while maintaining a fun loving attitude which naturally draws people in.  There are many staff that have used Ray’s facilitation style as a model to strive for.  Thank you Ray for your commitment to the River House Outdoor Program!  We look forward to many more adventures together!

How did you get involved with the River House Outdoor Program?

I first got involved with the River House (RHOP) after working at a summer camp in the Sierra mountains of California.  I got a job as a Recreation Leader in one of the city’s after-school programs where I met Aimee Goglia and Isaac Marquez.  I told them that I had just spent the summer facilitating challenge courses and leading outdoor rock climbing trips, and they mentioned that there was a Spencer Butte Challenge Course Facilitator Training coming up.  I contacted Kellie Nemke, took the training, and was hired on as a Co-facilitator that summer.  That was 2004.

What’s your favorite part about the River House Outdoor Program?

What’s not to love, really?  I really like meeting and getting to know the people that I work with.  It seems like everyone that works at the RHOP has some sort of special talent, unique interest, or righteous life mission they have dedicated themselves to.  The one commonality they all have, though, is a passion for what they teach and facilitate.  I think that’s what sets the RHOP apart from the other places that I’ve worked.  It’s rare to have a truly “bad” day while working at something you truly love at the root of your soul.

What’s something people might not know about the Outdoor Program that you’d like to share?

If you are thinking about taking a class at the River House, you should know that the people there truly care about your experience.  Your time with them, what you learn, and how you learn it, are at the center of what they do.  It moves the instructors very deeply to see you enjoying and discovering the activities they have had as part of their lives, and they take great joy in passing their knowledge and skill to you and the rest of the participants in the class/program.

What are your goals for the Outdoor Program?

My goals for the RHOP are met on a regular basis as it branches out into new and exciting activities, and continues to reach more corners of our community.  Access to the outdoors is a huge part of my conservation philosophy, and the River House gets better and better at including people from every part of our area, and helping them gain access to our very special surroundings.

What’s your favorite outdoor activity?

I love getting to places I have never been.  I find great joy in discovering a quiet little green space where there never seems to be anybody else, yet is well used and cared for by the people that know about it.  Also, being around a campfire with people and pets I love is one of my favorite things in life.

What’s your favorite color? Book? Movie? Song? Sport?

It sounds cliche, but I don’t really play favorites.  I listen to all sorts of music (except hard-core anything and country), I love funny books, I enjoy playing volleyball, and prefer watching college sports to professional sports any day of the week.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Spend time with my beautiful little family, my wife and two dogs.

What’s your most memorable experience at the River House?

As an instructor, I am continuously blown away by the amount of fun, and the amount I learn from working with the wonderful people of MIUSA (Mobility International).  I have met some of the sweetest, smartest, bravest, most inspiring, and beautiful people while working with that organization.  Whether it is on a cold day at the Spencer Butte Challenge Course, or a hot day on the river, I always, always walk away from those days with a story to tell, and a smile on my face…and a really good night’s sleep.

I would also add that as a participant, taking the Whitewater Kayaking I class was amazing.  It really gave me a chance to witness how amazing River House instructors really are.  It was truly rewarding to sit back and enjoy a River House class from the participant’s perspective.

Join us for Play in the Rain Day on Nov. 12th! FREE!

Nathaniel Mitchell and an intrepid tree-climber in the giant Oak tree at last year's Play in the Rain Day.

Want  something fun to do with your family on a rainy– or perhaps even sunny– Saturday this November? Come visit Mount Pisgah Arboretum for our community’s 4th annual Play in the Rain Day on Saturday, November 12th, from 10 am to 3 pm!

Play in the Rain Day is a FREE FAMILY EVENT for all ages, put on by the Youth in Nature Partnership, which is comprised of governmental and non-profit organizations dedicated to getting youth outside. The day’s activities will include tree-climbing by the River House, horses, nature crafts, hikes, hay rides, campfire cookery, a visit from Smokey Bear, native plants, fire by friction, archery and more! Parking and all activities, including campfire food, are FREE!

The day is a great reminder of how fun, easy and rewarding it is to spend time outdoors in nature—in ALL kinds of weather. More than 1,000 people attended last year. Play in the Rain Day will happen rain or shine, so dress for the weather!

For more information, call Liz Karas at 541-349-5055, ext. 201, Peg Douthit-Jackson at 541-747-1504, or Chris Orsinger at 541-344-8350, or visit www.youthinnature.org.

The Youth in Nature Partnership is a collaboration of non-profit and governmental organizations committed to increasing opportunities for youth to spend time in nature. Its members include the Bureau of Land Management, the City of Eugene, Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah, Nearby Nature, Northwest Youth Corps, Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Willamalane Park and Recreation District, the United States Forest Service, and Willamette Resources & Educational Network (WREN). From nature education to service learning to just plain fun – each member organization values the wonder of nature and the ways it inspires children.

Challenge by Choice in Bolivia

The title of this post was the subject line of an email I received 2 weeks ago.  It was sent by Laura Beko, a former volunteer and staff member with the River House Outdoor Program and the Spencer Butte Challenge Course.  Needless to say, it caught my attention. 

Laura and Erich are on a biking tour from Alaska to Argentina that they have dubbed “Polar Bears to Penguins.”  I hope you enjoy reading her letter as much as I did.  — Robert Brack, Spencer Butte Challenge Course Director

Dear course staff and other RH staff that enjoy a challenge,

Though two course seasons have gone by and I have not been around as I have been riding a bicycle from Palmer Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina, the challenge course and its teachings are frequent items crossing my mind. Challenge by choice, my next break and food are maybe the three things I think about most. Never has this philosophy been such a part of this trip as it was in Southwest Bolivia.

For some background, I left with my boyfriend in July of 2010 to fly to Anchorage, where we took off from a friend’s house in Palmer on August first. From there, we rode through Canada, Washington, Oregon, California, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and now Argentina. By the time we hit Bolivia, we were seasoned touring professionals, capable of outeating most people we came across and able to climb passes all day long on gravel and dirt roads on hundred pound plus bikes. By the time the Southwest of Bolivia came around, we thought we were ready. This section of the PanAm is for most riders the most difficult. It involves riding across the Salar de Uyuni, a salt flat, to a mountainous section with altitudes up to 16,000 feet through multicolored lakes, intense winds and storms, flamingo flocks, all on dirt, sand and rock roads, having to carry food for nine days and water for up to two days. A cyclists dream. Beautiful landscapes, no people, no traffic, endless camping and no noise. This is what I was expecting. To some degree, this is also what I got.

Thirteen months into the trip, we had braved enough sweatyness in Mexico for about ten years, wind strong enough that we actually could not ride without instantly falling over, stomach bugs at few times in every country, dog chases, crossing the Andes countless times, living off cookies because that is all you can find in some Peruvian villages, offroading on horse trails because we got lost, getting not so politely bumped by taxis in cities, scorpions, tarantulas, sunburns, you name it, we probably rode through it. I spend a lot of time telling myself that I have chosen this.  However, none of this prepared me for the conditions that Bolivia brought. I can honestly say that this section of riding was the hardest, both mentally and physically, thing I have ever done. Beginning with riding up a road that looked more like a dry riverbed that was so steep I found myself pushing my bike more than riding it. My already heavy bike was filled with food for nine days, which is a ridiculous endeavor in Bolivia because this means nine days of food in its original form. Trail mix? Yeah right. We are talking more like carrots and potatoes, garbanzo beans still in their shell, canned tuna that might have actually been for cats and an MSR bag with ten liters of water. Not the most fun situation.

However, the road improved slightly after this point. The uphill turned into sand, so instead of pushing uphill we were pushing through deep sand at times, but more or less we were riding. There were mountains surrounding us from both the Chilean and Bolivian side of the valley, some interesting animals that have somehow managed to survive this climate there and a few tourists here and there in Landrovers thinking we were crazy and filming us. Then night comes. Howling wind, freezing temperatures, nowhere to camp or cook out of the wind and certainly not enough warm clothing. Packing for a year and a half for conditions such as this and carrying it all with you on a bike when most of the time you could be in a swimsuit is a bit tough. Wearing everything I had to sleep, I woke up the next morning with an ice layer on my sleeping bag. This is all with top of the line mountaineering gear too, so it was not like we were unprepared.

I would imagine this is a similar story to what many of us have experienced on outdoor adventures and have all lived through, but at what point do we have to stop and ask ourselves, why are we doing this? Is it the views, the physical hardships, the fact that I can tell people I rode through the Bolivian desert at 16,000 feet or simply just to see if we can do it? We choose to challenge ourselves at times like this, but I, like those on the RHOP staff, am no stranger to challenges.But, at some point along the way, I had to ask myself another question: is the real challenge giving up? This might be harder than putting up with the extremes, than admitting that you are having such a terrible time that all you think about was why you did not take the jungle route to the east and instead you are stuck way up in the middle of nowhere. There were times when all I wanted to do was quit and go home, after thirteen months on the bike and only two more countries to go. But going is all I know now. Quitting was not something I could do. Needless to say, I was up to that challenge. I made it through. I saw the flamingoes. I saw the red lake and the green lake. Then I rode into Chile and ate chicken enchiladas like the previous two weeks never happened.

Sometimes the challenge is to not accept the challenge. It might be alright to change plans. Not quit maybe, but pick a new route, regroup and remember why it is you are doing what you are doing. I would like to thank the challenge course staff for helping me with this. My training for the course and experiencing others on the course had been worlds of help to me on this trip. Though I have not been on a course for quite some time, it sticks with me wherever I go and really helps me out when I need it most.

Now, in Argentina where it is much easier to be a bike tourist, I am reminded that I would not appreciate campgrounds and grocery stores as much if I did not spend time without them. There are still amazing views of the Andes, but now the weather is warm, there are steaks and fantastic wines. I am taking a break from challenges and waiting till later in Patagonia, where I hear a few hardships await.

Again, greetings to all out there taking on challenges and playing in the outdoors. Hopefully I will be joining you back in Eugene next spring.

Laura Beko

 

P.S. we have a lot of photos and a blog at http://polarbearstopenguins.com/travelblog/ if anyone is interested!

 

There are also more photos here on Erich’s Flicker page.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/29001921@N07/sets/72157625001268142/

  

Experiental Learning at its Finest

Instead of heading to the hills last weekend, a dedicated group of outdoor adventurers gathered at Eugene’s Fire & EMS Training facility for the Wilderness Medicine Institute’s (W.M.I.) Wilderness First Aid class, hosted by the River House. Local W.M.I. instructors Roger Bailey and Dan Howells facilitated this engaging course, using a combination of outdoor scenarios and classroom lessons. Realistic practice scenarios are the cornerstone of WMI’s very experiential wilderness medicine courses. Complete with moulage (sometimes-gruesome mock injuries, applied with paint and other props), variable weather, and stunned patients, these scenarios allow participants to practice responding to common medical emergencies that one might come across in the backcountry.

This course’s scenarios included a patient who was knocked off his mountain bike by an antelope; a Waldo Ultramarathon

Even the classroom sessions have "flair." Here, Roger role-plays a female climber while discussing illnesses that require evacuation from the backcountry.

runner with hyponatremia; and an elk hunter who had slipped off a log into a creek bed. In between scenarios, Roger and Dan gave classroom lessons on a plethora of skills, from how to splint a broken arm or leg using improvised materials, to administering epinepherine to stop a life-threatening allergic reaction. The 24 participants, 6 of whom are River House staff, were from all over Oregon and range from river guides to ski patrollers, and sailors to search & rescue. Some were updating their Wilderness First Responder certificates and others had urban medical experience. Ultimately, they hope not to find themselves in backcountry situations that require them to use what they learned.  

WFA participants enjoying a rare opportunity to learn from Eugene's Life-Flight pilots and paramedics.

Besides the scenarios, another highlight of this course was a lesson in helicopter evacuation safety by the local Life-Flight crew, which is based out of Eugene’s Fire & EMS Training Facility. The pilot and paramedics gave the WFA participants an overview of what to expect if a helicopter needs to be called: how to prepare a landing zone, where to be and where not to be, and what the experience might be like for a patient. Seeing the cramped inside of the helicopter was enough to remind us about the importance of preventing serious injuries from happening, which was also a focus of the course.

For people who are interested in learning more about wilderness medicine, the River House offers courses periodically throughout the year. As always, these courses are scenario-based, with an emphasis on prevention and decision-making. The next class will be W.M.I.’s Wilderness First Responder (W.F.R.) Course, March 23-April 1, 2012. It is an 80-hour course (10 days, with 2 evening sessions, and one day off) that focuses on patient assessment, injury care, patient evacuation, and extended care. For those who are already WFR-certified, there will be a WFR Re-certification class April 6-8, 2012. Call 541-682-5329 for details. Register at www.nols.edu/wmi/ or 307-332-7800.

 Written by Jess Land, River House Instructor.