Katahdin Reflection

Congratulations to all of you on completing your Katahdin experience. I hope you have enjoyed having a few days to recuperate. For this entry there are three components:

1. Upload your photos to our Flickr account (check your email for instructions on how to do this).

2. As you think back upon your trip, review the photographs from Flickr.  Select one photograph that represents a time or event during the trip that stands out to you and comment on how you felt at that particular time or place. (Note - you do not have to appear in the photo)

3. Comment on your overall experience on this trip. As you’re writing, think about the following:

• How did your experience compare with your expectations? 
• Did you accomplish your goal(s)?
• What factors helped you in (or kept you from) accomplishing your goals 
• How do you feel about this? 
• What did you do well?  
• What didn't you do well, and how can you change that next time?
• Did you notice any kind of special achievement by anyone else in your group?
• Describe any barriers you encountered.What helped you overcome them?
• Would you do it again? Why or Why Not?
• What worked well? What didn't?
• Give an example from everyday life when you backed away from something you didn’t think you could do. Do you think you could do it now?
• Describe an example of good and not-so-good Expedition Behavior (EB) while on the trip.
• Comment on our group management on the trip.
• What are the potential consequences of good & not-so-good group management?
• Did you feel unsafe at any time during the trip?
• Is there anything that you think could have been done to make the experience more safe?
• Do you think this expedition is too risky? Why or why not?
• Is there anything you would like to change about the experience?
• Anything else you would like to add

Remember to use a word processor to compose your post and use spell and grammar check. Your post to this blog is due before class Friday, March 2. We will discuss several aspects of this post during class.

Post Cobscook Winter Overnight Reflection

I hope you enjoyed your winter camping experience in Cobscook Bay State Park. I am pleased with your progress in preparing for Katahdin to this point.  This blog is focused on allowing you to identify what additional steps you will need to take to prepare further.

Part I:
Based upon this experience, please comment on the following:

• Comment on how you felt physically during the 3-mile ski with your packs
• Comment on how your comfort level as far as thermoregulation and layering is concerned
• Reflect on the gear you brought and comment on any changes you intend to make for gear you bring to Katahdin
• Reflect and comment on each component of the winter overnight
• Packing & shopping
• Food
• 3-mile ski in, and the 3-mile ski out
• Quinzhee building
• Night hike
• Winter camping/overnight
• Avalanche companion rescue training
• Snow school (snow anchor building, etc.)
• Group dynamics (how well do you feel the group is working together as a unit)
• Comment on how well you think this experience has helped to prepare you for your Katahdin trip

Part II:

• View this short video (5 min) and read the notes below the video player.  Could this happen to you?
• Visit the American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education web page.  Read this entire page and focus specifically on the mission, goals, and course levels offered.
• Comment on the short video, your level of training, and identify what steps you would take if you were planning on travelling in avalanche terrain.

Part III:

Log 5 hours of skiing this week.  Ski both without your packs and with your packs loaded.  Comment on when and where you skied, and how you're feeling about your physical conditioning at this point.

See you in class at 8:00 in the OAC on Friday morning. We'll meet earlier to ensure that you will be able to participate in the Polar Bear Dip.  Dress to be outside rolling around in the snow.  Wear your mountaineering boots and bring your axe.

Winter Camping Prep

Hi All,


Just a couple of quick things to check out before our winter overnight this weekend:



1. View this short video from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) on how to dress using layers to stay warm in winter. Take note of what articles of clothing are used in the system and what they are made of.

2. View this 5-minute video and review the process for conducting a companion rescue using an avalanche transceiver.


3. Remember to bring your backpacks with ALL of your gear needed for this weekend's overnight to the OAC with you on Friday morning.  If you need to, download a copy of the winter overnight gear list.


We have a couple options when it comes to where we'll be this weekend.  I'll let you know the final decision on Friday morning's class.  Remember that you have a couple of assignments due.


See you then.

Welcome Back

Welcome back to the spring semester. Please notice that the blog from ADV111 last semester is available via the link on the sidebar to the right, as is a link to the blog from the Fall 2010 ADV111 semester. I encourage you to visit these and review your entries and those of others. We will be using this new blog in a way similar to last semester. It is a place to reflect and connect. Your first assignment is in three parts:

Part I:
You were given an assignment sheet in class to further your familiarity with Nordic ski equipment and technique. Using the links below and the information covered in class on Friday, complete the sheet and bring to the next class.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-country_skiing
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Cross_country-skiing
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/crosscountry+ski+touring+gear.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3Vue10ItXg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Nt43XSIAM&feature=related

Part II:

You were also assigned to begin your physical training regimen in order to be prepared for our winter expeditions. Although conditions are far from ideal, find time to get out and ski some this week as part of your workout. At the end of the week, create a blog post here that summarizes the following:

• specifically what did you do for workouts this week - include type of activity, mileage, and/or time spent
• where you skied 
• about how many miles you think you went 
• how much time it took you 
• how your ski equipment performed 
• weather description (temp, precip, etc.) 
• what you were wearing for clothing, and 
• how you managed to thermoregulate so you didn't sweat

Part III:
You received a gear list as a handout at the end of class on Friday. Please review this list and

1. Identify what gear is listed that you do not already own
2. Explain how you intend to get each piece of gear you need

Please be sure to address each of these in your post and use a word processor to spellcheck and proofread your work. Your post must be posted before class on Friday, January 20.