spring 2008 3

WINTER GEAR GUIDE

SNOW HAVENHOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF WINTER CONDITIONS

FEARFACTOR

THAT BUMP IN THE NIGHT MIGHT BE A TREE BRANCH FALLING OR IS IT

fall 2008

A LOOK AT THIS SEASONrsquoS NEWEST ADVANCEMENTS

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fall 2008 1

Address REACH magazine Dept 3625 1000 E University AveLaramie WY 82071Phone (307) 766-6190E-mail reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo Copyright copy2008 by University of Wyoming Student Media

All rights reserved Reproduction without permission is prohibited

32 Winter Lodging How-to Make and enjoy comfortable snow cave accommodations

35 Ode to Liftees

CONTENTS

10 Facing the outdoors An look into the science behind fears and anxieties surrounding outdoor adventure

16 Wired The state-of-the-art gear to take your winter excursions out of the ordinary

18 Natural Selection Freeing the inner artists of snowboards at Jackson Hole

24 Reinvention

Take outdoor food oldies and make them goodies with healthy twists

26 Leading down a new path One studentrsquos take on an outside the classroom education with NOLS

fall 2008

08 Preparation Pre-ski season moves to maximize your slope experience

CONTENTS

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EDITORrsquoS NOTEItrsquos hard to say goodbye to something you love But

there is always that friend hanging around saying some clicheacute like ldquoWith every closed door there is an open windowrdquo REACH is here to be that friend

Everyday the temperature dips and the colder elements try to force us indoors but we wonrsquot let them We can wedge out the closed door enough to slip in a few modified warm weather activities Outdoor adventure is all about being prepared If you want to keep rock climbing throw on some boots and gloves and do it Or try out ice climbing If camping is your thing first check out our winter camping guide on page 32 then bring out the warm sleeping bag and get to it A pair of snowshoes will have you hiking year around Life is about making adjustments to the surroundings and the situation Keeping up with your outdoor lifestyle is no different

Even if some struggle to keep that fall weather around herersquos to the people who canrsquot wait to jump out the winter monthrsquos window Decent snow leads up to monumental powder days on the slopes Those are days we canrsquot stop talking about even when the snow melts Itrsquos time to wax and tune your boards and just wait to indulge in the steep and deep

Donrsquot let Old Man Winter dictate your outdoor agenda Just take what he gives you and enjoy

Lindsey KorsickEditor

Shantana BantaGRAPHICS EDITORShantana is a senior in Journalism and Art with a graphic design emphasis Star Valley Wyo is where she learned to appreciate the outdoors as she grew from a wee-one into adulthood Living in the valley of the star she was able to see the true beauty that is Wyoming She graduates in May and plans to attend graduate school in hopes to one day teach at the collegiate level Her goal is to give students the tools to be conceptual designers and critical thinking artists

Justin GerardPHOTOGRAPHY EDITORJustin is senior studying Photojournalism and Music He grew up in Buffalo Wyo From living in the Bighorn Mountains fostered a fond appreciation for the outdoors He is a snowboarder in the winter and a fly fishing guide backpacker and explorer in the summer He plays jazz guitar and is studying languages to help him in his travels

Lindsey Korsick is a senior Journalism major from Aurora Ill and Monument Colo She enjoys a good adventure that turns into a great story She loves to mountain bike snowboard write and just be in the fresh air Lindsey created REACH magazine to engage people in the outdoors and give student journalists a specialized publication to hone their skills

fall 2008 3

Andrew CallAndrew grew up surrounded by mountains and forest in Star Valley Wyo He has always loved to snowboard and just get out of civilization be out in the mountains just hiking around He is a senior Communication major working on a minor in Creative Writing After graduation he hopes to live somewhere quiet on the coast Oregon or North California in a condo somewhere writing a novel and enjoying life

Spencer DuncanSpencer was born in Scottsbluff Neb and raised in Longmont Colo He is a theater performance major at UW and loves photography and spending time outdoors

Sammie GetzSammie grew up in the mountainous valley of Jackson Hole Wyo and ever since then have been interested in the outdoors She is a junior Journalism major REACH magazine seemed like a fit for her because it allows her to study about the natural beauty of my hometown and other areas surrounding Laramie She enjoys being outside enduring nature in its full glory hiking camping and rafting

Rachel SchmidtRachel of Albin Wyo is a sophomore majoring in International Studies Her favorite outdoor activities include climbing rocks playing in lakes and snowboarding She is a member of FACEAIDS an RSO that raises awareness about AIDS in Africa and is also a member of UWrsquos female a cappella group The Bettyrsquos She likes to yodel in canyons loves Wyomingrsquos skies slightly resents the wind and is looking forward to snow

Natasha WheelerNatasha was born in Laramie Wyo and grew up in Nederland Colo She is currently a senior Agricultural Communications major She enjoys photography hiking skiing and borrowing snowshoes from her mom She believes that life is an adventure and she always looks forward to the next one

Lenna RiceLenna is a senior in International Studies from Casper Wyo After spending a time taking in the beaches and unreal beauty of the rain forests of Brazil she found a love for the outdoors that is unexplainable While studying art in Brazil she found her true passion Photography She hopes to make this passion a career some day

CONTRIBUTORS

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ExPO

fall 2008 5

Wild exposure and runout on the Great Traverse pitch of South Buttress Right (IV 511) on Mount Moran Grand Teton National Park A 150-foot horizontal traversing pitch with only a handful of opportunities to place gear puts both climbers on the sharp end two-thousand feet above the deck Camera Nikon 4200Anneka M Door

ExPODan Kunkel snowboarding off a 25-foot snowbank into South Gap Lake The water was between 5 and 6 feet deepCamera Pentax K10D August 23 2008Emily D Jelly

Bryan VanSickle climbing Sleeping Beauty (511c) Enchanted Tower NMCamera Nikon D40 DX 18-55mm Lens March 18th 2008Pablo Kollmar

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by Spencer Duncan Ski and snowboard season is around the corner As snow piles up so do classes and homework When time is hard to come by but getting ready stretch your ski muscles is a necessity try this at home workout to get yourself in slope-shape

This workout will allow you to get ready for the ski season right in the comfort of your own home during your own time

Everyone is excited to get on the slopes that they donrsquot take the time get themselves prepared for the strain that the body is bound to take The most common place to get injured during the ski season is your legs more specifically the knees and ankles This workout is mixed with stretching and resistance exercises that will allow you to strengthen the core for balance and build up the legs for endurance so you can shred those slopes like never before This workout will cover stretches core and leg exercises

Getting started

Water (for hydration)

Comfortable clothing to move around in

Comfortable shoes (Running or tennis shoes will do)

A Gallon container filled with water (ie milk jug)

A staircase

A friend to exercise with

(If not you will be able to do everything on your own)

Some tunes to motivate you

Prepare for the approaching winter sports with the following exercises aimed to improve your game

fall 2008 9

StretchYoga is intended to stretch multiple muscles at the same

time Not only is yoga excellent for stretching your muscles and allowing you to be warmed up it is great for relaxation and meditation so you will be able to focus on what kind of exercise you want to accomplish

The Cobra pose To achieve it lay on the ground on your stomach and put your hands palms down on the ground by your chest Push up with your arms and bring your head as far back as possible bending your back slightly The best way to achieve relaxation in this pose is breathe deeply and relax the muscles in your neck and back

The Bow or Rocking Horse pose Lay stomach down on the ground Relax the muscles in your neck and back Reach back and grab your ankles or the fabric of your shorts if you cant reach Pull as far as you can without straining yourself If you can rock back and forth becoming a kind of rocking horse This pose will allow you to stretch your back legs and arms

Downward Facing Dog pose Get into a push-up position and walk your hands toward your feet a couple steps At this point your butt should be up in the air and your head down close to the ground Change weight from your hands to your legs and focus on stretching your back and legs during this exercise

CoreThe first core exercise is intended for two people but no

worries it can be achieved alone For this exercise one person should be standing feet shoulder width apart and the other person should lay on the ground with their head between the other persons legs Then grab the standing persons ankles When your finished with that lift your legs to a 90-degree angle so the standing person can throw them down When the standing person throws your legs down be sure to not let your legs hit the ground This is where the abdominal exercise comes in In order to not let your feet touch the ground contract your abs and stop the motion before your feet touch Then when you stop the motion you raise your legs again and repeat 5-10 times To change it up be sure to throw the legs from the left to right and right to left

The Russian Twist Sit cross-legged on the ground with your legs extended a little more than usual Lift your feet 6-12 inches off of the ground Try to keep balanced and put your hands on the left side Alternate sides and try to touch the ground on the opposite side repeat 20 or more times One touch on each side counts as one rep

Frog sit-ups Sit on the ground put your legs into a diamond position with the soles of your feet touching each other Lay back as you do the sit up push your back to the ground and curl your torso upwards stay there for a couple seconds and repeat 10-20 times

Side Bends Here is a creative way to work your obliques Get a gallon of liquid and hold it to your side Put your other

hand on the side of your head Bend at the waist towards the hand with the gallon of liquid in it and come back to a standing position In this exercise be sure to target your obliques as you bring your torso up to the standing position Do this 15 times each side and repeat the set three times To target a different set of obliques take the hand holding the carton and hold it behind you keeping your other hand on your head Lean back with your waist be sure that your not bending your knees to bend down You should feel your side stretching as you lean back

LegsWhen you are skiing you need to have two main components

when it comes to your legs strength and balance For legs an effective home tool is the balance board Get a two-liter bottle and fill it with water Make sure there is plenty of pressure so it wonrsquot collapse Then get a piece of lumber that is 6-12 inches wide and 2-3 feet long Lean the piece of lumber on the bottle of water Put one foot on the board on the ground and then bring your other foot to the board Then balance on the board Do it four or five times a day

Wall Sit Stand feet shoulder width apart two feet away from a wall with your back towards the wall hold your hands out directly in front of you Safely lean back and lower yourself into a seated position on the wall keeping your hands out in front of you Stay in this position for 30 seconds or until you canrsquot take it anymore When you are done stand up and rest Repeat the wall sit three or more times

Jump Squats Stand on a flat surface and hold your hands in front of you in a crossed position Bend down into a squat be sure to keep your back straight and refrain from bending over the hips When you hit a 90-degree angle explode upward jumping into the air as high as you can and land back in the squatting position Repeat this 10 times for one set and do three sets

Calf Raises This exercise is fairly straightforward Stand on an elevated surface preferably with a railing or something sturdy to hold on to Stand with your toes on the stair and the heel hanging off the end Rise up onto your toes and lower your self back down That is one rep In order to make this exercise successful it is best to do this on each leg 20-25 times for 3-4 sets But you can change this exercise up a bit Use one foot then the other Or you can use both feet at the same time You could also jump onto the step above with one foot or two

Ready for the slopesNow you have what you need to have a successful workout

right in the comfort of your own home Take this workout and repeat it 3-4 times a week even during the ski season Even if it goes unnoticed every time you complete this workout you are preparing your body for the beating it is bound to take on the slopes Kudos to you for taking the responsibility to make your health just as important as the fun you love to haveSource Margaret Wilson University of Wyoming associate professor of Kinesiology for Dance

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fall 2008 11

by Lindsey Korsick

fall 2008 11

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Are you scared The wild beast of the night could be that bear

seen roaming the region or just the pounding of your anxious heart and sound of your rustling sleeping bag

Staring down the mountain that your mountain bike tire has edged over may have your heart making its way into tight spaces but is that because you know a broken arm hangs in the balance or because every time you gaze over the edge you lose it

Fear of a legitimate risk or fear of fear itselfSimple sounds create twisted images of

attacks by creatures big and small storms of epic proportion and enclosed spaces that close completely with you inside

When nature is on the attack or you think it is your body is filled with symptoms to warn you of the potential dangers

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said the classic symptoms of anxiety can include but are not limited to a pounding heart difficulty breathing and becoming lightheaded or dizzy

When these symptoms engage the person needs to dissect the situation to figure out if there is a real danger or they are just hellip freaking out

ldquoOften people will start to feel anxious about something like an alluding thunderstorm or an animal they are concerned aboutrdquo Deacon said ldquoThat is what can start the fear reaction but as it gets more and more intense people start to fear more and more anxious and panicky

ldquoOnce people start to get anxious or panic the physiology of the lsquofight or flight responsersquo kicks in Your own anxiety makes it seem more likely that the very thing you are afraid of is going to happen That can be the real problemrdquo

These symptoms kick the mind into high gear Reveling over the what-if rsquos prime your body

Thump Thump Thump ThumpTherersquos something outside the tent Isnrsquot thereWhorsquos is going to check

CrinKLe Thump Thump Itrsquos getting closer

fall 2008 13

and mind to make a move a move that could save your life or just cause unnecessary angst Alertness piques your hearing tunes to pick up the slightest noises and you check behind you to be aware of the surroundings and anything that may be joining you The key to understanding fear is recognizing when your life is in danger and when your thoughts are just running wild spinning you into an irrational mess

ldquoThere is an actual element of risk in most outdoor situationsrdquo Deacon said ldquoIf you are rock climbing you could fall If you are hiking you could encounter a bear and the bear could attack you Most cases the risk is remote but the risk is there For a lot of the things people fear taking precautions can help your oddsrdquo

To help with the odds students who participate in the University of Wyomingrsquos Outdoor Program are prepped before they head out on any trip Dan McCoy the OPrsquos director said that severe anxiety attacks are a rarity in the program but it is important that people know what they are getting into

ldquoItrsquos crucial that people know what they are getting into in the first place before they engage in any activity that involves specific skillrdquo McCoy said The OP advertises the distances elevation gain physical expectations and experience required

OP has mandatory pre-trip meetings that include maps handouts and gear lists before each adventure

McCoy said fear attacks have been extremely rare within the OP but they have happened A student panicked in the depths of a cave leaving the OP student leaders to rely on their own judgment and leadership to calm the situation

ldquoWe handled the situation by calming them down and talking with themrdquo McCoy said The panicked student was eventually removed from the cave and they were transported to a hospital after complaints of a tight chest and shortness of breath McCoy said the hospital did not conclude anything of significant importance and the person was released a few hours later

With all the dangers looming around outdoor recreation itrsquos a wonder that anyone leaves the comforts of their home to head into the mountains rivers and forests Knowing and understanding the situation and surroundings can help control fear but for some people itrsquos that sense of fear that they crave

Did you ever wonder why some people hang from rocks by their fingertips or battle Class-V white water rapids with paddles

fall 2008 13

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Itrsquos for the adrenaline rush the idea of knowing there is a certain level of risk and challenging it It is the level of risk balanced with the level of skill that determines whether an adventurer comes out unscathed Whether itrsquos deciding to ski off Corbetrsquos Couloir in Jackson Hole or test out mountain biking abilities in Happy Jack people want to press the limits Outdoor enthusiasts run into the problem of judging how to improve their skills and knowing when their bodies could pay the price for what their mind decides Unlike the people who find fear at every turn and run these people want to shake fearrsquos hand They embrace the fear

Deacon suggests that these eager adventurers to know how far to push it and recognize actual risk

ldquoKnow your limits and know what the potential consequences are if you exceed your limits or what the particular terrain has in store for yourdquo Deacon said ldquoThatrsquos tough because a lot of people who enjoy outdoor recreation enjoy pushing their limits Thatrsquos why they are getting injured all the timerdquo For other adventurers the same symptoms that come with a visiting bear clamp down when they reach a point when their ability and confidence is questioned ldquoThe symptoms just compound the problem as people can misinterpret the meanings of these symptoms and worry that something bad is happening to themrdquo Deacon said ldquoThey may think that they have pushed their body too hard and think that they are about to pass out have a heart attack or go crazyrdquo When you are camping biking skiing or hiking and this tense feeling creeps up one you itrsquos up to you to make the call Is this fear justified or just an irrational misinterpretation Fear passes by people at one point or another itrsquos important not to let it run your life and limit what you do Especially if you love what you do

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fall 2008 15

by Lindsey Korsick If you have anxiety attacks climbing up a mountain or itrsquos your buddy who you want to bring along but canrsquot keep their head there are ways to limit and potentially cure the fears

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Web site 19 million people (87 percent of the population) encounter debilitating anxiety of various fears People may not have a valid reason for their fear and it may not make sense but the only way to help them is to be understanding

If the goal is to get rid of the fear without medication ADAA recommends trying out Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT allows the person experiencing the anxiety to take part in their own healing ldquoCBT focuses on identifying understanding and modifying thinking and behavior patterns When a person changes thinking and behavior emotional changes usually followrdquo Whether you are afraid Yogi the Bear is going to make an uninvited visit to your campsite or you lose it the higher you get off the ground the way to release the fear is to realize when your life is in danger and when your mind is playing tricks

Here is how CBT works If a person has an anxiety attack whenever their climbing harness lifts off because they fear they will fall if someone lets go of the rope or the rope will snap they need to start with their knowledge to solve the problem The Cognitive Therapy starts by checking and remembering that they have gone over the climbing plan with their partner and examined the equipment Then they must put the visual images of falling out of their mind ldquoThe individual examines his or her feelings and learns to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughtsrdquo The Behavior Therapy includes a person changing their behavior in the feared situation The climber must put their trust in their partner and their equipment Each time the climber goes through the therapy the fear and anxiety symptoms lessen ldquoThe individual learns to cope with difficult situations often through controlled exposure to themrdquo

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said an example of treating fear is with a heights phobia

ldquoTheir own anxiety symptoms create body sensations that make them think they are losing control and about to fall offrdquo Deacon said Even though itrsquos not really the case that they are losing control but it feels that way People misinterpret their own anxiety response as a signal that they are literally about to fall

ldquoIn therapy we try to make people face their fears by gradually putting themselves in higher and higher places What they eventually learn is that they donrsquot fall even if they are having those anxiety symptomsrdquo

Dissolving fear can be a long process but Deacon said is just comes down to finding the truth and believing in it hellip and yourself ldquoThink accurately rather than catastrophically about what is actually happeningrdquoFor more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy check out wwwadaaorg

FACinG YOur FeArSWays to overcome outdoor anxiety

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In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

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by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

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The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

28 reach

Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

2 reach

fall 2008 1

Address REACH magazine Dept 3625 1000 E University AveLaramie WY 82071Phone (307) 766-6190E-mail reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo Copyright copy2008 by University of Wyoming Student Media

All rights reserved Reproduction without permission is prohibited

32 Winter Lodging How-to Make and enjoy comfortable snow cave accommodations

35 Ode to Liftees

CONTENTS

10 Facing the outdoors An look into the science behind fears and anxieties surrounding outdoor adventure

16 Wired The state-of-the-art gear to take your winter excursions out of the ordinary

18 Natural Selection Freeing the inner artists of snowboards at Jackson Hole

24 Reinvention

Take outdoor food oldies and make them goodies with healthy twists

26 Leading down a new path One studentrsquos take on an outside the classroom education with NOLS

fall 2008

08 Preparation Pre-ski season moves to maximize your slope experience

CONTENTS

2 reach

EDITORrsquoS NOTEItrsquos hard to say goodbye to something you love But

there is always that friend hanging around saying some clicheacute like ldquoWith every closed door there is an open windowrdquo REACH is here to be that friend

Everyday the temperature dips and the colder elements try to force us indoors but we wonrsquot let them We can wedge out the closed door enough to slip in a few modified warm weather activities Outdoor adventure is all about being prepared If you want to keep rock climbing throw on some boots and gloves and do it Or try out ice climbing If camping is your thing first check out our winter camping guide on page 32 then bring out the warm sleeping bag and get to it A pair of snowshoes will have you hiking year around Life is about making adjustments to the surroundings and the situation Keeping up with your outdoor lifestyle is no different

Even if some struggle to keep that fall weather around herersquos to the people who canrsquot wait to jump out the winter monthrsquos window Decent snow leads up to monumental powder days on the slopes Those are days we canrsquot stop talking about even when the snow melts Itrsquos time to wax and tune your boards and just wait to indulge in the steep and deep

Donrsquot let Old Man Winter dictate your outdoor agenda Just take what he gives you and enjoy

Lindsey KorsickEditor

Shantana BantaGRAPHICS EDITORShantana is a senior in Journalism and Art with a graphic design emphasis Star Valley Wyo is where she learned to appreciate the outdoors as she grew from a wee-one into adulthood Living in the valley of the star she was able to see the true beauty that is Wyoming She graduates in May and plans to attend graduate school in hopes to one day teach at the collegiate level Her goal is to give students the tools to be conceptual designers and critical thinking artists

Justin GerardPHOTOGRAPHY EDITORJustin is senior studying Photojournalism and Music He grew up in Buffalo Wyo From living in the Bighorn Mountains fostered a fond appreciation for the outdoors He is a snowboarder in the winter and a fly fishing guide backpacker and explorer in the summer He plays jazz guitar and is studying languages to help him in his travels

Lindsey Korsick is a senior Journalism major from Aurora Ill and Monument Colo She enjoys a good adventure that turns into a great story She loves to mountain bike snowboard write and just be in the fresh air Lindsey created REACH magazine to engage people in the outdoors and give student journalists a specialized publication to hone their skills

fall 2008 3

Andrew CallAndrew grew up surrounded by mountains and forest in Star Valley Wyo He has always loved to snowboard and just get out of civilization be out in the mountains just hiking around He is a senior Communication major working on a minor in Creative Writing After graduation he hopes to live somewhere quiet on the coast Oregon or North California in a condo somewhere writing a novel and enjoying life

Spencer DuncanSpencer was born in Scottsbluff Neb and raised in Longmont Colo He is a theater performance major at UW and loves photography and spending time outdoors

Sammie GetzSammie grew up in the mountainous valley of Jackson Hole Wyo and ever since then have been interested in the outdoors She is a junior Journalism major REACH magazine seemed like a fit for her because it allows her to study about the natural beauty of my hometown and other areas surrounding Laramie She enjoys being outside enduring nature in its full glory hiking camping and rafting

Rachel SchmidtRachel of Albin Wyo is a sophomore majoring in International Studies Her favorite outdoor activities include climbing rocks playing in lakes and snowboarding She is a member of FACEAIDS an RSO that raises awareness about AIDS in Africa and is also a member of UWrsquos female a cappella group The Bettyrsquos She likes to yodel in canyons loves Wyomingrsquos skies slightly resents the wind and is looking forward to snow

Natasha WheelerNatasha was born in Laramie Wyo and grew up in Nederland Colo She is currently a senior Agricultural Communications major She enjoys photography hiking skiing and borrowing snowshoes from her mom She believes that life is an adventure and she always looks forward to the next one

Lenna RiceLenna is a senior in International Studies from Casper Wyo After spending a time taking in the beaches and unreal beauty of the rain forests of Brazil she found a love for the outdoors that is unexplainable While studying art in Brazil she found her true passion Photography She hopes to make this passion a career some day

CONTRIBUTORS

4 reach

ExPO

fall 2008 5

Wild exposure and runout on the Great Traverse pitch of South Buttress Right (IV 511) on Mount Moran Grand Teton National Park A 150-foot horizontal traversing pitch with only a handful of opportunities to place gear puts both climbers on the sharp end two-thousand feet above the deck Camera Nikon 4200Anneka M Door

ExPODan Kunkel snowboarding off a 25-foot snowbank into South Gap Lake The water was between 5 and 6 feet deepCamera Pentax K10D August 23 2008Emily D Jelly

Bryan VanSickle climbing Sleeping Beauty (511c) Enchanted Tower NMCamera Nikon D40 DX 18-55mm Lens March 18th 2008Pablo Kollmar

8 reach

by Spencer Duncan Ski and snowboard season is around the corner As snow piles up so do classes and homework When time is hard to come by but getting ready stretch your ski muscles is a necessity try this at home workout to get yourself in slope-shape

This workout will allow you to get ready for the ski season right in the comfort of your own home during your own time

Everyone is excited to get on the slopes that they donrsquot take the time get themselves prepared for the strain that the body is bound to take The most common place to get injured during the ski season is your legs more specifically the knees and ankles This workout is mixed with stretching and resistance exercises that will allow you to strengthen the core for balance and build up the legs for endurance so you can shred those slopes like never before This workout will cover stretches core and leg exercises

Getting started

Water (for hydration)

Comfortable clothing to move around in

Comfortable shoes (Running or tennis shoes will do)

A Gallon container filled with water (ie milk jug)

A staircase

A friend to exercise with

(If not you will be able to do everything on your own)

Some tunes to motivate you

Prepare for the approaching winter sports with the following exercises aimed to improve your game

fall 2008 9

StretchYoga is intended to stretch multiple muscles at the same

time Not only is yoga excellent for stretching your muscles and allowing you to be warmed up it is great for relaxation and meditation so you will be able to focus on what kind of exercise you want to accomplish

The Cobra pose To achieve it lay on the ground on your stomach and put your hands palms down on the ground by your chest Push up with your arms and bring your head as far back as possible bending your back slightly The best way to achieve relaxation in this pose is breathe deeply and relax the muscles in your neck and back

The Bow or Rocking Horse pose Lay stomach down on the ground Relax the muscles in your neck and back Reach back and grab your ankles or the fabric of your shorts if you cant reach Pull as far as you can without straining yourself If you can rock back and forth becoming a kind of rocking horse This pose will allow you to stretch your back legs and arms

Downward Facing Dog pose Get into a push-up position and walk your hands toward your feet a couple steps At this point your butt should be up in the air and your head down close to the ground Change weight from your hands to your legs and focus on stretching your back and legs during this exercise

CoreThe first core exercise is intended for two people but no

worries it can be achieved alone For this exercise one person should be standing feet shoulder width apart and the other person should lay on the ground with their head between the other persons legs Then grab the standing persons ankles When your finished with that lift your legs to a 90-degree angle so the standing person can throw them down When the standing person throws your legs down be sure to not let your legs hit the ground This is where the abdominal exercise comes in In order to not let your feet touch the ground contract your abs and stop the motion before your feet touch Then when you stop the motion you raise your legs again and repeat 5-10 times To change it up be sure to throw the legs from the left to right and right to left

The Russian Twist Sit cross-legged on the ground with your legs extended a little more than usual Lift your feet 6-12 inches off of the ground Try to keep balanced and put your hands on the left side Alternate sides and try to touch the ground on the opposite side repeat 20 or more times One touch on each side counts as one rep

Frog sit-ups Sit on the ground put your legs into a diamond position with the soles of your feet touching each other Lay back as you do the sit up push your back to the ground and curl your torso upwards stay there for a couple seconds and repeat 10-20 times

Side Bends Here is a creative way to work your obliques Get a gallon of liquid and hold it to your side Put your other

hand on the side of your head Bend at the waist towards the hand with the gallon of liquid in it and come back to a standing position In this exercise be sure to target your obliques as you bring your torso up to the standing position Do this 15 times each side and repeat the set three times To target a different set of obliques take the hand holding the carton and hold it behind you keeping your other hand on your head Lean back with your waist be sure that your not bending your knees to bend down You should feel your side stretching as you lean back

LegsWhen you are skiing you need to have two main components

when it comes to your legs strength and balance For legs an effective home tool is the balance board Get a two-liter bottle and fill it with water Make sure there is plenty of pressure so it wonrsquot collapse Then get a piece of lumber that is 6-12 inches wide and 2-3 feet long Lean the piece of lumber on the bottle of water Put one foot on the board on the ground and then bring your other foot to the board Then balance on the board Do it four or five times a day

Wall Sit Stand feet shoulder width apart two feet away from a wall with your back towards the wall hold your hands out directly in front of you Safely lean back and lower yourself into a seated position on the wall keeping your hands out in front of you Stay in this position for 30 seconds or until you canrsquot take it anymore When you are done stand up and rest Repeat the wall sit three or more times

Jump Squats Stand on a flat surface and hold your hands in front of you in a crossed position Bend down into a squat be sure to keep your back straight and refrain from bending over the hips When you hit a 90-degree angle explode upward jumping into the air as high as you can and land back in the squatting position Repeat this 10 times for one set and do three sets

Calf Raises This exercise is fairly straightforward Stand on an elevated surface preferably with a railing or something sturdy to hold on to Stand with your toes on the stair and the heel hanging off the end Rise up onto your toes and lower your self back down That is one rep In order to make this exercise successful it is best to do this on each leg 20-25 times for 3-4 sets But you can change this exercise up a bit Use one foot then the other Or you can use both feet at the same time You could also jump onto the step above with one foot or two

Ready for the slopesNow you have what you need to have a successful workout

right in the comfort of your own home Take this workout and repeat it 3-4 times a week even during the ski season Even if it goes unnoticed every time you complete this workout you are preparing your body for the beating it is bound to take on the slopes Kudos to you for taking the responsibility to make your health just as important as the fun you love to haveSource Margaret Wilson University of Wyoming associate professor of Kinesiology for Dance

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fall 2008 11

by Lindsey Korsick

fall 2008 11

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Are you scared The wild beast of the night could be that bear

seen roaming the region or just the pounding of your anxious heart and sound of your rustling sleeping bag

Staring down the mountain that your mountain bike tire has edged over may have your heart making its way into tight spaces but is that because you know a broken arm hangs in the balance or because every time you gaze over the edge you lose it

Fear of a legitimate risk or fear of fear itselfSimple sounds create twisted images of

attacks by creatures big and small storms of epic proportion and enclosed spaces that close completely with you inside

When nature is on the attack or you think it is your body is filled with symptoms to warn you of the potential dangers

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said the classic symptoms of anxiety can include but are not limited to a pounding heart difficulty breathing and becoming lightheaded or dizzy

When these symptoms engage the person needs to dissect the situation to figure out if there is a real danger or they are just hellip freaking out

ldquoOften people will start to feel anxious about something like an alluding thunderstorm or an animal they are concerned aboutrdquo Deacon said ldquoThat is what can start the fear reaction but as it gets more and more intense people start to fear more and more anxious and panicky

ldquoOnce people start to get anxious or panic the physiology of the lsquofight or flight responsersquo kicks in Your own anxiety makes it seem more likely that the very thing you are afraid of is going to happen That can be the real problemrdquo

These symptoms kick the mind into high gear Reveling over the what-if rsquos prime your body

Thump Thump Thump ThumpTherersquos something outside the tent Isnrsquot thereWhorsquos is going to check

CrinKLe Thump Thump Itrsquos getting closer

fall 2008 13

and mind to make a move a move that could save your life or just cause unnecessary angst Alertness piques your hearing tunes to pick up the slightest noises and you check behind you to be aware of the surroundings and anything that may be joining you The key to understanding fear is recognizing when your life is in danger and when your thoughts are just running wild spinning you into an irrational mess

ldquoThere is an actual element of risk in most outdoor situationsrdquo Deacon said ldquoIf you are rock climbing you could fall If you are hiking you could encounter a bear and the bear could attack you Most cases the risk is remote but the risk is there For a lot of the things people fear taking precautions can help your oddsrdquo

To help with the odds students who participate in the University of Wyomingrsquos Outdoor Program are prepped before they head out on any trip Dan McCoy the OPrsquos director said that severe anxiety attacks are a rarity in the program but it is important that people know what they are getting into

ldquoItrsquos crucial that people know what they are getting into in the first place before they engage in any activity that involves specific skillrdquo McCoy said The OP advertises the distances elevation gain physical expectations and experience required

OP has mandatory pre-trip meetings that include maps handouts and gear lists before each adventure

McCoy said fear attacks have been extremely rare within the OP but they have happened A student panicked in the depths of a cave leaving the OP student leaders to rely on their own judgment and leadership to calm the situation

ldquoWe handled the situation by calming them down and talking with themrdquo McCoy said The panicked student was eventually removed from the cave and they were transported to a hospital after complaints of a tight chest and shortness of breath McCoy said the hospital did not conclude anything of significant importance and the person was released a few hours later

With all the dangers looming around outdoor recreation itrsquos a wonder that anyone leaves the comforts of their home to head into the mountains rivers and forests Knowing and understanding the situation and surroundings can help control fear but for some people itrsquos that sense of fear that they crave

Did you ever wonder why some people hang from rocks by their fingertips or battle Class-V white water rapids with paddles

fall 2008 13

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Itrsquos for the adrenaline rush the idea of knowing there is a certain level of risk and challenging it It is the level of risk balanced with the level of skill that determines whether an adventurer comes out unscathed Whether itrsquos deciding to ski off Corbetrsquos Couloir in Jackson Hole or test out mountain biking abilities in Happy Jack people want to press the limits Outdoor enthusiasts run into the problem of judging how to improve their skills and knowing when their bodies could pay the price for what their mind decides Unlike the people who find fear at every turn and run these people want to shake fearrsquos hand They embrace the fear

Deacon suggests that these eager adventurers to know how far to push it and recognize actual risk

ldquoKnow your limits and know what the potential consequences are if you exceed your limits or what the particular terrain has in store for yourdquo Deacon said ldquoThatrsquos tough because a lot of people who enjoy outdoor recreation enjoy pushing their limits Thatrsquos why they are getting injured all the timerdquo For other adventurers the same symptoms that come with a visiting bear clamp down when they reach a point when their ability and confidence is questioned ldquoThe symptoms just compound the problem as people can misinterpret the meanings of these symptoms and worry that something bad is happening to themrdquo Deacon said ldquoThey may think that they have pushed their body too hard and think that they are about to pass out have a heart attack or go crazyrdquo When you are camping biking skiing or hiking and this tense feeling creeps up one you itrsquos up to you to make the call Is this fear justified or just an irrational misinterpretation Fear passes by people at one point or another itrsquos important not to let it run your life and limit what you do Especially if you love what you do

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fall 2008 15

by Lindsey Korsick If you have anxiety attacks climbing up a mountain or itrsquos your buddy who you want to bring along but canrsquot keep their head there are ways to limit and potentially cure the fears

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Web site 19 million people (87 percent of the population) encounter debilitating anxiety of various fears People may not have a valid reason for their fear and it may not make sense but the only way to help them is to be understanding

If the goal is to get rid of the fear without medication ADAA recommends trying out Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT allows the person experiencing the anxiety to take part in their own healing ldquoCBT focuses on identifying understanding and modifying thinking and behavior patterns When a person changes thinking and behavior emotional changes usually followrdquo Whether you are afraid Yogi the Bear is going to make an uninvited visit to your campsite or you lose it the higher you get off the ground the way to release the fear is to realize when your life is in danger and when your mind is playing tricks

Here is how CBT works If a person has an anxiety attack whenever their climbing harness lifts off because they fear they will fall if someone lets go of the rope or the rope will snap they need to start with their knowledge to solve the problem The Cognitive Therapy starts by checking and remembering that they have gone over the climbing plan with their partner and examined the equipment Then they must put the visual images of falling out of their mind ldquoThe individual examines his or her feelings and learns to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughtsrdquo The Behavior Therapy includes a person changing their behavior in the feared situation The climber must put their trust in their partner and their equipment Each time the climber goes through the therapy the fear and anxiety symptoms lessen ldquoThe individual learns to cope with difficult situations often through controlled exposure to themrdquo

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said an example of treating fear is with a heights phobia

ldquoTheir own anxiety symptoms create body sensations that make them think they are losing control and about to fall offrdquo Deacon said Even though itrsquos not really the case that they are losing control but it feels that way People misinterpret their own anxiety response as a signal that they are literally about to fall

ldquoIn therapy we try to make people face their fears by gradually putting themselves in higher and higher places What they eventually learn is that they donrsquot fall even if they are having those anxiety symptomsrdquo

Dissolving fear can be a long process but Deacon said is just comes down to finding the truth and believing in it hellip and yourself ldquoThink accurately rather than catastrophically about what is actually happeningrdquoFor more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy check out wwwadaaorg

FACinG YOur FeArSWays to overcome outdoor anxiety

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In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

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by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

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The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

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Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

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Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 1

Address REACH magazine Dept 3625 1000 E University AveLaramie WY 82071Phone (307) 766-6190E-mail reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo Copyright copy2008 by University of Wyoming Student Media

All rights reserved Reproduction without permission is prohibited

32 Winter Lodging How-to Make and enjoy comfortable snow cave accommodations

35 Ode to Liftees

CONTENTS

10 Facing the outdoors An look into the science behind fears and anxieties surrounding outdoor adventure

16 Wired The state-of-the-art gear to take your winter excursions out of the ordinary

18 Natural Selection Freeing the inner artists of snowboards at Jackson Hole

24 Reinvention

Take outdoor food oldies and make them goodies with healthy twists

26 Leading down a new path One studentrsquos take on an outside the classroom education with NOLS

fall 2008

08 Preparation Pre-ski season moves to maximize your slope experience

CONTENTS

2 reach

EDITORrsquoS NOTEItrsquos hard to say goodbye to something you love But

there is always that friend hanging around saying some clicheacute like ldquoWith every closed door there is an open windowrdquo REACH is here to be that friend

Everyday the temperature dips and the colder elements try to force us indoors but we wonrsquot let them We can wedge out the closed door enough to slip in a few modified warm weather activities Outdoor adventure is all about being prepared If you want to keep rock climbing throw on some boots and gloves and do it Or try out ice climbing If camping is your thing first check out our winter camping guide on page 32 then bring out the warm sleeping bag and get to it A pair of snowshoes will have you hiking year around Life is about making adjustments to the surroundings and the situation Keeping up with your outdoor lifestyle is no different

Even if some struggle to keep that fall weather around herersquos to the people who canrsquot wait to jump out the winter monthrsquos window Decent snow leads up to monumental powder days on the slopes Those are days we canrsquot stop talking about even when the snow melts Itrsquos time to wax and tune your boards and just wait to indulge in the steep and deep

Donrsquot let Old Man Winter dictate your outdoor agenda Just take what he gives you and enjoy

Lindsey KorsickEditor

Shantana BantaGRAPHICS EDITORShantana is a senior in Journalism and Art with a graphic design emphasis Star Valley Wyo is where she learned to appreciate the outdoors as she grew from a wee-one into adulthood Living in the valley of the star she was able to see the true beauty that is Wyoming She graduates in May and plans to attend graduate school in hopes to one day teach at the collegiate level Her goal is to give students the tools to be conceptual designers and critical thinking artists

Justin GerardPHOTOGRAPHY EDITORJustin is senior studying Photojournalism and Music He grew up in Buffalo Wyo From living in the Bighorn Mountains fostered a fond appreciation for the outdoors He is a snowboarder in the winter and a fly fishing guide backpacker and explorer in the summer He plays jazz guitar and is studying languages to help him in his travels

Lindsey Korsick is a senior Journalism major from Aurora Ill and Monument Colo She enjoys a good adventure that turns into a great story She loves to mountain bike snowboard write and just be in the fresh air Lindsey created REACH magazine to engage people in the outdoors and give student journalists a specialized publication to hone their skills

fall 2008 3

Andrew CallAndrew grew up surrounded by mountains and forest in Star Valley Wyo He has always loved to snowboard and just get out of civilization be out in the mountains just hiking around He is a senior Communication major working on a minor in Creative Writing After graduation he hopes to live somewhere quiet on the coast Oregon or North California in a condo somewhere writing a novel and enjoying life

Spencer DuncanSpencer was born in Scottsbluff Neb and raised in Longmont Colo He is a theater performance major at UW and loves photography and spending time outdoors

Sammie GetzSammie grew up in the mountainous valley of Jackson Hole Wyo and ever since then have been interested in the outdoors She is a junior Journalism major REACH magazine seemed like a fit for her because it allows her to study about the natural beauty of my hometown and other areas surrounding Laramie She enjoys being outside enduring nature in its full glory hiking camping and rafting

Rachel SchmidtRachel of Albin Wyo is a sophomore majoring in International Studies Her favorite outdoor activities include climbing rocks playing in lakes and snowboarding She is a member of FACEAIDS an RSO that raises awareness about AIDS in Africa and is also a member of UWrsquos female a cappella group The Bettyrsquos She likes to yodel in canyons loves Wyomingrsquos skies slightly resents the wind and is looking forward to snow

Natasha WheelerNatasha was born in Laramie Wyo and grew up in Nederland Colo She is currently a senior Agricultural Communications major She enjoys photography hiking skiing and borrowing snowshoes from her mom She believes that life is an adventure and she always looks forward to the next one

Lenna RiceLenna is a senior in International Studies from Casper Wyo After spending a time taking in the beaches and unreal beauty of the rain forests of Brazil she found a love for the outdoors that is unexplainable While studying art in Brazil she found her true passion Photography She hopes to make this passion a career some day

CONTRIBUTORS

4 reach

ExPO

fall 2008 5

Wild exposure and runout on the Great Traverse pitch of South Buttress Right (IV 511) on Mount Moran Grand Teton National Park A 150-foot horizontal traversing pitch with only a handful of opportunities to place gear puts both climbers on the sharp end two-thousand feet above the deck Camera Nikon 4200Anneka M Door

ExPODan Kunkel snowboarding off a 25-foot snowbank into South Gap Lake The water was between 5 and 6 feet deepCamera Pentax K10D August 23 2008Emily D Jelly

Bryan VanSickle climbing Sleeping Beauty (511c) Enchanted Tower NMCamera Nikon D40 DX 18-55mm Lens March 18th 2008Pablo Kollmar

8 reach

by Spencer Duncan Ski and snowboard season is around the corner As snow piles up so do classes and homework When time is hard to come by but getting ready stretch your ski muscles is a necessity try this at home workout to get yourself in slope-shape

This workout will allow you to get ready for the ski season right in the comfort of your own home during your own time

Everyone is excited to get on the slopes that they donrsquot take the time get themselves prepared for the strain that the body is bound to take The most common place to get injured during the ski season is your legs more specifically the knees and ankles This workout is mixed with stretching and resistance exercises that will allow you to strengthen the core for balance and build up the legs for endurance so you can shred those slopes like never before This workout will cover stretches core and leg exercises

Getting started

Water (for hydration)

Comfortable clothing to move around in

Comfortable shoes (Running or tennis shoes will do)

A Gallon container filled with water (ie milk jug)

A staircase

A friend to exercise with

(If not you will be able to do everything on your own)

Some tunes to motivate you

Prepare for the approaching winter sports with the following exercises aimed to improve your game

fall 2008 9

StretchYoga is intended to stretch multiple muscles at the same

time Not only is yoga excellent for stretching your muscles and allowing you to be warmed up it is great for relaxation and meditation so you will be able to focus on what kind of exercise you want to accomplish

The Cobra pose To achieve it lay on the ground on your stomach and put your hands palms down on the ground by your chest Push up with your arms and bring your head as far back as possible bending your back slightly The best way to achieve relaxation in this pose is breathe deeply and relax the muscles in your neck and back

The Bow or Rocking Horse pose Lay stomach down on the ground Relax the muscles in your neck and back Reach back and grab your ankles or the fabric of your shorts if you cant reach Pull as far as you can without straining yourself If you can rock back and forth becoming a kind of rocking horse This pose will allow you to stretch your back legs and arms

Downward Facing Dog pose Get into a push-up position and walk your hands toward your feet a couple steps At this point your butt should be up in the air and your head down close to the ground Change weight from your hands to your legs and focus on stretching your back and legs during this exercise

CoreThe first core exercise is intended for two people but no

worries it can be achieved alone For this exercise one person should be standing feet shoulder width apart and the other person should lay on the ground with their head between the other persons legs Then grab the standing persons ankles When your finished with that lift your legs to a 90-degree angle so the standing person can throw them down When the standing person throws your legs down be sure to not let your legs hit the ground This is where the abdominal exercise comes in In order to not let your feet touch the ground contract your abs and stop the motion before your feet touch Then when you stop the motion you raise your legs again and repeat 5-10 times To change it up be sure to throw the legs from the left to right and right to left

The Russian Twist Sit cross-legged on the ground with your legs extended a little more than usual Lift your feet 6-12 inches off of the ground Try to keep balanced and put your hands on the left side Alternate sides and try to touch the ground on the opposite side repeat 20 or more times One touch on each side counts as one rep

Frog sit-ups Sit on the ground put your legs into a diamond position with the soles of your feet touching each other Lay back as you do the sit up push your back to the ground and curl your torso upwards stay there for a couple seconds and repeat 10-20 times

Side Bends Here is a creative way to work your obliques Get a gallon of liquid and hold it to your side Put your other

hand on the side of your head Bend at the waist towards the hand with the gallon of liquid in it and come back to a standing position In this exercise be sure to target your obliques as you bring your torso up to the standing position Do this 15 times each side and repeat the set three times To target a different set of obliques take the hand holding the carton and hold it behind you keeping your other hand on your head Lean back with your waist be sure that your not bending your knees to bend down You should feel your side stretching as you lean back

LegsWhen you are skiing you need to have two main components

when it comes to your legs strength and balance For legs an effective home tool is the balance board Get a two-liter bottle and fill it with water Make sure there is plenty of pressure so it wonrsquot collapse Then get a piece of lumber that is 6-12 inches wide and 2-3 feet long Lean the piece of lumber on the bottle of water Put one foot on the board on the ground and then bring your other foot to the board Then balance on the board Do it four or five times a day

Wall Sit Stand feet shoulder width apart two feet away from a wall with your back towards the wall hold your hands out directly in front of you Safely lean back and lower yourself into a seated position on the wall keeping your hands out in front of you Stay in this position for 30 seconds or until you canrsquot take it anymore When you are done stand up and rest Repeat the wall sit three or more times

Jump Squats Stand on a flat surface and hold your hands in front of you in a crossed position Bend down into a squat be sure to keep your back straight and refrain from bending over the hips When you hit a 90-degree angle explode upward jumping into the air as high as you can and land back in the squatting position Repeat this 10 times for one set and do three sets

Calf Raises This exercise is fairly straightforward Stand on an elevated surface preferably with a railing or something sturdy to hold on to Stand with your toes on the stair and the heel hanging off the end Rise up onto your toes and lower your self back down That is one rep In order to make this exercise successful it is best to do this on each leg 20-25 times for 3-4 sets But you can change this exercise up a bit Use one foot then the other Or you can use both feet at the same time You could also jump onto the step above with one foot or two

Ready for the slopesNow you have what you need to have a successful workout

right in the comfort of your own home Take this workout and repeat it 3-4 times a week even during the ski season Even if it goes unnoticed every time you complete this workout you are preparing your body for the beating it is bound to take on the slopes Kudos to you for taking the responsibility to make your health just as important as the fun you love to haveSource Margaret Wilson University of Wyoming associate professor of Kinesiology for Dance

10 reach10 reach

fall 2008 11

by Lindsey Korsick

fall 2008 11

12 reach

Are you scared The wild beast of the night could be that bear

seen roaming the region or just the pounding of your anxious heart and sound of your rustling sleeping bag

Staring down the mountain that your mountain bike tire has edged over may have your heart making its way into tight spaces but is that because you know a broken arm hangs in the balance or because every time you gaze over the edge you lose it

Fear of a legitimate risk or fear of fear itselfSimple sounds create twisted images of

attacks by creatures big and small storms of epic proportion and enclosed spaces that close completely with you inside

When nature is on the attack or you think it is your body is filled with symptoms to warn you of the potential dangers

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said the classic symptoms of anxiety can include but are not limited to a pounding heart difficulty breathing and becoming lightheaded or dizzy

When these symptoms engage the person needs to dissect the situation to figure out if there is a real danger or they are just hellip freaking out

ldquoOften people will start to feel anxious about something like an alluding thunderstorm or an animal they are concerned aboutrdquo Deacon said ldquoThat is what can start the fear reaction but as it gets more and more intense people start to fear more and more anxious and panicky

ldquoOnce people start to get anxious or panic the physiology of the lsquofight or flight responsersquo kicks in Your own anxiety makes it seem more likely that the very thing you are afraid of is going to happen That can be the real problemrdquo

These symptoms kick the mind into high gear Reveling over the what-if rsquos prime your body

Thump Thump Thump ThumpTherersquos something outside the tent Isnrsquot thereWhorsquos is going to check

CrinKLe Thump Thump Itrsquos getting closer

fall 2008 13

and mind to make a move a move that could save your life or just cause unnecessary angst Alertness piques your hearing tunes to pick up the slightest noises and you check behind you to be aware of the surroundings and anything that may be joining you The key to understanding fear is recognizing when your life is in danger and when your thoughts are just running wild spinning you into an irrational mess

ldquoThere is an actual element of risk in most outdoor situationsrdquo Deacon said ldquoIf you are rock climbing you could fall If you are hiking you could encounter a bear and the bear could attack you Most cases the risk is remote but the risk is there For a lot of the things people fear taking precautions can help your oddsrdquo

To help with the odds students who participate in the University of Wyomingrsquos Outdoor Program are prepped before they head out on any trip Dan McCoy the OPrsquos director said that severe anxiety attacks are a rarity in the program but it is important that people know what they are getting into

ldquoItrsquos crucial that people know what they are getting into in the first place before they engage in any activity that involves specific skillrdquo McCoy said The OP advertises the distances elevation gain physical expectations and experience required

OP has mandatory pre-trip meetings that include maps handouts and gear lists before each adventure

McCoy said fear attacks have been extremely rare within the OP but they have happened A student panicked in the depths of a cave leaving the OP student leaders to rely on their own judgment and leadership to calm the situation

ldquoWe handled the situation by calming them down and talking with themrdquo McCoy said The panicked student was eventually removed from the cave and they were transported to a hospital after complaints of a tight chest and shortness of breath McCoy said the hospital did not conclude anything of significant importance and the person was released a few hours later

With all the dangers looming around outdoor recreation itrsquos a wonder that anyone leaves the comforts of their home to head into the mountains rivers and forests Knowing and understanding the situation and surroundings can help control fear but for some people itrsquos that sense of fear that they crave

Did you ever wonder why some people hang from rocks by their fingertips or battle Class-V white water rapids with paddles

fall 2008 13

14 reach

Itrsquos for the adrenaline rush the idea of knowing there is a certain level of risk and challenging it It is the level of risk balanced with the level of skill that determines whether an adventurer comes out unscathed Whether itrsquos deciding to ski off Corbetrsquos Couloir in Jackson Hole or test out mountain biking abilities in Happy Jack people want to press the limits Outdoor enthusiasts run into the problem of judging how to improve their skills and knowing when their bodies could pay the price for what their mind decides Unlike the people who find fear at every turn and run these people want to shake fearrsquos hand They embrace the fear

Deacon suggests that these eager adventurers to know how far to push it and recognize actual risk

ldquoKnow your limits and know what the potential consequences are if you exceed your limits or what the particular terrain has in store for yourdquo Deacon said ldquoThatrsquos tough because a lot of people who enjoy outdoor recreation enjoy pushing their limits Thatrsquos why they are getting injured all the timerdquo For other adventurers the same symptoms that come with a visiting bear clamp down when they reach a point when their ability and confidence is questioned ldquoThe symptoms just compound the problem as people can misinterpret the meanings of these symptoms and worry that something bad is happening to themrdquo Deacon said ldquoThey may think that they have pushed their body too hard and think that they are about to pass out have a heart attack or go crazyrdquo When you are camping biking skiing or hiking and this tense feeling creeps up one you itrsquos up to you to make the call Is this fear justified or just an irrational misinterpretation Fear passes by people at one point or another itrsquos important not to let it run your life and limit what you do Especially if you love what you do

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fall 2008 15

by Lindsey Korsick If you have anxiety attacks climbing up a mountain or itrsquos your buddy who you want to bring along but canrsquot keep their head there are ways to limit and potentially cure the fears

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Web site 19 million people (87 percent of the population) encounter debilitating anxiety of various fears People may not have a valid reason for their fear and it may not make sense but the only way to help them is to be understanding

If the goal is to get rid of the fear without medication ADAA recommends trying out Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT allows the person experiencing the anxiety to take part in their own healing ldquoCBT focuses on identifying understanding and modifying thinking and behavior patterns When a person changes thinking and behavior emotional changes usually followrdquo Whether you are afraid Yogi the Bear is going to make an uninvited visit to your campsite or you lose it the higher you get off the ground the way to release the fear is to realize when your life is in danger and when your mind is playing tricks

Here is how CBT works If a person has an anxiety attack whenever their climbing harness lifts off because they fear they will fall if someone lets go of the rope or the rope will snap they need to start with their knowledge to solve the problem The Cognitive Therapy starts by checking and remembering that they have gone over the climbing plan with their partner and examined the equipment Then they must put the visual images of falling out of their mind ldquoThe individual examines his or her feelings and learns to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughtsrdquo The Behavior Therapy includes a person changing their behavior in the feared situation The climber must put their trust in their partner and their equipment Each time the climber goes through the therapy the fear and anxiety symptoms lessen ldquoThe individual learns to cope with difficult situations often through controlled exposure to themrdquo

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said an example of treating fear is with a heights phobia

ldquoTheir own anxiety symptoms create body sensations that make them think they are losing control and about to fall offrdquo Deacon said Even though itrsquos not really the case that they are losing control but it feels that way People misinterpret their own anxiety response as a signal that they are literally about to fall

ldquoIn therapy we try to make people face their fears by gradually putting themselves in higher and higher places What they eventually learn is that they donrsquot fall even if they are having those anxiety symptomsrdquo

Dissolving fear can be a long process but Deacon said is just comes down to finding the truth and believing in it hellip and yourself ldquoThink accurately rather than catastrophically about what is actually happeningrdquoFor more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy check out wwwadaaorg

FACinG YOur FeArSWays to overcome outdoor anxiety

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In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

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by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

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The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

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Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

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Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

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by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

CONTENTS

2 reach

EDITORrsquoS NOTEItrsquos hard to say goodbye to something you love But

there is always that friend hanging around saying some clicheacute like ldquoWith every closed door there is an open windowrdquo REACH is here to be that friend

Everyday the temperature dips and the colder elements try to force us indoors but we wonrsquot let them We can wedge out the closed door enough to slip in a few modified warm weather activities Outdoor adventure is all about being prepared If you want to keep rock climbing throw on some boots and gloves and do it Or try out ice climbing If camping is your thing first check out our winter camping guide on page 32 then bring out the warm sleeping bag and get to it A pair of snowshoes will have you hiking year around Life is about making adjustments to the surroundings and the situation Keeping up with your outdoor lifestyle is no different

Even if some struggle to keep that fall weather around herersquos to the people who canrsquot wait to jump out the winter monthrsquos window Decent snow leads up to monumental powder days on the slopes Those are days we canrsquot stop talking about even when the snow melts Itrsquos time to wax and tune your boards and just wait to indulge in the steep and deep

Donrsquot let Old Man Winter dictate your outdoor agenda Just take what he gives you and enjoy

Lindsey KorsickEditor

Shantana BantaGRAPHICS EDITORShantana is a senior in Journalism and Art with a graphic design emphasis Star Valley Wyo is where she learned to appreciate the outdoors as she grew from a wee-one into adulthood Living in the valley of the star she was able to see the true beauty that is Wyoming She graduates in May and plans to attend graduate school in hopes to one day teach at the collegiate level Her goal is to give students the tools to be conceptual designers and critical thinking artists

Justin GerardPHOTOGRAPHY EDITORJustin is senior studying Photojournalism and Music He grew up in Buffalo Wyo From living in the Bighorn Mountains fostered a fond appreciation for the outdoors He is a snowboarder in the winter and a fly fishing guide backpacker and explorer in the summer He plays jazz guitar and is studying languages to help him in his travels

Lindsey Korsick is a senior Journalism major from Aurora Ill and Monument Colo She enjoys a good adventure that turns into a great story She loves to mountain bike snowboard write and just be in the fresh air Lindsey created REACH magazine to engage people in the outdoors and give student journalists a specialized publication to hone their skills

fall 2008 3

Andrew CallAndrew grew up surrounded by mountains and forest in Star Valley Wyo He has always loved to snowboard and just get out of civilization be out in the mountains just hiking around He is a senior Communication major working on a minor in Creative Writing After graduation he hopes to live somewhere quiet on the coast Oregon or North California in a condo somewhere writing a novel and enjoying life

Spencer DuncanSpencer was born in Scottsbluff Neb and raised in Longmont Colo He is a theater performance major at UW and loves photography and spending time outdoors

Sammie GetzSammie grew up in the mountainous valley of Jackson Hole Wyo and ever since then have been interested in the outdoors She is a junior Journalism major REACH magazine seemed like a fit for her because it allows her to study about the natural beauty of my hometown and other areas surrounding Laramie She enjoys being outside enduring nature in its full glory hiking camping and rafting

Rachel SchmidtRachel of Albin Wyo is a sophomore majoring in International Studies Her favorite outdoor activities include climbing rocks playing in lakes and snowboarding She is a member of FACEAIDS an RSO that raises awareness about AIDS in Africa and is also a member of UWrsquos female a cappella group The Bettyrsquos She likes to yodel in canyons loves Wyomingrsquos skies slightly resents the wind and is looking forward to snow

Natasha WheelerNatasha was born in Laramie Wyo and grew up in Nederland Colo She is currently a senior Agricultural Communications major She enjoys photography hiking skiing and borrowing snowshoes from her mom She believes that life is an adventure and she always looks forward to the next one

Lenna RiceLenna is a senior in International Studies from Casper Wyo After spending a time taking in the beaches and unreal beauty of the rain forests of Brazil she found a love for the outdoors that is unexplainable While studying art in Brazil she found her true passion Photography She hopes to make this passion a career some day

CONTRIBUTORS

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ExPO

fall 2008 5

Wild exposure and runout on the Great Traverse pitch of South Buttress Right (IV 511) on Mount Moran Grand Teton National Park A 150-foot horizontal traversing pitch with only a handful of opportunities to place gear puts both climbers on the sharp end two-thousand feet above the deck Camera Nikon 4200Anneka M Door

ExPODan Kunkel snowboarding off a 25-foot snowbank into South Gap Lake The water was between 5 and 6 feet deepCamera Pentax K10D August 23 2008Emily D Jelly

Bryan VanSickle climbing Sleeping Beauty (511c) Enchanted Tower NMCamera Nikon D40 DX 18-55mm Lens March 18th 2008Pablo Kollmar

8 reach

by Spencer Duncan Ski and snowboard season is around the corner As snow piles up so do classes and homework When time is hard to come by but getting ready stretch your ski muscles is a necessity try this at home workout to get yourself in slope-shape

This workout will allow you to get ready for the ski season right in the comfort of your own home during your own time

Everyone is excited to get on the slopes that they donrsquot take the time get themselves prepared for the strain that the body is bound to take The most common place to get injured during the ski season is your legs more specifically the knees and ankles This workout is mixed with stretching and resistance exercises that will allow you to strengthen the core for balance and build up the legs for endurance so you can shred those slopes like never before This workout will cover stretches core and leg exercises

Getting started

Water (for hydration)

Comfortable clothing to move around in

Comfortable shoes (Running or tennis shoes will do)

A Gallon container filled with water (ie milk jug)

A staircase

A friend to exercise with

(If not you will be able to do everything on your own)

Some tunes to motivate you

Prepare for the approaching winter sports with the following exercises aimed to improve your game

fall 2008 9

StretchYoga is intended to stretch multiple muscles at the same

time Not only is yoga excellent for stretching your muscles and allowing you to be warmed up it is great for relaxation and meditation so you will be able to focus on what kind of exercise you want to accomplish

The Cobra pose To achieve it lay on the ground on your stomach and put your hands palms down on the ground by your chest Push up with your arms and bring your head as far back as possible bending your back slightly The best way to achieve relaxation in this pose is breathe deeply and relax the muscles in your neck and back

The Bow or Rocking Horse pose Lay stomach down on the ground Relax the muscles in your neck and back Reach back and grab your ankles or the fabric of your shorts if you cant reach Pull as far as you can without straining yourself If you can rock back and forth becoming a kind of rocking horse This pose will allow you to stretch your back legs and arms

Downward Facing Dog pose Get into a push-up position and walk your hands toward your feet a couple steps At this point your butt should be up in the air and your head down close to the ground Change weight from your hands to your legs and focus on stretching your back and legs during this exercise

CoreThe first core exercise is intended for two people but no

worries it can be achieved alone For this exercise one person should be standing feet shoulder width apart and the other person should lay on the ground with their head between the other persons legs Then grab the standing persons ankles When your finished with that lift your legs to a 90-degree angle so the standing person can throw them down When the standing person throws your legs down be sure to not let your legs hit the ground This is where the abdominal exercise comes in In order to not let your feet touch the ground contract your abs and stop the motion before your feet touch Then when you stop the motion you raise your legs again and repeat 5-10 times To change it up be sure to throw the legs from the left to right and right to left

The Russian Twist Sit cross-legged on the ground with your legs extended a little more than usual Lift your feet 6-12 inches off of the ground Try to keep balanced and put your hands on the left side Alternate sides and try to touch the ground on the opposite side repeat 20 or more times One touch on each side counts as one rep

Frog sit-ups Sit on the ground put your legs into a diamond position with the soles of your feet touching each other Lay back as you do the sit up push your back to the ground and curl your torso upwards stay there for a couple seconds and repeat 10-20 times

Side Bends Here is a creative way to work your obliques Get a gallon of liquid and hold it to your side Put your other

hand on the side of your head Bend at the waist towards the hand with the gallon of liquid in it and come back to a standing position In this exercise be sure to target your obliques as you bring your torso up to the standing position Do this 15 times each side and repeat the set three times To target a different set of obliques take the hand holding the carton and hold it behind you keeping your other hand on your head Lean back with your waist be sure that your not bending your knees to bend down You should feel your side stretching as you lean back

LegsWhen you are skiing you need to have two main components

when it comes to your legs strength and balance For legs an effective home tool is the balance board Get a two-liter bottle and fill it with water Make sure there is plenty of pressure so it wonrsquot collapse Then get a piece of lumber that is 6-12 inches wide and 2-3 feet long Lean the piece of lumber on the bottle of water Put one foot on the board on the ground and then bring your other foot to the board Then balance on the board Do it four or five times a day

Wall Sit Stand feet shoulder width apart two feet away from a wall with your back towards the wall hold your hands out directly in front of you Safely lean back and lower yourself into a seated position on the wall keeping your hands out in front of you Stay in this position for 30 seconds or until you canrsquot take it anymore When you are done stand up and rest Repeat the wall sit three or more times

Jump Squats Stand on a flat surface and hold your hands in front of you in a crossed position Bend down into a squat be sure to keep your back straight and refrain from bending over the hips When you hit a 90-degree angle explode upward jumping into the air as high as you can and land back in the squatting position Repeat this 10 times for one set and do three sets

Calf Raises This exercise is fairly straightforward Stand on an elevated surface preferably with a railing or something sturdy to hold on to Stand with your toes on the stair and the heel hanging off the end Rise up onto your toes and lower your self back down That is one rep In order to make this exercise successful it is best to do this on each leg 20-25 times for 3-4 sets But you can change this exercise up a bit Use one foot then the other Or you can use both feet at the same time You could also jump onto the step above with one foot or two

Ready for the slopesNow you have what you need to have a successful workout

right in the comfort of your own home Take this workout and repeat it 3-4 times a week even during the ski season Even if it goes unnoticed every time you complete this workout you are preparing your body for the beating it is bound to take on the slopes Kudos to you for taking the responsibility to make your health just as important as the fun you love to haveSource Margaret Wilson University of Wyoming associate professor of Kinesiology for Dance

10 reach10 reach

fall 2008 11

by Lindsey Korsick

fall 2008 11

12 reach

Are you scared The wild beast of the night could be that bear

seen roaming the region or just the pounding of your anxious heart and sound of your rustling sleeping bag

Staring down the mountain that your mountain bike tire has edged over may have your heart making its way into tight spaces but is that because you know a broken arm hangs in the balance or because every time you gaze over the edge you lose it

Fear of a legitimate risk or fear of fear itselfSimple sounds create twisted images of

attacks by creatures big and small storms of epic proportion and enclosed spaces that close completely with you inside

When nature is on the attack or you think it is your body is filled with symptoms to warn you of the potential dangers

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said the classic symptoms of anxiety can include but are not limited to a pounding heart difficulty breathing and becoming lightheaded or dizzy

When these symptoms engage the person needs to dissect the situation to figure out if there is a real danger or they are just hellip freaking out

ldquoOften people will start to feel anxious about something like an alluding thunderstorm or an animal they are concerned aboutrdquo Deacon said ldquoThat is what can start the fear reaction but as it gets more and more intense people start to fear more and more anxious and panicky

ldquoOnce people start to get anxious or panic the physiology of the lsquofight or flight responsersquo kicks in Your own anxiety makes it seem more likely that the very thing you are afraid of is going to happen That can be the real problemrdquo

These symptoms kick the mind into high gear Reveling over the what-if rsquos prime your body

Thump Thump Thump ThumpTherersquos something outside the tent Isnrsquot thereWhorsquos is going to check

CrinKLe Thump Thump Itrsquos getting closer

fall 2008 13

and mind to make a move a move that could save your life or just cause unnecessary angst Alertness piques your hearing tunes to pick up the slightest noises and you check behind you to be aware of the surroundings and anything that may be joining you The key to understanding fear is recognizing when your life is in danger and when your thoughts are just running wild spinning you into an irrational mess

ldquoThere is an actual element of risk in most outdoor situationsrdquo Deacon said ldquoIf you are rock climbing you could fall If you are hiking you could encounter a bear and the bear could attack you Most cases the risk is remote but the risk is there For a lot of the things people fear taking precautions can help your oddsrdquo

To help with the odds students who participate in the University of Wyomingrsquos Outdoor Program are prepped before they head out on any trip Dan McCoy the OPrsquos director said that severe anxiety attacks are a rarity in the program but it is important that people know what they are getting into

ldquoItrsquos crucial that people know what they are getting into in the first place before they engage in any activity that involves specific skillrdquo McCoy said The OP advertises the distances elevation gain physical expectations and experience required

OP has mandatory pre-trip meetings that include maps handouts and gear lists before each adventure

McCoy said fear attacks have been extremely rare within the OP but they have happened A student panicked in the depths of a cave leaving the OP student leaders to rely on their own judgment and leadership to calm the situation

ldquoWe handled the situation by calming them down and talking with themrdquo McCoy said The panicked student was eventually removed from the cave and they were transported to a hospital after complaints of a tight chest and shortness of breath McCoy said the hospital did not conclude anything of significant importance and the person was released a few hours later

With all the dangers looming around outdoor recreation itrsquos a wonder that anyone leaves the comforts of their home to head into the mountains rivers and forests Knowing and understanding the situation and surroundings can help control fear but for some people itrsquos that sense of fear that they crave

Did you ever wonder why some people hang from rocks by their fingertips or battle Class-V white water rapids with paddles

fall 2008 13

14 reach

Itrsquos for the adrenaline rush the idea of knowing there is a certain level of risk and challenging it It is the level of risk balanced with the level of skill that determines whether an adventurer comes out unscathed Whether itrsquos deciding to ski off Corbetrsquos Couloir in Jackson Hole or test out mountain biking abilities in Happy Jack people want to press the limits Outdoor enthusiasts run into the problem of judging how to improve their skills and knowing when their bodies could pay the price for what their mind decides Unlike the people who find fear at every turn and run these people want to shake fearrsquos hand They embrace the fear

Deacon suggests that these eager adventurers to know how far to push it and recognize actual risk

ldquoKnow your limits and know what the potential consequences are if you exceed your limits or what the particular terrain has in store for yourdquo Deacon said ldquoThatrsquos tough because a lot of people who enjoy outdoor recreation enjoy pushing their limits Thatrsquos why they are getting injured all the timerdquo For other adventurers the same symptoms that come with a visiting bear clamp down when they reach a point when their ability and confidence is questioned ldquoThe symptoms just compound the problem as people can misinterpret the meanings of these symptoms and worry that something bad is happening to themrdquo Deacon said ldquoThey may think that they have pushed their body too hard and think that they are about to pass out have a heart attack or go crazyrdquo When you are camping biking skiing or hiking and this tense feeling creeps up one you itrsquos up to you to make the call Is this fear justified or just an irrational misinterpretation Fear passes by people at one point or another itrsquos important not to let it run your life and limit what you do Especially if you love what you do

14 reach

fall 2008 15

by Lindsey Korsick If you have anxiety attacks climbing up a mountain or itrsquos your buddy who you want to bring along but canrsquot keep their head there are ways to limit and potentially cure the fears

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Web site 19 million people (87 percent of the population) encounter debilitating anxiety of various fears People may not have a valid reason for their fear and it may not make sense but the only way to help them is to be understanding

If the goal is to get rid of the fear without medication ADAA recommends trying out Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT allows the person experiencing the anxiety to take part in their own healing ldquoCBT focuses on identifying understanding and modifying thinking and behavior patterns When a person changes thinking and behavior emotional changes usually followrdquo Whether you are afraid Yogi the Bear is going to make an uninvited visit to your campsite or you lose it the higher you get off the ground the way to release the fear is to realize when your life is in danger and when your mind is playing tricks

Here is how CBT works If a person has an anxiety attack whenever their climbing harness lifts off because they fear they will fall if someone lets go of the rope or the rope will snap they need to start with their knowledge to solve the problem The Cognitive Therapy starts by checking and remembering that they have gone over the climbing plan with their partner and examined the equipment Then they must put the visual images of falling out of their mind ldquoThe individual examines his or her feelings and learns to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughtsrdquo The Behavior Therapy includes a person changing their behavior in the feared situation The climber must put their trust in their partner and their equipment Each time the climber goes through the therapy the fear and anxiety symptoms lessen ldquoThe individual learns to cope with difficult situations often through controlled exposure to themrdquo

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said an example of treating fear is with a heights phobia

ldquoTheir own anxiety symptoms create body sensations that make them think they are losing control and about to fall offrdquo Deacon said Even though itrsquos not really the case that they are losing control but it feels that way People misinterpret their own anxiety response as a signal that they are literally about to fall

ldquoIn therapy we try to make people face their fears by gradually putting themselves in higher and higher places What they eventually learn is that they donrsquot fall even if they are having those anxiety symptomsrdquo

Dissolving fear can be a long process but Deacon said is just comes down to finding the truth and believing in it hellip and yourself ldquoThink accurately rather than catastrophically about what is actually happeningrdquoFor more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy check out wwwadaaorg

FACinG YOur FeArSWays to overcome outdoor anxiety

16 reach

In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

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by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

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The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

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Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 3

Andrew CallAndrew grew up surrounded by mountains and forest in Star Valley Wyo He has always loved to snowboard and just get out of civilization be out in the mountains just hiking around He is a senior Communication major working on a minor in Creative Writing After graduation he hopes to live somewhere quiet on the coast Oregon or North California in a condo somewhere writing a novel and enjoying life

Spencer DuncanSpencer was born in Scottsbluff Neb and raised in Longmont Colo He is a theater performance major at UW and loves photography and spending time outdoors

Sammie GetzSammie grew up in the mountainous valley of Jackson Hole Wyo and ever since then have been interested in the outdoors She is a junior Journalism major REACH magazine seemed like a fit for her because it allows her to study about the natural beauty of my hometown and other areas surrounding Laramie She enjoys being outside enduring nature in its full glory hiking camping and rafting

Rachel SchmidtRachel of Albin Wyo is a sophomore majoring in International Studies Her favorite outdoor activities include climbing rocks playing in lakes and snowboarding She is a member of FACEAIDS an RSO that raises awareness about AIDS in Africa and is also a member of UWrsquos female a cappella group The Bettyrsquos She likes to yodel in canyons loves Wyomingrsquos skies slightly resents the wind and is looking forward to snow

Natasha WheelerNatasha was born in Laramie Wyo and grew up in Nederland Colo She is currently a senior Agricultural Communications major She enjoys photography hiking skiing and borrowing snowshoes from her mom She believes that life is an adventure and she always looks forward to the next one

Lenna RiceLenna is a senior in International Studies from Casper Wyo After spending a time taking in the beaches and unreal beauty of the rain forests of Brazil she found a love for the outdoors that is unexplainable While studying art in Brazil she found her true passion Photography She hopes to make this passion a career some day

CONTRIBUTORS

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ExPO

fall 2008 5

Wild exposure and runout on the Great Traverse pitch of South Buttress Right (IV 511) on Mount Moran Grand Teton National Park A 150-foot horizontal traversing pitch with only a handful of opportunities to place gear puts both climbers on the sharp end two-thousand feet above the deck Camera Nikon 4200Anneka M Door

ExPODan Kunkel snowboarding off a 25-foot snowbank into South Gap Lake The water was between 5 and 6 feet deepCamera Pentax K10D August 23 2008Emily D Jelly

Bryan VanSickle climbing Sleeping Beauty (511c) Enchanted Tower NMCamera Nikon D40 DX 18-55mm Lens March 18th 2008Pablo Kollmar

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by Spencer Duncan Ski and snowboard season is around the corner As snow piles up so do classes and homework When time is hard to come by but getting ready stretch your ski muscles is a necessity try this at home workout to get yourself in slope-shape

This workout will allow you to get ready for the ski season right in the comfort of your own home during your own time

Everyone is excited to get on the slopes that they donrsquot take the time get themselves prepared for the strain that the body is bound to take The most common place to get injured during the ski season is your legs more specifically the knees and ankles This workout is mixed with stretching and resistance exercises that will allow you to strengthen the core for balance and build up the legs for endurance so you can shred those slopes like never before This workout will cover stretches core and leg exercises

Getting started

Water (for hydration)

Comfortable clothing to move around in

Comfortable shoes (Running or tennis shoes will do)

A Gallon container filled with water (ie milk jug)

A staircase

A friend to exercise with

(If not you will be able to do everything on your own)

Some tunes to motivate you

Prepare for the approaching winter sports with the following exercises aimed to improve your game

fall 2008 9

StretchYoga is intended to stretch multiple muscles at the same

time Not only is yoga excellent for stretching your muscles and allowing you to be warmed up it is great for relaxation and meditation so you will be able to focus on what kind of exercise you want to accomplish

The Cobra pose To achieve it lay on the ground on your stomach and put your hands palms down on the ground by your chest Push up with your arms and bring your head as far back as possible bending your back slightly The best way to achieve relaxation in this pose is breathe deeply and relax the muscles in your neck and back

The Bow or Rocking Horse pose Lay stomach down on the ground Relax the muscles in your neck and back Reach back and grab your ankles or the fabric of your shorts if you cant reach Pull as far as you can without straining yourself If you can rock back and forth becoming a kind of rocking horse This pose will allow you to stretch your back legs and arms

Downward Facing Dog pose Get into a push-up position and walk your hands toward your feet a couple steps At this point your butt should be up in the air and your head down close to the ground Change weight from your hands to your legs and focus on stretching your back and legs during this exercise

CoreThe first core exercise is intended for two people but no

worries it can be achieved alone For this exercise one person should be standing feet shoulder width apart and the other person should lay on the ground with their head between the other persons legs Then grab the standing persons ankles When your finished with that lift your legs to a 90-degree angle so the standing person can throw them down When the standing person throws your legs down be sure to not let your legs hit the ground This is where the abdominal exercise comes in In order to not let your feet touch the ground contract your abs and stop the motion before your feet touch Then when you stop the motion you raise your legs again and repeat 5-10 times To change it up be sure to throw the legs from the left to right and right to left

The Russian Twist Sit cross-legged on the ground with your legs extended a little more than usual Lift your feet 6-12 inches off of the ground Try to keep balanced and put your hands on the left side Alternate sides and try to touch the ground on the opposite side repeat 20 or more times One touch on each side counts as one rep

Frog sit-ups Sit on the ground put your legs into a diamond position with the soles of your feet touching each other Lay back as you do the sit up push your back to the ground and curl your torso upwards stay there for a couple seconds and repeat 10-20 times

Side Bends Here is a creative way to work your obliques Get a gallon of liquid and hold it to your side Put your other

hand on the side of your head Bend at the waist towards the hand with the gallon of liquid in it and come back to a standing position In this exercise be sure to target your obliques as you bring your torso up to the standing position Do this 15 times each side and repeat the set three times To target a different set of obliques take the hand holding the carton and hold it behind you keeping your other hand on your head Lean back with your waist be sure that your not bending your knees to bend down You should feel your side stretching as you lean back

LegsWhen you are skiing you need to have two main components

when it comes to your legs strength and balance For legs an effective home tool is the balance board Get a two-liter bottle and fill it with water Make sure there is plenty of pressure so it wonrsquot collapse Then get a piece of lumber that is 6-12 inches wide and 2-3 feet long Lean the piece of lumber on the bottle of water Put one foot on the board on the ground and then bring your other foot to the board Then balance on the board Do it four or five times a day

Wall Sit Stand feet shoulder width apart two feet away from a wall with your back towards the wall hold your hands out directly in front of you Safely lean back and lower yourself into a seated position on the wall keeping your hands out in front of you Stay in this position for 30 seconds or until you canrsquot take it anymore When you are done stand up and rest Repeat the wall sit three or more times

Jump Squats Stand on a flat surface and hold your hands in front of you in a crossed position Bend down into a squat be sure to keep your back straight and refrain from bending over the hips When you hit a 90-degree angle explode upward jumping into the air as high as you can and land back in the squatting position Repeat this 10 times for one set and do three sets

Calf Raises This exercise is fairly straightforward Stand on an elevated surface preferably with a railing or something sturdy to hold on to Stand with your toes on the stair and the heel hanging off the end Rise up onto your toes and lower your self back down That is one rep In order to make this exercise successful it is best to do this on each leg 20-25 times for 3-4 sets But you can change this exercise up a bit Use one foot then the other Or you can use both feet at the same time You could also jump onto the step above with one foot or two

Ready for the slopesNow you have what you need to have a successful workout

right in the comfort of your own home Take this workout and repeat it 3-4 times a week even during the ski season Even if it goes unnoticed every time you complete this workout you are preparing your body for the beating it is bound to take on the slopes Kudos to you for taking the responsibility to make your health just as important as the fun you love to haveSource Margaret Wilson University of Wyoming associate professor of Kinesiology for Dance

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fall 2008 11

by Lindsey Korsick

fall 2008 11

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Are you scared The wild beast of the night could be that bear

seen roaming the region or just the pounding of your anxious heart and sound of your rustling sleeping bag

Staring down the mountain that your mountain bike tire has edged over may have your heart making its way into tight spaces but is that because you know a broken arm hangs in the balance or because every time you gaze over the edge you lose it

Fear of a legitimate risk or fear of fear itselfSimple sounds create twisted images of

attacks by creatures big and small storms of epic proportion and enclosed spaces that close completely with you inside

When nature is on the attack or you think it is your body is filled with symptoms to warn you of the potential dangers

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said the classic symptoms of anxiety can include but are not limited to a pounding heart difficulty breathing and becoming lightheaded or dizzy

When these symptoms engage the person needs to dissect the situation to figure out if there is a real danger or they are just hellip freaking out

ldquoOften people will start to feel anxious about something like an alluding thunderstorm or an animal they are concerned aboutrdquo Deacon said ldquoThat is what can start the fear reaction but as it gets more and more intense people start to fear more and more anxious and panicky

ldquoOnce people start to get anxious or panic the physiology of the lsquofight or flight responsersquo kicks in Your own anxiety makes it seem more likely that the very thing you are afraid of is going to happen That can be the real problemrdquo

These symptoms kick the mind into high gear Reveling over the what-if rsquos prime your body

Thump Thump Thump ThumpTherersquos something outside the tent Isnrsquot thereWhorsquos is going to check

CrinKLe Thump Thump Itrsquos getting closer

fall 2008 13

and mind to make a move a move that could save your life or just cause unnecessary angst Alertness piques your hearing tunes to pick up the slightest noises and you check behind you to be aware of the surroundings and anything that may be joining you The key to understanding fear is recognizing when your life is in danger and when your thoughts are just running wild spinning you into an irrational mess

ldquoThere is an actual element of risk in most outdoor situationsrdquo Deacon said ldquoIf you are rock climbing you could fall If you are hiking you could encounter a bear and the bear could attack you Most cases the risk is remote but the risk is there For a lot of the things people fear taking precautions can help your oddsrdquo

To help with the odds students who participate in the University of Wyomingrsquos Outdoor Program are prepped before they head out on any trip Dan McCoy the OPrsquos director said that severe anxiety attacks are a rarity in the program but it is important that people know what they are getting into

ldquoItrsquos crucial that people know what they are getting into in the first place before they engage in any activity that involves specific skillrdquo McCoy said The OP advertises the distances elevation gain physical expectations and experience required

OP has mandatory pre-trip meetings that include maps handouts and gear lists before each adventure

McCoy said fear attacks have been extremely rare within the OP but they have happened A student panicked in the depths of a cave leaving the OP student leaders to rely on their own judgment and leadership to calm the situation

ldquoWe handled the situation by calming them down and talking with themrdquo McCoy said The panicked student was eventually removed from the cave and they were transported to a hospital after complaints of a tight chest and shortness of breath McCoy said the hospital did not conclude anything of significant importance and the person was released a few hours later

With all the dangers looming around outdoor recreation itrsquos a wonder that anyone leaves the comforts of their home to head into the mountains rivers and forests Knowing and understanding the situation and surroundings can help control fear but for some people itrsquos that sense of fear that they crave

Did you ever wonder why some people hang from rocks by their fingertips or battle Class-V white water rapids with paddles

fall 2008 13

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Itrsquos for the adrenaline rush the idea of knowing there is a certain level of risk and challenging it It is the level of risk balanced with the level of skill that determines whether an adventurer comes out unscathed Whether itrsquos deciding to ski off Corbetrsquos Couloir in Jackson Hole or test out mountain biking abilities in Happy Jack people want to press the limits Outdoor enthusiasts run into the problem of judging how to improve their skills and knowing when their bodies could pay the price for what their mind decides Unlike the people who find fear at every turn and run these people want to shake fearrsquos hand They embrace the fear

Deacon suggests that these eager adventurers to know how far to push it and recognize actual risk

ldquoKnow your limits and know what the potential consequences are if you exceed your limits or what the particular terrain has in store for yourdquo Deacon said ldquoThatrsquos tough because a lot of people who enjoy outdoor recreation enjoy pushing their limits Thatrsquos why they are getting injured all the timerdquo For other adventurers the same symptoms that come with a visiting bear clamp down when they reach a point when their ability and confidence is questioned ldquoThe symptoms just compound the problem as people can misinterpret the meanings of these symptoms and worry that something bad is happening to themrdquo Deacon said ldquoThey may think that they have pushed their body too hard and think that they are about to pass out have a heart attack or go crazyrdquo When you are camping biking skiing or hiking and this tense feeling creeps up one you itrsquos up to you to make the call Is this fear justified or just an irrational misinterpretation Fear passes by people at one point or another itrsquos important not to let it run your life and limit what you do Especially if you love what you do

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fall 2008 15

by Lindsey Korsick If you have anxiety attacks climbing up a mountain or itrsquos your buddy who you want to bring along but canrsquot keep their head there are ways to limit and potentially cure the fears

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Web site 19 million people (87 percent of the population) encounter debilitating anxiety of various fears People may not have a valid reason for their fear and it may not make sense but the only way to help them is to be understanding

If the goal is to get rid of the fear without medication ADAA recommends trying out Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT allows the person experiencing the anxiety to take part in their own healing ldquoCBT focuses on identifying understanding and modifying thinking and behavior patterns When a person changes thinking and behavior emotional changes usually followrdquo Whether you are afraid Yogi the Bear is going to make an uninvited visit to your campsite or you lose it the higher you get off the ground the way to release the fear is to realize when your life is in danger and when your mind is playing tricks

Here is how CBT works If a person has an anxiety attack whenever their climbing harness lifts off because they fear they will fall if someone lets go of the rope or the rope will snap they need to start with their knowledge to solve the problem The Cognitive Therapy starts by checking and remembering that they have gone over the climbing plan with their partner and examined the equipment Then they must put the visual images of falling out of their mind ldquoThe individual examines his or her feelings and learns to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughtsrdquo The Behavior Therapy includes a person changing their behavior in the feared situation The climber must put their trust in their partner and their equipment Each time the climber goes through the therapy the fear and anxiety symptoms lessen ldquoThe individual learns to cope with difficult situations often through controlled exposure to themrdquo

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said an example of treating fear is with a heights phobia

ldquoTheir own anxiety symptoms create body sensations that make them think they are losing control and about to fall offrdquo Deacon said Even though itrsquos not really the case that they are losing control but it feels that way People misinterpret their own anxiety response as a signal that they are literally about to fall

ldquoIn therapy we try to make people face their fears by gradually putting themselves in higher and higher places What they eventually learn is that they donrsquot fall even if they are having those anxiety symptomsrdquo

Dissolving fear can be a long process but Deacon said is just comes down to finding the truth and believing in it hellip and yourself ldquoThink accurately rather than catastrophically about what is actually happeningrdquoFor more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy check out wwwadaaorg

FACinG YOur FeArSWays to overcome outdoor anxiety

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In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

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by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

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The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

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Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

4 reach

ExPO

fall 2008 5

Wild exposure and runout on the Great Traverse pitch of South Buttress Right (IV 511) on Mount Moran Grand Teton National Park A 150-foot horizontal traversing pitch with only a handful of opportunities to place gear puts both climbers on the sharp end two-thousand feet above the deck Camera Nikon 4200Anneka M Door

ExPODan Kunkel snowboarding off a 25-foot snowbank into South Gap Lake The water was between 5 and 6 feet deepCamera Pentax K10D August 23 2008Emily D Jelly

Bryan VanSickle climbing Sleeping Beauty (511c) Enchanted Tower NMCamera Nikon D40 DX 18-55mm Lens March 18th 2008Pablo Kollmar

8 reach

by Spencer Duncan Ski and snowboard season is around the corner As snow piles up so do classes and homework When time is hard to come by but getting ready stretch your ski muscles is a necessity try this at home workout to get yourself in slope-shape

This workout will allow you to get ready for the ski season right in the comfort of your own home during your own time

Everyone is excited to get on the slopes that they donrsquot take the time get themselves prepared for the strain that the body is bound to take The most common place to get injured during the ski season is your legs more specifically the knees and ankles This workout is mixed with stretching and resistance exercises that will allow you to strengthen the core for balance and build up the legs for endurance so you can shred those slopes like never before This workout will cover stretches core and leg exercises

Getting started

Water (for hydration)

Comfortable clothing to move around in

Comfortable shoes (Running or tennis shoes will do)

A Gallon container filled with water (ie milk jug)

A staircase

A friend to exercise with

(If not you will be able to do everything on your own)

Some tunes to motivate you

Prepare for the approaching winter sports with the following exercises aimed to improve your game

fall 2008 9

StretchYoga is intended to stretch multiple muscles at the same

time Not only is yoga excellent for stretching your muscles and allowing you to be warmed up it is great for relaxation and meditation so you will be able to focus on what kind of exercise you want to accomplish

The Cobra pose To achieve it lay on the ground on your stomach and put your hands palms down on the ground by your chest Push up with your arms and bring your head as far back as possible bending your back slightly The best way to achieve relaxation in this pose is breathe deeply and relax the muscles in your neck and back

The Bow or Rocking Horse pose Lay stomach down on the ground Relax the muscles in your neck and back Reach back and grab your ankles or the fabric of your shorts if you cant reach Pull as far as you can without straining yourself If you can rock back and forth becoming a kind of rocking horse This pose will allow you to stretch your back legs and arms

Downward Facing Dog pose Get into a push-up position and walk your hands toward your feet a couple steps At this point your butt should be up in the air and your head down close to the ground Change weight from your hands to your legs and focus on stretching your back and legs during this exercise

CoreThe first core exercise is intended for two people but no

worries it can be achieved alone For this exercise one person should be standing feet shoulder width apart and the other person should lay on the ground with their head between the other persons legs Then grab the standing persons ankles When your finished with that lift your legs to a 90-degree angle so the standing person can throw them down When the standing person throws your legs down be sure to not let your legs hit the ground This is where the abdominal exercise comes in In order to not let your feet touch the ground contract your abs and stop the motion before your feet touch Then when you stop the motion you raise your legs again and repeat 5-10 times To change it up be sure to throw the legs from the left to right and right to left

The Russian Twist Sit cross-legged on the ground with your legs extended a little more than usual Lift your feet 6-12 inches off of the ground Try to keep balanced and put your hands on the left side Alternate sides and try to touch the ground on the opposite side repeat 20 or more times One touch on each side counts as one rep

Frog sit-ups Sit on the ground put your legs into a diamond position with the soles of your feet touching each other Lay back as you do the sit up push your back to the ground and curl your torso upwards stay there for a couple seconds and repeat 10-20 times

Side Bends Here is a creative way to work your obliques Get a gallon of liquid and hold it to your side Put your other

hand on the side of your head Bend at the waist towards the hand with the gallon of liquid in it and come back to a standing position In this exercise be sure to target your obliques as you bring your torso up to the standing position Do this 15 times each side and repeat the set three times To target a different set of obliques take the hand holding the carton and hold it behind you keeping your other hand on your head Lean back with your waist be sure that your not bending your knees to bend down You should feel your side stretching as you lean back

LegsWhen you are skiing you need to have two main components

when it comes to your legs strength and balance For legs an effective home tool is the balance board Get a two-liter bottle and fill it with water Make sure there is plenty of pressure so it wonrsquot collapse Then get a piece of lumber that is 6-12 inches wide and 2-3 feet long Lean the piece of lumber on the bottle of water Put one foot on the board on the ground and then bring your other foot to the board Then balance on the board Do it four or five times a day

Wall Sit Stand feet shoulder width apart two feet away from a wall with your back towards the wall hold your hands out directly in front of you Safely lean back and lower yourself into a seated position on the wall keeping your hands out in front of you Stay in this position for 30 seconds or until you canrsquot take it anymore When you are done stand up and rest Repeat the wall sit three or more times

Jump Squats Stand on a flat surface and hold your hands in front of you in a crossed position Bend down into a squat be sure to keep your back straight and refrain from bending over the hips When you hit a 90-degree angle explode upward jumping into the air as high as you can and land back in the squatting position Repeat this 10 times for one set and do three sets

Calf Raises This exercise is fairly straightforward Stand on an elevated surface preferably with a railing or something sturdy to hold on to Stand with your toes on the stair and the heel hanging off the end Rise up onto your toes and lower your self back down That is one rep In order to make this exercise successful it is best to do this on each leg 20-25 times for 3-4 sets But you can change this exercise up a bit Use one foot then the other Or you can use both feet at the same time You could also jump onto the step above with one foot or two

Ready for the slopesNow you have what you need to have a successful workout

right in the comfort of your own home Take this workout and repeat it 3-4 times a week even during the ski season Even if it goes unnoticed every time you complete this workout you are preparing your body for the beating it is bound to take on the slopes Kudos to you for taking the responsibility to make your health just as important as the fun you love to haveSource Margaret Wilson University of Wyoming associate professor of Kinesiology for Dance

10 reach10 reach

fall 2008 11

by Lindsey Korsick

fall 2008 11

12 reach

Are you scared The wild beast of the night could be that bear

seen roaming the region or just the pounding of your anxious heart and sound of your rustling sleeping bag

Staring down the mountain that your mountain bike tire has edged over may have your heart making its way into tight spaces but is that because you know a broken arm hangs in the balance or because every time you gaze over the edge you lose it

Fear of a legitimate risk or fear of fear itselfSimple sounds create twisted images of

attacks by creatures big and small storms of epic proportion and enclosed spaces that close completely with you inside

When nature is on the attack or you think it is your body is filled with symptoms to warn you of the potential dangers

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said the classic symptoms of anxiety can include but are not limited to a pounding heart difficulty breathing and becoming lightheaded or dizzy

When these symptoms engage the person needs to dissect the situation to figure out if there is a real danger or they are just hellip freaking out

ldquoOften people will start to feel anxious about something like an alluding thunderstorm or an animal they are concerned aboutrdquo Deacon said ldquoThat is what can start the fear reaction but as it gets more and more intense people start to fear more and more anxious and panicky

ldquoOnce people start to get anxious or panic the physiology of the lsquofight or flight responsersquo kicks in Your own anxiety makes it seem more likely that the very thing you are afraid of is going to happen That can be the real problemrdquo

These symptoms kick the mind into high gear Reveling over the what-if rsquos prime your body

Thump Thump Thump ThumpTherersquos something outside the tent Isnrsquot thereWhorsquos is going to check

CrinKLe Thump Thump Itrsquos getting closer

fall 2008 13

and mind to make a move a move that could save your life or just cause unnecessary angst Alertness piques your hearing tunes to pick up the slightest noises and you check behind you to be aware of the surroundings and anything that may be joining you The key to understanding fear is recognizing when your life is in danger and when your thoughts are just running wild spinning you into an irrational mess

ldquoThere is an actual element of risk in most outdoor situationsrdquo Deacon said ldquoIf you are rock climbing you could fall If you are hiking you could encounter a bear and the bear could attack you Most cases the risk is remote but the risk is there For a lot of the things people fear taking precautions can help your oddsrdquo

To help with the odds students who participate in the University of Wyomingrsquos Outdoor Program are prepped before they head out on any trip Dan McCoy the OPrsquos director said that severe anxiety attacks are a rarity in the program but it is important that people know what they are getting into

ldquoItrsquos crucial that people know what they are getting into in the first place before they engage in any activity that involves specific skillrdquo McCoy said The OP advertises the distances elevation gain physical expectations and experience required

OP has mandatory pre-trip meetings that include maps handouts and gear lists before each adventure

McCoy said fear attacks have been extremely rare within the OP but they have happened A student panicked in the depths of a cave leaving the OP student leaders to rely on their own judgment and leadership to calm the situation

ldquoWe handled the situation by calming them down and talking with themrdquo McCoy said The panicked student was eventually removed from the cave and they were transported to a hospital after complaints of a tight chest and shortness of breath McCoy said the hospital did not conclude anything of significant importance and the person was released a few hours later

With all the dangers looming around outdoor recreation itrsquos a wonder that anyone leaves the comforts of their home to head into the mountains rivers and forests Knowing and understanding the situation and surroundings can help control fear but for some people itrsquos that sense of fear that they crave

Did you ever wonder why some people hang from rocks by their fingertips or battle Class-V white water rapids with paddles

fall 2008 13

14 reach

Itrsquos for the adrenaline rush the idea of knowing there is a certain level of risk and challenging it It is the level of risk balanced with the level of skill that determines whether an adventurer comes out unscathed Whether itrsquos deciding to ski off Corbetrsquos Couloir in Jackson Hole or test out mountain biking abilities in Happy Jack people want to press the limits Outdoor enthusiasts run into the problem of judging how to improve their skills and knowing when their bodies could pay the price for what their mind decides Unlike the people who find fear at every turn and run these people want to shake fearrsquos hand They embrace the fear

Deacon suggests that these eager adventurers to know how far to push it and recognize actual risk

ldquoKnow your limits and know what the potential consequences are if you exceed your limits or what the particular terrain has in store for yourdquo Deacon said ldquoThatrsquos tough because a lot of people who enjoy outdoor recreation enjoy pushing their limits Thatrsquos why they are getting injured all the timerdquo For other adventurers the same symptoms that come with a visiting bear clamp down when they reach a point when their ability and confidence is questioned ldquoThe symptoms just compound the problem as people can misinterpret the meanings of these symptoms and worry that something bad is happening to themrdquo Deacon said ldquoThey may think that they have pushed their body too hard and think that they are about to pass out have a heart attack or go crazyrdquo When you are camping biking skiing or hiking and this tense feeling creeps up one you itrsquos up to you to make the call Is this fear justified or just an irrational misinterpretation Fear passes by people at one point or another itrsquos important not to let it run your life and limit what you do Especially if you love what you do

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fall 2008 15

by Lindsey Korsick If you have anxiety attacks climbing up a mountain or itrsquos your buddy who you want to bring along but canrsquot keep their head there are ways to limit and potentially cure the fears

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Web site 19 million people (87 percent of the population) encounter debilitating anxiety of various fears People may not have a valid reason for their fear and it may not make sense but the only way to help them is to be understanding

If the goal is to get rid of the fear without medication ADAA recommends trying out Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT allows the person experiencing the anxiety to take part in their own healing ldquoCBT focuses on identifying understanding and modifying thinking and behavior patterns When a person changes thinking and behavior emotional changes usually followrdquo Whether you are afraid Yogi the Bear is going to make an uninvited visit to your campsite or you lose it the higher you get off the ground the way to release the fear is to realize when your life is in danger and when your mind is playing tricks

Here is how CBT works If a person has an anxiety attack whenever their climbing harness lifts off because they fear they will fall if someone lets go of the rope or the rope will snap they need to start with their knowledge to solve the problem The Cognitive Therapy starts by checking and remembering that they have gone over the climbing plan with their partner and examined the equipment Then they must put the visual images of falling out of their mind ldquoThe individual examines his or her feelings and learns to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughtsrdquo The Behavior Therapy includes a person changing their behavior in the feared situation The climber must put their trust in their partner and their equipment Each time the climber goes through the therapy the fear and anxiety symptoms lessen ldquoThe individual learns to cope with difficult situations often through controlled exposure to themrdquo

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said an example of treating fear is with a heights phobia

ldquoTheir own anxiety symptoms create body sensations that make them think they are losing control and about to fall offrdquo Deacon said Even though itrsquos not really the case that they are losing control but it feels that way People misinterpret their own anxiety response as a signal that they are literally about to fall

ldquoIn therapy we try to make people face their fears by gradually putting themselves in higher and higher places What they eventually learn is that they donrsquot fall even if they are having those anxiety symptomsrdquo

Dissolving fear can be a long process but Deacon said is just comes down to finding the truth and believing in it hellip and yourself ldquoThink accurately rather than catastrophically about what is actually happeningrdquoFor more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy check out wwwadaaorg

FACinG YOur FeArSWays to overcome outdoor anxiety

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In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

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by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

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The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

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Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 5

Wild exposure and runout on the Great Traverse pitch of South Buttress Right (IV 511) on Mount Moran Grand Teton National Park A 150-foot horizontal traversing pitch with only a handful of opportunities to place gear puts both climbers on the sharp end two-thousand feet above the deck Camera Nikon 4200Anneka M Door

ExPODan Kunkel snowboarding off a 25-foot snowbank into South Gap Lake The water was between 5 and 6 feet deepCamera Pentax K10D August 23 2008Emily D Jelly

Bryan VanSickle climbing Sleeping Beauty (511c) Enchanted Tower NMCamera Nikon D40 DX 18-55mm Lens March 18th 2008Pablo Kollmar

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by Spencer Duncan Ski and snowboard season is around the corner As snow piles up so do classes and homework When time is hard to come by but getting ready stretch your ski muscles is a necessity try this at home workout to get yourself in slope-shape

This workout will allow you to get ready for the ski season right in the comfort of your own home during your own time

Everyone is excited to get on the slopes that they donrsquot take the time get themselves prepared for the strain that the body is bound to take The most common place to get injured during the ski season is your legs more specifically the knees and ankles This workout is mixed with stretching and resistance exercises that will allow you to strengthen the core for balance and build up the legs for endurance so you can shred those slopes like never before This workout will cover stretches core and leg exercises

Getting started

Water (for hydration)

Comfortable clothing to move around in

Comfortable shoes (Running or tennis shoes will do)

A Gallon container filled with water (ie milk jug)

A staircase

A friend to exercise with

(If not you will be able to do everything on your own)

Some tunes to motivate you

Prepare for the approaching winter sports with the following exercises aimed to improve your game

fall 2008 9

StretchYoga is intended to stretch multiple muscles at the same

time Not only is yoga excellent for stretching your muscles and allowing you to be warmed up it is great for relaxation and meditation so you will be able to focus on what kind of exercise you want to accomplish

The Cobra pose To achieve it lay on the ground on your stomach and put your hands palms down on the ground by your chest Push up with your arms and bring your head as far back as possible bending your back slightly The best way to achieve relaxation in this pose is breathe deeply and relax the muscles in your neck and back

The Bow or Rocking Horse pose Lay stomach down on the ground Relax the muscles in your neck and back Reach back and grab your ankles or the fabric of your shorts if you cant reach Pull as far as you can without straining yourself If you can rock back and forth becoming a kind of rocking horse This pose will allow you to stretch your back legs and arms

Downward Facing Dog pose Get into a push-up position and walk your hands toward your feet a couple steps At this point your butt should be up in the air and your head down close to the ground Change weight from your hands to your legs and focus on stretching your back and legs during this exercise

CoreThe first core exercise is intended for two people but no

worries it can be achieved alone For this exercise one person should be standing feet shoulder width apart and the other person should lay on the ground with their head between the other persons legs Then grab the standing persons ankles When your finished with that lift your legs to a 90-degree angle so the standing person can throw them down When the standing person throws your legs down be sure to not let your legs hit the ground This is where the abdominal exercise comes in In order to not let your feet touch the ground contract your abs and stop the motion before your feet touch Then when you stop the motion you raise your legs again and repeat 5-10 times To change it up be sure to throw the legs from the left to right and right to left

The Russian Twist Sit cross-legged on the ground with your legs extended a little more than usual Lift your feet 6-12 inches off of the ground Try to keep balanced and put your hands on the left side Alternate sides and try to touch the ground on the opposite side repeat 20 or more times One touch on each side counts as one rep

Frog sit-ups Sit on the ground put your legs into a diamond position with the soles of your feet touching each other Lay back as you do the sit up push your back to the ground and curl your torso upwards stay there for a couple seconds and repeat 10-20 times

Side Bends Here is a creative way to work your obliques Get a gallon of liquid and hold it to your side Put your other

hand on the side of your head Bend at the waist towards the hand with the gallon of liquid in it and come back to a standing position In this exercise be sure to target your obliques as you bring your torso up to the standing position Do this 15 times each side and repeat the set three times To target a different set of obliques take the hand holding the carton and hold it behind you keeping your other hand on your head Lean back with your waist be sure that your not bending your knees to bend down You should feel your side stretching as you lean back

LegsWhen you are skiing you need to have two main components

when it comes to your legs strength and balance For legs an effective home tool is the balance board Get a two-liter bottle and fill it with water Make sure there is plenty of pressure so it wonrsquot collapse Then get a piece of lumber that is 6-12 inches wide and 2-3 feet long Lean the piece of lumber on the bottle of water Put one foot on the board on the ground and then bring your other foot to the board Then balance on the board Do it four or five times a day

Wall Sit Stand feet shoulder width apart two feet away from a wall with your back towards the wall hold your hands out directly in front of you Safely lean back and lower yourself into a seated position on the wall keeping your hands out in front of you Stay in this position for 30 seconds or until you canrsquot take it anymore When you are done stand up and rest Repeat the wall sit three or more times

Jump Squats Stand on a flat surface and hold your hands in front of you in a crossed position Bend down into a squat be sure to keep your back straight and refrain from bending over the hips When you hit a 90-degree angle explode upward jumping into the air as high as you can and land back in the squatting position Repeat this 10 times for one set and do three sets

Calf Raises This exercise is fairly straightforward Stand on an elevated surface preferably with a railing or something sturdy to hold on to Stand with your toes on the stair and the heel hanging off the end Rise up onto your toes and lower your self back down That is one rep In order to make this exercise successful it is best to do this on each leg 20-25 times for 3-4 sets But you can change this exercise up a bit Use one foot then the other Or you can use both feet at the same time You could also jump onto the step above with one foot or two

Ready for the slopesNow you have what you need to have a successful workout

right in the comfort of your own home Take this workout and repeat it 3-4 times a week even during the ski season Even if it goes unnoticed every time you complete this workout you are preparing your body for the beating it is bound to take on the slopes Kudos to you for taking the responsibility to make your health just as important as the fun you love to haveSource Margaret Wilson University of Wyoming associate professor of Kinesiology for Dance

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fall 2008 11

by Lindsey Korsick

fall 2008 11

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Are you scared The wild beast of the night could be that bear

seen roaming the region or just the pounding of your anxious heart and sound of your rustling sleeping bag

Staring down the mountain that your mountain bike tire has edged over may have your heart making its way into tight spaces but is that because you know a broken arm hangs in the balance or because every time you gaze over the edge you lose it

Fear of a legitimate risk or fear of fear itselfSimple sounds create twisted images of

attacks by creatures big and small storms of epic proportion and enclosed spaces that close completely with you inside

When nature is on the attack or you think it is your body is filled with symptoms to warn you of the potential dangers

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said the classic symptoms of anxiety can include but are not limited to a pounding heart difficulty breathing and becoming lightheaded or dizzy

When these symptoms engage the person needs to dissect the situation to figure out if there is a real danger or they are just hellip freaking out

ldquoOften people will start to feel anxious about something like an alluding thunderstorm or an animal they are concerned aboutrdquo Deacon said ldquoThat is what can start the fear reaction but as it gets more and more intense people start to fear more and more anxious and panicky

ldquoOnce people start to get anxious or panic the physiology of the lsquofight or flight responsersquo kicks in Your own anxiety makes it seem more likely that the very thing you are afraid of is going to happen That can be the real problemrdquo

These symptoms kick the mind into high gear Reveling over the what-if rsquos prime your body

Thump Thump Thump ThumpTherersquos something outside the tent Isnrsquot thereWhorsquos is going to check

CrinKLe Thump Thump Itrsquos getting closer

fall 2008 13

and mind to make a move a move that could save your life or just cause unnecessary angst Alertness piques your hearing tunes to pick up the slightest noises and you check behind you to be aware of the surroundings and anything that may be joining you The key to understanding fear is recognizing when your life is in danger and when your thoughts are just running wild spinning you into an irrational mess

ldquoThere is an actual element of risk in most outdoor situationsrdquo Deacon said ldquoIf you are rock climbing you could fall If you are hiking you could encounter a bear and the bear could attack you Most cases the risk is remote but the risk is there For a lot of the things people fear taking precautions can help your oddsrdquo

To help with the odds students who participate in the University of Wyomingrsquos Outdoor Program are prepped before they head out on any trip Dan McCoy the OPrsquos director said that severe anxiety attacks are a rarity in the program but it is important that people know what they are getting into

ldquoItrsquos crucial that people know what they are getting into in the first place before they engage in any activity that involves specific skillrdquo McCoy said The OP advertises the distances elevation gain physical expectations and experience required

OP has mandatory pre-trip meetings that include maps handouts and gear lists before each adventure

McCoy said fear attacks have been extremely rare within the OP but they have happened A student panicked in the depths of a cave leaving the OP student leaders to rely on their own judgment and leadership to calm the situation

ldquoWe handled the situation by calming them down and talking with themrdquo McCoy said The panicked student was eventually removed from the cave and they were transported to a hospital after complaints of a tight chest and shortness of breath McCoy said the hospital did not conclude anything of significant importance and the person was released a few hours later

With all the dangers looming around outdoor recreation itrsquos a wonder that anyone leaves the comforts of their home to head into the mountains rivers and forests Knowing and understanding the situation and surroundings can help control fear but for some people itrsquos that sense of fear that they crave

Did you ever wonder why some people hang from rocks by their fingertips or battle Class-V white water rapids with paddles

fall 2008 13

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Itrsquos for the adrenaline rush the idea of knowing there is a certain level of risk and challenging it It is the level of risk balanced with the level of skill that determines whether an adventurer comes out unscathed Whether itrsquos deciding to ski off Corbetrsquos Couloir in Jackson Hole or test out mountain biking abilities in Happy Jack people want to press the limits Outdoor enthusiasts run into the problem of judging how to improve their skills and knowing when their bodies could pay the price for what their mind decides Unlike the people who find fear at every turn and run these people want to shake fearrsquos hand They embrace the fear

Deacon suggests that these eager adventurers to know how far to push it and recognize actual risk

ldquoKnow your limits and know what the potential consequences are if you exceed your limits or what the particular terrain has in store for yourdquo Deacon said ldquoThatrsquos tough because a lot of people who enjoy outdoor recreation enjoy pushing their limits Thatrsquos why they are getting injured all the timerdquo For other adventurers the same symptoms that come with a visiting bear clamp down when they reach a point when their ability and confidence is questioned ldquoThe symptoms just compound the problem as people can misinterpret the meanings of these symptoms and worry that something bad is happening to themrdquo Deacon said ldquoThey may think that they have pushed their body too hard and think that they are about to pass out have a heart attack or go crazyrdquo When you are camping biking skiing or hiking and this tense feeling creeps up one you itrsquos up to you to make the call Is this fear justified or just an irrational misinterpretation Fear passes by people at one point or another itrsquos important not to let it run your life and limit what you do Especially if you love what you do

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fall 2008 15

by Lindsey Korsick If you have anxiety attacks climbing up a mountain or itrsquos your buddy who you want to bring along but canrsquot keep their head there are ways to limit and potentially cure the fears

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Web site 19 million people (87 percent of the population) encounter debilitating anxiety of various fears People may not have a valid reason for their fear and it may not make sense but the only way to help them is to be understanding

If the goal is to get rid of the fear without medication ADAA recommends trying out Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT allows the person experiencing the anxiety to take part in their own healing ldquoCBT focuses on identifying understanding and modifying thinking and behavior patterns When a person changes thinking and behavior emotional changes usually followrdquo Whether you are afraid Yogi the Bear is going to make an uninvited visit to your campsite or you lose it the higher you get off the ground the way to release the fear is to realize when your life is in danger and when your mind is playing tricks

Here is how CBT works If a person has an anxiety attack whenever their climbing harness lifts off because they fear they will fall if someone lets go of the rope or the rope will snap they need to start with their knowledge to solve the problem The Cognitive Therapy starts by checking and remembering that they have gone over the climbing plan with their partner and examined the equipment Then they must put the visual images of falling out of their mind ldquoThe individual examines his or her feelings and learns to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughtsrdquo The Behavior Therapy includes a person changing their behavior in the feared situation The climber must put their trust in their partner and their equipment Each time the climber goes through the therapy the fear and anxiety symptoms lessen ldquoThe individual learns to cope with difficult situations often through controlled exposure to themrdquo

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said an example of treating fear is with a heights phobia

ldquoTheir own anxiety symptoms create body sensations that make them think they are losing control and about to fall offrdquo Deacon said Even though itrsquos not really the case that they are losing control but it feels that way People misinterpret their own anxiety response as a signal that they are literally about to fall

ldquoIn therapy we try to make people face their fears by gradually putting themselves in higher and higher places What they eventually learn is that they donrsquot fall even if they are having those anxiety symptomsrdquo

Dissolving fear can be a long process but Deacon said is just comes down to finding the truth and believing in it hellip and yourself ldquoThink accurately rather than catastrophically about what is actually happeningrdquoFor more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy check out wwwadaaorg

FACinG YOur FeArSWays to overcome outdoor anxiety

16 reach

In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

18 reach

by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

18 reach

fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

20 reach

The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

22 reach

fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

24 reach

by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

28 reach

Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

ExPODan Kunkel snowboarding off a 25-foot snowbank into South Gap Lake The water was between 5 and 6 feet deepCamera Pentax K10D August 23 2008Emily D Jelly

Bryan VanSickle climbing Sleeping Beauty (511c) Enchanted Tower NMCamera Nikon D40 DX 18-55mm Lens March 18th 2008Pablo Kollmar

8 reach

by Spencer Duncan Ski and snowboard season is around the corner As snow piles up so do classes and homework When time is hard to come by but getting ready stretch your ski muscles is a necessity try this at home workout to get yourself in slope-shape

This workout will allow you to get ready for the ski season right in the comfort of your own home during your own time

Everyone is excited to get on the slopes that they donrsquot take the time get themselves prepared for the strain that the body is bound to take The most common place to get injured during the ski season is your legs more specifically the knees and ankles This workout is mixed with stretching and resistance exercises that will allow you to strengthen the core for balance and build up the legs for endurance so you can shred those slopes like never before This workout will cover stretches core and leg exercises

Getting started

Water (for hydration)

Comfortable clothing to move around in

Comfortable shoes (Running or tennis shoes will do)

A Gallon container filled with water (ie milk jug)

A staircase

A friend to exercise with

(If not you will be able to do everything on your own)

Some tunes to motivate you

Prepare for the approaching winter sports with the following exercises aimed to improve your game

fall 2008 9

StretchYoga is intended to stretch multiple muscles at the same

time Not only is yoga excellent for stretching your muscles and allowing you to be warmed up it is great for relaxation and meditation so you will be able to focus on what kind of exercise you want to accomplish

The Cobra pose To achieve it lay on the ground on your stomach and put your hands palms down on the ground by your chest Push up with your arms and bring your head as far back as possible bending your back slightly The best way to achieve relaxation in this pose is breathe deeply and relax the muscles in your neck and back

The Bow or Rocking Horse pose Lay stomach down on the ground Relax the muscles in your neck and back Reach back and grab your ankles or the fabric of your shorts if you cant reach Pull as far as you can without straining yourself If you can rock back and forth becoming a kind of rocking horse This pose will allow you to stretch your back legs and arms

Downward Facing Dog pose Get into a push-up position and walk your hands toward your feet a couple steps At this point your butt should be up in the air and your head down close to the ground Change weight from your hands to your legs and focus on stretching your back and legs during this exercise

CoreThe first core exercise is intended for two people but no

worries it can be achieved alone For this exercise one person should be standing feet shoulder width apart and the other person should lay on the ground with their head between the other persons legs Then grab the standing persons ankles When your finished with that lift your legs to a 90-degree angle so the standing person can throw them down When the standing person throws your legs down be sure to not let your legs hit the ground This is where the abdominal exercise comes in In order to not let your feet touch the ground contract your abs and stop the motion before your feet touch Then when you stop the motion you raise your legs again and repeat 5-10 times To change it up be sure to throw the legs from the left to right and right to left

The Russian Twist Sit cross-legged on the ground with your legs extended a little more than usual Lift your feet 6-12 inches off of the ground Try to keep balanced and put your hands on the left side Alternate sides and try to touch the ground on the opposite side repeat 20 or more times One touch on each side counts as one rep

Frog sit-ups Sit on the ground put your legs into a diamond position with the soles of your feet touching each other Lay back as you do the sit up push your back to the ground and curl your torso upwards stay there for a couple seconds and repeat 10-20 times

Side Bends Here is a creative way to work your obliques Get a gallon of liquid and hold it to your side Put your other

hand on the side of your head Bend at the waist towards the hand with the gallon of liquid in it and come back to a standing position In this exercise be sure to target your obliques as you bring your torso up to the standing position Do this 15 times each side and repeat the set three times To target a different set of obliques take the hand holding the carton and hold it behind you keeping your other hand on your head Lean back with your waist be sure that your not bending your knees to bend down You should feel your side stretching as you lean back

LegsWhen you are skiing you need to have two main components

when it comes to your legs strength and balance For legs an effective home tool is the balance board Get a two-liter bottle and fill it with water Make sure there is plenty of pressure so it wonrsquot collapse Then get a piece of lumber that is 6-12 inches wide and 2-3 feet long Lean the piece of lumber on the bottle of water Put one foot on the board on the ground and then bring your other foot to the board Then balance on the board Do it four or five times a day

Wall Sit Stand feet shoulder width apart two feet away from a wall with your back towards the wall hold your hands out directly in front of you Safely lean back and lower yourself into a seated position on the wall keeping your hands out in front of you Stay in this position for 30 seconds or until you canrsquot take it anymore When you are done stand up and rest Repeat the wall sit three or more times

Jump Squats Stand on a flat surface and hold your hands in front of you in a crossed position Bend down into a squat be sure to keep your back straight and refrain from bending over the hips When you hit a 90-degree angle explode upward jumping into the air as high as you can and land back in the squatting position Repeat this 10 times for one set and do three sets

Calf Raises This exercise is fairly straightforward Stand on an elevated surface preferably with a railing or something sturdy to hold on to Stand with your toes on the stair and the heel hanging off the end Rise up onto your toes and lower your self back down That is one rep In order to make this exercise successful it is best to do this on each leg 20-25 times for 3-4 sets But you can change this exercise up a bit Use one foot then the other Or you can use both feet at the same time You could also jump onto the step above with one foot or two

Ready for the slopesNow you have what you need to have a successful workout

right in the comfort of your own home Take this workout and repeat it 3-4 times a week even during the ski season Even if it goes unnoticed every time you complete this workout you are preparing your body for the beating it is bound to take on the slopes Kudos to you for taking the responsibility to make your health just as important as the fun you love to haveSource Margaret Wilson University of Wyoming associate professor of Kinesiology for Dance

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fall 2008 11

by Lindsey Korsick

fall 2008 11

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Are you scared The wild beast of the night could be that bear

seen roaming the region or just the pounding of your anxious heart and sound of your rustling sleeping bag

Staring down the mountain that your mountain bike tire has edged over may have your heart making its way into tight spaces but is that because you know a broken arm hangs in the balance or because every time you gaze over the edge you lose it

Fear of a legitimate risk or fear of fear itselfSimple sounds create twisted images of

attacks by creatures big and small storms of epic proportion and enclosed spaces that close completely with you inside

When nature is on the attack or you think it is your body is filled with symptoms to warn you of the potential dangers

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said the classic symptoms of anxiety can include but are not limited to a pounding heart difficulty breathing and becoming lightheaded or dizzy

When these symptoms engage the person needs to dissect the situation to figure out if there is a real danger or they are just hellip freaking out

ldquoOften people will start to feel anxious about something like an alluding thunderstorm or an animal they are concerned aboutrdquo Deacon said ldquoThat is what can start the fear reaction but as it gets more and more intense people start to fear more and more anxious and panicky

ldquoOnce people start to get anxious or panic the physiology of the lsquofight or flight responsersquo kicks in Your own anxiety makes it seem more likely that the very thing you are afraid of is going to happen That can be the real problemrdquo

These symptoms kick the mind into high gear Reveling over the what-if rsquos prime your body

Thump Thump Thump ThumpTherersquos something outside the tent Isnrsquot thereWhorsquos is going to check

CrinKLe Thump Thump Itrsquos getting closer

fall 2008 13

and mind to make a move a move that could save your life or just cause unnecessary angst Alertness piques your hearing tunes to pick up the slightest noises and you check behind you to be aware of the surroundings and anything that may be joining you The key to understanding fear is recognizing when your life is in danger and when your thoughts are just running wild spinning you into an irrational mess

ldquoThere is an actual element of risk in most outdoor situationsrdquo Deacon said ldquoIf you are rock climbing you could fall If you are hiking you could encounter a bear and the bear could attack you Most cases the risk is remote but the risk is there For a lot of the things people fear taking precautions can help your oddsrdquo

To help with the odds students who participate in the University of Wyomingrsquos Outdoor Program are prepped before they head out on any trip Dan McCoy the OPrsquos director said that severe anxiety attacks are a rarity in the program but it is important that people know what they are getting into

ldquoItrsquos crucial that people know what they are getting into in the first place before they engage in any activity that involves specific skillrdquo McCoy said The OP advertises the distances elevation gain physical expectations and experience required

OP has mandatory pre-trip meetings that include maps handouts and gear lists before each adventure

McCoy said fear attacks have been extremely rare within the OP but they have happened A student panicked in the depths of a cave leaving the OP student leaders to rely on their own judgment and leadership to calm the situation

ldquoWe handled the situation by calming them down and talking with themrdquo McCoy said The panicked student was eventually removed from the cave and they were transported to a hospital after complaints of a tight chest and shortness of breath McCoy said the hospital did not conclude anything of significant importance and the person was released a few hours later

With all the dangers looming around outdoor recreation itrsquos a wonder that anyone leaves the comforts of their home to head into the mountains rivers and forests Knowing and understanding the situation and surroundings can help control fear but for some people itrsquos that sense of fear that they crave

Did you ever wonder why some people hang from rocks by their fingertips or battle Class-V white water rapids with paddles

fall 2008 13

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Itrsquos for the adrenaline rush the idea of knowing there is a certain level of risk and challenging it It is the level of risk balanced with the level of skill that determines whether an adventurer comes out unscathed Whether itrsquos deciding to ski off Corbetrsquos Couloir in Jackson Hole or test out mountain biking abilities in Happy Jack people want to press the limits Outdoor enthusiasts run into the problem of judging how to improve their skills and knowing when their bodies could pay the price for what their mind decides Unlike the people who find fear at every turn and run these people want to shake fearrsquos hand They embrace the fear

Deacon suggests that these eager adventurers to know how far to push it and recognize actual risk

ldquoKnow your limits and know what the potential consequences are if you exceed your limits or what the particular terrain has in store for yourdquo Deacon said ldquoThatrsquos tough because a lot of people who enjoy outdoor recreation enjoy pushing their limits Thatrsquos why they are getting injured all the timerdquo For other adventurers the same symptoms that come with a visiting bear clamp down when they reach a point when their ability and confidence is questioned ldquoThe symptoms just compound the problem as people can misinterpret the meanings of these symptoms and worry that something bad is happening to themrdquo Deacon said ldquoThey may think that they have pushed their body too hard and think that they are about to pass out have a heart attack or go crazyrdquo When you are camping biking skiing or hiking and this tense feeling creeps up one you itrsquos up to you to make the call Is this fear justified or just an irrational misinterpretation Fear passes by people at one point or another itrsquos important not to let it run your life and limit what you do Especially if you love what you do

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fall 2008 15

by Lindsey Korsick If you have anxiety attacks climbing up a mountain or itrsquos your buddy who you want to bring along but canrsquot keep their head there are ways to limit and potentially cure the fears

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Web site 19 million people (87 percent of the population) encounter debilitating anxiety of various fears People may not have a valid reason for their fear and it may not make sense but the only way to help them is to be understanding

If the goal is to get rid of the fear without medication ADAA recommends trying out Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT allows the person experiencing the anxiety to take part in their own healing ldquoCBT focuses on identifying understanding and modifying thinking and behavior patterns When a person changes thinking and behavior emotional changes usually followrdquo Whether you are afraid Yogi the Bear is going to make an uninvited visit to your campsite or you lose it the higher you get off the ground the way to release the fear is to realize when your life is in danger and when your mind is playing tricks

Here is how CBT works If a person has an anxiety attack whenever their climbing harness lifts off because they fear they will fall if someone lets go of the rope or the rope will snap they need to start with their knowledge to solve the problem The Cognitive Therapy starts by checking and remembering that they have gone over the climbing plan with their partner and examined the equipment Then they must put the visual images of falling out of their mind ldquoThe individual examines his or her feelings and learns to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughtsrdquo The Behavior Therapy includes a person changing their behavior in the feared situation The climber must put their trust in their partner and their equipment Each time the climber goes through the therapy the fear and anxiety symptoms lessen ldquoThe individual learns to cope with difficult situations often through controlled exposure to themrdquo

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said an example of treating fear is with a heights phobia

ldquoTheir own anxiety symptoms create body sensations that make them think they are losing control and about to fall offrdquo Deacon said Even though itrsquos not really the case that they are losing control but it feels that way People misinterpret their own anxiety response as a signal that they are literally about to fall

ldquoIn therapy we try to make people face their fears by gradually putting themselves in higher and higher places What they eventually learn is that they donrsquot fall even if they are having those anxiety symptomsrdquo

Dissolving fear can be a long process but Deacon said is just comes down to finding the truth and believing in it hellip and yourself ldquoThink accurately rather than catastrophically about what is actually happeningrdquoFor more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy check out wwwadaaorg

FACinG YOur FeArSWays to overcome outdoor anxiety

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In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

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by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

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The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

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Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

Bryan VanSickle climbing Sleeping Beauty (511c) Enchanted Tower NMCamera Nikon D40 DX 18-55mm Lens March 18th 2008Pablo Kollmar

8 reach

by Spencer Duncan Ski and snowboard season is around the corner As snow piles up so do classes and homework When time is hard to come by but getting ready stretch your ski muscles is a necessity try this at home workout to get yourself in slope-shape

This workout will allow you to get ready for the ski season right in the comfort of your own home during your own time

Everyone is excited to get on the slopes that they donrsquot take the time get themselves prepared for the strain that the body is bound to take The most common place to get injured during the ski season is your legs more specifically the knees and ankles This workout is mixed with stretching and resistance exercises that will allow you to strengthen the core for balance and build up the legs for endurance so you can shred those slopes like never before This workout will cover stretches core and leg exercises

Getting started

Water (for hydration)

Comfortable clothing to move around in

Comfortable shoes (Running or tennis shoes will do)

A Gallon container filled with water (ie milk jug)

A staircase

A friend to exercise with

(If not you will be able to do everything on your own)

Some tunes to motivate you

Prepare for the approaching winter sports with the following exercises aimed to improve your game

fall 2008 9

StretchYoga is intended to stretch multiple muscles at the same

time Not only is yoga excellent for stretching your muscles and allowing you to be warmed up it is great for relaxation and meditation so you will be able to focus on what kind of exercise you want to accomplish

The Cobra pose To achieve it lay on the ground on your stomach and put your hands palms down on the ground by your chest Push up with your arms and bring your head as far back as possible bending your back slightly The best way to achieve relaxation in this pose is breathe deeply and relax the muscles in your neck and back

The Bow or Rocking Horse pose Lay stomach down on the ground Relax the muscles in your neck and back Reach back and grab your ankles or the fabric of your shorts if you cant reach Pull as far as you can without straining yourself If you can rock back and forth becoming a kind of rocking horse This pose will allow you to stretch your back legs and arms

Downward Facing Dog pose Get into a push-up position and walk your hands toward your feet a couple steps At this point your butt should be up in the air and your head down close to the ground Change weight from your hands to your legs and focus on stretching your back and legs during this exercise

CoreThe first core exercise is intended for two people but no

worries it can be achieved alone For this exercise one person should be standing feet shoulder width apart and the other person should lay on the ground with their head between the other persons legs Then grab the standing persons ankles When your finished with that lift your legs to a 90-degree angle so the standing person can throw them down When the standing person throws your legs down be sure to not let your legs hit the ground This is where the abdominal exercise comes in In order to not let your feet touch the ground contract your abs and stop the motion before your feet touch Then when you stop the motion you raise your legs again and repeat 5-10 times To change it up be sure to throw the legs from the left to right and right to left

The Russian Twist Sit cross-legged on the ground with your legs extended a little more than usual Lift your feet 6-12 inches off of the ground Try to keep balanced and put your hands on the left side Alternate sides and try to touch the ground on the opposite side repeat 20 or more times One touch on each side counts as one rep

Frog sit-ups Sit on the ground put your legs into a diamond position with the soles of your feet touching each other Lay back as you do the sit up push your back to the ground and curl your torso upwards stay there for a couple seconds and repeat 10-20 times

Side Bends Here is a creative way to work your obliques Get a gallon of liquid and hold it to your side Put your other

hand on the side of your head Bend at the waist towards the hand with the gallon of liquid in it and come back to a standing position In this exercise be sure to target your obliques as you bring your torso up to the standing position Do this 15 times each side and repeat the set three times To target a different set of obliques take the hand holding the carton and hold it behind you keeping your other hand on your head Lean back with your waist be sure that your not bending your knees to bend down You should feel your side stretching as you lean back

LegsWhen you are skiing you need to have two main components

when it comes to your legs strength and balance For legs an effective home tool is the balance board Get a two-liter bottle and fill it with water Make sure there is plenty of pressure so it wonrsquot collapse Then get a piece of lumber that is 6-12 inches wide and 2-3 feet long Lean the piece of lumber on the bottle of water Put one foot on the board on the ground and then bring your other foot to the board Then balance on the board Do it four or five times a day

Wall Sit Stand feet shoulder width apart two feet away from a wall with your back towards the wall hold your hands out directly in front of you Safely lean back and lower yourself into a seated position on the wall keeping your hands out in front of you Stay in this position for 30 seconds or until you canrsquot take it anymore When you are done stand up and rest Repeat the wall sit three or more times

Jump Squats Stand on a flat surface and hold your hands in front of you in a crossed position Bend down into a squat be sure to keep your back straight and refrain from bending over the hips When you hit a 90-degree angle explode upward jumping into the air as high as you can and land back in the squatting position Repeat this 10 times for one set and do three sets

Calf Raises This exercise is fairly straightforward Stand on an elevated surface preferably with a railing or something sturdy to hold on to Stand with your toes on the stair and the heel hanging off the end Rise up onto your toes and lower your self back down That is one rep In order to make this exercise successful it is best to do this on each leg 20-25 times for 3-4 sets But you can change this exercise up a bit Use one foot then the other Or you can use both feet at the same time You could also jump onto the step above with one foot or two

Ready for the slopesNow you have what you need to have a successful workout

right in the comfort of your own home Take this workout and repeat it 3-4 times a week even during the ski season Even if it goes unnoticed every time you complete this workout you are preparing your body for the beating it is bound to take on the slopes Kudos to you for taking the responsibility to make your health just as important as the fun you love to haveSource Margaret Wilson University of Wyoming associate professor of Kinesiology for Dance

10 reach10 reach

fall 2008 11

by Lindsey Korsick

fall 2008 11

12 reach

Are you scared The wild beast of the night could be that bear

seen roaming the region or just the pounding of your anxious heart and sound of your rustling sleeping bag

Staring down the mountain that your mountain bike tire has edged over may have your heart making its way into tight spaces but is that because you know a broken arm hangs in the balance or because every time you gaze over the edge you lose it

Fear of a legitimate risk or fear of fear itselfSimple sounds create twisted images of

attacks by creatures big and small storms of epic proportion and enclosed spaces that close completely with you inside

When nature is on the attack or you think it is your body is filled with symptoms to warn you of the potential dangers

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said the classic symptoms of anxiety can include but are not limited to a pounding heart difficulty breathing and becoming lightheaded or dizzy

When these symptoms engage the person needs to dissect the situation to figure out if there is a real danger or they are just hellip freaking out

ldquoOften people will start to feel anxious about something like an alluding thunderstorm or an animal they are concerned aboutrdquo Deacon said ldquoThat is what can start the fear reaction but as it gets more and more intense people start to fear more and more anxious and panicky

ldquoOnce people start to get anxious or panic the physiology of the lsquofight or flight responsersquo kicks in Your own anxiety makes it seem more likely that the very thing you are afraid of is going to happen That can be the real problemrdquo

These symptoms kick the mind into high gear Reveling over the what-if rsquos prime your body

Thump Thump Thump ThumpTherersquos something outside the tent Isnrsquot thereWhorsquos is going to check

CrinKLe Thump Thump Itrsquos getting closer

fall 2008 13

and mind to make a move a move that could save your life or just cause unnecessary angst Alertness piques your hearing tunes to pick up the slightest noises and you check behind you to be aware of the surroundings and anything that may be joining you The key to understanding fear is recognizing when your life is in danger and when your thoughts are just running wild spinning you into an irrational mess

ldquoThere is an actual element of risk in most outdoor situationsrdquo Deacon said ldquoIf you are rock climbing you could fall If you are hiking you could encounter a bear and the bear could attack you Most cases the risk is remote but the risk is there For a lot of the things people fear taking precautions can help your oddsrdquo

To help with the odds students who participate in the University of Wyomingrsquos Outdoor Program are prepped before they head out on any trip Dan McCoy the OPrsquos director said that severe anxiety attacks are a rarity in the program but it is important that people know what they are getting into

ldquoItrsquos crucial that people know what they are getting into in the first place before they engage in any activity that involves specific skillrdquo McCoy said The OP advertises the distances elevation gain physical expectations and experience required

OP has mandatory pre-trip meetings that include maps handouts and gear lists before each adventure

McCoy said fear attacks have been extremely rare within the OP but they have happened A student panicked in the depths of a cave leaving the OP student leaders to rely on their own judgment and leadership to calm the situation

ldquoWe handled the situation by calming them down and talking with themrdquo McCoy said The panicked student was eventually removed from the cave and they were transported to a hospital after complaints of a tight chest and shortness of breath McCoy said the hospital did not conclude anything of significant importance and the person was released a few hours later

With all the dangers looming around outdoor recreation itrsquos a wonder that anyone leaves the comforts of their home to head into the mountains rivers and forests Knowing and understanding the situation and surroundings can help control fear but for some people itrsquos that sense of fear that they crave

Did you ever wonder why some people hang from rocks by their fingertips or battle Class-V white water rapids with paddles

fall 2008 13

14 reach

Itrsquos for the adrenaline rush the idea of knowing there is a certain level of risk and challenging it It is the level of risk balanced with the level of skill that determines whether an adventurer comes out unscathed Whether itrsquos deciding to ski off Corbetrsquos Couloir in Jackson Hole or test out mountain biking abilities in Happy Jack people want to press the limits Outdoor enthusiasts run into the problem of judging how to improve their skills and knowing when their bodies could pay the price for what their mind decides Unlike the people who find fear at every turn and run these people want to shake fearrsquos hand They embrace the fear

Deacon suggests that these eager adventurers to know how far to push it and recognize actual risk

ldquoKnow your limits and know what the potential consequences are if you exceed your limits or what the particular terrain has in store for yourdquo Deacon said ldquoThatrsquos tough because a lot of people who enjoy outdoor recreation enjoy pushing their limits Thatrsquos why they are getting injured all the timerdquo For other adventurers the same symptoms that come with a visiting bear clamp down when they reach a point when their ability and confidence is questioned ldquoThe symptoms just compound the problem as people can misinterpret the meanings of these symptoms and worry that something bad is happening to themrdquo Deacon said ldquoThey may think that they have pushed their body too hard and think that they are about to pass out have a heart attack or go crazyrdquo When you are camping biking skiing or hiking and this tense feeling creeps up one you itrsquos up to you to make the call Is this fear justified or just an irrational misinterpretation Fear passes by people at one point or another itrsquos important not to let it run your life and limit what you do Especially if you love what you do

14 reach

fall 2008 15

by Lindsey Korsick If you have anxiety attacks climbing up a mountain or itrsquos your buddy who you want to bring along but canrsquot keep their head there are ways to limit and potentially cure the fears

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Web site 19 million people (87 percent of the population) encounter debilitating anxiety of various fears People may not have a valid reason for their fear and it may not make sense but the only way to help them is to be understanding

If the goal is to get rid of the fear without medication ADAA recommends trying out Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT allows the person experiencing the anxiety to take part in their own healing ldquoCBT focuses on identifying understanding and modifying thinking and behavior patterns When a person changes thinking and behavior emotional changes usually followrdquo Whether you are afraid Yogi the Bear is going to make an uninvited visit to your campsite or you lose it the higher you get off the ground the way to release the fear is to realize when your life is in danger and when your mind is playing tricks

Here is how CBT works If a person has an anxiety attack whenever their climbing harness lifts off because they fear they will fall if someone lets go of the rope or the rope will snap they need to start with their knowledge to solve the problem The Cognitive Therapy starts by checking and remembering that they have gone over the climbing plan with their partner and examined the equipment Then they must put the visual images of falling out of their mind ldquoThe individual examines his or her feelings and learns to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughtsrdquo The Behavior Therapy includes a person changing their behavior in the feared situation The climber must put their trust in their partner and their equipment Each time the climber goes through the therapy the fear and anxiety symptoms lessen ldquoThe individual learns to cope with difficult situations often through controlled exposure to themrdquo

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said an example of treating fear is with a heights phobia

ldquoTheir own anxiety symptoms create body sensations that make them think they are losing control and about to fall offrdquo Deacon said Even though itrsquos not really the case that they are losing control but it feels that way People misinterpret their own anxiety response as a signal that they are literally about to fall

ldquoIn therapy we try to make people face their fears by gradually putting themselves in higher and higher places What they eventually learn is that they donrsquot fall even if they are having those anxiety symptomsrdquo

Dissolving fear can be a long process but Deacon said is just comes down to finding the truth and believing in it hellip and yourself ldquoThink accurately rather than catastrophically about what is actually happeningrdquoFor more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy check out wwwadaaorg

FACinG YOur FeArSWays to overcome outdoor anxiety

16 reach

In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

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by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

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The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

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Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

8 reach

by Spencer Duncan Ski and snowboard season is around the corner As snow piles up so do classes and homework When time is hard to come by but getting ready stretch your ski muscles is a necessity try this at home workout to get yourself in slope-shape

This workout will allow you to get ready for the ski season right in the comfort of your own home during your own time

Everyone is excited to get on the slopes that they donrsquot take the time get themselves prepared for the strain that the body is bound to take The most common place to get injured during the ski season is your legs more specifically the knees and ankles This workout is mixed with stretching and resistance exercises that will allow you to strengthen the core for balance and build up the legs for endurance so you can shred those slopes like never before This workout will cover stretches core and leg exercises

Getting started

Water (for hydration)

Comfortable clothing to move around in

Comfortable shoes (Running or tennis shoes will do)

A Gallon container filled with water (ie milk jug)

A staircase

A friend to exercise with

(If not you will be able to do everything on your own)

Some tunes to motivate you

Prepare for the approaching winter sports with the following exercises aimed to improve your game

fall 2008 9

StretchYoga is intended to stretch multiple muscles at the same

time Not only is yoga excellent for stretching your muscles and allowing you to be warmed up it is great for relaxation and meditation so you will be able to focus on what kind of exercise you want to accomplish

The Cobra pose To achieve it lay on the ground on your stomach and put your hands palms down on the ground by your chest Push up with your arms and bring your head as far back as possible bending your back slightly The best way to achieve relaxation in this pose is breathe deeply and relax the muscles in your neck and back

The Bow or Rocking Horse pose Lay stomach down on the ground Relax the muscles in your neck and back Reach back and grab your ankles or the fabric of your shorts if you cant reach Pull as far as you can without straining yourself If you can rock back and forth becoming a kind of rocking horse This pose will allow you to stretch your back legs and arms

Downward Facing Dog pose Get into a push-up position and walk your hands toward your feet a couple steps At this point your butt should be up in the air and your head down close to the ground Change weight from your hands to your legs and focus on stretching your back and legs during this exercise

CoreThe first core exercise is intended for two people but no

worries it can be achieved alone For this exercise one person should be standing feet shoulder width apart and the other person should lay on the ground with their head between the other persons legs Then grab the standing persons ankles When your finished with that lift your legs to a 90-degree angle so the standing person can throw them down When the standing person throws your legs down be sure to not let your legs hit the ground This is where the abdominal exercise comes in In order to not let your feet touch the ground contract your abs and stop the motion before your feet touch Then when you stop the motion you raise your legs again and repeat 5-10 times To change it up be sure to throw the legs from the left to right and right to left

The Russian Twist Sit cross-legged on the ground with your legs extended a little more than usual Lift your feet 6-12 inches off of the ground Try to keep balanced and put your hands on the left side Alternate sides and try to touch the ground on the opposite side repeat 20 or more times One touch on each side counts as one rep

Frog sit-ups Sit on the ground put your legs into a diamond position with the soles of your feet touching each other Lay back as you do the sit up push your back to the ground and curl your torso upwards stay there for a couple seconds and repeat 10-20 times

Side Bends Here is a creative way to work your obliques Get a gallon of liquid and hold it to your side Put your other

hand on the side of your head Bend at the waist towards the hand with the gallon of liquid in it and come back to a standing position In this exercise be sure to target your obliques as you bring your torso up to the standing position Do this 15 times each side and repeat the set three times To target a different set of obliques take the hand holding the carton and hold it behind you keeping your other hand on your head Lean back with your waist be sure that your not bending your knees to bend down You should feel your side stretching as you lean back

LegsWhen you are skiing you need to have two main components

when it comes to your legs strength and balance For legs an effective home tool is the balance board Get a two-liter bottle and fill it with water Make sure there is plenty of pressure so it wonrsquot collapse Then get a piece of lumber that is 6-12 inches wide and 2-3 feet long Lean the piece of lumber on the bottle of water Put one foot on the board on the ground and then bring your other foot to the board Then balance on the board Do it four or five times a day

Wall Sit Stand feet shoulder width apart two feet away from a wall with your back towards the wall hold your hands out directly in front of you Safely lean back and lower yourself into a seated position on the wall keeping your hands out in front of you Stay in this position for 30 seconds or until you canrsquot take it anymore When you are done stand up and rest Repeat the wall sit three or more times

Jump Squats Stand on a flat surface and hold your hands in front of you in a crossed position Bend down into a squat be sure to keep your back straight and refrain from bending over the hips When you hit a 90-degree angle explode upward jumping into the air as high as you can and land back in the squatting position Repeat this 10 times for one set and do three sets

Calf Raises This exercise is fairly straightforward Stand on an elevated surface preferably with a railing or something sturdy to hold on to Stand with your toes on the stair and the heel hanging off the end Rise up onto your toes and lower your self back down That is one rep In order to make this exercise successful it is best to do this on each leg 20-25 times for 3-4 sets But you can change this exercise up a bit Use one foot then the other Or you can use both feet at the same time You could also jump onto the step above with one foot or two

Ready for the slopesNow you have what you need to have a successful workout

right in the comfort of your own home Take this workout and repeat it 3-4 times a week even during the ski season Even if it goes unnoticed every time you complete this workout you are preparing your body for the beating it is bound to take on the slopes Kudos to you for taking the responsibility to make your health just as important as the fun you love to haveSource Margaret Wilson University of Wyoming associate professor of Kinesiology for Dance

10 reach10 reach

fall 2008 11

by Lindsey Korsick

fall 2008 11

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Are you scared The wild beast of the night could be that bear

seen roaming the region or just the pounding of your anxious heart and sound of your rustling sleeping bag

Staring down the mountain that your mountain bike tire has edged over may have your heart making its way into tight spaces but is that because you know a broken arm hangs in the balance or because every time you gaze over the edge you lose it

Fear of a legitimate risk or fear of fear itselfSimple sounds create twisted images of

attacks by creatures big and small storms of epic proportion and enclosed spaces that close completely with you inside

When nature is on the attack or you think it is your body is filled with symptoms to warn you of the potential dangers

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said the classic symptoms of anxiety can include but are not limited to a pounding heart difficulty breathing and becoming lightheaded or dizzy

When these symptoms engage the person needs to dissect the situation to figure out if there is a real danger or they are just hellip freaking out

ldquoOften people will start to feel anxious about something like an alluding thunderstorm or an animal they are concerned aboutrdquo Deacon said ldquoThat is what can start the fear reaction but as it gets more and more intense people start to fear more and more anxious and panicky

ldquoOnce people start to get anxious or panic the physiology of the lsquofight or flight responsersquo kicks in Your own anxiety makes it seem more likely that the very thing you are afraid of is going to happen That can be the real problemrdquo

These symptoms kick the mind into high gear Reveling over the what-if rsquos prime your body

Thump Thump Thump ThumpTherersquos something outside the tent Isnrsquot thereWhorsquos is going to check

CrinKLe Thump Thump Itrsquos getting closer

fall 2008 13

and mind to make a move a move that could save your life or just cause unnecessary angst Alertness piques your hearing tunes to pick up the slightest noises and you check behind you to be aware of the surroundings and anything that may be joining you The key to understanding fear is recognizing when your life is in danger and when your thoughts are just running wild spinning you into an irrational mess

ldquoThere is an actual element of risk in most outdoor situationsrdquo Deacon said ldquoIf you are rock climbing you could fall If you are hiking you could encounter a bear and the bear could attack you Most cases the risk is remote but the risk is there For a lot of the things people fear taking precautions can help your oddsrdquo

To help with the odds students who participate in the University of Wyomingrsquos Outdoor Program are prepped before they head out on any trip Dan McCoy the OPrsquos director said that severe anxiety attacks are a rarity in the program but it is important that people know what they are getting into

ldquoItrsquos crucial that people know what they are getting into in the first place before they engage in any activity that involves specific skillrdquo McCoy said The OP advertises the distances elevation gain physical expectations and experience required

OP has mandatory pre-trip meetings that include maps handouts and gear lists before each adventure

McCoy said fear attacks have been extremely rare within the OP but they have happened A student panicked in the depths of a cave leaving the OP student leaders to rely on their own judgment and leadership to calm the situation

ldquoWe handled the situation by calming them down and talking with themrdquo McCoy said The panicked student was eventually removed from the cave and they were transported to a hospital after complaints of a tight chest and shortness of breath McCoy said the hospital did not conclude anything of significant importance and the person was released a few hours later

With all the dangers looming around outdoor recreation itrsquos a wonder that anyone leaves the comforts of their home to head into the mountains rivers and forests Knowing and understanding the situation and surroundings can help control fear but for some people itrsquos that sense of fear that they crave

Did you ever wonder why some people hang from rocks by their fingertips or battle Class-V white water rapids with paddles

fall 2008 13

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Itrsquos for the adrenaline rush the idea of knowing there is a certain level of risk and challenging it It is the level of risk balanced with the level of skill that determines whether an adventurer comes out unscathed Whether itrsquos deciding to ski off Corbetrsquos Couloir in Jackson Hole or test out mountain biking abilities in Happy Jack people want to press the limits Outdoor enthusiasts run into the problem of judging how to improve their skills and knowing when their bodies could pay the price for what their mind decides Unlike the people who find fear at every turn and run these people want to shake fearrsquos hand They embrace the fear

Deacon suggests that these eager adventurers to know how far to push it and recognize actual risk

ldquoKnow your limits and know what the potential consequences are if you exceed your limits or what the particular terrain has in store for yourdquo Deacon said ldquoThatrsquos tough because a lot of people who enjoy outdoor recreation enjoy pushing their limits Thatrsquos why they are getting injured all the timerdquo For other adventurers the same symptoms that come with a visiting bear clamp down when they reach a point when their ability and confidence is questioned ldquoThe symptoms just compound the problem as people can misinterpret the meanings of these symptoms and worry that something bad is happening to themrdquo Deacon said ldquoThey may think that they have pushed their body too hard and think that they are about to pass out have a heart attack or go crazyrdquo When you are camping biking skiing or hiking and this tense feeling creeps up one you itrsquos up to you to make the call Is this fear justified or just an irrational misinterpretation Fear passes by people at one point or another itrsquos important not to let it run your life and limit what you do Especially if you love what you do

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fall 2008 15

by Lindsey Korsick If you have anxiety attacks climbing up a mountain or itrsquos your buddy who you want to bring along but canrsquot keep their head there are ways to limit and potentially cure the fears

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Web site 19 million people (87 percent of the population) encounter debilitating anxiety of various fears People may not have a valid reason for their fear and it may not make sense but the only way to help them is to be understanding

If the goal is to get rid of the fear without medication ADAA recommends trying out Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT allows the person experiencing the anxiety to take part in their own healing ldquoCBT focuses on identifying understanding and modifying thinking and behavior patterns When a person changes thinking and behavior emotional changes usually followrdquo Whether you are afraid Yogi the Bear is going to make an uninvited visit to your campsite or you lose it the higher you get off the ground the way to release the fear is to realize when your life is in danger and when your mind is playing tricks

Here is how CBT works If a person has an anxiety attack whenever their climbing harness lifts off because they fear they will fall if someone lets go of the rope or the rope will snap they need to start with their knowledge to solve the problem The Cognitive Therapy starts by checking and remembering that they have gone over the climbing plan with their partner and examined the equipment Then they must put the visual images of falling out of their mind ldquoThe individual examines his or her feelings and learns to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughtsrdquo The Behavior Therapy includes a person changing their behavior in the feared situation The climber must put their trust in their partner and their equipment Each time the climber goes through the therapy the fear and anxiety symptoms lessen ldquoThe individual learns to cope with difficult situations often through controlled exposure to themrdquo

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said an example of treating fear is with a heights phobia

ldquoTheir own anxiety symptoms create body sensations that make them think they are losing control and about to fall offrdquo Deacon said Even though itrsquos not really the case that they are losing control but it feels that way People misinterpret their own anxiety response as a signal that they are literally about to fall

ldquoIn therapy we try to make people face their fears by gradually putting themselves in higher and higher places What they eventually learn is that they donrsquot fall even if they are having those anxiety symptomsrdquo

Dissolving fear can be a long process but Deacon said is just comes down to finding the truth and believing in it hellip and yourself ldquoThink accurately rather than catastrophically about what is actually happeningrdquoFor more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy check out wwwadaaorg

FACinG YOur FeArSWays to overcome outdoor anxiety

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In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

18 reach

by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

18 reach

fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

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The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

22 reach

fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

24 reach

by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

26 reach

fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

28 reach

Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 9

StretchYoga is intended to stretch multiple muscles at the same

time Not only is yoga excellent for stretching your muscles and allowing you to be warmed up it is great for relaxation and meditation so you will be able to focus on what kind of exercise you want to accomplish

The Cobra pose To achieve it lay on the ground on your stomach and put your hands palms down on the ground by your chest Push up with your arms and bring your head as far back as possible bending your back slightly The best way to achieve relaxation in this pose is breathe deeply and relax the muscles in your neck and back

The Bow or Rocking Horse pose Lay stomach down on the ground Relax the muscles in your neck and back Reach back and grab your ankles or the fabric of your shorts if you cant reach Pull as far as you can without straining yourself If you can rock back and forth becoming a kind of rocking horse This pose will allow you to stretch your back legs and arms

Downward Facing Dog pose Get into a push-up position and walk your hands toward your feet a couple steps At this point your butt should be up in the air and your head down close to the ground Change weight from your hands to your legs and focus on stretching your back and legs during this exercise

CoreThe first core exercise is intended for two people but no

worries it can be achieved alone For this exercise one person should be standing feet shoulder width apart and the other person should lay on the ground with their head between the other persons legs Then grab the standing persons ankles When your finished with that lift your legs to a 90-degree angle so the standing person can throw them down When the standing person throws your legs down be sure to not let your legs hit the ground This is where the abdominal exercise comes in In order to not let your feet touch the ground contract your abs and stop the motion before your feet touch Then when you stop the motion you raise your legs again and repeat 5-10 times To change it up be sure to throw the legs from the left to right and right to left

The Russian Twist Sit cross-legged on the ground with your legs extended a little more than usual Lift your feet 6-12 inches off of the ground Try to keep balanced and put your hands on the left side Alternate sides and try to touch the ground on the opposite side repeat 20 or more times One touch on each side counts as one rep

Frog sit-ups Sit on the ground put your legs into a diamond position with the soles of your feet touching each other Lay back as you do the sit up push your back to the ground and curl your torso upwards stay there for a couple seconds and repeat 10-20 times

Side Bends Here is a creative way to work your obliques Get a gallon of liquid and hold it to your side Put your other

hand on the side of your head Bend at the waist towards the hand with the gallon of liquid in it and come back to a standing position In this exercise be sure to target your obliques as you bring your torso up to the standing position Do this 15 times each side and repeat the set three times To target a different set of obliques take the hand holding the carton and hold it behind you keeping your other hand on your head Lean back with your waist be sure that your not bending your knees to bend down You should feel your side stretching as you lean back

LegsWhen you are skiing you need to have two main components

when it comes to your legs strength and balance For legs an effective home tool is the balance board Get a two-liter bottle and fill it with water Make sure there is plenty of pressure so it wonrsquot collapse Then get a piece of lumber that is 6-12 inches wide and 2-3 feet long Lean the piece of lumber on the bottle of water Put one foot on the board on the ground and then bring your other foot to the board Then balance on the board Do it four or five times a day

Wall Sit Stand feet shoulder width apart two feet away from a wall with your back towards the wall hold your hands out directly in front of you Safely lean back and lower yourself into a seated position on the wall keeping your hands out in front of you Stay in this position for 30 seconds or until you canrsquot take it anymore When you are done stand up and rest Repeat the wall sit three or more times

Jump Squats Stand on a flat surface and hold your hands in front of you in a crossed position Bend down into a squat be sure to keep your back straight and refrain from bending over the hips When you hit a 90-degree angle explode upward jumping into the air as high as you can and land back in the squatting position Repeat this 10 times for one set and do three sets

Calf Raises This exercise is fairly straightforward Stand on an elevated surface preferably with a railing or something sturdy to hold on to Stand with your toes on the stair and the heel hanging off the end Rise up onto your toes and lower your self back down That is one rep In order to make this exercise successful it is best to do this on each leg 20-25 times for 3-4 sets But you can change this exercise up a bit Use one foot then the other Or you can use both feet at the same time You could also jump onto the step above with one foot or two

Ready for the slopesNow you have what you need to have a successful workout

right in the comfort of your own home Take this workout and repeat it 3-4 times a week even during the ski season Even if it goes unnoticed every time you complete this workout you are preparing your body for the beating it is bound to take on the slopes Kudos to you for taking the responsibility to make your health just as important as the fun you love to haveSource Margaret Wilson University of Wyoming associate professor of Kinesiology for Dance

10 reach10 reach

fall 2008 11

by Lindsey Korsick

fall 2008 11

12 reach

Are you scared The wild beast of the night could be that bear

seen roaming the region or just the pounding of your anxious heart and sound of your rustling sleeping bag

Staring down the mountain that your mountain bike tire has edged over may have your heart making its way into tight spaces but is that because you know a broken arm hangs in the balance or because every time you gaze over the edge you lose it

Fear of a legitimate risk or fear of fear itselfSimple sounds create twisted images of

attacks by creatures big and small storms of epic proportion and enclosed spaces that close completely with you inside

When nature is on the attack or you think it is your body is filled with symptoms to warn you of the potential dangers

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said the classic symptoms of anxiety can include but are not limited to a pounding heart difficulty breathing and becoming lightheaded or dizzy

When these symptoms engage the person needs to dissect the situation to figure out if there is a real danger or they are just hellip freaking out

ldquoOften people will start to feel anxious about something like an alluding thunderstorm or an animal they are concerned aboutrdquo Deacon said ldquoThat is what can start the fear reaction but as it gets more and more intense people start to fear more and more anxious and panicky

ldquoOnce people start to get anxious or panic the physiology of the lsquofight or flight responsersquo kicks in Your own anxiety makes it seem more likely that the very thing you are afraid of is going to happen That can be the real problemrdquo

These symptoms kick the mind into high gear Reveling over the what-if rsquos prime your body

Thump Thump Thump ThumpTherersquos something outside the tent Isnrsquot thereWhorsquos is going to check

CrinKLe Thump Thump Itrsquos getting closer

fall 2008 13

and mind to make a move a move that could save your life or just cause unnecessary angst Alertness piques your hearing tunes to pick up the slightest noises and you check behind you to be aware of the surroundings and anything that may be joining you The key to understanding fear is recognizing when your life is in danger and when your thoughts are just running wild spinning you into an irrational mess

ldquoThere is an actual element of risk in most outdoor situationsrdquo Deacon said ldquoIf you are rock climbing you could fall If you are hiking you could encounter a bear and the bear could attack you Most cases the risk is remote but the risk is there For a lot of the things people fear taking precautions can help your oddsrdquo

To help with the odds students who participate in the University of Wyomingrsquos Outdoor Program are prepped before they head out on any trip Dan McCoy the OPrsquos director said that severe anxiety attacks are a rarity in the program but it is important that people know what they are getting into

ldquoItrsquos crucial that people know what they are getting into in the first place before they engage in any activity that involves specific skillrdquo McCoy said The OP advertises the distances elevation gain physical expectations and experience required

OP has mandatory pre-trip meetings that include maps handouts and gear lists before each adventure

McCoy said fear attacks have been extremely rare within the OP but they have happened A student panicked in the depths of a cave leaving the OP student leaders to rely on their own judgment and leadership to calm the situation

ldquoWe handled the situation by calming them down and talking with themrdquo McCoy said The panicked student was eventually removed from the cave and they were transported to a hospital after complaints of a tight chest and shortness of breath McCoy said the hospital did not conclude anything of significant importance and the person was released a few hours later

With all the dangers looming around outdoor recreation itrsquos a wonder that anyone leaves the comforts of their home to head into the mountains rivers and forests Knowing and understanding the situation and surroundings can help control fear but for some people itrsquos that sense of fear that they crave

Did you ever wonder why some people hang from rocks by their fingertips or battle Class-V white water rapids with paddles

fall 2008 13

14 reach

Itrsquos for the adrenaline rush the idea of knowing there is a certain level of risk and challenging it It is the level of risk balanced with the level of skill that determines whether an adventurer comes out unscathed Whether itrsquos deciding to ski off Corbetrsquos Couloir in Jackson Hole or test out mountain biking abilities in Happy Jack people want to press the limits Outdoor enthusiasts run into the problem of judging how to improve their skills and knowing when their bodies could pay the price for what their mind decides Unlike the people who find fear at every turn and run these people want to shake fearrsquos hand They embrace the fear

Deacon suggests that these eager adventurers to know how far to push it and recognize actual risk

ldquoKnow your limits and know what the potential consequences are if you exceed your limits or what the particular terrain has in store for yourdquo Deacon said ldquoThatrsquos tough because a lot of people who enjoy outdoor recreation enjoy pushing their limits Thatrsquos why they are getting injured all the timerdquo For other adventurers the same symptoms that come with a visiting bear clamp down when they reach a point when their ability and confidence is questioned ldquoThe symptoms just compound the problem as people can misinterpret the meanings of these symptoms and worry that something bad is happening to themrdquo Deacon said ldquoThey may think that they have pushed their body too hard and think that they are about to pass out have a heart attack or go crazyrdquo When you are camping biking skiing or hiking and this tense feeling creeps up one you itrsquos up to you to make the call Is this fear justified or just an irrational misinterpretation Fear passes by people at one point or another itrsquos important not to let it run your life and limit what you do Especially if you love what you do

14 reach

fall 2008 15

by Lindsey Korsick If you have anxiety attacks climbing up a mountain or itrsquos your buddy who you want to bring along but canrsquot keep their head there are ways to limit and potentially cure the fears

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Web site 19 million people (87 percent of the population) encounter debilitating anxiety of various fears People may not have a valid reason for their fear and it may not make sense but the only way to help them is to be understanding

If the goal is to get rid of the fear without medication ADAA recommends trying out Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT allows the person experiencing the anxiety to take part in their own healing ldquoCBT focuses on identifying understanding and modifying thinking and behavior patterns When a person changes thinking and behavior emotional changes usually followrdquo Whether you are afraid Yogi the Bear is going to make an uninvited visit to your campsite or you lose it the higher you get off the ground the way to release the fear is to realize when your life is in danger and when your mind is playing tricks

Here is how CBT works If a person has an anxiety attack whenever their climbing harness lifts off because they fear they will fall if someone lets go of the rope or the rope will snap they need to start with their knowledge to solve the problem The Cognitive Therapy starts by checking and remembering that they have gone over the climbing plan with their partner and examined the equipment Then they must put the visual images of falling out of their mind ldquoThe individual examines his or her feelings and learns to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughtsrdquo The Behavior Therapy includes a person changing their behavior in the feared situation The climber must put their trust in their partner and their equipment Each time the climber goes through the therapy the fear and anxiety symptoms lessen ldquoThe individual learns to cope with difficult situations often through controlled exposure to themrdquo

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said an example of treating fear is with a heights phobia

ldquoTheir own anxiety symptoms create body sensations that make them think they are losing control and about to fall offrdquo Deacon said Even though itrsquos not really the case that they are losing control but it feels that way People misinterpret their own anxiety response as a signal that they are literally about to fall

ldquoIn therapy we try to make people face their fears by gradually putting themselves in higher and higher places What they eventually learn is that they donrsquot fall even if they are having those anxiety symptomsrdquo

Dissolving fear can be a long process but Deacon said is just comes down to finding the truth and believing in it hellip and yourself ldquoThink accurately rather than catastrophically about what is actually happeningrdquoFor more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy check out wwwadaaorg

FACinG YOur FeArSWays to overcome outdoor anxiety

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In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

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by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

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The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

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Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

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Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

10 reach10 reach

fall 2008 11

by Lindsey Korsick

fall 2008 11

12 reach

Are you scared The wild beast of the night could be that bear

seen roaming the region or just the pounding of your anxious heart and sound of your rustling sleeping bag

Staring down the mountain that your mountain bike tire has edged over may have your heart making its way into tight spaces but is that because you know a broken arm hangs in the balance or because every time you gaze over the edge you lose it

Fear of a legitimate risk or fear of fear itselfSimple sounds create twisted images of

attacks by creatures big and small storms of epic proportion and enclosed spaces that close completely with you inside

When nature is on the attack or you think it is your body is filled with symptoms to warn you of the potential dangers

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said the classic symptoms of anxiety can include but are not limited to a pounding heart difficulty breathing and becoming lightheaded or dizzy

When these symptoms engage the person needs to dissect the situation to figure out if there is a real danger or they are just hellip freaking out

ldquoOften people will start to feel anxious about something like an alluding thunderstorm or an animal they are concerned aboutrdquo Deacon said ldquoThat is what can start the fear reaction but as it gets more and more intense people start to fear more and more anxious and panicky

ldquoOnce people start to get anxious or panic the physiology of the lsquofight or flight responsersquo kicks in Your own anxiety makes it seem more likely that the very thing you are afraid of is going to happen That can be the real problemrdquo

These symptoms kick the mind into high gear Reveling over the what-if rsquos prime your body

Thump Thump Thump ThumpTherersquos something outside the tent Isnrsquot thereWhorsquos is going to check

CrinKLe Thump Thump Itrsquos getting closer

fall 2008 13

and mind to make a move a move that could save your life or just cause unnecessary angst Alertness piques your hearing tunes to pick up the slightest noises and you check behind you to be aware of the surroundings and anything that may be joining you The key to understanding fear is recognizing when your life is in danger and when your thoughts are just running wild spinning you into an irrational mess

ldquoThere is an actual element of risk in most outdoor situationsrdquo Deacon said ldquoIf you are rock climbing you could fall If you are hiking you could encounter a bear and the bear could attack you Most cases the risk is remote but the risk is there For a lot of the things people fear taking precautions can help your oddsrdquo

To help with the odds students who participate in the University of Wyomingrsquos Outdoor Program are prepped before they head out on any trip Dan McCoy the OPrsquos director said that severe anxiety attacks are a rarity in the program but it is important that people know what they are getting into

ldquoItrsquos crucial that people know what they are getting into in the first place before they engage in any activity that involves specific skillrdquo McCoy said The OP advertises the distances elevation gain physical expectations and experience required

OP has mandatory pre-trip meetings that include maps handouts and gear lists before each adventure

McCoy said fear attacks have been extremely rare within the OP but they have happened A student panicked in the depths of a cave leaving the OP student leaders to rely on their own judgment and leadership to calm the situation

ldquoWe handled the situation by calming them down and talking with themrdquo McCoy said The panicked student was eventually removed from the cave and they were transported to a hospital after complaints of a tight chest and shortness of breath McCoy said the hospital did not conclude anything of significant importance and the person was released a few hours later

With all the dangers looming around outdoor recreation itrsquos a wonder that anyone leaves the comforts of their home to head into the mountains rivers and forests Knowing and understanding the situation and surroundings can help control fear but for some people itrsquos that sense of fear that they crave

Did you ever wonder why some people hang from rocks by their fingertips or battle Class-V white water rapids with paddles

fall 2008 13

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Itrsquos for the adrenaline rush the idea of knowing there is a certain level of risk and challenging it It is the level of risk balanced with the level of skill that determines whether an adventurer comes out unscathed Whether itrsquos deciding to ski off Corbetrsquos Couloir in Jackson Hole or test out mountain biking abilities in Happy Jack people want to press the limits Outdoor enthusiasts run into the problem of judging how to improve their skills and knowing when their bodies could pay the price for what their mind decides Unlike the people who find fear at every turn and run these people want to shake fearrsquos hand They embrace the fear

Deacon suggests that these eager adventurers to know how far to push it and recognize actual risk

ldquoKnow your limits and know what the potential consequences are if you exceed your limits or what the particular terrain has in store for yourdquo Deacon said ldquoThatrsquos tough because a lot of people who enjoy outdoor recreation enjoy pushing their limits Thatrsquos why they are getting injured all the timerdquo For other adventurers the same symptoms that come with a visiting bear clamp down when they reach a point when their ability and confidence is questioned ldquoThe symptoms just compound the problem as people can misinterpret the meanings of these symptoms and worry that something bad is happening to themrdquo Deacon said ldquoThey may think that they have pushed their body too hard and think that they are about to pass out have a heart attack or go crazyrdquo When you are camping biking skiing or hiking and this tense feeling creeps up one you itrsquos up to you to make the call Is this fear justified or just an irrational misinterpretation Fear passes by people at one point or another itrsquos important not to let it run your life and limit what you do Especially if you love what you do

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fall 2008 15

by Lindsey Korsick If you have anxiety attacks climbing up a mountain or itrsquos your buddy who you want to bring along but canrsquot keep their head there are ways to limit and potentially cure the fears

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Web site 19 million people (87 percent of the population) encounter debilitating anxiety of various fears People may not have a valid reason for their fear and it may not make sense but the only way to help them is to be understanding

If the goal is to get rid of the fear without medication ADAA recommends trying out Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT allows the person experiencing the anxiety to take part in their own healing ldquoCBT focuses on identifying understanding and modifying thinking and behavior patterns When a person changes thinking and behavior emotional changes usually followrdquo Whether you are afraid Yogi the Bear is going to make an uninvited visit to your campsite or you lose it the higher you get off the ground the way to release the fear is to realize when your life is in danger and when your mind is playing tricks

Here is how CBT works If a person has an anxiety attack whenever their climbing harness lifts off because they fear they will fall if someone lets go of the rope or the rope will snap they need to start with their knowledge to solve the problem The Cognitive Therapy starts by checking and remembering that they have gone over the climbing plan with their partner and examined the equipment Then they must put the visual images of falling out of their mind ldquoThe individual examines his or her feelings and learns to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughtsrdquo The Behavior Therapy includes a person changing their behavior in the feared situation The climber must put their trust in their partner and their equipment Each time the climber goes through the therapy the fear and anxiety symptoms lessen ldquoThe individual learns to cope with difficult situations often through controlled exposure to themrdquo

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said an example of treating fear is with a heights phobia

ldquoTheir own anxiety symptoms create body sensations that make them think they are losing control and about to fall offrdquo Deacon said Even though itrsquos not really the case that they are losing control but it feels that way People misinterpret their own anxiety response as a signal that they are literally about to fall

ldquoIn therapy we try to make people face their fears by gradually putting themselves in higher and higher places What they eventually learn is that they donrsquot fall even if they are having those anxiety symptomsrdquo

Dissolving fear can be a long process but Deacon said is just comes down to finding the truth and believing in it hellip and yourself ldquoThink accurately rather than catastrophically about what is actually happeningrdquoFor more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy check out wwwadaaorg

FACinG YOur FeArSWays to overcome outdoor anxiety

16 reach

In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

18 reach

by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

20 reach

The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

20 reach

fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

22 reach

Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

22 reach

fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

24 reach

by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

26 reach

fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

28 reach

Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 11

by Lindsey Korsick

fall 2008 11

12 reach

Are you scared The wild beast of the night could be that bear

seen roaming the region or just the pounding of your anxious heart and sound of your rustling sleeping bag

Staring down the mountain that your mountain bike tire has edged over may have your heart making its way into tight spaces but is that because you know a broken arm hangs in the balance or because every time you gaze over the edge you lose it

Fear of a legitimate risk or fear of fear itselfSimple sounds create twisted images of

attacks by creatures big and small storms of epic proportion and enclosed spaces that close completely with you inside

When nature is on the attack or you think it is your body is filled with symptoms to warn you of the potential dangers

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said the classic symptoms of anxiety can include but are not limited to a pounding heart difficulty breathing and becoming lightheaded or dizzy

When these symptoms engage the person needs to dissect the situation to figure out if there is a real danger or they are just hellip freaking out

ldquoOften people will start to feel anxious about something like an alluding thunderstorm or an animal they are concerned aboutrdquo Deacon said ldquoThat is what can start the fear reaction but as it gets more and more intense people start to fear more and more anxious and panicky

ldquoOnce people start to get anxious or panic the physiology of the lsquofight or flight responsersquo kicks in Your own anxiety makes it seem more likely that the very thing you are afraid of is going to happen That can be the real problemrdquo

These symptoms kick the mind into high gear Reveling over the what-if rsquos prime your body

Thump Thump Thump ThumpTherersquos something outside the tent Isnrsquot thereWhorsquos is going to check

CrinKLe Thump Thump Itrsquos getting closer

fall 2008 13

and mind to make a move a move that could save your life or just cause unnecessary angst Alertness piques your hearing tunes to pick up the slightest noises and you check behind you to be aware of the surroundings and anything that may be joining you The key to understanding fear is recognizing when your life is in danger and when your thoughts are just running wild spinning you into an irrational mess

ldquoThere is an actual element of risk in most outdoor situationsrdquo Deacon said ldquoIf you are rock climbing you could fall If you are hiking you could encounter a bear and the bear could attack you Most cases the risk is remote but the risk is there For a lot of the things people fear taking precautions can help your oddsrdquo

To help with the odds students who participate in the University of Wyomingrsquos Outdoor Program are prepped before they head out on any trip Dan McCoy the OPrsquos director said that severe anxiety attacks are a rarity in the program but it is important that people know what they are getting into

ldquoItrsquos crucial that people know what they are getting into in the first place before they engage in any activity that involves specific skillrdquo McCoy said The OP advertises the distances elevation gain physical expectations and experience required

OP has mandatory pre-trip meetings that include maps handouts and gear lists before each adventure

McCoy said fear attacks have been extremely rare within the OP but they have happened A student panicked in the depths of a cave leaving the OP student leaders to rely on their own judgment and leadership to calm the situation

ldquoWe handled the situation by calming them down and talking with themrdquo McCoy said The panicked student was eventually removed from the cave and they were transported to a hospital after complaints of a tight chest and shortness of breath McCoy said the hospital did not conclude anything of significant importance and the person was released a few hours later

With all the dangers looming around outdoor recreation itrsquos a wonder that anyone leaves the comforts of their home to head into the mountains rivers and forests Knowing and understanding the situation and surroundings can help control fear but for some people itrsquos that sense of fear that they crave

Did you ever wonder why some people hang from rocks by their fingertips or battle Class-V white water rapids with paddles

fall 2008 13

14 reach

Itrsquos for the adrenaline rush the idea of knowing there is a certain level of risk and challenging it It is the level of risk balanced with the level of skill that determines whether an adventurer comes out unscathed Whether itrsquos deciding to ski off Corbetrsquos Couloir in Jackson Hole or test out mountain biking abilities in Happy Jack people want to press the limits Outdoor enthusiasts run into the problem of judging how to improve their skills and knowing when their bodies could pay the price for what their mind decides Unlike the people who find fear at every turn and run these people want to shake fearrsquos hand They embrace the fear

Deacon suggests that these eager adventurers to know how far to push it and recognize actual risk

ldquoKnow your limits and know what the potential consequences are if you exceed your limits or what the particular terrain has in store for yourdquo Deacon said ldquoThatrsquos tough because a lot of people who enjoy outdoor recreation enjoy pushing their limits Thatrsquos why they are getting injured all the timerdquo For other adventurers the same symptoms that come with a visiting bear clamp down when they reach a point when their ability and confidence is questioned ldquoThe symptoms just compound the problem as people can misinterpret the meanings of these symptoms and worry that something bad is happening to themrdquo Deacon said ldquoThey may think that they have pushed their body too hard and think that they are about to pass out have a heart attack or go crazyrdquo When you are camping biking skiing or hiking and this tense feeling creeps up one you itrsquos up to you to make the call Is this fear justified or just an irrational misinterpretation Fear passes by people at one point or another itrsquos important not to let it run your life and limit what you do Especially if you love what you do

14 reach

fall 2008 15

by Lindsey Korsick If you have anxiety attacks climbing up a mountain or itrsquos your buddy who you want to bring along but canrsquot keep their head there are ways to limit and potentially cure the fears

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Web site 19 million people (87 percent of the population) encounter debilitating anxiety of various fears People may not have a valid reason for their fear and it may not make sense but the only way to help them is to be understanding

If the goal is to get rid of the fear without medication ADAA recommends trying out Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT allows the person experiencing the anxiety to take part in their own healing ldquoCBT focuses on identifying understanding and modifying thinking and behavior patterns When a person changes thinking and behavior emotional changes usually followrdquo Whether you are afraid Yogi the Bear is going to make an uninvited visit to your campsite or you lose it the higher you get off the ground the way to release the fear is to realize when your life is in danger and when your mind is playing tricks

Here is how CBT works If a person has an anxiety attack whenever their climbing harness lifts off because they fear they will fall if someone lets go of the rope or the rope will snap they need to start with their knowledge to solve the problem The Cognitive Therapy starts by checking and remembering that they have gone over the climbing plan with their partner and examined the equipment Then they must put the visual images of falling out of their mind ldquoThe individual examines his or her feelings and learns to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughtsrdquo The Behavior Therapy includes a person changing their behavior in the feared situation The climber must put their trust in their partner and their equipment Each time the climber goes through the therapy the fear and anxiety symptoms lessen ldquoThe individual learns to cope with difficult situations often through controlled exposure to themrdquo

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said an example of treating fear is with a heights phobia

ldquoTheir own anxiety symptoms create body sensations that make them think they are losing control and about to fall offrdquo Deacon said Even though itrsquos not really the case that they are losing control but it feels that way People misinterpret their own anxiety response as a signal that they are literally about to fall

ldquoIn therapy we try to make people face their fears by gradually putting themselves in higher and higher places What they eventually learn is that they donrsquot fall even if they are having those anxiety symptomsrdquo

Dissolving fear can be a long process but Deacon said is just comes down to finding the truth and believing in it hellip and yourself ldquoThink accurately rather than catastrophically about what is actually happeningrdquoFor more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy check out wwwadaaorg

FACinG YOur FeArSWays to overcome outdoor anxiety

16 reach

In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

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by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

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The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

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Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

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Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

12 reach

Are you scared The wild beast of the night could be that bear

seen roaming the region or just the pounding of your anxious heart and sound of your rustling sleeping bag

Staring down the mountain that your mountain bike tire has edged over may have your heart making its way into tight spaces but is that because you know a broken arm hangs in the balance or because every time you gaze over the edge you lose it

Fear of a legitimate risk or fear of fear itselfSimple sounds create twisted images of

attacks by creatures big and small storms of epic proportion and enclosed spaces that close completely with you inside

When nature is on the attack or you think it is your body is filled with symptoms to warn you of the potential dangers

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said the classic symptoms of anxiety can include but are not limited to a pounding heart difficulty breathing and becoming lightheaded or dizzy

When these symptoms engage the person needs to dissect the situation to figure out if there is a real danger or they are just hellip freaking out

ldquoOften people will start to feel anxious about something like an alluding thunderstorm or an animal they are concerned aboutrdquo Deacon said ldquoThat is what can start the fear reaction but as it gets more and more intense people start to fear more and more anxious and panicky

ldquoOnce people start to get anxious or panic the physiology of the lsquofight or flight responsersquo kicks in Your own anxiety makes it seem more likely that the very thing you are afraid of is going to happen That can be the real problemrdquo

These symptoms kick the mind into high gear Reveling over the what-if rsquos prime your body

Thump Thump Thump ThumpTherersquos something outside the tent Isnrsquot thereWhorsquos is going to check

CrinKLe Thump Thump Itrsquos getting closer

fall 2008 13

and mind to make a move a move that could save your life or just cause unnecessary angst Alertness piques your hearing tunes to pick up the slightest noises and you check behind you to be aware of the surroundings and anything that may be joining you The key to understanding fear is recognizing when your life is in danger and when your thoughts are just running wild spinning you into an irrational mess

ldquoThere is an actual element of risk in most outdoor situationsrdquo Deacon said ldquoIf you are rock climbing you could fall If you are hiking you could encounter a bear and the bear could attack you Most cases the risk is remote but the risk is there For a lot of the things people fear taking precautions can help your oddsrdquo

To help with the odds students who participate in the University of Wyomingrsquos Outdoor Program are prepped before they head out on any trip Dan McCoy the OPrsquos director said that severe anxiety attacks are a rarity in the program but it is important that people know what they are getting into

ldquoItrsquos crucial that people know what they are getting into in the first place before they engage in any activity that involves specific skillrdquo McCoy said The OP advertises the distances elevation gain physical expectations and experience required

OP has mandatory pre-trip meetings that include maps handouts and gear lists before each adventure

McCoy said fear attacks have been extremely rare within the OP but they have happened A student panicked in the depths of a cave leaving the OP student leaders to rely on their own judgment and leadership to calm the situation

ldquoWe handled the situation by calming them down and talking with themrdquo McCoy said The panicked student was eventually removed from the cave and they were transported to a hospital after complaints of a tight chest and shortness of breath McCoy said the hospital did not conclude anything of significant importance and the person was released a few hours later

With all the dangers looming around outdoor recreation itrsquos a wonder that anyone leaves the comforts of their home to head into the mountains rivers and forests Knowing and understanding the situation and surroundings can help control fear but for some people itrsquos that sense of fear that they crave

Did you ever wonder why some people hang from rocks by their fingertips or battle Class-V white water rapids with paddles

fall 2008 13

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Itrsquos for the adrenaline rush the idea of knowing there is a certain level of risk and challenging it It is the level of risk balanced with the level of skill that determines whether an adventurer comes out unscathed Whether itrsquos deciding to ski off Corbetrsquos Couloir in Jackson Hole or test out mountain biking abilities in Happy Jack people want to press the limits Outdoor enthusiasts run into the problem of judging how to improve their skills and knowing when their bodies could pay the price for what their mind decides Unlike the people who find fear at every turn and run these people want to shake fearrsquos hand They embrace the fear

Deacon suggests that these eager adventurers to know how far to push it and recognize actual risk

ldquoKnow your limits and know what the potential consequences are if you exceed your limits or what the particular terrain has in store for yourdquo Deacon said ldquoThatrsquos tough because a lot of people who enjoy outdoor recreation enjoy pushing their limits Thatrsquos why they are getting injured all the timerdquo For other adventurers the same symptoms that come with a visiting bear clamp down when they reach a point when their ability and confidence is questioned ldquoThe symptoms just compound the problem as people can misinterpret the meanings of these symptoms and worry that something bad is happening to themrdquo Deacon said ldquoThey may think that they have pushed their body too hard and think that they are about to pass out have a heart attack or go crazyrdquo When you are camping biking skiing or hiking and this tense feeling creeps up one you itrsquos up to you to make the call Is this fear justified or just an irrational misinterpretation Fear passes by people at one point or another itrsquos important not to let it run your life and limit what you do Especially if you love what you do

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fall 2008 15

by Lindsey Korsick If you have anxiety attacks climbing up a mountain or itrsquos your buddy who you want to bring along but canrsquot keep their head there are ways to limit and potentially cure the fears

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Web site 19 million people (87 percent of the population) encounter debilitating anxiety of various fears People may not have a valid reason for their fear and it may not make sense but the only way to help them is to be understanding

If the goal is to get rid of the fear without medication ADAA recommends trying out Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT allows the person experiencing the anxiety to take part in their own healing ldquoCBT focuses on identifying understanding and modifying thinking and behavior patterns When a person changes thinking and behavior emotional changes usually followrdquo Whether you are afraid Yogi the Bear is going to make an uninvited visit to your campsite or you lose it the higher you get off the ground the way to release the fear is to realize when your life is in danger and when your mind is playing tricks

Here is how CBT works If a person has an anxiety attack whenever their climbing harness lifts off because they fear they will fall if someone lets go of the rope or the rope will snap they need to start with their knowledge to solve the problem The Cognitive Therapy starts by checking and remembering that they have gone over the climbing plan with their partner and examined the equipment Then they must put the visual images of falling out of their mind ldquoThe individual examines his or her feelings and learns to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughtsrdquo The Behavior Therapy includes a person changing their behavior in the feared situation The climber must put their trust in their partner and their equipment Each time the climber goes through the therapy the fear and anxiety symptoms lessen ldquoThe individual learns to cope with difficult situations often through controlled exposure to themrdquo

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said an example of treating fear is with a heights phobia

ldquoTheir own anxiety symptoms create body sensations that make them think they are losing control and about to fall offrdquo Deacon said Even though itrsquos not really the case that they are losing control but it feels that way People misinterpret their own anxiety response as a signal that they are literally about to fall

ldquoIn therapy we try to make people face their fears by gradually putting themselves in higher and higher places What they eventually learn is that they donrsquot fall even if they are having those anxiety symptomsrdquo

Dissolving fear can be a long process but Deacon said is just comes down to finding the truth and believing in it hellip and yourself ldquoThink accurately rather than catastrophically about what is actually happeningrdquoFor more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy check out wwwadaaorg

FACinG YOur FeArSWays to overcome outdoor anxiety

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In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

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by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

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The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

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Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 13

and mind to make a move a move that could save your life or just cause unnecessary angst Alertness piques your hearing tunes to pick up the slightest noises and you check behind you to be aware of the surroundings and anything that may be joining you The key to understanding fear is recognizing when your life is in danger and when your thoughts are just running wild spinning you into an irrational mess

ldquoThere is an actual element of risk in most outdoor situationsrdquo Deacon said ldquoIf you are rock climbing you could fall If you are hiking you could encounter a bear and the bear could attack you Most cases the risk is remote but the risk is there For a lot of the things people fear taking precautions can help your oddsrdquo

To help with the odds students who participate in the University of Wyomingrsquos Outdoor Program are prepped before they head out on any trip Dan McCoy the OPrsquos director said that severe anxiety attacks are a rarity in the program but it is important that people know what they are getting into

ldquoItrsquos crucial that people know what they are getting into in the first place before they engage in any activity that involves specific skillrdquo McCoy said The OP advertises the distances elevation gain physical expectations and experience required

OP has mandatory pre-trip meetings that include maps handouts and gear lists before each adventure

McCoy said fear attacks have been extremely rare within the OP but they have happened A student panicked in the depths of a cave leaving the OP student leaders to rely on their own judgment and leadership to calm the situation

ldquoWe handled the situation by calming them down and talking with themrdquo McCoy said The panicked student was eventually removed from the cave and they were transported to a hospital after complaints of a tight chest and shortness of breath McCoy said the hospital did not conclude anything of significant importance and the person was released a few hours later

With all the dangers looming around outdoor recreation itrsquos a wonder that anyone leaves the comforts of their home to head into the mountains rivers and forests Knowing and understanding the situation and surroundings can help control fear but for some people itrsquos that sense of fear that they crave

Did you ever wonder why some people hang from rocks by their fingertips or battle Class-V white water rapids with paddles

fall 2008 13

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Itrsquos for the adrenaline rush the idea of knowing there is a certain level of risk and challenging it It is the level of risk balanced with the level of skill that determines whether an adventurer comes out unscathed Whether itrsquos deciding to ski off Corbetrsquos Couloir in Jackson Hole or test out mountain biking abilities in Happy Jack people want to press the limits Outdoor enthusiasts run into the problem of judging how to improve their skills and knowing when their bodies could pay the price for what their mind decides Unlike the people who find fear at every turn and run these people want to shake fearrsquos hand They embrace the fear

Deacon suggests that these eager adventurers to know how far to push it and recognize actual risk

ldquoKnow your limits and know what the potential consequences are if you exceed your limits or what the particular terrain has in store for yourdquo Deacon said ldquoThatrsquos tough because a lot of people who enjoy outdoor recreation enjoy pushing their limits Thatrsquos why they are getting injured all the timerdquo For other adventurers the same symptoms that come with a visiting bear clamp down when they reach a point when their ability and confidence is questioned ldquoThe symptoms just compound the problem as people can misinterpret the meanings of these symptoms and worry that something bad is happening to themrdquo Deacon said ldquoThey may think that they have pushed their body too hard and think that they are about to pass out have a heart attack or go crazyrdquo When you are camping biking skiing or hiking and this tense feeling creeps up one you itrsquos up to you to make the call Is this fear justified or just an irrational misinterpretation Fear passes by people at one point or another itrsquos important not to let it run your life and limit what you do Especially if you love what you do

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fall 2008 15

by Lindsey Korsick If you have anxiety attacks climbing up a mountain or itrsquos your buddy who you want to bring along but canrsquot keep their head there are ways to limit and potentially cure the fears

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Web site 19 million people (87 percent of the population) encounter debilitating anxiety of various fears People may not have a valid reason for their fear and it may not make sense but the only way to help them is to be understanding

If the goal is to get rid of the fear without medication ADAA recommends trying out Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT allows the person experiencing the anxiety to take part in their own healing ldquoCBT focuses on identifying understanding and modifying thinking and behavior patterns When a person changes thinking and behavior emotional changes usually followrdquo Whether you are afraid Yogi the Bear is going to make an uninvited visit to your campsite or you lose it the higher you get off the ground the way to release the fear is to realize when your life is in danger and when your mind is playing tricks

Here is how CBT works If a person has an anxiety attack whenever their climbing harness lifts off because they fear they will fall if someone lets go of the rope or the rope will snap they need to start with their knowledge to solve the problem The Cognitive Therapy starts by checking and remembering that they have gone over the climbing plan with their partner and examined the equipment Then they must put the visual images of falling out of their mind ldquoThe individual examines his or her feelings and learns to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughtsrdquo The Behavior Therapy includes a person changing their behavior in the feared situation The climber must put their trust in their partner and their equipment Each time the climber goes through the therapy the fear and anxiety symptoms lessen ldquoThe individual learns to cope with difficult situations often through controlled exposure to themrdquo

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said an example of treating fear is with a heights phobia

ldquoTheir own anxiety symptoms create body sensations that make them think they are losing control and about to fall offrdquo Deacon said Even though itrsquos not really the case that they are losing control but it feels that way People misinterpret their own anxiety response as a signal that they are literally about to fall

ldquoIn therapy we try to make people face their fears by gradually putting themselves in higher and higher places What they eventually learn is that they donrsquot fall even if they are having those anxiety symptomsrdquo

Dissolving fear can be a long process but Deacon said is just comes down to finding the truth and believing in it hellip and yourself ldquoThink accurately rather than catastrophically about what is actually happeningrdquoFor more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy check out wwwadaaorg

FACinG YOur FeArSWays to overcome outdoor anxiety

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In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

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by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

20 reach

The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

22 reach

fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

28 reach

Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

14 reach

Itrsquos for the adrenaline rush the idea of knowing there is a certain level of risk and challenging it It is the level of risk balanced with the level of skill that determines whether an adventurer comes out unscathed Whether itrsquos deciding to ski off Corbetrsquos Couloir in Jackson Hole or test out mountain biking abilities in Happy Jack people want to press the limits Outdoor enthusiasts run into the problem of judging how to improve their skills and knowing when their bodies could pay the price for what their mind decides Unlike the people who find fear at every turn and run these people want to shake fearrsquos hand They embrace the fear

Deacon suggests that these eager adventurers to know how far to push it and recognize actual risk

ldquoKnow your limits and know what the potential consequences are if you exceed your limits or what the particular terrain has in store for yourdquo Deacon said ldquoThatrsquos tough because a lot of people who enjoy outdoor recreation enjoy pushing their limits Thatrsquos why they are getting injured all the timerdquo For other adventurers the same symptoms that come with a visiting bear clamp down when they reach a point when their ability and confidence is questioned ldquoThe symptoms just compound the problem as people can misinterpret the meanings of these symptoms and worry that something bad is happening to themrdquo Deacon said ldquoThey may think that they have pushed their body too hard and think that they are about to pass out have a heart attack or go crazyrdquo When you are camping biking skiing or hiking and this tense feeling creeps up one you itrsquos up to you to make the call Is this fear justified or just an irrational misinterpretation Fear passes by people at one point or another itrsquos important not to let it run your life and limit what you do Especially if you love what you do

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fall 2008 15

by Lindsey Korsick If you have anxiety attacks climbing up a mountain or itrsquos your buddy who you want to bring along but canrsquot keep their head there are ways to limit and potentially cure the fears

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Web site 19 million people (87 percent of the population) encounter debilitating anxiety of various fears People may not have a valid reason for their fear and it may not make sense but the only way to help them is to be understanding

If the goal is to get rid of the fear without medication ADAA recommends trying out Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT allows the person experiencing the anxiety to take part in their own healing ldquoCBT focuses on identifying understanding and modifying thinking and behavior patterns When a person changes thinking and behavior emotional changes usually followrdquo Whether you are afraid Yogi the Bear is going to make an uninvited visit to your campsite or you lose it the higher you get off the ground the way to release the fear is to realize when your life is in danger and when your mind is playing tricks

Here is how CBT works If a person has an anxiety attack whenever their climbing harness lifts off because they fear they will fall if someone lets go of the rope or the rope will snap they need to start with their knowledge to solve the problem The Cognitive Therapy starts by checking and remembering that they have gone over the climbing plan with their partner and examined the equipment Then they must put the visual images of falling out of their mind ldquoThe individual examines his or her feelings and learns to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughtsrdquo The Behavior Therapy includes a person changing their behavior in the feared situation The climber must put their trust in their partner and their equipment Each time the climber goes through the therapy the fear and anxiety symptoms lessen ldquoThe individual learns to cope with difficult situations often through controlled exposure to themrdquo

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said an example of treating fear is with a heights phobia

ldquoTheir own anxiety symptoms create body sensations that make them think they are losing control and about to fall offrdquo Deacon said Even though itrsquos not really the case that they are losing control but it feels that way People misinterpret their own anxiety response as a signal that they are literally about to fall

ldquoIn therapy we try to make people face their fears by gradually putting themselves in higher and higher places What they eventually learn is that they donrsquot fall even if they are having those anxiety symptomsrdquo

Dissolving fear can be a long process but Deacon said is just comes down to finding the truth and believing in it hellip and yourself ldquoThink accurately rather than catastrophically about what is actually happeningrdquoFor more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy check out wwwadaaorg

FACinG YOur FeArSWays to overcome outdoor anxiety

16 reach

In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

18 reach

by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

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The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

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Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

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Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 15

by Lindsey Korsick If you have anxiety attacks climbing up a mountain or itrsquos your buddy who you want to bring along but canrsquot keep their head there are ways to limit and potentially cure the fears

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Web site 19 million people (87 percent of the population) encounter debilitating anxiety of various fears People may not have a valid reason for their fear and it may not make sense but the only way to help them is to be understanding

If the goal is to get rid of the fear without medication ADAA recommends trying out Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT allows the person experiencing the anxiety to take part in their own healing ldquoCBT focuses on identifying understanding and modifying thinking and behavior patterns When a person changes thinking and behavior emotional changes usually followrdquo Whether you are afraid Yogi the Bear is going to make an uninvited visit to your campsite or you lose it the higher you get off the ground the way to release the fear is to realize when your life is in danger and when your mind is playing tricks

Here is how CBT works If a person has an anxiety attack whenever their climbing harness lifts off because they fear they will fall if someone lets go of the rope or the rope will snap they need to start with their knowledge to solve the problem The Cognitive Therapy starts by checking and remembering that they have gone over the climbing plan with their partner and examined the equipment Then they must put the visual images of falling out of their mind ldquoThe individual examines his or her feelings and learns to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughtsrdquo The Behavior Therapy includes a person changing their behavior in the feared situation The climber must put their trust in their partner and their equipment Each time the climber goes through the therapy the fear and anxiety symptoms lessen ldquoThe individual learns to cope with difficult situations often through controlled exposure to themrdquo

Dr Brett Deacon a nature and treatment of anxiety disorders specialist from the University of Wyoming said an example of treating fear is with a heights phobia

ldquoTheir own anxiety symptoms create body sensations that make them think they are losing control and about to fall offrdquo Deacon said Even though itrsquos not really the case that they are losing control but it feels that way People misinterpret their own anxiety response as a signal that they are literally about to fall

ldquoIn therapy we try to make people face their fears by gradually putting themselves in higher and higher places What they eventually learn is that they donrsquot fall even if they are having those anxiety symptomsrdquo

Dissolving fear can be a long process but Deacon said is just comes down to finding the truth and believing in it hellip and yourself ldquoThink accurately rather than catastrophically about what is actually happeningrdquoFor more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy check out wwwadaaorg

FACinG YOur FeArSWays to overcome outdoor anxiety

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In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

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by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

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The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

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Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

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Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

16 reach

In the past cell phones have had to stay in the car for a day in the powder but not this season Swany made gloves that resolve the problem of missing calls on the hill The gloves utilize Bluetooth technology to transfer cell phone calls to your hand Incoming calls vibrate in the wrist and a simple push of a button on the back of your hand lets you receive it Outgoing calls are made by a voice command dial system The speaker and listening devices are located in the palm and thumb The glove will last for 12 hours on standby allowing four hours of talk time In addition the gloves are insulated and water repellent

Winter WondersWritten by Samantha Getz illustrated by Bryce huhtala

Keeping you posted on the new technology to keep you happy on your snowbound adventures

Once the sweat starts rolling down your cheek fog in your lenses sets in and was mostly inescapable until this season Smith has improved their anti-fog goggles to include a small turbo fan that pulls moisture out between your face and goggles This technology is highly recommended for people with glasses The Knowledge Turbo-Fan OTG goggles not only include the fan and eyeglass compatibility but is more comfortable The goggles are helmet compatible with a QuickFit strap positioning system and floating

membrane that helps eliminate temple pressure If you want something with less bells and

whistles most other Smith goggles have anti-fog coatings that are burned into the lens so it canrsquot be wiped off and frame ventilation to increase circulation Their polarized rose-copper lens tint blocks glare and increases object definition reducing

eye fatigue According to Michael Hodgsen of the Adventure Sports Web site (http

adventuresportsonlinecom) neck gaiters conflict with goggles since they seem to direct air into them causing them to immediately fog An easy way to avoid this is to pull the gaiter over the nose and avoid tucking it under your goggle frame

Sick of your iPod freezing up in the middle of the day Apple makes a knit sock that you can easily slide over your iPod to keep it from freezing and protect the screen from scratches It keeps the iPod warm and makes them in a variety of vibrant colors so you wonrsquot have to worry about losing it in the snow The sock is machine washable and fits most iPod sizes The only downfall to the feature is that you are forced to slide out your iPod in order to change songs but a ready playlist can solve this problem quickly Commentators on the Apple Web site highly recommend to stay away from using any sort of band that fastens your iPod to your arm because it can cause the feature to sweat causing the screen to fog up especially when worn under heavy coat sleeves

To prevent dehydration itrsquos always smart to bring easily accessible water Camelbak invented the StoAway system so you no longer have to worry about your water freezing shut

The insulated reservoir and tube keeps your water cold while still keeping it from turning into an ice block The system is lightweight and abrasion resistant It is available in the 21-liter or 3-liter size If you donrsquot have the money to shell out for a new bladder you can prevent yours

from freezing by putting your Camelbak on underneath your outer shell The drinking

tube can be routed near your neck and by sipping at regular intervals the tube will keep

from freezing up Blowing air back into the tube forces any left over water back into the bladder to keep it from being exposed to air This way only a small amount of ice can coat inside the tube but it will not freeze shut

Cold feet used to be non-preventable and the technology to improve frozen tootsies was fairly unreliable The good news for this season is that battery technology for boot heaters has improved No longer will your batteries be drained and your feet left cold Therm-ic mastered the drop-in heater that sits in your bootrsquos foot-bed and the battery last longer In addition Burtonrsquos new Supreme Heat boot has the heat element already in them and ladies this boot is designed especially for you It is the first efficient heated snowboard boot Since they partnered with Therm-ic their pre-wired boots have no finicky wires to mess with The heater is powered off of lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 14 hours at a time

iPod cover Smith Goggles

Swany gloves

Camelbak StoAway

Burton Supreme Heat

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

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by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

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The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

26 reach

fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

28 reach

Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 17

The Telemark ski industry has also undergone some drastic changes for their bindings in time for the new season The 22 Designs-Hammerhead gives you a free heel so you arenrsquot restricted and gives the freedom of lunging for more intense turns The Voile-Switchback can give a more forward lean which can provide more travel or force depending on the desired result In addition it can switch between ski mode and tour mode

The newest split board from Atomic The Poacher is best fit for deep snow and comes with itsrsquo own climbing skin Split boards combine backcountry ski climbing and snowboarding since their design at first glance looks like a snowboard However the board splits down the middle to separate into skis that make it easier to get uphill After the climb the board easily clamps back together and locks into place

Before this season snowboards used to bow up creating a problem with freedom and flexibility Lib-Tech has found a way to make your snowboard have more give similar to a wakeboard With the help of Banana Tech boards can now have control but still pop at the same time The board has a naturally pre-bent rocker mid-section that gives you carving capabilities and an edge that allows you to grip ice It combines a firm tip and tail that can add pop while still remaining stable for powder

Alpine touring bindings have also improved Instead of being completely fixed to the ski the new editions now have a free pivot binding which makes it easier to get uphill for backcountry outings Dynafit has been rated the best of the free pivot bindings but only fits with the compatible boots It is the lightest available weigh in at 2 pounds and 3 ounces and is actually the best for the bigger-built men Fritschi is slightly heavier 4 pounds and 8 ounces but it fits the run of the mill ski boot

Magne-traction allows your skis or snowboard to have more traction on the ice Normally the edges on either are flat but this feature makes your edges act like a serrated knife The biggest bumps are between your feet where balance is essential and adds control where it is needed the most The smallest bumps are outside the feet providing tip and tail control while still maintaining freestyle freedom Lib-Tech has made use of this feature for much of their 2008 season stock The new EST binding mounts replace the rigid base plate with a more cushy and removable plate These mounts come already equipped onto snowboards but they can also come separate which are highly compatible with any Burton platform This design absorbs impact for a more comfortable ride

Fritschi binding

Dynafit binding

Atomic Poacher

Voile Switchback binding

22 Design Hammerhead binding

Lib-Tech BananaTech

Alpine Touring Bindings

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by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

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The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

28 reach

Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

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by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

18 reach

by Justin Gerard

There are times when everything comes together while riding down a mountain You find your secret untracked spot There times when all of your friends are there their perfect runs motivating you to do your best or better Almost like when you link the perfect amount of turns to a sizeable drop floating on air as well as powder This was what the Quiksilver Natural Selection All Mountain Invitational was based upon

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fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

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The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

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Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 19fall 2008 19

20 reach

The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

24 reach

by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

28 reach

Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

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Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

20 reach

The beginning

This innovative contest was created by one of snowboardingrsquos most recognized

revolutionaries and Jackson Hole native Travis Rice According to the Quiksilver Web site ldquoSnowboarding is self expression hellip Itrsquos nature that provides us with the most limitless canvas to challenge the way we riderdquo Rice said Ricersquos motto became the basis for the contest and was the first of its kind to be held in Wyoming There were two courses closed off weeks in advance and scheduled over a seven-day holding period Even I felt tempted to disregard the sign and slash the ldquovoluptuousrdquo untouched terrain but due to Ricersquos heart felt appeal I was honored to preserve and help promote such a novel concept

The contest was invitation only and Rice

handpicked the participants The 17 snowboarders who accepted the invitation arrived a week early With snow falling all week the best snowboarders in the world got to ride with each other under no pressure in great snow ldquoHanging and riding with all those guys was super fun especially with the snow conditions we hadrdquo Jackson Hole local Mark Carter said ldquoHaving this caliber of riders shred on my mountain was an honor and being able to show them my spots was super sickrdquo

Carter was the second place finisher and was honored to do so well in such a stacked group From the start the Wyomingites proved that they could ride anything from mechanical bulls to deep snow The Bulls a snowboard legendrsquos rock band and free flowing libations adorned the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and it was a great way to chose the contest order and start off the festivities

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fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

28 reach

Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

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Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 21

Day 1Dickrsquos Ditch is a brutal leg burner for those

who are not conditioned to Teton Villagersquos size and steepness It is a snaky ravine that resembles a natural half pipe with steep walls Jumps were carved out of both sides of the giant walls and the riders had their choice of right andor left hits into deep powder landings The locals had a confidence and style that was unmatched Carter had a fast run starting with a Front side 720 next to a tree and after a perfect landing he went on to land another perfect backside 360 Even though the snow was deep and slow Rice had a powerful run sticking a consecutive 360 and 720 with style and poise Although many of the same jumps were hit and the same lines were used a few riders made their own lines adding another sense of style to the contest In the end it was just friends riding deep snow and inspiring each other

fall 2008 21

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had

2 days of competition

areas of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dickrsquos Ditch and Casper Bowl

$75000champ purse

$2000everyone else

20cameras

8702000

-foot cable cam captured the event in high definition under the direction of filmmaker Curtis Morgan

points earned by winner Travis Rice

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Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

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fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

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by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

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fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

28 reach

Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

22 reach

Day 2The clouds and avalanche danger finally

lifted and Casper Bowl was put at the mercy of the 17 best snowboarders in the world It was true free riding at its best The crowd and riders were all ecstatic over what was unfolding before them

A few jumps were carved out of natural features such as rocks and cliffs and all was well utilized After each run the riders had to hike up to the top to access the bowl and each rider had to have an avalanche transceiver It reminded me of why I hike up such steep mountainsides only for the sheer exhilaration Carter came down dropping a huge cliff and then spinning off of pillows throughout the bowl I watched another local rider Brian Iguchi take some deep turns and then spin a perfect 360 off of a cliff into more deep turns The riding from all of these great snowboarders was great to witness but it made me have an emergent desire to get some of those great turns and drops that are so typical of Jackson Hole I watched one more contestant drop into the bowl and then I descended down through Casper woods in my own contest

That night at the Mangy Moose I could hear people praising the contest and riders The

Wyomingites were the top riders in the contest with Rice scoring first and

Carter getting second with both days combined It was truly inspiring to watch these riders in their own element ldquoThe

coolest thing about the whole competition was being able to watch the creativity in each guys run it was insanerdquo Carter said

They were pushing themselves and the sport of snowboarding in arguably the best playground in North America There was nothing for them to prove just fun times to be had The top riders were bestowed with painted bison skulls as trophies for revolutionizing the sport of snowboarding The entire event was filmed meticulously using several cameramen and even a Spidey-cam which is a camera that travels on a zip line and was used to film Spider Man These cameras helped the judges make their decisions on sections of the course that could not be seen Some of the contest and riding will be featured in Ricersquos new film ldquoThatrsquos It Thatrsquo Allrdquo

The contest was a huge success and proved that snowboarding is about self-expression It brought back the grassroots feelings that are found when you are riding with your friends This artistic expression coupled with inspiration from the best riders in the world can be enjoyable for contestants and spectators alike and it proves that it isnrsquot about the paycheck This contest is about having fun with friends in great snow not about the size of the purse or prizes There are already plans for the contest to continue and those that declined the invitation to compete missed out on helping revolutionize the sport of snowboarding

22 reach

fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

24 reach

by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

26 reach

fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

28 reach

Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 23spring 2008 23

24 reach

by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

26 reach

fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

28 reach

Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

24 reach

by natasha Wheeler

Whether you and your cousin canoe or perhaps you fish with your father Maybe your thing is

bouldering with your bro But undoubtedly no matter what you do you have heard what the ldquoexpertsrdquo have to say about high-protein healthy carbs and low-sugars Your brother swears by peanut butter sandwiches Uncle Frank always packs too many energy bars and you never forget the sports drinks

But this is an adventure magazine You are an adventurer Lunch should not be boring

Although your grocery super center may seem to have everything you could ever need and more start you adventure by looking somewhere less familiar

In Laramie Wyoming for example you can find the local farmerrsquos market on Friday afternoon in the summer months Or at any time of the year you can check out the natural food stores like Big Hollow Coop and Whole Earth Grainery

If you like to take cheese and crackers for lunch check out all the different varieties The Big Hollow Coop offers Alta Denta Goat Milk Cheese with less fat and less sodium than Lucerne Medium Cheddar according to the nutrition labels The goat cheese also contains 5 percent more calcium than the cheddar

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to mix up Try peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey or peanut butter and banana slices You can also check out other kinds of nut butters Justinrsquos is a company that makes flavored peanut and almond butters According to the product nutrition labels found on a Justinrsquos ldquoMaple Almond Butterrdquo packet and a jar of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter the almond butter contains less fat less sodium more fiber and eight percent DV calcium (which Skippy doesnrsquot have)

You could also try Nutella a ldquohazelnut spread

with skim milk and cocoardquo Although it has a higher sugar content and more saturated fat than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter it makes for an change in the normal sandwich pace

As for snacking check out the bulk bins There is an array of trail mixes chocolate and yogurt covered items and an assortment of granolas Examples of the creative varieties can included Gingersnap Granola Boysenberry Pear Granola and Vanilla Macaroon Granola

You can also find Quinoa What Quinoa According to the Worldrsquos Healthiest Foods Web site (httpwwwwhfoodscom) it is a high-protein ldquoGrainrdquo (a relative of leafy vegetables) that is high in nutrients with a diversity of uses Ancient Harvest Brand sells Quinoa Flakes in a box marketed as warm cereal (like oatmeal) According to the labeling it is gluten-free and can replace all or part of the flour component of various recipes Suggestions on the box include pancakes waffles muffins breads and cookies

Lastly water is an ever-important substance to carry on any adventure Although in trivial amounts fruit juices or soda add a welcome taste treat in any lunch Big Hollow carries Blue Sky and Hansenrsquos Soda as well as Izze fruit juices which are now available in cans The 12oz glass bottle of ldquoSparkling Applerdquo Izze maintains only a short list of ingredients being only pure fruit juices sparkling water and natural flavors All of the sugar contents come from the juice which makes up 70 percent of the contents

So donrsquot wait for your adventure to start halfway down the river or at the top of the mountain Make lunch part of your adventure too Check out some of the co-ops and health food stores wherever you are Be inspired for food

REINVENTIONNot your grandmarsquos PBampJREINVENTION

Photograph by Lenna Rice

26 reach

fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

28 reach

Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

Photograph by Lenna Rice

26 reach

fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

28 reach

Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

26 reach

fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

28 reach

Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 27Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 27

28 reach

Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

28 reach

Itrsquos a clear summer evening in the Absaroka Mountain Range and you

have just arrived at your camping spot after a long day of backpacking ending your traverse at a mountain stream at the base of its mountain Everyone is hungry and tired so you start preparing dinner and pitching tents with your group many of which have only just learned how to cook and pitch tent in the past few days Pizza is on the menu tonight and for dessert someone makes cinnamon rolls- which for some odd reason taste better than any cinnamon rolls yoursquove ever had back home When dinner is over you have class for an hour or two with your instructors

After class you play cards and tell stories with your fellow campers as the sun sets against the mountains turning the clouds a brilliant gold purple and pink The sky darkens and you climb into your sleeping bag looking up to the stars which are just beginning to appear It reminds you of just how deep you are into the wilderness away from city lights and busy highways You listen contentedly to the sound of the quickly flowing stream fed by melting snow higher up in the mountains You might see where it originates tomorrow because your group is rising at 630 am and after fly-fishing to catch breakfast everyone is heading to the summit

If you had gone on the Absaroka Backpacking Course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) this past summer the above account would

Photograph by Justin Gerard

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 29

only be a glimpse into your experiences there For Mandy Pohja it was just a normal day

Pohja the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office at the University of Wyoming and is what you might call the ldquooutdoorsy typerdquo Growing up in Colorado her family owned a cabin near the Redfeather Lakes so she got to spend a lot of time in the mountains coming to feel at home in the wilderness of the Rockies

In 2007 with the completion of her junior year at Azusa Pacific University she was looking for a fun way to spend her summer and came across a Web site for the National Outdoor Leadership School Her interest was piqued by the Outdoor Educator Course with the certification in Wilderness First Responder so she applied for it

Later on Pohja found out that her mom had also signed up for a NOLS course when she was younger but things hadnrsquot worked out and she didnrsquot get to go Perhaps it was in her blood

ldquoI have always loved the outdoors and this seemed like the perfect way to challenge myself and improve my wilderness skills and knowledgerdquo

Although she was pretty comfortable in the outdoor arena she had never done an extended 30-day excursion before so she focused on improving her fitness by running and hiking regularly before the course started

After all the preparation the course began in July 2007 in the beautiful Absaroka Mountain Range up near Yellowstone Although it did take some getting used to it wasnrsquot long before Pohja was adjusted to the physical and mental demands of life in the Absaroka wilderness In a few days she was accustomed to carrying everything she would need for the month on her back

The course was intensive and besides backpacking it included an 80-hour medical curriculum and several classes on leadership and how to teach in the outdoor classroom She learned all the necessary backcountry skills such as navigating cooking setting up camp and performing medical treatment

Pohja excelled and was nominated by the lead instructor Marco Johnson (who has been with NOLS for 23 years) for the Instructor-in-Training program Seeing

this as a great opportunity she jumped at the chance and this past summer was able to be an instructor on a backpacking trip in the Absarokas led by Muthoni Muriithi a woman from Kenya who leads other NOLS courses throughout the world Pohja had the opportunity to teach all of the skills she had learned her first summer to the students as well as mentor and encourage them to meet the challenges that a 30- day backpacking trip would bring

But although the focus of the course was to learn backcountry survival skills it also provided an environment where one could step back and take a break from the busyness of everyday living

ldquoMy favorite aspect of a NOLS course is the simplicity of liferdquo Pohja said ldquoThere are no distractions and you can learn a great deal about yourself and others while seeing some amazing sights in naturerdquo

As well as learning and teaching vital survival skills Pohja said she especially loved camping out under a lsquoceiling of starsrsquo whenever it was possible She found out that pictures just never do justice to the beautiful scenes you come across in the mountains You cannot adequately capture a tiered 200-foot

waterfall in a photograph nor can you always be ready with a camera when an elk moose or bear appears nearby Itrsquos not all awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful reflection in the wilderness thoughmdashthere is always a flip side sometimes nature can be downright annoying For Pohjarsquos group this was manifested in some areas by the thick presence of mosquitoes

But they say lsquonecessity is the mother of inventionrsquo and someone quickly discovered that plastic bags tied around the feet are a very effective way to deter the blood-thirsty pests

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

Above Pohja takes advantage of an open meadow to point out a few landscape features on the map Right NOLS instructor fly fishing at Bridger Lake in the Absaroka Mountain Range The beautiful sunset over the water is a nightly occurrence at NOLS and having the chance to fish for tomorrowrsquos breakfast is always welcome

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

30 reach

Also for an extended backpacking trip some sacrifices must be made like having only two pairs of underwear that are washedwarn alternately For everything else except socks the limit is one After 30 days of carrying around a huge backpack with all your gear in it the backpacker learns that this is actually a very good idea

Besides the challenge of teaching students of all different skill and knowledge levels and learning how to deal with such inconveniences as mosquitoes scarce undergarments and bulky packs Pohja also had to consider and be prepared for worst case scenario situations The scariest thought for any leader is for a student to get hurt

As a leader Pohja had to know how to respond if something went wrong and the summer didnrsquot pass without giving her that opportunity One day when her group was summiting a peak a rock came loose falling toward the backpackers below It missed everyone except one girl who was hit on the shoulder as she crouched down in an attempt dodge it

Although it was initially frightening it didnrsquot turn out to be serious The way Pohja and the other leaders responded reassured the other students that if anything truly critical were to happen they would know how to handle the situation

Despite the difficulties and close calls Pohja said she came back from the course knowing it was time well spent The challenge and stress of being in a wilderness environment for an extended period of time was very real but the experience was so much more in comparison that it made it worth the trouble

ldquoIt is awesome to push yourself on so many levels and learn just how much you can accomplish if you set your mind to itrdquo Pohja said

From being a student on her first trip to instructing other students the next summer Pohja went from being fairly comfortable in the backcountry to being confident enough of her knowledge and skills to guide others The friendships that are made during these courses are also deeper than what would usually happen in the same period of time under different circumstances

ldquoI developed many relationships

during each course that I maintain to this dayrdquo Pohja said ldquoLiving with the same 15 people for 30 days in a challenging environment brings you incredibly close very quicklyrdquo

Now after two summers with NOLS one as a student and one as an instructor Pohja is working on her MBA at the University of Wyoming She found a way to combine her love of outdoor recreation with business by working as the Graduate Assistant in the Outdoor Program office and hopes to bring some of the NOLS curriculum on leadership skills to the College of Business She will be studying at UW for the next two years but will continue to work for NOLS in the summers

ldquoOn a NOLS course you learn a lot about leadership and teamworkrdquo Pohja said ldquoI know that these lessons and experiences will contribute to my role as an MBA student on multiple levelsrdquo

After graduation she hopes to find a way to utilize her business knowledge and her passion for the outdoors together

Leadership Breathtaking beauty Simplicity Relationships Challenge Confidence If you talk to Pohja you will realize that these are some of central aspects of a NOLS course that make it such a valuable experience Knowing how it has helped her in her academic and personal life Pohja enthusiastically recommends that everyone and anyone take a course with NOLS no matter their year or major

ldquoIf I could provide any advice to someone considering a course I would say go for it Whether it is money experience or timing you are concerned about take the risk and I can all but guarantee you will be glad you didrdquo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 31

What is NOLSIn 1965 NOLS was founded as a non-

profit leadership school by the mountaineer Paul Petzoldt who had an enthusiasm for the wilderness

that was contagious Beginning near Lander Wyo with one summer in the Wind River Range and 100 students it now has almost 75000 graduates with courses in 10 countries throughout the world As well as a leadership school NOLS has expanded with the Wilderness Medical Institute It is worked into most NOLS courses and is the leader in wilderness medicine

Courses fitted to each college studentNo matter what your major a NOLS course can be an invaluable part of your education Not only will you acquire practical outdoor skills you will also learn important leadership skills that will aid you in whatever major you have chosen And for students who have not declared a major it could be the defining course that sets the path for the rest of their college career and beyond Anything from shorter 30-day excursions to semester and year-long courses NOLS has a wide selection in countries as diverse as Patagonia New Zealand the Yukon even Scandinavia Or if you donrsquot want to pay for an international ticket there are courses offered in the Rocky Mountains the Southwest US and the Tetons

Earn college credit towards your degreeNOLS has a special articulation agreement with the University of Wyoming that allows UW students to get direct credit from completed NOLS courses that goes towards their degree Not only can NOLS courses be taken to fulfill elective and general requirements such as Biology and Physical Education but they are especially pertinent to certain majors such as International Studies Environment and Natural Resources and the Health Sciences

Is NOLS for everyoneAlthough many people enjoy the outdoors there are also those on the other side of the spectrum who simply do not care and nothing you can say can convince them otherwise However if you have even the slightest interest in a NOLS course but are nervous that you wouldnrsquot be able to do it there is good news There is no prior outdoor experience required for any of the NOLS courses That means anyone can do it as long as you have the desire and willingness to learn For those of us who are closet outdoorsy-type wannabes this is great news is it not

What about the cost This could very possibly be the only downside to NOLS it costs money The price of a one-semester course is comparable to the price of in-state tuition plus room and board for a

year at the University of Wyoming Although this may seem high to those of us who are in-state students if you look at almost any other university it is really very reasonable Of course telling you that it is still a great deal doesnrsquot help if you just donrsquot have the money But once again there is some good news - NOLS has $800000 of scholarships available every year to students who qualify Although full-ride scholarships are very rare if you would not be able to attend due to the lack of funds NOLS would try to help you out

SkillsThe core of what you learn during a NOLS course is teamwork and leadership environmental studies and outdoor skills such as rock climbing backpacking kayaking sailing mountaineering wilderness medicine etc

A Connection with UW NOLS is not a distant school unattached and unconcerned with UW UW actually has connections with the base in Lander through our Campus Recreation Assistant Director and our graduate assistant in the Outdoor Program office

Dan McCoy Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and Outdoor Coordinator is one of NOLS graduates who was instrumental in establishing the articulation agreement between UW and NOLS Dan took the NOLS Patagonia course in 1994 which led him to push for the UW agreement to grant direct college credit for UW students He highly recommends the school and would be happy to talk with anyone who is interested about the specifics of earning college credit through NOLS

For more information go tohellipIf you want to find out more about the National Outdoor Leadership School there are two ways to go about it Get on the NOLS Web site at wwwnolsedu or Go to the Outdoor Program (OP) office located in Half Acre Gym talk to Dan or Mandy and ask for a NOLS catalog

Photographs courtesy of Mandy Pohja

fall 2008 31

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

32 reach

by Andrew Call

Whether you ski snowboard snowshoe winter climb or just enjoy the enchantment of the snow-covered surrounding area you couldnrsquot ask for better

terrain than the backcountry Laramie has to offerDuring the winter months life on campus seems to slow to a slushy crawl We hit

the snooze and retreat into the warmth of our covers for those precious extra moments hesitant to venture out into this changed place But for those adventurous and somewhat eccentric enthusiasts winter in Laramie is a whole new world to explore

When the term winter camping is spoken itrsquos not an uncommon misconception to picture a vivid image of a death-defying struggle for survival in extreme weather Although anything is possible when dealing with weather in Wyoming no one plans to be miserable while camping Itrsquos always best to be as prepared as you can be when it comes to backcountry which means being well informed and knowing the essentials This can mean dishing out some extra dollars for better equipment but good gear can make or break a winter camping trip During the winter weather is more severe and demands more from your gear than during the summer so be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying whatrsquos necessary

When referring to camping in the cold itrsquos been said over and over again but remembering to wear layers is essential Itrsquos better to have more clothes on and be able to remove something if it gets a little toasty than to wear too little and wish yoursquod packed that extra sweater

Start with something light and work your way out to the heavier stuff Donrsquot wear cotton Although itrsquos comfortable once cotton gets wet yoursquore done for so try to find some sort of synthetic material to take its place Synthetic materials wick moisture away from the body and dry much quicker than natural fibers If you do wear something natural your best bet for winter would be wool Wool keeps you warm even when itrsquos wet A good winter coat preferably something that helps keep the moisture out is a must Itrsquos a great idea to find some sort of nylon waterproof outer layer for everything to keep you as dry as possible

Insulated footwear is essential Yoursquore going to be spending time on your feet and the last thing you want it frostbite and frozen toes while yoursquore walking Layering thick socks is a great idea and if your footwear just isnrsquot keeping your feet warm you can always slip a foot warmer into the bottoms of your boots to help with the cold The thing to keep in mind is that yoursquore going to get wet so remember to pack some dry clothes

Illustrations by Beth Cochran32 reach

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 33

sealed in something to keep the water out especially to sleep in And always remember to have something to start a fire with in order to dry clothes out

Itrsquos hard to find good fuel in the forest during the winter so some sort of fire starter is always a great thing to have Essential fire starters come in the form waterproof matches or a highly weather resistant lighter Find some dry wood if possible Break a stick to see if itrsquos dry if it cracks itrsquos most likely going to burn Damp wood takes a while to get started thatrsquos why itrsquos best to bring some fire starter with you just in case If you are able to find some dry sticks teepee them around your fire starter (cotton paper or even pocket lint works great) Once yoursquove got a small flame keep it going blowing on it slightly and adding a few sticks here and there Depending on how big you want your fire you can go from here Just remember that if you want to keep your fire going during the night yoursquoll need extra wood so make sure yoursquove got a good supply nearby A good fire is a lifesaver during the winter Itrsquos imperative that you dry out what yoursquove been wearing The quickest way to get sick is to sleep in your wet cold clothes

Speaking of sleeping a large strong winter tent will add that much more comfort to your trip For those of you who are a little more adventurous a snow cave is also a great insulator as long as itrsquos constructed properly

Your gear is more bulky because yoursquove got a little more than usual Make sure yoursquove got a place to put everything away from the weather You donrsquot want to wake up to all your equipment buried under inches of snow

To help keep the moisture down inside the tent itrsquos good to bring a tarp to put underneath for an extra layer between you and the snow Dig your tent down into the snow halfway is good in order to help dampen the blow of wind as well as prevent wind from getting underneath Make sure not to dig too far down though because you donrsquot want the falling snow to trap you inside overnight Once yoursquove got your tent set up you can push the snow against the sides a little bit to help keep things stable Remember to use wider pegs to secure your guy lines because snow is much different than dirt There are even special snow stakes

that you can buy to make sure your tent isnrsquot going anywhere while yoursquore out exploring And if all else fails your ski poles or even skis can be used as pegs just make sure to bury them into the snow horizontally so they wonrsquot break in strong wind

When is comes to being comfortable while sleeping your pad can make all the difference A regular ultra-light backpacking pad just wonrsquot cut it You need to have a thick full-length pad that allows airflow between you and the cold solid ground If you donrsquot have an adequate pad yoursquoll know in a hurry and yoursquoll be in for a long miserable cold night

Be sure not to skimp when it comes to buying a sleeping bag Temperature ratings are to be approached skeptically What might be comfortable for some might not be comfortable for others so if yoursquore always cold make sure to buy a bag thatrsquos rated well below the temperature you plan on encountering A great way to keep warm if yoursquore not alone is to have two separate sleeping bags that zip on opposite sides You can essentially create a larger bag and keep warm with the body heat of two people

As for food yoursquoll need more calories during the winter than in the summer Itrsquos not good to just have junk food for energy though nuts and trail mixes are a great way to keep you going Donrsquot forget to drink plenty of water your body needs much more water than yoursquod think in the cold Bring a good camping stove Something portable and easy to clean that puts out high heat quickly is easy to come by when purchasing supplies

A few final tips for the winter outdoor enthusiast Always check the weather conditions and always tell someone where yoursquore going before you leave Getting stuck in a surprise storm can ruin your outing and keep you confined to your tent for the duration Being in your tent for long periods of time is not uncommon on winter trips so be sure to bring something to help pass the time a book or a deck of cards will help when your stuck inside for hours on end

A winter camping trip doesnrsquot have to be a life or death situation As long as you know the basics and plan for the worst itrsquos not hard to enjoy yourself in the beautiful backcountry

1Clear out an area for your snow cave Mix the snow bringing it from the top to the bottom this will help the snow harden which is called sintering

2 Pile the snow about 6 feet high making sure itrsquos big enough to fit the number of people who are going to be sleeping in it Let snow sinter for a few hours

3 Once the snow has hardened start digging an entrance Slope your entrance slightly upward so that cold air will flow down and out of your cave Use the snow you remove to build a wind block for the entrance or to thicken the walls

4 Hollow out the inside keeping in mind that all your gear need to fit as well as sleeping bags

5 Using a ski pole or long stick make a hole in the top the cave an inch or two wide for ventilation Make sure this hole stays open Without ventilation you can suffocate during the night

hOW TO BuiLD A SnOW CAveby Andrew Call

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

Contact Student Media advertising(307) 766-6336 admanageruwstudentmediainfo

Reach your potential customersby advertising in

REACH magazine

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

fall 2008 35

ODETO

When we get to the mountain at the break of daylight to catch the first runs we donrsquot think in our cloudy morning minds about the people who get there before us As we plan our attack of the slope they are preparing to take us to heights we desire

It is the liftees who send us off to the top of the mountain And for that hellip we thank them

Liftees get to the mountain early each morning to start up the lifts and sweep the fresh snow off the chairs They set up gates ropes and signs to make sure we can navigate our way up the slopes

Liftees shovel and groom the lift ramps declaring easy access for anyone to jump on They mark the temperature inside the tower and leave an inspiring phrase on the outward looking dry eraser board ldquoGet ya some freshiesrdquo they say

Liftees are the teachers of young or inexperienced skiers and riders whose greatest fears lie in getting on and off the lift They also explain to the impatient veterans that there is a newbie slowing the lift and their patience is appreciated

Liftees are the collectors of forgotten gloves and lost ski poles

Liftees are the ones who use their own arms to tame the older chairs as the make the upswing as they round to pick you up Without them say goodbye to your knees

Liftees are for a great smile and a ldquoHow you doingrdquo in the morning then an excited ldquoHowrsquos the powderrdquo all day long

Liftees are there to make sure skiers and riders enjoy their day While we are out shredding the gnar they wait and watch knowing their work will translate into their own days of fun later

Without liftees there would be mass collisions of skiers and riders at the top of the lift and more importantly we would miss the friendly greeting to start our day

Thank you liftees for bringing us to new heights with a smile We owe you

by Lindsey Korsick

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

36 reach

DEPARTURE

Photograph by Spencer Duncan

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

COVER SHOT

A Grand EpicA climber piles rope for one last terrifying rappel down to the Black Dike after completing the Beyer East Face I (IV 59) on the Grand Teton Our climbing gear buzzed with electricity as a fast moving thunderstorm forced us to make a desperate retreat down the boulder-spewing Stettner Couloir before reaching the summit Camera Nikon 4200

Photograhper BioAnneka Door senior in Geography grew up in the flatlands of western Nebraska but still managed to find her passion for the mountains by racing sled dogs in Colorado and Wyoming In the summers she lives in her Toyota as a dirtbag climber and skier in Grand Teton National Park and recently started working for Exum Mountain Guides where she enjoys sharing her love for the mountains with people from all over the world

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo

spring 2008 5

If you answered yes to any of the above or just think you could add something to REACH magazine hellip contribute

REACH magazine is looking for University of Wyoming student writers and photographers with a zeal for the outdoors to submit their ideas stories and photographs for spring 2009 issue

Submit your work to reachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo with your contact information and you will be contacted

Share your passion with REACH magazine

Do you have adventures to share

Do you know something

about the outdoors everyone

else should too Do you find yourself logging your

excursions through spectacular photographs

r e a c h m a g a z i n e u w s t u d e n t m e d i a i n f o

Can you

Capture a moment

For hiring information contactreachmagazineuwstudentmediainfo