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Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Mountaineering Class

This was our first class and it was two days long. It was soooo much fun. We got to carry around ice axes and not only look cool but through ourselves off the side of the hill into endless amounts of snow and then lean how to self rescue ourselves using the ice axe. We also learned how to set up c rigs and z rigs to use pullys to help pulling weight up.

We also learned how to build anchors in the snow for climbing rapelling and rescuing team member on our rope team. We built a big anchor and put all 7 of us on the rope got a running start and then jumped down the side of the hill. I guess we had enough momentum that it ripped out our anchor and we caused a mini avalanche on top of ourselves as we slid down the hill. I ended underneath the snow with no idea how much was on top of my face so i immediately started trying to uncover myself to breath. Thankfully i wasnt to deep but when your covered up it all feels the same, its a freaky feeling
During the self rescue training on the way back up the hill i fell into a tree well. I didnt hit the ground and i was head deep in snow. I decided to stay in the whole and scare one of the instuctors, it was hilarious.
We were wearing harnesses and were roped into each other with climbing rope in case one of us should fall. When you do fall you are supposed to say "falling" so to practice we had to randomly while walking run and jump off the side and scream falling while the other guys jumped to the ground and jammed in their ice axe. When we established that everyone was solid the last man in the crew would get up and run over to build anchors.

2 comments:

VanessaMarie said...

yeah! a new post! : ) Its so exciting to hear all your stories of all the crazy things you are doing... seeing the pictures to go along with the stories is awesome! I've really appreciated how much I am learning through what you are learning in classes, and the things that are growing you spiritually... it has been really amazing how God can work in that way to me.
Can't wait to talk to you next and hear more

Sarah&Jason said...

whew. scary cousin. be careful out there, but it sounds fun!