Zion Nat Park- The Narrows/ Climbing @ Red Rock+Calico Basin

BIRTHDAY ROADTRIP! 

Anjie is a girl I met on my Immersion Semester. I have become very close to her since the experience. Still unable to understand the events that occurred on the trip I find comfort being with her because she knows me better than I know myself...
Christine and i were doing some catching up, she moved to Colorado I hadn't seen her since June. We decided we needed one BIG EPIC trip together before I moved to South Lake Tahoe. We picked backpacking in Utah's Canyon Country. I knew Anjie was down there and was hoping we could meet up and she could go with us. Turns out Anjies best friend Nicole was there too and we planned a great trip through The Narrows in Zion Nation Park. However last minute Christine was unable to go, so I packed my car and headed to Vegas.
When I arrived in Vegas I stayed with my friend Dave, he had gone on the Winter and the Mountain class with me. We caught up on life and I passed out exhausted from the solo drive. In the morning we woke up and Dave gave me really great directions to where I was headed. I was to meet Anjie and Nik at the trail head just outside of the Nat Park. However service was non existent so I had no idea if the girls had made it there safe and what would happen if something happens to me on the way. Anyone whose anyone knows I GET LOST, regularly, and I did. I got lost in the park, and was about an hour behind schedule because of it. I finally reached the turn off where I would no longer be following my GPS and be following some crazy directions Anjie emailed me. It described a 4wd road that was impassable in wet weather, even for 4wd cars. Great. Me and my Honda, here goes nothing. It was a single track road with more tire popping rocks I have ever seen in a life time. It was the longest 17 miles because I drove less than 10 mph. It took about 45minutes to an hour to get to the trail head. Over each pump I prayed to God my tire didn't pop. I turned my music on full blast trying to ease my white knuckles. I finally reached the trail head with 4 fully inflated tires and 12 new grey hairs.
We all danced in excitement, we all made it safely to the trail head, and we couldn't wait to begin our adventure. We prepped our bags said good bye to our cars and hit the trail. We started sharing stories of our lives since the last time we spoke. We stopped every ten feet to take pictures and admire the entrance to the canyons. About 90% of the trail is under water passing through the Virgin River. The river was moving swift and wasn't the easiest to cross or walk through. Anjie strongly suggested we find hiking sticks. I was so grateful for that advise. We reached our campsite just moments before dark. It would have been nearly impossible to hike in this river at night. The canyon walls now surrounded us and only a small sliver of tiny white stars peered down from the sky. We ate the most amazing soup for dinner, and slept like queens. In the morning Nicole had discovered a little field mouse had gone through her brain of her pack. It genuinely scared her because one of her biggest fears is rodents. I felt bad she was scared, but I was more upset about the mouse eating chocolate, I prayed he survived through the day.

We continued our hike through the Narrows, taking pictures every 10 feet because around each corner was a site more beautiful. The walls were endless, and the most brilliant shades of red and brown. The trees were changing colors because it was fall. I felt like we were in a coloring book with all the red, yellow, green, and orange leaves. The virgin river was illuminating greens and blues of every variety. The hike was fairly dangerous, with the rivers current running as fast as it was, and the rocks were very slippery from moss. But we all only fell a few times, and were strong during the rapid crossing, when it really mattered. We met some nice folks from Chico also, (such a small world). We took more pictures and reached the car. It was our next mission to retrieve the cars from the trail head. We all were dreading it.
The drive to the cars along the 17mile 4wd road seemed endless. We were all tired and hungry. We finally got to the other cars and began to follow Anjie back to the main road. Time to do the 17mile 4wd road again... This time around we missed our turn off and went 3 miles (15minutes) in the wrong direction. We had to turn around and go back. This wouldn't have been a big deal if we all didn't bottom out our cars 4 times from the insanely large boulders we had to scramble across in our 2wd Honda Civics.
We stopped in a little town outside Zion National Park and ate pizza. Best Pizza Ever. Then Nicole and I drove to the camp site at Red Rocks in NV where we would meet Anjie who was picking up Lil from the Airport. (Lil is a Chico State Grad Student who I met and was her teacher assistant for a few of her backpacking and canoeing classes) At the camp site Nik and I set up our sleeping bags and passed out.

In the morning we looked for our friend Ryan who we knew was camping there too. (Ryan went on Immersion with Anjie and I) Red Rocks gets some of the worlds best climbers during the month of November because the weather is so beautiful in NV, it is a time and place where tons of climbers come together. While catching up with Ryan we discovered he was camping with some of Lil's friends from her time working with Outward Bound. It really is crazy how small the world is. Then Dave and his friend Paul drove out from Vegas to Red Rock to take us climbing. We explored the back side of Red Rocks and just a fraction of Calico Basin where we set up a few top rope sites, Dave also did a few leads. I was having a ball, taking some of the best pictures I have ever taken. Red Rocks and Calico Basin is constructed of some of the most unique rock, its red and white, vibrant and unforgiving. I was in heaven.
After a full day of climbing, we drove to Dave's house in Vegas where we showered and ate an amazing meal. Then Dave and Paul treated us ladies to a show. We saw Jubilee in the Paris hotel with the director and lighting crew. We got to sit above the audience facing the stage. We could see everything. We also got to sit in some super sweet chairs. If you are going to see a show in Vegas, it has to be like this. Then we got to go backstage and take pictures with the Cast and even try on some of the head pieces the girls wear, boy those things were heavy! The next morning I took off and headed home. It was an amazing road trip/ birthday celebration. It felt incredibly liberating to go. I had been working 90 hour weeks since January and needed a break. I spent that time getting my mind right again. Realizing that the only way your life is going to happen is if you make it. You can not deny yourself the right to be free. God gave us wings, so flying is the only answer. This trip helped me remember what I learned on Immersion. Life isn't about money, it isn't about politics and social status. Life is about perusing the things you love with the people you love. Its about embarrassing gods gifts. Its about finding beauty in rare places, and finding beauty in ugly places. This trip helped me remember my Immersion semester, it helped me remember that I won't stop searching.
Some of the best pictures I have ever taken ~~> More Photos

MT Eddy Summit

Every single time I packed my bags and headed off on a trip my mom would look at me and say, "you're going to take me next time right?" I felt horrible. I knew she wanted to go, but truthfully I hadn't found a route that wouldn't make her hate backpacking and ruin the entire experience for her. One day while looking back at old pictures from my time teaching at Chico I remembered at Mt Eddy Summit trip I had run with Mike and again with Lil. I knew this route like the back of my hand since I had already done it twice. It was a course we had taken our beginners on. It was an easy hike in, and beautiful camp site on dead fall lakes and a challenging yet achievable summit to the top of Mt Eddy. We set the date and convinced my sister to come. We also invited my God Mother Jill, who I owe most of my achievements too. She is a an amazing woman who introduced me to my love for Canyon country at a young age. My family and I got to spend a few summers living on a house boat with her and her family in Lake Powell. A lake that left an ever lasting impression on my soul.

Of course we took the dogs. Shelby and her friend Bailey (Jills dog). We loaded Jills car and started driving North towards Mt Eddy, (located in between Shasta and Lassen). I was very excited because all three of my guest had never been backpacking. They have all day hiked, but never backpacked. I knew Jill could do it, she can do anything. I know I get my strength from my mom, so I knew she could hang and would have the best expedition behavior ever, shes a MOTHER. And as for my sister, I was skeptical, she enjoys her amenities, you know a toilet, a shower, running water. Though, we did grow up in the same house, so I knew she could kick ass too. The hike in was smooth, we took pictures and told stories, we ate snacks and told jokes. The trail up to the Dead Fall Lakes campsite is beautiful. Its a small narrow trial that runs along the middle of the mountain, making big curvy patterns along its cliff side. Waterfalls around every corner (the dogs loved this!)
We quickly reached the lake where we set up camp. It was more beautiful than I remembered. Probably because I was so impressed with my family. There was so much life around the lake. It was lush and green, contrasting with the dark black and white mountains covered in rock and snow.

 We all layed in the wild grass letting the sun warm our faces. We put on our swim suits and jumped in the lake. Shelby swam for hours, just chasing the splashes she created with her paws. Bailey watched. We decided to wake up at 3 am and head for the summit at 3:30am so we could be at the top by sunrise. I woke up at 3:30am and everyone was snoring. Especially the dogs. I loved them too much to wake them up. They were going to need their rest. I went back to bed. 5am. I started boiling water and woke everyone up with breakfast and coffee. We packed our day bags with snacks and water and then hit the trail for the summit. I was so proud of my sister, she was in the greatest shape I've ever seen her in. She was passing me up on the trail. As we gained elevation we started approaching more snow patches. Shelby and Bailey would run and roll in the snow like children playing for the first time. We reached the summit in awe.We took pictures and did the tourist thing, then went on our seperate ways to do some reflecting.

It was a beautiful moment. We were 6 strong beautiful women that just reached the top of a mountain. I couldn't have been more proud. My mom and sister had never done anything like this, and I felt so honored to be the one guiding them. It was icing on the cake to have Jill and Bailey with us to share the experience.
Celina's Photos

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This is my ankle the night before we left for the trip... I play soccer with men... and I'm kinda always hurt

REI Outdoor School

After graduating college and moving back home with ma and pa it was about time I started applying every where and anywhere. REI had always been my candy store, my shopping therapy, this store made me want to marry a sugar daddy. I also respected REI's employees who were always knowledgeable and helpful, and their customer service is the best. I was searching their website and applied for their Outdoor School. I also applied for every National Geographic internship and job possible. After receiving 23 rejection emails from Nat Geo, my heart sank and I began to think I would be working after school recreation for the City of Dublin the rest of my life. Until one Monday afternoon I was sitting in the gym waiting for the kids to get out of school when I received a call from REI, they wanted to interview me for their outdoor school. I passed the phone interview, met with Steve (my now boss) and things fell into place there. The next day I was attending a staff lunch meeting with one of the big guns of the company hearing their new ideas and plans. I was falling even more in love with this company. Then it was off to staff training at the "rendezvous"  where I met staff from Sacramento and the South Bay. Everyone I met was amazing. Educated, athletic, smart, and we all had a commonality, a passion for the outdoors. The entire weekend was filled with accident theory, mountain biking, kayaking, climbing and laughing. It was a wonderful weekend and I knew I was where I belonged. REI Outdoor School rendezvous and staff traning Photos
I began teaching classes soon after. Specifically How to Ride, were we teach adults how to ride a bike. This to me is the most rewarding class.
Adults have years of fear staked against them when they come to us. As adults, our ego's tell us a million reasons why we can't do things. Its our job to break those walls down and create a safe environment where people are free to learn, free to fail, and free to succeed. I'll never forget each of the faces I have taught. Individuals who over came a fear and now have access to freedom. Freedom to ride, to explore and to be healthy.
I also have had the pleasure of teaching several Sea Kayak courses, Map and Compass, rock climbing and Road Cycling. I am soon going to be teaching out of Sacramento, doing Cross Country Skiing and Snow Shoeing. I am so excited for new classes, but I do love my others just as much.
The main part of REI (outside the instructional experience) that I have gained is the friendships. The people I have met through the Outdoor School are all amazing incredible adults I learn so much from. They are kind, strong, intelligent, funny and over all good people I feel honored to call my co-workers. I look forward to more classes with them, and someday maybe even REI Adventures. If there is ever an activity you want to pursue but don't know where to begin, I strongly recommend REI's Outdoor School. Everyone is wonderful, and the information you will receive is the best, not because we are better than other companies, but because we care about you. More Photos

Backpacking Big Sur

Christine, and I decided to plan another trip before she took off for Colorado. We decided to go Big Sur because we had both always wanted to go backpacking there. We also heard of some amazing hot springs we were dying to find. One of our staff we had selected for the summer at Nature Day Camp was a guy named Garin. He and his friends are into backpacking and were very active members of their boy scout troop growing up, so we knew Garin could hang. We invited, he accepted. We loaded up the dogs (Kasey and Shelby) in Garins truck and headed down south. The drive was incredible. Highway 1 is absolutley breath taking. It was even more fun sitting in the back cab with the dogs on my lap. I can only imagine what we must have looked like to other cars. Two girls hanging out the right side of the truck taking pictures and two dogs hanging out the left side, covering the road with drool. What a site.
I love Christine and Garin very much, but I don't think I'll ever go backpacking just the three of us again. I will need a fourth companion! The two of them could talk and argue about ANYTHING for HOURS. It became comical, I just followed behind taking pictures as they engaged in a conversation about nothing. The hike up to the camp site was long, hot and rough. All incline. Not that I minded, I love being on an ass kicking trail. This was the most beautiful trial I had ever been on. Hills overlapped hills of wild flowers taller than myself. The ocean was on the west side and the sun was delicately lighting up the eastern hills and below lay a forest of redwoods and a river that zigzagged threw the mountains floor.
We had didn't find our campsite until it was very dark. We made dinner at set up camp. We then woke up early, set up a base camp and headed for the hot springs as a day hike. On the way there we encountered the strangest site. There was a group of boys, about 17-19 years old and trailing behind was one lone boy. He seemed lost. As we got closer we noticed he was caring a guitar and had no shoes. Now I will tell you, this hike is not the kind you want to be barefoot on. It was rough. My feet were hurting even in my hiking boots.
We encountered a lot of interesting people on the trail. Many "hippie" types and many unprepared types headed for the hot springs. When we got there we had to wait down river for a bit until one of the tubs cleared up. Most of them were filled with old naked men. We waited. Then the biggest of the 3 tubs opened up and Christine took off running in the middle of the river with Kasey to claim it. Garin and I grabbed her things and ours and headed up the hill to meet her, we had some things we didn't want to get wet. Garin and I had to find a route back down to the river and into the hot springs, there was a very steep hill side that Garin thought was the best route, I followed. Garin tripped on the steep incline and landed on his nalgene. It looked painful. For whatever reason I became nervous that he fell and slipped and fell, I skid down the steep hill and almost knocked Garin out. We both returned to the hot spring with a little blood. My butt burned the rest of the trip.
The remainder of the trip was pretty smooth. When we headed back to base camp we took a little swim break at a calm part of the river where the dogs could swim safe from the current. Some how as we were resting Christines nalgene escaped from her grasp and headed down stream. Next thing we knew Christine and Kasey were running down the river yet again. She was gone a good 20-30 minutes but returned successful.  LNT, leave no trace! No Man gets left behind! Hahaha. Love that Lady. The drive home was nice, we looked at pictures and laughed. Big Sur is unreal. One of the most beautiful places in California I have ever been too.
more photos~> More Photos
Garin's Photos

Teaching @ CSUC

From the time I started with the Outdoor Education program I was asked to be a teacher assistant for several classes. Mike the guy who got me hooked, asked me to help out with his beginning Rock Climbing class. I was basically just an extra set of eyes to make sure safety standards were met and then of course I got to go climbing. I was lucky enough to be an assistant for courses like, beginning backpacking, intermediate backpacking, beginning rock climbing, beginning white water canoeing, and snow camping/shoeing. I got to meet a lot of really great folks that wanted to get more out of their education like I had felt only a few semesters ago. I got the chance to practice my facilitation skills and become a better instructor. I learned the difference between guide and instructor, and I love being an instructor. With every trip I gained respect for my instructors who had shown me the way. I also learned about myself. I discovered my teaching techniques and style was different than others. I loved spending weekends with awesome students doing awesome activities. Some times I was challenged with students who were much older than myself. Taking instruction from someone younger than you is a very daunting task. One must swallow their pride in order to give you the trust and respect you deserve. I learned to be patient with those individuals and treat them with the respect I was asking for. I love Chico's Outdoor Education department because it allowed me to grow in all directions, emotionally, physically, instructionally, inter-personally, and of course intra-personally. It also allowed me to be apart of crucial decision making moments. It allowed me to grow by having other people depend on me for clear thought and reason. And that is a beautiful thing.
I also had the opportunity to volunteer as a paddling instructor for populations with special needs. Once a week I drove out to a private lake just north out side of Chico. Here there were about 6-7 people who had physical and mental delays. We used wilderness therapy techniques to allow these individuals the experience of a life time. Being an instructor for Chico was the single most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life. My friend Rochelle took some great pictures one day and she was nice enough to let me use them to make a project for my adaptive physical education class. This video is about 2 minutes long and makes me cry every time.
Canoeing with special populations video
This photograph is of the first backpacking trip I was a teacher assistant for. It was a snow camping trip and we used snow shoes to reach the summit of Mt Broke Off in Lassen National Forrest. Met some really great people on this trip.

Mt Shasta Summit

After the Yos trip, Marcus invited Christine and I to join him and his friend Kris to summit Mt Shasta. I was free so I was in. Christine had a family reunion and wasn't able to go. We met in Chico at my apartment and rented our cramp-ons, helmets, and ice axes from Adventure Outings. We hoped in Marcus' car from my apartment and headed towards Shasta. The closer and closer we got to the Mountain the more butterflies we all had in our bellies. Mt Shasta is the second largest mountain in California, and is just 200ft shy of Mt Whitney. Shasta has snow on its peaks year round and has been known to take its far share of lives.
 A few years before Marcus and a few of his friends had attempted at reaching the summit, but like boys wanted to do it in one day. One of their friends got severe altitude sickness and could not continue, so the boys turned around and headed home. The only cure for altitude sickness is to change your altitude, and quickly. This time around we decided to spread it out into three days and two nights. We headed up the trail. The first day was a breeze. We set up camp made a delicious meal, hung out and told stories all night. We slept in had a good breakfast and took off for the official "base camp" at Lake Helen (10,000ft). The hike to Lake Helen, was short and painful. We increased altitude quickly and could see the environment and weather change drastically. We set up our base camp, it was early after noon so we had plenty of time to hang out and relax. We played with our ice axes and cramp ons preparing for the push to the summit. In the early afternoon we could see a huge storm in the distance.
 The date was August and there had been thunder/lightning storms causing fires all over Northern California. When we had checked the weather report the storm wasn't expect for two more days. It was moving in faster and with a lot more furry. We could see the earth changing around us. There was a guide who was leading two people up the mountain near us, we decided to talk to them and see how they felt about the storm. The guide said it looked about 24 hours away and thats what her radio contacts at the bottom were hearing as well. We all decided to make the push for summit a 1am, under the full moon. This would allow us to be down from the summit and back at base camp hopefully by 8am. Then off the mountain by 12 just in time for the storm to hit. However we all know, no one controls the weather, its going to do exactly what it wants to do. The summit push was insane, I was cold, scared and had stuck in my head I didn't need to do this, that I could turn around at any point and wait for the boys at base camp. Marcus and Kris wouldn't have it. They kept me going, they weren't going to let me miss this summit if they had to drag me up by my cramp-ons. It was cold and I couldn't feel my fingers, it seemed almost impossible to dig my ice axe in deep enough. We finally reached the false summit and could see the storm was now creeping on the mountain. We hustled to the summit, wrote our name in the log book, took some pictures and hauled ass down.
We were on the highest point, during a thunder and lightning storm. Odds were not in our favor. I was tired and shaken up. The boys were rushing me by not waiting for my slow, feeble ass.  Some where on the way down I lost my cramp ons. I fell and rolled a few times. At one point Marcus and Kris said to me, "Just jump, we'll catch you." Even though it was the same spot they had lost a backpack years before, in the same process. We then reached the snow run off tunnels and started glaciating down the face. Marcus went first I was second and Kris was after me. It was the perfect blend of fun and scary. My butt was frozen numb. We stopped to switch shoots and Kris said to me quiet and afraid, "Are you on your period or something?" I was confused I looked down at the snow I had been sitting on, "NO WHY!" ... There was blood all over the snow, I looked at my back side, my pants had ripped open and it was so cold I couldn't feel my bare bum scrapping across the ice. Great. We had to keep coming, it was now dumping inches of snow per minute. We reached Lake Helen, we were surround by two huge ridge lines and could still hear and see lightning striking around us every 22 seconds. We layed in our sleeping bags scared, what do we do? Wait it out, or pack up and run? We waited about an hour until we heard the snow take a small break, but we had been holding on to a small thread of luck. The boys ditched their trekking poles and clean canteens and began heading down what we thought was the trail. I couldn't bare the thought of leaving poles and bottles behind. I grabbed them, I knew that metal was not an attractant to lightning just a conductor. It was impossible to find the trail. I wish I had had my snowboard...
We hauled our butts down to the bottom where it was torrential down pour. There were rangers and CSAR people down at the bottom getting ready for a rescue mission. They knew there were people up there and were expecting the worst. The group of people who had a guide we had spoken too earlier were still up there. They had ditched their gear and were headed down with nothing, we all hoped. It was the storm of the year, in fact the largest storm northern California has seen since. The lighting storm caused hundreds of wild fires keeping Cal Fire very busy.
We loaded the car and drove back to Chico. We all showered and ate the best meal we ever ate. We went out and danced at La Salles all night. We were exhausted and worn out, but we celebrated. Boy did we celebrate. The next day we packed our bags said good bye and the boys headed down south. What I learned from this trip is you can do anything as long as you are surrounded by the right people. I also learned  that we all have our moments of fear and clarity, be humble when its your turn to comfort.
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Yosemite: Wawona/ Half Dome

 Christine and I needed to bounce back.  After a trip like the feather river, we needed something more organized safe and intense. I had never fully experienced Yosemite so Christine and I decided thats where we would take our next trip. I had been keeping in touch with Marcus a guy from my Wilderness Living class (tall dark and handsome, yes you would keep in touch with him too). Marcus and his friend Jeremy were going to be hiking half dome around the same time Christine and I were doing a trip to Yos as well. We decided to co-mingle our trips and make it one big epic journey.
Christine and I headed for Yosemite, taking my car for fuel efficiency and drove to Yosemite. It was July so naturally the place would be packed. We arrived in the park around 10 at night. We drove around in the dark like headless chickens. No camp sites were available and it was so damn dark we had no idea where to keep looking. We made an executive decision to park in the hotel parking lot and sleep until 3 am, which is when we had to head to the ranger station to get permits for half dome.  Our car was filled with food, our gear and us. It was July. Our windows were down. We were in Yosemite... Bears... Smart? No.
I didn't sleep much, I have never been one to do well in heat. I tossed and turned trying not to honk the horn with my knees. My Honda Civic isn't the best choice for car camping. I was startled when I heard 40 lbs jump on the hood of my car. It was dark but I could see its green glowing eyes. It was a raccoon. I stared at him, he started at me. I was a deer in headlights, frozen in my sleeping bag. I had never seen one so big. He began walking closer to the wind shield. He put his paws on the glass and began tapping, as if he was trying to wake Christine. I said, "good idea," and began trying to wake Christine up. She ignored me and rolled on her side. The raccoon began climbing up the windshield towards the open sun roof. I began shaking Christine, I was so scared, I'm still to this day not sure why. She finally woke up angry, "what Sil!?"... "AHHH" I replied. She screamed. We both began pounding the doors and shaking the car, hoping to get the big guy off. We had no idea what else to do. Finally he jumped off, turned and lifted his nose to us, then walked away. In the morning we examined my car and found paw prints all over the vehicle. They were even at the door handle as if they were trying to open the car door and get in. We both laughed at each other because we realized how dumb we were to sleep in a car full of food in bear country. A raccoon should have been the least of our worries.
After these realizations we continued to wait in line for our Half Dome permits for 4. We were there early but there were so many other people before us. We got the last 4 permits and had to leave from Glacier point. However our scheduled date wouldn't be for two days. We had planned a route in Wawona so we headed there next.

Wawona is in the South end of Yosemite. Its hot. Very hot. We had a 20mile loop in mind. It was rated, "extremely challenging." The entire first 5 miles were zig zag up hill. When we reached the top there was the most breath taking set of water falls. I'll never forget its simplicity and beauty. Pools and pools of fresh water all leading towards one giant fall. We stripped down and went swimming. As we began gearing up to hit the trail again we met some guys. They were from Modesto and I asked them if they knew my best friend Tyson, he had grown up in that area. Sure enough they were from the same town and had even gone to grade-high school together. The guy was kind of cute so I gave him my email address. As we began to continue up the summit the guys flashed Christine and skinny dipped with no shame. I'm pretty sure Christine still has nightmares. She was so shocked, I was glad I hike with my head down because I missed it all, she looked at me and said, "YOU KNOW they knew what they were doing!" I couldn't help but laugh, of course they did. Haha.
Hot and exhausted, we finally reached a suitable camp site. We set up shop and began to make dinner and build a fire for smoores. Christine taught me a bit more about camp fires. Then early in the morning we took off to the end of the loop, to the car, to drive back  to the valley to meet the boys. When we arrived into the valley we were exhausted, we ate and waited for the boys. They arrived around 8 at night. We all got in Marcus' car and headed for the trail head at Glacier point. I gave Christine the "eye" because Jeremy was a stud bucket!
We got to the trail head around 10, packed our bags mentally prepared ourselves and hit the trail for half dome. The boys wanted a sunrise summit so we would have to hike the entire night. The hike was long but fun because we stopped every half hour for pictures. We had no idea what surrounded us. I felt very grateful we did most of the hiking at night, when I couldn't see just how sketch most of the routes up to the cables were. At the cables Christine and I were both physically and emotionally exhausted. Jeremy and Marcus were feeling great! Jeremy shot up the cables headed for the top, we only had a little time before sun rise. I took off after him. Christine had a major panic attack on her way up. Thankfully Marcus was there with her the entire time, making her laugh and helping her forget what she was doing.  The top was unbearable. We took so many pictures. The boys had brought wine in a bladder and began celebrating. Christine was too shook up to drink and I was already too intoxicated off the view. We then ate some breakfast enjoyed the view a bit longer, Marcus updated his facebook status from the top because his iphone hit a strange pocket of service, and we headed down.
Going up wasn't an issue for me because I was able to stare at Jeremy's back side the whole way up, but going down was another story. Now that it was day light I was able to see what the hell I was standing on and what I was holding onto. This is when I lost it. I had to go down the entire way backwards. I refused to look. I was frightened out of my mind. Christine helped and comforted me down. Now we had to hike all the way back down to the car. Christine and I were exhausted. We hadn't slept and we had just put in a 20 mile trip just hours before. When we reached the car, we had celebratory Blue Moons. We laughed and told silly jokes about our conquer. We looked at some pictures, told a few more stories, then packed our bags up and headed home. That trip was hard. But nothing will ever be as hard as Immersion. However, now I could appreciate every detail of that trip, every ounce of hardness made the trip that much more memorable. Jeremy and Marcus became people that I care about a lot. They were now officially bonded with my heart. 
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Canoeing Feather River

On another week of Nature Day Camp being canceled, Christine and I decided to head up North to the Feather River and go canoeing. We drove to her Dads house and grabbed his old canoe. We had no idea how heavy it was going to be. We both had to call to our inner hulk's and load the old metal canoe onto her Jeep. We tied it down with a few sexy knots on the front, back and all sides. We then drove off into the sun rise, getting about 10 miles to a gallon with the enormously large and heavy canoe aboard our already giant gas guzzler. We loaded the cooler with beer and sandwiches. During this time of year the water was low and we had beta it would be a slow current. As we gently meandered down the Feather we drank beers and laughed, we were carelessly headed to the hot springs where we would camp and drink some more.
One moment we were enjoying ourselves and the next a storm was brewing just miles behind us. The sky was quickly changing and we could see the storm moving fast. We were instantly sober and began paddling with force. We reached points in the river were it was so low we had to stick our feet out and push against bigger rocks, too lazy to get out. We then reached a part in the river we had to portage, there was no way around a huge circling hole with a rapid and drop out we wanted nothing to do with. We yet again called to our inner Hulks and began scrambling across boulders, rolling our ankles wet across rocks. We were carrying a canoe way too old and heavy for transport. I was in the bow so I was caring the front meaning I had to enter the water first, once we reached it. I had to submerge my feet in water that could only have been ignored for years to turn that shade of brown. Christine hoped in the boat and chucked evilly as I continued to pull us threw the muck. I still remember the smell of stagnant, mossed water.
We finally were on deep water and began paddling like it was our authority. The storm was closing in on us. The river then began to narrow as we approached several rapids class 2 and 3 we were not ready to move through. Christine set our line and I paddled like hell. We made it past one. Then the next came and our canoe was too old and too large for us buzzed girls to steer clear. The canoe became wrapped around a rock and the paddles were headed down the river. Christine went after the paddles and I secured all items from off the canoe to the bank with much struggle. The current was fast and I was a bit shaken up from the turn over. The boat became stuck to what seemed like an impossible position. We had to get the boat free. There was no choice. Leave No Trace! No Man Left Behind! Its My Dads Canoe! SOOO We yet again called on our inner Hulks and pushed, pulled, kicked, screamed and shoved the canoe with such an awful force it had no choice but to come free. I had bruises on my ribs, and my legs were a beautiful tie die bruised purple and black for many weeks after.
We eventually reached the hot springs and were far too tired to camp. We decided to drive to Chico and stay at my friend Brendens "farm" house. We showered and set up shop, then naturally like any girls in Chico would, we headed to the bars. It only took us a few whiskey cokes to get sauced. We had been dehydrated and over worked all day. When we got back to Brendens we attempted to eat top ramen and passed out before opening the bags. The next day was Christine's birthday, we had to drive home more hung over than ever.... This trip was really interesting, everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. But we had fun, we got closer and we learned A LOT on that trip... The main thing, get a water proof camera, there are no pictures for this blog because everything in the boat went under when the boat was wrapped around the rock...

Backpacking Mt Lassen

With weeks off at a time Christine and I were able to go on our own epic adventures together. With only knowing each other a short few weeks we were already hoping in our car with our dogs and our sleeping bags. The drive was insane. Kasey (Christine's Dog a LARGE chocolate lab) thinks he is a lap dog and wanted to sit in the front seat of my Honda civic on Christine's lap. Then there is Shelby (my dog who is a border collie/Queensland heeler) wining and barking in the back because she wants to get out and play.

 I didn't mind any of it. It made the drive more interesting. We first stopped at Subway Cave where we were greeted with dirty looks for having our pups with us. Christine and I simply laughed at those people, we couldn't help it if our dogs were better behaved then their children.  Subway Cave was a very scary, dark, cold, 1/4mile walk underground. It honestly felt like it was a 4mile walk. Shelby didn't like how dark it was and Kasey kept running into the cave walls.

We then continued our journey to Mt Lassen where we had found a wonderful route. It was to be 20miles in 3 days two nights, plus a 6hour drive there and back. We were on PCT in the Cascade Mountains (Lassen National Forrest) Hatch Creek Area. At first we were nervous because we didn't see water for quite a ways into the hike. But as we got deeper and deeper into the Nation Forrest and Park we began to see it was plentiful of water.
The first night we got into camp we slept by a huge creek junction, we weren't exactly sure were we where, but had a rough idea. In the middle of the night we woke up to a car idling right next to our tent. I looked at Christine, we both held each other and our dogs, fearful of the strangers in a vehicle. "WHY THE HELL IS THERE A CAR HERE?" We both were baffled. The dogs were barking which elevated our level of fear. Soon the car drove away, we slept little after that. In the morning we discovered we had been camping exactly where we had planned in our pre trip time control plan. We were located at a major junction and bridge were many cars apparently traveled.
On the trip Christine showed me how to build a fire. I learned that not all people practice the same level of Expedition Behavior as others. In fact in some places it's not even taught, but regardless everyone appreciates a backpacking buddy with good EB. The next day we set off and continued on our journey. We hardly knew each other but enjoyed learning about one an others lives and histories.  I also learned that Shelby has very very sensetive puppy paws, Christine preformed surgery in the back country and bandaged Shelby's paws up so she could continue on the trip with out pain. The trip was a success,  the dogs had fun, we had fun, and all the while being safe. This was the first to many of our adventures.

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Nature Day Camp Summer 09

After returning from a complete outdoors school, it was time to return to my summer job, running children's summer day camps. My boss had heard about my trip and knew I would be perfect for the new program he had just gotten approved, The City of Dublin's Glen the Guide Nature Day Camp. I met my new co-worker Christine. It would be her and I running an 8 hour day camp with children and partnering with East Bay Regional Parks district coordinating on and off site field trips. Christine and I were given complete freedom to create and design this program from the floor up. We were able to purchase and order any and all supplies we could imagine.
We created a day to day break down with weekly themes and daily crafts and games, all nature based. Christine was the logistics and I was the creativity. Together we made the "power couple". We instantly bonded because of our passion for the outdoors and our love and devotion to children. We complemented each other in every way. Where I was disorganized she was structured, where I was creative and spontaneous she had plans.
We were an amazing team, that created an amazing program which generated a lot of buzz.  The summer was unforgettable. Parents were raving about how wonderful our camp was. Unfortunately it was still new so many a few weeks were cancelled due to low enrollment. However this allowed for Christine and I to go on a few backpacking trips of our own (But that will be another post).
Our main focus of the camp was Leave No Trace, Trail Dangers/ Safety tips for traveling in the wilderness and inter/intra personal relationship growth. The following summer of 2010 was just as epic. Christine was only able to be there for the planning of the summer (thank heavens I at least had her for that) and then it was me, with the staff we had chosen. That next summer was great but it wasn't the same without Christine. I had wonderful help, but no one could replace her.
At first I felt alone in the process, always trying to come up with activities unique to the topic and to the day. Luckily my JLP (Junior Leader) Josh who had been there last year really began to fill Christine's shoes. He was now my other creative half, coming up with activities and crafts that carried intrinsic value. I was so proud of him and so excited to see what else he would come up with. Both summers were very successful. So successful in fact I was asked to speak at a CPRS district 3 fall institute conference. I was not fully prepared to the extent of my speech, but when I was up infront of about 100+ people speaking on behalf of Nature Day Camp, I couldn't help but glow with excitement. We were the first City program to partner with East Bay Regional Parks district, and were very successful two years in a row. People had questions, wanted guidelines for their camps. It was a wonderful experience to answer those questions. I LOVE NATURE DAY CAMP!
I also created a website for the parents to get updates and see pictures of their children throughout the weeks... heres the link where you can find more pictures and information on the camp http://www.naturedaycamp.webs.com/

Immersion 2009

The Immersion Semester I have yet to be able to put into words. I can tell you the basics, but the actual events that happen are still developing in my mind. Essentially this was an 80 day back country wilderness training, through CSU CHICO. 12 students, 4 instructors, and lots of desert! We had a winter section where we telemark skied, lived in qhuinzees and avalanche trained. There was the Rock climbing section where we set up top rope sites, lead climbed, did multi pitch routes in the house range. Then we were in South Eastern Utah in the four corners desert canoyneering and backpacking as well as explored ruins. Then the last section was on the San Juan River canoeing and rafting on white water, all the while getting 16 units! The only way I could put this trip into words was to use other peoples, so naturally I filmed the entire trip and then made a nice little video for us all to share with our friends and family so they can have a small glimpse into our lives for three months being the privileged homeless.

Video Immersion 2009

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Here are also a few of my favorite pictures take from the semester

I also wrote a letter to the president at CSU Chico about what the Outdoor Ed Program gave me...

Dear President Zingg,

As I’m driving down Highway 50, the moon is full and reflecting a
brilliant shade of blue off of the snowy mountains. It reminds me of a
2-degree night on the winter section of Immersion. At that moment I am
grateful for being in a car, but also nostalgic of the winter and the
mountain. I miss the companionship of my cook group, the taste
of hot chocolate with malt balls, and the warm smiles from
the faces of people who I hold so dearly to my heart.  My eyes begin to
water and I can taste the salt of a tear as it hits my warm lips. I
begin to think of how my life was before the Outdoor Education
Department came into my life.

      I like to think of myself once as an obedient and semi trained Border
Collie; lots of energy, very smart, and exceeding my trainers
abilities. My parents had raised me by teaching me the skills I would need
for success, however they themselves couldn’t offer me the best
training. The Outdoor Education Department found me, assessed the
skills I had, and trained me to an even finer perfection. It harnessed
what I knew and brought me to a higher caliber, a place my parents and I
always knew I could get to, but didn’t have the abilities to get me there.

      My first Outdoor Education class was a beginning Rock
Climbing class with Mike Dent. I had never met a teacher that showed
me unconditional respect and passion for what he was teaching. When
the class was over, I knew I needed more. After reading my “what I want
paper” (describing what I wanted from the class), Mike had me meet Dr.
Reid Cross to enlist me into the Outdoor Education Certificate
program. I had no idea what that meant, and how much it would change
my life.

      I was then enrolled in the Kine 226;Methods of Teaching Wilderness
Living. As I sat in Dr. Reid Cross’ class I thought to myself, “I
don’t want to teach this stuff, I’m just trying to go on a backpacking
trip.” Little did I know how insanely wrong I was. After spending an
enchanting 10 days in Utah’s desert, I knew I would never be able to
get enough. I began teacher assisting in any and every class I could
get my hands on. Then I signed up to take Kine 227, Winter and the
Mountain. Dr. Cross was shocked I was going, but extremely supportive
and excited. The feeling of having so much support and respect from a
man like Dr. Cross is a powerful feeling. With him teaching me I knew
I could do anything. I’ve always been told by parents and teachers,
“you can do anything you put your mind to,” however, I never truly
felt that way, until I was taught under Dr. Cross and the other
Outdoor Education Department professors. To comprehend that one has
the ability to literally do anything, is frightening and intoxicating.

      When I heard about the Immersion Semester offered, I knew it was
perfect for me. An entire semester taught in the backcountry. Learning
extremely technical skills as well as perfecting interpersonal skills
and self-exploration. When I was accepted I was beyond ecstatic. My
parents, scared and unsure, were happy for me and did their best to
understand the unconventional schooling I’d be getting. They
saw the light in my eyes whenever outdoor activities were talked
about, and they knew saying no was not an option. After all they are
the ones who told me I “could do anything I put my mind to.”

To say this semester was hard, is an under statement. To say it was challenging, wouldn’t do the course justice. Every day I was pushed to be better, everyday I made decisions that would directly affect my environment and myself. I learned the meaning of honesty, respect, integrity, compassion and strength. I understood endurance, and putting the greater good ahead of you.

Now I am a California State University Chico graduate and I feel so
honored to say I got my certificate in Outdoor Education. I am sad I
missed out on the opportunity to major in it however; the education I
got was best suited for me. I am currently working for REI’s Outdoor
School as an instructor, teaching sea kayaking, beginning rock climbing
and many cycling courses.

The Outdoor Education Department made me a stronger member of society.
It changed my life and made me a better person. I never really knew
what I wanted to do when I grew up, and I never knew what kind of
person I wanted to be. Completing the Outdoor Education certificate
gave my life meaning. It gave me direction and a passion I now am so
fortunate to share with others. I love where my life is, and I love
where I am going. I owe all my professional and personal successes to
the Outdoor Education department. Without it, I probably wouldn’t know
what kind of person I wanted to be. Now, after the program, I can
analyze myself and identify that I am a compassionate, strong,
efficient, integral, and fun person that others can trust their
lives with.

      My life has been truly blessed by this program, and I will do
anything and everything in my power to help it remain a program at
Chico State. I feel the program and people in it are so important, and
I hope that other students also get to experience education through
the Outdoor Education Department for generations to come. This is a
program that is well known and respected; to lose it would be an
irrevocable loss that breaks my heart to imagine.

Many Thanks,

Silvana Hidalgo

c/o 2009

Winter and the Mountain

After having the time of my life on Wilderness Living, naturally I wanted more. I asked my classmate Ellen, who had become my role model/mama bear what class I could take next. She told me about Winter and The Mountain. It was essentially the same trip, only it included ski's, snow, and avalanche training. It would be located in the Tahoe area, start and end point would be Carson's Pass. I was sold. Sign me up! When Reid heard I was going to do take this class he said, "You're full of surprises aren't you Silvana!" I laughed because he really had no idea.When he first heard of me,  my professor Mike described me as a "sorority type of girl," In the outdoor ed department they weren't used to girls like me, ones who wore make up and could kick your ass in a pair of pink wedges. ( Funny thing was, I am not nor will I ever be a sorority girl. I've always been a boy in girls clothing. I was on the wrestling team when I was 12 because the boys said a girl couldn't keep up. I showed them. I got 3rd place in a tournament of 30 in my weight class. I was a swimmer and had been playing tackle soccer my whole life. I also dabbled in pitching for my softball team, tennis and powder puff football). All I knew was physical activities and I will admit, I did love a pink dress and some sparkly eye shadow. I got the best from both my parents. )

Before the trip, like any other, we spent time studying avalanches, weather patterns, nutrition, geology and even understanding winter vs. non winter rations. We bagged our own food according to the formulas, and packed our bags according to what Reid said would suffice. Seemed like so little for such an epic winter journey. On the date of the trip we had to be at campus at 4am, we (the 12 students) had to take the initiative to load the bus ourselves. We setup fire lines and got the sleds in the bus, the skis and the packs. This is when we realized no one would be "holding our hands" on this trip. I had only been on ski's one other time and that was with Corey and Ellen (two other people who had been on Wilderness Living) I was scared but fearless. 

This trip was hard for everyone around me. Yes I struggled up the mountain's hillside, my skins were falling off and my sled was pulling me backward. Falling face first in fresh snow with a 150+ lbs sled on your hips and a 70lbs pack on your back isn't easy to recover from. For whatever reason I loved it. I imagined my self being a sled dog, it was my job, this is what I was born for. Plus I had 4 other people behind me cheering me on, laughing with me as I fell and rolled. I was having fun and had the support of my classmates. It snowed A LOT on us. A LOT. Did I say A LOT?
Unfortunately two of my classmates who I had become very close with had to leave after only a few days.  Jeff and Amy were our married couple that had gone on Wilderness living with me. Jeff and I had become very close on the Wilderness Living trip and Amy and I had started working out together in preparation for Winter and the Mountain. I had become a Teacher Assistant for both of them in the time between. I could talk to them about anything. Jeff fell ill on the ski in. I'm not sure exactly what it was but it had to do with his heart, and it was not happy. He and Amy were evacuated and sent to the hospital in an ambulance and did not return on the trip. I was very upset, and disappointed in myself, why hadn't I noticed Jeff wasn't feeling well, I didn't get to talk to them. I felt upset and uneasy. We later learned Jeff was doing alright and he needed to get his rest at home.

On the 3rd day of the trip we were taught how to build a qhuinzee. We were told proper safety precautions and proper techniques to making "bomber proof" homes. When my group (there were 3 groups of 4 students and one group of 4 instructors) was beginning to dig out our qhuinzee, it collapsed on my group mate Dave. It was incredibly scary and we all panicked. We quickly got him out, Dave was shaken up but not hurt. About 200lbs of snow collapsed on him. Reid was disappointed in the way we all reacted. I was more worried about getting our home rebuilt. After that Dave wasn't up for continuing to be what we call the "mole" (the person who digs out the qhuinzee). I wasn't to worried, I saw what happened and I knew if it were to collapse on me, my classmates would now have a better method of getting me out. I volunteered to continue. In the end we had a wonderful home.

  Regardless of the weather, sunny or snowy I felt great, I was filming, eating bacon and living in the snow. I was also with another outstanding group of people, Corey the professor I had a mini crush on was there, Amanda and Ellen my female super heroes, and Reid my first real mentor, I looked up to him as if he were God. I was also becoming a better skier everyday. After a few days I was moved into a group that needed a little more emotional support. Reid called me his hero. I didn't know why but I loved the attention. 

I can remember one of the worst days though. We were practicing our skiing. We broke into groups and were supposed to ski down this hill "spooning each others tracks". I was last to go in my group. I was trying to follow the tracks, but I crashed into a tree and some bushes. I saw a rabbit run for its life after my tornado of a body came crashing into its home. I laid there wanting to cry, my group had left me, I couldn't get up and I was the worst skier. After about 2 minutes of self pity boiled through my blood, I gathered my self and remembered that no one here was going to hold my hand. I got up and caught up to my group. Later that day I tumbled down the side of the mountain face, my ski went flying down into a huge crevasse, which a classmate, Chris fled after. He saved it. He saved me. Reid laughed, I was not ready for a skiing day like that. 

The rest of the trip was cake, it was sunny and warm. We practiced transiever searches, basically played with beeping toys in the snow, just like a treasure hunt. I was a snow pirate! Then the next thing you know, I was on a bus headed home. This trip was now the most epic event in my life thus far. I learned my love for the snow. I learned my love for the weather. I learned and understood and respected proper nutrition. I learned the importance of trusting others and being trust worthy. I learned that a smile even on the coldest, darkest day, can make even the sun seem dull. Naturally, I took my camera and filled the trip. I even took some pictures for a book my professor Reid would be having published. Heres the link to the short 4-5minute video and a few of my favorite pictures :-)

Winter & The Mt Video
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Methods of Teaching Wilderness Living

In fall of 2005 I officially became a college freshman at California State University, Chico. Here is where I decided to study Media Arts. After a few weeks I craved for something more. I dissected the student catalog and signed up for beginning rock climbing with my roommate Becky. It's funny to imagine how naive I was to think I'd just be climbing a few rocks. After the experience with my professor Mike, I was amazed at this world of outdoors, yet again I needed more. 

The next semester I was enrolled in Beginning Backpacking with Mike, again. He asked us to write a paper entitled, "What I want". He wanted to know that we were here for more than just an easy A. I don't quite remember what I wrote in that paper but whatever it was Mike had me in his office meeting with Reid the director of Outdoor Education Department. Before I could blink I was signed up for a ten day backpacking trip in Utah's Desert, specifically the Escalante. I can remember sitting in the class before the trip during lectures saying to myself, "What is he saying? I don't want to teach this to people, I just want to go on the trip." How very wrong I was. 

The experience was the single most amazing event in my life thus far. Everyday we woke up to sand in our faces and in our toes. It was beyond anything I could describe as cold. We scaled the sides of canyon walls and crossed the very full Escalante River with our packs un-clipped, just in case. We heard stories of people drowning in 2 feet of water because their packs were clipped when they fell. We learned how to use maps and compasses in the hardest terrain, the desert. We baked elaborate meals with one small backpacking stove. We boiled and filtered very brown sandy water. We pushed each other, and learned on each other. On Thanksgiving we spent the entire day in silence, thinking, writing, and exploring. We visited a small very delicate ruin, where the Anasazi once lived. Touched corn cobs and bedroom walls.  I remember looking out imagining what they must have felt, what they were planning for, what they saw through those wild eyes. At the end of that day we came together for a feast, I had spent most of the day writing things about each person that I appreciated. I shared them with the group, I was glad it was dark so people could only hear my feelings and not see them on my face as well.

At night we'd lay under our tarps laughing and crying having the time of our lives. The people on that trip I will never forget. Every single one of them touched my heart. They made my first trip in the back country unforgettable. I learned how to be self reliant, and dependable. I learned the true value of team work and what true expedition behavior meant. I learned all the skills my mom had, were ones I reflected to others. I learned I was a bad ass.

Ps. Of course being a Media Arts student I had to bring my camera with me and make a mini documentary about the trip and a little info on LNT (Leave No Trace) Here is the link to the video I made, its short about 4-5minutes and then a few pictures from the trip as well.

 LNT Video of Wilderness Living