Students practice their survival skills

Eleven students from Heather Johnson’s high school Emergency Care class put their four weeks of extensive survival coursework into practice at Tumalo Mountain (across from Mount Bachelor off of Dutchman’s Flat) on Thursday, February 2.

The group practiced their snowshoeing skills, built snow shelters and had some avalanche training.

Students, along with Johnson, her husband Brandon and Vice Principal Mark Stewart, started their snowshoe trek at the Sno-Park and headed about a half mile up Tumalo Mountain.

“It took much longer because there was so much new snow,” said Johnson. “The kids had to post-hole all the way.”

(Post-holing occurs when your weight is heavier than the snow can support and you sink in deeply with each step).

Once the group arrived at the designated area students broke into groups of two and three and chose an area where they wanted to create their survival shelter. After approximately three hours the snow shelters were complete.

From there groups were taken one at a time to a remote area where the chaperones had set up a mock avalanche. Off to the side of the avalanche, Johnson built a snow pit to show students potential weak layers in the snow slab that could indicate a possible avalanche.

“I showed the kids how snow consolidates and the different types of snow crystals that make for weak layers,” said Johnson. “When I was through talking I informed them there was a ‘victim’ among the debris. With avalanche probes and shovels, as well as the use of an avalanche beacon, the students were to try and find the ‘victim’ in the shortest amount of time as possible to insure survival of the ‘victim.’

“Every group used an avalanche beacon to receive the victim’s signal from its avalanche beacon. Once they found where the victim was located they probed and dug out the victim, which happened to be simply an avalanche beacon stored in a plastic container,” said Johnson.

After each group found their victim in the avalanche they had a time of show-and-tell with their snow caves.

“We critiqued them and marveled at them and then the kids demolished them to leave no trace,” said Johnson. “I’m not sure what was more fun and exciting for the students, making the shelters or destroying them.

“Chelsea Addison jumped on the roof of her shelter and tried repeatedly to cave it in. We discussed how strong and well-built the shelter was. Suddenly, she fell through and all we could see was her face. We encouraged her to try and get out on her own, comparing her situation to that of an avalanche victim.”

The entire experience was very physical but according to students a great learning experience and a lot of fun.

“The trip we took was invaluable for the experience it gave us in dealing with the elements in a winter environment. I’m that much more confident in my abilities, and it was an all around good time,” said Cruz Bryan.

“I’ve never been snow shoeing before and I can’t wait to go again. And, working with a friend to build the coolest snow cave rocked,” said Jenny Boswell.

Of the snow cave, Trevor Summers said, “It was like I was in heaven and walking upon the clouds.”

Jake Kleint said, “It was really challenging to remove the snow from the cave, especially when it gets packed down from being on top of it.”

Johnson said, “I love days like this. Nothing is more rewarding for a teacher than to have an opportunity for students to apply their skills out in the field, especially when they’re enjoying every second of it. Their hard work, both in preparation and on the day of the outing, made it rewarding for everyone. It’s comforting to know that these students not only have a true appreciation for nature, but that they also possess the necessary knowledge and skills for a back-country survival situation.”