Greetings and Salutations from Vagabond Ranch where we are happily learning about snow! Today has been quite the day full of a lot of information, laughter, and community.
This morning we woke up around 7:30 and had breakfast - old fashioned oatmeal and yogurt with granola. The kids did a great job cooking and eating. After breakfast we took a short break before getting dressed and heading out into the snow to learn about snow layers and avalanche safety. The first lesson happened in the hut - an overview of snow itself and what makes it so unique. Sarah discussed the importance of what we were going to learn and then we headed outside for snow exploration.
Students divided into five small groups and took turns collecting, measuring, and observing snow outside of the hut. They used a magnifying glass and a small measuring tablet that had many squares divided into one, two, or three millimeters squared. In addition, groups dug their first snow pits and made observations and hypotheses about the safety of the snow in our area. In the initial pits, there were many layers including the fresh snow as well as an incredibly weak layer that students found right away - this was an example of one avalanche "red flag." We headed back inside to prepare for our long hike and discuss what we had learned so far.
After our talk, kids suited up in their gear and strapped on snowshoes or skis with skins. We headed to the south(ish) of our hut to check the conditions of a small hill that we might have the opportunity to cut some tracks in. The snow was incredibly deep on the walk over (we were on flat terrain) and students had the opportunity to hear the "WHUMP" - another avalanche "red flag." Sarah explained that we were safe due to the fact that we were not on a slope greater than 25*. Students on snowshoes struggled to stay above the snow as we cut our trail and also observed the unstable layers when poles were inserted into the snow. After about forty-five minutes, we had reached our destination.
Once we arrived, we moved about a third of the way up the hill and students divided into groups again. Sarah demonstrated the correct method of digging a snow pit as well as the data that needed to be collected in order to assess the danger or lack thereof in the area. Students worked at the same elevation across the hill with three groups spanning an area of about twenty feet. Each group studied their pit for the following things:
-number of layers of snow
-temperature of each layer
-type of snow in each layer
-total depth of pit (from top to dirt)
-depth of each layer
-pressure test to assess slide possibility using a snow saw and various "tapping" methods
This session took us about twenty minutes in total. When each group had completed their data, they were asked to determine whether or not it would be a safe place to ski using the color codes - green = good, yellow = 50/50, and red = bad. The group on the southern most side had the fewest layers and the safest snow while the group on the northern most side had the most layers and less safe snow. However, the students and Sarah determined that the danger of us skiing this hill was green - due to not only the snow, but the slope of the hill (about 22*). Once this was done, several students, Sarah and I headed up the hill to ski down. The turns down were quick, but the powder was deep and it was a lot of fun.
Lunch followed where students filled up on calories and game-time. After that, a required quiet rest hour where they could sleep, rest, and re-charge before afternoon adventures. This afternoon, students had a choice of three activities. Sarah led a group on an extended tour - they did a lot of exploring and found a teepee to investigate. Andrew took a group out to learn about trees - they took a short hike, found and followed fox tracks while also searching out different kinds of trees. They saw Aspen, Spruce, and Lodgepole Pines before meeting up with Sarah's group and heading the the teepee. My group (hi, this is Liz writing....) stayed at the hut and worked on some mountain-inspired odes. We spent some time outside and worked on using descriptive language and pulling inspiration from nature. Below, you'll find the odes that students wrote this afternoon.
The sun has set and the kids are in for the night. They're currently working on dinner (burrito bar), reading, writing, keeping the fire burning and interrogating Andrew and Sarah about science things. Tonight we will have another reflection group to discuss using senses and listening to "gut feelings." Tomorrow we have a full day planned before heading out to the hot springs early Wednesday morning. Thanks for following our adventure and enjoy the odes and pictures below.
Ode to Silence -- Marie
When you think of silence,
what do you hear?
The deafening sound is unimaginable.
Something so miraculous,
yet so breakable,
sits within each of us
but is so rare
and complicated
to grasp.
The valuable noise isn't really a noise after all,
is it?
Ode to Fire - Allyssa
Ode to a delightful fire ,
the peaceful heat - warmth
as the flickering flames spread
uncontrollable
into a relaxing sensation of the night
watching the coals burning
of the hot change
trying to stay
awake
Ode to Snow - Tate
snow's sick
the white flakes all unique
varied shapes and sizes
built of tiny crystals
that fall fluffy and wet
packed into layers
that we can shred
the beautiful white snow
consistently cold
gentle individually
but harsh in a ball
snow's sick
Ode to Avalanches - Maysie
an unexpected spark
a crack bursting through the deep freezing blanket of snow
slowly, then swiftly tumbling down
in destructive magnificence
clearing path in its wake
removing obstacles in a monstrous cloud falling and flying fast
without bounds, crushing the hill before them
crumbling trees, moving the forest,
creating destruction, destructing creation
Ode to Teamwork - Lezette
what comes to mind when you hear the word teamwork?
when I think of teamwork, friendship comes to mind
also community and bonding
having teamwork can be helpful and is necessary
teamwork gives you experience
teamwork is good
#marie
Ode to Handwarmers - Carlee
My palms are warm and toasty
where blue fingers turn pink and dreadful becomes fun
ode to my handwarmers
for keeping my body safe
to the chemicals that ignite my personal fire
and keep my gloves much drier
ode to my "little hotties"
This morning we woke up around 7:30 and had breakfast - old fashioned oatmeal and yogurt with granola. The kids did a great job cooking and eating. After breakfast we took a short break before getting dressed and heading out into the snow to learn about snow layers and avalanche safety. The first lesson happened in the hut - an overview of snow itself and what makes it so unique. Sarah discussed the importance of what we were going to learn and then we headed outside for snow exploration.
Students divided into five small groups and took turns collecting, measuring, and observing snow outside of the hut. They used a magnifying glass and a small measuring tablet that had many squares divided into one, two, or three millimeters squared. In addition, groups dug their first snow pits and made observations and hypotheses about the safety of the snow in our area. In the initial pits, there were many layers including the fresh snow as well as an incredibly weak layer that students found right away - this was an example of one avalanche "red flag." We headed back inside to prepare for our long hike and discuss what we had learned so far.
After our talk, kids suited up in their gear and strapped on snowshoes or skis with skins. We headed to the south(ish) of our hut to check the conditions of a small hill that we might have the opportunity to cut some tracks in. The snow was incredibly deep on the walk over (we were on flat terrain) and students had the opportunity to hear the "WHUMP" - another avalanche "red flag." Sarah explained that we were safe due to the fact that we were not on a slope greater than 25*. Students on snowshoes struggled to stay above the snow as we cut our trail and also observed the unstable layers when poles were inserted into the snow. After about forty-five minutes, we had reached our destination.
Once we arrived, we moved about a third of the way up the hill and students divided into groups again. Sarah demonstrated the correct method of digging a snow pit as well as the data that needed to be collected in order to assess the danger or lack thereof in the area. Students worked at the same elevation across the hill with three groups spanning an area of about twenty feet. Each group studied their pit for the following things:
-number of layers of snow
-temperature of each layer
-type of snow in each layer
-total depth of pit (from top to dirt)
-depth of each layer
-pressure test to assess slide possibility using a snow saw and various "tapping" methods
This session took us about twenty minutes in total. When each group had completed their data, they were asked to determine whether or not it would be a safe place to ski using the color codes - green = good, yellow = 50/50, and red = bad. The group on the southern most side had the fewest layers and the safest snow while the group on the northern most side had the most layers and less safe snow. However, the students and Sarah determined that the danger of us skiing this hill was green - due to not only the snow, but the slope of the hill (about 22*). Once this was done, several students, Sarah and I headed up the hill to ski down. The turns down were quick, but the powder was deep and it was a lot of fun.
Lunch followed where students filled up on calories and game-time. After that, a required quiet rest hour where they could sleep, rest, and re-charge before afternoon adventures. This afternoon, students had a choice of three activities. Sarah led a group on an extended tour - they did a lot of exploring and found a teepee to investigate. Andrew took a group out to learn about trees - they took a short hike, found and followed fox tracks while also searching out different kinds of trees. They saw Aspen, Spruce, and Lodgepole Pines before meeting up with Sarah's group and heading the the teepee. My group (hi, this is Liz writing....) stayed at the hut and worked on some mountain-inspired odes. We spent some time outside and worked on using descriptive language and pulling inspiration from nature. Below, you'll find the odes that students wrote this afternoon.
The sun has set and the kids are in for the night. They're currently working on dinner (burrito bar), reading, writing, keeping the fire burning and interrogating Andrew and Sarah about science things. Tonight we will have another reflection group to discuss using senses and listening to "gut feelings." Tomorrow we have a full day planned before heading out to the hot springs early Wednesday morning. Thanks for following our adventure and enjoy the odes and pictures below.
Ode to Silence -- Marie
When you think of silence,
what do you hear?
The deafening sound is unimaginable.
Something so miraculous,
yet so breakable,
sits within each of us
but is so rare
and complicated
to grasp.
The valuable noise isn't really a noise after all,
is it?
Ode to Fire - Allyssa
Ode to a delightful fire ,
the peaceful heat - warmth
as the flickering flames spread
uncontrollable
into a relaxing sensation of the night
watching the coals burning
of the hot change
trying to stay
awake
Ode to Snow - Tate
snow's sick
the white flakes all unique
varied shapes and sizes
built of tiny crystals
that fall fluffy and wet
packed into layers
that we can shred
the beautiful white snow
consistently cold
gentle individually
but harsh in a ball
snow's sick
Ode to Avalanches - Maysie
an unexpected spark
a crack bursting through the deep freezing blanket of snow
slowly, then swiftly tumbling down
in destructive magnificence
clearing path in its wake
removing obstacles in a monstrous cloud falling and flying fast
without bounds, crushing the hill before them
crumbling trees, moving the forest,
creating destruction, destructing creation
Ode to Teamwork - Lezette
what comes to mind when you hear the word teamwork?
when I think of teamwork, friendship comes to mind
also community and bonding
having teamwork can be helpful and is necessary
teamwork gives you experience
teamwork is good
#marie
Ode to Handwarmers - Carlee
My palms are warm and toasty
where blue fingers turn pink and dreadful becomes fun
ode to my handwarmers
for keeping my body safe
to the chemicals that ignite my personal fire
and keep my gloves much drier
ode to my "little hotties"