Joining the Guide Program

I remember the way I felt as the first day of college approached. It was a mix of primarily excitement, but also a little anxiety mixed in. Would I find people to connect with? How would I adjust? How friendly would people be?

These fears quickly dissolved. As I was preparing for the orientation adventure, I was met by a handful of friendly and excited current guides and fellow freshman. Over the next three days, I made new connections with many of the participants and guides on Pre-O. I was now ready to begin college with no fears, no doubts, and a 100% love for my new life.

The guide program has been an invaluable asset to this once scared and uncertain freshman. It immediately provided me with a new home. I have met so many friendly and wonderful like-interested people through the program. I met some of my best friends through Pre-O, and I continue to make new friends with every guide training and training trip.

Both Pre-O and the Channel Islands training trip have been the best parts of my first year here. I still say, eight months later, that Pre-O was the most fun I’ve had at college. January Guide Training was a great experience as well. The trip reignited my commitment to the program. For one week some fellow guides and I camped in one of the most remote national parks, spending our days kayaking, exploring sea caves and hiking. For an outdoorsy girl like myself, it was a great week.

The last night of January Guide Training was mixed with nostalgia and sorrow. I was so grateful for all of my experiences I had and shared with my fellow guides on Santa Cruz Island. And for that reason, I was slightly distraught about its terminus. My biggest fear was that the trip had served to bring us all together but that our bonds would for whatever reason fray. This fear never materialized. I still greet my fellow Channel Islanders with vigor whenever I should run into one. The island brought us together in a way that is tough to break easily. We shared the some unforgettable and “legendary” moments out there. We watched the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean- a rare possibility in the U.S. We got up at 3 am to hike up to the highest point on the island at 2000 feet. We huddled together near the summit for an hour and a half in raging winds that threatened to rip us off our feet. We toasted the long-awaited sunrise with smoked oysters at 6 am. We watched, and laughed, and gagged, as a fellow guide rolled strawberry jam, chocolate, and leftover oyster sauce into a tortilla, and ate it- all. We waded through streams in a part of the island that bore a likeness to the island in the show Lost, only to discover a hatch and a jeep named Hurley. We kayaked near a pod of orcas. We laughed off the minor mishaps, from a guide’s inexplicable fall from a kayak to my own failure at wielding a throw rope correctly. We rooted on a brave soul to finish eating the largest calzone I had ever seen, singlehandedly …Essentially, we shared a week together that only those who were there could understand and appreciate fully. These experiences brought us together, but the memories keep us together. The opportunity to have similar experiences is one of countless reasons why I love the guide program.

The guide program has given me and continues to give me so much. It provides a unique opportunity to get to know people in a way nothing else can. It provides an easy environment for people to bond, be it guides or participants. It trains us and prepares us well to lead outdoor trips. It has inspired me to pursue summer outdoor jobs. It provides an opportunity to get to know others, the world, and myself in a more intimate way. It provides the opportunity to become closely acquainted with the sublime beauty and magic of the natural world. Bottom line: it provides countless opportunities and asks for not much in return, and I could not be happier at this college because of the guide program.

Cedar Creek Falls

When asked to lead a hike to Cedar Creek Falls, I was a bit cautious having never been there before. Don't get me wrong, hiking isn't something that typically intimidates me. I recently was talked into a 28-mile day hike in the Grand Canyon, and enjoyed every minute of it. I've been hiking since I was old enough to walk, and have fallen madly in love with the fresh air, scenery, and the inevitable

exercise that results from

a great hike.

Although I was certain that Cedar Creek Falls would be an awesome hike, I knew it was going to be a challenge blindly leading a group there. But, if guiding trips has taught me nothing else, it has taught me to be confident with what I know best. Since I'm an avid hiker, I figured this hike couldn't throw much at me that I haven't experienced before.

Cedar Creek Falls is a spectacular 80 foot waterfall, and has understandably become an extremely popular hiking destination. However, a lot of visitors, lacking knowledge of the area and knowledge about hiking in general, fail to prepare themselves for the risks associated with the area. Calls for help are more common in this area than any other hiking trail in San Diego, and at least one person a year dies at Cedar Creek Falls. As a guide, it was impossible not to be intimidated by these facts. Risk management is something that never leaves my mind as a guide, but knowledge of the potential hazards at Cedar Creek Falls caused me to approach the trip with more caution than I am used to.

The group crossing the river.

The trail to the falls includes several river crossings, which meant there was no way to avoid getting wet. Luckily, I had warned the group, and most people were prepared with water shoes 'at the ready.' Other hikers on the trail weren't so fortunate. I noticed several groups attempting to cross barefoot. This may seem harmless, but because of the extremely rocky river bottom and the heavy current, I thought they were taking a pretty big risk. At times like these, it's important to consider the fact that no matter what, you still have to hike BACK. Some people forget this minor detail and manage to make some pretty poor decisions. An injury caused by crossing a river barefoot isn't worth the pain you'll experience trying to hike back out with that injury.

The river is certainly a hazardous detail on the trail, but the real action happens at the waterfall itself. After hiking for an hour or so in the heat, nothing sounds better than jumping in the refreshing Devil's Punchbowl at the base of the falls. This is where a lot of people start making bad decisions. Yes, a swim sounds glorious after breaking a sweat on the trail. No argument there. But where a lot of people go wrong is in their decision to go cliff-diving into the inviting swimming hole. A lot of times, people get away with it, no harm done. But who wants to be the exception? I'm sure the adrenaline rush is great, but a lot can go wrong when you fling your body over a rock ledge in hopes of hitting the water safely. Because of the numerous accidents that occur at the falls, my group was encouraged to enjoy the waterfall from a distance. A cool day prevented anyone in the group from swimming, but knowing all that can go wrong in a dive off the surrounding cliff ledges, I don't think any of them would have chosen to take the plunge.

The SD Outdoors Class on the trail.

Despite the risks associated with Cedar Creek Falls, I absolutely loved the area, and plan to go back at least once more before graduation. People will continue to make poor decisions, but I think the hike taught me an important lesson about risk management: Never to underestimate risks in the backcountry. If something goes wrong, it's a lot more difficult to find help than it is in an urban area. Just because other people take big risks doesn' t mean I have to do the same. I have a lot more hiking to do in my lifetime, and I'm not taking any chances in ruining my ability to hit as many trails as I can!

I highly recommend Cedar Creek Falls to anyone who enjoys hiking. San Diego has a lot of fun things to offer, but you definitely don't want to miss this amazing place!

La Jolla 1/2 Marathon

I was promised a course with one hill. ONE HILL! Not four. And the “one hill” ended up being the monster at Torrey Pines. The uphills were only half the battle. The steep downs ate what was left of my dignity. Tip: Research the course before you sign up for a race. Not doing first hand research was a blessing in disguise though. If I had known the course was going to have 850’ of elevation gain I probably wouldn’t have signed up. I read a bunch of reviews online and everyone chose to talk about the poor race management and the disgusting tap water instead of the aforementioned issue. Runners are a finicky bunch.

My complaints are only skin-deep. I loved the experience. The La Jolla ½ Marathon was a great course with lots of challenges. The sun displayed a rare shy side for the whole race. It was perfect running weather. The scenery was also grade A+. There’s something magical about being one of 6500 people all heading to the same destination. At times I let the energy of the group propel me forward. When the herd charged hills, I merely followed. I got lost in the music of click clack click clack.

PRing is a small part of the experience. Learning how to be a better runner is so much better. The race was great motivation to train harder. I could see myself being a decent ½ marathon junkie by 2012. I’m really looking forward to signing up for my next adventure.

If you’ve never participated in a race I strongly encourage you to look into it. Half marathons attract people from all walks of life. There is no stereotypical participant. Also, you don’t need to train as much as some people think. I always hear people saying things like, “Ya, it sounds fun but I’m so out of shape.” I’m telling you, there are all shapes and sizes at races. Everyone is welcome. So what if you pace the 82-year-old woman with one leg. The experience will be well worth your time. Let’s go race!