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!

Red Rock Radness

A cloud of dust contrasted the burnt sienna rock and the deep aqua sky. I dug into my bag, trying to get white particles of energy to attach to my fingers. I pinched the block as hard as I could—if only it were Green Rock. My thoughts were racing just as fast as my overworked heart; what if I fell? I looked down, looked up, looked back down. My arms weren’t getting any stronger. What was I waiting for? Once I realized it would be harder to down climb six feet to the last clip than clip the next bolt, I got myself together. Panicking wasn’t productive I told myself. Every muscle in my body was shaking as I let go with my right hand to reach down for the rope and make the clip. In through the nose, out through the mouth-it's so much easier to breath after clipping.

That’s a fifteen-minute snippet of my spring break. Red Rock Canyon, Nevada; a world class climbing destination less than six hours from school. The 15 does get boring at times but with enough chocolate and religious talk radio it goes by quickly. Rosie and I rolled into Vegas around 2pm PST. By four, we had the campsite picked out, the tent pitched, and our packs packed for an afternoon climbing session. What we didn’t know at the time was we were going to a very remote part of Red Rock. The drive in didn’t suit my urban vehicle very well. The skid panel on my car has some character but at least we arrived at the trailhead. The approach was beautiful and welcoming—maybe too welcoming. A cactus got really attached to my hand. It was painful to remove it. Rosie was a great wingman with pulling cacti out of my hand (I was busy filming) and navigating us to the base of the climb. The route sounded great, a 150’ 5.7. In reality it was quite different. After she tried it once, we did the right thing and enjoyed a spectacular hike back to the car.

Wednesday followed a similar theme of eating humble pie. We set off for more than either of us could handle by trying a classic nine pitch 5.8+ called Crimson Chrysalis. There is so much to be learned from experiences like this. We learned it’s always a good idea to check weather reports before climbing. This would have shown us a wind advisory with gusts up to 50mph. Winds like that aren’t conducive to any "fun having". Communication on the wall is impossible and more importantly, climbing is more challenging. That afternoon we went to a local coffeehouse to regroup [, check Facebook] and pick out more reasonable climbs for the rest of the trip.

Thursday was a great day of sending short, more manageable routes. Perhaps a bit superstitious but I decided it was best if I didn’t lead the first pitch or route of the day anymore. In the last year or so every day I’ve ever been first on the wall has turned into a less than awesome day. Rosie got us started on the right foot by leading a 110’ 5.8+ slab called Ultraman. Since the route was put up in the 70s it wasn’t as protected as a modern route meaning if you were to fall between bolts it would hurt. Luckily Rosie’s physically and mentally strong and got to the anchor without any issue. From there we set up a top rope to the left on a route called Clutch Cargo –a 100’ 5.9 slab.

The morning warm up came in handy for the 12a calling our name that afternoon. A crazy idea came over us that we should get on something stiff. Even though I was falling a bunch, working the 12a built up some confidence I was missing the first two days. The pinnacle of the day came when I attempted to “dyno through the crux” (dyno: dynamically move). I finally felt comfortable enough to be myself. Trying a move as risky as a dyno got the blood flowing through my body. I realized I was being overly careful: gripping holds too tight, over thinking strategy, moving slowly, and not trusting myself. All of those concerns were flushed out when I finally trusted the rope to do its job.

The rope did its job beautifully the whole trip. We made the most of our last day of full climbing by finding ourselves on an overhanging 11d. To say I was out of my comfort zone would be like saying Jesus was a cool dude—a slight understatement. Once again I gave the first lead to Rosie. She made the first two clips effortlessly but got stumped on a reachy side crimp. I got past the reachy move but didn’t want to commit to clipping the next bolt. If I clipped I’d have to keep going up the scary monster. I downclimbed to the second bolt and came down. Rosie got on again and couldn’t quite drop her knee low enough to pull through the crux. She rested at the bolt trying to cool the barrels of her guns but the move was still too reachy. Seeing her put a lot effort into the move motivated me to try it one more time. While clipping the third bolt I thought, what have I gotten myself into?

Saturday morning we woke up covered in a layer of desert sand. Neither of us were surprised—throughout the night large gusts of wind picked up dirt clouds and sent them under the rain fly. It was impossible to get the dirt out of our eyes because our hands were covered in the same stuff and we couldn’t wipe our hands off because every article of clothing in the tent received the same admiration. Outhouse sponge baths never felt so good.

Hiking around and exploring the canyon that last morning got me wondering if it really would be my last time. Would I ever get back to this gorgeous place? – is a question that I kept coming back to. During that final exploration we made many mental notes of “must do” routes for next time. I figured the more I said next time the more likely it would be that there would be a next time. Red Rock Canyon was exactly what I wanted it to be.

Until next time. Cheers,
Jonathan

PURA VIDA MAE

Costa Rica 2011 Group with Serendipity Guides after Rafting

“ How was your trip?”  The inevitable question I have been asked over and over since returning to campus.  Never have I struggled so much to answer such a simple question.  I want to give a summary of what the trip was like, what I did, who I met, how I changed, but I honestly do not know how to fully convey an answer that gives justice to my experience.  All I manage to respond with is “AMAZING!” and people seem to be satisfied with that answer, but I am not.

I am practically speechless as I reflect on my life-changing experience in Costa Rica.  Life changing?  That term may seem a little extreme, but many ways, this trip was absolutely life changing.  As I continue to try and make meaning from my experience, I can tell you that I came home with a rejuvenated spirit, a new thirst for travel, for challenge, for adventure, for culture, and for experiencing nature. I hope that at some point everyone at USD is able to be challenged both physically and mentally, immerse themselves in a foreign culture, and experience the simplicity of the 'pura vida' mindset we were able to experience.

Although I loved the flavorful coffee, mouthwateringly fresh food, and heart-pounding adventures, it was the cultural immersion that impacted me the most and this caught me by surprise.  The people and the lifestyle that we were able to experience in the remote, central mountains and the sleepy beach towns of Costa Rica is something I will never forget and is something I am anxiously waiting to experience again.

It’s difficult to describe the people and lifestyle in Costa Rica.  The people we encountered just are.  That is the best way to capture their essence.  They are who they are and everything is what it is.  Living simply and simply living is what it is all about.  In the areas where we traveled, there is no superficiality, no giant mansions, no flashy cars, and no people trying to present an image that they are not.  Our interactions with our Serendipity guides embodied these ideals of community and simplicity right off the bat.  They were engaging and made the group extremely comfortable their yummy, authentic food, abundant information, and witty humor.  We already had inside jokes after the first couple of hours.  The way we were able to connect so well with these people is what made me feel a sense of loss when we parted ways.

Don Carlos teaching harvesting a pepper with his machete!

As I experienced this genuine culture, all of my senses were challenged in ways that are foreign to my way of life here.  I felt privileged to have lived with the Venegas family and was thrilled as they showed us their land, explained their frontier farming techniques, and shared authentic, locally grown food.   I saw it the way the livestock roamed everywhere, happily and healthily, with only a thin fence to keep them corralled. I learned it in the way our local guide Don Carlos used his machete to blaze us a new trail through the rain forest and teach us about his crops as he cut us sweet, juicy sugar cane and hearty peppers.  I tasted it in the traditional 'casado' meal at a small family owned restaurant after the greatest and most intense mountain biking I have ever done.  I heard it in the soothing flow of the Pacuare River as we took a refreshing swim after a long hike.  Every day offered a new adventure that delighted my senses, however, most of my growth occurred in the alone time when I was able to just sit, just reflect, and just be.  I love that the culture I was immersed in on this trip to Costa Rica is so rich, so full of life, love, and of friendship. 

Me during our reflection period in Cahuita National Park

My advice for the day: challenge yourself mentally, physically and emotionally. Immerse yourself in a foreign culture. Take risks.  You will not regret it.

Spring Break Organic Care

Spring Break is finally here!!! As everyone geared up for their adventures during this wonderful week, Eco-LEEP offered a quick workshop on easy ways to make a variety of skin care products to help your skin survive all the potential damage of sun, wind, and other elements. It was a gorgeous sunny day and there was a lot of other things going on in front of the UC so it was a lot of fun! Over 30 people got to choose from 4 sample recipes and make their own toner, elixir, sunscreen, and after sun care. It seemed like everyone was having a good time and we ran out of supplies there were so many people! It was also awesome because the recipes took less than 5 minutes a piece and are also ingredients that are easy to find. I got everything for the event at Whole Foods and some are even cheaper ways than buying the finished project from a skin care line.

Eco-LEEP has another event coming up the week after Spring Break so be sure to keep your eyes open for a Healthy Vegetarian Eating Workshop on March 24th from 5:30-7 pm in UC 129. Also, this workshop is more than just for vegetarians or vegans, its for anyone interested in learning about more food choices available to them. So instead of free skin care, this time there will be FREE FOOD!



BIG BEAR: Part Deux

It seems like Big Bear has never failed me, the 3 times I have guided trips there have been amazing!!! (and practically problem free!!!) This time however, was definitely the earliest we have gotten there since the roads were dry and we didn't have to put on chains. This meant a lot more snow time, which was awesome. Although the snow was not fresh powder like it was last time, it was still fun to play in the slushier snow.

It was also a lot nicer because it was not as packed as it was during the President's Day weekend trip. There was space to do more so it was a lot less nerve wracking to be out there without being worried about the crazy people skiing/boarding around me. That's one thing about me as a skier, I'm a cautious person and I really don't like feeling like I'm going to get plowed over all the time. Although I did have my first minor skiing accident since I was 12. It was SO embarrassing!! The entire Bear Express lift had to be shut down!!! I was getting off the lift and my skis got caught in the board binding of another person on the lift and I proceeded to fall and get dragged a foot or two before my ski finally popped off to give my hip and knee relief from being twisted the wrong way. Needless to say it was a big scene... but I still got in some great skiing after that so it was more injury of pride than body. It is also always fun to run into the other participants while skiing and see that they were having as much, if not more fun than I was.

Overall I am so looking forward to the next time I can go to Big Bear, although it will have to be next season.