2008 Wilderness Institute

Welcome to the 2008 Wilderness Institute. The GRAB staff have prepared for this 11 day experience since October. The students have participated in a variety workshops, training seminars, and lectures over the last few months. We are placing links to the readings, lectures that were taught by the senior students, and other resources we have used to prepare for this mountaineering experience.

We would also like to thank Tambi Gustafson from the Salida Ranger District for all her support in helping us obtain our permit with the National Forest Service. In addition, our appreciation also extends to the local EPA and the other National Forest personnel for providing this location as our classroom for the students of Gettysburg College.  

LOCATION & HISTORY 
The peaks in the Southern Sawatch Range are related to Southern Utes of Soshone lineage. Ouray was the most famous Chief of the Tabeguache band of the Southern Utes. Mt. Ouray (13,971) is south of Mt. Shavano on the CO Trail/Continental Divide Trail. Mt. Chipeta, which shares a ridge with Mt. Ouray, was named after the wife of Chief Ouray. Lastly, Mt. Tabeguache (14,155) shares a saddle with Mt. Shavano.

Click here to follow our daily route on Google Earth (to download Google Earth for free, please click here). The itinerary is listed in the right hand column.

Mt Shavano: One of the 14,000ft peaks we plan to summit.

Angel of Shavano: Introduction to the history of Mt. Shavano.

Utes Indians , Chief Ouray and Chipeta

Salida Ranger District: Federal oversight agency of the San Isabel National Forest.

Boreal Toad: An endangered toad that was part of the EPA's impact study of our use in the San Isabel National Forest.

ROUTE INFORMATION

Google Earth: This link connects to the satellite view and route of our trip along the Colorado Trail toward Mt. Shavano.

Weather Conditions: This information is linked to Monarch Pass Ski Resort which sit close to 11,000 and is just up the road.

Avalanche Conditions: Students tracked the avalanche conditions daily since mid January for the Sawatch Range in the San Isabel National Forest.

RESOURCES & ARTICLES

Eli Helmuth: Eli is an AMGA/IFMGA guide who is participating in the mountain portion of our Wilderness Institute. Here is a link to Eli's profile.

Kings Gap Environmental Center: We used this location for our orienteering training in February. This center has a wonderful orienteering course.

Health and Physiology: A powerpoint workshop presented by Matt Whorton and Erika Clark

High Altitude Injuries: A powerpoint workshop presented by Chuck Steiner

Equipment Checklist: Presentation given by Andrew Padilla

Articles:
Emotional Intelligence: We used Daniel Goleman's research for leadership goal setting
Mountain Termonology: General information
Mountain accidents analysis: Research conducted on trends and issues in mountain accidents.

Books/Resources:
Freedom of the Hills by Don Graydon & Kurt Hanson
Backcountry Field Manual by Rick Curtis
NOLS Cookery by Claudia Pearson
NOLS Winter Camping by Buck Tilton & John Gookin
Allen and Mikes Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book
Snow Sense by Jill Fredston & Doug Fesler
Lessons Learned A Guide to Accident Prevention and Crisis Response by Deborah Ajango
Accidents in North American Mountaineering by the AAC
Medicine for Mountaineering & Other Wilderness Activities by James A Wilkerson M.D