Hypothermia Day!

Today we drove up to the Sandia (Watermelon) Ski Mountain, learned a bit about hypothermia, then some of us (yes, we volunteered) changed into bathing suits and got buried in snow to experience hypothermia firsthand. I was unlucky enough to be immersed in a hot tub before being covered with snow, which greatly lowered my snow tolerance given the high wind chill.

After a nice rewarming, a hot cocoa, and a debriefing, we split to go downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, or snow shoeing. Unfortunately, due to high winds, we only got a few rides in before they had to close the mountain down!

Welcome!

Here in ABQ, NM, where we are less than an hour from rain, sun, sand, snow, mud, we are going to learn how to tie on broken off legs with shoe strings, splint arms with duct tape, drain rattlesnake poison, and do open heart surgery in the snow with a chopstick and bubblegum, while putting our own lives at risk by rock climbing, mountain biking, sleeping in snow caves, and taking ice bathes (not to mention, eating the local desert sushi - they swear it's fresh!).

For the schedule of events, go to: http://hsc.unm.edu/emermed/W_Med/Wilderness_Schedule06-07.shtml