Settling in to the Rich Ranch

As posted earlier today, everyone (students and instructors), have arrived at Rich Ranch. Yesterday morning we had a group check-in and began to become familiar with our home for the next month. Jack Rich, owner of the ranch, walked us around the property and provided us with some interesting history of the area and his family history with the land. The Rich Ranch is located in an amazing area. It is based at the southern end of the Bob Marshall Wilderness; heading North from the property one can travel 140 miles before reaching another road. The white capped Swan Mountains peek up from behind the lower foothills toward the North. Looking East is a broad, white and pristine snowy field. Beyond the field rises Ovando Mountain, a beacon for those in the area. We also took time in the morning to evaluate what risks to be mindful of in this area...... turns out many are vastly different from the risks we had in Costa Rica.

Looking East across the field toward Ovando Mountain with Jack Rich

Yesterday afternoon and continuing into today students reviewed USGS 7.5 minute maps, the UTM system, and Montana's own Township, Range and Section system for identifying locations, taking field and map bearings accounting for declination (which we could ignore in Costa Rica, where declination is less than a degree!), and syncing GPS units to our maps. To test out their growing navigation skills, students teamed up and put together their own routes through the public lands west of the Rich Ranch. What better way to enjoy a sunny, 55 degree day in Montana? In addition, students have gotten to practice ways to keep patients warm in the backcountry, how to make a fire in the snow, and different ways to melt snow in order to have potable water. We also revisited patient assessments and care provision.

Hypowrap (can you guess who this is????)

Check in again soon!