Day 5

Instead of going on a field trip today, we watched several short video clips based on the book/movie “Wild.”  These clips focused on Cheryl Strayed’s 1100 mile, 94 day, back packing trip on the Pacific Coast Trail.  At one point, we listened to the author of “Wild” read a short chapter about what she was carrying with her on the trail.  The point of doing this was to give us an idea of what sort of equipment would be needed on a long term backpacking trip.  Afterwards, the teachers didn’t waste any time before moving us on to the day’s activity.  The task for this activity was to list the types and quantities of supplies that we would need for a camping trip and list the total weight of the entire load.  To do this, we first had to choose a trail, time of year, and duration of the hike to ensure we brought proper gear for the different terrain and conditions.  We choose to hike the Buckeye Trail which goes around the outer edge of the state of Ohio-- a total of 1444 miles to cover in 103 days.  We chose the make the trip in the spring of the year when temperatures are cooler and water more available.

 Once our list was complete, we loaded a backpack with a weight that was roughly the same as our calculated pack with supplies.  Our task then was to put the loaded pack on our backs and carry it around the room.  This a very entertaining, if somewhat sad, event.  Some of the packs weighed around 70 pounds.  People with these packs had difficulty lifting the packs, let alone walking around the room with them on.  Dora the Explorer would not be happy.  When they did get the pack up, they often staggered around the room under the heavy weight.  Obviously, these packs were too heavy, especially when one is hiking rough, unstable or hilly terrain.  Fortunately, we were able to create a supply list that totaled to only 45 pounds and was the lightest of all the packs.  Additionally, when other people looked at our list to try and add items, they couldn’t.  We had planned very well and included all the necessary equipment/supplies.  We considered the risk and rewards when deciding what to put in and leave out of our packs.  More stuff reduces risk, but increases weight.  I think we had the right balance.  Later, after everyone had attempted to walk around the room with their simulated pack, we watched a movie.

The movie is called, “Fly Away Home.”  I liked this movie about a girl who discovers some abandoned goose eggs and takes them home.  Once hatched, she works a plan to teach the goslings to fly behind an ultralight plane, just like they were following their mother.  In the end, she and her father succeed in helping them migrate south.  Despite her young age, the girl saw a problem, got involved, and solved it.

After the movie, we proceeded to do our routine yoga session.