Outdoor
The Value of Service and Adventure
Wilderness Orientation
CRMS’s Wilderness Orientation is designed to introduce all new students to the value of service, teamwork, challenge, physical fitness, and adventure. This ten-day backpacking trip also serves the important role of introducing new students to the values and philosophy of the CRMS educational experience. The skills taught on Wilderness not only benefit students on subsequent wilderness adventures, but also provide them with valuable lessons and strategies that will help them better approach everyday life at CRMS and beyond. Additionally, each wilderness group undertakes a three-day trail service project in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service.» Wilderness Slide Show
Wilderness Orientation strives to instill within students the school’s values of respect, responsibility, and excellence.
CRMS sits at the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Crystal rivers, both major watersheds that drain world renowned Wilderness areas. Our orientation trips take place in “our back yard” in either the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness area or the Snowmass-Maroon Bells Wilderness. Both of these Wilderness areas provide ample forested and alpine terrain ranging from well traveled trails to rarely explored valleys, alpine lakes, and peaks.
In summary, CRMS wilderness experiences teach students intentionally targeted competencies that lead to a more confident, competent adulthood. Following, you will find the welcome letter and comprehensive CRMS Wilderness Primer, which is mandatory reading for all new CRMS students.
Parents and students,
Greetings! Preparations for the 2010 Wilderness Orientation Session are underway. We are attending to many details to help ensure a successful program, and we want to emphasize a few things you can do to assist us in the process.
All Wilderness participants must read this entire Web page and all PDF attachments carefully; they address the Wilderness Session and required equipment. It is extremely important that students arrive at CRMS with the right equipment and in physical condition sufficient for Wilderness. If after reading this material you have questions about equipment or anything concerning Wilderness, feel free to contact me by calling 970-963-2562 or emailing dfuller@crms.org.
I look forward to meeting all of you and having an opportunity to share with you one of the most exciting parts of CRMS’s program. I think you’ll find your time in the wilderness to be a unique and rewarding experience, one that will remain with you for years to come. One great way to prepare is to get out there and explore your own neck of the woods: hike, bike, swim, jog, or do whatever appeals to you. When you lift your pack for the first time and set off down the trail at CRMS, you'll be glad you did. See you on August 20th.
Sincerely,
Darryl Fuller
Director, CRMS Outdoor program
Wilderness Orientation Primer
NOTE: Throughout this primer, there will be several essential forms that all parents and students must review. Please click on all linked PDFs: CRMS expects all incoming students and parents to be thoroughly familiar with their contents.What is Wilderness?
As part of our outdoor program and introduction to CRMS, we conduct a ten-day Wilderness Orientation designed to introduce students to the philosophy of CRMS. New students will undertake a backpacking expedition in the wilderness areas surrounding the school. All new students must attend this session.
The CRMS Wilderness Session allows us to introduce our new community members to the values and rigors of the school while simultaneously teaching students wilderness skills and the value of teamwork and cooperation in our stunning "backyard."
Groups camp and travel in the wilderness for ten days. The first three days are primarily devoted to a service project, maintaining backcountry trails in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service. The rest of the session entails cross-country travel on- and off-trail through mountainous wilderness areas near the school.
Students learn appropriate outdoor skills and practice them, individually and collectively, throughout the session. The instructors are CRMS faculty members who are qualified and experienced outdoor educators. Although the program is physically and mentally demanding, no previous backpacking or mountaineering experience is required. Students learn to take care of themselves and other group members while living and working together in a new environment. Risk management and awareness are also important aspects of the CRMS Outdoor Program.
What do I need to do in advance?
To ensure a smooth Wilderness session for all concerned, it is vitally important that you begin working on these five items:
- Thoughtfully complete and submit to CRMS our Wilderness questionnaire.
- Buy and/or collect the equipment outlined in this brochure. Make sure to break in those boots!
- Make sure you have had a physical examination and that the medical requirements have been met as outlined in the papers from the Health Office.
- Get in shape—the experience will be much more enjoyable if you are in good shape! If you’re not already physically active, begin a program of walking, biking, running, or swimming that will prepare you for the physical challenge of the program.
- Read each of the following three PDFs:
What do I need to bring?
Most of the items you’ll need are available through the CRMS Bookstore (excluding packs and sleeping bags) or a good mountaineering shop. Roaring Fork Valley residents are encouraged to visit Summit Canyon Mountaineering in Glenwood Springs (970-945-6994); they have offered to give CRMS students a small discount and are knowledgeable about the gear and equipment necessary for CRMS trips. Out-of-town folks are encouraged to visit their local mountaineering shops; in the absence of such a shop we recommend REI . Please call early to ensure availability. For information on prices and ordering deadlines for items carried by the CRMS bookstore, download the Equipment Purchase Form.
NOTE: The following three items (boots, pack, sleeping bag) are extra-important: please use care in selecting them.
- Boots: A good pair of leather hiking boots adds comfort and safety to mountain travel and with proper care will last for many years. A good boot will have a supportive upper section and a sturdy sole and be designed for both on and off trail travel while carrying a pack. It is very important that boots provide students with adequate ankle support on often steep and uneven slopes. Low-top or shoe-style hikers are not appropriate for Wilderness. Expect to spend at least $75-125 dollars for a quality pair of boots.
It is important to break in your boots by wearing them around for several days and short hikes in advance! Most all boots also benefit from a waterproofing treatment after break-in. Set yourself the goal of being able to walk three to four miles in your boots without discomfort. Boots you have used before should be checked for good fit, waterproofed, and likewise worn as much as possible in the period before Wilderness
- Packs: Internal frame packs are built to mold closely to the human body. Your pack must have a capacity of 4,500 to 5,500 cubic inches (65-75 liters). In addition to capacity, it is important to get the right-size pack to match body size. Work with mountaineering shop employees for a good fit. Borrowing a pack poses additional challenges: be sure to check for proper fit well in advance of the trip.
- Sleeping Bag: A good sleeping bag is a joy to sleep in and will last for many years. A poor one is miserably uncomfortable and can be a serious drain on energy. Quality fiberfill bags are less expensive than down, are warm even when wet, and dry quickly. While they are bulkier and slightly heavier than down for the same loft, fiberfill bags are the best option for use at CRMS. Sleeping bags should have a suitable temperature rating down to approximately +10 degrees F. These are sometimes referred to as “three-season bags.”
- Clothing and Fabrics: Wearing layers of synthetic fabrics works best and allows flexibility. It is important that all your clothing be comfortable, quick-drying and warm. Fabrics such as polyester, polypropylene, fleece, acrylic, rayon, wool or name brands like Polartec™, Thinsulate™, COOLMAX® and Capilene™ are just a few favorites of outdoor enthusiasts, since they retain much of their insulating qualities when wet. There are other brand names as well. Do not bring cotton fabrics because they do not provide warmth when wet, dry slowly, and are relatively heavy. Our Equipment Checklist reflects the layering principle. Several layers of light clothing keep you warm and can be adjusted to changes in both weather and activity. For example, wearing a synthetic undershirt, a medium weight wool or synthetic sweater and a fleece jacket allows you to adapt to changing conditions.
- Rain Gear: Good-quality coated-nylon rain gear is adequate for our use and can be found relatively cheaply. Cheap plastic is unacceptable. A poncho-style jacket is not appropriate for rain protection in the high country. Pullovers or hooded jackets are excellent. Gore-Tex™ or other breathable-waterproof fabrics work excellently but can be quite expensive.
- Ground Tarp: A small lightweight nylon tarp, or a maximum-size 6’-by-9’ sheet of durable 6mm plastic is needed to serve as a ground cloth under your sleeping pad at night and as a shelter during solo. Grommets on corners are helpful.
- Toilet Kit: This kit should include a travel-size toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. Moleskin for blisters, foot powder, and biodegradable soap are optional. (Girls: menstrual cycles may be affected by changes in activity; bring a double supply of tampons or pads.) Leave lotions, deodorant, etc. at home.
- Prescription Glasses: Blowing dust, rain, snow, and Colorado’s dry climate can cause problems for contact wearers in the backcountry. Please also bring glasses if you bring contacts.
- Medications: Prescription medications brought on trips should arrive in the original container with the prescription label intact. The prescription label is documentation for your use of the medication while on course. The container should not include other medications, vitamins, etc. It is also a good idea to bring a spare set of medications, to be given to your leader, in case the first set gets lost or wet.
- Students are asked to leave knives behind (this includes Swiss Army or Leatherman-type knives). These items are prohibited in the dorms and on campus and should be left at home. CRMS provides knives for use on all outdoor trips.
- Do not bring heavy, insulated ski parkas for Wilderness; lightweight insulated shells work best, keep you warm and dry, and can compress into a small space when not in use.
- Water bottles need to have a secure, screw-top closure and be drip-free (try squeezing them upside down to test). Bottles with straws and fliptops are generally not appropriate.
- CRMS prohibits students from bringing electronic devices on CRMS trip--the only exception to this rule is a digital camera. IPods, Kindals and other reading devices, cell phones (even ones with cameras), personal locator beacons, and video games must all be left behind on campus. If you have questions about what is permissible please contact the school. Furthermore, if you would like to learn more about our emergency communication protocol please feel free to get in touch with the Active Curriculum office.
In Summary
Thank you for taking the time to read the previous information and to download and read all the embedded forms. Taking the time to fully understand what you need to attend to before arriving at CRMS will help make the Wilderness Orientation experience more enjoyable and the busy beginning of the year less hectic. Please contact Darryl Fuller with any questions.
