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Teaching about nature=finding myself Part. 1

During the week of May 4-8, 2015, I was honored to lead 2 workshops for high school students. These workshops were part of an ongoing effort from the Holyoke Adolescent Sexual Health and Pregnancy Prevention Accountability Committee (HASHPPAC). HASHPPAC’s mission is to develop community-based, multifaceted approaches to decrease teen pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Holyoke, Massachusetts. For their ongoing campaign called “You Have Choices”, HASHPPAC decided to introduce workshops for the teens teaching them how to get involved in their community. The workshops were facilitated by organizations, the community, and Latino Outdoors was fortunate enough to participate!

It was extremely exciting to be asked to facilitate a workshop related to the environment. The first workshop took place at Holyoke High School. I had an amazing experience with 2 teens, Carmen and Tatyana.

Carmen & Tatyana

Carmen (left) and Tatyana (right). Two powerful teens from Holyoke, Massachusetts.

The first question I asked them was, “How do you define nature?”

   “Nature for me, is something beautiful, brings me peace, I listen to ocean waves before I go to sleep because it’s boring.” -Tatyana said

“haha. I love listening to the waves too! How is it boring? Maybe you mean you get so relaxed that it may feel boring?” – I asked

“YES! That is what I mean, it is relaxing. I can forget about the world and just be relaxed and in peace” -Tatyana added.

“Cynthia, can I say it in Spanish”- Carmen asked

“Por favor!” -Cynthia said

“La naturaleza es algo increíble, es bello y la necesitamos. Muchos no la aprecian y les estan haciendo daño. Tenemos que ayudarla.”- Carmen added

My heart was so happy to hear these answers, not because they were connected to nature in their own different, beautiful ways, but how I saw a reflection of me in these two powerful girls.

We proceeded to complete a Nature Scavenger Hunt that I adapted from the High Trails Outdoors Educational Center. One of the list items was to look for evidence of animals. We came across this tree, and saw ants and talked about how scary they look once you get close to them, yet how cool they are. Then we saw this “No Parking Any Time” sign being ‘eaten’ by this tree. tree & sign

 “Isn’t this incredible ladies?”- I asked

“Yeah, nature takes over.”-Carmen

“You can’t even see the sign anymore”-Tatyana

After the incredible conversation, discovery, and fun, we walked back to the cafeteria to hydrate ourselves and give ourselves props for completing the scavenger hunt! Later, we ended  our time together talking about how challenging it is to be a Latina and how many expectations are made by society of what we should look, be and act like. What was wonderful was me being able to see myself years back with the same frustrations as a young Latina and I was able to give Tatyana and Carmen the space to express themselves, be themselves, and cherish their grace as amazing young, powerful, Latina girls.

Those moments that are not accounted for in my curriculum design, are the ones that I find most precious, life changing, and incredible. This experience speaks to what Jose Gonzalez, founder of Latino Outdoors, mentioned “this is our voice, this is our heritage, these are our connections to these outdoors spaces” and by Tatyana and Carmen having a connection to the outdoors right at their school, we were all able to connect on a deeper level and empower each other as Latinas.

Que viva el poder.

Latino Outdoors Latino Conservation Week REI Giveaway!

Hello wonderful Latino Outdoors community of trailblazers! In celebration of Latino Conservation Week we are doing an REI gift card giveaway! We have TWO $100 REI gift cards to give away! This sweepstakes is a way to recognize you, our fantastic online community! We also want you to show us how you love and connect with the outdoors as well as sharing why you care about these special places.  We want you, your friends, familia, peers, and colleagues to go outdoors this week and show us how you enjoy the outdoors and why these places matter to you.

LO LCW REI Gift Card Giveaway cropped

Here’s what to do:

  • Go outdoors, take photos, and share them with us. Take selfies, landscape shots, action shots, stewardship, restoration projects, and any which way in which you enjoy, celebrate, and care about the outdoors.
  • Include a caption/statement. Tell us where you are, and why you love and want to celebrate your trail, park, river, public land, etc. Also tell us why it’s important to see more of our communities in the outdoors.
  • Use the hashtags. This sweepstakes will run on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. For all three platforms you need to use these four hashtags: #LatinoConservationWeek #LatinoOutdoors #VamosOutdoors #REI. You can use any additional hashtags but we’ll be looking for at least all four of these.
  • Tag your friends! Tag who you hike with, who you’d like to join you a bike ride, your favorite outdoor orgs or companies that help you get outdoors, and anyone else you want to share the joy of the outdoors with!

 

Additional platform info: If you use Instagram, you can tag us with our handle @LatinoOutdoors as well as using the hashtags. If you use Twitter, remember the character limit and tag us @LatinoOutdoors to ensure we’re notified. If you use Facebook, tag us to our Facebook page and you can share your post to our timeline.

 

So go out, enjoy the outdoors, and show us! Sweepstakes rules available below.

 

Rules and Eligibility

No purchase necessary. This sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia (except where prohibited) who are at least age 18 (or the age of majority under applicable law).  If you do not meet any of these requirements, or any other eligibility requirements in these official rules, you are not eligible to win a prize, and Latino Outdoors reserves the right not to award prizes to you.

 

The Sweepstakes starts on Monday 7/13/15, at12:01am and ends on Sunday 7/19/15 at 11:59pm (the “Sweepstakes Period”).  All entries must be received during the Sweepstakes Period to be eligible to win a prize.

 

How to Enter. Submissions must be posted to Instagram, Twitter or Facebook using at least these four hashtags: #LatinoOutdors #LatinoConservationWeek #VamosAfuera and #REI. You may enter multiple times but only one gift will be awarded per person.

 

Prize. LO LCW REI Giveway includes:

  • 2 $100 gift cards will be awarded, two participants will be awarded, one card per participant

 

Selection and Notification of Winner. Winner will be determined by a random drawing from all eligible entries, using an online randomizer the week of July 20-24. Need not be present in person to win. Winner will be notified by telephone, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram message. To claim the prize, winner should follow the instructions contained in his or hers notification.

 

Odds of winning a prize depend on number of eligible entries received.  ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAXES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECEIPT OR USE OF ANY PRIZES ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNER.  All Prizes will be awarded.  If a Prize is returned as undeliverable or otherwise not claimed within ten (10) days after delivery of notification, the Prize will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner selected by a second random drawing from all remaining eligible entries. All Prizes are awarded “AS IS” and WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, express or implied (including, without limitation, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose).

 

General Release.  By entering the Sweepstakes, you release Latino Outdoors, REI, and all Released Parties from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, for any claims, costs, injuries, losses, or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the Sweepstakes or delivery, mis-delivery, acceptance, possession, or use of or inability to use any Prize (including, without limitation, claims, costs, injuries, losses and damages related to personal injuries, death, damage to or destruction of property, rights of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light, whether intentional or unintentional), whether under a theory of contract, tort (including negligence), warranty or other theory.

 

Use of Winner’s Name, Likeness, etc.  Except where prohibited by law, entry into the Sweepstakes constitutes permission to use winner’s name, likeness, persona, hometown, and/or Prize information in all media now known or later devised throughout the universe in perpetuity for all purposes Latino Outdoors deems appropriate including, without limitation, for promotional and publicity purposes, without further permission or compensation.  As a condition of being awarded any Prize, except where prohibited by law, winner may be required to execute a written consent, confirming Latino Outdoors right to use such winner’s name, likeness, persona, hometown, and/or Prize information without further permission or compensation.

 

Winner List; Rules Request.  For a copy of the winner list or official rules send a stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelope after July 27, 2015 and before August 30, 2015:

 

Latino Outdoors

A Project of The Children Are Our Future

1840 41st Ave # 102-101

Capitola‎ CA‎ 95010

 

Miscellaneous.  The Sweepstakes and these Official Rules will be governed, construed and interpreted under the laws of the state of California, U.S.A.  Entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the decisions of Latino Outdoors, which are final and binding in all respects.  Latino Outdoors reserves the right to change these Official Rules at any time, in its sole discretion, and to suspend or cancel the Sweepstakes or any entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes should viruses, bugs, unauthorized human intervention, or other causes beyond {  control affect the administration, security or proper play of the Sweepstakes, or Latino Outdoors  otherwise becomes (as determined in its sole discretion) incapable of running the Sweepstakes as planned, in which event all Prizes will be awarded via a random drawing from among all eligible entries received prior to cancellation.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Latino Outdoors reserves the right to amend, modify, or cancel the Sweepstakes at any time without notice.  Entrants who violate these Official Rules; violate any law, rule, or regulation in connection with participation in the Sweepstakes; tamper with the operation of the Sweepstakes; or engage in any conduct that is detrimental or unfair to Latino Outdoors, the Sweepstakes, or any other entrant (in each case as determined in Latino Outdoors sole discretion) are subject to disqualification from entry into the Sweepstakes.  Any provision of these Official Rules deemed unenforceable will be enforced to the extent permissible, and the remainder of these Official Rules will remain in effect.  If you have any questions about these Official Rules or the Sweepstakes, please e-mail them to info@latinooutdoors.org

 

Sweepstakes Sponsor:

 

Latino Outdoors

A Project of The Children Are Our Future

 

1840 41st Ave # 102-101

Capitola‎ CA‎ 95010

 

My Entry Into Mountaineering at Mount Shasta ~ By Ronald Quintero

For the love of adventure and all outdoors!

For the love of adventure and all outdoors!

My love for adventure and the outdoors began as a young boy growing up in a small village in the Honduras-El Salvador border. Most of my daily activities involved being outside in arid climate; walking and being on my feet was my way of life. As a young adult migrating to the U.S., I became involved in high school sports as a way to make friends and learn English. Growing up in Berkeley, I was fortunate to be in a community that appreciates and respects nature and the environment. I was formally introduced to hiking and mountaineering by a good friend of mine, Arnaldo Calderon, veteran of the Iraqi war who served in the marines for seven years. Like me, he is Central American born in Guatemala, and a thrill seeker. He would often plan short local hikes around the East Bay with friends and family. Within a year we began to plan more strenuous hikes around California and our goal was to enter into mountaineering with Mount Shasta being our first climb.

Taking a break at the summit of Mount Shasta t with my friend Arnaldo. It took us close to 11 hours to reach the summit through Avalanche Gulch.

Taking a break at the summit of Mount Shasta with my friend Arnaldo. It took us close to 11 hours to reach the summit through Avalanche Gulch.

On May 18, 2013 we attempted to summit for the first time with a group of friends who were all first time climbers. We chose the popular route known as Avalanche Gulch; class II & III of mountaineering. This route starts at Bunny Flat trail head 6,950 feet of elevation with a vertical gain of almost 7,300 feet to the summit over a stretch of 7 to 8 miles. This route can be accomplished in one day but is commonly climbed with an overnight at Helen Lake at about 10,443 feet of elevation. We started at midnight to complete a one day attempt. However, we reached a point on the mountain where we dealt with elevation sickness, exhaustion, and gusty winds, forcing us to turn back. I felt disappointed but it was the best decision at that moment. In mountaineering it is important to use proper judgement to decide when it is safe to continue or to turn back. To prepare myself for the upcoming climbing season, I focused on endurance running and training that included long hikes with weighted vests on steep terrains.

We headed back to Mount Shasta on June 21, 2014 better equipped and determined to reach summit in one day. This time we pushed the climb for a month with favorable weather conditions. For weeks prior to our scheduled climb date, we monitored weather conditions, we contacted Mount Shasta rangers to better keep us updated on the climbing season. This time we felt more confident with how we had prepared both on the physical level and gear selection. We came to a point on the mountain known as Misery Hill at 13,800 feet of elevation; it was here where we turned back during our first attempt. Misery Hill is exactly what the name describes, miserable. As you climb, it deceives you into believing that you have reached the final stretch when in fact you have to climb up higher. We kept the team morale up reminding one another to push through. The rewarding moment came when we hit the summit and got that chance to enjoy the 360 degree view of the entire northern California state border and Oregon.

The crew heading to the trail head at Bunny Flat that starts at 6,950 feet of elevation. I am on the far right pointing to the summit.

The crew heading to the trail head at Bunny Flat that starts at 6,950 feet of elevation. I am on the far right pointing to the summit.

On May 2, 2015 I made my third attempted to summit Shasta with a group of experienced mountaineers via Casaval Ridge route. This route is slightly more technical than Avalanche Gulch. Casaval Ridge is a class III of mountaineering with a level 4 of difficulty. While we conquered the technical aspects of this route, it was unfortunate that due to timing and weather conditions we had to turn back just 760 feet off to the summit. It was late into the day at about 4:00 PM when clouds reduced our visibility forcing us to descend. Time of day for a safe and efficient climb is critical in mountaineering; it is often recommended to start as early as possible to capitalize on the well compacted snow.

Going up through Casaval Ridge route during my third attempt. This is a class III of mountaineering.

Going up through Casaval Ridge route during my third attempt. This is a class III of mountaineering.

I wanted to enjoy that 360 degree view again this year and relive the emotion of being at the summit. On May 30, 2015, I packed my bag and all the lessons I took from my previous attempts drove directly to the trail head for my first solo climb. I was determined to start on time to enjoy a sunrise three quarters up into the mountain. I remember the route vividly, how could I forget Misery Hill, it was there where I had to turn back my first time. When you’re facing nature, you’re not only facing the environmental challenges or elements but also enduring exhaustion that comes from being focused on your task. I broke down the long trek in my mind by creating short term goals for myself; taking 7 French steeps at a time on steep stretches. I enjoyed the quietness of the starry night and the gentle breeze. I was alone but the mountain wasn’t a lonely place. Breakfast was at sunrise, it was a brief break for about 7 minutes. I carried enough food and hydration but at times I forced myself to consume it to keep energy levels up. Like once before, I reached Misery Hill and faced gusty winds. This time, however, I was equipped with the right gear and so I threw on my snow mask with googles to cover my face from the wind and pushed through.

At 8:30AM I reached summit and my stay was not brief. I rehydrated, refueled and made myself at home. During that hour at the summit, I took the time to capture its beauty. To the southern east California border, I was able to see Lassen Peak. To the North West I was able to see Mt Hood in Oregon. I had carried my Honduran flag from my previous climbs and so I took advantage to capture a photo with it at the summit. This was not a typical selfie as I had to place my GoPro resting against a boulder and I was able to control the shutter with my iPhone.

Finally waving my bandera at the Summit of Mount Shasta to honor my birthplace.

Finally waving my bandera at the summit of Mount Shasta to honor my birthplace.

Normally people glissade down to descend quicker, however, I didn’t feel rushed and so I took my time descending down. Mount Shasta is a very special place to me. My current record is two successful summits and two failed attempts. I have learned as much from my failed attempts as I have from my summits. Mount Shasta is by far the only mountain in the vicinity for novice entry level into mountaineering. Prior to Mount Shasta I had no experience in mountaineering and almost no experience trekking through snow. The final destination isn’t the summit, the accomplishment comes from the journey itself and the stories and people you meet along the way. I plan to continue my adventures with my next expedition to Mount Rainier in Washington State. Every climb is different in any given day.

Join Ron on his  future adventures by following him on Instagram: @rontheram  or click here: https://instagram.com/rontheram/

For any questions regarding hiking, mountaineering, or fitness, send him an email to: rontheram@gmail.com

Click play below to view a recap video of Ron and Arnaldo’s first and second attempt to climb Mount Shasta. – Video created and edited by Arnaldo Calderon.