My heart pounds as I reach the end of the switchback trail at the top of the mountain.  Ready for a break, I drop my pack and turn to see how the group is doing.  I expect to see the strained and sweaty faces of the climbers as they make their way up the steepest section of the trail but instead I am surprised by smiles all around.  And I hear singing!  Light and lilting voices emerge from our band of excited hikers as we make our way up the mountainside for a day of climbing.  The song matches the light mood of the day perfectly, in spite of our early morning start, the heavy packs and the challenging climbs in front of us, we are a happy band of merry travelers coming to climb the mountain, to renew friendships and to celebrate the beginning of a new year at school.  Our joy affects other climbers in the area.  Purposeful guides shepherding nervous clients stop their morning preparations to share a greeting and a smile, exchanging pleasantries about our plans for the day and where we’ve come from.  Working with this class is special and I feel as if I have emerged into a new world, one of kinship, song and lightness.

My family came to Waldorf education through playgroups in the city when our first son (now a high school senior) was just a toddler. The more we lived into Waldorf education the more I saw how the rhythms of the natural world affect the well being of humanity.  I wasted no time bringing what I was learning as a Waldorf parent into my full time work in adventure therapy with troubled teens at the state run juvenile detention centers.  Picture a group of angry young men gathered in a circle around a campfire on a snowy winter night; meal preparations are completed, bowls and spoons are pulled from backpacks, camping mugs filled with hot tea, uncomfortable glances as I call for a moment of silence before the meal.  Hands join together, a collective out breath as we relax into the moment.  The silence deepens, the fire crackles, the soup pot bubbles and for just a moment we are blessed.

A happier group gathers to share a meal on this brilliant autumn morning on the bluff top in the woods.  As I ready the climbing gear others sit in a circle and prepare a simple trail breakfast.  Again, bowls emerge from backpacks and we instinctively share a song and a blessing. This is the annual back to school climbing trip and everyone is up with the sun and ready for action. Serious climbers call this an “alpine start” but here at the Waldorf School we call it the “breakfast hike.”  It is a fine morning and we are greeted by lots of hikers and climbers out for an early morning adventure.  An elderly man and his hiking partners stop for a break on the trail enticed by all the smiling young faces and our offer to share a slice of apple.  His friends take photos of the autumn colors as he munches on a snack.

“Where are all you kids from?” he asks.

We describe to him the location of or small town, the Waldorf School and the purpose of our class trip to begin the school year.

“You mean that on your very first week back at school you get to come out here camping and climbing?”  He asks in amazement.

“Yes, everyone in the class is here, even our teacher, for the whole week.”  His interest and wonder affirms the joy that we are feeling on this particular day.

“Sounds like a wonderful way to begin the year, you must have a really fantastic school. I wish I did things like this at school back when I was a kid.”

We all nod in agreement, reflecting on the goodness around us and, for the moment, we are blessed.

Silent sports are defined as non-motorized outdoor activities that are human powered and aerobic based.  Activities such as running, biking, rock climbing, snowshoeing, birding and paddle sports fall neatly into this definition.  Hiking and backpacking also come to mind because, by definition, silent sports do not disrupt others and do not have a negative impact on the environment.   Many advocates of silent sports report that human powered activities can help remedy the negative effects or our sedentary lifestyles by getting us out of our automobiles and back on our feet; it feels good to move on the land under our own power and is more fun to experience the world face to face rather than from behind the windshield of a car.

The Driftless Area has a longstanding reputation as a destination for silent sports enthusiasts.  Canoeing, biking and camping have been popular here for decades and more people are discovering the pleasure of kayaking, walking and biking every year.  The Kickapoo River from Ontario to LaFarge and the 400 Trail from Reedsburg to Elroy are two perfect examples of silent sports opportunities right in our back yards. While not without controversy, studies show that recreational trail systems have many positive social, economic and environmental benefits.  And it’s not just tourists who use the trails, 46% of all Wisconsin residents ride bicycles on a regular basis.  Many local families who have lived and worked here for generations have embraced this growth by creating businesses to support silent sports, improving the economy of their families and their communities in the process.

As we learn more about the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and the impact of our carbon footprint on the planet, the idea of pursuing silent sports begins to make even more sense.  It’s easy and fun to get outside for a walk on a nice spring afternoon or to join friends for a bike ride on the weekends.  The Driftless area is rich with opportunities, weather you enjoy birding, trail running or one of the many other silent sports that the area has to offer.  The main point is to get out there, enjoy your self and experience the beauty of the natural world.

Essential Skills Outdoor School is a local independent guide service based in the Driftless region of southwest Wisconsin since 1999.  Our passion is adventure education and our mission is to provide conscious outdoor experiences that awaken one’s connection to the natural world and a deeper understanding of our place on Earth.   We are looking for a Rock Climbing Instructor who will work with our lead staff to provide top-rope climbing programs to a variety of clients.

Rock Instructor Job Description: Main responsibility is teaching top-rope climbing skills to co-educational youth groups ages 12-18 years old.  All classes take place at Devil’s Lake State Park, Baraboo, WI.  Classes take place three days/week during summer season and typically run from 7 am until 5 pm daily.  Occasional half days.

Benefits:  Pay is $160 per day.  Pro-purchase discounts on technical climbing hardware and select outdoor gear available as an added benefit.

Operating Season: Begins June 2011 ends August 2011.  Three days per week from 7 am-5 pm and other times by arrangement.  No overnights required.

Candidate Requirements:  Current certification from American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) or Professional Climbing Instructors Association (PCIA) in single pitch or base managed climbing systems preferred.  Must possess current Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certification.   Must be at least 21 years of age.  Must demonstrate professional, compassionate behavior in every aspect of leading along with the ability to effectively communicate with students and peers.

Responsibilities:  Facilitate day-long climbing experiences through proper route selection.  Build top rope anchors for bottom managed and top managed climbing and rappelling routes.  Safely store, maintain and transport technical rock climbing and rappelling equipment.  Instruct students in safety protocols, climbing ethics and technique.  Provide leave no trace training and land stewardship ethics.  Demonstrate good communication skills by working in partnership with trip leaders and support staff.  Manage risks and have fun while providing adventure education programming for groups of 10-20 participants in partnership with a highly qualified staff team.

How To Apply:  Send resume and letter of interest to:

Bill Humphrey

Essential Skills Outdoor School

433 W. Maple St.

Viroqua, WI 54665

Office: 608.637.6475

Cell: 608.606.9004

Web: www.essentialskills.org

E-mail: bill@essentialskills.org

A damp morning fog lingers over the valley as I quickly pack lunch and a few last-minute items into my rucksack. I glance up valley; my eye follows the ridgeline for about a quarter of a mile before gray sky meets gray valley, punctuated only by distinct shapes of white pines along the horizon. Shivering against the damp, I shove a rain jacket and extra wool cap into my pack just in case. I know it’s an unnecessary precaution because today’s forecast calls for full sun by midmorning, but I don’t mind the extra bulk and they weigh next to nothing in my pack. As I walk across the gravel road to meet the small group huddled together at the trailhead, I know two things for sure: spring has finally arrived here in southwest Wisconsin, and it is now officially mud season.

Today I’m meeting with a group from Minneapolis–St. Paul who have come to the Driftless area for a weekend getaway. We’ll spend the day in the woods, practicing wilderness skills, taking photographs, and looking for signs of spring.  A few of the guys have fly rods and will try their luck sometime before lunch. Wildcat Mountain State Park is the perfect area for our explorations because of its great trails, diverse ecosystems, and easy access to the Kickapoo River. We wait patiently while someone swaps walking shoes for full rubber mud boots. After a few warm up games we hit the trail, and I immediately see that we are in for some real fun here in southwestern Wisconsin…

This class will run 10 am-5 pm and we’ll cover the basics of BSA’s Climb On Safely protocols which every scout needs to achieve the Rock Climbing merit badge.  Bill Humphrey is the only professional climbing guide in Wisconsin who is certified to teach this Climb On Safely program which is required for the BSA climbing merit badge.  The class is open to all scouts, friends and family and it’s very affordable at only $40. per person.  Class size is kept small to facilitate a good learning environment for everyone.  Contact Bill at Essential Skills Outdoor School (608) 606-9004 for details or to sign up for the class.

On Belay

“What’s the hardest part of snowshoeing?” I ask the well-bundled group of kids circling in front of me at the trailhead.  “Putting them on!” someone shouts.  “Running!” another cries out, beginning a stream of consciousness brainstorming session that I encourage with a nod and an inquisitive pause.  “Falling down!” “Getting up!”  “Going backwards!”  The cogs are turning now as this crew prepares themselves for a quick lesson on proper snowshoe technique and a rowdy trek in the fresh powder.

Conditions have been near perfect this season with new batches of cold powder snow delivered weekly and temperatures consistently cold enough to keep it light and fluffy.  Snow like this can be a real headache (and backache) on the streets and sidewalks in town, but out on the trail and in the woods it’s beautiful and deep.  Folks come from all around to enjoy themselves on cross country skis or snowshoes here in the Driftless region and it’s well worth the trip.  Local ski trails have been in very good condition and exploring off track with snowshoes is a great way to discover the mysteries of the deep woods or the back hayfield.  Modern snowshoes and cross country ski gear can be rented locally and if you don’t have a friend to show you how it’s done there are a few classes, clubs and coaches around who would be happy to kick and glide with you for a few hours on a sunny winter afternoon.  Only one complaint comes up during classes like this; “why do we have to end so soon?”

The truth is that snowshoeing is pretty easy if you can put one foot in front of the other and keep your tips up.  Just for fun the class practices falling down, making snow angels and getting up with the snowshoes on.  I demonstrate how to step a 360 degree turn and kick a 180.  Some of the skaters in the group get pretty good until they snag a tail attempting an “ollie” and tumble head first into the drifts.  Everyone laughs and the skaters enjoy the attention.  I talk about the fall line and get a good laugh with an exaggerated and goofy looking demonstration the herringbone uphill technique.  And that’s fine with me because we are all out here to try something new, learn a few things and get some good exercise.  If all that is gained for the cost of acting silly, I’m up for the task.

By most measures we have met our goals during this snowshoeing class at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve in LaFarge.  In the classroom we talk about the 4,000 year old history of snowshoes and how they have been an important survival tool for many early cultures around the northern hemisphere.  By observing animals and their tracks in winter traditional snowshoe builders came up with the “bear paw” and the “beaver tail” shapes that we know today.  Modern materials made for lighter and stronger snowshoes, discarding (according to some builders) the beauty and tradition of the wooden snowshoe for the convenience and ease of the modern variations.  We discuss cold weather safety and talk about dressing in layers and how the snow itself can be an insulating layer.  This principal is put to the test on the trail when one student performs a belly flop and buries his nose in the powder.  I watch him for a few minutes before asking him what he’s doing.  His frosted head pops up, ears clogged with snow as he replies, “I forgot my scarf so I’m using the snow to warm my face.”   Many smiling and snow warmed faces make their way back to the road with a new idea of what winter really is all here in the fields and the woods of the Driftless.