LINK Project
Proposal
To create a shielding barrier in front of the toboggan in order to stop snow from getting on the injured passenger while riding within.
To create a shielding barrier in front of the toboggan in order to stop snow from getting on the injured passenger while riding within.
I noticed that when people were coming down in a toboggan from being injured or if they just needed a ride, a lot of snow would kick up from the front of the toboggans and land either on the persons face or near that area. (This was mainly when there was a lot of snow on the ground, not so much during spring skiing) This just made me think that there has to be a better way to get someone down the hill without chilling them to the bone. After researching the toboggans for a little bit, I decided that if there was a plastic barrier (some kind of plexiglass or really just any kind of see through plastic) that could be lifted up in the front of toboggans, it would keep the snow from landing on the passenger. This would be a fairly easy attachment to make to these toboggans, and would not delay or hinder the process of putting the passenger inside.
The riders head normally goes towards the part with the handles or as the ski patrollers call them the reins. The plastic cover would go right where the head is, and wouldn't be too big, only big enough to keep the snow from falling over onto the persons head while they are riding.
Mentor interview
Link journals
Day 1, March 1st, 9 hour day.
We started off this internship a little confused, our mentor had been snowed in at his house for the beginning of the day and we (being the first day and all) weren't quite sure what to do. Luckily, one of the patrollers, who we later found out to be named Jennifer, took us under her wing and showed us where to change, put our things, and rode the lift up with us, explaining what the basics were on the mountain. Once we got to the top of the mountain and to the ski patrol station (or as the patrollers call it T1 Duty or “Palace”) Ellen was given the front side of the mountain and I was given the back. After getting to the back side, I accidentally misheard the patroller I was shadowing (named Travis) and waited at the top of lift 3, instead of 8 for about 30 minutes, which ended up being nothing bad, only a little bit embarrassing. After that, I was assigned to another patroller named Don or as everybody calls him “Dirty”, whom I shoveled out hydrate pads and fixed the ropes with, so that nobody would fall into creeks or hit metal poles. After a little bit more maintenance, or as they call it pick, pack, and pulling, it was nearing the end of the day and Ellen and I met up with our mentor, to chat and go over scheduling and details about the internship. Once it was near closing time, Ellen and I learned how to sweep the mountain, which basicly means checking every trail to make sure nobody gets left behind when the mountain closes. We sweeped Zinfandel on the back side, and Stix on the front.
Day 2, March 2nd, 9 hour day.
Today was a lot less hectic, we got up to the resort about the same time as yesterday (around 7:30) and I was towed behind the snowcat up to the bottom of chair 1. There was not nearly as many people as yesterday, seeings as it was monday morning and not the weekend. Today was spent mostly studying the 10 codes (10-1 10-2 10-4 ect), and the regular codes. A little bit more pick pack and pulling. And learning about mountain lingo. Ellen and I did the Zinfandel sweep all by ourselves today.
Day 3, March 3rd, 6 hour day.
Starting to get the hang of things around here, or at least thats what it feels like. Today, Ellen wasn't able to make it to the resort so I drove up to the mountain alone. The day mainly consisted of learning more mountain lingo, one of the patrollers named Val quizzes Ellen and I a lot on things like the 10 codes, regular codes, names of lifts, names of runs, ect. My mentor (Mitch) taught me how to properly read and input the weather data into the CAIC website, and taught me some basic knowledge about how the weather is calculated, what some of the terms mean, and avalanche data. Today, I swept Zinfandel, and Hades all by myself.
Day 4, March 4th, 6 hour day.
Today was fairly relaxed, it was a Wednesday, so there weren't many people up at the resort and not many ski patrol related duties that needed taken care of. I learned that there always needs to be at least one person up in the duty stations at all times just in case something happens or a civilian needs help. One of the patrollers named Nate took me down a couple of runs in order to check some out of bounds fences and learn some new sweeps. After that I met a few patrollers that I had not met before named Marco and Marlo, who were fun to be around due to their extensive conversations. I practiced my radio skills today during sweeps and other times in the day, just basically trying to practice the codes in real situations. I did the Zinfandel sweep with Ellen and the Hades sweep again by myself.
Day 5, March 8th, 9 hour day.
Today was eventful, It started out with a code 3 training which is basically a group practice of a limb / life threatening injury. One of the patrollers named Skippy looked over at me and Ellen and (even though we were just supposed to be watching what was happening) asked me if I wanted to be the code 3 patient. I accepted, at first thinking that I was just going to be strapped in and diagnosed medically. Once they strapped me in, it was like a well oiled machine. Instantly one of the patrollers took charge sending out directions left and right and the other patrollers did not question anything said or done, complying to the orders without hesitation. Shortly after I was strapped in, they tobogganed me down the hill and to the bottom of lift 3, to an open flat area where a helicopter could land. What occurred next was the coolest part, a helicopter landed not ten feet away from me (being strapped in I could only see the blades spinning but it was still really cool) and I was strapped in and loaded up. I was not surprised, but more thrilled at how well the patrollers “saved my life”.
Day 6, March 10th, 6 hour day.
Texas’ spring break really has started. The mountain is filled with cowboy hats, jeans, giant belt buckles, and southern hospitality. Nothing too dramatic happened today, a lot of code 1’s from “type 3” skiers who only ski once a year. Skippy took me out on a code 1 today and gave me a little more responsibility. I had to sit under the toboggan while the patient was loaded on so that it didn't slide down the hill, I talked to her and gathered some information, guessed what kind of an injury it was, filled out her form and overall was just more helpful than in other code 1’s that I have done. I did the Zinfandel and Hades sweep today.
Day 7, March 11th, 6 hour day.
Again today wasn’t extremely eventful, I got my official “ski patrol” jacket which makes me look much more official and appropriately dressed for his job. Alot more code 1’s today, the texans appear to not understand that going down a double black when you can barely do a blue is not good. Ellen and I decided that we are going to work extra hours next week because we feel like we didn't get enough of these good ol ski patrollers and the job itself. I did the Zinfandel and Hades sweeps today.
Day 8, March 15th, 9 hour day.
Today was fairly entertaining, It consisted of alot of toboggan training and code 1’s. I feel like the ski patrollers are starting to trust me more in the way that they let me take toboggans out all by myself now, which might not sound like much, but the toboggans are very expensive pieces of equipment and are not to be toyed around with, and letting a rookie bring them around is actually quite a bit of responsibility. I did more training carrying toboggans with people in them, this is also not an easy task, I started out carrying Ellen down in the toboggan which was not too hard, but then (since I found that to be kind of easy) some of the patrollers decided to give me an extra challenge and put a guy who, shall we say, did not weigh the same as Ellen in the toboggan. This was a little bit harder, but they said that since I was a tall kid, I could use my height to stop the toboggans when there was more weight in them, which after some practice made everything a lot easier. Especially when they made me take the toboggan down a big bump run! I did the Zinfandel and Hades sweeps today.
Day 9, March 16th, 9 hour day.
I learned a bunch of new sweeps today. I start out on the backside, learning the Snag sweep, the Bull run sweep, and the Boogie / Where sweep. These were fairly hard to remember, but after some practice I was confident that I could do the sweeps without supervision. After that I moved over to the frontside, learning the No Mercy sweep, Pandemonium sweep, and Pitchfork / What / Ambassadors / Demon / Yellow Brick road sweep. These I found to be a little bit harder, just because there were a lot of checkpoints to remember. I did the Snag sweep on the backside and the Pandemonium on the front.
Day 10, March 17th, 9 hour day.
Today was super fun, I wasn't expecting it but three of the patrollers took Ellen and I over to the backside near the middle of the day to a cliff under lift 3 and had evac training. This consisted of; learning knots that are safe and sturdy, learning how to make a quick harness if you are ever in need of one, learning basic belaying language, and the best part, actually belaying myself down the cliff. This was a super cool experience that I was very thrilled to have. It was a tiny bit scary at first when you are just leaning backwards over a fairly tall cliff, but I have never had a problem with heights and gladly went over first. The rest of the day consisted of some code 1’s and grilling burgers at the backside T8 duty station. I did the Snag Sweep and the No Mercy sweep today.
Day 11, March 18th, 9 hour day. Last Day.
It is a little sad, I didn't think these few weeks would go by so fast and I was quite enjoying working with all of the patrollers up there. Ellen and I brought muffins and cinnamon rolls up for the entire squad today, kind of as a commemorating good bye gift. I am super glad that I chose this internship, It was a eye and mind opening experience that I feel like made me grow as an individual and as a professional. The day consisted of lots of good byes, firm handshakes, some free skiing, a couple code 1’s, and beautiful sunny weather. I think that this was probably one of the highlights of my junior year, just because not only did I learn a lot, but it was extremely fun! I know that I will be visiting the patrollers from time to time just to pop in and say hello, they said that Ellen and I were always welcome to pop in and hang out for the morning meetings or really at any time during the day. Next year, I think that I will try to take at least 10 days out of the season to volunteer up there. Overall I would say this was a fantastic experience, and I would love to thank all of the patrollers for making it that.
Resume
Anish Wells
164 Canyon Creek Trail, Durango, CO. 81303. Phone- 970 238 6192.
Email- [email protected]. DP Address - anishdp.weebly.com
Education:
Animas High School, Durango, Colorado 2012-Present
Completed Classes:
Mountain Middle School, Durango, Colorado 2011-2012
Completed Classes:
Project Highlights:
9th Grade Shakespeare project. Spring 2012
10th Grade Veteran History Interview. Winter 2013
9th Grade Short Story Project. Fall 2012
Work Experience:
Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Trail Tours, Durango, CO 2011-present (Summers)
Worked maintenance in Mild to Wild 2011-present (Summers)
Achievements:
2011-2012 Destination Imagination 27th place in Global Competition (Knoxville, Tennessee)
2011-2012 Destination Imagination 1st place in State Competition (Denver, Colorado)
2011-2012 Destination Imagination 1st place in Local Competition (Durango, Colorado)
Skills:
164 Canyon Creek Trail, Durango, CO. 81303. Phone- 970 238 6192.
Email- [email protected]. DP Address - anishdp.weebly.com
Education:
Animas High School, Durango, Colorado 2012-Present
Completed Classes:
- Algebra 1, Digital Art, Humanities 9th, 10th, Geometry, Spanish 1, Physics, Biology.
Mountain Middle School, Durango, Colorado 2011-2012
Completed Classes:
- Theater, Prealgebra, Spanish 1, Humanities 8th, Culture Club.
Project Highlights:
9th Grade Shakespeare project. Spring 2012
- Created a puppet show of Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Nights Dream.”
- Directed, organized performers, and directed the lighting / puppet movement.
- Adapted to performance difficulties during play.
10th Grade Veteran History Interview. Winter 2013
- Interviewed a veteran from the Vietnam War.
- Picked as the “communicator” for my group.
- Asked the questions during the interview.
9th Grade Short Story Project. Fall 2012
- Wrote a fictional short story within the guidelines of 700 - 1000 words.
- Wrote about a Roman / Greek gladiator.
Work Experience:
Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Trail Tours, Durango, CO 2011-present (Summers)
- Studied as an apprentice raft guide, by watching my mentors abilities and rafting style
- Took classes on how to control a raft safely
- Worked as a greeter, greeting people as they came in,
Worked maintenance in Mild to Wild 2011-present (Summers)
- Worked the manual labor behind the operation, such as folding merchandise, cleaning boats / duckys.
- refilled brochures around town.
Achievements:
2011-2012 Destination Imagination 27th place in Global Competition (Knoxville, Tennessee)
2011-2012 Destination Imagination 1st place in State Competition (Denver, Colorado)
2011-2012 Destination Imagination 1st place in Local Competition (Durango, Colorado)
Skills:
- Dedication
- Leadership
- Ability to Communicate
Mentor interview
Why did I choose to work for ski Patrol? Well, I really wanted to work for the Trail Maintenance crew, but there weren't any available positions. I had acquaintances on Ski Patrol that influenced me to work for Patrol as I had strong skiing abilities. So I went with it. They all loved what they did and said it was the best job on the Mountain. I can't agree more. I continue to do this job because of my passion for skiing and desire to help others who share that same passion or want to give it a go for the first time.
Did I picture myself doing this when I was younger? No. I didn't really know much of anything about it until it was there in front of me. However, I do recall being young and having a desire to to ski in the mountains. Having been born and raised in Minnesota, I have always loved winter, snow, snow storms, and most things that go along with it.
Do I enjoy working with the ski patrol? Very much, there is so much that goes into the daily operations and having to be prepared for any of the things that the Patrol is responsible for. The training is ongoing, so I continue to always strive to be better on a daily basis, whether it be medical, trauma, skiing, snow science, rope and rescue, resort/hospitality business, oh, did I mention skiing?
How long have I been skiing? Great question? I can recall my parents taking me to a small rope-tow hill when I was probably only a few years old. From then onward, I usually had skis to play around with in a recreational manner, but only went to a ski area once when I was a kindergartner; then I became more interested in skiing when I was a teenager going on night time ski trips in Middle school. When I was in High School I got my own set of skis and started going skiing with friends. When I was just out of High School I helped my Aunt move to Colorado, she invited me to come back to Durango and spend the winter to ski and check out the college. So I did, I was hooked. I never looked back and have skied every winter since then.
Why did I choose to work for ski Patrol? Well, I really wanted to work for the Trail Maintenance crew, but there weren't any available positions. I had acquaintances on Ski Patrol that influenced me to work for Patrol as I had strong skiing abilities. So I went with it. They all loved what they did and said it was the best job on the Mountain. I can't agree more. I continue to do this job because of my passion for skiing and desire to help others who share that same passion or want to give it a go for the first time.
Did I picture myself doing this when I was younger? No. I didn't really know much of anything about it until it was there in front of me. However, I do recall being young and having a desire to to ski in the mountains. Having been born and raised in Minnesota, I have always loved winter, snow, snow storms, and most things that go along with it.
Do I enjoy working with the ski patrol? Very much, there is so much that goes into the daily operations and having to be prepared for any of the things that the Patrol is responsible for. The training is ongoing, so I continue to always strive to be better on a daily basis, whether it be medical, trauma, skiing, snow science, rope and rescue, resort/hospitality business, oh, did I mention skiing?
How long have I been skiing? Great question? I can recall my parents taking me to a small rope-tow hill when I was probably only a few years old. From then onward, I usually had skis to play around with in a recreational manner, but only went to a ski area once when I was a kindergartner; then I became more interested in skiing when I was a teenager going on night time ski trips in Middle school. When I was in High School I got my own set of skis and started going skiing with friends. When I was just out of High School I helped my Aunt move to Colorado, she invited me to come back to Durango and spend the winter to ski and check out the college. So I did, I was hooked. I never looked back and have skied every winter since then.