On Monday, the team began training to become Wildland Firefighters! I exclamate this point because we are SO EXCITED. The class is identified as S130/190 and L180. So far we have been in the audience to some very experienced National Park Service and Forest Service Firefighters, learning technical terms, strategies and tactics and hearing awesome (and sometimes terrifying) stories from the field. We have also learned how to set up AND crawl into a personal fire shelter in less than 25 seconds! On Thursday we practiced digging a fireline for a "simulated" fire and got some hands-on training with tools. Then, just in case we haven't had enough, we will train even MORE with a pack test; 3 miles, 45 pounds, in under 45 minutes. And both feet have to stay on the ground at all times. AKA No Running! As we continue our training, we'd be more than happy for you to check out our photos and send as much positive pack test energy as possible in our direction. Which is most likely South and West :)
Enjoy!
P.S. Further down are some pictures from a free lecture at the University of Arizona on Black Holes. We are now not only into conservation and wildland firefighting, but hyperspace as well! AND to top it off, we ended the Night of Black Holes with some free short stack pancakes at IHOP. Life is good.
