Pre-dawn ski to Coyote Rock.
The last climb up to the top of Coyote Rock.
Josh layers up against the icy wind.
The small group who braved the morning cold to ski up Coyote Rock: Elsa, Josh, Tyler, Dylan, Kristin, Ben and LP.
Skiing back down is the fun part.
A few more days in Jackson Hole…
Unloading and heading back to Spur Ridge for our extended stay. Looks like we won’t be getting out until Monday evening.?!
Déjà vu.
Now that’s an icicle!
A few brave students head into the fresh, deep powder, breaking a new trail all the way.
The small band of skiers arrive on the Upper Meadow.
Decision time: do we keep going to summit Coyote Rock or head back down? We headed back down. What took us 40 minutes to climb took about 10 minutes to cruise back down.
Tyler cruised successfully down the aspen grove to the Upper Meadow.
Coming back down was way too fun.
One last gentle climb, then another downhill.
The Tetons peaked through the clouds before sunset.
Bighorn Sheep at Miller’s Butte.
Sleigh ride through the Elk Refuge.
Sparring elk.
Students learn about issues for and against the Elk Refuge from Meredith.
Students thank the horses.
Can you find the Ruffed Grouse?
Hoar frost on the trees.
Hoar frost on the skis.
Skiing out to the sage flats.
A little down hill skiing.
As usual, Brendan takes a different route…
…which doesn’t work out so well.
With ease, Mrs. Scott conquers the slope.
Crossing Ditch Creek.
Feel free to ask these skiers for pro tips.
Preparing for presentations.
The Chickadee group’s infographics are looking good with Mitch’s artistic skill.
Lights, camera, action …and the presentations begin.
Learning how to dig a snow pit for gathering snow science data.
The face of the snow pit gets brushed off by Josh.
First data to collect is the depth of the snow.
After locating the different layers, Josh measures the thickness of each one.
Annika scribes the data for her group.
MaryGrace removes wedges of snow to be weighed.
The snow gets weighed by Elsa and Shay.
Josh examines the snow crystals to determine their shape.
Off to another location to dig another snow pit and collect more data.
Day in the life of a snow pit. Click on the text to see the time-lapse video.
The group hikes to a third location to dig one last snow pit.
Dining Lodge at night.
One-hour exposure of the Southeastern sky.
A group shot on the terminal moraine.
The students spread out along the banks to make observations and free write.
We arrive at the frozen banks of Lake Taggert.
A quick, informal presentation to each other.
In groups of three, the students head off to make observations, come up with questions and draw hypothesis.
The students pause on the narrow bridge before moving on.
The surface of the snow has cool crystalline formations that Mary Grace is taking a closer look at.
Holding the little serotinous cone, Chris takes his turn with it before passing it on.
Ben tells the students about a Lodge Pole Pine adaptation to resist fires — serotinous cones.
Learning about the Lake Bradley/Taggert area.
Taylor talks with the students about science and the scientific method.
Students share back what they think science is and what it isn’t.
Attempt at star trails with the rising moon brightening the sky.
Sunrise on the Tetons with the setting full moon.
Kristin shares thoughts on creative writing.
Shay works on her “Event Map.”
Kristin reads an excerpt from the writings of Shaun Tan.
Northern Pygmy Owl
Heading out for our field day.
Grand Teton from the upper meadow
Chrissy enjoys her lunch while looking around the landscape.
Josh made an awesome sandwich.
We spot a fox
Skiing across the upper meadow
Solo time on observation
The students learn to fall and get back up on their cross country skis, an important skill.
Working on their cross country ski skills.
Nate listens to the instructions on what to try next on his cross country skis.
A newbie on cross country skis, Brendan makes excellent progress.
Sze Wing, a Teton Trip instructor, gives Josh some helpful advice.
Not having to try a new skill on her skis suits Mary Grace just fine.
Before the activity was over, Rudy was expert at falling.
Shay and Chrissy are ready to go.
Well, Shay was almost ready to go.
Look at Anastasia go. She’s looking pretty confident on her skis.
Chrissy finds it humorous to see Shay attempting to get up from a fall.
…but Chrissy comes to Shay’s rescue.
Mitch presents his group’s drawing to the other group.
The students try to draw using a marker suspended by string.
Learning communication skills playing “Blind Dodgeball.”
They learn quickly how to communicate commands while Nate listens to what Elsa tells him what to do based on gestures from Shay.
The group discusses what they learned about leadership, teamwork and communication by playing blind dodgeball.
Tyler yells commands that are communicated to him by Mary Grace to the blindfolded Chris.
Josh holds their group’s art while Nate explains what they did.
Shay and Chrissy share their technique for drawing with a market suspended by string.
Playing a game of blind dodgeball for communication and team-building.
Identifying who they think expressed leadership and good team-building qualities, Annika, Dylan and Mitch come up with a great example.
Coming up with leadership and team characteristics.
Kristin reads “Living Like Weasels” by Annie Dillard at the edge of the Snake River.
Snowshoeing out to the Snake River.
Paul Hansen, Executive Director of The Murie Center and Docent explains the Murie Legacy and what the ranch is used for.
The remaining students at Murie Ranch.
Footloose Moose
The Coyotes
Snow Wyatt and the Seven Dwarfs.
The group
Trail to the lodge at night
Moonbow
Guy’s cabin
Friday sunset.
Tetons from Lower Meadow lit by moonlight.
Painting trees with light.
Painting trees with light and the moon.
Saturday morning alpenglow.
Today we visited the Elk Refuge and the National Museum of Wildlife Art. The students were split into two groups and they alternated between refuge and museum. In transition, we took a detour to see wildlife on Miller’s Butte. Bighorn sheep, pronghorn and elk littered the roadside and hillside.
Eagle Tree on the Elk Refuge.
Elk sparring.
The elk herd.
Drawing the art.
Maria’s moose encounter at the art museum.