Spring '26 trip home (so far...)

Because it's a nice horizontal pic, I'll start the blog just by saying if you read the upcoming #TheDruze:Underworld, you'll then know what it means and how it fits into the story. But I'm a bit out of trip sequence, so let's dive in.

I started my trip home with a month long stop in Bellingham, WA-- where Seattle weirdos with green hair abound. My first gig was the completion of a 4 week online portion for EMT.

This was a compressed 2 week hands on portion of EMT training based on NREMT standards and the 1500-page Pierson text. I am not exaggerating when I say I think we covered each and every page! I went through an outfit called 'Remote Medical Training' where they deviate from the normal EMT tasks and 'authorized' procedures to take account the austere nature of off-site, back country activities.

For example, we not only did IVs (which EMTs don't normally do), but we did Intraosseous (IO) injection or infusion. That's the term for delivering fluids, medications, or other substances directly into the bone marrow (usually in a large bone like the tibia, humerus, or pelvis). we also learned about the GOMAR bag for hikers who are freaking at high altitude (the GOMAR 'brings them down' several thousand feet to relieve the symptoms of HACE.). HACE stands for High Altitude Cerebral Edema. It is a rare but life-threatening progression of severe altitude sickness (also called Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS) where fluid leaks into the brain, causing swelling (cerebral edema).

While still in Bellingham, I did a certification called SPRAT (Level 1). SPRAT is high-angle rope work...to get up to where one might do actual work-- like welding or structural inspections.

The theme of verticallity continues. Prior to heading off to climb Mt. Baker, I took some one-on-one instruction on rope recue techniques.

I learned the Muntner hitch; 3-1, 5-1, 6:1 rope pulling mechanical advantage systems; 2 and 3 point anchoring systems; the many, many different uses of the Prusik hitch (and it's many variations)...we did rope ascensions (like in SPRAT, but minus the fancy Petzyl Kroll); we did rappels with the humble Petzyl ATD.

As an extension of the EMT training, we did rescues with a lateral Bi-Pod (Side 'A' frame HDA) while lowering a load clove hitched to a spine board as well as a Pike and Pivot (Vertical Litter Transition). I am in no way an AF PJ, but I really came to appreciate the span of extradition/rescue knowledge (plus EMT/Medic skills on steroids).

Either way, expect to see that sort of thing in #TheDruze:Underworld...but it'll wait until I complete the 15 day Rope Rescue course I have slotted in November. I'll segue to Mt, Baker in this short space remaining, but #TheAlpineInstitute gets a big nod and endorsement for their professionalism.

OK. I climbed Mt. Baker. In this pic, the weather looks tame, doesn't it? After two days of being in the clouds and raining, raining, raining...then sleeping on an ice slab for which I had the wrong base mat insulation...it was miserable at night when temps dropped below freezing. Immersion foot, too. After a couple hours in the sun, the crust on which we walked softened, and then we started punch through-- with a 50 pound pack, it could mean a wrenched knee if you plunged through into a rock crag. All in all, great time-- GREAT peeps, too!

After the 10,000 foot ass-whupping, I headed to Spokane, where I did a modified SERE course. This one had zero 'Survival', but was oriented more toward Urban Escape and Evasion.

I will write about this experience as woven into the plot of #TheDruze:Underworld. Suffice to say, there still were hours of unpleasant...VERY unpleasant...'Resistance'.

Accompanying me (I was initially 'solo') was a 59 year old chap I will call Max. 'Max' was a 'Corporate Security' exec for Atlas Air...a company that expedites cargo to locations worldwide.

Or so he said.

Enough of that! Back to having fun. My journey took me to the world-renowned Shaw's Shooting in Idaho. First, lets talk about the facility-- beautiful, from one range, within sight of the Snake River. World class ranges and instruction!

My boy (Kevin, and ex-11B with lots of trigger time in IQ) took me on ranges called stuff like 'Sicario' and 'Big Green Wall'-- pictured to the right.

There was one range where you started off a floor below, climbed up a ladder to the roof, popped a mover from the prone, then worked your way to a stair well with shooting slots at varying angles and traversing from targets on the left to the right-- the angled cut outs making either way a PITA. Absolute blast!

Finally, Moab. As I posted on X, this is Kate. Kate is also from Maine...looking at her that is almost hard to believe. If you've been to Maine, you know what I mean. I started off doing some rock climbing with a guy named James. The pic below is a popular slab called Ice Cream Parlor that we visited and did some 'crack' climbing. James reiterated MunterMuleOverhand (MMO) hitches, mechanical advantage hauls and whole lot or rescue-related tips-- he does SAR in the Moab area.

I think for now, that's it. I'll complete the next blog with my skydiving, UTV and drone exploits as well as the other activities yet to be. Not much else...but, read my damn books.